Return & Redemption

Part 7

"Hargrove. Billy Hargrove," Max huffed. We all had just run from the parking lot to the front desk of the hospital.

"Relation?" the secretary asked lamely.

"He's my brother," she threw her hands up.

"Only two at a time," the lady lazily repeated.

"What?" Robin exclaimed. "No, we all need to go!"

"Too bad," the person behind the desk shook her head.

"Oh my god!" I screamed, pointing behind the desk. The woman spun around in her swivel chair to see what I pointed at. I immediately shoved everyone harshly away, towards the stairs. Luckily, they seemed to catch on pretty quickly. Lucas grabbed Max's hand and Nancy pulled on Mike as I pushed Steve while Dustin and Robin led the way.

"Hey!" the secretary yelled, but we were already halfway up to the second floor before we even heard her shouts.

"204!" Max shouted and Dustin slammed the door open to reveal...an empty bed.

***

"You're saying my brother is missing? Again?" Max spat at the police officer.

He sighed. It was the same guy that took notes last night, when I first brought Billy in. "Listen, kid. We're searching for him, okay? We'll find him soon, don't worry. You want my advice? Go home. Go to sleep. All of you kids look exhausted."

"It's noon!" Max shouted after his retreating figure. "We've only been awake for two hours, idiot!"

"Hey, whoa," Lucas soothed. "Maybe he's not wrong.... Maybe!" he added when Max glared at him.

She sighed. "No, you're right. I honestly didn't get much sleep last night. I should take a break. Uh, Sanya?" I heard her call.

"Yeah?" I turned away from my conversation with Steve, Robin and Nancy.

"Could you give me a ride home, please?"

"Of course! You guys will take care of the rest of them, right?" I double checked.

Steve, Robin and Nancy nodded. "I should take Mike home, anyways. We need to prepare the house for the Byers."

"You mean for Jonathan?" smirked Robin.

She punched her in the shoulder. "Shut up," she mumbled. "Come on, Mike. We have to go." She and Mike walked out with Robin, Steve, Lucas, and Dustin, while Max and I climbed into my car.

"What do you like to listen to?" I asked, trying to ease the tension.

"Doesn't matter," she huffed before placing her elbow on her window and looking outside. I glanced at her and then turned my focus back to driving.