February 22, 1986
The living room was filled with the sound of giggles and playful chatter, the dim glow of the television casting flickering shadows across the walls. On the screen, Sixteen Candles played, and a small group of Dove's cheer squad friends were sprawled out on the couch and floor, munching on popcorn and candy.
Chrissy Cunningham, the cheer captain, sat cross-legged on the floor near Dove's feet, her warm, easy smile lighting up the room. As captain, Chrissy was naturally upbeat and supportive, but it was her genuine kindness that made her such a good friend. She'd been spending a lot of time at Dove's house lately, and the two had built a bond that felt effortless, like they'd known each other for years.
Next to Chrissy was Sarah Wright, a tall, lanky girl with a sarcastic sense of humor and an infectious laugh. Sarah's parents owned a pumpkin patch just outside of town, and she often joked about being "the queen of pumpkins." She had a laid-back attitude but was fiercely loyal to her friends. Dove and Sarah clicked easily, though an unsettling memory surfaced when Dove had given Sarah a ride home one evening. As Dove pulled into the Wright family's farm, she realized it was the same place she had entered the Upside Down tunnels over a year ago.
Kim Abernathy was sprawled out on the couch, her legs draped over the armrest as she lazily flipped through a magazine, occasionally tossing out sarcastic comments that had the group laughing. She carried herself with an easy confidence, her sharp wit and bold personality often making her the center of attention. On the mat, Kim was fiercely competitive, but off it, she was lighthearted and knew how to have fun.
Even so, Dove couldn't completely relax around her. Kim's father—once Dove's boss at the law office—had been exposed and sent to prison, and Dove had played a significant role in his downfall. Kim didn't know that, of course, but the knowledge sat heavy in Dove's chest every time they were in the same room.
The main reason Dove found herself drawn to Chrissy, Sarah, and Kim was simple—they were the only ones who didn't look at her like she was some kind of anomaly. Ever since she'd been branded the lone survivor of the "Starcourt Mall Massacre", she'd felt the weight of every stare, every whispered word behind her back. It was suffocating, like the town itself had wrapped her in a web of morbid fascination, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't escape it.
But with these three girls, it was different. They didn't press her for details or treat her like some fragile, untouchable thing. Instead, they treated her like Dove—just Dove.
It was one of the few things keeping her grounded, but even their friendship couldn't make her feel at ease in Hawkins. The constant reminders of what she'd been through—the pitying looks, the whispers, the unsolicited casseroles from strangers—were becoming too much. She was more than ready to leave it all behind.
College was her way out, and she clung to that hope like a lifeline. Her top choice was Notre Dame, and every time she thought about it, a mix of nerves and excitement churned in her stomach. She was expecting her admissions letter within the next couple of months, and the thought of finally being somewhere new, somewhere free from the weight of Hawkins, was the only thing keeping her going some days.
Dove was pulled out of her thoughts by Dustin's exaggerated groan from the other end of the couch. "This is so ridiculous," he muttered, throwing his hands in the air for emphasis.
The girls erupted into laughter, and Chrissy leaned over, grinning at him. "What now, Dustin?" she asked, her voice teasing.
Dustin pointed at the screen with a dramatic flourish. "Jake Ryan just leaves his girlfriend at the party to go after another girl? Who does that? Is it supposed to be romantic?"
Sarah snorted, tossing a piece of popcorn at him. "It's a movie, Dustin. Just let it be cheesy."
"Yeah," Kim added with a smirk. "Not everything has to make sense, you know."
Dustin crossed his arms, his scowl deepening. "It's not cheesy, it's lazy storytelling."
Dove chuckled, nudging him with her foot. "You know the rules, Dusty-bun. It's my birthday, I get to pick."
Dustin groaned loudly, muttering something about "birthday privileges" under his breath as he slumped further into the couch. Just then, the phone rang, and Dustin practically leapt up, clearly eager for an excuse to escape the movie.
"I'll get it!" he shouted, dashing out of the living room.
The girls all exchanged amused glances, but their attention snapped to Dustin when his voice floated back into the room, dripping with annoyance. "She's busy."
Dove frowned, leaning over the arm of the couch. "Who is it?" she called.
"Danny," Dustin replied, his tone sour.
The girls instantly perked up, their laughter bubbling over as they exchanged knowing glances. Chrissy grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Danny? The Danny?"
Sarah nudged Chrissy, raising her eyebrows. "Stanford Danny? Cute Thanksgiving-and-Christmas Danny?"
Dove rolled her eyes at her friends, crossing her arms as she stood up. "Try just a friend Danny," she said firmly, though the heat creeping up her neck betrayed her embarrassment.
Chrissy smirked, sharing a knowing look with Sarah. "Sure, Dove," she teased, her tone light but full of mischief.
Ignoring them, Dove walked into the kitchen, where Dustin was still holding the phone, looking as annoyed as ever. "Finally," he grumbled, thrusting the receiver toward her. "Tell your friend to stop interrupting movie night."
Dove grabbed the phone, giving Dustin a pointed look as he stomped back toward the living room. She sighed, holding the receiver to her ear. "Hey, Danny," she said, trying to sound casual, though the teasing from the other room still lingered in her mind.
"Hey, Dove," Danny's familiar voice came through, warm and slightly playful. "Did I catch you at a bad time?"
"Not exactly," Dove replied, leaning against the counter. "The girls are over and we're watching a movie."
"Then I won't keep you too long," Danny said, his tone warm and easy. "I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Oh, and the Byers say hello. El specifically told me to tell you to have a 'bitchin' birthday.'"
Dove laughed softly, the tension from earlier easing away. "Thanks, Danny. It means a lot. Tell everyone over there that I say hi."
"I will," Danny replied, his voice warm. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it back for your birthday, but I promise I'll make it up to you next time I'm in town."
"Thanks, Danny," she said, her smile lingering. "Talk to you soon."
"See you," Danny replied before the line went dead.
Dove set the receiver down, her hand lingering on it for a moment before she turned back toward the living room, ready to face whatever teasing her friends had waiting for her.
When Dove walked back into the living room, all the girls were staring at her expectantly, their faces alight with curiosity and mischief. She paused in the doorway, already bracing herself for whatever was coming.
Finally, Kim broke the silence, tilting her head with a sly smile. "What did he want?"
Dove rolled her eyes as she moved toward the couch. "Just to wish me a happy birthday," she said casually, reclaiming her spot next to Chrissy.
The girls exchanged knowing glances, their giggles bubbling over in unison.
"It's not like that," Dove said quickly, leaning back into the cushions and crossing her arms.
"Please," Chrissy said with a laugh, leaning in closer. "He called you on your birthday. It's totally 'like that'."
The girls giggled, and Dove rolled her eyes, a blush creeping up her neck. "We're just friends."
"Yeah, right," Kim chimed in, smirking. "Friends don't spend Thanksgiving and Christmas together."
Before Dove could respond, Dustin shot to his feet with a loud groan. "I've had enough of this," he muttered, storming toward his room. "Danny this, Danny that. Ugh!"
The door slammed shut with a force that made everyone in the living room jump slightly. The girls dissolved into another fit of giggles, but Dove's jaw tightened, her amusement fading as she sunk into the couch.
After the sun had set and the living room was cast in flickering shadows from the TV, the girls decided to switch to horror movies. The atmosphere was tense, the room dark except for the glow of the screen and the occasional flash of lightning outside, courtesy of a brewing storm.
All four of them were huddled under a massive blanket, squeezed together on the couch, their eyes glued to the movie. Kim clutched a pillow tightly to her chest, her knuckles white as she peeked over the top of it. Chrissy had her hand wrapped around Dove's arm in a grip so tight that Dove was sure it would leave a bruise.
On the TV, a lone girl was creeping through a dimly lit hallway, her breathing shaky as she called out for her missing friend. The eerie score built in intensity, every note sending a ripple of tension through the room.
Sarah let out a soft squeak, clutching the edge of the blanket as the girl on the screen ignored every instinct and headed directly toward danger. "Why do they always do that?" Sarah whispered, her voice trembling. "Just turn around!"
The sudden, ear-piercing sound of a door creaking in the movie made all four of them flinch. Dove instinctively pulled the blanket tighter around them, her heart racing even though she knew what was coming.
The tension in the room was thick, their collective breaths held as the camera panned closer to the door. And then, with a deafening crash, the jump scare hit.
They all screamed in unison, Kim throwing the pillow into the air, Chrissy nearly climbing onto Dove's lap, and Sarah yanking the blanket over her face.
They all screamed again when a loud knock echoed through the house, cutting through the tense silence like a knife. Kim's hand shot out to grab the pillow again, her grip even tighter than before, and Sarah let out a muffled squeal from beneath the blanket.
Dove chuckled, shaking her head as she stood. Chrissy grabbed her arm, her grip firm. "You're not seriously answering that right now," she hissed, her eyes wide with fear. "Have you learned nothing from this movie?"
"Chrissy," Dove said gently, prying her hand off her arm, "it's just a knock. This is real life, not some slasher flick."
"Famous last words," Kim muttered from the couch, earning a nervous giggle from Sarah.
As Dove started toward the door, Chrissy suddenly yelled, "Wait!"
Dove stopped, turning around to see Chrissy pointing to the aluminum bat propped against the wall by the door. "Grab the bat," Chrissy insisted, her voice a mix of fear and determination.
Dove hesitated, her gaze shifting to the bat—the one she'd used to fend off demodogs over a year ago in the junkyard. "Seriously?" Dove asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes!" Kim interjected from the couch, sitting up straighter. "You need something to fight off the serial killer so the rest of us can escape."
Dove rolled her eyes but reached for the bat, its weight familiar in her hands. "You guys are ridiculous," she said, though her tone was more amused than annoyed.
When she reached the door, her heart raced just a little, but she steeled herself and swung it open. Standing there, illuminated by the porch light, was Steve, looking a bit startled and holding a small gift wrapped in shiny paper.
Dove blinked, momentarily thrown by his presence. Steve's eyes flicked to the bat in her hands, and he raised an eyebrow, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Were you gonna hit me with that?"
Dove stared at him for a second before realizing how ridiculous the scene must have looked. She quickly set the bat down and stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind her. "No," she said, laughing. "We were just watching a horror movie, and.. well, you knocked at the exact wrong moment."
Steve chuckled, glancing at the house behind her. "Horror movie night, huh?"
"Yeah, some of the girls are staying over," Dove said, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe. "So, what's up? It's kinda late."
Steve held up the small gift in his hands, his expression softening slightly. "I just wanted to drop this off. It's your birthday, and I.. I didn't want to miss it."
Dove's heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his voice. She reached out, taking the gift from him gently, her fingers brushing his. "You didn't have to do that."
"I know," Steve said, his hands slipping into his jacket pockets. "But I wanted to."
There was a brief silence between them, the cool night air wrapping around them as they stood on the porch. Dove felt a familiar awkwardness creep in, the same one that had been bubbling between them for months. She held the small, neatly wrapped gift in her hands, feeling a mix of curiosity and a flutter of anticipation.
"Go on," Steve said with a slight smile, nodding toward the gift. "Open it."
Dove carefully peeled back the paper to reveal a small box. Glancing up at Steve, she hesitated, catching the hint of nerves in his expression before looking back down and lifting the lid.
Inside, nestled against a soft velvet lining, was a delicate gold necklace with a small bird charm. The charm gleamed faintly under the porch light, its intricate details catching her eye. Dove's breath hitched as she studied it, the simplicity and elegance of it rendering her momentarily speechless.
Steve shifted on his feet, shoving his hands into his pockets, clearly trying to steady himself. "It, uh.. it made me think of you," he started, his voice faltering slightly. "Because, well.. it's a dove, and that's.. that's your name, so.. yeah."
Dove blinked at him, her lips twitching in amusement as he stumbled over his words. "Steve," she said softly, trying to suppress the smile threatening to break through.
"I know it's not, like, super original or anything," he added quickly, as if trying to salvage his explanation. "But I thought it was, you know.. fitting. Because it's more than just your name. It's you. Like, strong and graceful and.." He trailed off, his cheeks visibly pinking in the dim porch light. "Anyway, I thought you'd like it."
Dove looked down at the necklace again, her fingers brushing lightly over the bird charm. A warmth spread through her chest, his awkward but heartfelt explanation making the gift mean even more.
"I do like it," she said, her voice gentle. "Actually, I love it." She looked up at him, her eyes soft with gratitude. "Thank you, Steve."
His tense posture eased a bit, a small, relieved smile creeping onto his face. "Good. That's.. good."
Dove fiddled with the clasp for a moment, unsure of what to say next. The silence hung between them, not uncomfortable, but heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"I should probably head out," Steve finally said, gesturing toward his car. "Didn't wanna interrupt your party or anything, just.. wanted to make sure you got that."
"Yeah, of course," Dove nodded. "Thanks, Steve. Really."
Steve nodded and as he walked back to his car, Dove stood on the porch for a moment, watching him go. The faint crunch of gravel under his feet was the only sound in the quiet night. She glanced down at the necklace, her thumb brushing over the delicate bird charm. A soft smile tugged at her lips despite herself.
Then, a muffled giggle broke the silence.
She turned sharply toward the window and froze. Her friends were pressed against the glass, barely containing their laughter. Chrissy was waving enthusiastically, while Sarah and Kim grinned like they'd just uncovered the juiciest secret. Dove's cheeks flushed a deep red as realization dawned—they had watched the entire interaction.
"Oh my god," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head. She held up her hands in an exasperated gesture, mouthing, Really?
Chrissy responded by making a heart shape with her hands, and Kim blew her a dramatic kiss, sending the girls into another round of giggles. Dove rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the grin creeping across her face.
As she stepped back inside the living room, she pointed a finger at the group. "Not. One. Word," she warned, though the warmth in her tone betrayed her.
Sarah, still grinning, leaned over with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You've got two hot guys fighting over you? I mean, come on, Dove—what's your secret?"
"No one is fighting over me," Dove said with a small laugh, shaking her head as she sat back on the couch.
Chrissy spoke up now, "What did he give you?"
Dove held up the necklace, trying to play it cool despite the heat rising to her cheeks. "Just a birthday gift. It's no big deal."
"No big deal?" Chrissy laughed, nudging Dove. "It looked like a big deal from where I was standing."
Sarah leaned in closer, squinting at the delicate bird as it caught the light. "Is that supposed to be a dove?" She carefully grabbed the necklace from Dove's hand to get a better look, "Bit on the nose isn't it?"
Kim nudged Sarah with her elbow, smirking. "Be nice," she said, her tone half-scolding but mostly amused.
Sarah shrugged, handing the necklace back to Dove. "It was thoughtful of him," she admitted, giving Dove a small smile. "I mean, it's cute."
Kim leaned forward, her smirk widening. "Thoughtful and romantic," she corrected, her voice dripping with playful emphasis.
Dove groaned, slipping the necklace into her pocket as if hiding it would end the conversation. "There is nothing romantic between me and Steve," she said firmly, though the redness creeping up her neck betrayed her.
Kim raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Sure," she said, dragging the word out.
Dove shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her mind flashing to Steve's confession a few months ago. She crossed her arms, as if shielding herself from the memory. "It's not like that," she said, her voice firmer than she intended.
Her friends, however, were unfazed.
Sarah grinned, tossing a piece of popcorn into her mouth. "Good, because I'm team Danny," she said casually. "He's smart, he's cute, and you have a bunch in common. Total package."
Kim rolled her eyes dramatically. "Gross. Team Steve all the way," she countered, pointing a finger at Sarah like she was declaring war. "For one, he's in Hawkins and long-distance never works out. For two, he is super close with her brother. I mean, he's literally here almost every weekend."
Dove groaned, slumping further into the couch. "This isn't a debate," she mumbled, though the blush creeping up her neck made it clear she wasn't as unaffected as she pretended to be. "There are no teams. I'm not interested in either of them."
The girls ignored her entirely, launching into a spirited argument about the pros and cons of Steve versus Danny. Chrissy even chimed in, playing peacemaker between Sarah and Kim, though her occasional giggles betrayed how much fun she was having.
Dove shook her head, smiling despite herself. Even though their teasing got under her skin, there was a part of her that felt.. flattered?
As their voices buzzed around her, Dove found herself absently fiddling with the necklace still tucked into her pocket. Despite her best efforts, her thoughts drifted to both Steve and Danny, the confusion knotting her stomach tighter.
Dove's eyes fluttered open and she glanced around the dimly lit living room, seeing her friends sprawled out on the couch and floor, fast asleep. The faint red glow of the sunrise seeped through the windows, painting the walls in an eerie, otherworldly hue. Dove rubbed her eyes, yawning softly, and stood up, carefully stepping over Kim's outstretched legs and the pile of blankets on the floor.
She made her way toward the kitchen, the faint creaks of the floorboards beneath her feet the only sound in the stillness. She wasn't even fully awake, the haze of sleep still clinging to her as she stepped into the hallway. But then, her foot met something wet, and an icy chill raced up her spine.
Dove froze, staring down at her bare foot. The crimson smudge on the hardwood glistened faintly in the strange red light. Her heart pounded in her chest as her eyes followed the trail—small, dark drops of blood leading down the hallway.
Straight toward Dustin's room.
Her breath caught in her throat. The world around her seemed to tilt, the red light growing brighter, harsher. Her legs moved forward without her permission, as if drawn to the source of the blood.
Dove's hand trembled as it hovered over Dustin's doorknob, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She wanted to turn and run, to bolt back into the living room and shake her friends awake, but her body didn't listen. Her fingers closed around the cold metal knob, and the door creaked open.
The sight inside made her knees buckle.
Dart stood in the center of the room, his slimy, grotesque body glistening in the crimson glow. His gaping mouth was stretched wide, rows of razor-sharp teeth tearing into flesh. Blood soaked the floor, pooling around Dustin's lifeless body. His chest was ripped open, a grotesque cavity where his heart should have been, his ribs exposed like broken cage bars.
Dustin's wide, blank eyes stared up at her, unseeing. His face was pale, drained of life, his lips parted slightly as if he were frozen mid-breath.
Dove's hand flew to her mouth, her stomach lurching as bile rose in her throat. She tried to scream, to shout his name, but no sound came out. It was as if the air had been sucked from her lungs, leaving her frozen and voiceless in the doorway.
Dart paused, lifting his head from Dustin's chest, his maw dripping with blood and gore. Dove's legs felt like lead, her feet rooted to the ground as the creature let out a guttural screech, its jaws snapping open wide, revealing the grotesque flower she had almost managed to rid her mind of.
The shadows in the room began to shift, closing in around her like a living, breathing entity. The red light dimmed, flickering as if the world itself were unraveling. Dart lunged toward her, tackling her to the ground, her head hitting the floor with an audible crack.
Dove jolted awake, her chest heaving, her heart pounding like a drum. The living room was silent except for the soft snores of her friends, the television screen frozen on the credits of the movie they had fallen asleep to.
She sat there for a moment, her trembling hands clutching the blanket tightly, trying to steady her breathing. It was still dark outside, the faint glow of the moon casting long shadows through the windows. The living room was eerily quiet, her friends' soft breaths the only sound as they slept peacefully, oblivious to her panic. Dove stood, her legs shaky but determined, careful not to disturb them as she tiptoed toward the hallway.
Her heart pounded in her chest, every step feeling heavier than the last. She reached the hallway and hesitated, her breath hitching as she glanced down. The floor was clean—no blood, no smeared trails leading to Dustin's room. Relief flickered through her, but it wasn't enough to chase away the lingering unease clawing at her mind.
She needed to see for herself. Needed to know.
Padding quietly, her bare feet cold against the floor, Dove made her way toward Dustin's door. The familiar creak of the floorboards sent shivers up her spine, her pulse quickening as she approached. Her hand hesitated over the doorknob, the memory of her nightmare fresh in her mind—the blood, Dart, Dustin's pale, lifeless face.
Swallowing hard, she took a deep breath and turned the knob. The door swung open with a soft creak, revealing the dimly lit room. Her eyes darted around, searching for any sign that her nightmare might have bled into reality.
There was nothing. No blood, no Dart. Just Dustin, sprawled across his bed with his walkie clutched loosely in his hand, snoring softly. His hair was a mess, his face peaceful, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm.
Dove let out a shaky breath she hadn't realized she was holding, relief washing over her like a wave. She leaned against the doorframe, pressing a hand to her chest as her heart began to slow. It was just a dream, she told herself, just a twisted product of her mind. Dustin was fine. Everything was fine.
The threat was gone—the Upside Down, the Mind Flayer, all of it. It was behind them now, sealed off and left to rot where it belonged. She repeated that to herself like a mantra, forcing the thought to take root. There were no more monsters, no more creeping darkness waiting to strike, no reason for her to feel this way. Dustin was safe, her family and friends were safe, and Hawkins was quiet for the first time in years. Everything was back to normal.