Robin befriends Karen and gives her and Nancy some helpful and not so helpful in hopes of the two starting a very taboo relationship. Oh and several teens in town are ending up dead after some seriously strange nightmares. Contains some sexual content.

The full yellow moon looked like a portal to another world when reflected in the water of Steve's pool. Barb sat on the edge of the diving board wishing she had something to wash the taste of that PBR out of her mouth. She could've gone home, but she knew with Nancy up in Steve's room she had no real options; what kind of friend would she be if she left her there? She was finding her eyes heavy, had to be past 2AM, but she was afraid of falling asleep thinking that waking up with a hangover would be the worst thing in the world and wanted to get home without her parents being the wiser about her underage partying. Her eyelids were closed for maybe only ten seconds when she opened them again to see things a little differently. Things were calmer, no crickets and something in the air, she could smell it.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" A ghoulish laugh came from all around, she couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from.

Barb lost her balance on the diving board, she noticed looking down for a brief second that the water was gone and there was only the hard concrete. With razor fast reflexes she was able to hold onto the board but she was literally dangling by the tips of her fingers. She looked down at the now murky swamp that appeared in the blink of an eye replacing the solid pool. She swore she could see something move down there, slithering down below. No one could hear Barb's cries for help not even her, it was like she'd been muted.

Nancy jolted awake at the end of Steve's bed, she could've sworn she heard Barb calling her name. Steve entered the room after the flushing of the toilet as if on sitcom cue, kind of reminded her of her dad; weird.

"Hey," he smiled, no shirt on and his tall hair more of a mess like he got into a fight; he yawned and scratched his chest, "How you doing?"

Nancy almost laughed at him; a gorilla walking around standing up would've looked more dignified, "Good," she yawned, stomach gurgling.

"Last night was awesome," he had this sneer on his face that was so off putting.

"Wait," she thought to herself, "Does he seriously think we...he doesn't remember blacking out?"

He started scratching his back, "Didn't know you preppy girls liked it so rough."

Nancy sat up, knowing she was still only in a bra and her shirt was still soaked she covered herself in a blanket, "Uh...sure...do you think everyone went home?"

Steve went to his window to look out for his friends' cars, "Uh looks like Tommy, Carol and Joan left. Looks like Beth left too.?"

"Barb," Nancy corrected him, she stopped dead when she saw the reason for Steve's scratching, "Steve, stop!"

"Huh?" On his back in plain view to her was what looked like a huge claw mark; he cringed, only now starting to feel pain, "Ah...what the..."

Nancy took him into the bathroom to look it over, she tried cleaning the wound but he wouldn't stand still.

"Dammit, Nance!"

"Steve I didn't do this!"

"No I mean the burning!"

"Yeah it's alcohol sorry!"

She kept looking it over, only one side appeared to be kind of a deep cut like whatever it was slashed him.

"Do you remember anything from last night?"

"No just coming up here and..."

She grew worried seeing how pale he got, "What?"

"...it's stupid."

"Was it a nightmare? Was a weird guy chasing you?"

He looked too afraid to answer, like this was life or death if he did; he nodded and bit his lip, "He had something in his hand..."

"What, Steve?" He remained still, almost comatose as he looked at the mirror on the medicine cabinet, past his reflection. Nancy figured it was impossible to talk him into going to the hospital.

Nancy regretted leaving Steve alone, she wanted to figure out what all of this meant. Barb apparently had drove home some time after she went up with Steve. She felt bad, bailing on her, she knew she could be selfish sometimes. She walked up the driveway and saw a police car and an unfamiliar green VW Bug; this day was getting weirder by the second. Stepping inside she saw Dr Burke and 2 police officers sitting down in the living room with her mother; the weirdest part of this had to be the fact that Karen was fully clothed, more clothes than she'd had on in weeks, of course this could have been at the insistence of Dr Burke.

"Nance!" Karen jumped off the couch and squeezed her close.

"Mom, what's going on?"

Karen shoved Nancy's face into her armpit with intentions to let her cry if she needed to but it looked like poor Mom was the emotional one.

"Nancy," said Dr Burke, "Two of your classmates...have been found..."

"Found? What?"

He exchanged a look with the serious male and female officers, "I think you should have a seat."

"Do you know Carol Perkins and Joan Greene?" the male cop asked.

Nancy's expression said it all, this was getting too real, "Yeah...we go to school...," she sat down in the middle of the couch, attempting to get comfortable.

The female officer spoke in a firm tone, "Their bodies were found in the river just outside of town this morning."

Nancy's eyes could've fallen out. The male officer spoke up, he wiped his brow first, "We're looking for the whereabouts of Tommy Hagan."

"Who?"

"Come on," she thought to herself, "Don't play dumb now."

"He's Carol's boyfriend."

"Oh, right."

"Where were you last night?"

Nancy had seen a lot of cop shows, she didn't want to come off too guilty, she didn't want to cause any problems for anyone else either, "I was sleeping overnight at my friend Barb Holland's."

The male officer jotted this down on a pad, "And when was the last time you saw Carol Perkins and Joan Greene?"

Nancy pretended to think, "Uh yeah just at school yesterday."

"Were you at the Starcourt mall?"

"Yes. Barb and I stopped at the food court before we went to her house." At least that was half true.

"We think that might've been the last place most people saw them."

The female officer was looking down at a list of names, "Do you know a Steve Harrington?"

Nancy froze like a statue, great, Steve was a suspect now. Whatever happened to those girls couldn't have been because of him. Shit she didn't want to get Steve falsely accused but she didn't want anyone finding out she was there with everyone last night either.

"Uh...I've seen him at school before."

"We're putting a curfew in place."

"Huh?"

"No one out after 9pm. Until we bring both of them in."

Nancy didn't start realizing just how serious this all was, her mother was standing in the corner, wiping away tears.

"You don't really think Steve did it do you?"

"We don't know what to think right now," said the female officer.

"We just want to make sure everyone is safe."

"What about Billy Hargrove? I don't think Tommy or Steve would do something like that."

Both officers gave each other a look that was almost code, "I thought you said you didn't know Tommy," said the female officer.

Nancy's lying streak was catching up with her, she could practically hear her own sweat dripping down her forehead, "Oh Tommy Hagan...I thought you said Tommy Rogen. He's kind of a...loud guy but harmless."

They jotted this down. "What? Nancy Wheeler the BIG FAT LIAR?"

"Stay home. If you see either of these boys please give us a call."

"Oh, thank you, officer," said Karen, running over and hugging a still sitting Nancy; both were delirious for different reason.

Dr Burke saw the police out, coming back inside to have a word with the mother and daughter, more importantly, Nancy. He told Karen to give them a few moments alone. Looking into Karen's eyes, it was difficult to be sure if she was paying attention or even understanding a single word that was being said. Nancy watched her disappear into the kitchen; she swore she was giving her bedroom eyes, must've been the new eyelash extensions.

"Nancy, how are you doing?"

Burke sat down in front of her, just like at his office; he kind of looked like John Hamm at least according to her mom, "Fine I mean I hardly knew them."

"Oh sorry I meant at home."

Nancy didn't see how that was an issue right now, she hid her hands in the gap between couch cushions, "It's...the same."

"Is she still doing chores in..."

Nancy cringed, "...Yeah."

"She was wearing something new when I came in, good thing I saw her before the cops did."

Nancy could only think of one thing, "New?" That was way scarier than finding out some kids she knew were murdered. Dr Burke watched Nancy plant her face into her hand, he knew how hard everything had been on her.

"Other than that how has her behavior been?"

"She's...," Nancy wasn't sure how to get around it without sounding weird or creepy but time and time again he told her that he wouldn't tell anyone, "She's more affectionate than normal."

"How so?"

"Hugging, kissing me...," Nancy's body shuddered when saying this.

Burke smiled, not even writing anything down on his yellow pad, "Sounds like a mom."

"It might sound normal to you but you don't live with her," Nancy said without sounding the least bit sarcastic.

"Nance, what have we talked about?"

Nancy looked down at her lap and sighed, "It's all part of the healing process."

"Right. So if she gets a little more emotional. More touchy feely, that's all part of it."

"Okay," she said, not entirely sure.

"You've been doing great with her. It sounds like she really cares about you. Not just because you stayed."

"Then why?" Nancy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You're a good daughter. I know it seems like it's all about her right now and you probably want to hang out with your friends but she'll come around. When she does she'll thank you."

Nancy sighed, "What about Carol and Joan? This doesn't seem real," she held herself, a sick feeling hit her stomach hard.

"That will be dealt with soon I'm sure. This is devastating. Nothing like this has happened in Hawkins...not since...," he paused and looked at his watch, Nancy wanted to know what he was getting at but he had some other engagement.

Nancy followed him to the door, "Um, Dr Burke, I've been having night...uh...trouble sleeping..."

He tossed her a bottle of pills that looked different from normal sleeping pills, "It's on me," he said with a smile, "Lock the door and get some rest."

Karen was on her rotary phone with Robin while Nancy was being questioned, she would peek in, phone cord wrapped around her fingers, getting a look at her dreamboat, all freckled and pale sitting and answering questions; Karen bit her bottom lip just thinking about what unspoken things she wanted to do once everyone else was gone.

"Oh, Robin it's just awful."

"Yeah," said Robin, talking from the official 'Scoops Ahoy' phoneline, "Cops were here too, mall is getting closed early. That's crazy that I saw all of them last night."

Karen didn't know why but that sounded funny, she put her adult cap on for a second, "Wait. Everyone?"

"Yeah. All before they went over to Steve's...," Robin realized that she probably just screwed Nancy but then if Karen punished her that meant more of her dark fantasy could come true, "Well I'm pretty sure Barb and Nancy went back to Barb's."

"Well that's a relief."

"But I don't know, Nancy was looking at Steve..."

"Oh no...what if he's coming after her next?"

"I really doubt Steve did it, Karen. He's a pretty boy but..."

"How pretty?" Karen fretted.

"Well he's got nothing on you of course," Robin laughed, "And I know..."

Karen laughed, still thinking how she was still the hottest thing in Hawkins, "Know what?"

Robin giggled like a schoolgirl, "I know about how you feel about Nancy."

Karen froze, nobody knew her secret, it was so well kept, the only one she dropped hints to was Nancy, "I don't know what you're talking about Robin. That's um...um..."

Robin sighed, "It's OK. I won't tell anyone."

"R-really?"

"We're friends, right?"

Karen felt so small all of a sudden, like Robin was more of an adult than her, "Yes."

"I would never go behind a friend's back. Besides I think you and Nancy would make the perfect couple."

Karen lit up immediately, forgetting about her fear of being outted for something not heard of, "That's what I keep saying. But I just don't know if Nancy's that interested. Maybe I'm just not her type."

Robin thought this was so cute and messed up, Karen had it bad for Nancy, "Oh believe me she's into you."

"But how do you know?"

Robin needed to make sure this was all believable before she spoke another word, all part of the plan "She's always talking about you. She says she'll never be as much a woman as you."

Karen was so taken by this that she almost fell with the phone still in hand, "Wow. What else?"

"Uh...," Robin looked around at the stragglers in the food court; she spent so much time watching random people doing random things she could pick out so many bizarre and gross habits, she always saw teen boys checking out women twice their age and today was no different, "She told me in private once that you have one of the best asses. You should've seen her she was so embarrassed to admit it. She keeps wanting to write you a note she's just to chicken."

Karen's legs were turning into Jello, she fanned herself with her coupon book, "That is just so...wow, thank you so much for telling me, Robin."

"You know what, Karen? I'm going to help you get Nancy."

"You would do that?" Karen exclaimed.

"Yeah. I think I can make it work. I'll have a little talk with Nancy. She just needs a little push."

"So you don't think I should just come out and tell her how I feel?"

Robin wanted to shout: 'NOOO' but stopped herself, "Uh not a great idea. Don't scare her. Maybe just ease her into it. With this curfew going on maybe you two will spend some more quality time together. If you catch my drift."

"Wow that's a really good idea, " she peeked back inside and saw that Nancy was alone with Dr Burke, "Oh looks like we'll be alone soon. What should I do?"

"Nancy is probably freaking out. Why not draw her a hot bath?"

"Ooh. Good thinking!"

"Don't scare her off, offer to wash her back, oh and show off the butt when all else fails."

"Do you think Nancy is an ass-girl?"

"Hey, what girl isn't?" Robin laughed, "But hey might as well test the waters so to speak."

"You're right. I do have a new bathing suit I wanted to show, Nance but maybe I'll make a few adjustments first."

"Awesome, Mrs Wheeler. Go get your girl. Oh and keep cool."

"Thanks, Robin," Karen said, eying Nancy still talking to Dr Burke at the door, "And I'm always cool."

Karen scared Nancy, reaching around her for a backwards hug, "You OK?"

"Uh, yeah, um...are you?" Nancy asked, tilting her head back and looking up at a deranged smile.

"Never better. How about you get those clothes off and I'll draw you a bath?"

"Well...," Nancy knew she was being more of a brat than usual and Karen was offering her something, something that she could really use right now, "OK."

"Great."

Once inside her room, Nancy tried Steve on her cell but wasn't getting an answer, maybe he got picked up. But if the cops were at her house asking about him did that mean they didn't check his house? Did Steve leave the house after she did? That claw mark, those dreams, everything had to be connected. Barb wasn't picking up either, she was picturing her puking her guts up at home; here she was going to have a bath thanks to her delusional and overprotective mother.

"Ready, Nance!"

Nancy walked into the bathroom and was stunned to see Karen in a new bathing suit, this one had almost no ass to it so two lovely tanned cheeks were practically smiling back at her. Karen leaned over the tub to test the water.

Karen tried to not act surprised seeing Nancy checking her out, Robin's advice was really working, "Should be just right."

"Thanks," Nancy said, standing there awkwardly, still fully clothed.

Karen tried to pose in a sensual manner, leaning her back against the wall and having the dreamiest stare possible, "Want me to join you?"

"Huh?" Nancy lifted an eyebrow, not sure if she was really serious.

Karen laughed it off, "Kidding, I'll give you some privacy," she walked past Nancy, swaying her hips, working that booty of hers just so the teenager could see it jiggle enough. At the door frame she stopped and turned her head back at her, Nancy turned her head away quickly, maybe a little red.

"Gotcha!" thought Karen, satisfied.

Nancy was finally given some privacy and was away from...whatever that was all about. Karen thought maybe she would wait a few moments of Nancy soaking in the tub before asking about helping her wash.

Nancy just wanted to escape what was happening, for all she knew this whole thing was just a bad dream and it was only a matter of time before she woke up like one of those lame horror movie endings that turned out to be a nightmare by the main character. She tossed her clothes in a pile and tested the warm water, it was perfect. She climbed in and dipped into it nice and slow, she might have let herself gasp. She held her breath and lowered her whole head in to soak her hair; it was quiet and comforting, maybe the only thing that was missing was some music, she could've brought her IPod in, she downloaded a bunch of music by White Snake, a group she was only kind of familiar with.

She didn't realize just how tired she was until after the cops left, she felt drained, late night last night or not. She thought she heard something fall into the water, she opened her eyes and looked around, everything seemed in place. She tried to find if anything was in there with, fishing around with her hand. Nothing not even by her feet. She closed her eyes again and let the back of her head rest on the inflatable cushion suctioned there. She had these were feeling like she wasn't alone, maybe Karen was outside the door making sure she wasn't going to drown. She heard a splash and opened her eyes, two large breasts in a blue bikini top were bobbing out of the water. Nancy screamed as they got closer to her, it was growing like some kind of monster, the bikini top snapped off and the giant rack attacked her, motorboating her face.

Nancy woke up with a start, splashing some water; that was too real just like when she was running away from that mad man. Karen knocked on the door, thoughts of a naked Nancy falling out of the tub excited her, "Nance! Want me to do your back?!"

Nancy got her bearings and tried once more to relax, "No thanks!", she closed her eyes once more, and drowned out the sounds of Karen telling her she'd wait by the door in case she needed her. Nancy had forgotten about Steve and everyone, she was just in the moment. That was until she heard a noise of something coming out of the tub's water. She screamed at the sight of a giant ass coming towards her, its giant round cheeks poking out of the water the same way the shark's fin came towards its prey in Jaws. It looked just like her mother's, this was insane. Nancy couldn't escape it, she was only screaming in her dream and could not wake up.

To be continued!