SECRETS: PART II - A CALEB MCLAUGHLIN AU STORY

CHAPTER 4 - NOW WHAT?

CHAPTER 4

NOW WHAT?

The next few hours for both Jacob and his mother were quite dreadful. First, Jacob tried his best to calm her down. He understood how she felt.

Jacob's mother was 54 years old, born in 1971. She met Jacob's father in 1984 when they were both 13. They had known each other for 41 years... and today, it just ended.

41 years... now gone.

Jacob couldn't help but think,

That's practically double how long I've been alive that they were together. 41 YEARS. How is ANYBODY supposed to react to something that has gone on that long... being over?

Jacob knew that his mother and father had their ups and downs. But this was different. Then... as Jacob sat alone in the police station, a certain idea crossed his mind, and he all of a sudden felt a huge sense of dread.

Is it my fault?

The downfall of the marriage between Jacob's parents started... the day Jacob and Caleb visited Cameron. The fight, them taking Cameron to the psych ward, and then Jacob's father showing up at Jacob's apartment and almost murdering them both.

After finding out what happened... Jacob knew his mother would never forgive him.

But Jacob's father never forgave himself either.

He started drinking... and then it all started.

And now, there they are.

Jacob sat in the police hallway, and then, two officers, one a man and the other a woman, approached him,

"Jacob Stevenson?"

Jacob looks up, "Yeah, that's me."

The woman officer let out her hand, "I'm Officer Barrera."

Jacob shakes her hand, "Nice to meet you."

The male officer simply nods down at him, "I'm Officer Craven. I read your book, 'The War to End All Wars', and saw the movie. Great stuff!"

Jacob lets out a small smile, "Thanks. Most people give The Duffer Brothers the credit."

"Mm hm. Now, we want to ask you some questions."

Jacob raises an eyebrow, "I'm not in trouble for something, am I?"

"No, of course not!" Officer Barrera assures him, "We just want to ask you about your family life. Mind coming into a questioning room? I know it's a bit scary-"
"No," Jacob stands up, "It's fine. I'll go."

"Thank you, young man," Officer Craven nods, "I understand this all must be very rough for you."

Jacob simply takes a deep breath and nods.

As Jacob is led to the questioning room, he thinks to himself,

I really wish Caleb was here... Fuck, I'd even take Gaten right now. Caleb and Gaten always know what to do.

...

"So... You say your father didn't truly start arguing and drinking until the incident with your friend Caleb?" Officer Craven asks.

Jacob nods, "Yes."

"And this is Caleb McLaughlin, yes?" Officer Barrera asks, "One of the Stranger Things kids?"

Jacob lets out a small chuckle, "Yeah, that's the one." Jacob then asks,

"Are you gonna question Caleb?"