𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅𝒔 • 𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 [2]

34•

I rummaged through the cutlery drawer of one of the stalls in the food court and pulled out a knife.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Steve frowned as he tossed Robin some supplies.

"I need a weapon Steve."

"Maybe you should sit this one out." He suggested, causing me to turn on my heels.

"What?"

"You know...just in your- your condition."

"No chance." I smiled before hopping over the counter. "Oh, and say that again, and I'll stab you."

He held his hands up in mock surrender and I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I made my way over to Dustin and Erica.

I watched as Hopper grabbed a machine gun from one of the definitely dead Russians and locked and loaded it. "Well, that settles it. "Erica sighed as I stood beside Dustin. "He's gonna die, They're gonna die."

"Yep, most likely."

"Don't be so morbid." I frowned as I tucked the knife into the waistband of my shorts.

"Yeah," Lucas nodded. "You guys survived."

"Barely." Dustin's eyes flickered to the ground before looking back to all of us. "We could have really used you guys down there."

"Could've used you up here, too." Mike nodded with a small smile.

"Yeah, man. We missed you dude."

"Absolutely." I nodded.

"Yeah, big-time." Will agreed.

I watched as the four boys embraced in a hug and couldn't help but smile. "I missed you guys too, big time."

"Please don't cry, nerds." Erica sassed, ruining the moment.

"Erica." Lucas warned.

"Keep saying my name, see what happens."

"Hey, heads up." Hopper interrupted as he chucked Dustin a walkie-talkie. "You can navigate, just from someplace safe."

"It's not that simple." He frowned.

"The signal won't reach." Erica added.

"Not with this, you need something with a high enough frequency band to relay with the Russian's radio tower. But for that to work you need someone who has both seen their comms room and has access to a super-powered handcrafted radio tower, one preferably already situated at the highest point in Hawkins."
I made eye contact with Max and El and they both smirked at Dustin's rambling. "Oh wait, that's me. If you want us to navigate, you got us. But we need a head start. And a car."

Hopper ran a hand through his hair before slowly nodding, a begrudging look on his face. "Fine."

Dustin's face lit up as Hopper handed him the keys to a car. "Steve, Robin, Let's go!" he yelled. Steve looked over to us and I sent him a small smile before him and Robin followed the kids to the front entrance of the mall.

"Everyone listen up," Hopper announced, "Nancy, Jonathan and Evie you're going to take the kids to Murray's where you'll be safe, okay?"

"Okay." I said quietly as I made my way over to Nancy and Jonathan. Murray followed behind me and I frowned as he pulled out a huge bundle of keys.

"Bottom lock," He bagan as he raised the keys, "Second-to-top lock, third-to-top lock and top lock."

I glanced at Nancy and Jonathan and their faces were as shocked as mine. "You have way too many fucking keys."

"No,no,no." Murray wagged his finger in the air. "Keys mean locks and locks keep you safe." He handed Nancy the bundle before turning and walking away.

"Four locks is a bit over the top." Jonathan shrugged in agreement, causing me to chuckle.

"We should probably go." Nancy nodded towards the kids, who were moving themselves towards the exit.

"Yay, road trip." I said with mock excitement, causing Jonathan to snort.

We quickly crossed the mall and I turned to the three adults. "Be careful."

"Always." Hopper nodded, and I shot each of them a quick smile before jogging to catch up with the others.

I walked out behind El, who was being assisted by Mike and Max. She let out a pained groan and I couldn't help but wince at how much pain she must be in.

"El, you're bleeding." Max stated as the three hobbled towards the car.

"Are you okay?" Mike frowned as I quickly over took them to open the trunk.

"I'm okay." El nodded as they gently laid her down in the trunk.

"Thanks Evie." Mike huffed as he helped El get comfortable.

"Don't mention it." I nodded before climbing in after them and shutting the trunk.

"What's wrong?" Jonathan suddenly asked, causing me to frown.

"I don't know... I don't know." Nancy tried again and again to get the car to turn over, but it just wouldn't start. "You can't be serious...Come on!"

"Didn't your mom just buy this car?" Lucas frowned.

"Yes. I'm sure it's fine." Nancy snapped.

"Did you leave the lights on?" Will suggested.

"No!"

"Do we have gas?"

"Yes!" Nancy yelled as she tried the key again. "Come on!"

"Woah, woah, woah! Just stop!" Jonathan exclaimed as he grabbed her arm.

"Why?" Nancy huffed as she let go of the key.

"You'll blow the engine." I sniffed from the back, causing Nancy to sigh.

"Just pop the hood." Jonathan nodded as he opened his door and got out, followed by Nancy a few seconds later.

Suddenly, headlights from our left came into view and the revving of an engine filled our ears. I'd recognise that sound anywhere and I couldn't help but let out a small squeak as I stared at the car. Billy's car.

"Back in the mall!" Nancy yelled as she banged on the passenger window, making us jump again.

Jonathan opened the trunk and I helped Mike and El get out. "Go, go, go."

The others ran towards the mall, but I was frozen in my tracks beside the car. I couldn't take my eyes off Billy. I mean, I wanted to run to him, not away from him.

"Evie come on!" Jonathan yelled as he grabbed my arm and pulled me back inside the mall.