The Stancy Files

Chapter 13: The Prisoner

      Steve and Nancy walked back to his car, yearning to embark on a new adventure. Nancy smiled up at him. "So, where are we going?" Steve looked at her as she sat in the car. "Where do you wanna go?" She shrugged. "Anywhere but my house. Or the school." He flashed a heart-warming smile. "Benny's?" Nancy nodded. Happy memories echoed in her mind from staying at that place for so long. When the Hawkins police had taken her away from the restaurant, she hadn't gotten the time to gather her belongings that still remained at the place. All of her art supplies and works still stood where they had been left, along with Steve's cooking ingredients and recipe books. 

They arrived at Benny's and stepped out of Steve's car. He made sure to park in the back since they wouldn't be there very long. Once they found their way inside, Steve rushed over to one of Nancy's paintings. His favorite painting. "Nance! It's the purple flower field painting!" She walked over to the boy, smiling. "I remember painting this one. It was a good day. And it's my favorite color. It reminded me of good times. Happy memories. Before all of the chaos. The hurt. The pain." Steve's eyes flickered to hers. He noticed that they had turned even bluer. She must've been sad. "Nance, you alright?" She shrugged. "Yeah. Yeah, a lot has just been going on. You know? Sometimes I just wish things could go back to normal. But other times I think that even when we do end this for good, and defeat Vecna, it won't be the same anymore. People will have to know the truth my then." His eyebrows furrowed. "But we don't have to worry about any of that right now, Nance. I mean... just look at our circumstances. Things aren't super great at your house right now. My parents are threatening to move away from Hawkins. But we're still here, together. Whatever comes our way, we'll face it together." Nancy stopped for a second. "Your parents are threatening to leave Hawkins? Why didn't you tell me, Steve?" She began pacing around the living space. "Nance, Nance. It's okay." He walked her over to the couch, where they sat together. "Even if my parents decide to leave, I'm staying. I'm not leaving you. And I'm not leaving anyone else. I'm not leaving Hawkins."

Nancy's eyes began to water. Steve held her close, trying to comfort her. "You can't just stay here if your family is leaving, Steve- you can't just stay because of me. I'm not worth it. I'm not worth losing what you have." Her voice broke. He stroked her hair. "Nance, nothing good has ever come from my parents. They both think that I'm a mess, okay? My dad is just pure evil... He's done some really horrible things. My mom hardly even speaks to him anymore. She just gossips with the other older women in Hawkins. If they move away, the only loss I'll have is having my own room. Seriously, Nancy. I'm staying, regardless." Nancy shook her head, not believing him. "I know that's not all true, Steve! I'm not worth it. Jonathan knew it- and you do too." Steve shook his head, disagreeing violently with the statement. He pulled away just far enough to look her directly in the eyes. "You're worth it, Nance. You've always been worth it. Why do you think I didn't have a girlfriend for two years after we'd broken up? I could never get over you. I don't love anyone else but you. I never really have. I wish you could see yourself the way I do." A single tear rolled down Nancy's cheek. She choked back a laugh. "The only reason you didn't date someone else is because Robin's gay." He shook his head. "Even if she wasn't, I know that I wouldn't have cared about her in the same way I care about you, Nance. I'm serious."

They sat in silence for a long, long time. Steve was the first to break the silence. He couldn't hold out on his hunger anymore and decided to make food. The best good food that was left in the pantry was pasta. He turned on the stove and began boiling the noodles. Nancy got up and started to load her paintings and art supplies into his car. While the pasta and sauce were cooling down, Steve helped her finish up. 

They began to eat at the counter when Nancy asked an important question. "You said your father did horrible things... You weren't talking about physical, right? Like to you or your mother?" Steve looked down, attempting to dodge the question. Nancy stared at him with the most heartbreaking vulnerability. "Oh Steve, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" He shrugged, not saying much. "It's fine, Nance. I'm used to it..." He pursed his lips. "But it still hurts sometimes. He's not around as much as he was when I was younger. It's better that way." She took his hand, leaving the remaining food on her plate untouched. "Have you hit back?" Steve nodded. "A lot when I was really young. It started when I was nine. I've always wanted to fight him back. Truly hurt him. But if I did, he'd take it out on me and mom." Nancy's eyes became cloudy. "I'm going to kill that son of a bitch." Steve looked up, shaking his head. "No! Nancy, I know it seems bad. And maybe it is. But he's finally starting to learn. He's not hurting us anymore. I mean every few months. But he used to do it all the time. He's changing. When he is around, he's nice to her now. Treats her right. It'd be better if they left. Most of the worst influences he's had come from here." Her heart was both angry and scared for her more-than-a-friend-but-not-a-boyfriend. "If he hurts you. Ever again. I'll go home. Stay with my parents for all I care. But you're coming with me." Steve searched her eyes. Nancy meant every word she said. "Deal," he said, with no emotion displayed on his face. 

When they left Benny's, Nancy remembered she had to pick something up at the store. Just like when they had stayed at the restaurant, the two friends walked in together. "What are we looking for?" Steve asked, glancing at her face. "Just some melatonin and paper towels." A crease formed in between his eyebrows. "Are you sleeping okay?" Nancy nodded. "Yeah. I mean not great, but it's for Max's mom. Her sleep schedule is crazy right now because she's busy paying off the hospital bills." Steve was a little confused. "But Max has been out of the hospital for weeks." Nancy nodded, understanding. "Yeah, but you saw her. She was practically paralyzed when they brought her in that night. It might've been a fast recovery, but it required a lot of supplies. Plus the hospital was overcrowded the entire time she was there because of the... earthquake." She said, making sure not to say what had actually happened in public.

A man from the counter was watching Nancy closely, and Steve noticed. Just then, the doors to Bradley's Big Guy slammed open. The Hawkins police stormed in without any notice. Chief Powell stalked up to the couple. "Nancy Wheeler, you're coming with me." Steve grabbed Nancy's hand, trying to escape the hound of officers surrounding them. It didn't work, and he was pulled away from the girl. "Let him go!" She shouted at the men holding him back. Her wrists were pulled back and she was handcuffed. "Don't touch her!" Steve bellowed. Chief Powell walked Nancy to the police car. "Get in. You're in major trouble, miss. Anything you say can and will be used against you in this discussion with your guardians." She remained speechless, too angry to speak a word. The car drove a drive Nancy was extremely familiar with. It pulled up on Maple Street. She was being taken back home.

Steve didn't know what to do. He was sent home immediately but ignored the commands. He knew his parents wouldn't give a shit about what he was doing as long as he came home that night, so he attempted to drive by Nancy's house, knowing that's where she would be taken. Once again, Steve couldn't get to her. Countless police cars were parked by the home, blocking off all entries to any doors or windows. 

Once Chief Powell's car parked in the driveway, Nancy was pulled out and marched to the front door. Steve watched from a distance as this took place. Karen Wheeler opened the door with a stern expression implanted on her face. "Nancy. You aren't going anywhere. Ever again."