𝕾𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 - [𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻]

𝐱𝐱𝐢𝐢𝐢. 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘨𝘰

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 - down we go

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 𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐃 behind for much longer; the girl had been all business and had absolutely no time to care about the excitement from Dustin, the motherly worrying of Steve and the utter joy from Robin. She slinked off, claiming that such a mission — or heist, as Robin had named it — required preparation, it required tools, a helmet, and a My Little Pony backpack, apparently.

 So Scarlet had walked the girl to the front of the store, ignoring the squawking of the patrons, the rushing children scuttling through the mall as though it was a playground and they were heading for the monkey bars and swings... she'd waved Erica off, imploring that the girl remained safe and kept what she knew to herself — Scarlet didn't want Hopper to know, for he had enough on his plate... but she didn't want Eleven knowing either. The poor girl deserved to just... live without fear, if only for the summer.

 Erica had saluted, and with the strength of a wrestler, she batted her way through the crowds, standing tall as people parted like ocean waves to let her through. She was a girl to be reckoned with, Scarlet knew that much.

 She couldn't believe it though. Scarlet truly couldn't comprehend the fact that she had grappled another child into their meticulous little plans, that she was putting Erica in potential danger all for what? They didn't even know what they'd gain from it.

 She knew she could protect the girl, even if it meant launching herself from the roof they'd be spying from and lighting up the grounds with a crimson tidal wave... she'd have to kill the people she struck; there couldn't ever be anybody left behind to squeal about what she could do. That was the main source of worry; killing monsters and creatures from another dimension... the kids could pass that by without the blink of an eye, but could they ever recover from watching their hero murder somebody, even if it was out of defence?

 Scarlet leaned back, her spine settling against the entrance of Scoops Ahoy as a hefty breath tumbled from her lips in the form of a tired sigh; she needed a break. It had been mere months since her world had changed so suddenly since she'd left behind the only family she'd ever known just to come and fight monsters... now she was tangled in a web. She was a babysitter, putting children directly into the line of fire.

 "Hey," Her thoughts shattered as that warm voice trailed past her ears, caressing her with the lightest touch. Steve always did have a way to mould his voice into something of solace, like an old blanket that a child would cling to for comfort. He took his place beside her, shoulders brushing with a feather-soft touch, "You okay?"

 Her answer was instantaneous, muscle memory forcing the confirmation from her lips without a shred of thought, "I'm fine."

 Scarlet had grown used to it by now, flitting in and out of reality as her thoughts took her by a chokehold, squeezing her windpipe until reality and dreams blurred into one. She could always choke and force out an apology, a few words to appease her company... nobody ever really bought it.