The Devil of Hawkins || Stranger Things

Chapter 4: Discoveries

"Robin?" Steve said, as he was driving Robin home from volunteering at the crowded gymnasium-turned-shelter.

"Mmm?" She looked over at him, and was concerned when she saw he had a serious expression. "What's up?"

"Can I talk to you about something?" He kept his eyes on the road.

"Of course," she said sincerely.

Steve swallowed. "I mean in private."

"We're alone in your car. I don't know how much more private we can get."

He sighed. "Somewhere I can focus without worrying about getting us into an accident."

"Oh, sure! Where do you want to chat?"

He sighed again. "I dunno, one of our places maybe?"

Robin shook her head and thought for a minute. "What about our old job? It basically got destroyed, so no one will be there."

"Sure," he said, dispassionately.

Steve turned around and drove the familiar path to Family Video. Once they pulled up in front of the building, they realized there was someone inside, the owner.

"Nice," Steve said.

"How was I supposed to know?" Robin defended.

"Maybe because he owns the place."

"Why didn't you think of it then?"

"I'm a little distracted right now," Steve pressed.

"Wow, whatever this is it really has you in a twist. Maybe I should drive."

"Not on your life," Steve stated firmly.

She laughed and racked her brain for a new location. "What about... skull rock?"

"That might work." He pulled the car away from their old job.

"Do you think he's going to try to re-open?" She turned her head and watched the video store disappear as they turned a corner.

"I dunno." Steve said flatly.

"I wonder if we could get our jobs back." She sat back in the seat properly.

Steve sighed and drove as close as he could. He led the rest of the way on foot. Being its founder, he knew the path by heart. It took a little while, but eventually, they arrived. As expected, there was no one in sight.

Robin took a peek under the rock to make sure there were no bats hiding inside before they settled down. "So, what's up?" She sat down before Steve and put her bag on her lap.

Steve sat heavily next to her and let his head fall back onto the rock a little too hard. "Ow," he muttered, rubbing the contact point. "Okay," he started.

Robin resituated to an 'intently listening' position.

"Look, you're the only person I can talk to about this." He paused and placed his head in his hands. "I need to know you can keep it secret."

Robin gave him a look of warning. "You know I suck at keeping secrets. I'm happy to listen to you, but if it comes up in conversation with someone else I can't guarantee I won't just... blurt something out, you know me."

Steve sighed and let his head fall back onto the rock behind him. He winced on contact. I need to stop doing that... He rubbed the back of his head and set it back gently. "I know, okay?" He scrunched his face before continuing. "But I need to talk to someone about it... I'll just leave out the details," he compromised with himself.