𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋 | 𝐬. 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧

i.

»»———　hargrove　 ———««

    "I TALKED TO a Big Buy ex-employee who said some little girl shattered the door with her mind." Murray explained as the thud of Hopper's shoes on his desk nearly cut him off. They sat in his office as Hopper took a loud, arrogant bite out of the apple in his hand.

    "I heard that story. Did you you about the fat man with the beard who climbs down chimneys?"

    Murray ignored him. "Then, last month, a co-worker of Ted Wheeler's claims some Russian girl with a shaved head was hiding in his basement. Ted now denies this."

    Hopper took his feet off his desk, taking out the piece of the apple he bit off and dropping it into the trash can with a sour look on his face. "Oh, wow. That's a surprise." He dropped the apple into the trash, barely paying any mind with Murray's conspiracies.

    "But it connects." Murray pushed, a stern tone in his voice.

    "Enlighten me."

    "She's some kind of Russian weapon, right? Barbara sees this girl, tries to help, perhaps." Hopper takes out a cigarette, placing it between his lips as he nods with faux interest. "But before she can, the Russian's find them, and take them-"

    "Wait. You're telling me Barbara Holland was kidnapped by Russian spies."

    Hopper began to lit his cigarette, his hand held over the flame to keep it lit. "Kidnapped. Killed." Murray led on.

    "Killed?"

    "Don't you get it, Jim?"

    "No."

    "This has potentially international implications. I'm talking full-on Russian invasion right here in Hawkins." Murray brought out his index finger, pressed it onto the table aggressively, trying to get his point across.

    Hopper played with the switch of his printer to his left, the sound of the paper clicking back and forth taking over the quiet office. The door was open, and Hopper took out the cigarette from his mouth, blowing out smoke. It was clear he was disinterested and not taking Murray seriously.

    "Do you have any proof of this girl? I mean, has anyone seen her recently?" Hopper asked.

    "No, not of her. But there is some evidence of another girl." Murray leaned forward, trying to get his point across. Hopper hid the way he notably listened intently, flicking the button on the printer over and over.

    "Go on."

    Murray licked his lips. "Listen, about ten to twelve years ago, there was a girl who went missing. Nobody knew who she was. Nobody could find her parents, let alone identify them."

    Murray stopped talking, looking at Hopper like he was supposed to realize what he was talking about. Hopper sat up. "How does this relate, exactly?"