𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 steve harrington

xxxiv. but i had to carry you

━︎ VOL THREE. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

❝︎ We destroy every aspect of ourselves
to feel the burn of others' touch. ❞︎

Nancy Wheeler's house had a more grotesque aspect to it in the Upside Down. The walls were covered in tentacle-like vines, while dusty particles floated around each room, and cobwebs hung on several pieces of furniture. Steve was shining his flashlight over the eerie interior, focusing on the stranger aspects.

The four of them followed after Nancy as she ran up the stairs, claiming she didn't want to be here that long. Jack ran after Steve who halted, shining his flashlight over an empty wall, his face confused.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Steve, what are you–"

Steve clamped a hand over Jack's mouth, placing a silent finger to his own lips and pointing toward the emptiness. Jack was bemused at first, but his face began to morph into astonishment as he heard the vague tone of Dustin's voice, quietly echoing in the Wheeler home.

"Henderson," Jack murmured, slowly stepping back down the stairs, Steve quick on his feet to follow.

"Dustin," Steve said quietly, "Dustin..."

"Saying his name won't help, Harrington," Jack snorted, as Steve began to look through the cracks of the wall. "Neither will that,"

Steve ignored him, raising his voice. "Dustin... Dustin!"

Steve walked into the kitchen, raising his arms, jumping up and down, and shouting the boy's name once again. Jack trailed after Steve, searching for any sign of the boy, wincing every time Steve shouted, earning no response.

Jack felt a nudge at his side and was met with Robin's fearful look. "What is he doing?"

Jack sighed, and Nancy's face had the same confused expression written across her face as Jack had moments ago.

"Steve, what are you doing?" She asked.

Steve's flashlight sparkled over their faces. "Hello! He's here. Henderson. That little shit, he's here. Right, Jack?"

Jack nodded slowly. "Um, yeah. Well– maybe. I heard him though, so, he's somewhere."

"Yeah," Steve nodded, breathless. "He's like– he's in the walls or something. Just listen."

He raised his finger to the sky, "Dustin! Dustin! Dustin, can you hear me?"

Faintly, Dustin's voice rose, and Steve's shouts became even louder, his hands waving in a panicked frenzy. The others began to call his name as well, but they were given no response.

"All right, either this kid can't hear us or he's being a total douchebag," Steve sighed.

"Will found a way," Nancy muttered.

"What?"

"Will," She said. "He found a way to speak to Joyce through the lights,"

Nancy ran toward a lamp, flicking it on and off. Steve and Jack helped her, pointing out switches, and searching for other lights.

"It's not working," Nancy groaned.

"Guys," Steve muttered, his flashlight concentrated on a light. "You seeing this?"

Jack turned around from the lamp, looking toward where Steve had his vision focused. The chandelier that hung over the Wheeler's living room, had small glowing particles afloat around the bulbs. Nancy rose her hand, slowly sticking her hand into the glowing material, as Eddie and Robin got closer. Slowly, all of their hands reached into the mysterious brilliance, stretching out into the specks, and moving their fingers.