Crush Culture [M.Wheeler]

[59] THEY DID IT

Nori reaches the car outside, running over and jumping into the backseat. "Took you long enough." Steve comments.

"Alright, where are we going?" Steve asks. "Weathertop." Dustin informs. "Weather-What?" Steve furrows his eyebrows

"Just drive." Dustin sighs. "Okay. Jesus!" He starts the ignition, then backs away, heading off.

***

"Jesus, how far is this place, man?" Steve questions after driving for about half an hour. "Relax, we're almost there." Dustin tells.

"Suzie must be pretty special, huh?" Robin chimes in. "I mean, if you built this thing and lugged it all the way to the middle of nowhere just to talk to her?"

Nori smiles to her best friend, placing an arm around his shoulder. "I mean, nobody's scientifically perfect, but Suzie's about as close to being perfect as any human could possibly be." Dustin nods.

"She sound made-up to me." Erica states. "She sound made-up to you?" She turns to Nori, then to Steve. "No." Nori says immediately.

Steve pauses for a moment, unsure of what to answer. "Why are you hesitating, Steve?" Dustin asks. "I'm— I'm— I'm not! I'm not!" He denies.

"I think she sounds real. You know, totally, absolutely real." He sighs. Nori rolls her eyes. "Left. Turn left." Dustin instructs.

"There's not a road here." Steve responds. "Turn left now!" He screams. He makes a quick turn, causing everyone to scream as he runs directly into a wooden fence.

"Whoa! Henderson, where are we going?!" Steve screams. "Up!" Dustin shouts back. "We're not gonna make it!" Nori says loudly as the hill gets steeper.

"Yes, we are. Come on, baby. Come on, baby!" Steve yells, slamming the wheel. Just when they thought they could do it, the car stops.

"Come on. Come on." Steve grunts, stepping down on the clutch. "Guess the Toddfather has its limitations." Robin sighs.

Sighing in defeat, they get out of the car, walking the rest of the way up, which wasn't too far.

When they reach the top, Dustin begins to speak. "Bald eagle, do you copy? Bald Eagle, I repeat, this is Scoops Troop, do you copy?" He asks.

"Yes, I copy." Murray responds. They all chuckle with relief. "Call sign?" Dustin checks.

"Bald Eagle." Murray informs. "Please repeat." Dustin continues. "Bald Eagle. This is Bald Eagle!"

"Copy that. Good to hear your voice, Bald Eagle. What's your 20?" Dustin smiles. "We reached the vent. I'll contact you when I need you." Murray explains. "Until then, silence."

"Roger that, Bald Eagle." Dustin nods. "This is Scoops Troop, going radio silent. 10-10, over." He turns it off, then looks back at the others.

***

"This is insane." Nori sighs, lying back on the grass. "You're insane." Steve responds, causing her to flip him off.

"Scoops Troop, this is...Hm. Bald Eagle." Murray speaks up. "I've reached another junction."

"This is what?" Dustin inquires. "The fourth junction." Nori states. "Alright, So if my memory serves, this is right after the My Little Pony thesis." Dustin remembers.