[It's painful and comforting, the way his words ring of what Max had said.

Eleven had been so sure, because Max had been - that breaking up was no big deal, because Mike would come back like Lucas did, that it would be fine, and Eleven had no reason to assume otherwise or know better.

... because I love her and I can't lose her again.

Mike...]

What if... what if the Mind Flayer gets him?

[And she rubs at her eyey, tries to quell the burning, hot tears that leave her skin tingling and make her breath hitch and the words catch in her throat.]

It wanted me first... and then.. then all my friends... if I'm gone...

[It's why she hung her heart so hard onto Aziraphale's promise of trying to get her home. She needs to go home - she needs to save them. Her own life or death doesn't matter unless it's the difference between saving them and leaving them vulnerable.]

Wh-what if I come back.. and they're gone?

[What if she never gets to reconcile with Mike - never gets to call Hopper 'Dad' for him to hear...

There's something tight in the way her shoulders shake, too small for the weight they carry.]

It's... all my fault...