CONNECTION |steve harrington x oc| BOOK 4

chapter 9- try us

"Okay, it's a left up at the fork  ." Phoebe instructed as she looked at the map on her lap, holding a flashlight in one hand. It was only eight thirty, but the sky had already darkened. After leaving the video store Dustin insisted that they stop at their house to get more supplies. Little did everyone know that Dustin was going to make them gather items for every possible scenario and load into the trunk of Steve's car. What was supposed to be a five minute bathroom break turned into a two hour debacle. 

"Where the hell is this road? I've never even heard of it." Steve mumbled as he carefully watched for street signs. They had a vague idea that Reefer Rick lived near Lover's Lake, so when the map showed that Skull Rock and the neighborhood were on opposite sides of the lake they got lost quickly. 

"I don't know. I forgot there were even houses up here. We're almost closer to Marion than Hawkins." Phoebe pointed out as she noticed that they were only a few miles from a nearby town. 

"Perfect place to hide." Robin said obviously. 

"I guess." Phoebe sighed. "It should just be up on the left, there hasn't been anything on the right besides woods for almost five miles."

"There." Dustin pointed at a dull porch light shining through the trees. Steve pulled parallel to the mailbox. It read 'LIPTON'- the same last name as the profile at the video store. They all got out of the car, flashlights in hand. Dustin eagerly stood at the front door and rang the bell. After only a few seconds of silence he pushed it over and over again, impatiently. 

"Okay, well that's settled. I guess he's not here." Steve said as he turned to go back to the car. 

"Eddie!" Dustin yelled as he knocked. "It's Dustin!"

"Great." Steve sighed. 

"Look we just want to talk." Dustin went on.

"Nobody's here, Dustin. The place is dark." Phoebe tried to quiet her brother. 

"No cops, I swear. We just want to help." He ignored her. They slowly spread out to look through the windows beside the door, but still, the house remained lifeless. Dustin continued to ring the bell and knock. "Rick? Reefer Rick!"

"Dude, do not yell that name!" Phoebe scolded. 

"Rick!"

"He's obviously not there." Steve tugged on Dustin's hand, them starting another argument. 

"Oh, my gosh, both of you shut up and get your shit together." Phoebe pointed sternly. 

"Hey, guys?" Max yelled and we all rushed to her side. Her flashlight was pointing to a garage down a small hill. It had a light on over the door. 

They crept around the metal garage, lights shining through the windows. 

"There's nothing here." Steve groaned. 

"What's your deal?" Phoebe asked. "You've been kind of a putz all day about this."

"I just...there are so many things I'd rather be doing right now." He sighed. "Eddie and I never really got along, and now Dustin like totally-"

"Hold on. Are you actually jealous of him and Dustin?" She quirked a brow at him.

"Really, Phoebe? Wow, I can't believe you would sa-"

"Oh, my gosh." She giggled. 

"What is so funny, smartass?" He put a hand on his hip. 

"You're cute when you get jealous." She patted his cheek and then followed Robin and Max to the door. 

"I'm not jealous." Steve followed in protest. 

"Sure you're not, babe." She whispered as Robin slowly opened the door and they filed in. 

"Hello? Is anyone home?" Robin asked.

"What a dump." Steve grimaced as he looked around, picking up an oar. He looked between Phoebe and the small boat in the middle of the garage before thrusting the oar onto the tarp that lay over the boat. 

"What are you doing?" Dustin asked. 

"He might be in here." Steve said plainly.

"So move the tarp." Phoebe argued. 

"Why don't one of you brainiacs move the tarp, then?" He sassed. He continued to poke as Phoebe noticed Robin and Max standing over a small table covered in snack wrappers. 

"I think someone was here." She heard Max say.

"Maybe he heard us. Got spooked and ran." 

"Don't worry." Dustin quipped. "Steve will get him with his oar."

"i know you think you're being funny, Henderson, but considering that everyone in the room has nearly died about a hundred times, personally I don't find it funny in the slight-". The tarp in the boat was lifted from underneath as Eddie leapt out, broken bottle in hand. He pushed Steve against the wall and held the jagged edge to Steve's neck. 

"Eddie, stop! It's me!" Dustin plead.

"Eddie, calm down!" Phoebe yelled as she went to move Eddie's hands off of Steve, Dustin stopping her. 

"Eddie, look at me! It's Dustin!" Eddie's head turned sharply towards Dustin and the girls, his eyes wide with fear.  "It's Dustin. This is Steve." He spoke slowly. "He's not gonna hurt you, right Steve?"

"Right, yeah." Steve whispered, careful not to move with the rough glass against his skin. Eddie glared at him. 

"Steve, why don't you drop the oar?" Steve glanced at Phoebe, who nodded her head. The oar clattered, but Eddie pressed the bottle closer to Steve's neck. 

"He's cool, he's cool." Dustin assured. 

"I'm cool, man. I'm cool." Steve whispered again trying to soothe Eddie. 

"What are you doing here?" Eddie asked, still looking at Steve, his voice wavering. 

"We're looking for you." Dustin answered. 

"We're here to help." Phoebe croaked. 

"Eddie, these are my friends. You know Robin, from band." She imitated a trumpet. "And this is Max, the one who never wants to play D&D."

"Hey." Max said stiffly. 

"And you know my sister, Phoebe. She used to be really cool until she started dating Steve."

"Hey!" Phoebe shoved his shoulder from behind. 

"Eddie, we're on your side." Dustin reassured. "I swear on my mother!" They all agreed on Claudia's life. Eddie's eyes were a mix of terror and anger, combined it was almost confusion. He started into Steve's soul for a moment before slowly backing away and dropping the bottle. Phoebe rushed to his side, instantly checking for cuts along his neck and chin. Eddie sank to the floor. "Eddie...We just want to talk." Dustin squatted to his level and reached out to grab the bottle, but Eddie flinched back. "Okay." They slowly gathered behind Dustin. 

"We want to know what happened." Robin joined Dustin in a crouch. 

"You won't believe me." Eddie turned to us, tears brimming. Phoebe cocked her head to the side, voice shaking.

"Try us."