𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 - 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧

40. shock jock

DIRECTLY FROM THE LAST CHAPTER

Aubrey felt guilty, going against her father's wishes. But hey, she never did really listen to him anyway. She was sort of a rebel in that sense. But he had El; El had him. That was what was important. They had found one another, and Aubrey knew they could keep each other safe.

She'd rather be trying to get to the bottom of this instead of sitting around any longer.

All seven of them stood in front of Hawkins Lab. The place still gave her the creeps, especially its Upside Down counterpart. However, that attack had her on a high, and adrenaline buzzed through her bones. She could shake off the uneasy feeling in her chest for a moment while they investigated.

They made their way inside, discovering that the place was empty. Vines decorated all of the walls around them. "Well, this looks really promising," Steve remarked. She's sure he didn't mean for it to come out as condescending as it did. She hoped he didn't.

"We're in the lobby." Dustin retorted.

"And... where are we going exactly?" Nancy questioned him.

Jonathan shined his flashlight around, "Right. Like, what is it we're looking for?"

"You've all seen Return of the Jedi, I hope?" Dustin inquired, looking between Jonathan and Nick.

"Does Spaceballs count?" Beatrice asked, only teasing. That earned a chuckle from Aubrey.

"The one with the teddy bears?" Steve asked Dustin.

"Ewoks." Dustin corrected him as Nick mimicked one, gaining a smack on the shoulder from Bea.

"Yeah, it's the best one." Steve retorted. He still hadn't watched a single Star Wars movie.

"Is it?" Aubrey teased him.

"No, but every child loves it, so tracks." Dustin eyed Steve, then continued walking, "In the film, if you recall, the rebels need to destroy a second Death Star, but it's surrounded by a protective energy shield, which is created by a shield generator," he explained. Aubrey tried her best to follow along. She can't recall that she's ever watched that movie through and through either.

"Yeah, cool. Thanks for the summary of a movie we've all seen." Steve sighed, still not catching Dustin's drift.

"It's an oddly relevant movie, Steve." he replied, "Look, I think this circular flesh wall is Vecna's version of an energy shield, except it's not sci-fi. It's supernatural, created by Vecna's dark magic." he continued to walk, "And this dark magic shield is what's preventing us from reaching him and saving Holly," he told everyone as they stood in front of him, "But if my math is correct, the generator for the shield has to be in this lab."

Bea sighed, "So if we find this dark-magic-shield-generator..."

"We destroy the wall." Dustin reaffirmed.

"Find Vecna, save Holly." Nancy nodded.

"Medals for all," he joked dryly.

Steve looked around, "And it looks like what?"

"How would you expect me to know that?" Dustin asked, and Aubrey didn't think it was possible for this kid to become even more annoyed today, but she was sure it was happening. He turned around and continued walking. Steve scoffed, looking at the others. They didn't pay him any attention, and all just followed after Dustin.

They were met with a set of stairs, "Up or down?" Dustin asked, flashing his flashlight both ways.

"I say both. Search in teams of two. Cover more ground." Nancy replied, looking at Jonathan. Except they had an odd number, "Dustin can stick with either of you guys." She looked over at Aubrey, Steve, Bea, and Nick.