𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐂, 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 | 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞

chapter sixteen; an angel

꒰꒰・┄┄・𓆩♡𓆪・┄┄・꒱꒱

"JUST BE COOL," Dustin instructs, giving the group a stern yet reassuring nod. Then in a swift movement, the boy exits the toilet doorway and joins in with the crowd of moviegoers as they leave the cinema.

Taken by surprise by the sudden actions of the boy, the others race ahead to keep up and follow his lead, trying their best to blend in with the rest of the strangers. They even go so far as acting as if they too had just seen the same movie, slowly migrating towards the main entrance.

It was scary, and worrying, to think that the families, friends and couples surrounding them had absolutely zero knowledge of the danger brewing just beneath their feet. The thought alone sent a shiver down Summer's spine.

Whilst the five of them seemed to camouflage themselves amongst the crowd quite well the brunette still stuck to Steve's side like glue. One hand tightly clasped in his with the other wrapped firmly around his forearm, nails digging in ever so slightly and leaving moon shapes.

Perhaps she was afraid that if she let go she'd lose him, or he'd lose her, and now that the drug they'd been so kindly injected with was wearing off the girl's anxious thoughts were beginning to flood back. Filling her mind with paranoia and panic.

"Well, shit, that worked." Erica shrugs, impressed with the slightly older boy's plan. As if she had no idea that he was practically a genius.

"Of course it worked. We just have to get on the bus with the rest of these plebes, and home sweet home, here we come." The excitement was oozing in the boy's tone as he clapped his hands together. Little did he know that the rest of his plan wasn't going to pan out exactly the way he was hoping for.

Steve looks down at Summer, a glint of guilt in his eyes, and then takes a nervous step forward. He taps the boy on the shoulder and though he doesn't stop his feet from moving he acknowledges his friend nonetheless.

"Uh, Dustin. Yeah, we might not wanna go to your house."

"Why?" The curly-haired boy queries and stops in his tracks.

"Because Steve told the Russians your full name." Summer accidentally lets the words fall from her lips, earning herself a rather annoyed look from her boyfriend as he gets yelled at by the other boy.

Dustin shakes his head in disbelief and takes in a deep breath. He couldn't believe that Steve, who had singlehandedly fought off creatures from another dimension couldn't resist giving away his personal information to some measly Russian soldier. "You're supposed to resist. Tough it out. You tough it out like a man."

"Oh, yeah." Steve nods along sarcastically. "It's easy for you to say."

The two males continue on with their bickering while also trying to keep up with the crowd. Nearing the exit a swarm of people were still surrounding them, keeping them moderately hidden as they got closer and closer to their freedom. However, as the last glass doors come into view the crowd begins to scatter into messy lines and at the very front where the lines ended stood multiple Russian guards.