Return & Redemption

Part 9

"I still don't trust him," Steve said over the phone. I pulled the phone closer to my ear and turned away from Max and Billy, both hugging each other.

"I know, neither do I. I think it's weird and it doesn't make sense. I mean, from what you guys have told me, The Upside Down can't just create a clone, right?" I asked quietly.

"I don't think so..."

"What's she saying?" I heard Mike shout from near Steve.

"That Billy's apparently a good guy now," he answered. "Wait, so forget about being evil, but he's not even a dick anymore?"

"To be honest, I don't know what he was like before, but he seems nice. He's just confused and kind of out of it, more than anything," I muttered back.

"So he won't try to run us over again?" I heard Dustin say.

"What? When did he do that?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter," Steve responded. "Just...be safe, okay. He's a dangerous guy and I...I want you to be careful."

I smiled slightly. "Yeah, I will be. Don't worry about me."

I heard the door slam open and I quickly muttered a goodbye to Steve before putting the phone down.

"Billy?" I heard a man rumble.

"Dad," Billy stood up, away from Max.

"What are you doing here? I thought you finally left me in peace," the man moved away from the door and closer to us, finally noticing me. "And you brought home a little bitch."

I raised an eyebrow, taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, whore, back off," he slurred.

"Don't," Billy hissed, putting an arm out in front of me.

"Oh!" the man smiled evilly. "So protective!" Billy pushed me behind him, and I obliged, not willing to get in the middle of this. I put a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down as Max cowered behind me. "You should've stayed wherever the hell you were," Billy's dad spat. "I don't want you here, you fuckin' useless piece of shit."

My eyes widened in shock. What kind of father treats their child like this? But Billy didn't get upset. Instead he responded easily, "fine."

"What the hell did you just say?" his dad shouted.

"I said 'fine'," Billy repeated. "I'm leaving...But I'm taking Max with me," Billy took my hand and tugged Max, holding her close to him.

I heard a low growl emit from the man. "No," he challenged.

Suddenly, he swung at Billy, who pushed Max and me away in opposite directions. Billy easily dodged the drunken punch. I stumbled to the side and Max fell to the ground, scrambling quickly to get up. "Out," Billy directed us. I ran over to Max, steadying her and leading her towards the door.

"Get in," I instructed, seating Max in the back seat of my car and sliding into the driver's seat, revving the engine. The gear was already in 'reverse' when I saw Billy run out of his house and towards my car. I leaned over to the other side, pushing the passenger door open so he could hop in. I slammed the gas before his door was even fully closed, noticing Billy's dad tumbling out of the house, nursing a bloody nose. He watched us, and I could see the anger in his eyes from so far. I pushed into 'drive', pulling us out of the street.

I could see Max's wide eyes from my rear-view mirror; she was intently watching Billy, as if she didn't recognize him. Soon enough, she broke the silence, "Billy?"

"Yeah, Max?" he winced, holding his bloodied knuckles.

"Um, what happened to you? In the Upside Down, I mean? Because you seem...uh, different," she asked.

Billy chuckled darkly. "I had time to think, Max," he turned to look at her. "I've changed. I know you might not believe that, but I promise I have."

I gulped. I didn't know whether we could trust him or not. After everything the kids and Steve, Nancy, and Robin had told me, I couldn't even wrap my head around what just happened in the house. But I didn't have a choice right now because there was no where else to take Billy and Max.

"Uh, I can take you guys to my cousin's place?" I offered. Max and Billy nodded so I sped straight there.