~Billy~

Pace after pace, stomp after stomp, chunter after fucking chunter, Harrington was getting on my last goddamn nerves. He'd been at this for the last hour or so. After the Chief of Pigs left to deal with a situation at the Byers house, Sierra decided to go for a nap. She wanted to have some time alone. After an hour or two, she came back downstairs, ate a little of the breakfast Harrington had prepared, and went back upstairs for another lie down. That was five hours ago. We'd sat and ate some lunch together, immersed in this awkward silence. Shit, my own head was still trying to wrap itself around everything that had happened in the last 24 hours. Max and the rest of her friends lounged around watching TV. I tried to join them for a little while, but couldn't focus. Like Harrington, I felt uneasy, restless. Every 15 minutes I was out on the porch lighting up a smoke. Whilst Harrington aired his worries aloud, mine lingered in my head like an invisible shadow. My only saving grace was Him and Susan being gone for one more night. They'd be back tomorrow. Christ if this wasn't over by then I was going to be raiding His collection of guns in the garage. I'd already figured out the excuse for not being at school. He wouldn't care if I'd missed a day, but He would care about Max. We'd keep going along with the whole vomit excuse. 48 hour bug, nothing you can do about that. Harrington had already made the calls to the kid's parents the night before they went out to the junkyard. Yet the guy was still on the edge.

Idly, I leaned against the door to the house as I watched Harrington mutter profusely to himself, a lit cigarette balanced on my lower lip. Dear God, what the hell would it take to get him to shut up?

"Sure you don't need one of these, Harrington?" I asked, causing him to jump slightly. Harrington mused over whether he should accept the offer for a moment or two before wordlessly leaping at the chance. Hacking out a few coughs, he decided to give the cigarette another go.

"Jesus, how do you smoke these things?" Harrington coughed, taking another drag. "Thanks, man"

"No need to thank me, Harrington. Watching you mutter away to yourself was driving me insane" I replied, lighting myself up another cigarette. Harrington offered to give it back to me, but I shook my head. It was keeping him quiet. "So, are we sitting around like ducks or are we going to fight this thing?"

"I don't want to get the kids or Sierra involved" he curtly responded, pointing an accusatory finger at me. My blood boiled for a second before I forced it to simmer back down. Harrington wasn't a threat. He was just trying to protect his friends and a bunch of kids who had no business fighting monsters.

"That makes two of us" I watched as he took another drag. He was getting better at this. I was getting better at restraining myself. But Christ, did I want to knock him out when he pointed that finger at me.

"But I know what Sierra is like. She's too damn stubborn for her own good" Steve sighed and creased his face up in frustration. "And Henderson won't have it. God, if he found out I'd gone off without him he'd kill me"

I frowned at him and let out a sharp laugh. Did the former King of Hawkins High really need Henderson's permission to leave?

"You do know you're talking about a 13 year old, right?" I laughed, much to his disdain. There was only one way to resolve this if Harrington was going to pussy out of going because Henderson would throw a shit fit. "We tell them we're going to get groceries"

"Huh?" Harrington recoiled slightly as if he was this holier than thou being who would burn to death from whispering an innocent white lie. God, I hoped Harrington would spare me a potential lecture. He had that look in his eyes - bemused, speculative. "I don't want to lie to him, Hargrove" Well, shit here it comes. "I don't think I can lie to him. No, what example is that? Besides, the kid can read through me like a book"

"Well, then," I started and blew out the final bit of smoke "looks like I'm telling him" Nonchalantly flicking the cigarette over the wooden porch fence, I sauntered back into the house, grabbing my leather jacket from the back of the chair. The kids peered over from the sofa, a McDonalds commercial cheerfully playing behind them. "Harrington and I are heading out to get groceries"

And with that, I left. Harrington stood at the stairs of the porch, looking aghast. I jingled my car keys in front of his face and seized his arm. Silently, we walked to the car and got in. More like, I dragged Harrington and we got in. The engine roared, AC/DC blasting from the stereo.

"And you thought that would be difficult," I jokingly chided. Muffled shouts filtered through the closed windows. Henderson, Sinclair and Max were all on the porch, gaping at us. I gave them a casual wave, but ultimately looked at Harrington. He could get out of the car right now and I'd handle this myself. All I needed was the address. He groaned into his hands before wafting them in a gesture for me to continue onwards.

"Just drive, Hargrove" Steve snapped. Flooring the pedal, we left the kids to gather their thoughts in the dust.

"Directions would be handy, Harrington" I lit another cigarette and passed it over to him. Almost begrudgingly, yet relieved, he accepted and took a drag.

Over the course of fifteen minutes, I navigated the usual rush of post-work traffic. Apparently we were heading to the Byers house. At some point, I spotted Tommy and Carol making out outside the grocery store as plenty of kids getting their after-school candy ogled at them. Classy, real classy. Steve once again groaned upon seeing them and so began the tirade about his previous popularity.

"Like I was an asshole, but those two, sweet Jesus, those two on a scale of one to ten - one being saints and ten being Ronald Reagan - those two are at least a fifteen" Harrington declared and took the biggest drag I'd seen him take. Seeing him chain smoke was mildly amusing. In fact, it was the only thing keeping me somewhat interested in this conversation. "I don't know why the hell I hung out with them in the first place" He slumped back in his seat. For a few seconds, I thought he'd finished. "Actually, yes I do" Nope, he still had more fuel to add to the fire. Jesus, I hadn't heard the guy speak so damn much. Part of me was curious, but the other part of me wanted him to shut the fuck up. "I was popular, they were popular, it just seemed like the right thing to do. Then Nancy happened and…" He paused. Surveying the cigarette in between his fingers, he softly shook his head and took another drag. "Forget it"

I shrugged my shoulders. If he didn't want to talk, he didn't have to. Honestly, I was grateful for the silence. To the outside world, the jocks and cheerleaders of Hawkins High, Harrington had fallen from grace. He'd lost his title, lost his so-called crown. And what for? A bunch of kids. When Tommy had recalled how Harrington had turned down a series of parties to babysit and study, I'd cackled along with them. I'd taken his title and crown, and now I was envious of him. He did not give a single shit about what Tommy and Carol thought of him. To a degree, neither did I. But the idea of being seen babysitting with a bunch of shitbird kids made me inwardly cringe. The echo of my so-called friends' derisive laughter made me furious. It made me want to keep the mask on. I'd worked hard on it for years. I wasn't letting two assholes ruin it. But I also wanted to be happy, not the usual lone wolf I had been. Popular, always at parties, but alone in the sense that no one knew who I really was. They all wanted the mask. Yet, it was all they had ever seen.

"I kinda just wanna punch the guy" I raised my eyebrows at him and stopped drumming my fingers on the steering wheel. During that screwed-up game of baseball, I'd seen Harrington get angry at his dad. How far did his anger go? "I won't, but shit, Tommy tests me sometimes"

"He's a cocky little prick, so he'd deserve it" I replied. Harrington scoffed, as if this was beneath him. Jesus, he was the one who mentioned it in the first place, so who the hell did he think he was to scoff at me? "You don't think he deserves it?" I asked, voice low.

"Of course he deserves it" Harrington sighed and flicked his cigarette out the window. "But I'm not lowering myself to his level. Look, I used to be just like him. I don't want to go back to that"

I grunted in response. My own anger got to the better of me most of the time. I wondered how Harrington got his in check. Did he think he was above me because he could do it? I tossed this thought aside and clicked my tongue. He wasn't a threat. Repeat: Harrington is not a threat.

"For a guy who doesn't smoke, you're going through my pack pretty quickly" I stated, flickering my eyes over to the pack of Marlborough Reds Harrington was clutching.

"Sorry," Harrington murmured, placing the packet back down and hesitantly fiddling with the lone cigarette "it's been a rough few days. I used to smoke. Quit last year"

"Aren't you a real saint, Harrington?" I sarcastically drawled. Harrington seemed like the guy who woke up at the crack of dawn, downed a kale smoothie and went out jogging. Typical hick-town preppie. "Babysitting kids, fighting off fucking demons, quitting smoking. You on the honor roll too?"

"Nope, that's the problem" Harrington let out a slight laugh, staring down at the cigarette balanced on his middle finger with a faraway glaze in his eyes. "I can't get the grades. I'm just not… academic. It's the bane of my dad's life. Every time he's home, it's not, 'Hey son, how are you doing?', it's 'Hey son, you get higher than a C- yet?'" Harrington sighed. For some odd reason, I wanted to see where this was heading. He'd been on a roll since seeing Tommy and Carol. Something was clearly irking the guy. That little baseball game of ours had stoked some kind of fire within him. "Now, Nancy doesn't love me, I haven't got into college and I have no idea where I'm going"

"Plenty more girls in the sea, Harrington" I promptly replied.

"No, no" he shook his head gently, as if getting rid of cobwebs "I don't think I want one. Nancy was… she was special to me. Smart, kind, encouraging me to be my best self. Anyway, what's happened has happened. Nothing more I can do about it"

I stifled a long sigh. This wouldn't be the end of his monologue. Harrington was just getting started. I wasn't used to other guys divulging things like this. Back in Cali, Harry and Michael would just let off steam by going to the creek, smoke up and drink whatever they'd found in their dad's cabinets. Harrington seemed open to talking things out. Harry and Michael would have called him a pussy. He would call him something worse. I wanted to call him a friend. Instead of letting us stew in the silence, I gave him my lighter and let him smoke that cigarette. This guy was going to cost me a fucking fortune.

As we approached the Byers house, I could see the Chief of Pig's car outside. From the awkward angle it was parked, I made the assumption that he'd pretty much dashed here. Harrington had briefed me on how this was where the kid Sierra babysat lived. This kid was possessed, according to Harrington, by whatever had come to Hawkins last year. Jesus, I couldn't believe this at all. But there was no denying what I'd seen in that abandoned bus or the black blood stains on Max's jacket or how Sierra acknowledged the thing had a goddamn pet name. Apparently, this would be the only way to figure out what was going on. I switched off the engine and we made our way over to the front door. This place was creepy as fuck. Desolate, away from any kind of thriving life. I mean, there was a goddamn forest right at the back of the house. It just screamed murder house to me, not happy families. Before we could even knock on the door, it flung open. I squared my shoulders instantly and stepped in front of Harrington. Immediately, I was met with the Pig's red, angry face.

"Hopper, I know you said - " Harrington started, tentatively stepping in front of me.

"To stay at home?" he whispered sharply, beginning to loom over the two of us. The guy was fucking huge and despite my own strengths, there was no way I was taking him on. Today was not going to be a day I would end up in handcuffs. "For a damn good reason, Steve. You kids shouldn't be out here!" He was still whispering. Why was he doing that? I peered past his wide shoulders and caught a glimpse of the house. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No demodogs, no sign of demonic activity. Just a living room. "Go home - now"

"Where did you put Sierra's dad?" I asked, voice normal. My whole body seethed as the Pig took me by the shoulder. Pushing against him, I forced myself not to stagger backwards. "Don't fucking touch me"

"Hey - less of the attitude. And keep your voice down. I do not need more trouble here" His eyes roamed the area cautiously. "Here's the deal: I'll tell you where that piece of shit is and you're both heading back home" He paused, assessing mine and Harrington's reactions. We were both going to be just as adamant on getting into that house, but we'd play the part for the now. "He's in a cell. He tried to resist arrest and attacked an officer. There, now get out of here - both of you"

"Why are you whispering?" Harrington said in an equally hushed tone.

"Oh God" Hopper pinched the bridge of his nose and deeply exhaled. He'd nearly gone just above a whisper there. Maybe we had a chance of breaking this Pig. "Look: you kids gotta get out of here. I am not here for babysitting duty"

"We're 17, for Christ's sakes" I snapped. He couldn't get all flustered at me. I was still adhering to this weird whispering thing we were all doing. "We fought off a goddamn monster last night by ourselves. We don't need you or anyone else to 'babysit' us"

"We're here to help, Hop" Steve gently said, contrasting my own acrimonious tone.

He put a hand on my shoulder, trying to placate me. No, I was pissed off. I was pissed off to be in this situation in the first place. To have some Pig undermine me was just crossing a goddamn line. My eyes bore into the Pig's, waiting for his response. He could practice as much of that fucking police brutality as he wanted, I'd get my own back on the bastard. Babysitting? The Pig had some damn nerve.

"Steve?"

I felt as Steve's tight grip slackened around my shoulder until it finally disappeared. In the midst of my staring contest with the Chief of Pigs, he moved quickly over to the soft voice that had beckoned him. Looks like things were about to get a hell of a lot more interesting. On top of monsters, getting ready for a fight with the law, we now had to deal with Harrington's ex-girlfriend.

…

~Sierra~

My eyes fluttered open, all vision blurry. After a moment or two, I finally adjusted to my surroundings. How long had I been out for? My face felt dehydrated from the dried tears, desperate to soak up any moisture. Jesus, I felt like shit. Aches shot their way up my entire body, rendering me exhausted. Every step I took to the bathroom felt like a challenge. Close to being defeated each time, I finally arrived at the bathroom mirror. Purple blotches were spreading over my cheekbone. A single tear that had somehow survived the onslaught of distress earlier trickled over the scattered bruises.

Everything was in ruins. I had wanted freedom and instead I received anything but. Lost, I felt so hopelessly lost. Hawkins wasn't what it seemed to be anymore. No longer was it this quaint little town with nosy neighbors. As the monsters lurking inside the houses began to emerge, something more unearthly was roaming out there. We had no idea where those demodogs were. We knew Will was in trouble. I had no idea where Dad was now. Hell, I had no idea where I was now. Where was my home? Could I go back to my bed tonight and snuggle up under the covers? Would there be one more chance to sit amongst the plants and books, hidden away from the rest of the world in my cherished conservatory? Was there a chance I could even walk out of Steve's house alive? Those things were still out there, waiting for us.

Fuck, what time was it? Wiping away the stray tear, I strode out of the bedroom and dashed down the stairs. Shit, I had completely forgotten about Zack. He was at my grandparents still, completely oblivious to anything going on. He was probably in his own innocent little world, drawing dinosaurs and reciting facts about them to Grandpa. Bickering and panicked conversations attacked at my already overworked brain, each shout pounding into my brain. I'd deal with the kids later. I needed to call my grandparents. It was as if I was watching myself pick up the phone. Floating away with the dissociation, I desperately clutched onto my body, trying to bring myself back down to Earth.

Engaged.

No one was home.

Shit, what if they were at home but something bad had happened?

Jesus, no. What if the demodogs had gotten to them?

"Well, where the hell else would they be?" I heard Dustin roar. I snapped around, staring at Dustin, Max and Lucas who were all standing up.

"Huh?" I managed to utter. Blinking several times, I tried to figure out why I had a seriously ominous feeling coursing its way down my spine. Then, it hit me.

Where was Billy and Steve?

Icy coldness shot straight down me.

"Billy and Steve said they were getting groceries. That was two hours ago!" Lucas shouted, pacing up and down whilst clutching at his hair. "What if something bad happened?"

"What if they're just in traffic?" Max suggested, her tone hopeful. She was nervous, arms crossed and clasping onto herself. She was solid as a rock, her eyes darting between us all in hopes of securing a positive answer. She would end up disappointed. Not even I could offer a single piece of evidence they were okay.

"This is Hawkins, Max! We don't have traffic!" Dustin yelled, sighing dramatically and falling onto the couch, his head in his hands. "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. They're dead meat"

"We don't know that" I interjected. "Look, we're not heading out anywhere. Hopper told us to stay inside"

"Hopper doesn't know shit, Sierra!" Lucas rebuffed, joining Dustin on the couch. "He doesn't know Will like we do!"

"Look, I totally get that, Lucas. But Joyce does, and if she is there, then we have to trust things will be okay" I offered in a calm voice. It was no use. Lucas and Dustin were beside themselves with worry. It was making me dizzy just watching them bolt up from the couch to pace around again, exacerbating my existing migraine.

"Mike is there too" Max added and walked to stand beside me. "Sierra's right, we shouldn't be heading out there"

"Then what else are we meant to do?" Lucas asked, shooting his hands out to either side. Eventually, he groaned and held his head in his hands, shaking it. "We can't just stay here. Will needs our help"

"Guys, it's getting dark. There is no way I'm driving us anywhere - end of story" I walked over to the fridge, the glaring white light momentarily stunning me. Christ, my eyes were killing me. There was some tubs of leftovers. I hoped Steve hadn't cooked these. The guy couldn't cook for shit. Opening one up, I discovered it was leftover meatloaf. One sniff told me it definitely wasn't Steve who cooked this. I was about to go over to the microwave to start heating it up when one sound stopped me in my steps.

Chittering.

All of us looked at one another, the same expression drowning our faces.

Dread.

Absolute dread.

Quietly, I placed the tub down on the counter, as if any false move or noise would leave us all dead. I crept over to the doors to the pool, poking my head around the curtain Deep breath in, deep breath out. Nothing was there. I turned around, facing the kids who had all convened around the couch. Only then did I realize the baseball bat was gone from where it had been. Steve and Billy hadn't gone out to get groceries at all.

Those motherfuckers…

All of a sudden, my attention was drawn to the kitchen light. It was flickering. My mind raced back to that night in Will's room. How the light had flickered until…

Darkness.

Suddenly, a bright light cast over me. Dustin had a torch. He gasped. As I stared at him, seeking for an answer, it dawned on me that all the kids weren't looking at me.

They were looking at something behind me.

I forced myself to turn around. That icy coldness spread, infecting every area of my body.

There was a whole fucking army of demodogs.

"Oh shit" I said under my breath. It was no use whispering now. They'd found us.

"Get the guns!" Dustin barked.

Obeying our command, we grabbed the guns that were left on the kitchen counter. Despite all of this, I could only think of how Steve's parents were going to react if they came back at this exact moment. The look on their faces would be priceless. I hated his parents with the same passion as he hated my dad. What the hell was I doing thinking this when I had a good six demodogs drooling over the prospect of eating us? Get it together, Nightingale.

"So, what now?" Max asked in a shuddering voice.

I seriously had no idea what came next.

They were waiting for us, we were waiting for them. Yet no one moved an inch. Instead, we just stared. Then, something changed. The demodogs were screeching as if they were in agony. We all threw each other identical glances of bewilderment. One by one, the demodogs exploded. Some scampered around, despairingly finding a way to live. It was futile. Whatever was killing them was successful. Some merely submitted to their fate, rolling over, before their guts flew into the pool.

What the actual hell was going on?

"Guys" Lucas breathed, pointing out to something beyond the glass doors"she's alive"

I furrowed by brow, following Lucas' field of vision.

There, behind the demodog cesspit with blood trickling down her nose and chin, stood a little girl. Dustin whispered her name in amazement, a smile creeping onto his lips.

"El"

A/N: Hey everyone. Firstly, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Also, I wanted to say sorry for taking so long to get to this point. I had so many ideas that at one point I was struggling to fit it all into one chapter. Season 2 is coming to an end now and I am actively planning what will happen in Season 3. There will be some bits in between Season 2 and Season 3, mainly focusing on the development of Sierra and Billy's relationship and their own journeys. Thanks for reading :)