𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 - 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧

38. the turnbow trap

Robin had finally called, but not with any news— good or bad. Instead, she was telling everyone to meet at the Squawk again. She wouldn't share what it was about until everyone was there.

The Squawk van whipped into the driveway, followed by another car right behind it, Nancy's car. Aubrey, Steve, Dustin, and Jonathan got out of the van and stood there waiting for them to pull in.

"It looks like Robin sent up the Bat-signal." Dustin joked.

Nancy got out of the driver's seat, and Jonathan immediately ran over and hugged her. Nick, Bea, Lucas, Mike, and Rue got out next.

Aubrey walked up to Nick, "Hey, you okay?" she asked. He just shrugged. This was the first time in her life that Aubrey had ever seen him like this. He didn't have a single word or funny quip for her. She pulled him into a hug, then, "I'm so sorry." she patted him on the back as they pulled away.

All he did was nod before walking straight up into the station. Aubrey looked at Bea and Rue, "Did you guys find them again?" Bea asked, even though she already knew the answer.

"No." Aubrey sighed, "Are you guys alright?"

"Been better." Rue shrugged.

Beatrice just shook her head. Aubrey could tell she needed to cry. "It was awful," she whispered, her voice breaking. "So awful."

Aubrey frowned, pulling her into a tight hug, "I'm sorry you guys had to see that."

Beatrice sniffled, then pulled away, "I'm okay." She wiped her eyes, "Now's not the time to break down." She shook her head, trying to psyche herself up. Aubrey nodded, giving her a sympathetic look. "I'm gonna go, find Nick." she said then, and went inside, Rue doing the same.

Aubrey walked back over and stood beside Steve, "Holy shit." Mike said to Dustin as they greeted.

"Yep." Dustin winced, "Bike crash. Flew headfirst into a light post," he lied. Aubrey and Steve shared a brief look between the two of them, "Look, I'm sorry about missing the crawl, about everything." he apologized to Lucas and Mike.

"It's not your fault." Mike told him immediately, "Don't beat yourself up."

"Yeah, looks like he already did." Lucas joked, "Is that broken?"

Aubrey stepped back then, about to head inside. But Steve suddenly grabbed her arm, "Hey," he said.

She stopped and stared at him, "Hey?"

He hesitated for a moment, "A-Are you okay?" he asked her. His hand moved down her arm and interlocked with her hand.

Aubrey looked down at their hands, "I'm fine." she told him, even though it wasn't exactly true. She felt so overwhelmed and so exhausted. She just wanted Hopper and El to be safe.

And she wanted her boyfriend to be a little bit less of an asshole right now. But this was him trying, she guessed.

"We're gonna find them, okay?" he told her, squeezing her hand then. "We have to."

She nodded, "I know."

He kissed her then, softly, abruptly. As much as she was ticked off at him right now, it brought some comfort for the time being.

"Hey!" Robin yelled, catching everyone off guard, "This isn't a social call, kiddos. Let's go." She waved for everyone to come inside.

"Derek? Derek Turnbow? As in the Turnbow Family? Like Turnbow Realty?" Steve questioned once Will had explained everything he and Robin had found out this morning.

"The one and only." Robin confirmed.

Lucas sighed, "Whole family's a menace."

"How can you be sure?" Nancy asked, "Sure that Derek's the next target?"