*ABANDONED* A Shot in the Dark - Steddie

thirteen - daddy issues

Everything was a haze. Kids running, adults yelling, things being chucked around. "We don't know what this message means, it could mean Will's in danger!" Dustin shouted, changing frequencies on his walkman. "Thank you for your reassurance, Dustin." Steve said, sarcastically. He turned from his bag which was placed on the coffee table to Dustin, who was mocking him, "At your service." sticking the finger up. Nancy slipped through in between Eddie and Steve, with a box of bullets rattling above her head. Eddie gave her a look. "What? You never know!" She remarked, packing the box away and sliding a gun in the back of her trousers. Eddie rolled his eyes, as they trailed to Dustin, who seemed to just be packing maps, compasses and food, and then to Robin, who was currently trying to shove in yet another book. He focused back on his luggage. He glanced over at Steve's which was organised, with thought put into it. And then at Nancy's, which was practically the same. He thought for a moment. Eddie shrugged, and walked off. He came back with a bag of weed, and another of already prepared joints. Steve looked over and sighed in disappointment. "And here I thought you'd come back with assault rifles." He began, shaking his head. "Give me one."
Nancy furrowed her eyebrows. "Since when do you smoke? Weed, I mean." "Ever since the Russian elevator." He joked, glaring at Robin, who let out a chuckle. "Russian elevator?" Eddie questioned, eyes pacing from Steve to Robin. They exchanged looks. "Can I tell him?" She asked, as Steve shrugged. "Okay, now I'm intrigued." Eddie remarked, sitting on the couch and resting his elbows on the backrest. Robin crossed her arms. "Okay... so, uh, me, Steve, Dustin and this guys' sister got stuck in a secret Russian elevator," She began, pointing to Lucas. "Which lead to a secret Russian base! It was like a maze, one dead end to another but then!" She explained, shouting ecstatically. "Steve won his first fight, but..." She mumbled, Steve, who glared at her. "They were using a massive machine to open another gate into the Upside Down. It was mental! But then we kinda got caught, and Steve and I got kidnapped and taken, Steve was tortured and then we got drugged, which was the first time both of us were high." Robin rambled, as Eddie's eyes widened. "Wai-wai-wait... Secret Russian base?" He asked in disbelief, shaking his head. "Yep. Right under Starcourt." She said, nodding rapidly. Eddie's eyebrows lifted. "Shit, that's kind of awesome." He admitted, sliding off of the couch. Steve shrugged. "We puked and I came out." She laughed, leaning against the cold metal of the fridge. "It wasn't so cool." "Uh, yes it was?" Dustin said, walking through to the living room. "Nuh-uh." "Yuh-uh!"

The phone rang, it sat yellow on the countertop in the kitchen. Eddie ran to it, jumping over the couch. He answered it, as a high-pitched female voice with a heavy accent could be heard from the other side of the call. "Uh, Steve? This lady's asking for a 'Sir. Steven Harrington'?" He stated, covering the microphone and jerking his head over to Steve. Steve sighed. He walked over and took the phone, immediately realising the familiar voice and nickname. "Steven." Eddie chuckled under his breath, biting his lip. "Only the maid called me that. She was Spanish." He affirmed, biting his nail. He finally spoke. "Hana, hi," He began, pacing around the island. He fit the joint in between his lips as Eddie lit it, leaving him to his call. Everyone tried to give him privacy, but they were nosy, and it was a tiny trailer. They all listened in between the rustles of bags. "You father," The woman spoke, "He has arranged to speak with you on Sunday." Steve's eyebrows furrowed, his lips scrunched. "What? We haven't spoken properly in three years and now he's arranging talks with me?" He growled, a rise of anger in his voice. His heartbeat grew faster, as he blew smoke at the window. "Yes, well," She squawked, the sound of her lips being licked being heard. "He just wants to talk over dinner, he said. I'm sure it's nothing severe." Hana explained. Steve scratched his head. "Put him on." He demanded, fully serious. "W-what?" She stammered, as his fist hit the counter with a thud. "Let me speak to my father. He wants to talk? Why not do it now?"
There was a silence from the other end. "...Yes, sir. Right away." Hana agreed, then silence fell again. "Hello?" A male voice said, annoyance in his tone. "Dad." Steve said, trying to hide the anger in his voice. "Steve. Why are you calling?" "I'm here to talk, like you suggested. I'm sorry, but unfortunately, some of us have shit to do and aren't always available. You don't get to pick and choose." He snapped, but he kept a calm tone, covering the anxiety. His voice trembled. "Steve. I just want to talk." "Oh yeah? You had 20 years to do that, dad. You missed your fucking opportunity." He complained, his fist getting tighter. He finished the weed off, and put it out on the ashtray atop the counter. There was silence. An eerie, awkwardly loud silence. Steve was about to hang up, when his father began speaking again.  "Steve, please. I just want to have a heart-to-heart. I've come to my senses. Just give me a chance, even if it's for one night."

Steve contemplated the offer, but it was too late when he had decided. He was driving in an empty town with bags in the trunk and people packed in the car, heading off into the night.

The cipher,  -. . ...- .- -.. .- translated to...

- wc: 970 words
an: finally unravelling another MEGA important bit of my story :)