𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕠𝕖𝕤

1

i pull up to what i can only hope is still Murray's 'house.' i step out of my baby blue 1980 chevy impala. i grab my bags, which was only a duffel bag and an old suitcase. i turned to walk to the door and then it finally registered in my mind that there was another car there. an expensive one, at that. i shook my head, deciding it will most likely be explained once i got inside. i got to the door and rang the doorbell.

"look at the camera!" i heard Murray say through a speaker.

of course, i had been here multiple times, and knew where to look.

"let me in, or ill kick down this stupid door, and then beat your ass."

the door opened. "Maria?"

"thats my name, dont wear it out." i said sarcastically.

"what the hell are you doing here?"

"didnt you get my voicemail?"

"no..?"

i rolled my eyes, and then stepped forward, trying to get in. "let me in, asshat."

"Murray, what's going on?" i heard a familiar voice say, and then a familiar face joined it behind my brother.

"Jim Hopper! how are you?"

"Maria? god its been so long, where've you been?"

"out of town, for work. i got fired, though, thats why im here."

"well, shit." Murray cut in.

"Hop, who is it?" another voice, this one belonging to a woman. she appeared at the doorway.

i looked at my brother. "Murray, why are there so many people at your house?"

he shrugged, "i dont know, just get inside."

i dragged my bags in, bringing them to the guest room. only when i walked out did i notice the man sitting on the couch.

"who are you?" i asked.

he stared at me blankly.

"he doesnt speak english, he's Russian." Murray explained.

"why the fuck do you have a commie in your house?"

"Alexei." the Russian said.

"what?"

"his name is Alexei." Joyce said.

"я мария" i told him.

he pointed at me, "ты говоришь по-русски?"

"да."

"okay stop flirting, i need to question him. also, when did you learn Russian?"

"i had lots of free time. also, why, what's going on?" i asked

"you remember the thing i told you about last year?"

"yeah?" i paused for a second before realizing it, "oh, shit! is it happening again?"

"you told her about everyhting?" Hop asked aggressively.

"to be fair i threatened him with a knife."

"you WHAT?!" he turned around.

"i could tell he wasnt telling the truth in the press, so i threatened him and he told me."

Hop looked at him in shock, but Murray just shrugged.

"youre such a pussy." i laughed.

"shut up!" he groaned.