❝here i go again on my own, going down the only road i've ever known. like a drifter, i was born to walk alone, and i've made up my mind. i ain't wasting no more time, but here i go again.❞
song of the chapter: all i know by five finger death punch
CHAPTER NINE (! stuck in a russian elevator !)
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*3 days later. MADELYN POV
"So, what or who exactly are we waiting on?" I ask Steve as him, Robin, Dustin, and I are peering over the edge of a roof at the loading dock doors. "I'm quite curious."
Robin is Steve's coworker, she's actually the one who cracked the Russian code once I translated it.
"My friend Lucas has a little sister named Erica, who is currently climbing through the mall's vents to open those doors from the inside. She was the only person who could do it, because the rest of us weren't able to fit." Dustin explains, and I just give him a small nod in return. "You okay? You just seem a bit off tonight."
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." I lie, pulling the collar of my jacket up towards my face a bit more. "I'm totally fine."
"We should probably check on Erica, we haven't heard from her in a while." Robin says, grabbing the walkie talkie from Dustin before turning it on and pulling out the antenna. "Erica, do you copy?"
"Mhmm, I copy. You nerds in position or what?" A little girl's voice responds on the other end of the walkie talkie, prompting me to look over at Dustin with a raised eyebrow.
"Henderson, how old did you say this Erica kid was again?" I ask, and Dustin quickly attempts to avoid my gaze.
"It doesn't matter."
I roll my eyes. "I think it does."
Dustin shakes his head. "No, I don't think so."
"Um hello, earth to the nerds? I asked if you guys were in position." Erica says, causing everyone to roll their eyes.
"Yeah, we're in position. It's all quiet here, so you've got the green light." Robin whispers.
"Green light, roger that. Commence Operation Child Endangerment."
Robin rolls her eyes. "Can we maybe not call it that, please?"
"See you on the other side, nerds." Erica's end of the walkie talkie goes quiet after that, prompting me to let out a quiet sigh.
A few moments of silence start to pass by, all four of us staring at the locking dock with anticipation.
"Alright nerds, I'm there." Erica finally says, her voice breaking the quiet.
Robin let's out a small sigh of relief, running a hand through her hair. "Do you, uh, do you see anything?"
"Yeah, I see those boring boxes you're so excited about."
Robin nods a bit to herself before replying. "Any guards?"
"Negative." Erica responds, causing the rest of us to let out a quite cheer.
"Booby traps?" Robin asks.
"If I could see them, they'd be pretty shit traps, wouldn't they?" Erica retorts, causing me to let out a quiet laugh.
"I like her, she's got spunk." I say, causing Robin to roll her eyes.
"You're the only one then." Robin sighs, shaking her head. "Thanks for that Erica, by the way."
Erica doesn't respond until a few more moments have passed. "I'm in."
"Holy shit." Dustin whispers, looking over at Steve and I. "She did it."
The loading dock doors begin to open a few moments later, revealing a young girl wearing bright clothes and a headlamp.
"Free ice cream, for life!"
• • •
"Hey Maddie, mind if I join you?" I hear Steve ask, looking behind me to see Steve poking his head out of the hole in the elevator's roof.
"Sure. It's a free country, I guess." I scoot over, making sure to give Steve plenty space. "Where's everyone else?"
"They're all asleep. I couldn't take Henderson's snoring for another second, so I figured I'd join you up here." Steve replies, flopping down on his back dramatically. "So, how's uh, how's life been?"
"Why are you asking?" I ask, my eyebrow slightly raised. "I didn't think you cared."
"I don't know, guess I'm just trying to make small talk." Steve says, and I give one quick nod in response.
"You don't have to make small talk." I mumble, pulling my knees up to my chest before resting my chin. "We could just sit in silence."
"Why do you hate me?" Steve asks, causing me to lift my head up.
"What?"
"You act like you hate me, and actions speak louder than words." Steve replies, now scooting a bit closer to me. "So, why do you hate me?"
I let out a quiet sigh. "I don't hate you Steve. It is complicated though, alright? I've just been going through a lot of shit these past few months. I would explain it to you, if there wasn't so much to explain. Besides, learning that you and Alora have been talking about me royally pissed me off."
Steve sighs, eventually nodding. "I understand."
"Do you really?" I ask, and Steve raises his eyebrow.
"Do I really what?"
"Jesus, I guess Henderson really wasn't kidding when he told me you've been hit in the head plenty of times." I say, causing Steve to let out a dramatic gasp. "Don't worry Steve, you're not the only one."
"Did you get into a lot of fights living back in California?" Steve asks, and I just shrug.
"It was mainly because people wouldn't leave me the hell alone." I sigh, looking down at my lap. "And partly because I didn't know when to not step in for my friends."
