Hi all, and welcome to my Stranger Things Steve Harrington/OC story! It's been a long, long time coming. Seriously. Since 2017 long.
In this story, we've got the Ice Queen of Hawkins, the older-but-shorter-by-season 2 sister of Dustin Henderson, because he deserves an older sibling. She's Veronica, and even though Heathers came out in 1989 I've taken the liberty of borrowing some of my favorite quotes because Winona Ryder Easter Eggs. Seriously, I cannot overstate my love for that movie. Anyway, there's more of a backstory for the Henderson family, including adding the dad to the "asshole fathers club", co-president with Lonnie Byers, the prick. Expect explicit language because, hello, Stranger Things isn't known for censoring language.
Well peeps, we're here. It's time for my take on 2x09 "The Gate." We pick up with Mike and Veronica learning something about this past year. There's a few arguments, Veronica explains to the others what she learned from the Mind Flayer, and they all come up with a solid plan. We've got drama coming your way, along with the hurricane that is Billy Hargrove, so hold on to your butts. This chapter technically ends on a cliff-hanger, but not the way you might be thinking. It's a good cliff-hanger in the sense nothing bad happens, but I don't want to tie everything up in a bow this chapter since so much has happened. There's also a couple of parallels to the earlier chapters (during season 1) because narrative call-backs, you know? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Since I'm all about expanding the story and seeing what happens to our characters between seasons, there isn't going to be a straight jump to the Snow Ball dance and then season 3. There will be two chapters before the dance, and then a few after because as mentioned in earlier notes, I want to elaborate on the change of relationship between Billy and Max by season 3, because there seemed to be this shift between them that went unexplained considering how season 2 ended. And the whole "will they/won't they?" situation between Steve and Veronica will finally be resolved. I was originally going to wait even longer for it, but their interactions the past couple of chapters have been so cute that I'm tired of forcing some big confession in season 3 like I originally planned. It's still going to be a cute scene, and I'm not going to make them some bizarrely happy couple - they'll still argue and have their moments, but the thing I've come to love about this pairing of mine is how they always seem to grow more individually through their interactions. Plus, as Murray would say, they've got the real shit: shared trauma.
Also, I realized that in chapter six I said Erica was nine, forgetting she proudly declared herself to be 10 in Season 3. So, that being said, since she doesn't have an official birthday written I made her a September baby so she's still 10 by the time I get to her verbal throw down with Murray. I know it's not especially important, but I'm a stickler for details.
Warnings for Billy. He's gonna be a dick, but no one should be surprised at that.
Enjoy the story! I only own Veronica.
I stand stock-still, Mike squeezing my hand like he's trying to make sure this is real. I squeeze back, then nudge him forward. With just a twitch of my lips he understands me, and like two magnets he and El are drawn to each other. "Eleven." He breathes, and they wrap their arms around each other.
"Mike." She gasps out, holding him close. They rock back and forth before stepping away from each other.
"I never gave up on you. I called you every night. Every night for -"
"353 days. I heard." She smiles up at him, and it's so wonderfully breathtaking to see. I pause, then, mind flashing back to last year.
"It was you." I gasp. "In the woods on Christmas Eve. It was really you." She looks at me and nods, then Mike steps a little out of the way so I can rush over and hug her. She's my exact height now, and I laugh tearfully as I use the sleeve of my sweater to wipe the blood from under her nose. "You've gotten so big, sweetheart." I whisper to the younger girl, still not quite believing this is the same El we found in Mirkwood. She smiles shyly and nuzzles her forehead into my neck.
"I'm sorry."
I shake my head and lift her chin, looking into her round brown eyes. "No, don't be sorry. Okay? You being here is what's most important."
"Okay." She whispers, and I release her.
"Why didn't you tell us you were there?" Mike asks her, voice soft but lacking accusation. "That you were okay?"
"Because I wouldn't let her." I blink and turn to see Hopper approaching, but he's only looking at El. "The hell is this? Where have you been?"
"Where have you been?" El shoots back. I stare in confusion as he wraps her in a fatherly embrace.
I gasp and take a step back, Mike catching me as he fumbles, too. "You…"
"You've been hiding her." The younger Wheeler finishes for me, actually finding the words. Anger - rightfully so - fills his voice and he advances. "You've been hiding her this whole time!" He shoves Hopper in the back, who turns and grabs his arm.
"Hey, hey. Let's talk."
"What is there to talk about?" I grind out at him, voice frozen, tugging Mike out of his grip as my vision turns red. He let me think she was dead. He let me mourn her and feel guilty for failing.
"Now. Alone." He growls at us, then grabs and pulls Mike, who drags me after him. I drop my bow as we go, and the clattering sound it makes as it lands echoes through the silent house.
We walk into the nearest room and Hopper closes the door behind him. I lean back against Jonathan's bed, arms crossed and eyes tearing up. "Protecting her. Protecting her?!" Mike shouts at him in disbelief, the Chief having grunted a short explanation on our way.
"Listen. Listen to me, both of you." The Chief of Police runs a hand through his hair. "The more people know about her, the more danger she's in. And the more danger you and your family are in -"
"Oh, what so, we should be thanking you?!" Mike screams, and Hopper sets his gun down so it's leaning by the door.
"I'm not asking you to thank me! I'm asking you to try and understand."
"I don't! I don't understand!"
"That's fine, that's fine! Just do not blame her! Alright, she's upset enough as it is." Hopper growls, pointing at the closed door behind him.
"I don't blame her! I blame you! I blame you!" Mike screams in his face, and I can hear him holding back sobs. I look away.
"That's okay, kid. That's okay." Hopper's voice has a rough, wet edge to it, too.
"No! Nothing about this is okay! Nothing about this is okay!" My eyes flit back over to them, and I watch Mike slam angry fists into the Chief's chest, exploding into intelligible yells and sobs.
"Oh, jeez -"
"Liar! Liar! Liar!" Mike screams, forcing the tall man into the door. Hopper just catches him.
"Stop it! Stop it!" He pulls the kid into a hug, head pressing down on top of a mess of black hair. I keep my arms crossed and shift my weight, looking away. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Mike eventually starts to calm down and Hopper releases him. His heavy footsteps pound towards me, Mike sniffling behind him. "Look, I know you're angry, kiddo. And it's okay that you are. But I need you to understand why I did it. Why I took her in."
I nod then tilt my head to stare up at him, my face void of emotions but my voice frosty. "No, I understand. I do. But here's the thing… you lied. A lie of omission is still a lie. You let me believe she was dead, you let me feel guilty about failing her."
"You didn't -"
"Yeah, you had good intentions. But you lied to Joyce." I point towards the door, tears sliding down my face. "You lied to the kids. You lied to Mike." I point at the crying boy, then myself, and my voice breaks. "And you lied to me."
"Oh, kiddo. I'm -"
"You pulled almost the same shit my dad did. Yeah, it's different, but… you lied to me for almost a whole year. You saw what I became, and you just let it happen. Everyone just let it happen, but I was hoping you wouldn't." My voice keeps breaking. "I trusted you, and you lied." I shake my head and wipe away my tears. "Come on, Mike. I'm sure the others are waiting for us." I brush past Hopper and open the door, letting Mike slip out first.
3rd Person POV (Billy)...
Billy was anticipating having a good night. He looked good, ready to see his baby girl after nearly two days without her. He didn't know when he became so dependant on her to feel good, but damn, Veronica Leigh Henderson was everything he never knew he needed, but everything he wanted. So deliciously human, never covering up any physical imperfections - like her scars made her imperfect or whatever. They just made her more beautiful.
But then his dad and stepmom came home and Max was gone and poof, there went his night. Billy wanted nothing more than to deck his dad for insinuating his girlfriend was a whore. Please, Neil Hargrove probably slept with enough of them after mom left.
He tried to get a hold of Veronica, sucking in deeply on the phone to cover his tears, but no one answered. He at least left a message - who knows how much groveling he'd have to do if he didn't warn her. He had stopped by her house first, hoping Max had somehow ended up there. He'd have been killing two birds with one stone - Maxine would be easy to collect and he'd get to see his girl. But no one was home, and the house was dark. The only car in the driveway - besides his own - was Veronica's Falcon.
She lost track of time. He had thought to himself. Or there was a family emergency. Look at that, both of them are going to be groveling. Which means neither one of them can be pissed at the other.
Still, screw his stupid dad. Seriously. Low-life piece of shit acting like a man by hitting him, yelling at him, hitting his mom -
No. He shouldn't go down that particular rabbit hole.
And look, while Veronica's his girl, he's not blind to other women. So yes, he flirted with the exceptionally hot Mrs. Wheeler. Where the hell Nancy got her stick-body from confused him the minute he saw Karen in a robe, because she's got curves as great as his Queen V's.
But his flirting didn't mean anything. It was a necessary evil, to find his stupid stepsister and bring her home. Hopefully before midnight, or his dad would really go apeshit.
"Notice how the word 'sister' is still included?" Veronica had asked him, and God does he want to just yell that she's wrong, but language-wise she's right. It doesn't mean he has to like it, not when Max gets off for her bullshit scot-free and he's stuck taking her punishment.
Billy accelerates even faster, reaching over to take a swig from his flask. Who knows? Maybe when Veronica sees the inevitable bruises that'll mar his skin, she'll forgive him. He needs her to forgive him. His fiery queen.
He takes another swig, letting the music wash over him as he drives through the dark, shit-hole town.
Veronica's POV…
I stand between El and Lucas, the former holding my hand reassuringly as we make a plan. The only way to save this world and Will is to close the gate.
El's resolved herself to closing it, though, which only terrifies me. It's not that I don't think she can do it… I mean, part of me feels that way. But a larger part is scared she'll succeed but we'll lose her for good. I don't think Mike can take having her be alive all this time, only to lose her an hour later.
Hopper looks at all of us from his spot by a boarded up kitchen window. His eyes fall on me for longer than the others, but he moves on. "It's not like it was before. It's grown. A lot."
"I know." Everyone looks at me, and I cross my arms. "The Mind Flayer took me to it while you were all questioning Will." Hopper's face screws up a bit. "I was going to tell you. I'm trying this new thing called honesty. You should check it out some time."
"Veronica!" Joyce admonishes. I huff and turn away from the group to pace, deep in thought, biting my lip.
Hopper just sighs, carrying on like I never spoke. "I mean, this also depends entirely on whether or not we can get in there. The place is crawling with those dogs."
"Demodogs." Dustin corrects, and my shoulders shake with silent laughter at the noise Hopper makes.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"I said, uh, demodogs. Like demogorgons and dogs. You put them together, it sounds pretty badass -"
"How is this important right now?" Hopper asks, voice filled to the brim with exasperation at my little brother.
"It's not, I'm sorry." He mutters, and I roll my eyes affectionately despite no one else being able to see it.
"I can do it." El speaks up, confident and so grown up.
"You're not hearing me -"
"I'm hearing you." She interrupts Hopper. "I can do it."
"Even if El can, there's still another problem. If the brain dies, the body dies." Mike reminds us, and I keep pacing, knowing exactly what he's thinking.
"I thought that was the whole point?" Max asks, confused.
"It is, but if we're really right about this… I mean if El closes the gate and kills the Mind Flayer's army…"
"Will's a part of that army." Lucas breathes out, and I nod as I walk, still biting my lip as I think. "And... and what about Veronica?"
I stop briefly to turn to him, shaking my head. "Remember, it's different for me. The connection is one-sided. Closing the gate for me will be like, like Leech. You know, from Uncanny X-Men? With the gate closed, my powers will be negated. I mean, when I was at Camp Know Where in the summer, I was Upside-Down free. So the Mind Flayer has no hold over me. I'm not part of his army, or a hive mind."
"But what if you're wrong?" Nancy asks, and I glance over at her.
I could be wrong, yeah. But the way the Mind Flayer was talking to me, it's clear I'm a wild card. The rules of the Upside Down - whatever they are - don't apply to me.
"When the people from the Lab were burning the vines in the tunnels, I was unaffected. And whenever I've attacked the vines physically since my DNA changed, it hasn't hurt me. Not like it has Will, so..."
"Closing the gate will kill him." Mike finishes as I get back to pacing.
"Veronica." I stop moving again and turn to look at Joyce. She stares up at me from her seat at the table, eyes filling with tears but voice strong. "You said you spoke to the Mind Flayer. Wh-what did he say?"
"He said there was only one way to save Will."
"And you kept it to yourself?" Jonathan growls out, but I keep looking at Joyce.
"The only way I can save Will is if I agree to let him in." The room falls deathly silent. "Apparently, when he chose to mess around with my DNA, it was because I was at my weakest. Alone, lost, losing hope. 'Moldable' he called me." I start to pace again. "But after I was found, I became too resistant. Even when I thought I was losing my mind, I fought back. He said that Will's doubt in himself was his 'undoing', which is just a different way of saying Will's younger and much more innocent." I sigh and face the living room. "The Mind Flayer also admitted that killing Barb was a mistake. He didn't count on me to be angry at the right people, I think. He doesn't understand us. Our connections, how we think, how we feel. His superiority complex is bigger than he is, but it's entirely dependant on that gate being open. Without it, he's stuck craving our world with no satisfaction delivered." I run a hand down my face. "I almost said yes, you know. He's a… well, he said and did exactly what should've worked. But who knows what that asshole can accomplish controlling me." I snort and look up at the ceiling. "He wanted me to be his fighter." I turn and stare at Jonathan. "I didn't like saying no to him. But you have to know that if you ask, I'll do it. I'll let him in. Even if he's lying about letting Will go, I'll say yes. What do you need me to do?" I ask him, and he shudders before walking around the table.
"Here's what I need you to do. I need you to never talk to an interdimensional asshole again. I need the Upside Down to leave you alone. I need my sister here with me, because I'm not sacrificing you for Will. He'd kill me in return, and I'd help him." I nod, speechless. "And I need you to think about everything he didn't tell you. Think of it like the landscape pictures I take. Sometimes certain things I take a photo of are out of focus. That's usually what I'm most interested in seeing. What did you feel when you were there? Physically, not emotionally." He amends.
"When I astral project, I don't feel anything, but… but he did tell me another reason why he picked me. He looked inside me when I was there. I don't know how but he did. He-he saw that people called me 'Ice Queen'. He, I don't think he understands what nicknames are." I snort, then bite my lip, staring off into space. "And whenever I've actually been there, I've been cold. I was freezing when Nancy found me last year. And when I saw the Upside Down version of Will, he was definitely hypothermic. It's the cold. Joyce, the cold!" I shout, and she gasps, shooting up and rushing into Will's room, where we left the yet-again unconscious boy.
The room is freezing, cold November air swirling around and blowing at the curtain. "Will said he likes it cold. We keep giving him what he wants!" Joyce announces, slamming the window shut with a bang. Man, those drugs must be good, 'cause the boy keeps on sleeping.
"If this is a virus, and Will's the host, then -"
"Then we need to make the host uninhabitable." Jonathan finishes for Nancy, looking at me as we both crouch beside Will.
"On Christmas Eve, the vines tried to pull me to them. Attack me or something." I speak up. "I flicked my lighter on and before I could even burn them, they backed off."
Nancy squeezes my shoulder. "So if he likes it cold…"
"We need to burn it out of him." Joyce speaks up, and I stare up at the woman, unsurprised at how ready for a fight she is.
Mike clears his throat. "We have to do it somewhere he doesn't know this time."
"Yeah, somewhere far away." Dustin agrees with his best friend.
"I've got a place." Hopper announces. "It'll work."
It's going to have to, because we've only got one shot at this.
Nancy, Steve and I riffle through the junk Hopper tossed from the shed, looking for any kind of heat source. I pick up an old toaster oven and flip it around. I mean, if it catches on fire, that's more heat, right?
"I'm, uh, I'm going to go with him. Jonathan." Nancy announces, picking up an old space heater. I look between her and Steve, suddenly feeling like I'm intruding. I mean, I've got no idea what's been going on with them - I've been a little distracted by my own shit.
Steve merely shrugs, then smiles over at her. "Good. He's going to need you."
I'm taken aback by how friendly they're being. It's… there's no jealousy laced in Steve's voice, and there was a calmness in Nancy's when she admitted to her plan.
What the hell did I miss?
Nancy lifts up some smaller heaters and smiles at me. "I'm going to go put this in Jonathan's car."
"Okay." I watch her leave, eyebrow raised, then turn to look at Steve. He smiles at me then gets back to work, crouching down and tossing aside a mess of Christmas lights.
"You should go with them, too. Nancy and Jonathan." Steve suggests, standing up and walking over to me. I struggle to pull out a rusted radiator, and he helps me.
"I want to, I do, but… I can't leave Dustin. He needs me, too." The older teen nods. "Are you… are you really okay with Nancy going with Jonathan?" The "being with him" goes unsaid.
Steve glances down at me, a soft smile blooming on his face. "Yeah. We, uh, we talked. Closure and all that shit. I still care about her a lot, but… we aren't who each other needs."
I bite my lip, but don't press him. "Okay. You know, you did, uh… you did make her happy." I offer him the truth albeit awkwardly.
He snorts. "Not really, not for a few months. I pretended not to notice, though. So. I may be a shitty boyfriend," he lifts up a less-busted space heater and grins, "but it turns out I'm a damn good babysitter."
I smile up at him. "I guess. Don't take any of my gigs, though, after all this. I've been a babysitter longer than you. I've got seniority."
Steve laughs, shaking his head as he climbs off the pile and joins me, lifting most of our remaining haul with one arm while the other is thrown over my shoulder. "I totally promise not to. We could team up, though. It'd be way more efficient. We've been doing well together, so far."
I shrug, then grin up at him. "Sounds like a plan. I should warn you though; Lucas has a little sister, Erica. She turned 10 a month ago, but she's still in the dress-up phase. She also recently discovered makeup, and thinks pink looks good everywhere, especially if it's pure glitter. Oh, and don't even get me started on how hard she pulls on hair when she's braiding. I almost had a bald spot by the time she was done." I make sure to flick my eyes up at his legendary locks, and Steve visibly pales.
"On second that, you can watch Erica by yourself. I'll help you with the other kids."
I laugh as we walk around the house and towards the little driveway, Steve passing Nancy the last of our gathering while Jonathan pulls me off to the side.
"I can still come with you guys." I offer, and he shakes his head while pulling me into a hug.
"No, you need to stay with your brother."
"You're my brother, too."
"Yeah, but… look, I need you safe, and staying here seems like the best option. And I don't know what kind of hero-shit you'll pull if the Mind Flayer tries to cut a deal again."
"Oh ye of little faith." He raises an eyebrow at me as he looks down. I roll my emerald orbs. "Whatever, I see your point. I get it. You have the girl, you don't need little old me anymore." I try to make it sound playful, but there's admittedly a hint of jealousy in my tone. Look, I'm happy for both him and Nance, I am, but I don't want to get left behind. Again.
"Shut up, you're my sister, I'm always going to need you. Who else is going to help me win back Nancy's affection when I mess up?"
"That's a good point, you're hopeless. Especially when it comes to girls."
"Okay, ouch, uncalled for." He slaps me up the back of my head, then squeezes me closer.
"I'll see you when this is over." We break apart. "You're going to save Will, and El's going to close the gate."
"Things don't always go according to plan. Not for us, anyway."
"No." I shrug. "But they will this time. I've got faith."
He nods then kisses my forehead, returning to the car to talk to Steve and Nancy. Joyce approaches me, having been walking to the car already. I notice how her gaze lingers as she stares at Bob's abandoned vehicle. We pull each other into an equally-strong hug, no words needing to be exchanged as she kisses my forehead in that wonderful motherly way of hers, then release me so she can join Jonathan.
I turn back to the house and smile at what I see. El is talking to the other kids. My gaze flickers to where Hopper is standing, smoking a cigarette and watching them. When he notices me heading his way he straightens, arms folded.
"I understand. It still hurts, but I understand. But you're going to owe me big time. I'm talking 'getting out of jail' passes and no parking tickets. And, like, probably a really good college recommendation letter. And a paid internship."
He smirks and nods. "Okay, Robin Hood."
"But in order for you to pay up, you're gonna have to come back. Both of you. You come back, okay?"
"Okay." He pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, too. You could never be like my dad. You're totally better."
He snorts and ruffles my loose curls, then clears his throat. "El… come on, let's go." He interrupts whatever moment he notices El and Mike about to have, and lights a cigarette. "It's time."
She nods and leaves Mike as Hopper crosses behind his car to stand at the driver door. El stops in front of me, though, and I can hear Hopper's sigh of exasperation as she does. "I'm going to come back."
"Okay." I smile at her.
"Okay." We hug, brief but sweet, then I let her go. I walk up the steps of the porch to join the others, Steve behind me with Dustin and Mike wrapped around me. Engines starting and headlights on, the two cars pull out of the driveway and away from the house, leaving the rest of us behind.
The minute the lights disappear and the sounds of rumbling engines fade, I turn to the others. "I… I'm going to go on patrol. I left some shit at Castle Byers, too, so…"
"Absolutely not." Steve glares down at me, but I raise an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You're not going out there alone. The demodogs are still out there, and the Mind Flayer wants you."
"He won't have me." I promise, but Steve shakes his head.
"You don't know that."
"I do, actually. You want to know how?" He tilts his head. "I've still got too much to fight for."
"Leia, I don't think -"
I turn to Dustin and pull him into a hug. "Chewie, I won't go far. I know those woods like the back of my hand, and I'll be able to sense those bastards before they even sniff me out."
"You'll have your walkie? Set to channel 8?" He asks me, breaking away from me.
I wink and nod. "Channel 8."
"And your weapons?" Mike asks worriedly.
"And a flare gun?" Lucas adds.
I look at the boys. "Come on, who do you take me for, some amateur?"
They grin, and Max comes forward. "You… you'll be okay, right? I don't want to be the one to tell Billy something happened to you."
I hold open my arms, just a touch, expecting a head shake and instead receiving a warm hug, red hair in my face as we hold each other. "The only thing you'll have to tell your stepbrother is that we're now buddies."
"He's gonna hate that." She comments, voice wavering a bit. I narrow my eyes at the hint of fear.
"Well, I'm pretty sure it's impossible for him to hate me." We step away from each other and she nods, smiling shyly.
"I, uh, I can see why. You're a badass, Veronica."
I grin and wink. "So are you, Mad Max."
"Wait, you knew she was -" Dustin starts to ask me, and I glance down at my bare wrist.
"Oh, wow, look at the time, I need to go."
"Veronica -" I laugh and dash into the house, the boys laughing at the still-stammering Dustin.
Walking through the woods is less tiring than it's been recently. Less, I don't know, scary or whatever. I mean, there's a prickling under my skin from the residual danger, but… this is my home, and I'm going to fight to remember that.
Still, I'd forgotten how quiet it can be out here without a bunch of kids and an exasperated older teen stomping around, shouting at each other or complaining about needing a break to breathe. The wind howls and blows falling leaves around, branches wave in the breeze, and the birds that haven't yet migrated chirp and quack and honk in the distance. There's even an owl hooting as I get closer to Castle Byers.
Finally at the fortress I shift the curtain over, ducking a little to step through. My remaining belongings are exactly as I left them, Castle Byers consistently being undisturbed by animals and weather. Jonathan and Will built this place together, after their dad left. Johnny missed three days of school thanks to the cold he got and was the most demanding sick guy ever, but… but I think it helped them handle Lonnie leaving better than I did with my own dad.
Well, they also weren't blindsided and knew their dad was a piece of work well before he walked out the door.
Whatever they knew or didn't know about Lonnie, they did a good job on Will the Wise's Castle.
With a sigh I sit down on the mattress and straighten up a few miscellaneous objects, tracing a finger down Will's drawing of his D&D characters. I grab my duffle, too and sort through it to make sure everything's in order. There's even an apple stashed away, and my stomach growls when my eyes rove over it. God, I haven't eaten an actual meal in over a day.
There's nothing more satisfying to me right now than chomping down on a piece of fruit, so in less than a minute my craving wins out. I have to stop myself from scarfing down the core of the apple and toss it out the open entryway to decompose in the dying grass.
Wiping my mouth with the sleeve of my sweater I stand and sling my duffle onto my shoulder, bow in one hand and flashlight in the other as I leave Castle Byers behind me.
My trek back to the house is slow, and I take the long way so I can actually patrol. Steve's handy with a nail-bat, and Lucas has his wrist rocket, but the other three don't have anything to defend themselves with. Not efficiently, anyway.
I should have left my knife with Dustin.
Leaves crunch softly under my boots as I walk through the forest, stepping over rocks and fallen branches. It's calming almost, despite how scared I am of slipping into the Upside Down. How afraid I am of losing control, especially with how wound up I am.
It'll all stop though, when the gate closes. Hopefully. It'll have to. And I'll feel free from this shit, just like I did at Camp Know Where. I'll still have my nightmares, but that's all they'll be - bad dreams. I'm like that Queen Song, I want to break free.
I'm closer to the house, now, only a few minutes away. In the near distance, an engine rumbles dangerously, forcing me to stop moving and listen carefully. It can't be the others, unless they forgot something. Or… or what if it is and something went very wrong.
My walkie crackles to life and I dive behind the nearest tree, clicking it as my brother's voice comes through. "Leia, do you copy?"
"I copy." I whisper through the device, one ear trained on any potential incoming.
"Veronica! Bil-Billy's here! Please, come back, you're the only one who can stop him!"
I jump at the urgency in Max's voice, having expected my brother to keep talking. "What are you talking about? What's he going to do?"
"He's going to kill me!" She whisper-screams, then the walkie goes silent.
It takes me a second to reboot, and then I'm tearing through the woods towards the house, veins pumping. My mind's gone a little blank, thoughts rolling around like a hamster ball as I grow more and more confused.
Why is she so scared of Billy? Billy… he isn't like that. He isn't a monster. He-he cares.
About you. My brain taunts me, and I stumble a bit over a rock before catching myself. Stupid little girl, he cares about you. But what about the others?
I try to recall every interaction when he and Max were together. The way she stayed away from him, the glares and the anger in his eyes.
"Billy's always been a dick, but now he's just angry. All the time." Max had told Lucas.
No, no. Billy isn't like that.
But shit, what am I gonna tell him when he sees me? We had plans, and those obviously went to shit, but I can't tell him why!
I get to the Byers house, huffing and puffing, just in time to see Steve pouncing up from the driveway and rushing towards the open door and the screams inside. I follow him, feet pounding as I run after him, duffle sliding off my shoulder and onto the steps beneath me, along with my definitely-broken flashlight.
The screams have gotten louder, and I slide into the kitchen in time to see my boyfriend laughing at Steve like some kind of maniac, blood dripping from his nose and a wild look in his eyes.
"Looks like you got some fire in you after all, huh? I've been waiting to meet this King Steve everybody's been telling me so much about." Billy taunts, getting in Steve's face.
"Get. Out." Steve orders, tone dangerous as he pokes Billy in the chest, shoving him back with just one finger. Billy makes to swing at him -
"What the hell is going on?!" I shout, and the house falls silent. The kids move to stand behind me, and Max grabs onto the back of my sweater. Her hand's shaking.
Steve turns around, looking disheveled. Billy just smirks at me dangerously, and I'm startled by how unattractive I find it. He's wearing the same maroon shirt I met him in, unbuttoned to his navel and necklace on display. While I can smell the alcohol from here, he isn't drunk. His eyes are clear, even as they burn with bloodlust.
"Baby girl, fancy seeing you here!"
"Your sister called me." I walk towards him calmly, like I'm approaching a volatile animal. Max barely releases me from her grip. "She said you were here."
"Yeah. Did she tell you she ran off? She ruined our night, baby girl. Had to cancel to find the little bitch." I wince at his tone, but he doesn't notice. "I called your house, you know, but no one picked up. So I stopped by. You know what I found? Nothing. No one was there. Where've you been, Queen V?"
"Camping." I answer, then hold up my bow. "Hunting. I lost track of time, and then…" I clear my throat. "Mom's cat went missing. She thought Mews might've headed to the woods, and I know them better than anybody, so she had Dustin radio me." I hold up my walkie and set it down on the table. "Mom's probably running around town looking for the cat. I'm sorry I couldn't contact you."
"Oh, I'm sorry too, baby girl." He tells me, voice smooth and soft. "It's okay. We can't be mad at each other. Shit went down on both sides. I forgive you, beautiful."
I blink and nod, walking past Steve. I feel him try to reach for me. "Thank you, Billy."
"Say it. Say it back." He whispers, and I touch his cheek gently, setting my bow down next to my walkie so both hands cup his jaw.
"I forgive you."
He hums, then shoves our mouths together. It's… it's so violent. There's biting, and it's all him asserting dominance. I take it, but the butterflies I normally feel are reluctant.
This isn't Billy. Or maybe it is.
He finally releases me, then tugs me into his side, not looking away from Steve. I wince at how strong the hold is, my torso feeling constricted. "I'm sorry about the cat, baby girl. I believe you. I mean, why shouldn't I? You wouldn't be hanging out with Harrington, not after your fight at Tina's." Steve glares at him. "But boy, baby girl, do I have some news for you. Turns out, everybody wants you. Isn't that right, Harrington." I look between them in confusion, going still as I stop trying to gently squirm away. "Tommy told me everything, buddy, when he decided to latch onto me. He told me about your obsession with my Queen V, how you were too big of a pussy to do anything about it. He was surprised, you know." Billy points at Steve then releases me, walking closer to the taller teen. Closer to the kids.
I pick my bow back up and sneak behind the table, Max and the others rushing over to me in Billy's distracted state. "He was surprised you picked Wheeler, given how much you love her." I look at Steve, who's pointedly ignoring me in favor of focusing on my boyfriend. "You missed your shot, though. I told you. I told you I got the prize." Prize? "She ain't yours. She's mine. Queen V," he doesn't look away from Steve as he addresses me, "it's you and me, beautiful. Because I'm the best you've ever had, baby girl." His voice is soft, his tone taunting. But the way he's egging Steve on, it reminds me of… it reminds me of last year, just a bit, behind the movie theatre. Where words flew, then fists followed. Nancy the Slut. Humility and Perspective. "You're the best I've ever had, Veronica. Why don't we get out of here, huh?" He turns his head to look over at me, then his eyes flick to where Max hangs off my arm. "Ditch the little bitch and those brats. I've missed you Veronica, it's been days. Missed your lips, your body, your moans. You make the sweetest sounds when I take you." He licks his lips and my whole body blushes at the vulgar admission, my brother right behind me, listening to what I'm like when I'm getting down and dirty. "Missed making the Camaro rock." Billy continues. "Look at that tight body. It's all mine. Ain't that right, Harrington?" He returns his attention to Steve, who's vibrating with anger. "I know you wish you could get in on the action. Bet you'd love to feel my girl. But she's mine to wreck, mine to make scream. And I make her scream. She's mi-"
Before he can finish, a fist flies through the air and catches him on the cheek, my boyfriend stumbling after it.
"Yeah Steve! Kick his ass!" My brother yells, and Steve brushes the hair from his face, throwing a quick glance my way. Then he ducks, Billy going at him with a jab. Steve swings again, and again, fists hitting any part they can reach while the kids cheer. I try to go forward and stop it, eyes welling up with angry tears, but Max holds onto me, shaking her head in fear.
I let out a scream when I catch Billy bringing a plate down onto Steve's head, my best friend clutching the wound in pain and curling over. Billy whoops with glee and catches Steve in the face before tugging him closer by the collar of his jacket. "Nobody. Tells me what to do." He warns, then shoves the clearly-concussed Steve out of the kitchen, clear into the living room. Steve falls without a sound but Billy still advances.
With a growl I'm tearing myself away from the kids, accidentally releasing my bow on the way. It doesn't matter, though, I still launch myself onto his back as he jumps on top of Steve and starts to wail on him.
"Stop it! Billy, stop!" I roar, tugging at him with all my might. But as in-shape as I am, Billy's stronger. I wrap my arms tighter around his neck, going for a choke-hold like Hopper demonstrated to me years ago. He's too quick, though, too distracted by his violence. I scream louder and pull harder, until an elbow jabs sharply into my ribs. Then I'm screaming in pain, my sides already probably bruised from his hold on me in the kitchen. "Shit, that hurt Billy!" I shout, groaning in pain.
And like that, he stops. Freezes, with one arm still pulled back, fist closed and poised to punch. I can see it twitching, though, and look over to the kids, face pleading for help. It comes in the form of a resolved Max, holding up a syringe as she tosses the container of sedatives away. With a grunt I tug Billy's head back and expose his neck, Max jamming the needle into it and sliding the liquid into his system. I fall off him with a groan as he stands, landing harshly on my ass. He looks at me, eyes glazed over and lips downturned before he turns fully to glare at his stepsister. The syringe is still in his neck, so he pulls it out and looks at it. "The hell is this?" He asks, panting. He approaches Max sloppily, and I force myself to stand, hurrying as quick as I can to pull her behind me. Billy stares at me, looking lost. He reaches out for me then stumbles, glaring over at Max. "You little shit, what did you do?" The drugs start to really kick in and he starts falling backwards. As he goes down, I stop forcing Max and I back. "What did you do?" He lands on the hard floor, going pliant. Limp.
He starts to laugh and Max holds up Steve's forgotten nail-bat, holding it high in the air. "From here on out, you leave me and my friends alone. Do you understand?" She asks, and the chill coming off her is so reminiscent of me that my heart swells with pride. It's the sound of a girl tired of taking someone else's shit, and it's beautiful.
"Screw you." Billy mutters, smacking his lips tiredly.
Max swings the bat down, just missing his crotch, and Billy's head shoots up. I wince at the sound, but then I see Steve and stop feeling so bad.
She yanks the bat out of the hardwood floor. "Say you understand!" She screams. "Say it! Say it!"
"I understand." Billy whispers out sleepily.
"What?" Max presses.
"I understand."
I snort cruelly as he struggles to keep himself awake. Despite the kids' protests I approach him, then lean down to whisper in his ear. "We're over, Hargrove. You have a nice night."
His eyes shut and his head rolls to the side, a snore escaping his mouth. I snort again, then my gaze flicks over to Steve. He hasn't gotten up. His face is covered in blood and quickly forming bruises. I can't… I can't see him breathing.
"Oh my God, Steve." I breathe out, then crash down onto the ground next to him and feel around for a pulse. "Steve, baby, please. Please be alive. C'mon, baby, please be breathing." It just slips out of me, and I bow my head in relief when I get a pulse. His chest is slow-rising, but his nose is flaring and his mouth is letting out air. Tears sliding down my face I press my lips to any unbloodied part of his face I can find, shoulders shaking as the adrenaline fades and is replaced with fear and anger. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry. Please wake up. Please." I plead, then brush the hair from his eyes. He lets out a grunt and a relieved laugh escapes me, wet and gross. "There we go. C'mon, handsome."
He groans again, then nuzzles the side of his face into my once-more blood covered gauze.
I look up as the other kids join me, shaking with fear. My brother wraps his arms around me, pressed against my back and hat jamming into the side of my head.
"Did he… did he hurt you?" Mike asks me, Lucas doing his best to press some butterfly bandages onto Steve's cuts while his hands shake.
"A little. I'm fine. Jesus Christ, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry." I apologize to them, then stroke Steve's hair. "This is all my fault, I'm so sorry."
"No! No, this was all on Billy, okay!" Max orders, having dropped the baseball bat. "None of this is your fault!" She insists. Her confidence is contagious, and I have no choice but to nod in agreement, even if I don't completely believe her.
"What are we going to do?" Mike asks. "Are we still going to the tunnels?"
"Tunnels? The tunnels?" I ask, head snapping over to him. "What are you talking about?"
"We… we were going to buy the others some time. Go and… and burn the vines. Distract the hive mind so El and Hopper could enter the Lab undetected by the demodogs and the others could get the Flayer out of Will." Dustin explains, stuttering a bit. "But now -"
"We're going." I bite out, then stare firmly at the awestruck kids. "We're stopping this shit now. Get whatever we need."
"What about Steve? And…" Lucas gestures to my unconscious ex.
"Hargrove can stay here. But we're bringing Steve."
"C'mon, he didn't even want to come! Just leave him, he's knocked out anyway!" Mike insists, going into panic mode.
"No! He's our strongest player!" Dustin insists. I throw him a wounded look. "You know you are, too, but he's got more muscle."
"Hargrove beat the shit out of him!"
"Only 'cause he hit him with a goddamn plate!" Dustin defends, and I nearly melt at how protective he's getting over Steve.
"He's -"
"Michael Wheeler." Mike shuts up and looks at me. I narrow my eyes and furrow my brows. "Steve is coming with us."
"Guys, there's another problem. We don't have a car." Lucas reminds us.
"Steve's is at the tracks." Dustin points out, and I shake my head.
"We don't have time."
"What about the one outside?" Mike offers.
"That's… that's Bob's car, outside. The keys are…" I trail off and focus on Steve instead, then remember something he told me last year.
I slide away from him and paw around in Billy's jean pockets before I find the keys to the Camaro. Spinning to stare up at where Max is standing, I smirk and toss them her way.
"Speed, scratch it, I don't care. Just get us to those tunnels. I'm sure one of you has a map to it."
"Look, I've only ever driven in a parking lot. Shouldn't you -"
"I'm going to help take care of Steve in the back. It'll be a tight squeeze, but," I shrug, then stand, "we've gotta do this. Get moving, kiddos." I order.
In a mad dash we've gathered everything we need - gasoline tanks, hoses to spray down the vines easier, rope, masks ("Flannel won't work, trust me!" I had yelled to the kids, reminding them of the mess I'm in now, and they all nodded in understanding).
It takes a little time to get Steve in the back of Billy's car, but we manage to get him half on a struggling Mike while the rest of his weight falls onto me. The younger Wheeler is also carefully holding a tank of gasoline, and it sloshes around when Max starts the car and backs away from the house dangerously fast. I distract myself by pressing an ice-pack to the bump on Steve's forehead. I try to be gentle about it, hand shaking, then look ahead at Max as she turns the car onto the road. "Has… how long has Billy been like that?" I ask, but she just focuses on the road.
"Since I've known him. He's worse now. I-I thought it'd be different tonight, with you there. I'm sorry. I made it worse."
"No, no Max. That isn't on you. It's better that I… that I know what he's like when I'm not around."
"I'm sorry." Dustin whispers, and I blink over at him in confusion.
"What are you sorry for?"
"I… I thought I should keep it to myself. You were so happy with him, and I… I didn't want to ruin that." He bites his lip and looks down. "On Halloween Mike, Lucas and I were biking home, an-and. And Billy. He, he tried. He tried to run us over."
"What?" I whisper, voice dangerously quiet. "He tried to do what?"
"Run us over." Mike confirms. I stare at him, until Lucas speaks up.
"He attacked me. Back in the house. He told Max to stay away from me, because…"
I look at Lucas, really look, then whisper a soft, "Oh." I reach in front of me with my free hand to take Lucas's shoulder, and he twists to look back at me. "He's a dick, and I can't believe I actually liked him. I can't believe I was so blind."
"Veronica, stop. The Billy you were with… that's who I always wished he was. I think you do - did - make him better, but that monster you saw back there is who he's become."
"I wasn't trying to make him better." I tell Max, who sends me a small smile.
"You just have that effect on him." She responds.
I squeeze Lucas's shoulder again. "You listen to me, Luke. That asshole is nothing compared to you. Got it?" Lucas nods vigorously. "No one gets away with saying that shit to you. I'll take care of it."
"Thanks, Huntress." Lucas whispers, and I wink at him.
These are my kids - Max now included - and I'll be damned if I let an asshole like Billy Hargrove hurt them again.
My brother sniffles beside me, and I notice his head is still ducked down. "I should have told you, but you were so happy. You hadn't been that happy in so long." He mutters mournfully. I shake my head.
"D." I twist in my seat, Steve's head falling onto my shoulder-blade, ice-pack on his lap. With a sigh I lift Dustin's chin, his wet blue eyes staring straight into my green. "You're my little brother, and I love you more than anything. Your safety and life means more to me than some admittedly attractive guy I just met. So no matter how happy someone makes me, you're the most important person in my life. You make me happy, Chewie."
"Okay."
"I'm sorry you thought you'd be ruining things. I'm sorry you felt you couldn't tell me what had happened." I apologize, then tuck some curls behind his ears and adjust his crooked cap. "No more lies. No more secrets. Between either of us. Capiche?"
"Capiche." He smiles at me. I kiss his cheek sloppily then slowly return to my original position, holding the ice-pack to Steve's plate injury.
As Max follows Lucas's directions and we jump over a pothole, Steve starts to groan and shift his weight. He's head is already in Mike's direction when he begins to wake up. "Nancy?" He asks, and I peer over him to watch the older teen blinking rapidly.
Okay, he's definitely concussed.
Mike throws him an offended look and I snort. It catches Steve's attention, and is head lolls towards me, a dreamy smile on the bruised but handsome face. "Hey, Ronniekins. Are you a dream?" I lower my eyebrows in confusion, but blush at how in awe he sounds. "You're a good dream. Always. Love your eyes, Ronniekins. So green. Like emeralds. You're gorgeous." He mumbles, then closes his eyes and groans. Max accelerates and they blink open abruptly, still a little hazy but getting clearer. He groans and tries to touch his face.
"Steve, no." I hold the ice-pack on another bruise while Dustin reaches over me to lower his hand.
"Don't touch it." Steve groans and his head shifts onto my chest, the back of his head pressed against my collarbone, right by my rapidly-beating heart. "Hey, buddy." Dustin shushes Steve as he tries to start talking. "It's okay, you put up a good fight. He kicked your ass, but you put up a good fight. But you're okay." I elbow Dustin in the side, then wince at the throbbing from my ribs at the movement. Actually, my whole left side is pulsing from the bruising and Steve's weight, but that's the least of our worries right now.
As Steve groans, Lucas speaks up. "Okay, you're gonna keep straight for half a mile, then make a left on Mount Sinai."
"What's going on?" Steve mumbles, then his attention shifts to Max behind the wheel. She frowns at him. "Oh my God!" He starts to panic.
"Steve, just relax. She's driven before."
"Yeah, in a parking lot!" Mike argues with Dustin, and I stare up at the roof of the car in exasperation.
"That counts!" Lucas shoots back, and I sigh.
As Steve panics more, Dustin shushes him. "They were gonna leave you behind."
"Oh my God."
"But we promised you'd be cool." I shoot Dustin a raised eyebrow. "Fine, I promised. Leia knew you were going to panic. But she wanted you to come, anyway."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What's going on?" Steve stammers, voice heavy with a lisp. Max accelerates, but I've been in this car with Billy before so I'm used to it going fast. Steve is obviously not. "Oh, my God. No! Whoa! Stop the car. Slow down."
"I told you he'd freak out!" Mike yells over Steve's panicking.
I glare at him. "Shut up, Mike!" He gives me an offended look, then rolls his eyes when I narrow my own.
"Stop the car!"
"Everybody shut up!" Max screams. "I'm trying to focus!"
Wincing at the volume, I turn my attention on the wigging-out "Steve, honey, hey." He blinks up at me, mouth parted. "It's fine." We fly down the road, going over yet another pothole, and Steve shouts, grimacing a bit. "I know it hurts, but we're going to be fine. Just try and stay calm."
"Oh. Wait, that's Mount Sinai. Make a left!" Lucas announces.
"What?"
"Eyes on the road, Max!" I order, and she looks back ahead.
"Make a left!" Lucas orders, and the tires screech as Max takes a sharp turn down Mount Sinai, hitting a mailbox in the process and hopping the curve. All the guys scream, and I blink at Lucas when his pitch hits Erica-high, all shrill and girly. In any other situation, it would have been funny.
No, it's still funny. I laugh over the screams, Max joining. Steve throws me look of disbelief, then goes right back to panicking with the others.
The rest of the ride to the tunnel entrance goes like that - the boys screaming while I attempt to help Max navigate, Lucas otherwise occupied. Finally, we reach our destination - Merrill's Pumpkin Patch - and Max drifts slightly into a smooth stop, cutting the engine. Thankfully the boys finish screaming, and Mike breathes out in fascination. "Incredible."
"Told you. Zoomer." Max responds, and I don't understand the reference.
We all climb out of the car, my ribs mercifully no longer throbbing when the weight is removed from them. I breathe in the fresh air, coughing a little thanks to how aggressive the action is.
As the kids open the trunk and grab what they need - Mike handing me my quiver and bow - Steve climbs out and rubs at the unwounded side of his forehead. He groans a bit as we pull our masks over our mouths as well as random goggles we'd found in the Byers house.
I'm the only one who doesn't put either on. I'm already mutated, no amount of protection is gonna reverse that.
Steve throws himself onto the Camaro, between the passenger seat and its door, grunting and groaning. "Oh, no. Guys. Hey, where do you think you're going?" He asks Mike as the younger male walks past him towards the giant hole next to us. "What are you, deaf? Hello?!" He shouts, and I watch Mike attach the thick coil of rope to the bottom of Billy's car. "We are not going down there right now. I made myself clear!" He grinds out, but Max and Lucas evade his reach as they follow Mike. "Hey, there's no chance we're going to that hole, alright? This ends right now!" He shouts, rushing over to the trunk and shoving whatever Dustin's holding back in.
"Steve, you're upset, I get it!" Dustin tells the older guy, who stops in his tracks. "But the bottom line is, a party member requires assistance and it is our duty to provide that assistance. Now, I know you promised Nance and Jonathan you would keep us safe." Dustin briefly looks at me before refocusing on Steve. "So keep us safe." He orders, then hands Steve his backpack and nail-bat, following after his friends. I smile at my brother as he passes me, then silently help Steve put on his backpack. I wince with him when I have to help secure the mask and goggles to his face, and he pokes at me.
"What about you."
"I'm already a mutant, Steve." I gently remind him, winking. He nods.
"And you're… you're okay? Did he hurt you?"
I bite my lip. "Just my ribs. It was an accident. I wasn't the one he meant to hurt." I bite, remembering everything Billy had told me about his mom and dad, weeks ago when I was blind to who I was with.
"Where is he know?"
"Byers house, knocked out. Max." He just nods along, not needing further explanation. "We're over. I'll probably have to remind him, but… I can't be with someone like that." Steve nods, again, and I carefully wrap my arms around his middle, head buried in his chest. His own covered head bends down over mine. "I'm so sorry, Steve. I should've stopped him."
"I shouldn't have let him get to me." Steve lets me go, stepping back and pointing to the hole. "C'mon, who knows what those little shits'll get up to without us." He walks away from me and I slam the trunk closed, Billy's words ringing in my head.
"He was surprised you picked Wheeler, given how much you love her."
And even with how tense the situation is, how my skin itches with the Upside Down being so close, my lips mold into a happy smile. If tonight's the most honest Billy's ever been with me, logically that little admission wasn't a lie.
I straighten my back, though, and roll my shoulders before following the rest of our group to the hole. Steve gestures for me to go ahead of him, and I hold onto the rope to repel down.
It feels… strange… being completely in the Upside Down again. Or sort-of Upside Down. I'm not walking in two worlds, just under one existing between another? I don't know, I'm not the scientist in the family.
Steve's the last to drop down from the hole. He grunts then looks around. "Holy shit." I snort and he looks down at me. "This is what you've been dealing with?" I nod. "Jesus, Roni."
I watch the white flecks around, shrugging the whole time. "I'd say it grows on you, but, that'd be a lie."
"Uh, yeah, I'm pretty sure it's this way!" Mike announces, and Steve and I walk towards the others.
"You're pretty sure, or you're certain?" Dustin sasses, and I hit him up the head.
"I'm 100% sure! Just follow me and you'll know."
Mike tries to lead the way, but Steve stops him. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, hey, hey, hey. I don't think so. Any of you little shits die down here, I'm getting the blame. Got it, dipshit? From here on out, I'm leading the way. Come on, let's go. Shit!" He yelps, and I rush forward to see vines moving towards us. Before anyone can stop me I push myself in front of the group.
The vines halt, squirming around like they're confused. Completely bamboozled. Then they slither away, like kids who just got in trouble for stealing cookies from the cookie jar. I grin and turn around, facing my small gathering. "Let's move."
"What about the map?" Mike calls after me as we walk down the tunnel, and without even turning around I visibly point to myself.
"I am the map, Mike."
I'm not sure exactly how long we walk for, but I'm confident in where we're going. And even if I weren't, Mike's reluctant confirmations of my accuracy are all I need to mentally repeat "I told you so" every time he or Lucas doubts me.
Mostly I'm just listening to the goosebumps on the back of my neck. I figure that the hub - since it's the nerve center - will give off the most danger.
I'm also hoping that the Flayer is distracted - he may not be able to see me, but he can probably tell if a bunch of people are storming his secret tunnels.
Okay, that came out wrong. My apologies.
I make another turn, stopping for a moment in a small crossroads, dark and damp. The others gather behind me, trying to stay clear of slithering vines. "Whoa." I hear Lucas exhale.
"What is this place? Veronica?" Max asks.
"I have absolutely no idea. But we're going that way." I point to the closest tunnel to our left, leading the charge.
"You positive?" Lucas questions.
I don't turn around when I address him - and the group. "The next person to ask me that will end up getting shot with an arrow." I sing out, but fumble when my neck prickles violently. As soon as I'm warned my brother screams under his mask and I rush back to where he's fallen on all fours, coughing into his mask under a, well, it looks like a giant boob, alright.
"Shit, D, are you okay?" I panic, forcing his head up to look at me.
He keeps coughing, then pushes me aside dramatically. "It's in my mouth! Some got on my mouth! Shit!" He screeches, and I make him look at me again. His goggles have some gross residue on them just like his mask, but both his nose and mouth are covered. He pants but calms down. "I'm okay."
I huff and help him stand, the others as unamused as I am.
"You serious?"
"Very funny, man. Nice, very nice."
"Jesus, what an idiot." Max and Steve gripe back and forth, and I whistle.
"Hey, you two, lay off him! You two," I point and Lucas and Mike, who seem flummoxed by my tone, "relax and stop back-seat navigating. And you," I point at Dustin, "quit being so fucking dramatic." I order, sounding scarily like my mom. "Congrats, Dusty, you get to walk the rest of the way with me."
I tug him by his elbow, taking the lead once again while the others follow after us a lot quieter than before. I lead them further down the proverbial rabbit hole until all of my neck is prickling, overheated and bumpy. Stopping at the end of our chosen tunnel, I look around. It's larger than the previous crossroads room, and it's giving me bad vibes, and only bad vines.
"Looks like we found your hub, Wheeler." Steve comments, and I nod in agreement.
"Let's drench it." Mike viciously suggests, and with that we get down to business. I spray at the vines, which is somewhat difficult considering they keep moving out of the way when I get closer, but I eventually manage to make a trail all around the circumference of the hub.
Steve gets the ceiling with Mike, Dustin takes the right side, and Max and lucas take the left. We're all panting by the time we're done, tossing the empty canisters and tanks of gasoline aside.
Before anyone speaks, I take my knife from its sheath and slice the bottom of my very-ripped sweater, wrapping the cloth around an arrowhead and dousing it in a small puddle of gasoline.
"C'mon, Steven. Light me up." I grin down at where the older teen is crouched beside me, having already braced himself to toss away his beloved zippo.
"I am in such deep shit." He murmurs to himself, but nevertheless flicks on the small flame and holds it to the very flammable arrowhead. With a smirk I notch it, aiming for the center of the hub, where the vines have gathered, uncomfortably wet.
A quote from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood comes to mind as I release the arrow and it strikes true in the heart of the withering vines. "Strike no man without need, for I would fain avoid bloodshed, but if ye do strike, strike hard, and see that there be no need to strike again."
While the others shield their eyes from the blazing heat, I refuse to. I watch with satisfaction as the vines shriek and burn in pain, the fire spreading around the hub as the tendrils try to move away from it. I'm imagining the Mind Flayer shrieking, too, overheated by our efforts, as well as the people in Hopper's mysterious cabin. Here's hoping he's released Will from his possession, to shocked by his pain and the prospect of being bested by a primitive species to keep holding on.
"Roni, we need to move." Steve mutters in my ear.
I still don't look away. "Give me a moment."
A large hand slides into my own, lacing our fingers together. I look up Steve, my mouth parted in surprise. He just stares at me, mouth and eyes far too covered for me to see his expression. "Your moment's up. We need to go."
"Alright." I whisper, then rush ahead, his hand still entwined with mine.
As we run through the tunnels, I keep looking behind me to make sure the kids are staying close and nothing's following. My neck is still tingling, warning me of incoming, but I don't know where said incoming is going to pop up. Until I hear dogs growling in the distance. Then I know we really need to move.
Then Mike screams, and we all stop and turn.
The younger Wheeler's on the ground, ankles bound by a vine attempting to pull him away. Letting go of Steve's hand in my haste to help my best friend's little brother, the vine shrinks away from Mike and I help him up. The others rush over to check in on us, talking over each other. They're silence by a growl, and we all look to the right. There, right at the tunnel we have to take, is a demodog, screeching dangerously at us. It bends down like it's about to pounce, and I notice the strip of yellow on its back.
"Dart." Dustin says, getting the demodog's attention. We try to pull him back as he advances on the monster, but he shushes us. I grab Steve's hand again while taking a step towards Dustin. "Shh. Stop it."
"Dustin, get back." Max pleads.
"Trust me, please." Dustin doesn't look back at us, and my heart clenches in fear the further he gets. Steve follows after me just as carefully, squeezing my hand with his own.
Dart the demodog paws closer to my brother, meeting him in the middle. Dustin's arm comes up, and then his voice is clearer and his hat is shoved further back on his head.
The idiot took off his mask and goggles. Shit, I'm gonna kill him.
"Hey. It's me, it's me. It's just your friend, it's Dustin." Dustin says soothingly, crouching down. "You remember me?" He asks, kneeling a bit. "Will you let us pass?"
I jump when Dart snarls, flowerhead open and teeth exposed to my brother. The others shout, too, Steve holding onto my hand even tighter.
I don't mind. I'm holding on tighter, too.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry." Dustin responds, voice calm and even. Dart begins to settle, and I become a touch more relieved. "I'm sorry about the storm cellar. That was a pretty douchey thing to do. You hungry? Yeah?" He asks, then starts to remove his backpack.
"He's an idiot." Mike whispers, and I smile when Lucas shushes him and Max orders him to just shut up.
Dustin's got this. If anyone can wrangle an interdimensional beast, it's him.
"I've got our favorite. See? Nougat." He holds up what I know is a Three Musketeers bar.
Oh. Dart. D'Artagnan. I get it.
Dustin opens the crinkly wrapper, and the demodog creeps closer. "Look at that. Yummy. Here, alright?" He reaches down to drop some pieces in front of the creature. "Eat up, buddy. Come on, come on." He gestures for us to walk around them. The other three kids go ahead of us, then Steve pulls me after him. I force the two of us to stop, though, my heart breaking for Dustin as he stares sadly at his demogorgon pet. "There's plenty, I've got more." He leaves the rest of the nougat for Dart and stands up, sling his bag back onto his back. He walks over to me and takes my hand holding the bow, his other lowering his goggles and straightening his cap. "Goodbye, buddy."
Dart chitters and stares up my brother, then returns to his candy. Dustin shudders, knowing Dart'll die when the gate is closed. I do my best to squeeze his hand, then watch as he lifts his mask.
"Let's go, let's go." Steve whispers and I nod, holding onto him while Dustin holds onto me.
The closer we get to our only exit, the closer the growls get and the worse my neck prickles. The tunnels rumble and shake, like they're about to collapse.
The gate. She's doing it, El's closing the gate.
"Hurry up! Come on, you first Roni!" Steve shouts when we right ourselves. He boosts me up through the hole, and I set down my bow to help pull Max out. She quickly thanks me, and we grab Lucas by the arms to haul him up, followed by Mike.
I'm just reaching down to grab Dustin when they pause, the demodogs getting too close. I start to panic, reaching for my bow to drop down and help them, but the three kids stop me.
"No, no, let go of me! Dustin, Steve! Come on, get up here!" I scream, and Dustin looks up at me while Steve gets his bat at the ready. He doesn't have a chance to say anything, the hoard of demon dogs jumps into view. My mouth opens in a silent cry, eyes wide with fear -
And the demodogs pay no mind to the two guys I love most in this world. They just dash around them, and Steve lifts Dustin with one arm, turning so my little brother avoids the monsters.
I swear I fall a little more in love with him.
"Eleven." Mike mutters, still grabbing onto me. I nod in agreement, eyes never leaving the hole.
When the last demodog disappears, Steve is hurriedly boosting Dustin up. We drag my little brother out of the hell hole and I toss my bow aside to run my hands all over him, checking that he's really alive. He stops my frantic hand movements and latches onto me, the both of us shuddering.
Steve pants from behind us, and I look over my shoulder to see him brushing off the grime and slime of the tunnels.
Ignoring his extensive injuries, the minute I reach him I slap the older teen across the face. He yelps in pain and I jump up, arms wrapped around his neck as my whole body vibrates with danger and adrenaline and the fear of Steve and Dustin really being dead -
"Screw you, Steven Harrington! Screw you!" I yell, tears rolling down my cheeks. There's a thud next to us and then one arm is wrapped around the small of my back, mindful of my bruises as his hand settles on my hip. The other rests behind my neck, holding me close. Reassuring me that he's here, that he and Dustin both made it out.
He stumbles back a bit, and I twist my head back only to be temporarily blinded by Billy's headlights turning on and getting brighter, what the fuck?
The others' flashlights are growing bolder, too, our vision flooded with an intense white light. Steve forces my head back into his neck.
The brighter the light glows, the more the goosebumps spread on my body, skin itching worse than ever before. It's hard to say how long it lasts, but Steve holds me through it the whole time, my body shivering uncontrollably.
And then, just like when you flip a switch, it all stops. The headlights turn back off, the brightness of the flashlights recede, and I stop shaking.
Steve sets me down and steps back a little, removing his goggles and mask. I just look around, eyes stopping at the tunnel entrance and hand covering my mouth.
It all stopped. My skin stopped itching, the goosebumps disappeared, and any hint of the Upside Down being near is gone. I feel no connection to what's beneath us. I feel… I feel like me again. I'm free.
"Oh my God. Oh my God." I gasp, uncovering my mouth and staring back at the group, eyes filling with tears of joy rather than pain, my heart no longer clenching in fear, and a wide grin splitting my face open.
"Roni, are you okay?" Steve asks, tone laced with worry as he and the others reach me. He takes my hands in his, gentle and lovingly.
I shake my head, laughing. Really laughing, not the nervous hysterical one I do or the one I perfected to make my friends think I was alright. It's all me, giggles and chortles and little gasps for air. "I feel better than okay. I'm free."
Still, I'm not naive to how it happened, why my powers were… leeched away. I stare off into the distance, and pray my freedom didn't cost the price of a little girl, and a boy far too innocent for this world.
Wow, a note at the end of the chapter? Strange.
Okay, I just want to clarify something since it would've been a spoiler to do so in the beginning - when Billy physically hurts Veronica, it's an accident. She inserted herself in a violent situation, and if any of you have ever been in or tried to stop a fight, no one comes out without some kind of injury. And when he squeezes her in the kitchen, that's also accidental in terms of him not checking his own strength in the moment - he was definitely being grossly possessive, but his intent wasn't to harm her. What's important to remember is he stops moving immediately after. It's not something that will go unmentioned, so don't worry about me brushing that aside. Look, Billy is obviously many things - even in the beginning I never wanted to erase the fact that he's a minor antagonist in Season 2, and clearly problematic - I personally love to hate him, but that's just me. Still; there will be more character development for him. He won't be two-dimensional, and he's going to not only be put in his place but also be made to evolve as a human. So no bashing me or anything - humans can be awful, but sometimes they learn to be better.
I'm also not excusing the rest of his behavior in this chapter, and the previous one. I just wanted to clear the air about the rib situation.
Okay, that's all. The next chapter will be posted soon!