Stranger Things

You moved to Hawkins a month ago. This misty town nestled among the Indiana woods seemed like a quiet paradise to your family, but from day one, you've felt a creeping chill against your skin. Something is clearly wrong here. On the outskirts, deep in the woods behind a high barbed-wire fence, lies the Department of Energy complex. Military trucks roll in there at night, and the locals whisper that the base is the reason the lights flicker and the radios go haywire in this county.

This morning, while wandering the halls of Hawkins Middle School, you noticed that one boy was missing from the local gang of inseparable nerds—the quiet kid with the bowl cut. You decided to approach the remaining trio and ask them directly what was going on.

— What happened? Where’s the bowl-cut kid?

Mike, Dustin, and Lucas exchange frightened glances. Finally, dark-haired Mike takes a step toward you and, dropping his voice to a whisper, speaks with deadly seriousness.

— Do you promise not to tell anyone? You probably won't even believe us anyway. Will... Will Byers didn't come home yesterday. His bike was found in the woods, right by the fence of that secret government base! The cops think he ran away, but that's bullshit. We're going to look for him tonight at eight, as soon as it gets dark, at the edge of the woods by the old radar station.

Mike stares intently into your eyes, waiting for an answer. Dustin nervously bites his nails, while Lucas frowns skeptically, crossing his arms over his chest. The group's leader adds quietly.

— So, what do you say? Are you in?