Complicated • Stranger Things

2 - The Weirdo on Maple Street

My dad knocked on the Byers' front door, sending a glare my way as he did so. He didn't want me coming along, but I begged him until he said yes. The door was opened almost instantly by a tired and worried Joyce Byers.

"We've been waiting six hours." She said, almost yelling at the man.

"I know, I came as soon as I could." He said as we both stepped into the house.

I gave Joyce a sympathetic smile before going over to Jonathan and giving him a hug.

"Six hours." She repeated.

"A little bit of trust here, alright? We've been searching all night. Went all the way to Cartersville." He said with a calm tone.

"And?"

"Nothing."

"God." She put her hand over her mouth, about to cry. I really did feel bad for her. She's such a kind and hardworking woman. She doesn't deserve this.

My dad reminded Joyce about a call and she brought him over to the phone for him to examine.

"Storm barbecued this pretty good."

"The storm?" Joyce asked in disbelief.

"What else?" He asked as he put the phone back.

"You're saying that that's not weird?" She pointed at the phone.

"No, it's weird." He agreed

"Can we, like, trace who made the call? Contact the-"

"No, it doesn't work like that." Hopper cut Jonathan off. "Now uh, you're sure it was Will? Because Flo said you just heard some breathing."

I shot him a glare.

"No. It was him. It was Will. And he was scared, and then something-"

"It was probably just a prank call. It was somebody trying to scare you." He interrupted.

"Why would somebody do that?" I asked.

"Well, this thing's been on TV. It brings out all the crazies, you know. False leads, prank calls, uh..."

"No, Hopper. It was not a prank. It was him."

"Joyce -"

"Come on, how about a little trust here. What you think I'm.. I'm making this up?" She shouted.

"I'm not saying that you're making it up. All I'm saying is it's an emotional time for you." He stated.

"And you think I don't know my own sons breathing? Wouldn't you know you're own daughters?" Joyce questioned. He didn't respond to that and my eyes fell to the ground for a moment.

"It's okay, Joyce. He's not trying to doubt you, this is just complicated." I let go of Jonathan and gave Joyce a hug, glaring at my dad as I did so.

"You hear from, uh, Lonnie yet?" My dad asked once we parted.

"No."

"It's been long enough, I'm having him checked out. Come on Jordan." He lightly grabbed my arm, probably knowing I'd protest.

"Oh come on! You're wasting your time!" Joyce yelled after us.

"You didn't have to be such a jerk, you know. Her son just went missing." I scolded him once we were out the door.

"I told her the truth. I'm not going to give her false hope." He stated as we approached the car.

"Hey, Hopper. Hopper. Let me go." Jonathan said as he ran up to the car.