Complicated • Stranger Things

24 - The Bite

Once we were free from our binds, Dustin and Erica took off running down a hallway. On the other hand, Steve, Robin, and I could barely stand up straight. We were stumbling all over the hallway as we tried to keep up with them, falling a few times in the process. Eventually, we arrived at some type of car looking thing. Dustin and Erica rushed us into the back and shut the door once the three of us were inside. Dustin and Erica then quickly got into the front seats and started driving.

"Jesus slow down!" Steve slurred.

"Yeah, what is this, like, the Indy 500?" Robin asked.

"It's the Indy 300." Steve corrected.

"No, dingus, it's 500!" Robin argued.

"It's 300!" Steve stated.

"Let's say a million," I suggested and three of us burst out laughing.

Then, the car came to an abrupt stop, causing us to go flying forward. The three of us groaned at the impact. Dustin and Erica then rushed to the door and opened it.

Dustin rushed the three of us out while we mumbled complaints. Dustin then used the key card to open the elevator. Once the elevator started going up, Steve stood on the dolly, and I joined him while Robin pushed us around. Steve and I held onto each other until we were able to keep our balance.

"Hey! You look like you're surfing!" Robin shouted.

"Surfing! Yeah!" Steve agreed. "I'm a natural! Check it out!"

I laughed as Steve let go of me and took a surfing stance, which I copied. Then, Robin suddenly pulled it back, causing Steve and I to fall to the ground. Steve groaned in pain as I landed on top of him.

"Wipeout!" Robin.

Dustin tried to feel Steve's forehead to check his temperature, but Steve struggled against his grasp. Dustin then went to open Steve's eyes to check his pupils.

"His pupils are super dilated. " Dustin said as he turned to Erica.

"Maybe he's drugged," Erica suggested.

Dustin turned back to Steve. "Steve, are you drugged?"

"How many times, Dad? I don't do drugs. It's only marijuana." Steve told him as he lightly hit Dustin across the face.

"This isn't funny, okay? I need to know what they did to you." Dustin said in a serious tone as Steve laughed. "Are you gonna die on us?"

"We all die, my strange little child friend," Robin said.

"It's just a matter of how...and when," I added. Dustin looked at us, almost scared, before turning back to Steve.

"They're going to be looking for us up there so I need you to tell me where you parked your car," Dustin said.

"Oh, can we make a pit stop at the food court?" Steve asked and I nodded in agreement.

"I would kill for a hot dog in a stick," Robin said.

"Or a burger." I was practically drooling at the thought.

"Alright. Yeah, food. Yes, you can have as much food as you want, but only if you tell me where your car is parked." Dustin said.

"Uh-oh," Steve said, confusing Dustin. "The car's off the board."

"What?" Dustin asked.

"They took the keys. The Russians, they took the keys. Like, forever ago." Steve said and Robin and I started laughing. "That's a bummer, right?"

Eventually, the elevator stopped and while Dustin went to open the door, the three of us stumbled to our feet. Once the doors opened, the five of us walked outside.