The Mutants (Stranger Things Fanfic)

58

"Hop, did you talk with Farmer Eugene today? About his crops?" Joyce asked while she was setting up the table. 

"Yeah after I had yet another run in with Murray Bauman, who was going on another rant about Russian Spies again," Hopper explained to her, "It was the strangest thing I have ever seen." 

"Really?" Joyce asked, wondering how could be stranger than what they had witness between the kids with powers to the strange other world that was a dark, rundown version of their town that was home to monstrous creatures looking for their next victims. 

"The entire fields were like all rotted away. All the pumpkins appeared like something had contaminated it. Of course, when I got there, Eugene went from thinking a kid did it to his rival was doing it to put him out of business. However, I doubt it." Hopper explained while he walked over to the counter in attempt to steal some tomatoes from the salad.  

"What do you mean?" Joyce asked while slapping Hopper's hand away. 

"Because I had a couple of my men go to the other farm and they say their farm are just as bad as Eugene's... and of course, they are saying it is Eugene had done something to their farm... or that another guy did it... and so on and so forth." Hopper explained. Joyce narrowed her eyes while carrying her casserole to the table. 

"Hopper... you don't think, the reason the farms are rotting away has anything to do with the Upside Down?" Joyce asked him. Hopper shook his head as he reached his hand out and cupped the back of her hand. 

"Lets not jump to that conclusion just yet. I am pretty sure that this could be just rivalry or some punks pulling a prank." Hopper assured her, despite a part deep within himself that couldn't help but believed there might be a slim chance that it is something involving the Upside Down. Joyce nodded her head, knowing that  could be possible. However, she couldn't shake this feeling that the plants dying had something to do with the Upside Down. Could it be possible that there was a leakage between their world and the Upside Down? 

Before they could continue, they watched as Jonathan and Will came walking into the room.  Hopper and Joyce shared a look that they will continue this later so they don't have to worry the kids unless they are in need to inform them about it. 

"How was school today?" Joyce asked while she grabbed hold of the pot of stew. 

"It was alright." Will and Jonathan answered in union while they sat down. Despite them claiming they were alright, Joyce could sense there was some underlying discomfort. 

"Everything alright?" Joyce asked them, "You seem like something is bothering you." 

"It's nothing." Jonathan said to assure her, but his tone betrayed him. 

"What's wrong? Did something happen today?" Hopper asked. Will and Jonathan shared a look with each other like they were silently asking each other whether they wanted to reveal what they were trying to hide. 

"It's nothing." Jonathan repeated. 

"Is this about Max or Billy in anyway?" Joyce asked them. By their sudden jolt of their heads and quick glances between themselves, Joyce knew then and there what was going on. 

"What's happening with Billy and Max?" Hopper asked. 

"Billy and Max's biological Mom is now living across from Susan's house... and they aren't taking it well." Joyce explained. Hopper's eyes widened as he mumbled 'Oh'. 

"Was there a fight or something?" Joyce asked them. Johnathan and Will looked at each other again, trying to decide whether they wanted to say something or not. 

"Guys, I understand that you two probably feel like you would betray them if you reveal what happen, but if you don't tell us, then it might do them more harm than good." Hopper advised them. 

They shared one look at each other until Jonathan set his silverware down. 

"It's Billy--" Jonathan began when he jolt and mumbled 'ow' from Will kicking him from under the table. 

"Will!" Joyce said as she gently patted his shoulder. 

"Will doesn't want me to tell you guys because he is scared Billy will get mad at him." Jonathan explained, "and that he'll try something if he learns Will or any of his friends revealed what happened today."  

"Hey! You have nothing to worry about, we'll make sure he doesn't try anything." Joyce assured them, "Now what were you about to say, Jonathan?" 

"Well-- you see, Nancy,  Steve, Robin, Eddie, and I realized we had plans that interfere with taking the kids home... but Billy wasn't busy so we had asked him to drive them. Of course, we were a little nervous because he was angry with his Mom being in town, but we thought he wouldn't do anything crazy. However, unknown to us, Max's and Billy's Mom had visited Max after school... and Billy saw it." Jonathan began, "then on the ride home, Max and Billy had an argument about whether or not Max should be able to see their Mom... and Billy wasn't happy about it." 

"Did Billy fight with his Mom?" Joyce asked. 

"Not exactly. He did warn her to keep away from them." Will mentioned. 

"So what happened?" Hopper questioned. 

"It was when they were all in the car. Max and Billy were arguing about her seeing her Mom or not. Billy was against it whereas Max might be considering to talk with her Mom. Then when Max told Billy he can't tell her what she can do... he started driving at a dangerous speed--" 

"Did he run into something?" Joyce interrupted. 

"He... didn't run into anything... but he did try and run over... Troy and a friend of his." Jonathan blurted out. 

Joyce and Hopper had looks of shock and horror on their faces. 

"Billy tried to run over some kids!?" Hopper hissed. 

"Yeah, but Max stopped him." Will explained. 

"I think we need to inform his Mother." Joyce suggested. 

"Please, don't!" Will pleaded. 

"This is serious, Will." Hopper told Will. 

"But then he'll know we squealed on him and I don't know what he would do. We already going to have to deal with Troy and his buddies." Will argued to them. 

"Is Troy and his buddies pick on you guys?" Joyce asked them. 

Though Will didn't answer, it didn't take a genius to understand what the silence meant. Joyce and Hopper gave each other a look before Joyce cleared her throat. 

"Why don't you guys eat your dinner at the TV tonight?" Joyce suggested to them. 

"Really?" Will asked. 

"Of course, go on." Joyce told them. 

Joyce and Hopper waited until Jonathan and Will grabbed their dishes and headed to the living room. Once they were out of sight, Joyce and Hopper proceed to discuss what they needed to do. 

"We have to tell Susan about this right?" Joyce stated. 

"But what will she do?" Hopper asked, "Ground him? Will that truly do anything for him?" 

"We have to do something." Joyce pointed out. 

"What about Dr. Owens?" Hopper suggested. 

Dr. Owens was the new scientist in charge of the Lab, who seemed like a decent enough man. He appeared to care about the kids' well-being including their mental health. He even had a few sessions that had the kids talk about their time during their capture in the lab. So it left Hopper and Joyce wondering if perhaps Dr. Owens could help Billy control his anger towards his biological mother... or at learn how to control his anger.