Disclaimer: I do not own Stranger Things or any related characters. Rights belong to the Duffer Brothers and Netflix.
Chapter 2: Just Another Day
"So, let me get this straight, you were driving home, listening to music, when your radio started talking to you?"
"Well, first there was some shrieking shit going on, and then I heard the voice."
"And this voice, what did it say again?"
"It said 'hello' and 'are you there' and 'can you hear me'."
"So it was speaking English. Female or male?"
"S-sounded female."
"And you're SURE you weren't drinking or high or something and just happened to be hearing some late night talk show?"
"F-fuck-No! Goddamnit!"
It was ten O'clock in the morning, and Steve was presently sitting with Chief Jim Hopper in his office at the station. He'd already been frustrated when the man had come into work late (due to something not El related), and now he was really getting pissed with the third degree being given to him on the matter of last night by the cop.
"Calm down, kid," said Hopper, drawing long and hard on his cigarette, smoke billowing as he spoke. "I'm not against you, okay? All I'm saying - or trying to say - is don't get hyped on something that may be absolutely nothing-"
"How can I NOT get hyped knowing there's literally another fucking dimension filled with hell beasts right next to us and my car just randomly starts screaming at me? Like, are you serious?" Steve cut across him in a shrill fashion, brown eyes bugging out of his skull.
"I get it, kid, I really do. But, unless that... thing found another way into our world, I can truthfully tell you now that the gate is sealed tight. I seen it. So, I'd rather not go into panic mode unless I find good reason to, and unfortunately wonky-ass radios ain't gonna cut it for me. Understand?"
"My r-radio is n-not-" Steve began to argue.
"Understand?" Hopper repeated with more strength.
Steve bit his tongue and seethed in his spot, looking away from the chief.
Hopper's eyes lay fixed on Steve, scrutinizing him, as he'd most certainly caught the boy tripping over his words a bit too much there.
"You took your meds this morning?" he queried in a much gentler tone.
"W-what ab-about the l-lab?" Steve asked, ignoring Hopper's question.
"What ABOUT the lab?" Hopper threw back, brow furrowing.
"Wh-what if th-those creeps are b-back there and doing m-more science experiments and sh-"
"Look, Steven," Hopper spoke low and serious, completely disregarding Steve's objection to the use of his proper name. "I know you're paranoid, I am too. Hell, we'll most likely always be until the day we die. The shit we've dealt with is going to leave a lasting mark, there's no doubting this. However, I'm not about to live my remaining life in fear, and neither should you. You're too young, you've got the whole world, don't let this crap control you. You need to go and do things and not worry so much."
"S-so just act like n-n-nothing ever h-happened, right?! Delete it f-from the p-past!" said Steve, his face reddening with rising anger.
"No. Not at all. You should always be aware and never forget. I... I just want you to try and have a somewhat normal life, okay? All you kids. Jesus..."
The chief rubbed his face into his palms, cigarette sticking out and still spewing a tendril of smoke towards the ceiling. Steve watched him, his anger gradually dwindling as he did so. He felt slightly bad now, knowing all the stress the older man has experienced in the last almost two years since the whole Upside Down/government conspiracy garbage had occurred. He knew Hopper only wanted to help and protect, for more than just his job's sake.
The thing was, so did Steve.
"Hey, uh, Chief-Hopper-I-I understand..." said Steve, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... I know it seems crazy, but, something t-tells me that even though the Gate is closed and the l-lab is officially shut down, the Upside Down stuff, it... It's not over. I d-don't think it ever will be..."
Hopper lifted his head from his hands to look at Steve.
"Maybe not, kid, but that's not going to rule us. For right now, we're alright. So let's live in the now. I want you to get your schooling done, graduate, come back here and you'll be working for me. And that, my friend, is when the nightmare truly starts."
He gave Steve a tight smile, and Steve forced himself to return one, if only to appease the man. Steve then got to his feet, pushed the chair to the side and stuffed his hands in his pockets. He hesitated before saying, "Will you at least keep my report on record?"
Hopper sighed exhaustedly, smashing his cigarette butt in the glass ash tray on his desk.
"Of course, kid. Now go take your damn meds and enjoy the day!"
It was a Saturday and there was really not a whole lot going on for Steve. With a farewell to the deputies and Flo, Steve left the station feeling a whole lot defeated. The day was hot and muggy, and doing absolutely nothing for his hair. Slipping on his Wayfarers, Steve huffed to himself as he started on his journey back home. He had yet to retrieve his car, and was certainly not in a hurry to do so. Hopper may have had good points in there, but Steve knew what he'd heard, and was not about to play it off.
No. Not this time.
He had been a good boy the first time around, staying quiet and pretending things were fine. No wonder Nancy had been so fed up last year. He hated himself for not being there more for her. It's not like keeping their mouths shut helped much in the end. Steve may not have been a genius, but he was smart enough to learn from his mistakes. Especially now that he had attached himself to a bunch of kids, he wasn't about to ignore stuff. His senses were hyper vigilant nowadays and he wouldn't dare let anymore Demogorgons or demodogs or whatever the fuck find their sneaky ass way back here without him knowing first.
It had been a good ten minutes of walking before Steve reached downtown Hawkins, where it seemed that every person under the age of twenty was set loose and wreaking havoc. Steve sometimes-well, actually a lot of the time forgot his own age. He may have been almost nineteen, but he felt more like forty-nine most days.
Sweating his ass off, Steve glanced around at all of the activity, discreetly popping an overdue pill into his mouth and trying not to think about how flat his hair must be by now.
It wasn't until his stomach let out a mighty roar that Steve realized he'd forgotten breakfast this morning in his rush to get to Hopper.
Steve was about to head into Old Joe's diner for some pancakes, when his mind clicked and he remembered that Kim worked there. Kim... To be honest, he'd forgotten all about her in the midst of talking radios and the like. Steve bounced on the balls of his feet in an anxious fashion as he stood at the street corner, searching his memory for other nearby food establishments.
"Hey, Steve!"
Steve just about leapt out of his shorts. He turned on the spot, nostrils flaring.
"Hi, Dustin." Steve said flatly, trying to not appear as freaked as he felt.
The curly-haired dork was mounted on his trusty bike, leaned to one side with a foot on the ground to steady himself. He was giving Steve that grin. The Dustin grin. The grin to end all other grins.
"Morning jog routine?" guessed Dustin.
"No. I'm looking for breakfast, actually." said Steve.
"Breakfast?" Dustin repeated nonplussed, raising his eyebrows. "Why are you so sweaty?"
Steve scoffed dramatically, putting one hand on his hip and gesturing at the air with the other.
"In case you haven't noticed, Dickhead, it's like a hundred degrees out today."
"Yeah, but, that's a lot of sweat... And your hair..." Dustin trailed off, his blue eyes directed to the top of Steve's head.
Steve's hands flew up to his hair, looking as distressed as if Dustin had said a demodog was currently perched there.
"What's wrong with my hair, Asshole?!"
Dustin made a face. "It's kind of droopy... Did you forget your spray-"
Steve's hand was on Dustin's mouth in a flash, causing the boy to squeak in surprise.
"We. Are. In. Public." Steve ground out in a low voice close to Dustin's ear.
"S-sorry, I wasn't thinking!" said Dustin as Steve released him and stepped back.
Steve nodded, hands on his hips. "Yeah, okay, whatever. You know any good breakfast?"
"What about Old Joe's?" said Dustin, pointing towards the diner past Steve's shoulder.
"Uh, no, that's not gonna work." said Steve.
"Why not?" questioned Dustin.
"Because, I-" but before Steve could finish, someone was yelling at him.
"Harrington! Hey, Harrington!"
Steve didn't have to look to know who it was. Gritting his teeth, Steve turned around and groaned inwardly at the unwanted sight. Tommy Hubert and a few other boys that Steve vaguely recalled from school were gathered near the front of Old Joe's.
"Hey what, Hubert?" Steve replied coolly, blocking Dustin from view.
Tommy was standing there, chewing his gum and smiling like a total cock.
"Having fun playing with preschoolers?" said he, crossing his arms. "Seems that's all you can get nowadays. God, it's amazing how much of a loser you've become."
Steve honestly was not fazed by Tommy's words, but more wearied.
"Haha, hilarious, Man. Don't you have to be buying school supplies somewhere? Or am I incorrect in assuming you didn't graduate?" shot back Steve half-heartedly.
Tommy's smile disappeared.
"Fuck you, Harrington!"
"Watch your language, Dickwad, there's kids around." Steve mocked, not hiding his oncoming smirk.
Steve shook his head, making to turn away when Tommy spoke again.
"I guess you're a faggot now too, huh?!"
Steve stopped. "What?"
"Yeah, didn't think anyone would find out about what you did to Kim? Fucking queer!"
Steve's heart quickened and his hands began curling into fists at his sides.
No.
He would not let this piece of shit get under his skin, particularly with Dustin right here.
He had to brush him off. Tommy was a dirtbag. His opinion meant nothing.
Still, Dustin was there, and he didn't need to listen to this shit.
"Got nothing to say, Faggot? Figured. Don't fret, though, Billy plans on taking real good care of her. You're off the hook, Faggot! Hey! You hear me, Harrington?!"
Steve threw Tommy a dark, threatening look, then wordlessly turned his back on him. Dustin had been watching the entire exchange, and Steve could see how visibly upset he was by it.
"Come on, Dust,"said Steve quietly, squeezing the boy's shoulder as he passed. "Let's go."
Dustin sniffed and gave a nod, starting his bike pedals to follow after Steve, attempting to pay no attention to the cruel words being tossed by Tommy and the others. The two boys made their way for a long while in silence, and it wasn't until they were well out of the downtown that Dustin broke it.
"Steve, what was Tommy talking about?"
"Nothing, Kid, he was just being a prick, running his shitty mouth as usual." mumbled Steve, looking far ahead of them down the road, sweat beading his brow.
"Who's Kim?" asked Dustin.
Steve pursed his lips. He debated whether he should even say, but Dustin deserved the truth from him.
"She was my date."
"Your date? Like, the smokin' hot chick?" Dustin sounded thoroughly perplexed. "Why? Didn't you have a good time? Why would Tommy call you a... a... you know..."
Steve let out a long sigh. "Kim and I, we, uh, didn't exactly hit it off, Bud."
"No electricity?" said Dustin sadly.
Steve gave Dustin a sidelong glance, frowning.
"No electricity." he affirmed.
There was a pause, then Dustin spoke up once more.
"It's okay, Buddy, she's only one girl. There's lots more out there. You're too awesome to not find one. Way too awesome..."
A smile tugged at Steve's lips. He stretched his arm out to pat Dustin's back.
"Thanks, Bud. Glad someone thinks so."
Dustin was grinning again, which only served to make Steve grin and feel stupid feelings for the stupid kid. Christ, man...
"Uh, Steve?" said Dustin, back to his normal self.
"Hmm?"
"You DO know it's almost lunchtime? You're not still getting breakfast are you?"
Steve looked at the boy, then at his wristwatch. Indeed, the twerp was right.
"No, I guess not. You know any good spots for lunch?" asked Steve.
For not having much to do, the day sure whizzed by for Steve. Once he and Dustin had gotten lunch, the younger boy practically dragged Steve to the arcade, where the rest of the gang had met up. Everyone but El, that is. Steve felt bad that the girl was missing out so much, but she was getting close now to actual freedom. Just a few more months.
Steve had lost count how many times now that he'd gone to the arcade since "adopting" these shits. He'd been going so long and so often that he was the current reigning King of Pac-Man. Steve was equally frightened and intrigued by Keith, awkward and creepy arcade worker, whom he caught staring openly at him from across the room with his hand elbow-deep in a Cheetos bag on more than one occasion.
The guy never made a point to come over and actually meet Steve, which the kids only shrugged at.
Spending more than five hours at the arcade was just about Steve's limit, though. Glad to have a watch on himself, Steve bid the five terrors goodbye when he seen it was a quarter to six, and strutted out of the door, but not before making them all promise to walkie him later to let him know that they all got home safe. Of course, there was no worry with regards to Will, because Joyce was picking him up.
It was a stark contrast going outside to the pandemonium of the arcade inside. Besides the random car or two that whizzed by and the tweeting of birds, it was remarkably quiet. The sun was heading towards the West, but there was still a good amount of daylight left to make it back home from here on foot. Steve was happy to note that the heat of the day had subsided considerably. Rounding the corner onto the street his house was located on sometime later, Steve's heart quickened at the sight of his car.
It still sat there, unassuming and lifeless.
Steve took his keys out of his shorts' pocket as he cautiously approached the vehicle, breathing hard through his nose. He needed to get a grip. All he had to do was drive it a couple of feet to his driveway. That's it. That's all.
Unlocking the door, Steve carefully opened it and took an uneasy breath before sliding inside. It was insufferably stuffy from enduring the sizzling sun all day, and Steve hurriedly rolled the window down to gasp for fresh air. With apprehension, Steve stuck the key into the ignition and rolled it. The car came to life-
"-DANCE ALL NIGHT AND GET REAL LOOSE! YOU DON'T NEED NO BAD EXCUSE-"
"HOLYSHITFUCK!" Steve cried in fright at the blasting radio.
Hair on end, Steve turned The Cars off with more force than necessary, clutching at his chest.
Well, at least it wasn't trying to have a conversation this time. Thank God...
Making it home without any issue, Steve parked and hopped out of his car, and headed up the driveway to his house. His parents had still not come back from that conference in Denver.
Like it even mattered anymore.
Within a few more weeks Steve would have enough money saved to go buy an apartment of his own and start an actual adult life. It was exciting, and the more Steve thought about it, the more impatient he became. Shit, if he had to stomach his father much more longer...
Stepping up to the front door, Steve was about to enter the house, when he thought he heard someone running behind him. The boy whirled around on his doorstep, instinctively dropping into a defensive stance. He relaxed when he saw it was just someone jogging down the street.
A girl, dressed in standard exercise getup, with blinding-white sneakers and hair that was pulled back into a springy ponytail.
Steve shook his head at his feet.
He really needed to get a grip.
Biting his lip, Steve turned to face his door once again, his mind buzzing with all sorts of thoughts as he unlocked it and crossed the threshold into the huge, empty house.
It was lucky that he failed to notice the headlights of his car come on suddenly, or the radio turn on with an otherworldly screech, followed with a soft, feminine voice speaking to the silence-
"He's coming."
A/N: I tried to make this chapter not so much of a filler, so hopefully it turned out okay. Not much to note on. Some recommended music when reading: 'She Wants Me to Find Her', 'Walkin in Hawkins', both obviously from ST2 OST, and 'Outside the Realm' by BIG GIANT CIRCLES - which was featured in ST2, but not actually orchestrated by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein. More to come soon! Stay tuned, kids!
