The Year 1985

Chapter 36: The Reunion

Warning/s: a minor profanity

The moment they arrived at Mike's residence; they were stopped by the boy's parents with confused expressions obscured on their faces. Steve wasn't expecting Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler to be here, however, it's the other way around. "Steve and Robin? What are you doing here? Do you need anything?" Said the lady as he thought of something to say as an excuse.

"Oh, hey there, Mrs. Wheeler. We are just, you know, visiting Mike. How are you?" He showed an anxious smile and placed his hands on his hips, waiting for a response he desires to obtain. Before Karen could reply, she was interrupted by a voice going down from the basement, as those footsteps are loudly audible. When Harrington witnessed whom, those noises came from, a feeling of relief started to scatter inside his body.

Karen and Ted received an arm wrapped around their shoulders from their son. "We called Steve to help us with our science project. He is knowledgeable, yeah. Very intelligent." Mike nodded proudly and left a pat on their shoulders after. The two tossed suspicious gazes and stared back at Harrington and Buckley, seeing those two with the consistent smile they have been wearing since they stepped here.

"Okay! I and your father will run some errands. Don't forget to do your chores, all right?" The mother left a peck on the young Wheeler's cheek as they watched the two lovers get inside the car.

"Fuck. That was close." A short gasp escaped from his mouth and did continual heavy breathing. They looked around if someone was passing by the house and soon, Steve signaled to the siblings, and Eleven to come quickly to get inside. Today is a cloudy afternoon. It's odd that people barely go outside in the meantime. Usually, a lot of individuals can be spotted around Hawkins even this late in the afternoon.

Klaus whispered to himself, "When we will stop sneaking around? I hate hiding anymore! I want the world to know me." A firm nudge from Diego nearly made him stumble.

"Behave. This isn't our house."

"Bro, you pushed me on purpose!"

"Delusional."

Softly repeated knocks on the basement door halted the noise inside. When it was opened, the first thing they saw is Joyce and Jim yelling at each other which filled the entire room as one of them is holding a pen while the man is harshly pointing to the paper placed on the desk. The others looked so stressed as they just watched the two quarrel. They can't deal with such nonsense anymore.

"Guys. Calm down. We have visitors. You know what, what just happened?" Mike proceeded to go down as the others followed. His arms spread in perplexity.

However, the boy's question wasn't responded but instead received a complaint from his sister.

"WOAH. Who the heck these guys are? Mike, did you just allow some fugitives to enter?" Nancy got up from her seat with her ocean-blue eyes glaring at the siblings. This commenced the intensity of the situation to furious up. The others immediately shifted their attention to the Hargreeves as they stood there in embarrassment. They felt they aren't welcome in any place they go as if they are cursed.

Every Breath You Take was faintly playing on the radio and this made Klaus interrupt. "This is my favorite old song!"

"What do you mean old song? This was released 2 years ago." The red-haired girl threw the man a doubtful look and witnessed how he was hit by a hand on his head. Dustin, on the other hand, started to notice something isn't right. "Just shut up. You are making us in trouble." Diego said while gritting his teeth in annoyance because of his brother's behavior.

The fourth brother burst out laughing as an excuse and replied, "Oh, sorry! I forgot. I just felt nostalgic while listening to this song. I remember my lovely granny." Max just shifted her sight bewilderedly.

The older Wheeler half-screamed at her younger brother. "Mike, who are these people? Answer me."

Before the boy could answer, the sound of the door opening caught their attention. Soon was revealed a young girl, wearing a uniform with a beret on. At first, she was unrecognizable because of the outfit. But when she peeked at the door, this caused them to sketch sincere happiness and relief on their complexion. The girl's beloved friends instantly tightly embraced her. "Thank, god. You're finally here, El. We kept on searching for you." Mayfield said with a soft tone and a single teardrop traveled down to her cheeks.

"I missed you," Jane stated as she wiped off the tear on the red-haired's face and they hugged each other once more. The others did it simultaneously as the Hargreeves watched them having their wonderful reunion.

Joyce held the girl's shoulder and said, "I am glad you're safe. We are worried sick about you." Jim was behind Eleven and assembled a reassuring smile on his lips. This made him feel delightful even more when he eyed her wrist and discovered the girl still has been exploring the jungle out there with the blue hair tie he gave to her.

"I just had an adventure. That's all." Eleven laughed as tears that formed in her eyes escaped as the two embraced the girl.

This made Five realize she is frankly loved by her family and friends and wondered how The Handler managed to plan to abduct an innocent girl with telekinetic powers built inside of her. Until now, he proceeds to failure progress toward a proper decision on how to confess everything about the abduction that was ordered for him to accomplish. He felt guilty all the time and pressured. It seems like he is a huge burden on Eleven's life. And now, it is more difficult for him to admit the truth because everyone is here. They might place more wrong impressions of the Hargreeves.

After they reminisced about Jane's comeback, Nancy quickly raised back her questioning about these siblings.

"So, who are you all?" She raised an eyebrow and threw them a skeptical expression.