𝐙𝐄𝐑𝐎 ✯ steve harrington¹

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 : salt in the wound

WORD COUNT : 3.8k

"Does anyone know what a sensory deprivation tank is," Dustin asked the group. However, he made specific eye contact with Gordon – the only one who had been keeping up with everything, it seemed.

"I mean, I've heard of them. But I've never, like, seen one in person," Gordon replied dryly before his eyes narrowed at the younger boy. "Why? What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that something like that would make it easier for Eleven to focus on finding Will and Barbara. She closes her eyes when she's looking for them, but blocking out any other extra sensory information may just work for her," Dustin theorized. Gordon thought about Dustin's idea for a moment before looking over at Eleven.

"It's not a bad idea, but we're gonna need way more than a bathtub for it to work," Gordon sighed. He silently sized her up, trying to think back to everything he had heard regarding these deprivation tanks.

"Like what," Owen questioned, very interested in what was going through her brother's mind at that moment.

"I don't know. Just... something bigger than a bathtub," Gordon said with a shrug. Feeling the need to explain himself to the curious eyes around him, he continued on. "Basically, we need to increase the density of the water to make Eleven actually float on the surface. Sensory deprivation tanks typically use salt to increase water density. But, the amount of water that a bathtub could hold is not going to ever be dense enough to have her float," Gordon reiterated, looking around to make sure everyone understood. But the wheels were already turning in Dustin's head, his eyes lighting up before he zeroed in on Joyce.

"Do you still have that kiddie pool we bobbed for apples in," Dustin inquired abruptly. His words were leaving his mouth at nearly lightning speed.

"Uh, I think so. Yeah," Joyce answered, peeking over at Jonathan to make sure. He gave a quick nod before refocusing on Dustin, curious about where his mind had taken him.

"Good. Then we need salt. Lots of it," Dustin reported with determination. They were going to make this work. He knew they had to, if they were ever going to find Will.

"How much is 'lots'," Hopper finally spoke up, leading to all eyes diverting to Gordon for the answer. However, after doing the calculations in his head, Gordon wasn't sure that he had an answer that they would want to hear.

"Around 1,500 pounds," the dark-haired boy estimated, sure that the amount of salt they needed would have placed them right back where they started.

"Well, where are we gonna get that much salt," Nancy asked, putting a voice to everyone's main concern. Contemplative silence unfurled following her question as each person tried to think of a place where they could find salt in bulk this late.

"I... think I know a place where we can find some salt," Hopper informed the group, glancing around with a rare, hesitant look in his eye. "But it's going to take some minor breaking and entering. It should be alright because you're with me, but... I just want to be upfront about that," he explained.

"Define how much salt is 'some salt'. I'm not going to risk being put in handcuffs for the second time today if it's not enough salt," Owen asserted, glancing at Jonathan to try and tell if he was feeling the same way. However, all she could see in his eyes was pure conviction – a certain preparedness to do whatever it takes in order to see his brother again. That same feeling echoed across his mother's face, making the two of them look more alike than Owen had ever seen them.

"It's enough salt," Hopper assured her with a stern look. Owen's hands raised defensively, taking the fall for the chief's vagueness.

"Also Chief, I'm not sure if you're expecting all of us to fit into that Ford out there, but I'm thinking we may need to take a couple cars," Gordon pointed out, mentally taking count of how many of them were involved in this investigation at that point. Eleven people certainly weren't going to fit in that old Ford, no matter how huge and clunky it was. "Owen, Law, and I can go grab my dad's car and drive a couple extra people," Gordon offered.