When Doves Cry // Stranger Things // Steve Harrington

STORY COMPLETED THROUGH SEASON 4 CANON
REWRITE COMPLETED 9/18/2025

"Why do we scream at each other? This is what it sounds like when doves cry"

Dove Henderson thought her biggest challenge would be navigating high school and protecting her reputation in the small town of Hawkins. But when her younger brother, Dustin, discovers a strange creature tied to the dark, otherworldly force known as the Upside Down, Dove's world is thrown into chaos. As she faces personal struggles with her relationships, Dove is pulled deeper into the supernatural battles brewing in Hawkins.

From the looming threat of the Mind Flayer to the sinister forces lurking beneath Starcourt Mall, Dove must confront the growing dangers in her town while grappling with her own evolving identity. With friendships tested and secrets uncovered, Dove realizes that her path diverges from those she loves, leading to heartbreak, self-discovery, and the ultimate battle for survival.

Spanning five acts and tied to the events of Stranger Things 2 through 5 as well as the Stranger Things companion book One Way or Another, When Doves Cry follows Dove as she faces both internal and external storms-ones that threaten not only her future but the future of Hawkins itself.