⠀⠀43. UN-PEACEFUL

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CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

❛ UN-PEACEFUL ❜

╸hold me and never let me go

HEATHER IN A ICE BATH? CRYING FOR HELP? DROWNING IN THE DEPTHS OF DARKNESS?

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HEATHER IN A ICE BATH? CRYING FOR HELP? DROWNING IN THE DEPTHS OF DARKNESS?

Rory couldn't stop replaying El's terrifying vision in her mind as she pedaled hard through the rain beneath her blue raincoat.

El's visions were always a metaphor for reality. But something was clear-Heather was in danger. And with Billy.

Ice bath. Why? What the hell was going on?

A flash of lightning illuminated the darkened sky over Hawkins, followed by a deep, thunderous boom that sent a chill down Rory's spine. She pedaled faster, pushing her bike along the long, endless roads of Hawkins until the imposing Starcourt Mall loomed into view. As the purple lights began to shine brightly on the horizon, a perfect contrast to the grey sky, she knew she was close and could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Bad day to be wearing just overalls over a swimsuit.

She dropped her bike next to Steve's car and rushed inside the mall, her legs burning with exhaustion. Shit. She was late-the events of the morning had completely thrown off her plans. She even felt guilty for not sticking around to look for Billy.

It was an urgent matter -one that was getting out of hand. But she had made a commitment. She'd promised to meet Steve at 11:30. Also he can get her free lunches.

She glanced at the large clock on the wall.

The blue hand was near noon, and the yellow one stood completely vertical.

She took a deep breath, letting her chest settle. It hadn't been such a huge delay after all.

Wait a minute.

Rory snapped her head back to the clock, shaking her wet hair.

Blue and yellow.

Interesting. The phrase, roughly translated from Russian, flashed back into her mind.

What if... The clues were right here, in the mall itself?

"Oh my-" Her eyes widened in realization. Before her legs could fully recover from their earlier strain, Rory started running-her mind whirring with the connection she'd just made-toward the ice cream paradise. She had to share her theory with the others.

But halfway there, she collided with someone who was also running full speed, heading the opposite direction.

"Oh shit, I'm sorr-Rory!" Robin grabbed her shoulders, still caught in her own whirlwind of thoughts.

"Robin? Where are you going? I just realized something-"

"Follow me!" Robin commanded, her urgency matching Rory's. Without any other option, Rory followed along, swept up in the storm.

𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐘. ˢᵗᵉᵛᵉ ʰᵃʳʳⁱⁿᵍᵗᵒⁿWhere stories live. Discover now