the unexpected | steve harrington

the piggyback

part four

It was unclear how long Daphne and Dustin stayed cradling one another; it got to a point where their sobs died down and slowed, with their stale tears stained on their cheeks, unable to speak or move. It was like they were frozen.

They had been so wrapped up in their grief, that they didn't even realise the gaping hole that ripped through the Upside Down and into their home town just trailers away.

Daphne finally sniffled, startling Dustin as his mouth stayed agape, staring into nothingness as the numbness took over his body.

As she sat upright, she rested her elbows onto her knees as she held herself up, breathing in a huge breath, finally locking eyes on the lifeless, pale remnants of her friend. She couldn't bare to look at his brown eyes anymore, the glazed over, vacant eyes that were once filled with so much life and amusement. So she bent forward and placed her hand gently over his eyes, shutting them.

"We can't stay here," Daphne's voice came out hoarse, shaking as she realised the amount of time she had stayed silent.

"We can't leave him," Dustin's voice cracked, barely able to glance up from his lap.

Daphne's eyes snapped up at the glowing shadow in the distance, leading to Eddie's trailer, footsteps approaching in silence.

"Dustin," Daphne stood up, seeing three figures slumped as they walk forward. She bent down slightly, Dustin seeing the group and taking his sister's hand as she helped him get up.

Daphne's arm flung around Dustin as she realised she had to leave Eddie there, her tears once again falling silently as she holds Dustin up, walking towards the group.

It was Nancy who noticed the two, Dustin leaning into his sister as they shuffled forward. Her fear heightening her senses, the feeling of defeat weighing hard on her chest.

"Guys, look," Nancy pointed towards the two, Robin and Steve's heads snapping up as they watched them stumble forward.

A shiver ran through all three as they realised there was only two of them, and that Dustin was hurt. As they came closer, the older Henderson appeared soaked in blood. Whether it was hers or Eddie's, they didn't know. The three's stomachs dropped at the sight; they weren't supposed to get hurt. They were least likely to get hurt. Steve felt so stupid.

"Daph— Dustin?" Steve questioned, jogging forward towards them, Robin and Nancy behind him.

"Wh— Where's Eddie?" Robin croaked, but the look on the Hendersons faces gave it away.

Daphne offered a quick shake of her head, pleading for them not to ask anymore questions. So they shut their mouths tight, none of them knowing who to tend to first. There was a wave of relief that formed over her knowing that the three were safe and well, but it barely made a dent in the numbness wracking through her body. The realisation hitting her moments after, and she swore she was going to break.

Daphne gently walked Dustin to Robin and Nancy; the poor boy barely even paying attention to who he was with.

"I just— I'll be there in a second," Daphne panted through her heavy chest, the feeling of vomit rising to the back of her throat as Nancy and Robin turned Dustin towards the gate out of there.

"Daph—" Steve barely got a sentence out before he rushed to her side as she keeled over, vomit spluttering out before she could even move out of sight.

The Harrington boy didn't know where to put his hands; her jacket was shredded with raw sliced skin, so instead he held her hand and patted her back as another bout forced its way out.