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JACKIE COULDN'T quite explain how it all happened because it occurred so fast—the lights flickering which led to the car battery dying. Then, the announcement from Nancy that her parents were in the hospital, how Holly Wheeler had been taken into the Upside Down. How they'd lost all contact with Hopper, and the fact that Eleven had leapt through the gate to save Holly, leaving their world entirely.
"We're three blocks from your house," Jackie said, arms crossed and trying not to shiver. It wasn't cold, not exactly, but the sun had set hours prior and she'd left her jacket back at Squawk. "We can make it. It'll be easy. Piece of cake, right?"
"You're only saying that 'cause you won't be the one pushing the car."
She shot Steve a look. "We're sitting ducks here, Harrington. I have jumper cables. It's our only plan."
"Jackie's right," Jonathan said, coming around the van to lean against the hood. "The others need us. We can't just sit here."
"I know she's right, Byers," Steve snapped, shooting him a side glare, then leading Jackie to the driver's side. His hand was warm around her waist, only dropping it to open the door for her. "Keep it in neutral."
"Really?" She quipped sarcastically, and he rolled his eyes. "Thanks for that."
"I was just reminding you."
"Start pushing the damn van before I decide I want to run you over."
Another eye roll. Steve closed the door as Jackie shifted the van into N. With the window rolled down, she could easily hear Steve yell: "Ready, Byers?"
"Yeah," Jonathan called from the opposite side. Jackie pushed on the gas, and the car started to roll. It was slow, painfully slow, and turning the damn thing down the next street was even worse. Several curses were shouted and Jackie slammed on the brakes with a sudden thought.
"Woah! What the hell?!"
She switched the gear into park, then hopped out of the van. "Guys."
"Uh, yeah?"
"You all right?" Steve asked her.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Just... why didn't we think about me walking to my car and driving it here. Y'know.. instead of doing.. this. Work smarter not harder, right?"
The boys shared a perplexed look, then glanced back to her. "Huh."
Shaking her head, she grabbed her keys from the center console, then started on her way down the road. Steve yelled out in protest, shouting something to Jonathan about keeping the fort locked down, and chased after her.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He demanded, catching her by the wrist.
Jackie huffed, pulling him along with her. "I'm walking, Steve. What's it look like?"
