𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 ✶ Steve Harrington

09 | 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰

CHAPTER NINE,
right here, right now.

⋆.ೃ࿔*

        EVERYTHING WAS HAPPENING WAY TOO FAST, a chaotic blur of movement and noise that made it impossible for anyone to focus. The day had spiraled into a disaster, a literal nightmare unfolding before their eyes. Panic was setting in, and one by one, everyone was starting to lose their grip on reality. Gravity seemed to betray them as their bodies were thrown around, completely out of their control. Was this a life-or-death situation? Emmy Dawson couldn't tell. Her thoughts were a jumble of fear and confusion, the adrenaline coursing through her veins making it hard to think straight. The room, once somewhat familiar, had transformed into something unrecognizable. It felt like they were being propelled downward at breakneck speed, and for a brief moment, Emmy thought that maybe this was what it felt like to be in a free-falling elevator.

       The teenager had faced a lot—more than most could bear—but this? This was on a whole new level. Emmy couldn't comprehend what kind of twisted game they had been thrust into, what horrors awaited them, or who was pulling the strings behind this nightmare. Maybe Dustin had been right all along. The evil Russians he'd been so obsessed with weren't just some wild theory; they were real, and they were here, right in the middle of Hawkins, wreaking havoc.

       Up until now, she'd only entertained Dustin's conspiracy because she was bored, seeking a thrill to break the monotony of her summer. It had all seemed like a fun diversion, something to pass the time and maybe get a few laughs out of. But now? The gravity of the situation had finally hit her. She was no longer just playing along; she was on high alert, every nerve in her body tense, waiting for the next twist in this horrifying ordeal. The realization that this was no longer a game, but a real-life nightmare, sent a shiver down her spine. She braced herself for whatever was coming next, knowing that nothing good could be waiting for them at the end of this descent.

      Screams echoed through the enclosed space, filling Emmy's ears with a clamor of terror. Even Steve, who usually kept his cool, was shouting in fear, his voice adding to the chaos. Emmy clung to whatever she could, as she held on for dear life. It felt like she was on the ride of her life, and not in a good way. The world around her was a blur, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ward off the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm her. In that moment of sheer panic, Emmy made a desperate mental promise: if she somehow made it out of this alive, she would become an exceptional student during her senior year of high school. No more skipping classes or slacking off like she did at her old high school—she would buckle down and take her future seriously. The thought of a fresh start seemed almost laughable in the middle of this nightmare, but she clung to it like a lifeline.

      She even considered making another promise, one dedicated to finally turning her life around. Maybe she'd give up alcohol for good, start making better choices, and actually take advantage of the opportunities ahead of her. But just as she was about to commit to this newfound resolve, Steve's scream pierced through the noise, cutting through her thoughts like a knife. Who was she kidding? She was never going to go through with those promises.