SECRETS: PART II - A CALEB MCLAUGHLIN AU STORY

CHAPTER TWO - THEN AND NOW

CHAPTER TWO

THEN AND NOW

OCTOBER 4, 2025

The clock struck midnight.

"Well," Jacob says to himself, looking at his phone as his phone switched from October 3 to October 4.

"It's been a year."

A year ago to the day, the wrap party for 'The War to End all Wars', was the last time Jacob saw Caleb.

It had now been an entire year.

The past 365 days had been mostly uneventful for Jacob.

He spent most of the time in the editing room alongside The Duffer Brothers, Craig Mazin, and the whole editing team to finish up 'The War to End all Wars' for its August 2025 release date. Which it made.

Caleb wasn't at the premiere. As a matter of fact, despite being the star of the film, Caleb didn't even do any press for it. The reason why was due to being busy with his newborn son, Reginald. The most Caleb did was leave a message at the red carpet premiere, which Jacob did go to, but found to be a dreadful experience.

All the screaming 'fans', all the flashing paparazzi, who mostly ignored him. Jacob definitely imagined Caleb being there would've made the experience easier to go through. Jacob knows Caleb would've seen Jacob was uncomfortable, and tried to make him feel better.

But he wasn't there.

Right before the film started showing at the premiere, a message from Caleb played on screen.

Caleb looked... a bit rough.

Reginald was born right on schedule in March 2025. At the time of the premiere, he was five months old.

When Caleb's face appeared on screen, you could definitely see the lack of sleep in his eyes, his scruffy hair and beard. Regardless, Caleb being Caleb, he still put on his best possible demeanor, the biggest possible smile.

"Hey everyone! I am SO sorry I can't be there with you tonight. I'm a little busy with-"

Then, Caleb reached over for something, and held up Reginald in front of the camera.

"This little guy!"

Suddenly, hundreds of people all across the auditorium all collectively went,

"Aaaaaaaaaawwwww!"

Jacob had mixed emotions whenever he saw Reginald.

On one hand, of course, he didn't have any feelings of resentment towards Reginald himself. He was just a baby. Caleb's baby. Jacob knew better than to feel anything negative towards Reginald specifically.

But when he did see 'Reggie', he did feel all those reminders of the life he wished he could have with Caleb...

"But I just want everyone to know, I LOVED working on this movie! The story, the world, the characters... All of which came from the friend of my bro Jacob!"

Jacob let out a smile in the audience when Caleb mentioned him.

For the rest of the message, Caleb thanked various people.

Matt and Ross Duffer.

Craig Mazin.

The other cast members.

Sarah.

Of course he thanked Sarah.

When Caleb mentioned Jacob, a handful of people clapped.