"If he finds out I'm here, he'll kill me. He'll kill us," 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. He stepped closer to her, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "It's okay," he said firmly, his tone steady and reassuring. "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 small, confident 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 followed him to the door, unable to stop herself, and pressed her eye to the peephole as Steve stepped outside.
The night seemed to hold its breath, the low rumble of Billy's car engine vibrating through the stillness. Steve walked with purpose, his shoulders squared as he came to a stop on the porch. His silhouette was sharp against the faint glow of the headlights, an unspoken determination radiating from him.
Through the peephole, Dove's vision narrowed, her pulse hammering in her ears as Billy stepped out of the car, his movements deliberate as he took a drag from his cigarette. He shut the door behind him with a casual force that made Dove flinch. Her fingers dug into the doorframe, her knuckles turning white as she leaned closer.
Their voices were muffled through the door, low and tense. Dove couldn't make out the words, but the way Steve's posture stiffened and Billy's smirk widened made her stomach twist.
Billy crossed his arms, his body language lazy but predatory, as if daring Steve to make the first move. Steve's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his head tilting slightly, the sharp line of his jaw visible even through the distorted peephole.
The gap between them closed as they both stepped forward, their figures a dark silhouette against the dim glow of the car's headlights. Even from inside, Dove could feel the malice radiating off Billy, a creeping dread curling around her chest. Her breath caught in her throat as she strained to see, her stomach twisting with fear.
Through the peephole, she saw Billy's gaze shift toward the house, his hand lifting to point at the window, his expression dark and menacing. The gesture sent a cold chill down her spine.
"Shit," Dustin muttered from the living room, his voice breaking the tense silence. In unison, the kids ducked down, disappearing from view as quickly as they could. "Do you think he saw us?" Dustin whispered, his voice barely audible.
Dove pressed her eye back to the peephole, her heart pounding in her chest. Billy's face twisted into a cruel smile. Before she could process what was happening, Billy shoved Steve hard, sending him sprawling onto the porch.
Without thinking, Dove's hand flew to the door handle. The next moment, she was outside, the cool night air biting against her skin. Her voice broke through the tense silence like a crack of thunder. "Leave him alone, Billy!" she shouted, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.
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, fury burning in his eyes as he struggled to get back up. Before he could fully rise, Billy's boot connected with his stomach, sending him crashing back down with a sharp gasp. The impact knocked the air out of him, and Steve doubled over, clutching his side in pain.
"Stop it!" Dove's voice cracked as she stepped forward, her fear giving way to anger. Her fists clenched at her sides as she glared at Billy, her chest heaving. "You need to leave."
"Happily." Billy straightened, brushing his hands against his jeans as if dusting them off. His grin widened, his tone dripping with smug satisfaction. "Just as soon as I get my sister."
Dove's stomach dropped, her pulse thundering in her ears. She glanced back at the house, dread curling in her chest. "Max isn't going anywhere with you," she said, forcing her voice to stay steady.
"No?" Billy took a step toward her, crushing his cigerette out with his boot. His grin was all sharp edges, his eyes gleaming with something cruel. "And what are you gonna do about it, Dove?" he asked mockingly, his voice low and venomous. "You gonna stop me?"
Dove's breath caught, but she stood her ground, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. Her legs felt like lead, but she forced herself to lift her chin, to meet his gaze without flinching. "If I have to," she said firmly, though her voice wavered at the edges.
Billy's grin twisted into something more impatient, his eyes narrowing. "I don't have time for this." With one swift motion, he shoved Dove 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. 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. "Get out of here, Billy." she said, her hand darting 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 voice was 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."
Dove's blood boiled at the sound of those words. The fury surged through her, pushing past the fear that threatened to hold her back. She lunged forward, shoving Billy away from Max with all the strength she could muster. "That's enough, Billy!" she shouted, her voice shaking with raw anger.
Billy stumbled slightly but recovered quickly, his eyes blazing with fury. He turned on her, his face twisted with rage. Before she could react, he surged forward, grabbing the front of her shirt and slamming her back against the wall. The breath left her lungs in a painful gasp, the impact rattling her bones and sending a jolt of pain through her body.
"You really want to do this again?" Billy hissed, his face inches from hers, his voice a venomous whisper. His breath was hot against her face, and she could feel the weight of his anger pressing down on her like a suffocating blanket.
Dove fought to stay composed, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Her eyes locked onto his, defiance burning within her despite the pain. "Fuck you," she ground out, her voice low and unwavering, even as her body trembled.
Dove brought her knee up sharply, slamming it into Billy's crotch with all the force she could muster. He let out a strangled gasp, his grip on her loosening as he stumbled back.
Dove scrambled away from the wall, her heart pounding as adrenaline surged through her veins. But Billy recovered quickly, his expression twisting into something darker, more menacing. His breathing was ragged as he straightened, his wild eyes locking onto her like a predator zeroing in on its prey. "You are so dead, Bitch!"
Dove froze, her back pressed against the wall, bracing for the worst.
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, her heart pounding as she ushered the kids toward the living room. "Go!" she urged, her voice tight with panic as she placed herself between them and Billy. Dove glanced back, her stomach churning as the tension between Steve and Billy reached a boiling point.
Steve squared his shoulders, his jaw clenched as he stared Billy down. "Get out," he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. He pushed Billy back with two fingers, but the gesture only seemed to provoke him further.
Billy's face twisted in anger, his wild eyes flashing with malice. Without warning, he swung wildly at Steve, his fist slicing through the air. Steve ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow, and came up with a counterpunch that landed hard on Billy's jaw. The impact echoed through the room, and Billy stumbled, a mixture of shock and fury flashing across his face.
"Yes! Kick his ass, Steve!" Dustin yelled from behind Dove, his voice teetering between nervous excitement and fear.
Steve landed two more solid punches, driving Billy back into the kitchen counter. But Billy's twisted grin only widened. Quick as lightning, he grabbed a plate off the counter and smashed it against Steve's head. The plate shattered with a deafening crack, and Steve staggered back, dazed, blood trickling down his temple.
Billy seized the opening, roaring forward and tackling Steve into the living room. Billy's fists flew in a relentless barrage, connecting with Steve's face and stomach. Blood spattered onto the carpet as Steve struggled to block the blows, but Billy's sheer rage overwhelmed him.
Grabbing Steve by the shirt, Billy hauled him upright with a feral snarl. "No one tells me what to do!" he spat before headbutting Steve with brutal force. The sound of the impact echoed through the room, and Steve crumpled to the floor, groaning in pain.
Dove's heart pounded in her chest as she saw Steve go down. Her mind screamed at her to stay back, but instinct overrode fear. Before she could think twice, she lunged forward, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she jumped onto Billy's back. Her arms locked around his neck in a desperate attempt to pull him off.
Billy grunted, stumbling backward under Dove's weight, his momentum slamming them into the wall with a sickening thud. Dove's head collided with a picture frame, the glass shattering on impact and 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.
Her vision swam as she struggled to focus, the room spinning in chaotic swirls of sound and movement. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her head, and looked up just in time to see Billy back on Steve, his fists pounding relentlessly. Each hit sent a dull thud through the room, Steve's grunts of pain mingling with the kids' terrified screams.
"Stop it!" Max shouted, her voice cracking, while the others pleaded desperately. The sound was distant to Dove, muffled by the pounding in her ears.
Through the haze, Dove's eyes landed on something—Steve's bat, lying just a few feet away on the floor. Her chest tightened as determination took hold, and she forced herself to move. Pain radiated through her body with every inch she crawled, her limbs sluggish and heavy. Her head throbbed with every beat of her heart, but she refused to stop.
Her trembling fingers stretched out, finally wrapping around the handle of the bat. She tightened her grip, the wood solid and grounding in her palm. With a deep, shuddering breath, she pushed herself to her feet, her vision clearing just enough to see Billy still towering over Steve.
Max appeared out of the corner of Dove's eyes, her face set with fierce determination. With a sudden movement, she lunged forward and plunged a syringe into Billy's neck. The sedative they had used on Will just hours before emptied into his veins as Max pressed the plunger down.
Billy straightened, his face contorting with confusion as he yanked the needle out, staring at it in disbelief. For a moment, it seemed like he might shake it off, but then his legs buckled. His body swayed, his balance failing him before he crumpled to the floor in a heavy, lifeless thud.
The room was silent except for the sound of heavy breathing and the kids' muffled gasps. Despite the dizziness threatening to overwhelm her, Dove forced herself forward, the bat still gripped tightly in her hands. Her vision narrowed, and she found herself standing over Billy, her chest heaving with fury and adrenaline.
She raised the bat above her head, her knuckles whitening with the force of her grip. "From now on," she said, her voice trembling but firm, "you leave all of us alone. Do you understand?"
Billy's eyes fluttered open, his lips twitching into a weak, defiant sneer. "Screw you," he muttered, his voice slurred but still dripping with venom.
Dove's entire body shook with rage. Without hesitation, she brought the bat down hard. The nails scraped the floor, stopping just inches from his crotch. The sharp clang of the bat hitting the ground sent a jolt through the room.
Dove ripped the bat back up, the motion sending a jarring shock through her arms. Her voice broke as she yelled, raw and unrestrained, "Do you understand?!"
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. She dropped the bat with a loud clatter, the adrenaline still surging through her veins. Her gaze snapped to Steve, and her heart twisted painfully at the sight. He was laying on the floor, his face swollen and bloodied from Billy's relentless assault. His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, but otherwise he wasn't moving.
"Steve.." Dove's voice was barely more than a whisper as she scrambled to his side, her knees hitting the ground hard. Panic clawed at her chest as she hovered over him, her trembling hand reaching toward his face. Her fingers stopped just short of touching him, the bruises and cuts on his skin making her hesitate.
Her own head throbbed, her cheek stung where blood trickled from the gash left by the glass, but those pains felt distant—irrelevant. The memory of Steve standing up to Billy, putting himself in harm's way for them, flashed through her mind. A lump rose in her throat, threatening to choke her.
"Steve," she whispered again, her voice pleading. She let out a shaky breath and gently brushed the hair away from his face, careful not to touch the swollen bruises that marred his skin.
Behind her, Max moved quietly, her sharp eyes flicking to Billy's unconscious form sprawled on the ground. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her chest tightening with emotions she didn't dare show. Slowly, she knelt beside him, her movements hesitant but deliberate. Her hand slipped into the pocket of his jeans, her fingers brushing against the cool metal of his car keys. She froze for a moment, her gaze darting toward Dove, who was still entirely focused on Steve.
Max bit her lip, her resolve hardening, and pulled the keys free. Clenching them tightly in her fist, she stood and stepped back, her knuckles white around the jagged edges. "Let's get out of here," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the heavy silence.
The room stilled as everyone turned toward her. Their gazes shifted from Max to Dove, unspoken questions hanging in the air. Dustin's worried eyes lingered on his sister, her figure still hunched over Steve.
"Dove?" Dustin's voice was soft but laced with urgency.
Dove blinked, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She felt their eyes on her, waiting, trusting her to lead. Her chest tightened, but she forced herself to take a breath. Slowly, she looked up, meeting their expectant faces. "Grab what we need," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos swirling inside her. "We're finishing this."
That was all the encouragement they needed. The kids sprang into action, their movements quick and efficient. Max stuffed her newly claimed keys into her jacket pocket, her gaze flicking to Billy one last time before she turned to help. Dustin grabbed the nearest bag, slinging it over his shoulder as Mike gathered whatever supplies they could find scattered around the house.
"Lucas, help me," Dove called softly, her voice steady but laced with urgency as she knelt beside Steve.
Lucas immediately hurried to her side. Together, they carefully lifted Steve, his body limp and heavy between them. Each step toward the car felt painstakingly slow, the cool night air biting at their skin as they carried him across the driveway.
Max fumbled with the keys, her hands shaking slightly, but she managed to unlock the back door. Dove and Lucas maneuvered Steve into the backseat as gently as they could. His head lolled to the side before Dove slid in beside him, positioning him carefully with his head in her lap. The metallic tang of blood lingered in the air, mixing with the chill of the night.
Dustin slid into the seat beside her, his arms loaded with supplies he had hastily grabbed from the house. He handed Dove a damp washcloth, an ice pack, and a handful of bandages—decorated with cartoon characters and bright, childish designs.
Dove gave him a small, grateful smile as she took the washcloth and pressed it against one of Steve's cuts. Dustin didn't say anything at first, just watching her work. Then, without a word, he opened one of the brightly colored bandages and carefully placed it over the cut on Dove's cheek.
She froze for a moment, startled by the gesture. Dustin's usual smirk was absent, replaced by a rare softness as he smoothed the edges of the bandage. "You and Steve aren't the only ones who gets to play hero, you know," he said, his voice quiet but teasing.
Dove let out a soft chuckle, despite the ache in her chest. "Thanks, Dustin."
Steve stirred slightly, his head shifting in her lap, but he remained unconscious. His breathing was slow and shallow as Dove pressed the ice pack gently against his swollen eye, her movements careful and precise.
Max climbed into the driver's seat, fumbling with the unfamiliar controls of Billy's car. She glanced over her shoulder at Dove, her eyes scanning the scene in the backseat. "You good?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual, tentative as if she could feel the weight of Dove's worry.
Dove nodded, though her heart felt heavy in her chest. "I'll be fine," she said softly, though she wasn't entirely sure if she believed it. "Let's do this."
As the car engine roared to life, the others piled in quickly, the cramped space filled with the quiet hum of nervous energy. Tension mounted almost immediately as Max and Lucas began bickering over which direction to go, their voices rising in frustration as they argued over the map spread across Lucas' lap.
Dove barely registered the argument, her entire focus on Steve as he began to stir beside her. His brow furrowed, and he groaned softly, his body shifting slightly in her lap. The sight sent a wave of relief crashing over her, though it didn't quell the ache in her chest. Carefully, she placed a small rainbow bandage over the cut on his chin, her fingers steady as she pressed it into place. She adjusted the ice pack against his temple, leaning closer as his eyes began to flutter open.
"Hey, buddy," Dustin chimed in from his seat beside them, leaning over 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 eyes drifted to Dove, his brow furrowing as he took in the colorful bandage on her cheek. Instinctively, his hand reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her face before he winced, the movement sending a fresh wave of pain through his body. "Are you okay?" he asked as his hand fell back to his chest.
Dove blinked, caught off guard. "Am I—? Steve, you're the one who got your face rearranged," she said, her voice soft but incredulous. "I'm fine."
Steve groaned softly, his head still resting in Dove's lap. "You jinxed me," he muttered, his voice laced with pain but carrying a hint of sarcasm.
Dove frowned, confused. "What are you talking about?"
His eyes flicked up to hers, a weak grin tugging at the corner of his bruised mouth. "You said if Billy and I got into a fight, I'd lose. Guess you were right."
Dove couldn't help but let out a small laugh, though the sound was tinged with concern. "I didn't jinx you, Steve. That's just.. common sense."
Steve gave her a pained smile, but it quickly faltered as his eyes darted around the interior of the car. His brow furrowed, confusion giving way to alarm as he spotted Max behind the wheel.
"Wait a second," 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. "She's driven before."
"Yeah, in a parking lot." Mike muttered from beside them.
"That counts!" Dustin shot back.
Steve's panic rose visibly, his breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. His eyes darted wildly between Max and the road, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of the seat. "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 just 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 pressed heavily against the gas 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's chest rose and fell in uneven breaths as he glanced up at Dove. Her steady hands adjusted the ice pack against his head, her expression calm and focused despite the chaos surrounding them. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly as he locked onto her gaze. "Are you sure?" Steve muttered, his voice low, his eyes flicking between her face and the road ahead.
Dove nodded firmly, though her heart was still pounding from the jolt of the crash. "I'm sure. The only thing in danger here is the US Postal Service."
Steve's eyes darted to the road ahead, his breath finally slowing as he tried to collect himself. "Okay," he muttered, his voice still tinged with panic. "But if I die, I'm haunting all of you."
"Nobody's dying," Dove said firmly, her hand gently brushing his shoulder as she adjusted the ice pack on his head.
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. "You look like shit."
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. "Shut up," he mumbled. 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 as he took a shaky step forward. He glared 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 fueling his irritation. "Hey! Are you deaf? I'm talking to you!"
Dove sighed, watching his frustration mount, recognizing the protective instincts driving him. Steve wasn't used to being ignored—especially not when danger loomed so close.
"You're not going down there," Steve insisted, stepping in front of the trunk and planting himself firmly in their path.
Max rolled her eyes, shoving a flashlight into her pocket. "We don't need your permission, Steve. Dove already agreed to go with us."
Steve's head snapped toward Dove, his face a mix of disbelief and frustration. "You what?" he asked, his voice sharp.
Dove crossed her arms, meeting his glare with a steady gaze. "They were gonna go with or without us," she said firmly, reaching into the trunk to grab Steve's bat. She held it out to him, her eyes steady. "So if you want to keep us safe, gear up."
Steve stared at her, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. His gaze shifted from her face to the bat she held, his frustration warring with the undeniable logic of her statement. After a long beat, he let out a sharp exhale and snatched the bat from her hands.
"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 a bandana and a pair of goggles. "Sorry, King Steve, I'm coaching this play." she said, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Steve rolled his eyes as he took the bandana and goggles, muttering under his breath, "When did you become the fearless leader?"
Dove gave him a pointed look. "When you got yourself beat to a pulp."
Steve's jaw tightened, and he let out an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, well, let's hope your coaching skills are better than your bedside manner," he shot back, though there was a glimmer of amusement on his face.
Dove smirked as she adjusted a pair of goggles over her eyes. "Guess you'll have to wait and see."
"Guys, are we doing this or not?" Mike called impatiently from ahead, waving his flashlight to catch their attention. Max, Lucas, and Mike were waiting near the enterance to the tunnels, their faces tense with anticipation.
Dove grabbed her bat and slung a bag over her shoulder, giving Steve a knowing glance. "Try to keep up, Harrington." Without waiting for a response, she turned and started walking toward the others.
Steve shook his head, muttering under his breath as he fell into step behind her. "She gets one good line in and suddenly she's the boss."
Dustin smirked from beside him, the beam of his flashlight bouncing as he walked. "Pretty sure she's been the boss since the moment she showed up, dude."
Steve shot Dustin a look, his lips twitching like he wanted to argue but couldn't quite find the words. Instead, he adjusted his grip on his bat and quickened his pace, his footsteps crunching against the gravel as he moved ahead of Dustin.