"I didn't need a hero, Billy." Darian sneers, dusting off his coat, eyes glaring.
Billy only smirks, reaching over and untangling one of Darians dark curls, quickly catching himself, pulling his hand back. "It didn't seem like that a minute ago." B...
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Hawkins, Indiana
November 1984
。.✦ ☾
Night.
。.✦ ☾
Darian sat behind the wheel of Billy's Camaro, his eyes wide and filled with fear. Max kept pushing him to drive faster and he was well over the speed limit. He couldn't believe he was peer pressured into going through with this dangerous plan of theirs.
Suddenly Steve's eyes flutter awake.
Everything was blurry, his eyes taking in the inside of the Camaro, a sight he didn't hope to see. He realized he was buckled up, which he greatly appreciated. The ride itself seemed to be a rocky one.
On his left, Mike sat quietly while holding a can of gasoline in his lap. The gas can bob up and down with the gas inside sloshing. Steve slowly looks up, his eyes moving across Mike's face, grimacing.
"Darian." Steve slurs, eyes squinting in pain. Mike tilts his head to the side. Uh, what? He stared at Steve as if he were stupid, his eyebrows coming together.
With one hand, Darian reaches over the seat and he places a soothing hand onto his shoulder, not once pulling his gaze from the road. "Hey, hey, it's going to be okay." Darian soothes
Sluggishly, he takes Darian's hand, groaning softly. He wanted to tug Darian towards him but Dustin intervenes, laughing nervously. "Please don't distract the driver." Separating their hands.
Steve only moans and he brings his freed hand up to his face, where he's intervened again. "No, don't touch it," Dustin warns
On his right was Dustin, inches away, holding a bag of ice to Steve's bleeding head. Dustin offers him a smile. "Hey, buddy...." He shushes
Steve sluggishly blinks. "It's okay. You put up a good fight." Dustin coos "he kicked your ass, but you put up a fight." Dustin states, making Darian snort from the front seat, muffling it when Lucas and Max give him a look.
"You're okay," Dustin promises
Steve ignores his soothing words and he groans from pain, making Darian glance at him through the rearview mirror.
In the front passenger seat, Lucas reads directions from a giant fold-out map of Hawkins, which originally belonged to Bob. "Okay, you're gonna keep straight for half a mile or so, then take a left on Mount Sinai..." Lucas states
The powerful jerk suddenly causes Steve to panic. "What...what is happening?" Steve asks, making Darian look back at him. "We're going to kill those fuckers." Darian offers, which only causes him to panic more.
"Oh my god." Steve grunts, shoving Dustin's hand away. "They wanted to leave you behind," Dustin says, Steve shakes his head. "Oh my god!!" Steve moans
"But I promised you'd be cool," Dustin says
Darian realized he had to make it there faster, they couldn't afford a meltdown right now. With that initiative, he slams his foot hard onto the gas pedal.
Steve gasps.
Darian definitely driving, just like a fucking maniac!!!!
Steve was full-on panicking. "- stop - stop the car, stop the car - " Steve yells
"I told you he'd freak out," Mike says
"Steve please don't freak out." Dustin pleads, eyes wide. "Stop the car !!" Steve screams, only to be interrupted by Darian. "Would everyone shut up I'm trying to focus!!" Darian screams, his cheeks flushed.
Lucas looks out the window and spots a street sign. "That's Mount Sinai!" Lucas exclaims "What?" Darian and Max ask "Turn left -- LEFT!!!" Lucas screams
Darian spins the wheel hard to the left. Steve screams as the Camaro swerves around the corner - too tight it careens off the road and smashes into a mailbox - then - Swerves back onto the road again.
....
The car finally pulls to a complete stop before a ditch, making everyone exclaim, some in relief. Max clutched to Lucas's arm with dear life, while the boys in the back hugged each other.
Darian stares off into the ditch with wide panicked eyes, yeah they almost died. "Woah." Max breaths
Shakily, Darian raises his hands from the wheel. "I think I shit my pants." Darian pants, and suddenly everyone but Steve bursts into laughter.
....
Suddenly the Camaro door explodes open and everyone leaps out. Steve stumbles out last. Still dazed. He finds his balance and then staggers his way around to the back of the car, where Dustin distributes supplies from the trunk.
Each kid receives one of the following items: l) swim goggles 2) bandanas 3) gloves 4) gas cans, and 5) flashlights.
Of course. Steve watches in growing disbelief. "Oh no." He groans, clutching to the car door. As much as Darian wanted to help him, he had a job to do. Exasperated: "Hey guys- guys!! HELLO??" Steve yells, trying to get their attention.
The kids ignore Steve and continue to put on their protective gear. Goggles go over their eyes, bandanas over their mouths. They look like little post-apocalyptic bandits! Darian felt ridiculous, but he kept gearing up, placing his gun in a reachable position.
As Lucas passed him, Steve called after him: "Hey, where do you think you're going." Lucas continues to ignore him, much to the displeasure of Steve.
Mike ducks behind the car. "What are you, death? Hello?" Steve exclaims through his pain. "We are not going down there right now. I made myself clear." Calling after each kid that passes him, his face filled with anger. His eyes trying to meet Darians: "Hey, there's no chance we're going to that hole, all right?" Steve asks, "This ends RIGHT NOW!!" Steve yells, yanking some sheets from Dustin's grasp, and swaying on his feet.
The kids keep moving forward with their plans. Mike ties a rope to the front of the car as Steve watches in disbelief.
"Steve, you're upset, I get it." Dustin says, grabbing Steve's arm and turning him. "But the bottom line is a party member requires our assistance. And it's our duty to provide that assistance." Dustin says
Darian grabs the rope from Mike and he carries it toward the giant hole. His body vanishes over the lip of the crater. Max, Mike, and Lucas follow.
"But I know you promised Nancy you'd keep us safe. So, keep us safe." Dustin orders, grabbing Steve's backpack, and offering it to Steve.
