𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗬 // 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻

037

The air is strangely cold the next day, as if all evidence of heat in the skies has disappeared as we pull up to Eddie's hide out, a plastic bag of beers and instant noodles resting on my lap.

Exiting the car I see Steve smile at me brightly from where he exits the drivers side. After my breakdown yesterday we spoke and he held me for a while, my anxiety disappearing at his touch.
It was like nothing had happened for a couple minutes, until he let go and the chimes of my past mistakes echoed again.

We waltz into Eddie's hiding spot, the shaken up rocker jumping out of his skin at our arrival and I wave slightly, seeming to ease his fear as he presses a hand to his chest and breathes.

It's only a second after that Dustin begins to explain all we found out after we left last night and early this morning while doing some digging.
Dustin had me and Robin walk around town and listen to the gossip, something about blending in well. I tried to take it as a compliment.

Dustin explains how the Hawkins PD are definitely looking for Eddie and how they think he's responsible for Chrissy's death and a sense of fear washes over me as I find myself blurting, "but we know you didn't!"

Everyone begins to look at me in silence.
Of course we know that.

"Right- you know that- or we wouldn't be here.." I find myself swallowed in my own words, "and I'm rambling.." the awkward chuckle I let out doesn't help but Eddie seems to barely notice as he focuses on Dustin's information. I feel a soft touch on my hand as Steve's thumb begins to rub at my palm, secretly calming me down.

"If your name gets out everyone and their shallow minded mother will be looking for you." Robin explains and Eddie's eyes gloss over for a moment, as if ice cold.

"Hunt the freak.." his blue eyes meet mine, "right?"

"Typical Hawkins," I whisper, almost as a joke, almost as a statement, either way the action seem to solidify Eddie's knowledge of my trust as he nods slowly in agreement.

"Listen Eddie," Robin begins, "I know what Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we've actually been through this kind of thing before," my best friend points at Steve and the rest of the group, "I mean.. they have," she gestures between me and her, "us only once."

"And if it helps I was only injured by a firework, monster did no damage." Robin slaps my arm subtly as it to tell me to shut up, but of course I carry on, "honestly it should've tried harder." Steve snorts.

"We usually rely on this girl that has super powers," Eddie seems way too unfazed by this information, "but those went bye bye so.. we're kind of in our-"

"Brainstorming stage!" Max cuts in, trying desperately to convince the alternative man in the middle of the room of our skill, "brainstorming era yes!" Steve clicks his fingers together happily as he agrees.

"Like a mind map!" My confirmation brings a smile to my boyfriends face, "I love mind maps," his smile is goofy and his eyes become large with devotion, I grab his arm in excitement, "I know- I thought you'd love it so-"

"As touching as that gross display was," Dustin scoffs, brows furrowed in disgust before turning back to his wanted friend, "it's important to know there's nothing to worry about."

Sirens begin to wail like a stampede of irony in the distance, filling the room with a sense of panic and dread at the very end of Dustin's poorly timed sentence.

"I stand corrected."

We rush to the window after I clumsily throw the tarp over Eddie's body, causing him to groan annoyed.

The cars rush by, ignorant to our presence as we watch confused and intrigued. "They're passing by.. whatever for?" My question rings throughout the groups heads before Steve throws me his keys, "go unlock my car, I'll unpack some stuff for Eddie then make sure the doors locked."

I knew what that meant.
We were going to do what we always did.
We were going to walk straight into the hurricane.

***

"Nancy?"

I've never been happier to see her in my lifetime, and that's saying a lot considering I've seen her handle a gun.
With everything going on, a tiny thought in the back of my head wondered where Nancy Wheeler might be, she always had a hold on things, especially now with the school newspaper gaining higher popularity.

She seemed to visibly lighten at our presence, locking eyes with us, releasing a small wave in my direction as I smile lightly and return the favour.

It's not until the police are done talking to her that we're able to move over to a bunch of picnic tables in the trailer park, the sun's soft heat somehow burning my skin as my head begins to hurt once more.

"So you think this thing is from the upside down?"

I learnt long ago that the upside down is the world that portal me and Robin saw went to, one that contained unimaginable creatures, creatures like the one that killed Miss Cook.

"Our working theory is that he attacks with a spell or a curse?"

"Maybe he just enjoys killing teens." I try to lighten the mood and pull myself out of the state of grief my body is beginning to enter as I think of Fred. We shared class together.. he had a silly crush on Robin last year.. he was just a kid.

"Why them?" Nancys words pull me out of my anxiety coma, "they were both at the game.. and the trailer park."

Steve moves closer to me for a moment, an action that doesn't go unnoticed as I ease slightly, he however seems more tense, "we're at the trailer park.."

"Fred started acting weird the second we got here.. upset..." Chrissy's memory seems to haunt me once more, "Chrissy was upset too.." I breathe out shakily, "at school though. At lunch."

The brunette boy beside me stops for a moment, his leg that was subtly shaking before freezing in its place, causing me to glance over and watch his brows pressed together in thought. "Didn't you see Miss Kelly at lunch?"

My head begins to spin as the sunlight seems to burn brighter for just a moment.
The heat must be getting to me.

"If I saw some freaky lizard monster I'd probably tell someone about it.." his eyes lock with mine as if to throw his words into my head, which finally clicks together the puzzle piece of his proposition,

"maybe they did!"

***

A/N:
Hi readers!! It's been a while! I missed Ruby and Steve so much it hurt 😭 I was writing my dissertation :(
All of your support, comments and votes mean so much to me, please please continue to support this book!! Xx I've got so many plans 🤫