Dove pulled back from the window, her heart racing, the familiar knot of fear tightening in her chest. She turned to Steve, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's Billy," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, but the panic was unmistakable.
"If he finds out I'm here, he'll kill me," Max muttered, her voice trembling slightly.
Steve looked at Dove, immediately seeing the fear in her eyes. He could see the way her hands shook, the way she held herself stiff, trying to stay in control. Without a word, he stepped closer to her, his presence steady and grounding. "Hey," he said quietly, his voice firm but gentle. "I'll handle it. I'll make him leave."
Dove's eyes flicked to his, her breath catching in her throat. She wanted to protest, to tell him not to go, but the words wouldn't come. She was frozen, her mind flashing back to that night in the parking lot.
Steve gave her a reassuring nod, the promise in his eyes clear. "I got this," he said softly, his voice full of quiet determination.
Without waiting for her response, he turned and headed toward the front door. Dove's chest tightened as she watched him go, her legs threatening to give out beneath her. She followed him to the door, unable to stop herself, and pressed her eye to the peephole as Steve stepped outside.
The air outside was thick with tension, the soft rumble of Billy's car engine filling the quiet night. Steve walked with purpose, his shoulders squared as he stopped on the porch.
Through the peephole, Dove's vision narrowed, her heart pounding as she watched Billy get out of the car. Every muscle in her body tensed as Steve stepped closer, her fingers gripped the doorframe so tightly her knuckles turned white. She could hear the muffled sound of their voices, but she couldn't make out the words—only the rising tension in the way Steve stood, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
Billy's figure, a dark silhouette against the dim glow of the car's headlights. Even from inside, Dove could feel the malice radiating off him, a creeping dread curling around her chest. Her breath caught in her throat as she strained to see, her stomach twisting with fear.
She couldn't hear what was being said, but she could see Steve standing tall, facing Billy head-on, his jaw set with resolve. The seconds stretched out like hours as Dove watched, her pulse quickening with each passing moment.
Dove's breath caught in her throat as she watched Billy point at the window, his expression dark and menacing.
"Shit," Dustin muttered from behind her. In unison, the kids ducked down, disappearing from view. "Do you think he saw us?" Dustin asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Dove pressed her eye back to the peephole, her heart pounding in her chest. Billy's face twisted into a cruel smile, his gaze fixed on Steve. Before she could process what was happening, Billy shoved Steve hard, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Without thinking, Dove's hand flew to the door handle. The next moment, she was outside, the cool night air biting against her skin. "Leave him alone, Billy!" she shouted, her voice shaking with more emotion than she intended.
Billy's laughter cut through the tension like a blade, dark and mocking. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of her. "Well, well, look who it is," he sneered, his gaze raking over her in a way that made her skin crawl. "Dove Henderson." He chuckled, his grin widening. "Didn't know you had a thing for my sloppy seconds, Harrington."
Steve gritted his teeth, trying to push himself up, but Billy's boot slammed into his stomach, knocking the air out of him. Steve let out a sharp gasp, doubling over in pain.
"Stop it!" Dove shouted, her panic rising as she moved forward, desperation taking over. But before she could reach him, Billy turned toward her, his expression darkening. With one swift motion, he shoved her hard, sending her stumbling backward. Billy didn't even glance back as he stormed past her, his sights locked on the house.
With a menacing swagger, Billy threw open the door, the sound echoing through the still night. His boots thudded heavily against the floor as he barged inside, each step radiating anger and malice.
"Well, well, well," he sneered, his voice cold as his eyes settled on Max and Lucas, who stood frozen in place. His gaze zeroed in on Lucas, venom dripping from his words. "Lucas Sinclair. What a surprise."
Dove scrambled to her feet, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she rushed after him. "Billy, stop!" she yelled, her hand reaching out to grab his arm.
Billy spun around, his wild eyes flashing as he yanked his arm free, sending Dove stumbling back again with even more force. "I'm not here for you," he snarled, his voice filled with contempt. His cold gaze shifted to Max, stepping closer to her as she pressed her back against the wall, fear etched across her face. "I thought I told you to stay away from him, Max."
Max's breath caught in her throat, her voice barely a whisper as she tried to stand her ground. "Billy, go away."
Billy's lips twisted into a sinister grin. "You disobeyed me." His voice dropped, becoming more menacing. "And you know what happens when you disobey me."
Something snapped inside Dove at the sound of those words. A surge of anger roared to life within her, overriding her fear. Without thinking, she lunged forward, shoving Billy away from Max with all her strength. "Leave her alone, Billy!" she shouted, her voice shaking with fury.
Billy turned on her, his face twisted in rage. In one swift move, he surged forward and slammed her against the wall, knocking the breath out of her. The impact rattled her, her vision momentarily going black as pain shot through her back. "You really want to do this again?" he hissed, leaning in close, his breath hot against her face.
"Fuck you," Dove spat, fury burning through the pain. Without hesitation, she kneed him hard in the crotch, causing Billy to stumble backward, a pained grunt escaping him.
Billy's face contorted with rage as he straightened, his voice a venomous growl. "You are so dead, you bitch!"
Suddenly, Steve appeared out of nowhere, charging forward and shoving Billy back. "No, you are," Steve growled, his fist flying forward in a clean punch that connected squarely in the center of Billy's face.
Billy staggered backward, blood trickling from his nose, but instead of retreating, he let out a blood-curdling laugh. "Looks like you got some fire in you after all, huh?" Billy yelled, wiping the blood from his face. "I've been waiting to meet this 'King Steve' everyone's been telling me about."
Dove scrambled to the other side of the room, ushering the kids toward the living room. Her heart raced as she glanced back, watching the tension between Steve and Billy escalate.
Steve squared his shoulders, his jaw clenched. "Get out," he demanded, his voice low and dangerous as he pushed Billy back with two fingers.
Billy's face twisted in anger, his eyes flashing with malice. He swung wildly at Steve, but Steve ducked out of the way, countering with a punch that landed on Billy's jaw.
"Yes! Kick his ass, Steve!" Dustin yelled from behind Dove, his voice filled with nervous excitement.
Steve threw another punch, then another, driving Billy back into the kitchen counter. But Billy wasn't fazed. With a quick movement, Billy grabbed a plate off the counter and smashed it against Steve's head. The plate shattered on impact, sending Steve stumbling back, dazed.
Billy roared forward, tackling Steve into the living room, his fists flying as he punched Steve repeatedly in the face and stomach. Blood dripped from Steve's nose as he tried to block the blows, but Billy was relentless, grabbing Steve by the shirt and yanking him up. "No one tells me what to do!" Billy snarled before headbutting Steve, sending him crashing to the ground.
Dove's heart pounded in her chest as she saw Steve go down. Without thinking, she lunged forward, jumping onto Billy's back, her arms locking around his neck.
Billy grunted, caught off guard as he stumbled back from the force of her attack. They crashed into the wall with a sickening thud, Dove's head colliding with a picture frame. The glass shattered on impact, the shards slicing into her cheek as she hit the ground. Pain shot through her skull, her vision blurring almost instantly. She gasped, disoriented, her hand instinctively reaching for her face, feeling the sticky warmth of blood.
When she finally looked up, Billy was back on top of Steve, his fists flying with brutal force. The kids screamed, their voices filled with desperation as they begged him to stop. She looked to her right, her vision blurry from the impact, but her gaze landed on Steve's bat lying on the floor just a few feet away. She forced herself to move, crawling toward the bat as her head throbbed from where she had hit the wall. Her fingers finally wrapped around the handle, and she gripped it tightly.
Dove struggled to her feet, dizzy from the pain but determined. Her grip tightened on the bat as she saw Max out of the corner of her eye. With a sudden movement, Max rushed forward and plunged a syringe into Billy's neck, injecting him with the sedative they had used on Will just hours earlier.
Billy stood, his face contorted with confusion as he ripped the needle from his neck. He examined it for a moment before his body swayed, his legs giving out beneath him. He crashed to the floor, landing on his back with a heavy thud.
Despite the overwhelming dizziness, Dove stumbled forward, raising the bat above her head as she stood over Billy. "From now on, you leave all of us alone. Do you understand?" she demanded, her voice shaking with a mix of fury and fear.
Billy's eyes fluttered as he licked his lips, still defiant. "Screw you," he muttered.
Without hesitation, Dove swung the bat down, the nails scraping the floor mere inches from his crotch. She ripped the bat up again, the force sending shockwaves through her arms. "Do you understand?!" she screamed, her voice raw with emotion.
Billy blinked, something flickering in his eyes—perhaps fear, perhaps something darker—but he nodded weakly. "I understand," he mumbled, his voice barely audible before he finally lost consciousness, his body going limp on the floor.
Dove stood there for a moment, her breath coming in ragged gasps, the bat still gripped tightly in her hands as the room fell silent.
Dove dropped the bat with a loud clatter, the adrenaline still surging through her veins. The world around her seemed to blur, but all she could focus on was Steve lying on the floor, battered and bloodied. Her heart pounded in her chest as she rushed to his side, dropping to her knees beside him.
"Steve.." she whispered, her voice shaking. He was unconscious, his face bruised and bloodied from Billy's relentless assault. His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, but he was out cold.
Dove's hand trembled as she reached for his face, her fingers hovering just above his swollen cheek. She hesitated, afraid to touch him—afraid that the slightest pressure would hurt him even more. Her breath caught in her throat, her mind racing with panic and worry.
Her own injuries were throbbing—her cheek still bleeding from the shards of glass that had cut into her skin, her head aching from the blow—but none of that mattered now. All she could think about was Steve. The image of him fighting for her, throwing himself between her and Billy, replayed in her mind, making her chest tighten.
While Dove remained focused on Steve, her hand trembling as she gingerly brushed his hair back, Max quietly knelt beside Billy's unconscious form. She hesitated for a moment, glancing between Dove and Billy, before slipping her hand into Billy's jean pocket. Her fingers closed around the cool metal of his car keys. With a quick glance toward the others, Max stood up, holding the keys tightly in her fist.
"Let's get out of here," Max said, her voice low but resolute.
The others turned to look at her, then their gazes shifted toward Dove. They waited, uncertainty hanging in the air. Dove, still focused on Steve, finally registered the silence. She looked up, her eyes red and her face etched with concern, realizing they were waiting for her decision.
"Dove?" Dustin asked, his voice soft, full of worry.
Dove blinked, the weight of their trust pressing down on her. Her heart pounded in her chest. "Grab what we need," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "We're finishing this."
The kids sprang into action, gathering their bags, supplies, and anything they thought might help. Dove gently touched Steve's arm, reluctant to leave his side but knowing they needed to move fast.
"Lucas, help me," she said quietly, her eyes never leaving Steve's face.
Lucas rushed over, and together they carefully lifted Steve's unconscious body. He was heavy, his weight sagging between them, but they managed to carry him out to Billy's car. The night air was crisp and cold, and it only added to the sense of urgency as they reached the vehicle.
Max fumbled with the keys for a moment, opening the back door as Dove and Lucas gently maneuvered Steve inside. They laid him down across the backseat, Dove sliding in beside him. She carefully placed his head in her lap, her fingers trembling as she reached for a washcloth she had grabbed from inside. Gently, she dabbed at the cuts and bruises on his face, her heart aching with every swipe.
Steve stirred slightly, but he remained unconscious, his breathing slow and shallow. Dove's eyes filled with unshed tears as she continued to clean his wounds, her movements soft and deliberate, as if trying to soothe the pain away.
Max climbed into the driver's seat, glancing over her shoulder at Dove. "You good?" she asked, her voice tentative, as if sensing Dove's struggle.
Dove nodded, though her heart was heavy. "I'll be fine. Let's go."
As the car engine roared to life, the others piled in. As they drove tension was already mounting as Max and Lucas bickered over which direction to go.
Dove barely registered their argument, her focus entirely on Steve as he began to stir beside her. His brow furrowed, and he groaned softly, his body shifting slightly in her lap. Dove placed a small rainbow bandage over a cut on his chin, then held the ice pack more securely against his head, her heart pounding as he slowly opened his eyes.
"Hey, buddy," Dustin said from beside them, looking down at Steve with a grin. "Don't worry, you put up a good fight. He kicked your ass, but you put up a good fight."
Steve's groggy eyes drifted toward Max, who was in the driver's seat. His gaze then flicked to Dove, his confusion evident. "What's.. what's going on?" he mumbled, his voice thick with exhaustion. His eyes widened as he processed what he was seeing. "Max? Max is driving?!"
His confusion quickly morphed into panic. "Stop the car! Stop the damn car!" Steve demanded, trying to sit up, but Dove gently pressed him back down, keeping him from moving too much.
"Steve, calm down," Dove urged, her voice soft but firm, doing her best to soothe him even as the situation escalated. "She's driven before."
But Steve's panic only seemed to rise. His eyes darted from Max to the road, his breath quickening. "Max, stop! You can't drive! You're like twelve!"
Max's grip tightened on the wheel. "Everyone just shut up! I'm trying to focus!" She snapped.
"Left!" Lucas suddenly yelled, pointing toward an intersection. "Make a left!"
Max slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching as the car skidded across the pavement. The vehicle lurched violently to the left, drifting into the turn with a sudden jolt. The back end of the car swung out, and with a loud crunch, they slammed into a mailbox.
Steve's panic hit a new peak. "Holy shit! We hit something! We're gonna die!" he shouted, his breath coming in rapid, shallow gasps.
Dove tightened her grip on Steve's shoulders, trying to keep him from flailing. "Steve, it's okay. We're fine," she said, her voice soothing but strained.
Max's face was a mask of concentration, her knuckles white as she gripped the steering wheel, her foot hovering over the brake pedal.
Dustin looked down at Steve, his voice a mixture of reassurance and teasing. "You're good, Steve. We've got it under control. Kinda."
Steve, still breathing heavily, glanced at Dove, his eyes filled with worry. But as he took in her calm demeanor, some of the panic seemed to fade. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice soft, like he wasn't sure if he could believe it.
Dove nodded, her hand resting gently on his arm. "I'm sure. We've got this."
Max, determined now, gritted her teeth and straightened out the car, her focus sharp as they continued speeding down the road.
Max pulled into a gravel driveway, the tires crunching beneath the car before she came to a sudden stop in the grass. The abrupt halt sent a jolt through the vehicle, and everyone inside let out a collective breath they didn't realize they were holding. Without hesitation, the kids scrambled out, eager to get moving.
Steve tumbled out of the backseat, standing on shaky legs as he bent over, his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. "Oh, God," he muttered under his breath, his head still spinning from the wild ride. His face was a mix of frustration and lingering panic, and the sight of the kids unloading the trunk did nothing to calm him.
Dove stepped out of the car and made her way over to Steve, her eyes scanning him with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Steve straightened up, wincing slightly as he grabbed the edge of the car door for support. He placed his other hand on Dove's shoulder, using her to steady himself. "Yeah, yeah, I'm good," he mumbled, though the tightness in his voice betrayed him. He looked over at the kids, who were pulling gear from the trunk, and his frustration flared.
"What do you think you're doing?" Steve demanded, his voice rising. He stepped forward, glaring at the group, but they ignored him, too focused on gathering what they needed. His hands clenched into fists, the lack of control over the situation only making him more agitated. "Hey, are you deaf! I'm talking to you!"
Dove watched as his frustration grew, sensing that Steve's protective instincts were taking over. He wasn't used to being ignored—especially not when danger was involved.
"You're not going down there," Steve insisted, his voice firm, as he stepped in front of the trunk, trying to block their path.
But Dove quickly stepped in, placing a hand on his chest to stop him. "Steve," she said, her voice calm but resolute. "They're going whether you like it or not."
Steve's eyes flickered with disbelief. "What? No—"
"And you know it," Dove cut him off. She could see the fear behind his frustration, the same fear she felt, but there was no stopping this now. "So, you'd better start gearing up if you want to keep them safe."
Her words hung in the air for a moment, and Steve stared at her, his jaw tightening. He didn't like it—none of this felt right—but he knew she was right. His shoulders slumped slightly, and he let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair.
Dove gave him a soft nod of encouragement before turning back to the trunk. She grabbed two bandanas, two pairs of goggles, and Steve's bat. She handed the bat to him first, the familiar weight of it grounding him.
Steve took it with a deep breath, his fingers tightening around the handle. "Fine," he muttered, though there was no missing the frustration in his voice. "But we're doing this my way."
Dove's lips twitched into a small smile as she handed him the bandana and goggles. "Sure, King Steve," she said, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Steve rolled his eyes, but a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He tied the bandana around his mouth, the familiar sense of responsibility settling over him as he walked toward the enterance to the tunnels.