Who: Max M. and Isobel What: Meeting up in the Upside Down Where: Upside Down When: Oct. 19th Status: closed/g-doc
One moment, Isobel had been in the midst of setting up for a wedding and in the next? She found herself in a clearly screwed up Madison Valley. “This is one hell of a fucked up mindscape,” Isobel muttered as she looked around her. It was dark and the air was thick. In fact, it felt suffocating and the blond found it difficult to breathe. Plants filled the landscape as far as the eye could see and most of the buildings seemed to be wrapped in them.
Reaching into her back pocket, Isobel tugged out her phone and tried to call Kyle. Nothing. Rosa? Zip. Crap. While Isobel didn’t want to worry River, the young girl might be her only link to the outside world. She hit the dial button and waited, but there was no answer either. Wherever she was, there was no cell service. It was like Wonderland except not even Wonderland was as creepy looking as this place.
“Okay. Looks like I’m going solo.” The blond started walking towards the center of town. Was she the only one pulled here? Usually when Madison pulled this kind of crap it didn’t just pull one person. It pulled a bunch of people. If she could locate a few others, maybe they could work on finding their way out of here.
Eyes narrowed as she spotted a figure in the distance though the blond couldn’t make out details as to who it was exactly. Picking up the pace, Isobel raised a hand to wave before calling out.
“Hey! Are you trapped too? Are you from Madison Valley?” Isobel yelled.
Max had caught up with Zari, torn on how she felt about the woman also being dropped into this new version of the Upside Down world. On one hand, she was glad to have Zari down here, especially with her abilities. On the other hand, Max knew this place and felt it’d be better if Zari was not down here. It was safer back in Madison. At least, Zari was trusting Max and listening to her rather than some adults who might think they know more than her even when this wasn’t their world. Though she also knew Zari was watching out for her and trying to keep an eye on her, making sure she was safe. Not that she needed it, but Max wasn’t about to argue.
With the need to cover more ground to warn people of how this place was, and help people who might be in danger, Max was able to convince Zari to go in the opposite direction and for them to meet back up in a specific spot. Gave them each fifteen minutes to see if they could locate anyone and warn them on how this place worked. Or get them to join cause there was safety in numbers. At the sound of someone yelling, Max’s eyes widened. “Shhh, don’t yell!” She called back, hoping that the woman would listen and that nothing had overheard them. Max turned to head in the direction of the woman who she recognized once she got near. “Isobel, right?” She wanted to make sure she had the woman’s name right. “And to answer your question now, it’s yes to both.”
To be fair, Isobel only had a vague description of what the Upside Down was from Max. She knew nothing of what attracted the creatures here or why the plants all seemed to have a mind of their own. So, when Max shushed her, the heat rushed her cheeks, but she nodded. All Isobel wanted was to get the hell out of here and back to Madison Valley. Back to Michael, Kyle, Alec, River, and Rosa. Unless they were here too. While Isobel was not religious by any means, she couldn’t help, but pray none of them were here. This place was clearly the stuff nightmares were made of. Hopefully, Max would be able to help her navigate it.
“Yes, I’m Isobel. And I know you’re Max.” She recognized the young woman from the network. Plus, it was hard for Isobel to forget someone that shared her brother’s name.
“So, we’re both stuck here then. Have you seen anyone else?” Somehow, Isobel felt like this was probably not just confined to the two of them. Madison Valley didn’t work like that. Usually, at least a handful of people ended up in these kind of fucked up situations.
Max gave her an apologetic half smile when she saw the color change in her cheeks, feeling bad for shushing her, but she also didn’t want either of them in danger. So far Max had heard the noises that she knew from her own world; however, she hadn’t seen anything. Was it possible the different monsters from her world were here as well? Were they going to have another Billy incident with someone in town? All thoughts that couldn’t be focused on right now. No, Max had decided when seeing Zari that she’d treat this as if it was the same Upside Down from her world minus it looking like Madison.
Better to be safe than sorry cause one mistake and they could end up dead. “Yes, it’s nice to meet you for real…just wish it was under better conditions,” her voice on the lower side as she spoke. Her eyes kept track of her surroundings for any special moments that didn’t look human. “At the moment, we’re stuck here, but I may know how to get out of here,” she did as long as this place was like what she knew from her own world. “My guardian is down here. I had her go in the opposite direction to find people while I went this way. Though I’m sure there are plenty others. What about you? Have you seen anyone or anything?” Max was still trying to find out for sure if any of the creatures she knew were around here. Just because she hadn’t seen them yet did not mean they weren’t here. Or maybe they were on the other side causing problems, which was another worry but one she couldn’t deal with.
“Me too.” Isobel had only been in this place a few minutes and she hated it. Besides being creepy, the air was heavy and there was foliage everywhere. The kind that slithered and constantly seemed to try and grab your ankle. Isobel felt it would grab more of her if she had stopped moving for one moment. Even now, she was surprised the vines and plants hadn’t attempted to take hold of both of them.
“If you know how to get out of here, I’m all for that. And no, you’re the first person I’ve seen,” Isobel replied. Part of her was grateful for that. She didn’t want any of her friends or River ending up here. Given how sensitive River was, it was bound to affect her worse than anyone else. Which was why Isobel had to get up to the surface as soon as possible. She had to keep River from coming to find her.
Unless she was already here. No, Isobel refused to think like that. She had to stay positive. Well, as positive as one could get in a place that looked like it was made of nightmares.
Max was keeping her eyes on the vines, watching as they moved, but she knew they were fine as long as they didn’t get in the way or step on them. Then again Max was taking a lot of guesses from what she knew from her own world. Would the dome bring only the look and leave out the creatures that came with it? Max really doubted that just like she was pretty sure the rules would be the same. Only difference was the look because this was sure as hell not the town she had grown to know back in her world.
“The keyword being may. I know this world for the most part minus that it looks like Madison rather than Hawkins,” Max admitted, pushing a piece of her red hair behind her ear. “This is the Upside Down, which is why it looks like a creepier Madison,” her hands waving to indicate the town that was around them. “I’m hoping the rules didn’t change about this place, but there should be portals….” she made a face, “we’ll go with that word, that should get you to the right Madison. Problem is finding them, which is why I’m slowly making my way to talk to someone on the other side.” Max didn’t even think about how someone not from her world may be questioning all or most of what she just said. Though Max was expecting questions, especially since she knew this world for the most part.
Max was hoping Dustin or Robin were still up above because if they weren’t, then she might be a bit screwed. One of them had to be above so she could talk to them and get the answers she needed.
Upside Down. Isobel remembered the description from their initial conversation on the network. Back then, Max hadn’t described what the Upside Down actually was. Just that it was dangerous and horrible. While Isobel knew it was possible for it to happen here, the Upside Down showing up here had been the farthest from her mind when she’d spoken to Max then. Sadly, it was like the Dome had heard them talking about it and decided to make the scenario a reality. Sometimes she really hated this place.
“I guess Madison Valley has a sick sense of humor. It’s like it heard us talking about it last month and wanted to make it a reality here,” Isobel replied, frowning. “But at least there is a way out. If we can find it.” It felt like a big “if” to Isobel, but the blond wasn’t going to give up even if she felt as if the odds might be against them.
When Max mentioned contacting someone on the other side, Isobel looked confused. “You can contact someone? I had no cell service when I tried to contact anyone. Unless you’re talking about telepathy.” Which, given the variety of people here? It was entirely possible Max was capable of doing that.
Max had figured if the dome was ever going to go making the Upside Down a reality that it would be a while. Oh, she had thought wrong as evident by where she was standing. All she could do was hope not every part of the Upside Down world had come with this place. Because she was pretty sure unless someone had an ability, then most people were screwed when it came to having a way to have fire. “I just hope the two from my world who also know this place are not here. If it’s here, then chances are parts of this place will be slipping into Madison, and no one wants that,” her tone serious and a bit concerned, knowing what had happened back home.
“If this is a sick welcome to the dome life gift, then I need to return it and right now,” Max did not need this. Her sleep was already a mess from nightmares of what happened to Billy, she did not need to add this to her list of nightmares and problems. “It should be like a portal almost. Just need to locate where it might be, and that’s the harder part.” Unless she could find a way to get answers from the other side, which was a bit easier since she knew how it worked to a certain degree.
Nodding at her question on contacting someone. “No, I’m not talking about either of those as a way to contact someone. It’s a bit more complicated, but it’s very doable,” Max told her. Then after a moment when double checking it was still safe, she opened her mouth to speak again. “From what I know, you need to go to the house, apartment, or wherever you might find the individual you’re wanting to reach. Unless this place changed the rules, you should be able to hear them as long as they are in that room. If they have lights on, you can use them to communicate as a way to talk to the other side. Like I said it’s not easy but very manageable,” Max was hoping Robin or Dustin had where she was going to be able to talk to them. If not, then she’d be in trouble because the two knew what to look for where others did not.
Slipping into Madison Valley. The thought sent a brief flutter of panic through Isobel’s chest. If that were true then even if River was not here, she could still be in danger. So could Kyle. Everyone she cared about. No, Isobel had to get out of here as soon as possible. But how? Even if this was a portal, the alien would still have to locate the opening and that could take a long time. Who knew what kind of crap she would run into in the meantime too. Max’s idea of contacting someone from the other side sounded like the best option. “So, I would just have to go to the place where the person might be to try and reach out to them?” Isobel confirmed, keeping her voice quiet. She was already thinking of venturing to the house Kyle and her owned. It was a long shot that both River and Kyle would be there, but if just one of them was? Isobel could possibly reach them and let them know she was okay and warn them about this place leaking into Madison Valley.
No, she wasn’t going to hint at them coming after her. The blond could handle herself and the last thing she wanted was to put anyone she loved in danger. That had happened too many times in her life already.
“Because if that is the case, I could go to the house I share with Kyle. If he’s there, I can reach out to him and tell him what is going on.”
Even though the flutter of panic was brief, Max didn’t need to see that to know what was probably running through Isobel’s mind. It would if the shoes were on the other foot, and Max didn’t know this place only that her friends may or may not be on the other side. “If my friends are on the other side and not here, then they’ll be telling people what to do and what the monsters from here are about. If they are the same, and they probably even know more than I do since they are further along in the timeline.” Max knew they knew something about her, and she was sure right along with that was probably more on the Upside Down. “This is not the first time for either of them.” Okay, she wasn’t completely sure when it came to Robin, but based on how the two were acting, she figured it was safe to assume. Hoping maybe that would help what was probably going on in the woman’s head.
“Mostly,” she said with a nod. “If the dome sticks to how it works back home, then you should be able to hear them, if they are at home. From what I know the lights need to be on, and you can use them to communicate. The individual hopefully will pick up what is going on, but they should be able to see it if they are paying attention. I know it’s a lot of maybe and shoulds, I’m sorry for that. But if any sign of this place is leaking through, my friends are not ones to sit by and leave everyone to fend for themselves.” Max hated that she couldn’t be more helpful or give Isobel a better way to reach her friends, but it was the best she had. At least, Max knew no matter what Dustin or Robin or whoever was above wouldn’t just sit on the sideline.
Even if part of her wasn’t liking the idea of the woman going off on her own, Max couldn’t stop her. She didn’t blame the woman for wanting to go reach out to the people she knew since that was what Max was looking to do, knowing they’d get her out. “You’re welcome to try. I don’t have a pen or pencil on me, but ummm how long do you think you’ll need? I’m heading to my friend’s apartment then to where my other friend is staying to contact one of them, hoping one is above. I should be able to find out where to get out, if they are above, and I can meet you here to tell you what I learn.” Max offered, figuring here was the best bet cause she wasn’t about to remember an address and didn’t have anything to write one down.
Hopefully, Max’s friends were still in normal Madison Valley and they were warning people. It wasn’t ideal, but at least someone would be there to tell Kyle and the others what was happening around them. Isobel hated that she wasn’t there to protect Kyle, but she also knew he was capable of handling himself too. After all, he’d dealt with all of her alien craziness back in Roswell.
“I honestly don’t know. The house isn’t far from here so maybe two hours? We could meet back here and see if either of us had any success.” No, Isobel didn’t like splitting up either, but she didn’t want to drag Max with her. The young woman should have the chance to reach out to her friends too. Besides, with both of them reaching out, one of them was bound to be successful, right?
“I don’t like the idea of splitting up either, but this way, we stand a better chance of being successful. So, how about in two hours we meet back here and hopefully one or both of us manage to reach the people we care about.” And, hopefully, they didn’t run into any creepy monsters along the way. Normally, Isobel could handle herself in a fight, but she wasn’t sure what effect this place could be having on her abilities.
“Two hours,” she said more to herself as a way to remember. Not that Max really had a way to keep track of time; however, she was sure Isobel had the same issue. “If you get here, and I’m not here, then stay because I’ll be coming back. The same on my end or if I send my guardian, her name is Zari, but one of us will be here.” Max promised, knowing she might have a better shot when it came to contacting the other side than Isobel might. More so because Max’s friends knew what to look for and Max knew how to communicate with them, making the chances higher in her favor than others down here.
If she had no luck with Robin, then she’d probably wait before trying Dustin just to make sure she was here when Isobel returned. The idea of having someone waiting here with what monsters usually came from the Upside Down did not sit well with Max. “Please be safe, and avoid the vines. If you do find yourself in trouble, then fire or removing their heads seem to be the best way of handling them from what I’ve seen.” Max had already gone over this; however, she wanted to remind the woman just in case. It didn’t matter to her about repeating herself if it meant that Max didn’t need to lose anyone else to things from this world. “I’ll see you in two hours! Good luck with contacting your friends.” Max wanted to let her start off before heading back to find Zari and see how her luck had been in the other direction.
Isobel nodded. If she couldn’t contact her friends, Isobel wasn’t sure where else she had to go anyway. Max would be her best chance at finding a way out of here at that point. Though the alien was really hoping she’d be able to reach Kyle. If Michael was still around, she would have stood a better chance. She’d always been able to communicate with both Max and Michael telepathically. Unfortunately, Michael was gone. She had to hope that River and Kyle would be able to hear her.
“Fire and beheading. I’ll keep it in mind,” Isobel replied. She didn’t have access to fire abilities like Michael, but Isobel was confident in her abilities to twist off a head with telekinesis if she had no other options. It would be gross, but survival was survival. Getting back to the people she cared about was all that mattered to Isobel in the end.
She turned to go and offered a brief smile over her shoulder. “Good luck to you too and be careful.” Though, she had no doubt that Max would be able to handle herself.