Autor Note: I'm back! I won't abandon this story until it's finished, as long as I have support. I didn't have anywhere to write, but now I'm back to upload a chapter daily.
I need theories about how From could end and what the abilities of that old guy who appeared in season 3 might be.
After everyone regained their composure, Liam naturally took control, as if he were already used to doing so. With a firm gesture of his hand, he organized everyone who had come with him from Hawkins, indicating where they should stay and what they should do for the moment. Only when he was sure no one was still agitated did he turn his attention back to the main family of the series.
What surprised him was seeing all of them together. He frowned slightly when he realized the eldest daughter was there, when she supposedly didn't live with them.
"Well, now that everyone is calmer, it's time for introductions. I apologize for opening the door the way I did, but there was no time for hesitation in that moment," Liam said as he calmly swept his gaze over the four members of the Matthews family, maintaining an upright posture without any aggression.
"Oh sure. After forcing your way into our house, putting my family in danger, now you act like you own the place," Julie said, crossing her arms and stepping forward, her face flushed with anger and her voice full of reproach.
"Julie, don't be so harsh. They didn't have another option, and he just apologized," Tabitha said, gently placing a hand on her daughter's arm and looking at her firmly before turning her attention back to Liam and the others. Her eyes conveyed a silent apology as she slightly bowed her head. "Please forgive my daughter. She's just scared by everything that happened. You're welcome to stay here for the night."
Julie looked at her mother with every intention of responding, lips pressed tight and shoulders tense, but a single look was enough to make her give up. She looked away in frustration and remained silent, reluctantly accepting what her mother had said.
Liam nodded toward Tabitha with a slight movement of his head, making it clear he didn't mind. Deep down, he knew what he had done wasn't right, but he was also aware that not everything could always be resolved peacefully.
"Don't worry. Your daughter isn't completely wrong, but in that situation there was no other option," Liam said calmly, maintaining a neutral and sincere tone.
Tabitha's face visibly relaxed upon hearing that. She had seen with her own eyes what that pair of teenagers was capable of—facing the Smiling Ones without fear and, for a brief moment, forcing them to lose those constant smiles. She clearly remembered that scene and wanted to believe that what she had seen in the monsters' faces was fear. It wouldn't be wise to make enemies of them.
"You can stay the night here. Tomorrow, according to the town's rules, you can choose to stay in the town or go to the Colony House, though I doubt that many people would fit in the Colony House," Jim Matthews said, leaning lightly against the table as he spoke, his tone more practical than emotional.
Liam nodded at this, recalling the rules they had created there in order to survive. As for where to live, he had already made his decision. He knew it would be best to stay in town. He wouldn't risk endangering those he had promised to protect by trusting that a stranger wouldn't open a door at the worst possible moment.
Jim hesitated for a moment. He lowered his gaze and then raised it again to look at Liam seriously. Something hadn't left his thoughts since he saw him injure one of the Smiling Ones. He swallowed before speaking.
"What are your plans in this town?" he asked in a firm voice, though filled with tension.
Upon hearing this, Liam first looked at the Matthews family. At the question, they couldn't help but let a spark of hope shine in their eyes. The younger son watched him and Carrie with clear admiration, almost holding his breath.
Then Liam looked at Carrie beside him. She returned a small smile and a slight nod, as if telling him she would support whatever decision he made. After that, he turned his head toward those standing behind them.
The Hawkins families didn't seem as hopeful as the Matthews, who had already been in this place for months. They had faced similar things before, and there was no real fear visible in them. Even those who had previously doubted his abilities now seemed to have accepted Liam as their leader, after witnessing both his and Carrie's strength and how he handled the situation while keeping everyone safe from the danger they had just endured.
He also noticed that Eleven, Hopper, and the other children didn't seem frightened by what had happened that night. That made him realize they would probably want to help rather than simply remain protected. After thinking about it for a few seconds, he decided to accept that help as long as he found ways in which they could be useful in escaping this place. He had no intention of protecting them forever; they would also have to contribute to his plans in the future.
"Starting tomorrow night, we'll begin killing them little by little until we completely get rid of all those monsters. After that, we'll start looking for a way out of this place," Liam said in a firm, confident voice, answering exactly what everyone had been hoping to hear.
The Matthews family's eyes immediately lit up.
"Please, take us with you if you find a way out," Julie blurted out, unable to contain herself, stepping forward with desperation in her voice.
"Bang."
A loud noise shattered the moment.
It was Jim Matthews, who had dropped to his knees in front of Liam, his face hitting the floor. His hands trembled as he braced one against the ground.
"Get my family out of this place. I'll do anything," he said in a broken, trembling voice. At that moment, upon seeing a real opportunity to escape that hell, he couldn't help but sacrifice his pride to save his family and prevent them from continuing to live in constant danger.
Seeing this, Liam froze for a moment. Surprise was clearly written across his face as he hesitated in silence. He wasn't even sure how they would get out of that place, and he already had more people asking him to take them with him. He knew very well that the more people he brought along, the harder it would be to protect them. Moreover, he still wasn't fully aware of all the dangers that might be lurking in that place.
"DING."
His doubt was abruptly interrupted by the mechanical, familiar sound of the system, notifying him of a new mission.
[NEW MISSION AVAILABLE]
[GET EVERYONE TRAPPED IN THE TOWN OF FROM OUT]
Upon seeing the new mission, his hesitation almost immediately vanished. His eyes sharpened with determination. For the extra effort and the possibility of obtaining a skill or some other reward upon completing the mission, he was willing to take the risk. Besides, deep down, he didn't believe that either he or Carrie were in any real danger in that place.
"Alright. I'll get you out of this place when I decide to leave. If necessary, I'll destroy the entire forest to find an exit," Liam said firmly, lifting his chin slightly as he spoke.
At this, wide smiles filled with relief and happiness spread across the Matthews family's faces, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from their shoulders—hope appearing after so many months trapped in that nightmare.
"Thank you so much. If you need anything, just let me know and I'll do everything I can to help," Jim Matthews said, clearly grateful, stepping forward and clinging to that promise as if it were the only rope that could save his family.
Liam nodded calmly and then said, "Alright, it's time to rest. Let's prepare everything for sleeping." He turned his gaze toward the Hawkins families, quickly evaluating the available space.
"Where will we sleep?" Mike asked curiously, scratching the back of his neck and looking around the living room.
"We'll have to adapt the place so everyone can sleep," Liam said, then looked at the Matthews family with a practical expression. "I'll need you to lend me blankets, clothes, and other soft items to create somewhat comfortable sleeping spots."
"I'll bring them in a few minutes. Julie, come help me bring everything down," Tabitha said, already heading toward the stairs at a brisk pace.
"Yes," Julie replied, following her without saying anything else.
What followed was about half an hour of constant movement—rearranging furniture, spreading blankets, and stacking folded clothes to turn the entire living room into an improvised but functional sleeping area. When everything was finally ready and the atmosphere calmed down, Jim and Tabitha offered their bedroom to Liam and Carrie. Both accepted without protest, and before going upstairs, Liam turned back to firmly remind everyone from Hawkins not to open doors or windows for any reason, and for the adults to keep a close watch on the children to prevent any accidents.
Later, already in the bedroom, lying on the bed with Carrie holding onto him, they had a quiet conversation in low voices, taking advantage of the momentary calm.
"Carrie, I'll try using my ability to enter other people's dreams to contact the outside world. The target is Mom," Liam said seriously, staring at the ceiling as he spoke.
Hearing this, Carrie lifted her head from Liam's chest and looked him directly in the eyes, with a mix of nostalgia and longing.
"Take me with you too. I want to see her," Carrie said, not breaking eye contact.
Liam looked at her for a second, then nodded gently. "Alright. I'll take you with me when I try."
Carrie nodded, but didn't stop staring at him, as if evaluating something beyond his words.
"Liam, I noticed that girl Julie couldn't stop looking at you," Carrie said in a low, dangerous voice, filled with jealousy, sending an immediate chill down Liam's spine.
Noticing how Carrie tensed up and seemed genuinely ready to tear Julie apart if necessary, Liam responded quickly. "Don't worry. I only love you, my little Carrie," he said with a calm smile, pulling her closer to soothe her.
"Mmm. Alright, I trust you. As long as that girl doesn't do something stupid, I won't hurt her," Carrie said, now calmer, hugging him tightly, almost as if marking her territory.
At that, Liam could only close his eyes and let out a small smile. He didn't dislike that side of Carrie; he knew how to control it. He accepted her with both her good and bad parts—just as she accepted him.