"I didn't need a hero, Billy." Darian sneers, dusting off his coat, eyes glaring.
Billy only smirks, reaching over and untangling one of Darians dark curls, quickly catching himself, pulling his hand back. "It didn't seem like that a minute ago." B...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Hawkins, Indiana
July 1985
。.✦ ☾
Wheeler Wagon
。.✦ ☾
The Wheeler Wagon races through the abandoned streets, surrounded by trees as the Mind Flayer chases them from right behind.
Darian was still on Steve's lap as he felt everything come down on him, his lips paling. Jamie's eyebrows furrow when she notices. "Dare? Are you okay?" Jamie whispers, low enough only the four of them can hear. Steve's eyebrows furrow as he looks down to the side of Darian's face.
Darian's breathing turns shallow, but he nods. "Adrenaline wore off." He whispers, leaning more into Steve's chest, feeling hands pressing against his waist, a comfortable and soothing weight. "I'll be fine, promise." He whispers
Suddenly the walkie resting on Will's lap crackles to life. "Dusty-bun, do you copy?"
Will looks up and meets Lucas's eyes, confused. "I copy, Suzie-poo. It sounds much better now, thanks." Dustin answers
"That's revolting." Jamie jokes, hoping to get a laugh out of Darian, but it barely works. Steve and Robin lock eyes. "Suzie." Steve says
"Okay, so listen, do you know Planck's constant?" Dustin asks
"Do you know the Earth orbits the sun?" Suzie teases
They can hear Dustin's small chuckle. "Okay, so I know it starts with two sixes, and then a -- what is it?"
"Okay, let me just be clear on this, I haven't heard from you in a week, and now you want a mathematical equation that you should know so you can -- save the world?" Suzie asks
"Suzie-poo, I promise, I will make it up to you as soon as possible." Dustin promises, you can practically feel the wide eyes he was giving the walkie. "You can make it up to me now."
"What?"
"I want to hear it."
"Not right now." Dustin says, his voice crackling nervously. "Yes, now, Dusty-bun." Suzie says in a demanding tone. "Suzie-poo, this is urgent."
"Oh god I think I just threw-up in my mouth." Darian groans into Steve's neck. Steve chuckles, running his fingers through Darian's curly hair.
"Yes, yes, you're saving the world, I heard you the first time. But Ged is also saving Earthsea and he's about to confront the shadow, so this is Suzie, signing off." Suzie says in a little snotty tone, clicking off, ceasing transmission.
"Wait, wait, wait! Okay."
"Okay, okay." Dustin breathes into the mic. After a brief moment, he finally sighs. "Turn around. Look at what you see..." Dustin sings
Steve and Robin meet each other's eyes, clearly taken by surprise. Jamie shakes her head, adjusting in Robin's lap, feeling her tense.
Suzie starts signing with Dustin, harmonizing perfectly.
Everyone in the Wheeler wagon was either in awe or horror. "Look at what you see. In her face, The mirror of your dreams. Make believe I'm everywhere Given in the light. Written on the pages is The answer to A never-ending story. Reach the stars, Fly a fantasy. Dream a dream, And what you see will be. Rhymes that keep their secrets will Unfold behind the clouds. And there upon a rainbow is The answer to a never-ending story. Story." Slowly they stop singing, only emitting giggles.
Finally, "Planck's constant is six-point-sixtwo-six-zero-seven-zero-zero-four."
"You just saved the world." Dustin exclaims
"Gosh, I miss you, Dusty-bun."
Before Dustin can reply the transmission cuts off.
....
Starcourt.
The Camaro is still burning. Billy stumbles out. He uses the car as a crutch as he struggles to get to his feet. A buzzer sounds. Billy looks toward the noise.
Mike, El, Kurt, and Max walk through an automated gate heading for the parking lot. Billy and Max lock eyes. "Shit!" Max yells
They turn and head back inside. "Go, go, go, go!" Kurt orders
Billy limps his way over to the loading dock gate.
Quickly, the four made their way to the door. Max stops and runs back to the gate. She smashes a button, the gate begins closing.
....
The Wheeler Wagon is still out-pacing the Mind Flayer. Just then, the Mind Flayer slows and stops completely. They all watch as it turns and heads in the opposite direction.
"It's turning around!" Steve shouts
Nancy's head whips around. "What?" Nancy asks "It's turning around!' Steve yells
Hopeful, Lucas stares wide-eyed. "Maybe we wore it out." Lucas says
Jeffery shakes his head. "I don't think so." Jeffery says
Jonathan grimaces. "Fuck okay! Hold on!" Jonathan yells and he pulls a 180, then races off - heading back to Starcourt.
....
Darian's breathing increases the closer they get to the mall, feeling Billy's trembling roars. Fear ate at his bones, stealing the breath out of his lungs as he clutched tightly to Steve's pale hand. The sound of waves muffles any noise around him, none of Steve's soothing words processing as he shuts his eyes tight to control his breathing. He retracts his fingers from Steve's palm and curls them around his pants.
"Hey-hey, you're okay." Steve whispers against Darian's ear, covering Darian's hand with his, trying to get him to relax his hold.
The ocean rose higher, forcing Darian to breathe harder in fear he might just drown.
Suddenly he hears humming.
"I would rather not go, back to the old house." Jamie whispers, pressing her forehead to Darian's, and closing her eyes. She continues to sing softly.
Robin stares at her in amazement, her lips parted in awe.
"There's too many bad memories Too many memories there." Jamie softly coos, feeling Darian's breathing slow down. She presses a hand to his chest. "Breathe Dare." She whispers, feeling his heart rabid in his chest.
