strangerficsx

[strangerficsx]

Prologue 4

Story: Midnight Rain WC: 3.7k Jennifer is finally moved to California, and in with a random roommate, who she didn't fully trust. However, she is unaware of the terror approaching Hawkins as she later returns to Hawkins which she dreaded for the longest time, saving the word.... again.

[a/n: all characters, plot, etc. are not mine. The only thing I own is my original character. credit to gif owner.]

{ November 4, 1984 }

Author's point of view.

With a lifeless Phoebe laying on the ground, the air was filled with silence. A stranger appears, kneeling and examines the body. Without hesitation the male check for a pulse with his two fingers resting against the skin of Phoebe's neck. Her pulse is weak as be begins performing CPR. After a few attempts, her eyes flutter open. She begins a coughing fit, looking around panicked prior to seeing the male above her. Phoebe's chest rises and falls heavily, cursing. Pain seeped into her frail body whilst he helps her up and away towards Hawkins Memorial hospital.

The doctor's wheel her into a surgical room where she will stay for the next few hours before getting transferred to a recovery room. An unconscious phoebe's body settles in the bed beneath her. A heart monitor beats rhythmically beside her, her arms bandaged, her face bruised and scratched. Eventually, Phoebe gains consciousness as she begins panicking, unaware that she is safe and is getting the help she needs. Phoebe tries to speak, but all she can do is gurgle and whimper. She pushes the nurse's button, afraid she might die.

Soon a nurse responds, removing the tube from her mouth as she heaves. "Wh-Where am I?"

"You're in the hospital. You were attacked,"

"By what?"

"A wolf, maybe? There were unusual bites, but you're safe now. Is there anything you'd like?"

"Yeah, c-can you call The Byers residence, please?"

The nurse nods, stepping out the room as Phoebe lays her head against the pillow behind her. She had no idea that there was no one at home, but that didn't stop the joy from filling her body. The nurse returns with a sad yet soft look. "I couldn't get a hold of anyone."

Those word hurt Phoebe deep down, knowing that they were probably busy fighting those creatures that attacked her. But what if they were in trouble? So many thoughts ran through her tired mind as she eventually dozed off without realizing it.

~~

After a couple weeks in the hospital, Phoebe was discharged, not knowing where to go. She stumbled through the town of Hawkins as people around her stared at her unpleasantly, but she continued and made it to the Henderson residence where she steps up to a bedroom window, peaking through. She watches Jennifer rummage through belongings that were shared with Phoebe as tears streaming down her best friends cheeks, knowing that her "death" hit the brunette hard. Phoebe had hot tears prick at her eyes as she continues on.

Is she gonna be okay knowing that her own best friend is heartbroken?

Phoebe holds her hand against her stomach, feeling the patch that lies against her healing wound. She needed a place to stay as she continued on, walking towards Maple Street. She sees the two story house in the distance as she continues toward the front door. Stepping on the front porch, she rings the doorbell as a brunette answers. Nancy Wheeler.

"Phoebe? I thought... I thought you died. That's what Jennifer told me at the Hawkins Laboratory."

"I did, yes, but was helped and went to the hospital for two months. I hate, uh, to ask this but do you have any extra clothing I could borrow till I have my own?"

"Yes, come on. My mom and I have a bunch of clothes in storage."

"Nancy?" Mrs. Wheeler called. "Who's at the door?"

"Oh, uh, it's just Jennifer. She came by to check up on me cause of what's happening on the news."

"Oh, okay."

Nancy quickly leads Phoebe up the stairs and into her bedroom. She takes off her dirty shoes, and clothing as the blonde gets handed some new clothes. She quickly throws them on before looking Nancy in the eyes.

"Don't tell Jennifer I was here, okay? I don't want her to know--"

"That you're alive?! You should tell her."

"No, no, no, I can't. Not yet...at least. Give me the next year to process my plan, OK? Please, don't say anything about me, not even where I was."

"Okay, I swear not to tell her, jeez."

Phoebe leaves quickly, swiftly stepping down the steps before leaving the Wheeler house entering the dimly lit neighborhood. She heads for her grandfather's hunting cabin, a place she hasn't been for many years as she hopes and prays someone will be there. And sure enough, her father was there stepping out of the wooden refuge, locking up.

"Dad,"

The tall male stiffened up, arms dropping to his sides before turning his head slowly. They made eye contact with each other as he hurriedly runs down the few steps and toward his daughter, scooping her in his arms. Phoebe wraps her arms around his waist, sobbing into his shirt.

"Oh, my girl, my beautiful girl."

"D-Dad, I'm here."

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Lost,"

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. You could've called me for help. The police station would've helped too."

"I-I know, Dad. I didn't want to scare anyone."

"I was scared, thinking you were dead." He sobs.

Phoebe held onto him tightly. Her face buried in his chest, weeping. They stand there for a long while before she pulls away from her father, looking him in his teary eyes. She could tell he was in pain as she was in pain too.

How does she explain that Hopper's little girl died and came back to life?

He brings her into the cabin, sitting at the small table in the kitchen. They sit opposite of each other. Phoebe clears her throat, sniffling.

"What happened?" He asks.

"Well, when I was in the junk yard with Steve Harrington and Jennifer Henderson, and the kids and I got scared, and ran away. Without thinking, I kept running unaware of the creatures -- the demodogs. And, t-they attacked me." She stops, sniffling. Her voice became shaky. "I died, technically. Somehow, someone found me. They brought me back, and took me to Hawkins Memorial. But here I am, Dad. I'm here. And I promise to be here, if you promise to be here with me."

"I promise,"

He brings his daughter into his arms after she stepped onto the wooden planks. It creaked beneath her foot. And they kept those promises until the unthinkable happened later in 1985.

~~

{ the journal of phoebe hopper - 1985}

Phoebe sits, hunched over a table at the food court, writing in her notebook.

'Today is June 30, 1985 and here I sit in Starcourt Mall by myself drowning in the dark thoughts that cloud my mind.

Across sat various shops as one keeps me distracted: Scoops Ahoy. The place where Jennifer Henderson works at. She still doesn't know where I am or what I am doing since the last time she saw me was when I died a year ago.

My father has kept me a secret from everyone we knew. As I hope no one reveals that I had survived being attacked by monstrous creatures in the junkyard, I will keep fighting and one day I will reveal to my best friend where I was and what I did for a year.

I sit here, trying to process the right things to do or say, not wanting to be a stalker when it came to spying on my best friend. But to others it looks like it, as I try to keep low. Most people knew about my death, but many didn't know I came back from the dead and am haunting Hawkins.

To Jennifer, I hope you understand why I am doing this. This is for your own good. Its so I can process what happened, and to try and figure out how to make things right after you find me.

And someday you will just not at the moment. Jennifer Henderson, wait for me in '86. I'll make sure to explain everything.'

She closes her notebook as she rises walking away from the table, leaving the mall and never looking back. Throughout the summer of '85, she felt as if the world was about to end. Phoebe had nothing to go off of, if her friends were okay, if her dad was alright. Unfortunately, her father kept the promise all the way to July 4. The day her father perished under Starcourt Mall.

———

Days turned into weeks...

...Weeks turned into months...

...Months turned into a year...

The current year is 1986, and the blonde had no intention searching for her best friend, and gave up. Things to her were different, she hid from everyone still in her father's cabin in the woods, as Phoebe knew her dad was never coming back, so she is left to attend a damaged cabin herself from the events of last year. She didn't know what broke the ceiling, but thought it was a fallen tree that had been ran into and has been removed since, but she was way off.

The few things she wasn't aware of was that a creature from the another dimension is terrorizing students, a freak being blamed for the murder of a cheerleader, a girl trying to fight off the terror of a horrific event, the byers family moving to another state, her father being captured by russians, and so much more.

Today was March 20 as she read on the news paper she had came across on her trip into downtown Hawkins to retrieve more groceries. Phoebe fell into a dark state of depression, but continued as she was coming to terms with confronting Jennifer.

And that was what she planned on doing, she will do it in the next few days...

Her story begins again.

~~~

Somewhere else in hawkins...

{ August 1, 1985 }

Jennifer walks away, forcing her tears back as she steps toward the door, grabbing her coat that laid against the peg of the coat rack. She slides on her jacket before picking her keys from her pocket before walking out the door, shutting it behind her. Hot tears pour from her eyes. Jennifer puts the keys in the ignition as she starts the engine. Driving, she wipes away droplets of salty water, but the tears keep coming, staining the delicate skin of her cheeks.

Jennifer stops beside Steve's house, eyeing his driveway as she pulls herself together and enters the pavement. She puts the car in park, stepping out as she closes the door behind her. Jennifer approached his front door, hesitant to knock before going through with it. She knocks then stood there as she waited, the door opening to reveal Steve. He stood wearing his Family Video attire, concern plastered on his face when he saw Jennifer's tear stained cheeks.

"What brings you here, Jen? I thought you left for UC-Berkeley."

"I'm heading there now, I got my car back and now I'm driving there. But first, I wanted to see you and say goodbye."

Steve's shoulders dropped, a certain expression forms as it's unreadable to Jennifer. He almost avoids eye contact with her, glancing towards the ground then back at her, concerned. Without saying anything, she steps forward, planting her lips on his. After a few seconds, she pulls away. He quickly brings Jennifer's lips back to his, picking her up and closing the door.

Steve brings her into his kitchen, sitting her on the counter top and using his hands to unbutton her blouse, sliding it off her shoulders. He lips then collide with Jennifer's neck, making her lean her head back slightly. She quickly pulls off his vest, throwing it to the floor before moving to the hem of his tucked in shirt. They break apart long enough for Jennifer to slide Steve's shirt over his head, letting go of the fabric. Her hand runs down his bare chest, the hair pricks at her fingertips. He kicks his shoes off, bringing Jennifer to lay on the counter so he can pull her shoes off in one tug. He proceeds, sliding his hands up her covered legs, tugging at the button of her jeans. He basically slips them down with no problem, letting go. She wraps her arms around his waist before feeling her legs move under her, following Steve to his couch.

Jennifer pulls away as she pushes him against the fabric seat. She climbs on top of Steve, straddling his lap as she grinds against him. He lets out a deep groan, resting his hands on her hips. 

“Ah, shit.” Steve curses before grabbing your waist and effortlessly throwing you lightly on the sofa before he hovers over you, looking you up and down.

He leans down and presses his lips against hers, grinding against her center. Steve pulls himself away, sliding his underwear down. His finger hooks the hem of Jennifer's panties, swiftly sliding them off within seconds before entering her. She bites on her lip and grips his back, digging her nails into the flesh of his toned back as he bucks his hips, causing friction. Steve’s lips brush against the curve of Jennifer's neck, pampering her with soft kisses. He pulls away to adjust himself, bringing her closer, leaning forward as his hands rest on both sides of her head. He places a couple kisses on Jennifer's lips and cheek before burying his head in the nape of her neck before looking down then moaning softly.

The pressure inside begins to build as Jennifer begins to whimper under him, moaning his name. He goes deeper as her head leans back, closing her eyes and enjoying the penetration between her legs. Steve groans as he scrunches his nose, biting lip. Jennifer stares at his eyes then lips and begin to sit up and kiss him, but she feels the knot in her stomach loosen rather quickly.

The two of them quickly move positions, him pulling out before sitting bare on the seat. She sits oppositely on his lap, slowly sliding it inside her. Steve grabs her hips and begins grinding them against his. Their moans mix together, creating a symphony as she feels herself getting closer, knowing he likely is too. Steve presses his lips against her bare shoulder, removing one hand and snaking it around. He gropes her breast.

"S-Steve, I think,"

"Me too,"

Within seconds, they come together as her thighs tense up before jerking slightly. Jennifer's head falls back, leaning on Steve's shoulder, panting. His hands rest against her thighs before she moves, basically falling on the couch. She quickly finds her clothes before dressing herself whilst Steve does the same. They walk toward his front door as she opens it, stepping out before Steve stops her.

"Jennifer,"

"What?"

"Are we still together?"

"Yeah, we are. No cheating, okay Harrington?"

"Sure, yeah. Got it. No cheating."

"Steve,"

"I won't cheat, I promise."

Jennifer stops in her tracks, glancing back at Steve. She turns and presses her lips against his.

His hands cup her face, staying there longer than a few seconds. After a while, they lean their faces against each other as Jennifer bites her bottom lip nervously.

"I love you," She whispers.

"I love you too," He murmured.

Jennifer pulls away, and steps toward her vehicle as tears prick at her eyes. She flashes him one last smile. However, it was a sad leer. She opens her door and slides in the driver's seat, shutting it before starting the car before driving off. She makes her way down the road, speeding past the sign that says now leaving Hawkins, Indiana.

Keeping her eyes on the road, she sobs quietly as the song Every Breath You Take by on the radio. It makes her even more sad as she shuts it off, not wanting to hear anything that reminded her of Steve or anyone else she was leaving.

{ January - February 1986 }

Classes were a struggle to Jennifer since she had the urge to leave for spring break since it was approaching quickly. She found the courage to buy a plane ticket since she had enough after saving up from working at nearby movie theater, where she fills buckets of popcorn and cleans up after people when the movies end. In Jennifer's life, there was no fun.

However, she found a support group that was hosting every day in the afternoons, so she decided to go.

Most of her time was either spent in the program for people who lost someone important to them, or college or work. That was her therapy. She also attended because she's been having problems drinking and smoking, afraid her friends and boyfriend may judge.

With worry, she didn't say anything and kept quiet. The only thing she told her mom was that she was working hard and saving money to return for Hawkins during spring break, and to tell people that she's okay. She wanted to explain things to Steve, but was hesitant.

{ Friday, March 20, 1986 - Saturday, March 21, 1986 }

It's been almost two years since Phoebe passed away in 1984, and she has never been better. After seeing a shrink for the last few months (after the violence and terror at Starcourt Mall), Jennifer has been able to cope with her emotions toward the PTSD. Now happy as well, she's hoping this year -- this spring break won't bring anymore surprises from the Upside Down.

Not after the last three years; from Will going missing to battling demodogs, to a spider-like creature at The Starcourt Mall. She is able to put her stress aside.

Today, though, Jennifer returned to her previous life in Hawkins.

She entered the airport with her bags in hand as well as her plane ticket that reads departure to Hawkins, Indiana -- flight time 8:30PM. Arrival 12:30 AM. She wasn't thrilled about the times, but that was the only ticket available since all other flights were sold out.

Four hours after arriving in Hawkins, she stepped out and felt the air. It was tense to her as she looked at her watch. It read 12:47 AM, and here she is, standing in an empty car port, waiting for someone to get her. Suddenly, her mother pulls up . Jennifer tosses her baggage in the backseat as she enters the passenger seat, sliding her seatbelt on.

The following day, Jennifer was bright and early so she can make sure that she looks just right to surprise Steve. She made her way out and toward Family Video, where she stood almost hesitant. Jennifer forces her leg forward, stepping inside the video store.

At the counter, Steve and Robin are too busy to notice as she says hello to them.

"We'll be with you in just a sec," Robin says.

Jennifer steps up to the counter, waiting for someone to notice her. Steve glances at her then what he was doing before making a double take, looking toward her with excitement rise. He hops the counter swiftly, making his way toward her. They bring each other into a hug, holding one another close before pulling away and planting his lips on hers.

A few seconds later, she pulls back, hands resting on his chest as they smile at each other. He stands with his arms crossed and Robin gives the brunette a serious look. Robin notices, hugging Jennifer as well.

"For some reason, something brought me back to Hawkins, and here I am."

"You came here for your super good looking boyfriend."

"What's going on with you? How's school going? Anything new?" Robin cuts in, shifting her stance but this time her arms are folded against her chest.

"Its..." She trails off. "It's good, studied hard and managed to save up enough money to come back to Hawkins."

Jennifer gave them a wide grin.

They all stood there before approaching the counter. She swallows as the corners of her mouth mouth dips into a frown. Her eyes lower to the floor, trying to find the right words to say.

"That's good. Anything else going on?"

"I've been getting help for my problems. I fell into dark depression, and went to an emotional support group, or group therapy." Jennifer fesses up about her issues.

"What?" Robin and Steve ask in unison. Steve was mostly worried, but Robin, she wasn't sure how to respond.

"Yeah,"

"Jesus Christ, Jen. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to worry anyone and thought no one cared since everyone had their own problems, and I was in California."

"I think we all share each other's problems. Especially last year when we fought the spider creature at Starcourt."

"Yeah, and you and me, especially. We've been through fighting a demogorgon, demodogs, the mind flayer, and your friend dying plus the spider creature."

"Okay, well, you both can get back to work and just forget I told you guys this?"

The two nodded as Robin got to work, but Steve stood there and stared at her. "I am happy you're back, Jennifer. However, please tell me what's going on next time. No more secrets, ok?"

"Yes," She plants her lips on his, stepping back as he turns and walks away.

She stepped through the store, glancing at the various tapes on the shelves. Some of them were recently released films, however, none she was familiar with since most of the movies were new to her.

Jennifer enters the back of the store and pulls out a VHS tape that reads Nightmare on Elm Street Part II: Freddy's Revenge. She was originally supposed to go see it sometime, but never got the chance to since she was swamped with tests and working late night shifts at the movie theater. She carefully sets it back on the shelf, walking toward a nearby shelf, browsing through the tapes carefully, reading the backs of each tape.

She turns her head, glancing at Steve, who talks to a girl as he shows her various VHS tapes. Ever since she moved, things have been awkward between the two. But since she's back, things felt like she was here for the last year.

That night, things began to feel different.

It felt uneasy for Jennifer as she stepped into her house. Shutting the door behind her, the brunette makes her way towards her bedroom where she dresses from her day clothes to pajamas. Jennifer removes her makeup and unpins her hair. She quickly freshens her breath before settling into her bed.

"A new day. I hope."

Unfortunately, the next week will be anything but normal for Jennifer Henderson as something mysterious and more sinister comes back to Hawkins for another scare.

[strangerficsx]

Fade To Black | Masterlist

an alternate stranger things fic. different characters, same storyline of stranger things just in my way. gifs are not mine. credit to the original owners. I also do not claim, nor do I own Stranger Things; the concept, characters, plot, etc.

warnings: sexual content (smut), violence, fear, gore, anxiety, swearing genre: sci-fi, romance, horror pairing: Steve Harrington x fem!oc

link to cynthia's biography

chapter one - the vanishing

chapter two - the party

chapter three - holly

chapter four - body

chapter five - plans

chapter six - monster

chapter seven - to kill

chapter eight - upside down

season two

chapter one - mad

chapter two - trick ot treat

chapter three - fears

chapter four - wise

chapter five - capture

chapter six - junkyard

chapter seven - lost

chapter eight - mind flayer

chapter nine - narrow minded

season three

chapter one - shitty job

chapter two - rats

chapter three - missing

chapter four - sauna

chapter five - flayed

chapter six - hospital

chapter seven - the bite

chapter eight - starcourt

season four

chapter one - haunted

chapter two - cursed

chapter three - monsters

chapter four - the letter

chapter five - the house

chapter six - dive

chapter seven - massacre

chapter eight - the four gates

chapter nine - attack

season five

chapter one - crawl

[strangerficsx]

Phoebe Hopper biography

Staus: Deceased (presumed), later alive Name: Phoebe Marie Hopper Born: September 5, 1966, Hawkins, Indiana Age: 16 (season one), 17 (season two), 18 (season three), 19 (season four) Gender: Female Aliases: Pheebs (Jennifer)

——

Relationship Status: unknown Residence: Hawkins, Indiana Family: Jim Hopper (father), Diane (mother), Sara Hopper (sister), Eleve/Jane Jopper (paternal adoptive-half-sister), unnamed great-grandfather, James Hopper Sr (paternal grandfather)

Other Relations: Jennifer Henderson (best friend), Steve Harrington (former classmate/friend), Eddie Munson † (friend), Jonathan Byers (former childhood friend), Lucas Sinclair (friend), Erica Sinclair (friend), Max Mayfield (friend), Eleven/Jane Hopper (friend), Will Byers (friend), Joyce Byers (friend), Murray Bauman (friend), Jason Carver † (enemy), Barbara Holland † (classmate/former friend), Keith (classmate/co-worker)

——

Affiliation: n/a Occupation: Student at Hawkins High school (1982-1985), Member of The Hawkins High Girls Swim Team (1982-1983), Member of the Hawkins High Cheer Squad (1983-1984)

——

Height: 5'3" Eye Color: brown Portrayed by: Olivia Holt

——

BIOGRAPHY !

coming soon.

——

STORY INFORMATION

Title: Midnight Rain Genre: Sci-Fi; Drama; Horror; Mystery; Drama; Romance Warning(s): Violence; fear ; anxiety; swearing; gore; substance use; drug use Summary: Following the disappearance of Will Byers, Jennifer Henderson unexpedly finds herself helping the boy's friends and brother, searching for him with every chance they get. But with a strange entity and deaths, Jennifer and the teens find a way to put this horror to an end... and to save Will.

[strangerficsx]

Full Stranger Things Series Masterlist

Midnight Rain

Genre: Sci-Fi; Drama; Horror; Mystery; Drama; Romance Warnings: Violence; Fear; Anxiety; Swearing; Gore; Substance use; Drug use

Jennifer henderson's biography Phoebe cromwell's biography

cassatt tape (one | two | three | four | five) style (S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5) relationship timeline (season 1 ~ 4)

SEASON ONE

prologue i

chapter one : the vanishing of will byers

chapter two : the weirdo on maple street

chapter three : holly, jolly

chapter four : the body

chapter five : the flea and the acrobat

chapter six : the monster

chapter seven : the bathtub

chapter eight : the upside down

SEASON TWO

prologue ii

chapter one : mad max

chapter two : trick or treat, freak

chapter three : the pollywog

chapter four : will the wise -

chapter five : dig dug - as the henderson siblings frantically clean and attempt to trap dart, dustin decides to leave and get help as jennifer stays behind on look out when phoebe suddenly arrives at her place. she tells the other female what's going on in hopes of having her believe jennifer and make sure she's not crazy.

chapter six : the spy - believing it is some halloween prank, steve indulges in the search for dart, learning that it was for a girl jennifer's brother likes as they lead a trail of meat to capture the dog at the junkyard. however, the yard needed some cleaning up and protection as they all wait the night out and are sitting ducks while awaiting the arrival of dart... until things go wrong when more demodogs show up to terrorize them and the kids.

chapter seven : the lost sister - after the death of someone she cares deeply about and getting to know max, jennifer offers to be a big sister / role model to her since billy is a huge jerk and isn't willing to do that since he holds a lot of anger.

chapter eight : the mind flayer - after reuniting with nancy and jonathan, the teen and children meet hopper, joyce and will as they regroup at the byers' residence to make a plan on how to close the gate.

chapter nine : the gate - after eleven reunites with everyone, she plans on closing the gate as her and hopper escape to hawkins lab. secondly joyce, jonathan and nancy take will and try to fight the mind flayer within as jennifer and steve babysit her brother and his friends until trouble shows up.

SEASON THREE

prologue iii - jennifer comes home from visiting her aunt in michigan, leading her to the newly built starcourt mall where she starts working at an ice cream parlor to keep herself busy from thinking about the death of her best friend.

chapter one : suzie, do you copy? - with a sudden power outage, jennifer begins to suspect something bad is coming, suspecting the gate has been opened, things turn upside down when she go through a bought of depression -- hiding her feelings from steve.

chapter two : the mall rats - jennifer's brother comes home from camp nowhere, revealing that he intercepted a russian code the night before as he asks for help from her, steve and robin.

chapter three : the case of the missing lifeguard - jennifer, steve, and dustin keep a look out for russian spies in the mall as she begins to feel somewhat better.

chapter four : the sauna test - after robin finds a useful map of starcourt mall, her, jennifer, steve and dustin bribe erica with 'free ice cream for life' as she crawls through startcourt's ventilation system. later, she opens the lynx transportation door, and the small group comes down from the roof to join her.

chapter five : the flayed - after falling down the elevator shaft, the scoops troop make their way through the russian base as they come across the gate being reopened.

chapter six : e pluribus unum - with robin and steve trapped by russians, jennifer, her brother and erica stage a daring rescue.

chapter seven : the bite - the teens and kids prepare for war as they regroup with joyce, hopper and newcomer murray bauman.

chapter eight : the battle of starcourt - terror reigns in starcourt mall when the mind flayer comes to collect. However down below, in the dark, the future of the world is at stake.

SEASON FOUR

prologue iv - with jennifer's relationship on the rocks, she meets metalhead eddie munson at a lone picnic bench behind hawkins high school as soon become friends.

chapter one : the hellfire club - jennifer begins working at family video alongside steve and robin when she gets invited to eddie's trailer, only to be a witness to a crime by an unknown entity.

chapter two : vecna's curse - while jennifer tries to tell her friends what happened, they don't believe her and begin searching for eddie. that night, he reveals to the gang what happened.

chapter three : the monster and the superhero - jennifer, steve and dustin take max to talk to ms. kelley before traveling to the high school to retrieve answers on her condition.

chapter four : dear billy - max is in grave danger... and is running out of time as jennifer, lucas, dustin, and steve accompany the teen as she writes and hand delivers goodbye letters for family and loved ones.

chapter five : the nina project - while the hawkins kids comb a crumbling house for clues, billie is in danger when she becomes vecna's next target.

chapter six : the dive - while searching for another gate to the upside down, the police catch dustin, lucas, and max as the young adults dive into lover's lake to rescue steve.

chapter seven : the massacre at hawkins lab - jennifer, steve, nancy, robin, and eddie are trapped in the upside down. jennifer later learns from nancy that the day is stuck in november 6, 1983 -- the day will byers went missing.

chapter eight : papa - after getting back to the real world, the gang gather supplies and prepares for battle.

chapter nine : the piggyback - from russia to california to hawkins, heroes fight to save hawkins -- and the world itself.

Crazy For You

Genre: lgbtq; sci-fi; horror Warnings: violence, past trauma, swearing, fear, gore, alcohol consumption, light smut

kathryn harrington's biography phoebe hopper's biography

THREE

001. missing keys - after arriving at starcourt mall, kat finds her brother's keys as he returns them to where he works, coming in contact with his co-worker robin buckley.

002. the mall rat - kathryn begins to develop feelings for a fellow classmate, coming to scoops ahoy all the time just to talk to robin.

003. the stakeout - kathryn gets dragged away from her crush to have a stakeout with her brother and dustin in starcourt mall, almost revealing too much information.

004. test - kathryn follows robin to a nearby store to retreive a map of the mall's ventilation system, and begin to get to know one another.

005. flayed - kathryn, robin, steve, dustin and erica get trapped beneath the mall in a russian base.

006. the rescue - steve, erica and dustin come to kathryn and robin's rescue, saving them from the russians.

007. war - after running off, kathryn and robin are enticed by the mall's lights before purging the truth serum out of them, later coming to terms on how they feel about each other.

008. starcourt - everyone regroups to plan out how they can fight the mind flayer and close the gate once and for all.

009. is this love? - kathryn and robin give the relationship between them time as kat mourns the loss of her best friend.

010. trauma - the grieving process is hard cause there's a lot of feelings to uncover, however, a dark entity begins taking over students of hawkins high.... unfortunately, kathryn is one of them.

011. cursed -

012. hawkins past - kathryn, nancy and robin venture out and delve into hawkins past demons.

013. running out of time - the gang uncovers the symptoms that vecna's victims suffer from before eventually dying as kathryn worried for her future.

014. the creel house - the gang investigate clues in the creel residence to try and find something to save kathryn.

015. the dive - after kathryn, dustin, max, and lucas get caught being out after curfew, they eventually figure out a way to communicate with them from nancy's bedroom before escaping to rescue the gang.

016. vecna's motive - nancy reveals vecna's past to the others as everyone fears for kathryn's safety.

017. prepping - the gang prepare for battle as robin commemorates her love for kathryn one last time.

018. the fight - being a prime target, kathryn sacrifices herself long enough for the gang to fight vecna

epilogue - what come next for kathryn now that she's saved?

[strangerficsx]

Kathryn 'Kate' Harrington

stranger things oc face claim: sophie skelton relationship timeline here

1985 (season three)

~~

1986 (season four)

Biographical Information

Status: Alive Born: August 16, 1967 Aliases: Kate, Harrington's sister Residence: Harrington House, Hawkins, Indiana Family: unnamed mother, unnamed father, Steve Harrington (brother) Love Interest: Robin Buckley

Other Relations: Nancy Wheeler (best friend), Jonathan Byers (best friend), Eddie Munson (friend), Dustin Henderson (friend), Mike Wheeler (friend), Lucas Sinclair (friend), Max Mayfield (friend), Eleven (friend), Will Byers (friend), Erica Sinclair (friend), Murray Bauman (friend), Jim Hopper (friend), Joyce Byers (friend), Billy Hargrove (enemy), Vickie (classmate), Tammy Thompson (former classmate)

Affiliation: Family Video, Scoops Troop Occupation: employee at Family Video (1986-), student at Hawkins High School (1982-), member of the Hawkins High School Cheerleading team (1984-)

Physical Information

Height: 5'8" Eye Color: brown Hair Color: red/light brown

(Character bio here - coming soon!)

Story Information

Title: The Other Girls Genre: sci-fi, drama, lgbt Warnings: swearing, sexual content, violence

(book summary - coming soon!)

[strangerficsx]

Chapter Two | Vecna's Curse

story: Midnight Rain wc: 3,906

(a/n: all characters, plot, etc. are not mine. The only thing I own is my original character. credit to gif owner.)

{ March 22, 1986 }

The next morning rolled around and Jennifer stayed laying in her bed, eyeing the uniform on her chair across the room. She needed this day off from the events she witnessed the night before, but with her missing too much work, she decided to push through. Jennifer slides out of her bed, standing as she wears only an oversized shirt and short shorts.

Trying to distract her horrid thoughts, Jennifer throws on some clothes and her green vest as she attaches her name tag before walking out of her bedroom, standing by the counter. Hesitant leaving, she grabs the remote off the table as her mother enters the living room. Jennifer turns the television on as a female news anchor stands in front of Eddie's trailer. Her eyes widen, taking a step as the television brings her toward her chair, sitting and watching closely.

"We're in the Forest Hills trailer part in east Roane County. We don't have a lot of details now, but we can confirm that the body of a Hawkins high student was discovered early this morning. Police have not released the name..."

"Oh shit," You murmur, knowing who it is. "Chrissy."

"...Although we are told they're currently in the process of notifying the family."

With a sudden thought, she thinks about Robin and Steve as they are at Family Video probably watching the same thing. Jennifer knew they were possibly worried about your whereabouts, and if you are the deceased victim.

~~

Author's point of view.

Earlier.

Robin holds a double VHS tape of Doctor Zhivago.

"Ugh." Steve groans, arms folded. "You know I don't do double VHS."

He walks toward the cart, putting more tapes on the shelf in front of him.

"But it's about doomed love." Robin comments.

"Oh, well, that's relatable."

"Precisely,"

Robin grabs another VHS tape and stalks toward the opposite side of the store, Steve behind her with the cart.

"Also, Julie Christie is b-b-bonkers hot in this."

She steps behind the counter, grabbing the television remote. "Like, seriously, the most beautiful creature I have seen in my life."

The television flicks on, a female news reporter stands in front of a trailer. Various types of people (likely from the area) are crowded around the small building. Steve steps beside Robin to watch as well. Both have their brows furrowed.

"We're in the Forest Hills trailer part in east Roane County. We don't have a lot of details now, but we can confirm that the body of a Hawkins high student was discovered early this morning. Police have not released the name..."

"Holy shit." Steve curses, stepping away, panicked.

"What?"

"Jennifer. What if it's Jennifer, Robin? She can't be dead."

"She is always with that guy named Eddie, so..." She trails off.

"Robin." Steve begins. "I don't care. I'm calling Jennifer to make sure she's okay. I want to make sure she is alright, because I can't... I can't lose her."

"I think you still have feelings for Jennifer Henderson,"

"N-No," He stammers, walking towards the phone dialing her number. "I do not. I'm calling her as a worried... friend."

~~

Jennifer's point of view.

Jennifer sits there as her mother and Dustin are seated on the couch beside her, worried. Their pet cat meows lightly, purring loudly. She looks over at her brother, needing to tell him what happened as guilt and anger floods her system.

"My heart can't take it anymore. It just can't take it." Claudia sorrowfully speaks.

Suddenly the telephone rings as the three family members whip their heads around. Jennifer rises, answering it swiftly.

"Hello, this is the Henderson's. Jennifer speaking."

"Jennifer? Thank God. Are you okay? Have you seen the news?"

"Steve, calm down. I'm fine. I've been at my house since last night. And yes, I saw the news. Did you... Did you see the news, too?" She asks, nervously.

"Yeah, I did. I just wanted to make sure you were alright, that's all. And are you coming in for your shift? Robin's asking."

"Yes, I'm coming in at some point today... Maybe. And, Steve, I'm okay, I promise."

Jennifer stood there, calm as she heard Steve's voice. Her heart skips a beat right when the doorbell rings abruptly, looking up and watches her brother rise to answer it. Max steps in with an earnest glance.

"Gotta go. Max is here for some reason. Bye."

Jennifer hangs up before Steve could get another word out, walking towards Max and her younger brother. The three enter Dustin's bedroom, standing. Her younger brother paces the room.

"Chrissy Cunningham? You're sure it was Chrissy?"

"Yes, in her cheerleader outfit. Same thing she was in when I saw her with Eddie."

"Did you tell all this to the cops?"

"No," Max stammers. "No, but I... I can't be the only one who saw them together. They stood out."

"Eddie the freak with Chrissy the Cheerleader?"

Jennifer clears her throat, gaining the attention of Max and Dustin.

"I was there too. I saw what happened first hand. Her body... it just... it was deformed. Snapping. Oh, God. It was horrible. But I took off as fast as I could, so I wouldn't get caught. And, Eddie was speeding away in his van before I could ask for a ride home. I was hoping to have alone time with him, but he brought along Chrissy."

"I didn't know you and Eddie were a thing." Max added.

Dustin chortles excitedly, grinning ear to ear.

"You're dating him?" He compliments.

"No, we may... have a thing for each other."

"Anyway," Max started. "Exactly. You know, his name's not in the news yet or anything, but I guarantee you Eddie, and you Jennifer are suspects one and two now."

"That's crazy."

"He wouldn't do this. I was there. I saw what happened."

"Eddie and Jennifer didn't do this. No way. No way."

"We can't rule it out."

"Yes, we can," The henderson siblings say in unison.

"Dustin!"

"You don't know him like I or Jennifer do, Max. Okay?"

Max rolls her eyes, annoyed. Dustin begins talking on and on, bickering with the red head. He plops on the bed, sighing. He leans against his legs, fingers clasped together.

"Why haven't you told this to the police?"

"I don't... I don't know."

"You don't know, Max?"

The younger female stands there, arms crossed and silent. She sighs before walking towards Dustin's bed, taking a seat. Jennifer steps closer, leaning herself against her hand, which sits against her brother's headboard.

"After I saw Eddie and Chrissy go in the trailer, something else happened."

"The lights began flickering," Jennifer adds. "I saw him leave too, Max."

"Nothing that weird or anything. I mean, Eddie always drives like a maniac, and the power goes off at my place all the time. It's a piece of shit. But... This morning, I started thinking back, and... I don't know. The look on his face. He was scared, Dustin. Really scared. Maybe he was scared because, he... he just killed someone--"

"Not true, Max."

"OK. Or... maybe, um... maybe because. I don't... I don't know, maybe..."

"Something else killed her."

Dustin and Max crane their necks to look up at Jennifer, who stands above them nods.

"But that's impossible. Right?"

"I don't know. It should be." Jennifer says.

"The other person who knows what happened is... Eddie. He was there with me when this happened."

Dustin rises, grabbing his backpack as Max does the same. Jennifer leads them out of the bedroom.

"Did you tell anyone else?"

"No. I can't find Lucas or Nancy, and Mike's in--"

"California. Shit, shit, shit."

Jennifer swipes her keys off the counter, grabbing the doorknob as the two kids follow behind.

"Where you going?"

"I'm taking them with me... to work."

"You guys heard the news. It's not safe."

"Good point. We'll be extra careful. Thanks. We love you. Bye."

Dustin shuts the door behind them. Jennifer slides in the passenger seat along with the kids, starting the car and they question where to go. Jennifer suggests Family Video since your co-workers will believe since they went through hell and back the last three years. Jennifer steps on the gas pedal, pretty much speeding through the small town of Hawkins before entering the parking lot.

~~

Jennifer, along with Max and Dustin open the door as the bell rings. He greets Steve as Robin and him look toward the two kids and Jennifer. She makes eye contact with the tall brunette, holding his gaze.

"Hey, Steve."

"You see this?"

"How many phones do you have?"

"Someone was murdered."

"How many phones do you have?" Dustin asks one more time.

"Two. Why?"

"Technically three, if you count Keith's in the back." Jennifer mentions.

"Three works."

Dustin throws his backpack off, chucking the bag across the counter and hoisting himself up and over the counter. In the process, he knocks down Steve's VHS tapes. Jennifer and Max enter the appropriate way.

"Setting up base of operation here."

"Base of operations?"

"Don't ask. Something my brother came up with to find Eddie."

Steve ignores Jennifer, getting irritated at the younger Henderson. "Get off!"

"I need it."

"Need it for what?"

"Eddie's friends' phone numbers."

"Oh, Eddie. Your new best friend -- and your new 'boyfriend' -- you think is cooler because he plays your nerdy game?"

"Yes. I never said that."

"How did you deal with this?" Max asks.

"Luckily, I was adopted. And I mostly tuned him out most of the time. Thank God, I work and have a life."

"Makes sense."

"Seriously, you guys, maybe on a Monday you can play around, but it's Saturday. It's our busiest day."

"Sorry, Robin. I didn't think he'd be this chaotic to deal with."

"It's okay, Jennifer. Wow, you actually showed up to work."

"Yeah."

"Robin, I empathize, but this cannot wait." Dustin vocalizes, holding a notepad.

"Oh, my God." Steve groans, assisting Robin with re-stacking everything on the counter.

"Yes, because calling Eddie's friends is an emergency?"

"Correct!" Dustin shouts.

Jennifer steps closer to the two, almost as annoyed. "Want me to strangle him or do you guys want to do that?"

"We could take turns."

"Can you fill them in while I do this? Jennifer, Max?"

"I'll do it," Jennifer says.

"Fill us in on what?"

"Chrissy Cunningham was found murdered in Eddie's trailer this morning by Max. Last night, she died from an unknown entity. I was there, I saw what happened. If you all believed me, then you'll believe Eddie. I don't know how to explain this, but something or some kind of being was after her. God knows who it'll take next."

~~

With Robin, Max and Dustin on the phones, Jennifer and Steve work around the store. The conversations overlap as it soon becomes inaudible to her, but continues on stacking shelves and assisting people around the store for VHS tapes. She watches as Dustin picks up the dry erase maker and marks out another name. With Steve flirting, Jennifer tries not to get involved as he follows her towards the entrance, but comes back as Max hangs the phone up.

"Hey, guys, I might have a lead."

Jennifer leans against the counter, listening to what Max has to say.

"Apparently, Eddie gets drugs from some guy named Reefer Rick, and sometime Eddie crashes there."

"Hmm... He never told me that, and we've known each other since October of last year."

"Wow, since you are 'thing.' I'm surprised." Steve comments.

"Sounds promising. Where does Reefer Rick live?" Robin questions.

"See, that's the thing. No one knows. He's more of a... a legend than someone that people actually know."

"Last name?"

"I don't know that either."

"Bet the cops know the last name." Steve says.

"What?" Jennifer asks.

"Cops."

They continue to stare at him as he continues placing tapes in the bin storage below.

"I mean, listen, if this reefer rick is actually a drug dealer," He starts, stepping towards the counter, leaning next to Jennifer. "I guarantee you he's been busted at some point. which means he's in the system."

"The cops? Really Steve?" Dustin presses. "That's your suggestion?"

"I think they should be filled in on what we know, what's going on."

"You think Eddie's guilty, don't you?" Jennifer queries sternly, glancing at him.

"Whoa. I believe in innocent until proven guitly, all that constitution shit."

Max and Jennifer make eye contact, the redhead furrows her brows, the brunette annoyed.

Steve continues. "I just, you know, don't think we can rule it out."

"That's precisely what we're trying to do here, Steve."

"And maybe we'd have a little bit more luck if you spent less time complaining about Jennifer's love life and more time trying to find Eddie."

"Somebody has to attend to the customers."

"Hey, I work here too, Steve. I can help."

"No, anyone but you. You don't even care about working, all you care about is your stupid boyfriend.

"He's not my boyfriend, Steve. You're just jealous."

"I'm not... I'm not jealous, OK? Jesus."

"Sure, Steve. Sure."

Jennifer breaks herself away from Steve and steps behind the counter, approaching the computer and taking a seat on the chair. She gets the computer booted up.

"What are you doing?"

"Maybe we don't need a last name." She says, keys clicking under her fingertips. With a few more tussles on the keyboard, the computer beeps, listing various names on the screen.

Without noticing, Steve stands above, peering over her shoulder as he hand rest against the counter top. Her hand just inches away from his. She looks down, heart fluttering. She focuses, turning back to the desktop in front of her.

"Twelve Ricks have accounts here."

"That's a lot of Ricks."

"So, let's narrow it down."

Tapping a few keys, it pulls up one name.

"Rick Alderman's latest rentals are Annie and Dumbo."

"Chances our drug dealer has a family?" She asks.

"Not likely."

"All right." Jennifer clicks another name. "Rick Conroy. Sixteen Candles, Teen Wolf, Romancing the Stone."

Max, Steve, Dustin and Robin say no at the same time. Jennifer once again clicks another guy's name.

"Rick Joiner. Mask, Footloose, and Grease.

"Nah,"

"Rick Kimbrough. The Blue Lagoon and Splash."

They all laugh.

"Definitely not," Max says.

"No way."

Another name gets pulled up. "Rick Lipton. Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Cheech & Chong's Next Movie. Cheech and Chong's Nice Dreams. Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke."

"Bingo."

"Lipton?"

"Spelled like the teas. 2121 Holland Road."

"That's out by Lover's Lake."

"Middle of nowhere."

"It's the perfect place to hide."

With a wave of adrenaline, Steve, Jennifer and Robin along with Max and Dustin grab their things, remove their vests before exiting the store. Robin is last as she turns the sign that reads 'Closed' before locking up. Jennifer glances at her car as she hates to leave it behind. She quickly makes sure it's locked before piling into the. backseat with the kids. Steve puts the keys in the ignition, revving the engine before taking off down the road.

~~

On the way, Jennifer sits between Dustin and Max, fumbling with the keychain that's latched onto her keys. The ride was quiet, a little too quiet as she wanted to speak, she wasn't sure what to say. Max had her walkman playing as her headphones rest against her ears, so she couldn't talk to her, Dustin was looking out the window in his own little world.

"So, why did you hang up on me so fast?"

"Max was standing at my door which was unusual, but I knew it was about Chrissy and her death, so I quickly hung up."

"Okay. Whatever. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and wasn't the one who got murdered. That's why I suspected Eddie back there."

"Wow, so you admit that you believe he's a killer?"

"What? No. As I said earlier--"

"Yeah, yeah. Okay."

Jennifer was tense as she stayed silent the rest of the drive there. She sunk in her seat, holding her legs together since she was cramped between two growing teenagers.

~~

Night approached fast as Steve pulls into the open space in front of the house, parking. They scramble out of his vehicle as Dustin hands everyone flashlights before approaching. Jennifer was hesitant, unintentionally standing beside Steve as she felt warm and safe beside him -- something she hasn't felt since before their break up. She holds the torch as it illuminates the front door. The porch light was off and the house looked abandoned, but Dustin stepped towards the door anyway. He rings the bell, impaintently waiting as not answers.

He rings again and again multiple times, getting frustrated.

"Okay. Well, that's settled. I guess he's not here."

"Eddie! it's Dustin."

"Great."

"Look, we just wanna talk okay? No cops, I swear. We just wanna help. Eddie!"

Jennifer approaches the door, pushing her younger brother to the side. "Eddie! It's Jennifer. We want to talk. Please."

"Shh."

Dustin pushes Jennifer back, making her lose her balance as she falls into Steve. He almost loses his grip on his torch, helping her stand straight. They stand there, faces inches away. Her breathing hitches in the back of her throat, not knowing what to say.

"Rick!" Dustin shouts, pounding his fist against the door. "Reefer Rick!"

"Don't scream that."

Inhaling, Jennifer smiles awkwardly before stepping off to the side as she watches Max step away. She follows after the redhead to keep her safe.

"Rick!"

"He's not here."

Dustin and Steve begin arguing like always.

"Hey, guys."

"What is it, Max?" Jennifer asks, the other's following her.

The lights shine into the distance as a little shack. Behind sits a body of water -- Lover's Lake. They stare at it before stepping up to the building, Jennifer grabs the door handle and twists the knob. She steps in, saying hello in the process.

"Is anyone home?" She asks.

The other's join, investigating the building.

"What a dump," Steve comments.

Dustin, Jennifer and Steve head to one side and Robin and Max on the other, searching for anything -- Eddie or Reefer Rick. Jennifer looks around before she watches as Steve turns off his torch and grabs an oar off the wall, stalking closer to the covered boat that sits in the water below. He begins nudging the tarp.

"What are you doing?" Dustin asks, startled.

"What are you doing?" Jennifer presses.

"He might be in here."

"So take the tarp off."

"If you're so brave, you take the tarp off."

Continuing, Jennifer stands there with her arms folded to her chest as her and Dustin exchange a look of annoyance.

"Maybe he heard us. Got spooked and ran."

"Don't worry. Steve will get him with his oar."

Steve continues poking. "I know you think you're being funny, but considering everyone in this room has nearly died a hundred times, personally, I don't find it funny in the slight--"

A figure jumps up. Steve is panicked. The male grabs Steve's shirt and pushes him against the wall harshly, holding a broken bottle against the flesh of his neck. Jennifer was almost rigid but jumped into action as she stood beside her brother.

"Whoa, Eddie! Eddie! Stop!" Dustin shouts.

Robin and Max quickly approach.

"Eddie! Eddie!" Jennifer yells. "It's me. It's Jennifer. This is Steve. He's not gonna hurt you, right, Steve?"

"Right, yeah."

"Steve, why don't you drop the oar."

Without hesitation, he legs go of the oar as it falls to the floor. He groans when the glass gets pressed further, panicked.

"He's cool. He's cool."

"I'm cool, man. I'm cool."

"W-What are you doing here?"

"We're looking for you, Eddie." Jennifer says.

"We're here to help,"

"Eddie," Dustin begins. "These are my friends. You know Robin, from band."

Robin imitates a trumpet.

"This is my friend Max. The who never wants to play D&D."

"Eddie. We're on your side."

"I swear on my mother. Right, guys?"

"Yes. Yes. We swear."

"On Dustin's mother."

"Yeah, Dustin's... Dustin's mother."

Eddie backs away, looking tearfully at Jennifer. He slides down the wall. Dustin steps closer.

"We just want to talk," He says, reaching his hand out to grab the broken bottle.

Eddie startles, looking off to the side. Jennifer approaches, kneeling in front of him as well. She extends her arm but the male doesn't seem startled. Jennifer rests her hand on top of his, feeling him relax under her touch. Eddie stares in her eyes, holding her gaze. Tears begin to welling.

"We want to know what happened." Robin says softly.

He sniffles. "You won't believe me." He looks over at everyone as Jennifer stays knelt in front of him, holding his hand.

"Try us,"

"It's okay."

Everyone huddles around Eddie as he begins to recall the previous night and what happened to Chrissy. The grisly images flicker in Jennifer's mind, causing her to close her eyes for a few seconds before opening them. The first part of the story was inaudible to her since she felt upset. Beside her, Steve glances at her as she catches him.

"I'm fine," Jennifer mouths.

"Her body just, like, lifted up into the air and, uh... And she just-- just hung there. In the air. And her bones... Uh, she..." He explains, but a whimper cuts him short. "Her bones started to snap. Here eyes, man. It was like there was something, like inside her head, pulling. I didn't know what to do, so I... ran away. I left Jennifer there, I left Chrissy there. You all think I'm crazy, right?"

"No, they believed me when I told them what happened, Eddie. We saw the same thing. I've been through some... some crazy shit the last three years. You probably think I'm the crazy one."

"N-- No, I don't."

"We don't think you're crazy."

"Don't bullshit me, man! I know how this sounds."

"We're not bullshitting you."

"We believe you and Jennifer."

Eddie exhales.

"Look," Jennifer starts. "What I'm about to tell you might be a little... difficult to take."

"Okay,"

"You know how people say Hawkins is... cursed? They're not way off. There's another world. A world hidden beneath Hawkins. Sometimes it bleeds into ours."

"Like ghosts and shit?" Eddie asks.

"There are some things worse than ghosts." Max says.

They sit there, pausing before Jennifer clears her throat.

"These monsters from this other world-- we thought they were gone. But they've come back before. That's why we needed to find you."

"If they're back again, we need to know."

"That night, did you see anything?"

"Dark particles, maybe?"

Eddie shakes his head.

"It would almost look like dust, swirling dust." Dustin adds.

"No, man, there was nothing you could see or, uh... touch."

Steve whips his head to face the shaken male, arms crossed with a serious expression plastered on his face.

"You know, we tried to wake her, man. She couldn't move. It was like she... she was in a trance or something."

"Or under a spell,"

The long haired male stares into her eyes once more.

"A curse."

"Vecna's curse."

Jennifer and her brother exchange a worried glance before looking back at Eddie.

"Who's Vecna?" Steve interrogates.

"An undead creature of great power."

"A spell caster,"

"A dark wizard,"

Jennifer begins begins to panic, taking a deep breath before exhaling. She looks at Steve, who is staring at her. She exchanges a nervous glance with everyone else, worried.

[strangerficsx]

Chapter One | The Hellfire Club

story: Midnight Rain wc: 3.5k

[a/n: all characters, plot, etc. are not mine. The only thing I own is my original character. credit to gif owner.]

{ March 21, 1986 }

When Jennifer awoke it was almost eight thirty, so she quickly got up and dressed since she has to open at Family Video. Steve had to drop Robin off at the school for an assembly, so he'll be there to help her open, and get customers in. Jennifer looks at herself in the mirror, seeing the purple spots under her eyes.

Throwing on some makeup and fixing her hair, Jennifer quickly rushes out of the bathroom and throws on an outfit along with her Family Video work vest. She grabs her purse and ushers out of the house, leaving behind something to eat as her keys are already in her hand. Steve and Robin sit in his 1983 BMW waiting. Jennifer slides in the backseat, greeting the two.

“Hey, Robin. Hi, Steve.” 

Steve smiles at her in the mirror above. Robin stays silent.

Ignoring Robin’s snippy attitude, she overhears Steve talking about women and not even acknowledging that she’s in the vehicle. What a great start to the morning. It hasn’t even been five minutes and the air is awkward between the exes. On the way to the high school, Steve continues talking as Jennifer sits in the backseat, arms crossed and tries to ignore her ex talking about other women. Robin, who sits in the passenger seat, looks at herself in the mirror and delicately applies mascara to her bottom lashes, pretty much ignoring Steve too.

“Robin, are you listening?” 

“Uh, yes.” 

“What did I just say?” 

“Something about sex with Linda."

“I’m talking about heidi.” 

Jennifer felt something in her chest, but ignores it and continues sitting in the back as she watches the two bicker even more.

“Cut me some slack, please.” 

“Well—” 

“Your love life is one of labyrinthine complexity. It is seven in the morning, we have a stuid pep rally, and I woke up looking like a total corpse.” 

“You’re really worried about a basketball pep rally? Do you expect me to believe that?” 

“Yeah? So?”

“So we all know what this is about, okay? I’m not buying that. This is about Vickie.”

“Absolutely not.” Robin denies. 

“It is.” Jennifer mentions, earning a look from Robin.

“You know what else?” 

“I don’t care–”  

“I think you gotta stop pretending to be someone else when you’re around her. You just gotta be yourself. I did that with Steve before we started dating. And it worked out... for the most part.” 

“Jen, you’re literally quoting me to me. You realize that, right? And, you were popular in high school, so it couldn’t have been that hard for you.”

“What she’s trying to say is that maybe you need to listen to yourself. Ever thought about that, smartypants? I listened, Look at me. Boom. Back in business.” 

Robin closes her compact mirror, looking toward Steve. 

“It's not the same thing, okay?” 

“You ask out a girl and she says no. Big deal. Nothing happened. Maybe your ego’s a little bruised. But I ask out the wrong girl, and bam, I’m a town pariah.” 

She closes the mirror above, looking forward. 

“I’d buy that, except Vickie is definitely not the wrong girl.” Jennifer says. 

“We just don’t know that, do we?”

“She returned Fast Times paused at 53 minutes, five seconds” 

Jennifer lays against her seat, fumbling with her purse as she watches Robin spray something into her mouth. This time she looks annoyed because of Steve talking her ears off about some girl she (Robin) likes.

“You know who pauses Fast Times at fifty three minutes, five seconds? People who like boobies, Robin.” 

“Wow. Boobies? Are we still in the fifth grade, little Stevie?” Jennifer presses, laughing.

“Don’t call me that.” 

“Ew! Gross. Don’t say boobies.”

“Boobies!” Steve pauses. “Not a big deal, okay? I like boobies. You like boobies. Jennifer doesn't like boobies. But Vickie, oh she definitely likes boobies."

Annoyed, Steve pulls into the busy parking lot of Hawkins High School before parking as Robin steps out of the vehicle, grabbing her trumpet in the process. Jennifer moves to the front seat as Steve sighs raucously. She looks over at him, closing the passenger door. She slides her seatbelt on and sits there, looking at him. 

“Did you really have to do that?” 

“Do what?”

“Sigh obnoxiously loud?” Jennifer asks.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did that bother you?” 

“Yes, it did. And you know what? I think you’re jealous that I’m dating another guy. We broke up, Steve. Get over it. I did. Go have sex with Heidi or Linda, or someone who actually wants you.” 

Steve ignores Jennifer as he pulls out of the parking lot, speeding down the road. The silence was very loud and awkward between them. Soon when they arrive, Steve parks in an empty spot as Jennifer holds the keys to the shop, gets out and approaches the door. She puts the metal in the keyhole before entering. She tosses her keys in her pocket before turning the lights on, sighing in relief as the anxiety dies down. 

“Oh, before I forget, I will be meeting Eddie today in our little spot during our lunch breaks. Just to let you know.” 

“Okay. Just be back in time, please.” 

“I will, don’t get your panties in a bunch, Harrington.”

He makes a face at the female. Jennifer chuckles, moving to the back to retrieve a few VHS tapes as the bell dings in the front. Ignoring Steve and the girls he tries to impress, Jennifer continues working so she can meet her boyfriend and leave this awkward hellhole, and relax. 

“Oh, Steve.” She calls.

“Just a sec,”

“Jesus christ,” Jennifer curses under her breath. “Steve!” 

“What? I’m busy here.” 

“With what? Flirting? Because you’re not getting anywhere.”

“Jesus. What is it?” 

“Can I borrow your car when I leave. Mine’s still in the shop.”

“Yeah, just don’t crash it.” 

“I won’t.” 

Steve turns to face the blonde who stands in front of him. Jennifer stands behind the counter, staring at the two as she feels something she’s never felt before. 

— — 

Jennifer gets done with another task as she stands by the counter right when the telephone rings. She puts the phone up to her ear. 

“Hello, this is Family Video. How may I help you?”

“Jennifer.”

“Dustin? Why are you calling? Shouldn’t you be at school?” 

“I am at school.” 

“Okay. Why are you calling though?”

“Do you wanna participate in Hellfire tonight?” 

“No. You know I’ve never played that game. I was thinking of going to the championship basketball game tonight instead.”

"You're unbelievable sometimes, you know that?"

"Oh, I know. Look, I love you and I love Eddie. OK? But, I don’t want to watch a bunch of nerds play D&D. Good luck though. Hey, I gotta go, Steve is too busy flirting and is leaving the shop for me to handle. See you sometime tonight.” 

Jennifer hangs up the phone on the receiver and checks the time on her wrist watch as it nears the time she’s supposed to leave. Walking toward Steve, Jennifer extends her hand. 

“Keys, please?” 

“Yeah, here.” 

Rummaging through his pockets, Steve pulls out the set of keys and drops them into Jennifer’s hand. She quickly runs out of the store and enters the vehicle, putting the key in the ignition. She slides her seatbelt on. Driving down the road, Jennifer fumbles with the radio, tuning it to the right station as she sings along to ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ by Tears For Fears. Approaching the forest, Jennifer turns off the ignition and pulls the keys out. Exiting the vehicle, she makes her way through woods as she approaches the lonely picnic bench. In place of seeing an empty bench with her awaiting boyfriend, instead, Jennifer finds Eddie sitting across from a blonde Hawkins High School cheerleader. Jennifer hides behind a tree, so she can listen in on the conversation between the two.  

“So, how does this work exactly?” The blonde asks. 

“Oh, just like any other old sale, except, uh, cash only and, uh, for obvious reasons, no recipes.” 

The blonde stays quiet. Jennifer had a view of Eddie but not the blonde cheerleader. 

The long raven-haired male continues. 

“I’ll do you a half ounce for, uh… twenty. What do you say?” He continues, holding a bag of a certain substance. “Plenty of bang for your buck. Should last a while.” 

Jennifer shuffles her weight as her foot lands on a branch, snapping it into two. Panicking, she hides behind the tree. She holds her breath, squinting her eyes tight. She overhears the blonde gasp then a loud clang from the metal box that sits atop the table. 

“Hey, uh.. We don’t need to do this. Just give me the word and I’ll walk away. Okay–”

“No, it’s not that I want you to go. It’s just… Do you ever feel like you’re losing your mind?” The blonde asks, fumbling with the table. 

“You know, just… on a daily basis. I mean, I feel like I’m losing my mind right now doing a drug deal with Chrissy Cunningham, the queen of Hawkins High.”

Chrissy Cunningham was the cheerleader's name as Jennifer keeps it in her mind. Soon after the two are done reminiscing about knowing each other growing up, things become serious once again as the silence rises between the two at the table. 

“Do you have, maybe anything stronger?”

From Jennifer’s view, she sees Eddie make a concerned face as she decides to make an entrance and begin to walk out when a school bell rings in the distance. Chrissy scrambles to leave as Eddie sits there alone. He cleans up the bag from earlier. 

“Shit. I totally forgot.” 

“Eddie,” Jennifer calls. 

“Yeah? Who’s there?” 

“Jennifer,” 

The blonde steps out from behind the tree line, making eye contact with the long haired male. She approaches him as he brings her into a hug, kissing her in the process. Jennifer pulls away and wraps her arms around his neck. 

“So, you going to the game tonight?” He asks. 

“Yeah. How about you?” 

“No, I have a D&D campaign tonight, and it can’t be postponed.” 

“Okay. Well, I guess I’ll just have to wait until I see you again.”

“You could come to my trailer, but I uh, have a guest coming over. But you could wait in my room.” 

“I could, or we could just leave now?” 

“We can’t. My uncle is likely home. And you have work to get back to.” 

Jennifer moves her arm so her watch is in view. Her eyes widen as a curse word slips from her mouth. 

“What? Everything okay?”

“Yes, everything’s fine. I just need to be back at work. Shit.”

Later, the night of the championship game approached faster than Lucas moving to the court. Jennifer arrives with Steve and Brenda (his date) as they enter the gymnasium, approaching the stairs as she grabs his arm to keep herself balanced. They sit together side by side. Steve in the middle, his date on left and Jennifer on his right, feeling like a third wheel as she watches Nancy and a short, nerdy male who wears glasses as another male stands, holding a camera. Robin stands on the bleachers, playing her trumpet. A male comes by as everyone in the stands quiet down as the microphone squeals, sending slight feedback.

The students and visitors of Hawkins, Indiana rise, standing in their places including Jennifer, who stands beside her ex-boyfriend. The male continues speaking.

"Singing for us tonight, we have a very special guest. All the way from Nashville, our very own Tammy Thompson!"

Everyone claps as someone shouts something positive towards the female. Jennifer watches as Steve exchanges a glance with Robin as he whispers something to her.

"Told you. Muppet."

"Okay, she does sound like a muppet."

Jennifer snorts, trying to keep her composer. Looking over, she watches Steve in amusement as he tries to push through the pitchy singing. He looks over at Brenda.

"Wow. She sounds amazing, doesn't she?"

After Brenda looks away, Steve makes a face. The female continues singing. Hawkins gets possession. Jason dribbles the ball and passes to a teammate who send it back to him to make a basket. He jogs across the court before stopping and eyeing someone below as the other team scores. The crowd cheers. By the entrance, Nancy stands writing in her notepad. Next to her, a tall, lanky male with square specks lean in and talks to her. But to Jennifer its inaudible to her. She manages to catch Nancy's attention, waving towards her as she waves back. A member of the opposing team knocks a Hawkins player down as Jason gets in his face, arguing. The player is held by two other players, aiding the limping student towards a nearby bench.

Soon Lucas rips off his jacket and sprints onto the court. Lucas avaids a defender, and passes the ball to Jason who brings them a score. The opposing team scored another point. Steve curses as Jennifer rolls her eyes. Soon enough, Hawkins gains another point as Robin cheers. Both Jennifer and steve watch with wide eyes, as a hawkins player earns a score. The game remains close. Jason catches the ball, calling a timeout. The team huddles up as the band plays a tune to keep the students and visitors entertained.

The two teams go back to the game, starting up again as the moment comes when the one teammate has the ball and tries to get a basket when the whole word seems as if it's moving in slow motion. The crowd cheers all around, waiting for the moment to end. Lucas grabs the ball as he swiftly moves, calculating his movements in order to get the ball into the basket above. He extends his hands, throwing the as it hits the circle above the basket, rolling around it. The timer counts down, getting closer to the end of the game.

With time ticking down to one second, and lucas' feet leave the court. As lucas takes the shot, the clocks run out as the ball flies through the air. Steve rises along with Jennifer, watching the ball closely. The circles the rim as lucas's arms remained poised right as the ball falls through the hoop. The basketball fans cheer. Jennifer claps as she cheers on the Hawkins basketball team, looking toward Steve. Cheering happily, his teammates picked up Lucas, congratulating him on the victory he scored just a few minutes ago. The other students in the high school come and congratulate him as well. Jennifer decides to leave the gym and wait outside for Eddie. Soon Mike and Dustin, along with Erica exit the building as well, but a long haired male is nowhere to be seen. They are seen, cheering out of excitement as Jennifer approaches them.

"Jennifer,"

“Hey, Dustin. Uh, how did the D&D thing go?” 

“Good. Erica beat Eddie. We won!”

“Nice. Congrats! We did too, but with a basketball not a dice.” 

“Thanks. Yeah, congratulations.” 

“Hey, uh, where’s Eddie?” Jennifer questions.

“Inside, cleaning up. He's about to take off, so I'd try to get him now."  

“Ah, okay. Thank you, Dustin.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jennifer walks through the dimly lit and empty hallway, approaching the room where the Dungeons and Dragons game was held. She stands in the doorway, knocking lightly as Eddie looks up from his place.

“Hey,” 

“Hi,” 

The long haired male rises and walks toward Jennifer, wrapping his arms around her body, pulling her close. Jennifer catches a whiff of his cologne as she snakes her arms around his waist, latching her fingers together. Looking him in the eyes, Eddie holds Jennifer’s gaze before bringing his lips to hers. They pull away as the corners of his mouth curl into a grin.

“Someone’s happy.”

“Yeah,” 

Pulling back, Eddie steps up to the door as he closes it lightly before coming back to Jennifer. He gently rests his hands on her waist gently, bringing her lips back to his. Eddie eases the blonde toward the large table, picking Jennifer up and setting her down on the table. He stands between her legs, resting his finger under her chin.

"You wanna come back to my place?"

"Sure,"

Tilting her head to one side, they hold a gaze once more. Eddie, whose fingers are still resting under her chin brings her lips to his. They pull away before kissing once more, this time deeper. Pulling back, it looks as if Eddie suddenly remembered something as he helps Jennifer off the table before grabbing her hand and bringing her towards the door. He locks up as they exit the school. With the blonde from earlier approaching, Eddie motions for her to follow them towards his car.

Once at his place, Jennifer hops down from the tall vehicle as Chrissy follows including Eddie. In the distance a dog barks as Jennifer whips her head back, uneasy. Inside, Eddie immediately cleans the wrappers and piled cups.

"Sorry for the mess," He apologies. "Uh, the maid too the week off."

"Eds, it's okay." Jenner reassures him, helping as well.

A smile forms on Eddie's face as they both place dishes in the sink and trash in the bin beside the counter.

"You, um..." Chrissy begins. "You live her alone?"

"With my uncle. But, uh, he works nights as the plant. you know, bringing home the big bucks." He explains, searching around his trailer for something.

With suspicion, Jennifer raises a brow at her boyfriend and wonders why he's acting suspicious until Chrissy begins to speak, knocking Jennifer out of her trance-like state.

"How long does it take?"

"Sorry?"

"The 'Special K.' How long does it kick in?" The blonde asks.

"Oh, uh, well, it depends if you snort it or not."

Jennifer shakes her head, almost ignoring Eddie as he exits the room only leaving her and Chrissy alone.

"So, Chrissy,"

"Yeah?"

"I was, uh, wrong about you and made an assumption about you and Eddie."

"Oh, it's alright. I get it. I, too, would a little suspicious."

"I'm guessing the two of you know each other? 'Cause I'm thinking, why in the world would a cheerleader, especially one from the Hawkins High School cheer team buy drugs, or whatever."

"Just some things are stressing me out. That's all."

Jennifer slowly nods, standing there with her arms crossed as her shoulder bag hangs. Suddenly Chrissy turns and looks out the window before closing the curtain and standing motionless as panic rises in the brunette.

"Found it. Peaceful bliss, just moments away." Eddie says, loudly as he enters the main area.

Eddie is surprised to find Chrissy standing motionless and unresponsive, in a trance-like state. He looks over at Jennifer who looks worried. The tall male calls the blondes name, inching closer to the girl. He moves one of his feet to stomp, trying to get her attention. The lights soon begin to flicker as a panicked Eddie attempts to wake the girl up. Jennifer approaches the two, watching her eyes flutter eractickly as she shouts the girls name. Suddenly, the lights begin to flicker, causing Jennifer to furrowed her brows in confusion right when she thinks back on the last few years.

In 1985, whilst working at Scoops Ahoy, the power went out after they were strobing for a few seconds before turning back on. In 1983 when Jennifer was in Steve’s backyard, the lights did the same thing when whatever took Barbara. But in this case, the flickering bulbs don't stop.

"Chrissy, wake up now!"

They both clap and shout her name, but again nothing happens. Eddie tries to wake her up again, clapping and shaking her shoulders as if she is a snow globe being shaken around by a little kid. He is horrified as Chrissy's body begins to levitate before slamming against the ceiling. Eddie loses his balance as his body goes limp, collapsing to the floor as he shouts a curse word. Chrissy's joints bend in horrifying angles, her jaw cracks sideways, and her eyes gouge out as Eddie watches, he screams, trying to process what had happened. Jennifer is still on her feet watching in horror as she helplessly stands there.

Without thinking, Jennifer exits as fast as she can but quietly too. But for Eddie, he leaves not too long after her before she gets in his car and speeds off, leaving the brunette alone as she sneaks out of the trailer park. Shaken by what happened, Jennifer walks back home. Tears cloud her vision as she stumbles before stopping by a payphone.

Raising her arm, her fingers shake as she begins to dial a number but begins crying in the process as she decides to hang up and rush home, closing herself off in her bedroom. She slowly slides down her door, the room darkened as the moonlight shines bright through her curtains. Jennifer sits there, horrified as she tries to process what just happened at the Munson trailer. But the question was: why did Eddie take off, leaving her there?

Jennifer's seen a lot of shit through the last three years, but this was something different, something more sinister that she can't wrap her finger around.

She prays that whatever is happening doesn't happen to either her or the people she loves.

[strangerficsx]

Prologue Four

story: Midnight Rain wc: 2.8k

[a/n: all characters, plot, etc. are not mine. The only thing I own is my original character. credit to gif owner.]

{ November 4, 1984 }

Author's point of view.

With a lifeless Phoebe laying on the ground, the air was filled with silence. A stranger appears, kneeling and examines the body. Without hesitation the male check for a pulse with his two fingers resting against the skin of Phoebe's neck. Her pulse is weak as be begins performing CPR. After a few attempts, her eyes flutter open. She begins a coughing fit, looking around panicked prior to seeing the male above her. Phoebe's chest rises and falls heavily, cursing. Pain seeped into her frail body whilst he helps her up and away towards Hawkins Memorial hospital.

The doctor's wheel her into a surgical room where she will stay for the next few hours before getting transferred to a recovery room. An unconscious phoebe's body settles in the bed beneath her. A heart monitor beats rhythmically beside her, her arms bandaged, her face bruised and scratched. Eventually, Phoebe gains consciousness as she begins panicking, unaware that she is safe and is getting the help she needs. Phoebe tries to speak, but all she can do is gurgle and whimper. She pushes the nurse's button, afraid she might die.

Soon a nurse responds, removing the tube from her mouth as she heaves. "Wh-Where am I?"

"You're in the hospital. You were attacked,"

"By what?"

"A wolf, maybe? The were unusual bites, but you're safe now. "Is there anything you'd like?

"Yeah, c-can you call The Byers residence, please?"

The nurse nods, stepping out the room as Phoebe lays her head against the pillow behind her. The nurse returns with a soft smile. "I couldn't get a hold of anyone."

Those word hurt Phoebe deep down, knowing that they were probably busy fighting those creatures that attacked her. But what if they were in trouble? So many thoughts ran through her tired mind as she eventually dozed off without realizing it.

~~

After a month in the hospital, Phoebe was discharged, not knowing where to go. She stumbled through the town of Hawkins as people around her stared at her unpleasantly, but she continued and made it to the Henderson residence where she steps up to a bedroom window, peaking through. She watches Jennifer rummage through belonging that were shared with Phoebe, tears streaming down her best friends cheeks, knowing that her "death" hit the brunette hard. Phoebe had hot tears prick at her eyes as she continues on.

Is she gonna be okay knowing that her own best friend is heartbroken?

Phoebe holds her hand against her stomach, feeling the patch that lies against her healing wound. She needed a place to stay as she continued on, walking towards Maple Street. She sees the two story house in the distance as she continues toward the front door. Stepping on the front porch, she rings the doorbell as a brunette answers. Nancy Wheeler.

"Phoebe? I thought... I thought you died. That's what Jennifer told me at the Hawkins Laboratory."

"I did, yes, but was helped and went to the hospital for two months. I hate, uh, to ask this but do you have any extra clothing I could borrow till I have my own?"

"Yes, come on. My mom and I have a bunch of clothes in storage."

"Nancy?" Mrs. Wheeler called. "Who's at the door?"

"Oh, uh, it's just Jennifer. She came by to check up on me cause of what's happening on the news."

"Oh, okay."

Nancy quickly leads Phoebe up the stairs and into her bedroom. She takes off her dirty shoes, and clothing as the blonde gets handed some new clothes. She quickly throws them on before looking Nancy in the eyes.

"Don't tell Jennifer I was here, okay? I don't want her to know--"

"That you're alive?! You should tell her."

"No, no, no, I can't. Not yet...at least. Give me the next year to process my plan, OK? Please, don't say anything about me, not even where I was."

"Okay, I swear not to tell her, jeez."

Phoebe leaves quickly, swiftly stepping down the steps before leaving the Wheeler house entering the bright neighborhood. She heads for her grandfather's hunting cabin, a place she hasn't been for many years as she hopes and prays someone will be there. And sure enough, her father was there stepping out of the wooden refuge, locking up.

"Dad,"

The tall male stiffened up, arms dropping to his sides before turning his head slowly. They made eye contact with each other as he hurriedly runs down the few steps and toward his daughter, scooping her in his arms. Phoebe wraps her arms around his waist, sobbing into his shirt.

"Oh, my girl, My beautiful girl."

"D-Dad, I'm here."

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Lost,"

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. You could've called me for help. The police station would've helped too."

"I-I know, Dad. I didn't want to scare anyone."

"I was scared, thinking you were dead." He sobs.

Phoebe held onto him tightly. Her face buried in his chest, weeping. They stand there for a long while before she pulls away from her father, looking him in his teary eyes. She could tell he was in pain as was in pain too. How does she explain that Hopper's little girl died and came back to life?

He brings her into the cabin, sitting at the small table in the kicthen. They sit opposite of each other. Phoebe clears her throat, siffling.

"What happened?" He asks.

"Well, when I was in the junk yard with Steve Harrington and Jennifer and the kids and I got scared, and ran away. Without thinking, I kept running unaware of the creatures. And, t-they attacked me." She stops, sniffling. Her voice became shaky. "I died, technically. Somehow, someone found me. They brought me back, and took me to Hawkins Memorial. But here I am, Dad. I'm here. And I promise to be here, if you promise to be here with me."

"I promise,"

He brings his daughter into his arms after she stepped onto the wooden planks. It creaked beneath her foot. And they kept those promises until the unthinkable happened later in 1985.

~~

{ the journal of phoebe hopper - 1985}

Phoebe sits, hunched over a table at the food court, writing in her notebook.

'Today is June 30, 1985 and here I sit in Starcourt Mall by myself drowning in the dark thoughts that cloud my mind. Across sat various shops as one keeps me distracted: Scoops Ahoy. The place where Jennifer Henderson works at. She still doesn't know where I am or what I am doing since the last time she saw me was when I died last year.

My father has kept me a secret from everyone we knew. As I hope no one reveals that I had survived being attacked by monstrous creatures in the junkyard. I sit here, trying to process the right things to do or say, not wanting to be a stalker when it came to spying on my best friend. But to others it looks like it, as I try to keep low. Most people knew about my death, but many didn't know I came back from the dead and am haunting Hawkins.

To Jennifer, I hope you understand why I am doing this. This is for your own good, so I can process what happened and to try and figure out how to make things right after you find me.

And someday you will just not at the moment. Jennifer Henderson, wait for me in '86. I'll make sure to explain everything.'

She closes her notebook as she rises walking away from the table, leaving the mall and never looking back. Throughout the summer of '85, she felt as if the world was about to end. Phoebe had nothing to go off of, if her friends were okay, if her dad was alright. Unfortunately, her father kept the promise all the way to July 4. The day her father perished under Starcourt Mall.

———

Days turned into weeks.

Weeks turned into months.

Months turned into a year.

The current year is 1986, and the blonde had no intention searching for her best friend, and gave up. Things to her were different, she hid from everyone still in her father's cabin in the woods, as Phoebe knew her dad was never coming back, so she is left to attend a damaged cabin herself from the events of last year. She didn't know what broke the ceiling, but thought it was a fallen tree that had been ran into and has been removed since, but she was way off.

The few things she wasn't aware of was that a creature from the another dimension is terrorizing students, a freak being blamed for the murder of a cheerleader, a girl trying to fight off the terror of a horrific event, the byers family moving to another state, her father being captured by russians, and so much more.

Today was March 20 as she read on the news paper she had came across on her trip into downtown Hawkins to retrieve more groceries. Phoebe fell into a dark state of depression, but continued as she was coming to terms with confronting Jennifer.

And that was what she planned on doing, she will do it in the next few days...

Her story begins again.

Somewhere else in hawkins...

{ October 4, 1985 }

Jennifer walks away, forcing her tears back as she steps toward the door, grabbing her coat that laid against the peg of the coat rack. She slides on her jacket before picking her keys from her pocket before walking out the door, shutting it behind her. Hot tears pour from her eyes.

Jennifer puts the keys in the ignition as she starts the engine. Driving, she wipes away droplets of salty water, but the tears keep coming, staining the delicate skin of her cheeks. Jennifer stops beside Hawkins High School. In the back, a forest sits as she puts the car in park. She grabs her small backpack and walks away from the school and through dry, large trees. Jennifer stops in her tracks when an empty picnic table sitting all by its lonesome, catches her eye.

Jennifer strides toward the bench and takes a seat, resting her chin on her palm. When Jennifer unzips her bag to retrieve the leftover box of cigarettes she got from Steve, a twig snaps as it catches her off guard, startling her. She zips her bag up, rising from her seat. Not knowing where the noise came from, a male with long curly hair approaches. He holds his hand up.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."

"Yeah, well, you did."

The two make eye contact as Jennifer watches the male closely. Knowing that he likely goes to Hawkins High, Jennifer calms down slightly but is still on top of her surroundings and approaches the following small talk carefully. The two sit at the table together as the male stares in Jennifer's direction. She catches his gaze, looking into his big brown eyes. Something inside Jennifer flutters, eyes still red from crying.

"So, what's your name, mystery girl?"

"It's Jennifer Henderson."

"Eddie Munson." He looks away, coming back. "Henderson? Why does that surname ring a bell."

"Hmm, don't know. I have a younger brother who goes to Hawkins High School. His name's Dustin."

"Holy shit, you're his sister."

"Yup, he is. My annoying little brother." Jennifer smiles.

"He happens to be in my D&D club." Eddie adds.

"D&D?" She questions, brows furrowed.

"Dungeons and Dragons. It's a club for--"

"For nerds? Yeah, he's mentioned it a few times, but with the crazy stuff I've endured the last two and a half years -- nah, no, I don't like it."

"Well... You seem to like this spot."

"Yeah, it's peaceful and no one's around. I went here for four years, and did not know about this spot. I just found it like a few minutes ago when I left-- I left 'cause I just broke up with someone, and needed some peace and quiet. But now, company sounds nice knowing that I was alone."

"I can't argue with that one. I too, would leave and go somewhere to cool down from anything."

"Hey, you seem... cool. I'd like to get to know you better. Is that--"

"Okay? Sure, we can. How about, this spot is our spot. The the two of us, to get to know one another."

"Yeah, I'd like that."

They smile at each other as a distant bell rings, notifying the two that class has either started or ended. They make eye contact once again, this time holding each other's gaze.

"It was nice meeting you, Henderson."

"You too, Eddie. I feel slightly better,"

"Good,"

Jennifer rises and takes her time to carefully gets back to her car.

{ January - February 1986 }

The only thing Jennifer Henderson did was push people away, so she decided to make a plan to see someone. She found a support group that was hosting every day in the afternoons, so she decided to go. Most of her time was spent her time in the program for people who lost someone important to them. Group therapy is what most people called it. She also attended because she's been having problems drinking and smoking, afraid her friends and boyfriend may judge. With worry, she didn't say anything and kept quiet. The only thing she told her mom was that she was visiting a family member in Detroit, Michigan and to tell people that she's okay.

Once she was gone, everyone around wondered where she was including Steve... but she will be back to try and explain things. That's what her plan was.

{ Friday, March 20, 1986 }

It's been almost two years since Phoebe passed away in 1984, and she has never been better. After seeing a shrink for the last few months (after the violence and terror at Starcourt Mall), Jennifer has been able to cope with her emotions toward the PTSD. Now happy as well, she's hoping this year won't bring anymore surprises from the Upside Down. Not after the last three years; from Will going missing to battling demodogs, to a spider-like creature at The Starcourt Mall. She is able to put her stress aside.

Today, though, Jennifer returned to her life. She enters Family Video with her nametag in hand. At the counter, Steve and Robin eye her. He stands with his arms crossed and Robin gives the brunette a serious look.

"Uh... What's wrong with you guys this morning?"

"Well, you haven't been at work in, like, two months--"

"What's going on with you? Are you OK? Are you sick?" Steve cuts in, shifting his stance but his arms continue to stay folded against his chest.

"Steve, I'm... I'm fine. I've been out because..." She trails off.

Jennifer continues standing her her place before approaching the counter. She swallows as the corners of her mouth mouth dips into a frown. Her eyes lower to the floor, trying to find the right words to say.

"Jesus. Just confess, please?" Robin asks, begging as she holds a tape in her hand.

"I've been getting help for my problems. I fell into dark depression, and went to an emotional support group, or group therapy.

"What?" Robin and Steve ask in unison. Steve was mostly worried, but Robin she wasn't sure how to respond.

"Yeah,"

"Jesus Christ, Jen. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to worry anyone and thought no one cared since everyone had their own problems."

"I think we all sure our own problems. Especially last year when we fought the spider creature at Starcourt."

"Yeah, and you and me, especially. We've been through fighting a demogorgon, demodogs, the mind flayer, and your friend dying plus the spider creature.

"Okay, well, wan we work and just forget I told you guys this?"

The two nodded as Robin got to work, but Steve stood there and stared at her. "I am happy you're back, Jennifer. However, please tell me what's going on. No more secrets, ok?"

"Yes," She plants her lips on his, stepping back as he turns and walks away.

Hooking the nametag on her vest, Jennifer enters the back and pulls out a stack of VHS tapes, exiting. She carefully walks toward the nearby shelf, loading the tapes on the shelf. She turns her head, glancing at Steve, who talks to a girl as he shows her various VHS tapes. Ever since the breakup, things have been awkward between the two. But they have been keeping their distance.

That night, things began to feel different. Uneasy for Jennifer as she stepped into her house. shutting the door behind her, the brunette makes her way towards her bedroom where she dresses from her work clothes to pajamas. Jennifer removes her makeup and unpins her hair. She quickly freshens her breath before settling into her bed.

"A new day. I hope."

Unfortunately, the next week will be anything but normal for Jennifer Henderson as something mysterious and more sinister comes back to Hawkins for another scare.

[strangerficsx]

Chapter Eight | The Battle of Starcourt

story: Midnight Rain wc: 5k

[a/n: all characters, plot, etc. are not mine. The only thing I own is my original character. credit to gif owner.]

El screams and wails in pain as she grabs at Mike's hand. Something continues crawling around under her skin. The flesh sizzles in the process.

"There's something in there."

The skin moves again. "Keep her talking. Keep her awake."

Jennifer rises and sprints toward one of the food court before jumping the counter, and yanking a drawer open. One was filled with forks and wrapped up plastic forks before pulling open another drawer and finding a wooden cooking spoon, exhaling sharply. She grabs a couple pairs of plastic gloves before opening another drawer and rummaging through the sharp knives, pulling out and looking at it.

"This'll do," She mutters.

Walking toward the stove, she turns the knob on high before holding the knife over the flames. The metal heats up quickly before turning the stove off and ushering toward the huddled group.

"All right, El. This is gonna hurt like hell, okay?"

Eleven nods, sobbing.

"I need you to stay real still."

She slides a pair of plastic gloves on before picking up the wooden spoon. She sighs shakily.

"Here, you're gonna want to bite down on this, okay?"

Jennifer hands the wooden spoon to Mike, who places it in Eleven's mouth as she bites down on the wood. She whimpers as Jennifer picks up the large knife, bringing it down slowly before digging the blade into the swollen and irritated skin. El screams, gritting her teeth against the wooden spoon. Nancy exclaims as Jennifer drops the knife before looking at the open wound, closing her eyes for a moment and breathing.

Reaching in and feeling around inside the flash, Eleven screeches in pain as Mike exclaims, everyone else groaning in disgust whilst El whimpers once more, crying. She screams.

"Jennifer!" Nancy yells.

"Stop talking!" She shouts back.

Using her two fingers and feeling around for whatever is moving around inside El's leg, causes her to scream once more. She screams for Jennifer to stop as she does, pulling her hand away. Eleven groans, sitting up. The group exchange nervous looks as she raises her trembling hand, wailing. The thing inside her leg moves around more as she screams, the glass beside them breaks as they cover themselves right when the creature from under the skin is floating before she throws it across the mall. Across from the group, Jim Hopper stands with Joyce Byers and a random guy as they look at the kids with serious expressions.

Everyone gets to a spot by the water fountain and huddle around each other.

"The Mind Flayer, it built this monster in Hawkins, to stop El, to kill her and pave a way into our world." Mike explains.

"And it almost did. That was just one tiny piece of it."

"How big is this thing?" Chief Hopper asks.

"Big," Jonathan says. "Thirty feet, at least."

"Yeah," Lucas begins. "It sorta destroyed your cabin."

Hopper looks in the distance, defeated but annoyed. Steve stands in between Jennifer and Max. The brunette had dropped the first aid kit as she stands there with her arms crossed, free from the contaminated gloves that were used to try to get the small creature from her wound.

"Okay, so, just to be clear, this... this big fleshy spider thing that hurt El, it's some kind of gigantic weapon?" Steve questions.

"Yes,"

"But instead of screws and metal, the Mind Flayer made it's weapon... with melted people."

Robin sits on the side of the fountain, knees to her chest and looks over at Steve.

"Yes, exactly."

"Yeah, okay. I-- Yeah, I'm just making sure."

"We sure this thing is still out there, still alive?" Joyce asks.

"El beat the shit out of it, but yeah, it's still alive."

"But if we close the gate again--"

"We cut the brain off from the body."

"And kill it. Theoretically."

Hopper sighs.

"Yoo-hoo!" Murray shouts from a distance, rustling papers and waving his arms.

Everyone gathers around a table, a map is drawn out of the paper as it sits on the table. Murray points to a spot.

"This is what Alexi called 'the hub'. Now, the hub takes us to the vault room."

"Okay, where's the gate?" Hopper asks, hands on his hips and leaned forward slightly.

"Right here." Murray says. "I don't know the scale on this, but I think it's fairly close to the vault room, maybe 50 feet or so."

"More like 500," Erica cuts in. "What, you just gonna waltz in there like it's commie Disneyland or something?"

Hopper raises his brows as Jennifer shifts her weight to the other leg, arms still crossed.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"Erica Sinclair. Who are you?"

"Murray... Bauman."

"Listen, Mr. Bunman, I'm not trying to tell you how to do things, but I've been down that shithole for 24 hours. And with all due respect, you do what this man tells you, you're all gonna die."

"I'm sorry, why is this four year old speaking to me?"

"Uh, I'm ten, you bald bastard!"

Jennifer chuckles quietly.

"Erica!" Lucas yells.

"Just the facts!"

"She's right. You're all gonna die, but you don't have to. Excuse me. Sorry, may I?"

"Please."

Dustin takes a seat, grabbing a small pencil from the pocket on his vest before putting it to the paper.

"Okay, see this room here? This is a storage room facility." He begins, circling a part of the paper. "There's a hatch in there that feeds into their underground ventilation system."

He leads a drawn line to the top right corner of the paper, circling that side in the process.

"That leads you to the base of the weapon. It's a bit of a maze down there, but between me, Jennifer and Erica, we can show you the way."

"You can show us the way?" Hopper asks, sarcastically.

"Don't worry, you can do all the fighting and the dangerous hero shit, and we'll just be your... navigators."

"No," He says.

"I second that. Dustin, we almost died down there. Those two doofuses almost got killed by the evil Russians. We are never going back in there."

"Nope." Hopper agrees with Jennifer, but disagrees with Dustin, shaking his head as his hands rest on his hips.

He leaves the group and walks over to a gun before cocking the assault rifle. Jonathan and Nancy stand on the stairs leading toward the water fountain. Robin sits on the counter of one of the food stations as Steve and Jennifer sit a couple feet away from her, trying to find the right words to say to each other. On the fountain, Max sits beside Eleven as Mike, Lucas and Dustin stand there. Erica approaches them. Joyce and Murray walk around aimlessly.

"So, about the whole thing."

"About what?"

"Our relationship,"

Jennifer begins, rising and grabbing Steve's hand and entering the kitchen of one of the small food places. She stands against one of the metal counters, holding his hand loosely. Jennifer stands there as silence falls over them, causing her to look away.

"Jennifer,"

"I just need a hug,"

Steve looks into Jennifer's eyes, holding her gaze before bringing her into his embrace, holding her close. Her arms wrap around his torso. She pulls away, bringing her lips to his before pulling back.

"You know I threw up like, a while ago, right?"

"I know, that's why I have gum."

Jennifer reaches in her pocket and retrieves the package of gum, handing him a piece as he opens the wrappers and places the stick in his mouth. After chewing it for a few seconds, he brings Jennifer's lips back, planing them on his. He pushes her against the counter behind her, lifting Jennifer up as Steve sets her down. She wraps her legs around his waist, bringing him closer as he begins a trail of kisses from her lips to her neck. Jennifer tugs at the hem of Steve's shirt, bringing it over it head before dropping it.

Steve reaches to her Scoops Ahoy shirt and swiftly pulls it over her head, dropping it and cupping her face. He deepens the kiss. Jennifer moves her hands down to unbuckle his belt, pulling his pants down as she hops off the counter long enough to slide her shorts off. She stepping out.

Now, Jennifer in her bra and panties and Steve just in his boxers, continue kissing as his hands sneak down to the hem of her panties, sliding them down to her ankles. Jennifer's panties hang on her shoe as Steve slides his boxers down enough to get him inside her. Bucking his hips, Jennifer gasps before looking toward the entrance of the kitchen. No one has entered, so Steve quickens the pace as his hands rest on her hips, moaning softly into his lips. He pulls away.

"Keep quiet, or they'll hear us." He says softly.

Nodding, Jennifer bites her bottom lip as she feels herself getting closer. Chills run down her spine as she rides her high, her hand grips the edge of the counter. Knees weak, panting and wanting more, she looks him in the eyes as they stay there. Scurrying to pick up their clothes, Steve plants a kiss on her forehead. They quickly get dressed before stumbling out of the kitchen, sitting and acting like nothing happened.

"Well, looks like you two are still together from what I heard."

"We were silent, nothing came from us."

"You came"

Robins makes a face and rolls her eyes, groaning. Jennifer smacks Steve on his arm as he grunts from the slight stinging.

"No, seriously, I heard all the little moans and grunts, whimpers and everything."

Embarrassed, Jennifer looks up at Steve as he tries to look somewhere else. Across from them, she watches as Chief Hopper approaches the group of tween boys. He tosses the talkie to Dustin.

"Hey, heads up. You can navigate, just from someplace safe."

"It's not that simple,"

"The signal won't reach!" Jennifer shouts from across the food court.

"Not with this. You need something with a high frequency band to relay with the Russians' radio tower. But for that to work, you need someone who has both seem their comms room and has access to a super-powered handcrafted radio tower one preferably already situated at the highest point in Hawkins. Oh wait. That's me." He says, continuing. "If you want us to navigate, you got us. But we need a head start."

Grabbing her keys, Jennifer looks toward Steve then her younger brother. They, including Robin, Dustin and Erica exit the mall and walk toward her Chevrolet Citation. She sits in front of the wheel as Robin sits beside her as Steve is seated between Erica and Dustin in the back. Backing up, she reverses the car before putting it in drive. The tires squeal as she pushes the pedal, speeding across the parking lot before getting on the main road, keeping a steady pace.

Continuing, they drive and drive. Jennifer begins to get annoyed about how far they are driving as Steve sighs in annoyance.

"Jesus, how far is this place, man?"

"Relax, we're almost there."

"Suzie must be pretty special, huh? I mean you built this thing and lugged it all the way to the middle of nowhere just to talk to her?"

"I mean, nobody's scientifically perfect, but Suzie's about as close to being perfect as any human could possibly be."

"She sound made-up to me. She sound made-ep to you?" Erica asks.

Jennifer stalls, answering the question.

"Why are you hesitating, Jen?"

"I'm-- I'm-- I'm not! I'm not! I think she sounds real. You know, totally, absolutely real."

"Left. Turn left."

"There's not a road here."

"Turn left now!"

Jennifer grabs the wheel from above, yanking it to the left as the car runs off the road. It hits a fence, continuing up a hill. The engine begins to strain as Jennifer puts the car in park. They exit the vehicle and approach the hand-made radio tower. They get to the radio as Dustin and Erica kneel as Robin stands beside Jennifer while Steve paces back and forth. The younger Henderson sibling grabs the speaker, uttering.

"Bald Eagle, I repeat, this is Scoops Troop, do you copy?"

"Yes, I copy."

The small group chuckles in relief. Dustin cranes his neck and looks in Jennifer's direction before turning back. The three older teens lean on their knees, getting closer to hear what's happening.

"Call sign?"

"Bald Eagle."

"Please repeat."

"Bald Eagle. This is Bald Eagle."

"Copy that." Dustin vocalizes. "Good to hear you voice, Bald Eagle. What's your 20?"

"We reached the vent. I'll contact you when I need you. Until then, silence."

"Roger that, Bald Eagle. This is Scoops Troop, going radio silent. 10-10, over."

He sets the radio down as Steve pats Dustin's shoulder, smiling.

~~

Sitting in the grass and waiting silently for anything new, Jennifer rises and walks toward Steve as she feels the cool breeze on her skin. She shivers.

"You cold?"

"Yeah,"

"Do you have--"

"I have a jacket in the backseat of my car."

Steve nods, walking away to retrieve the jacket. Whilst Jennifer stands there she overhears Murray speak. She folds her arms to her chest, waiting. Over the speaker, the male sighs in agony.

"Scoop Troop, this is... Hm. Bald Eagle. I've reached another junction."

"This is what?"

"The fourth junction."

Steve approaches Jennifer with her jacket as he helps slide her coat on, zipping the jacket up. She leans against him with her arms crossed. Steve gently rubs her arm, warming her slightly.

"All right, so if the memory serves, this is right after the My Little Pony thesis."

"We went left, so he has to go right." Jennifer adds.

"Fly right, Bald Eagle. Fly Right."

"Roger that, flying right."

Steve and Jennifer pull away as something catches their eye, stepping closer to try and get a better look.

"Hey guys!"

The other's join, looking over the city the lights begin flashing as they rush back to the radio tower, falling to their knees.

"Griswold Family, this is Scoops Troop! Do you copy? Over! Griswold Family, I repeat, this is Scoops Troop. Do you Copy?"

On the other end, a creature shireks on the radio. Dustin looks at the other's before coming back to the intercom, speaking once more.

"Griswold Family, do you copy? Do you copy?!"

Over the radio the creature roars into it as everyone stares helplessly. Dustin tries one more time. pushing the button before uttering again.

"Are you en route to Bald Eagle's nest? Please confirm your safety!" He shouts.

From the snarling on the radio and the concerned look on Jennifer and Steve's face causes her to confirm that something seriously wrong. Jennifer sprints to the car as Steve follows close behind.

"Where are you guys going?!"

"To get them the hell out of there!" Jennifer shouts.

Robin is quick to catch up as Jennifer and Steve are already in the car. She slides into the back, starting the engine and puts the car in reverse, rolling down the hill. Stepping on the peddle, she turns so the car is back on the road, speeding. Her knuckles begin to turn white whilst she grips the wheel.

Approaching the mall, Jennifer takes another way as she watches a familiar camaro sits across from Nancy and her station wagon. It speeds toward Nancy as he holds a handgun, pulling the trigger. Panicked, Jennifer steps on the pedal below as the speed accelerates the vehicle forward. The other vehicle gets closer and closer to Jennifer's as she smashes into the side of Billy's camaro, causing it to spin out as the impact makes them lean to the side before stopping completely. Jennifer breathes heavily, still holdin onto the helm.

On the side, Billy's car sets ablaze. Focusing on her and the other's, she looks at Steve then Robin in the back.

"Everyone okay?" She asks.

"Ask me tomorrow?"

Above, the creature snarls and growls as they step out of the vehicle. It stands on the roof of Starcourt Mall, roaring in the night sky. A car horn breaks the three away from the monster as Nancy's station wagon pulls beside Jennifer's car. "Get in!"

Jennifer, Steve and Robin climb into the very back of the station wagon before it takes off through the parking lot. Behind them, the monster follows behind. Nancy pulls onto the road as fear and anxiety rises when two voices over the radio, looking at it.

"Dusty-bun, you copy?"

"I copy, Suzie-poo. It sounds much better now, thanks."

"Suzie," The three of them say at the same time.

The two kids continue talking until it begins to turn into a slight argument as Dustin begins singing the song from Neverending Story. Jennifer furrows her brows, looking over at her boyfriend then Robin before exchange the same glance at Will and Lucas. After the little performance Dustin and Suzie put on, Jennifer looks back as the creature stops in its tracks before turning around, shrieking.

"It's turning around." Steve states.

"What?"

"It's turning around!" Jennifer shouts.

"Maybe we wore it out." Lucas suggests.

"I don't think so. Hold on."

When Jonathan yanks the wheel, the station wagon harshley spins around before facing the opposite direction. Jennifer groans as she her back hits the side of Nancy's vehicle. Jonathan steps on it, losing sight of the Mind Flayer. When they get back to Stacourt Mall, Lucas redirects everyone to the fireworks he collected at the store prior. They take their positions on various sides of the mall-- Nancy and Jonathan and Jennifer, Lucas and Will, Steve and Robin.

A firework explodes against the monster as another one hits the monster once again. It screeches in pain, knocking it off balance as Jennifer lights one of the strands and throws the explosive , smashing against the creature before exploding.

Hitting the monster from various angles, it screeches once again as the room lights up in multiple colors such as green, blue, purple, pink, and many more. Jonathan and Nancy throw fireworks next as it hisses. The sound of crackling is loud throughout the mall, but Jennifer ignores it watching as Steve tosses one next. Below, El leans against her elbows as Billie loses his footing, groaning and grunting front the pain. The Mind Flayer wails as from multiple angles, everyone keeps chucking explosives.

Beginning to run out, Jennifer curses under her breath as she grabs the second to last one, throwing it at the creature. Nancy extends her arm toward the firework. She looks toward Jonathan as he lights the detonator before throwing it. The colors ware out, the only thing that remains is the mind flayer and smoke filling the air. From above, Jennifer watches the creature face Billy and Eleven before something extends from it's mouth, lunging toward Max's older brother. He stops it with his hands, shouting. Whatever the monster felt, it seems like Billy can feel it too.

The creature screeches as he screams out in pain when another claw bites into his left before his right. He lets goas multiple claws extend, penetrating the weak male.

From the radio, Dustin shouts for the gate to close when the same talon from earlier, pouces Billy's chest as Max (who stands in front of Scoops Ahoy) watches everything unfold. She shouts his name as to Jennifer, everything felt like it were in slow motion. Bloodied, Billy's body collides with the mall floor. The monster screeches before flailing around, running into the railing in front of Steve and Robin before dying.

Everyone above, including Jennifer, look at the carnage left behind from the damaged scene. Unsure of how to react to the death, Jennifer and Steve reunite, hugging one another as the anxiety barely slips away.

"Thank God, it's over."

"Yeah,"

After the events, the older teens and kids get taken outside. As military and first responder vehicles surround Starcourt Mall, Jennifer sits in the back in an ambulance. A blanket hugs her frail body, staring at the ground. Beside her, Dustin and Mike Sit with El while Steve stands close to the brunette.

"We did it... again. We survived another crazy night in Hawkins."

"Yeah, I'm just happy we're safe and alive."

"Me too."

Jennifer rises and throws her blanket off before being brought into Steve's arms. Looking over, she watches as Eleven limp toward Joyce as Murry is there but Jim Hopper is nowhere to be found. Something back happened, and Jennifer is unsure of what to make of it. Even though it was upsetting that the chief was gone, Jennifer was relieved knowing her and Dustin made it out.

~~

THREE MONTHS LATER.

Jennifer sits in her living room, watching the news as the usual fanfare play through the speakers. Cutting Edge, the title says as it cuts to downtown Hawkins. She rolls her eyes as the propaganda rises once more.

"Welcome to Hawkins, Indiana, a wonderful place to grow up, to raise your family, to walk your dog. But then..." The male reports trails off as sirens wail. He continues. "...on July Fourth, everything changed. A tragedy struck this small town. But this was not this small town's brush with tragedy..."

Jennifer continues listening at the male reporter, annoyed at the fact that people thinks Hawkins is bad because the mysterious deaths ( including Bob and Barbara), government cover ups? Bizzare chemical leak. What? That's not what even happened in Hawkins. If most people heard the story, they'd think Jennifer is crazy. of some nerdy game her younger brother plays -- Dungeons and Dragons -- causing satanism. Jennifer reads the screen, 'Horror in the Heartland.'

"Stupid bullshit propaganda. Most of that didn't even happen." She mutters to herself.

The telephone rings on the table shelf, a few steps away from the television as she pushes the button, turning it off. Rising, she pulls the phone off the reciever and puts it up to her ear.

"Hey, Jen. It's Robin. Uh, Steve gave me your number and I wanted to let you know that Steve and I will be there to pick up, so we can go to our job interview."

"Okay, thanks for letting me know. I'll be here, waiting."

~~

Sitting in the back of Steve's BMW, he pulls up to Family Video before parking in front. Jennifer opens the passenger door and steps out, eyeing the large sign that sits atop the video store. Here we go... again. This time, let's hope nothing bad happens in Hawkins.

"You put your mom down as a reference?" Jennifer asks.

"Yeah. Why not? She's, like, super well-respected."

Steve hops on the pavement, holding the door open for Jennifer and Robin.

"You're such a dingus." Robin comments.

Steve jogs in behind the two girls as the three of them stand in front of the counter.

"Just to be clear, we weren't fired, you know." Robin begins.

"The mall burned down and, like, killed a bunch of people." Jennifer adds.

Robin leans against the counter as Steve rests his elbows atop the table. Keith stands across from them, lowering the paper and eyeing Jennifer as she steps closer to Steve, grabbing his arm. A bag of cheetos sit as the puffs lay against the counter, grossing the older Henderson sibling out.

"Just to be clear, we weren't fired, you know." Robin begins.

"The mall burned down and, like, killed a bunch of people." Jennifer adds.

"Thanks for sharing. Didn't know." Keith says, tossing the papers down. "Three favorite movies. Go."

"Uh... The apartment, Hidden Fortress, Children of Paradise."

"You, go."

Keith points at Jennifer.

"Footloose, Sixteen Candles, The Karate Kid."

"Now you,"

"Favorite movies?" Steve asks, unsure.

"Did I stutter?"

"Uh... Animal House, for sure. Um..." Steve trails off, glancing at Jennifer.

"Eyes on me, Harrington."

"Yeah. Uh... Star Wars."

"A New Hope?"

"A New what-now?"

"Which Star Wars?"

"The one with the teddy bears. Duh." He responds, squealing like an Ewok.

Robin lowers her head and sighs as Jennifer shuffles her stance, crossing her arms. A crossover bag sits on her shoulder while she looks at her boyfriend. Even Jennifer has seen Star Wars because of Dustin.

"No? Uh... Oh, the one that just came out. The movie that just came out. The one with the Delorean and Alex P. Keaton, and he's trying to bang his mom." She chuckles. "The time... Yeah, those are my top three. Classics."

"You two start Monday." Keith points to Jennifer and Robin.

He then puts his attention back on Steve. Steve looks down at the counter.

"You start never."

Annoyed, Steve looks at Keith then glances at his girlfriend.

"Will you just, um... Will you give us a minute?" Robin asks. She leans into Steve.

Backing up, Steve yanks the resume aggressively as Jennifer follows after him as they walk around the video store. They stand there, eyeing the VHS tapes on the shelf. Beside the shelf is a poster of a movie that is lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Hey, it's... it's okay. Not everyone gets the job they want."

"I know, it's just I picked this because it's the only place I'm interested in."

Steve stands there, hands resting on his hips. Jennifer smiles sadly before stepping toward the counter with Robin, listening on the conversatin."

"...But the dingus has other qualities,"

"He's a douchebag of the highest order, Robin."

"He was a bit of a prick to us in high school, I'll grant you that, but he reamains... a total chick magnet."

"Yeah, okay, and this is relevant to me how?"

"Uh, Earth to Keoth. The ladies will come in just to see him. They'll come in in droves. Droves, Keith."

"We sold so much ice cream, they had to get a second shipment in from Michigan. Goddamn Michigan, Keith."

"And these ladies..." Robin stops to inhale sharply. "These ladies are hot. They're so very hot. And there are too many of them for little Steve. He needs assistance. He needs your assistance, Keith."

Keith stays silent long enough to put a cheeto in his mouth as Jennifer looks at him in disgust.

"What's in it for you? You got a thing for him or something?"

Suddenly, Steve knocks into a cardboard cutout of Phoebe Cates from the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He curses before looking at the cutout in awe. Robin watches too before turning back to Keith.

"We're, uh.. we're just friends."

"We're not, though. I'm his girlfriend."

Robin smiles. The the two girls look back at Steve.

"Oh!" He says, holding the cutout of Phoebe cates. "Fast Times. Fast Times. Ever heard of it?"

Jennifer giggles.

"Top three for me, Keith."

"Oh, I gotta get going." Jennifer announces. "Steve. Can you?"

"Yeah. Where are you going?"

"Jonathan's."

Nodding, Jennifer and Steve climb into the vehicle as he quickly drives at a steady pace toward the Byers' residence. He stops long enough for his girlfriend to peck him on the cheek and exit the vehicle. Steve pulls away as Jennifer walks toward the one story house, watching Nancy and Jonathan load a mattress into the back of a U Haul truck. A for sale sign sits in the yard, greeting the couple. She ducks inside, hearing singing coming from the living room. Ma and Lucas recit the song Lucas sang with Dustin as he stares at them in annoyance.

"Wait, did we get that verse right? It's 'unfold behind the clouds'?"

"Yeah, but you're butchering it, co could you please stop?"

"So then join in, Dusty-bun." Lucas teases, blowing a kiss through the sir.

"Yeah, come on, Dusty-bun, why don't you join us?" Jennifer asks, teasingly.

The kids look at Jennifer as Max shares a cheeky smile at her before the kids turn to face each other.

"You guys are so funny, you should be on Carson."

"Can't we just hear your rendition?"

"No, Jennifer."

"Please? Just one verse?"

"No way. It's reserved for Suzie's ear alone."

Lucas, Max and Jennifer exchange glances before the two kids begin singing as Dustin flips them off, shouting for them to stop. Jennifer drops her purse at the entrance of the house before coming back, walking past a room where Joyce sits, packing a box.

"Hey, sweetheart. What brings you here?"

"I wanted to help, but also say goodbye."

"Thank you, that means a lot."

"Oh, I'm sorry about Hopper, Mrs. Byers."

"Thank you, honey. That means a lot."

Joyce rises before bringing Jennifer into her arms, hugging her tightly. After, Jennifer rejoins Lucas, Dustin in Max in the living room. She sits beside Max.

"Hey,"

"Hi,"

"I, uh.. wanted to see how you were doing, you know, with your brother."

"It's... hard, but I'm pushing through like a warrior."

"Like Wonder Woman?" Jennifer asks.

"Yeah,"

Later when everything's packed, all of them join outside the empty house. Tears are shed as hugs are exchanged. Many emotions running through Jennifer at once. She brings Jonathan into a hug.

"Good luck out there."

"Thanks."

She then hugs Will and Eleven at the same time, crying.

"I'm sad to see you go. El, we just got reunited and now you're leaving again."

"Yeah,"

"And Will, you've been such a good kid from what I heard."

Now hugging Joyce one last time, she cries as Mrs. Byers tries not to cry herself. Nearing the end of the moment, everyone gets situated in both the truck and Jonathan's car as they take off down the dirt road. Jennifer, her brother, Max, Lucas and Mike stand there watching. The kids grab their bikes and ride off as Dustin lets his sister joins him on his bike.

Entering Erica and Lucas' house, Dustin holds a box as Jennifer enters as well. The kids stand at Erica's bedroom door, knocking before the young girl opens the door. Dustin gets down on one knee, holding up the box as she grabs it, closing the door. The Henderson's leave and head back to their house.

Closing her bedroom door, Jennifer opens his shoulder bag and grabs the folded up resume. She sets it on her dresser before taking a seat on her bed, unable to process the emotions running through her.

Time to begin a new chapter.

A new life.

[strangerficsx]

Chapter Seven | The Bite

story: Midnight Rain wc: 2.3k

[a/n: all characters, plot, etc. are not mine. The only thing I own is my original character. credit to gif owner.]

The alarm continues to blare as Jennifer starts the car, turning hard around a corner as the two in the back groan. Steve curses, but she can't think of anything else then to get everyone back to safety. Robin, however, begins to speak but it starts of slurred.

"Yeah, what it this, like, the Indy 500?" She asks.

"It's the Indy 300."

"No, dingus, it's 500!"

"It's 300!"

Erica looks back at the two, judging. Steve and Robin begin laughing hysterically.

"What's wrong with them?"

"I don't know," Dustin says,

"I know what's wrong with them."

Not paying attention, Jennifer accidentally runs the car into a bunch of stacked barrels, causing everyone to get jerked forward including Steve and Robin who groan from the impact. Rushing out of the vehicle, she along with Dustin and Erica rush to the back, unhooking the slot before opening the door. Without moving, Jennifer and the two kids shout at them and force Steve and Robin out of the back. She looks at Steve's battered face, frowning at the injuries.

"God, what did they do to you."

Dustin holds a keycard up to the keypad as it beeps, motioning for Jennifer and Erica to step onto the elevator with the drugged teens. The door closes as Jennifer hits the close door button, it shoots up the shaft quickly and not calmly. Whilst the elevator is rising in the hoistway, Steve stands on a a metal flatbed truck and acting as if he is surfing as Robin holds the he handle. They shout and whoop giddly at the same time.

"Hey! You look like you're surfing!" Robin shouts.

"Surfing! Yeah!"

Jennifer shakes her head, annoyed. She stands behind her brother and Erica.

"They seem drunk,"

"Why would they be drunk?"

"I'm a natural! Check it out!" Stee shouts, loosing his balance and hitting the elevator floor.

Robin laughs as they begin laughing even more. She takes a seat as Jennifer kneels beside her boyfriend, resting her hand on Steve's forehead, feeling the heat on her cold fingertips.

"He's hot."

"You're hot,"

Dustin kneels, grabbing Steve's face and trying to open his eyes only to hurt him in the process. Jennifer sees the redness in the whites of his eyes, looking back at her brother with concern.

"His pupils are super dilated."

"Maybe he's drugged."

"That's exactly what these two dinguses are. They've been drugged by those shitty Russians."

"Ugh. Boop!" Steve says, booping the tip of Jennifer's nose as she tries to get him to look her in the eyes, barely holding a gaze.

"Steve, are you drugged?" Jennifer asked even though she knew the answer.

With his head resting on the box behind him, Steve begins. "How many times, Dad? I don't do drugs. It's only marijuana."

"This isn't funny, okay? I need to know what they did to you."

"Dustin, they drugged him. Robin too. What else do you think they did?"

Steve boops her nose again before picking his nose slightly with his sailor tie, laughing.

"Are they gonna die?"

Jennifer looks toward Robin who is twiddling her fingers in her hair.

"We all die, my strange child friend. It's just a matter of how... and when."

The brunette looks back at Steve, trying to find the words before getting a thought. Her keys were left on the counter in the back room at Scoops Ahoy.

"We'll take my car, ok?"

Dustin nods.

"Ooh, and we stop by the food court."

"I would kill for a hot dog on a stick."

"Ooh!"

"Yes, you can have as much food as you want."

They continue laughing as the elevator stops on the main ground where they open the door, stepping onto the pavement. It felt good for Jennifer to be back on the ground and not in an underground experiment to open the gate to the upside down. Sighing a breath of relief, she looks back at Robin and Steve. The two have their tongues out tasting the air around them when abruptly the gate in front of the group opens and two guards strom through, wielding their large guns and coming towards them.

"Shit." Jennifer curses.

Jennifer grabs Steve by the hand and drags him toward the double doors as Dustin opens them. Erica pushes Robin inside, shutting the door behind them. They run through the back of the mall, the corridor that leads to various stores especially Scoops Ahoy. Approaching a door, Jennifer cracks it open and sees that the coast is clear before her and the others scurry out and into the theater that is currently playing Back to the Future.

Everyone was fixated on the film as Dustin now leads the way, down the aisle dragging a drugged Steve and Robin over to two empty seats closest to the screen.

"You two, sit."

"No, no, no! These seats are too close!"

"Dude, these seats blow."

"Then don't watch the movie," Jennifer exclaims.

"We want to watch it."

"Then watch it!"

The two of them sit down. Some male shushes them as Robin shushes him back then turning to face the kids and the screen.

"Whatever you do don't... go... anywhere."

"Fine, Mom."

Robin snickers as Steve holds a few pieces of popcorn in his hand then putting the popcorn in his mouth. Jennifer sighs, shaking her head before she, Dustin and Erica move to three unaccompanied seats. Dustin sighs.

"Okay, it's official. I'm never having kids."

"What are we doing here?" Jennifer asks.

"We're laying low. Cooling off. Like Oswald."

"Oswald was found in a theater and shot to death."

"A week later."

"The point if, his plan didn't work."

"All right, enough you two. Shut it."

A woman behind them shushes them as the three of them shush the woman back, getting irritated.

"All right, you guys watch Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Make sure they don't go anywhere."

"Where are you going?"

"To find my keys in the parlor, so we have a ride."

Jennifer rises as Dustin follows behind, walking into the room where the film is playing the movie. The older Henderson sibling exits the theater and walks through the mall, towards the shop but keeping an eye out for any guards.

She enters Scoops Ahoy, pushing through the door and into the back room, seeing that everything was the way it were yesterday. She approaches the little shelf and looks through the items before seeing a pair of keys.

Exclaiming with excitement, Jennifer extends her arm and yanks the keys off the table before leaving the ice cream place. She quickly strides across the mall, entering the movie theater and seeing that Dustin has returned to his seat next to Erica. He's asking her about batteries, then a plan B as Jennifer looks over and sees the two are gone from their seats.

"Where... are they?" She asks.

Erica and Dustin glance at the empty seats as well, rushing out of the theater and looking for them. The entrance to the theater is deserted. Something feels off with the air around them before questioning the two kids.

~~

In the bathroom, Robin lays on the floor as her feet are perched on the stall door. Steve, who's in the stall over, sits beside the toilet before flushing. He groans.

"The ceiling stopped spinning for me. Is it still spinning for you?" Robin questions.

Steve looks up.

"Holy shit. No." He responds. "You think we puked it all up?"

"Maybe. Ask me something. Interrogate me."

"Okay, interrogate you. Um... When was the last time you, uh, peed your pants?"

"Today."

"What?"

"When the Russian doctor took out the bone saw,"

He laughs. "Oh, my God."

"It was just a little bit, though."

Robin laughs, pushing herself to where she's sitting against the tiled wall.

"Alright, my turn."

"Okay. Hit me."

"Have you... ever been in love?"

"Yep. Starting, Nancy Wheeler then Jennifer Henderson. First semester, senior year." He says, imitating a gunshot before chuckling.

"Oh, my God. She's acts like a priss."

"Yeah, not really."

"Are you still in love with Nancy?"

"No. I think it's because I found someone who's a little better for me. It's crazy. Ever since Dustin got home, he's been telling me 'find your suzie. Find your suzie."

"Wait. Who's Suzie?"

"Some girl from camp, I guess his girlfriend. To be honest with you, I'm not 100% sure she's even real. But that's not-- that's not really the point." He says.

"Oh, Steve?"

"Yeah?"

"A few days ago, when Jennifer was upset in the backroom while you were tending to the female customers, Jennifer was in tears, talking about your relationship. She told me that she wasn't sure if she wanted to still be in the relationship, wanting to break up... with you."

"What? She doesn't..."

"But then Jennifer said that you both have been through so much, and that kept her from leaving because she never had chemistry like she had with you."

"What.. I don't-- I didn't know she felt that way."

Robin was silent, causing Steve to furrowed his brows and tap on the bathroom stall.

"Robin, did you just OD in there?"

"No," She sighs. "I am still alive."

He sighs deeply as Steve slides himself under the stall and in the same one with her.

"The floor's disgusting."

"Yeah, well, I already got a bunch of blood and puke on my shirt, so... What do. you think?"

"About?"

"The girl."

"She is awesome. And what about the guy?"

"I think he's on drugs, and he's not thinking straight."

"Really? 'Cause I think he's thinking a lot more clearly than usual."

~~

The girl, Jennifer is currently looking around the mall with her younger brother and Erica. She steps into the shop and grabs the first aid kit from one of the stores. She exits and continues looking. They continue to search for Steve and Robin. She hears faint laughing as she follows it, motioning her brother towards the bathroom.

Dustin pushes past and barges into the restroom. The two are still laughing and smiling until the three of them stop in their tracks.

"Okay. What the hell?"

They continue laughing before he stops looking toward Jennifer. He gives her a serious expression before rising. She gives him a saddened look before turning her heel and stepping away, holding the first aid kit still.

"Jen-- Jennifer. Come on, look at me."

"No, you know what I told Robin the other day. If-- If you want to then let's... end it."

"Jennifer, please. No."

Dustin cracks open the door, looking out and scanning the outside entrance to the theater. Soon the other's are behind, looking out too.

"And... blend."

They exit the bathroom and into the middle of the crowd of movie goers. Jennifer keeps calm and continues on, grabbing Steve's hand in the process whilst still holding the first aid kit for his wounds.

"Well, shit, that worked."

"Course it worked. We just have to get to Jennifer's car, and home sweet home, here we come."

"Uh, Dustin."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, we might not wanna go to your house."

"Why?" Jennifer asks.

"Well, I might've told them yours and Jennifer's full name."

"What is wrong with you?"

"Dude, I was drugged.

"So?" Jennifer asks.

"So?"

"You resist. You tough it out. You tough it out like a man."

"Oh, yeah, it's easy for you to say."

"Guys?"

Robin and Jennifer stops everyone, looking towards the two Russian guards standing across the from them. One of the men look over as they run back and towards an escalator. They slide down before trying to figure out where they should hide. Jennifer signals them behind the counter at a nearby restaurant. They pant as Jennifer grabs her boyfriend's hand, squinting her eyes. The car that's blocked off with red rope -- the alarm begins wailing as they stay still. The sound of metal clings as it drags the russian guards away, killing them instantly.

The car crashes against the counter of one of the food stalls. Pulling her hand away, Jennifer and the other's peek over the counter, standing behind it and eye the downed guards. Their gaze drift confusedly toward the car then at the second floor where Jonathan, Nancy, Mike, Max, Lucas and Will gather around Eleven. A smile begins to form on Jennifer's face.

The two groups meet on the main level. Dustin hugs Eleven and Mike.

"Erica?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Ask them. It's their fault"

"True, yeah. Totally true. It's absolutely our fault."

"I don't understand what happened to that car."

Everyone continues talking as Jennifer greets Jonathan and Nancy, thrilled to see they are still alive before smiling at Max.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"I'm Robin,"

"She's the one who help crack the secret code."

"Yeah, which is how we found out about the Russians." Jennifer adds.

"Russians? Wait, what Russians?" Jonathan asks.

"The Russians!"

"Those were Russians?"

"Some of them,"

"What are you talking about?"

"Didn't you hear our code red?"

"Yeah. Wouldn't understand half of what you were saying."

"Goddamn low battery."

"How many times do I have to tell you with the low battery?"

"Well, everything worked out, didn't it, Steve?"

"Worked out? We almost died."

"YEah, but we didn't. Did we?"

They continue talking as Jennifer notices Eleven taking a few steps away from the group. Remicing, she covers her ears and squeezes her eyes closed tight. Suddenly, Eleven collapses. The group notices before rushing toward her, some of them kneeling.

"What's wrong?"

"My leg."

Jennifer nods as she peels away the gauze, revealing the worsen wound. They all exclaim in disgust as her stomach churns but keeps her composure. They groan and gasp as something moves beneath El's skin as she grits her teeth, grunting. She wails in pain as Mike calls out her name. The other's watch helplessly before El screams a loud.

[strangerficsx]

Chapter Six | E Pluribus Unum

gif not mine.

word count: 1,259

Steve looks at Dustin and Jennifer takes a step back, unsure of what to think about the gate being opened. Even though she witnessed this last year, it was new to her seeing the slightly opened portal causing a huge amount of anxiety. She wonders if the demodogs who attacked her best friend will come back and finish the job.

"The gate." Dustin says.

Stepping down the steps carefully, Jennifer stumbles as Steve helps down the rest of the way.

"I don't understand. You've seen this before?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what, exactly?"

"All you need to know is it's bad."

"It's really bad."

"Like, end-of-human-race-as-we-know-it kind of bad."

"And you know about this how?"

"Um, Steve? Where's your Russian friend?"

They look down, the male is gone as a blood puddle lingers on the floor. An alarm blares above while Steve rushes toward the door, opening it before shutting it back.

"Shit."

The four of them to the same spot as earlier, entering the room with the gate slowly opening as everyone inside stares in their direction. They run down a small flight of stairs before stopping as whirling beside them, distracts them before Steve directs them another way. Jennifer pushes past a guard as he yells in Russian. Steve curses as he knocks a pile of barrels on the two guards who rushed towards them. They run into an empty room as Steve holds the door shut along with Jennifer, looking toward her boyfriend.

Erica opens the grate and she climbs in. Robin rushes toward the door and helps hold it shut as Jennifer grabs Steve's face. She plants her lips on his,pulling away after a few seconds. Jennifer pulls back and rushes behind her younger brother. He shouts for Jennifer and the kids to go. The guards yell as she pushes her brother in, grabbing the grate and pulling it down above them. They sit in an air vent, crawling through.

For what it felt like an eternity, the make it to a large fan as it blows cold wind. They sit there whilst Dustin fumbles with the screws on grate which leads to a control panel. Her younger brother continues about the events of the last two years, causing Jennifer to get annoyed.

"Um, you need help with that?"

"No,"

"Well, I mean, it's taking a while, so--"

"Yeah, no shit, Sherlock."

Jennifer stays quiet, fanning herself and begins to wonder if Steve and Robin are okay. She leans against the metal duct, fanning herself with her hand.

"All right, so if we don't find a more efficient method to stop those fans, we're never gonna find help, and your ice cream buddies are screwed."

"Yeah, with that attitude, they are. Jee-zus!"

"I'm just being realistic. I mean, we've made it about point-three miles in nine hours. Then we had to walk three hours down that tunnel, so I'd estimate ten miles back to the elevator which should approximately twelve-and-a-half days."

"Did you just do all that in your head?"

"I'm good with numbers."

"Holy shit. You're a nerd."

"Come again?"

"You... are... a... nerd."

"Okay, you better take that back, nerd."

"Can't put the truth back in the box." Jennifer says.

"But its not the truth."

"Let's examine the facts, shall we? Fact one: you're a math whiz, apparently."

"That was a pretty straightforward equation."

"Fact number two: you're a political junkie."

"Just because I don't agree with Communism as an ideology--"

"Fact number three: you love My Little Pony."

"And what does My Little Pony have to do with this?"

Jennifer roles her eyes, wishing the guards would've taken her so she's not sitting in a vent under the mall she works at and listening to her brother speak about how his friend's sister is a nerd. Dustin then speaks about My Little Pony as she stares at her brother in annoyance before he pulls the chord as the three of them crawl through the vent even more.

They continue crawling once more before Jennifer leads them, stopping and removing the grate above. She stands there before her and the two kids climb out. Around them, large capsules hold the vials of the green substance they saw earlier. Dustin rushes down the few steps and toward the small car.

"Do you even know how to drive?"

"How hard can it be?"

"No, no. You're not driving." Jennifer says.

Her and Dustin search around for the keys as Erica stalks away, looking toward something before she asks Dustin about the Demogorgon. To the side, a box on the wall captures Jennifer's attention as she asks her brother to pry it open. He gets the door open as Jennifer eyes her brother then the keys, grabbing them before he can. Looking back Erica is nowhere to be seen until loud zap crackles behind the Henderson siblings, jumping back as Erica holds an electroshock prod.

"What the hell is that?!"

"A deadly weapon. Could be useful."

The prod crackles, causing Dustin to hold his arms out, almost scared of his friend's younger sister.

"For what?"

"What do you think? Taking out Commies, saving your friends."

"Thought you were more realistic than that, nerd."

Erica rolls her eyes, stalking away.

"We don't even know where they are," Jennifer adds. "And even if we did, there are a million guards up there with weapons way deadlier than that."

Dustin walks toward the car, Jennifer and the younger kids walk toward the car, getting in.

"The best thing we can do for them is to get out of here and find help." Dustin says.

Erica loosely holds the electroshock probe.

"Careful with that." Jennifer says. "And no, we will find a way to save them. Our chance of surviving, and theirs, rises substantially. Just trust me on this. Please?"

The kids stare at her as she puts the key in the key hole, turning it as the electric car turns on. The engine powers up, taking down the hallway.

~~

What felt like an eternity driving through the long corridors of the underground Russian base, they pull over as Jennifer holds the keys in her hand. She takes out a guard when an alarm blares, dropping one of the vials of green liquid. Getting to a door, Dustin grabs the electroshock prode from Erica as Jennifer looks over at her younger brother, concern forming on her face.

"Do you know how to use that?"

"Hard hard could it be."

"Just be careful, OK? I don't want to explain to mom why you died."

He sticks his tongue out at Jennifer as she rolls her eyes, grabbing the handle of the door and opens it. Dustin rushes in, screaming before sticking the prod to the Russian doctor's chest, zapping him as his body shakes with impact. He falls to the ground unconscious as he drops the electro prod, rushing over with Jennifer to untile Steve and Robin.

"Hey, Henderson's. That's crazy I was just talking about you."

Jennifer unhooks the strap from Robin as she looks back at Dustin, shouting in excitement. Something was wrong with two, something she couldn't put her finger on.

"Get ready to run," Jennifer says, making eye contact with Robin.

Robin's pupils were dilated as if she came from the optometrist, speaking nonsense before sluggishly hanging all of Jennifer, hugging her in the process. She giggles, Steve rises too as they stumble before running out of the room.

"Jesus. What's wrong with them?" Dustin asks.

"I have a theory," Jennifer responds. "We need to go. Now."

[strangerficsx]

CHAPTER FIVE | THE FLAYED

gif not mine.

word count: 1,950

As the elevator flies down the shaft, everyone inside screams in fear as they try find something to keep themselves from falling.

"We're going down! We're going down!" Steve shouts.

"Yeah, not shit, Harrington!" Robin shouts, holding onto the shelf behind her.

"Why don't these buttons work?!"

Erica rushes toward the curly haired kid, shouting. "Press the button!"

"What do you think I'm doing?!"

"Come on, press something! Just press the button!" Jennifer shouts.

Dustin screams until the elevator hits the bottom of hoistway. Everyone groans when Robin hits the back of her head and Jennifer landing on the floor below. A box fell on top of Steve as he complains before shifting.

"Is everyone okay?" Robin asks, holding the back of her head.

"Yeah, I'm great, no that I know Russians can't design ekevatos!" Steve shouts, pushing Dustin out of the way.

"We've clearly established that those buttons don't work."

"They're buttons. They have to do something."

"Yeah, if we had a keycard."

"A what?"

"It's an electronic lock." Jennifer comments, walking toward Steve and the buttons. "Same as the loading dock door. If we don't have a keycard, it won't operate meaning--"

"We're stuck in here."

Steve runs his hand through his hair and shuts the door annoyed.

"Just so you nerds are aware, I'm supposed to be spending the night at Tina's, and Tina always covers for me. But if I'm not home for Uncle Jack's party tomorrow." She commends as Robins hugs herself and Steve leans against the box on top of the table, Jennifer stands straight, keeping her footing.

"And my mom finds out you four are responsible, she's gonna hunt you down, one by one, and slit your throat."

"I don't care about Tina! Or Uncle Jack's party! Your mom's not gonna be able to find us if we're dead in a Russian elevator!"

"Hey," Dustin gets everyone's attention before pointing at the little door above. "What if we climbed out?"

Standing on the box, Dustin opens the little door above and climbs onto the top of the elevator as Steve follows behind along with Jennifer. She exhales, feeling uneasy as Steve grabs her hand and helps her up. They stand side by side, looking up at the long, dark hoistway above.

"Jesus," She mutters under her breath.

Dustin scurrys down to retrieve his walkie-talkie, coming back up and standing in the same spot as earlier. Jennifer sits opposite of Steve as she wonders what day or time it is, looking up before glancing at her brother.

"This is a code red, I repeat, code red. Does anyone copy? This is a code red, I repeat, code red. This is a code red, I repeat, code red. We are innocent children trapped under Starcourt Mall. The Red Army has infiltrated Hawkins, and if we are found, they will torture and kill us."

"Hey."

"You gotta take it easy on that thing.. Gonna drain the battery."

"The mall just opened,"

"So?"

"So someone could be in range."

"What do you think, Petey the Mall Cop is gonna rappel down here and save the day?" Steve asks.

"All right, why are you a cranky pants today?"

"Jesus christ."

Steve rises, walking around and looking above him. Jennifer remains seated.

"While you kids were sleeping, we were trying to find a way to open the door."

"After eight hours, we're still exactly nowhere, which is, you know probably just a little bit of the reason why I'm feeling just... a tad cranky."

Steve steps in front of the wall, unbuckling his belt before unzipping his pants.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm taking a leak. Look away. Look away!" He shouts, voice echoing.

Dustin turns away, looking toward Jennifer as Steve scoffs.

"Why aren't you looking away?"

"I'm his girlfriend, and an adult.""

Below, Robin shouts at Steve. "Can you redirect your stream, please?"

The sound of clanging is heard as Erica and Robin argue about the liquid in the bottle. Suddenly, Robin appears as she pokes her head up at the other's.

"We've got company."

Jennifer, Dustin and Steve look at one another as Robin and Erica join them above. They are knelt as Steve is seen watching what's happening below as the anxiety builds inside Jennifer, anxious, holding her breath without her knowledge. Steve looks toward the liquid container in Erica's hands, mustering an idea. Once when the small vehicle leaves, Steve jumps down and slides the large tube under the door, holding it long enough for the other's to scurry down. Erica then Dustin then Jennifer, Robin and finally Steve as the vial begins to crack. It breaks while the substance melts away the floor below.

"Jesus Christ."

"Ooh!"

They huddle around the green substance.

"You still wanna drink that?"

"Holy mother of God."

Jennifer stands straight, looking down the long ass tunnel.

"Well.. hope you guys are in good shape." Steve says, walking past them. He pats Dustin's chest. "Looking at you, roast beef."

Steve trudges on as Jennifer follows behind him. Robin, Erica and Dustin follow behind them. They continue down the long corridor. It felt like Jennifer been walking for an eternity, feeling her legs carrying her as she wants to go home and sleep.

"I mean, you have to admit, as a feat of engineering alone, this is impressive."

"What are you talking about? It's a total fire hazard. There's no stairs, there's no exit, there's just an elevator that drops you halfway to hell."

"They are commies. You don't pay people, they cut corners."

"To be fair to our Russian comrades, I don't think this tunnel was designed for walking."

"I mean think about it, they develop the perfect system for transporting that cargo."

"It all comes into the mall like any old delivery."

"And then they load it up onto those trucks and nobody's the wiser."

"You think they built this mall so they could transport that green poison?" Steve asks.

"I very seriously doubt it's something as boring as poison. It's gotta be much more valuable, like promethium or something."

"What the hell is promethium?" Jennifer questions.

" It's what Victor Stone's dad used to make Cyborg's bionic and cybernetic components."

"You're all so nerdy, it makes me physically ill."

"No, no, no. No, don't lump me and Jennifer in with them. We're not nerds, all right?"

"Why so sensitive, Harrington? Afraid of losing cool points to a ten-year-old child?"

"No, I'm just saying I don't know jack shit about prometheus."

"Promethium." Dustin corrects. "Promethium is a Greek mythological figure, but whatever. All I'm saying is, it's probably being used to make something.

"Like a nuclear weapon?"

"Totally."

"Walking towards a nuclear weapon. That's great. That'd be great." Jennifer curses.

"But if they're building something, why here? I mean, Hawkins. Seriously. Of all places. At our very best, we're a toilet stop on you way to Disneyland, maybe that it. Maybe it's our very.."

Robin's voice becomes faint to Jennifer's ears as she stops in her tracks, looking back at Steve and Dustin talking. The sound of their faint voices capture the attention of Robin and Erica.

"I'm sorry, is there something you'd like to share with the class?" Jennifer asks.

The two look at her then at each other, then back at Jennifer, Erica and Robin again right when the walkie-talkie hisses static. A man speaking Russian plays out on the radio. The two run toward them as they all kneel, Erica pulls out the radio as the man continues talking. They gather as Robin holds the talkie in her hand, speaking Russian.

"It's the code."

"Wherever that broadcast is coming from--"

"It's close." Jennifer finishes.

"And if there's one thing we know about that signal..."

"It can reach the surface."

"Let's go."

They rise, continuing on as excitement has filled Robin from what Jennifer sees from her view. They hide behind a furnace, waiting for the time to clear out.

"Okay, clear." Steve quietly mutters. "Come on, let's go."

"Okay, that was close."

"Too close."

"Relax." Jennifer says, continuing. "All right? Relax. Nobody saw..."

Coming across a large interior, Jennifer is astonished as the other's join her. A female voice is heard speaking Russian on the PA, various men are in various suits as the Russian chatter is indistinct. One soilder holds a large gun. Two other men wear tactical suits. A guard above looks over as they all duck behind a large container.

"Red Dawn."

"I saw it." Erica whispers. "First floor, northwest."

"Saw what?"

"The comms room."

"You saw the comms room?" Jennifer asks, turning to peak around the corner.

"Correct."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. The door was open for a second, and I saw a bunch of lights and machines and shit in there."

"That could be a hundred different things."

"I'll take those odds."

Steve shakes his head and sighs. The five of them peak around the corner before coming back.

"All right. We're gonna move fast, we're gonna stay low. Okay?"

"Okay."

One by one, they follow behind Jennifer quietly as the move behind a large tote before moving behind a metal machine. She watches as Steve tucks his hair behind his ear as she smiles softly, in complete awe. The door panel beeps as a male in a white coat exits, holding a folder of some kind and looking through it. Rising, they stay low and continue before entering the room. Robin, Jennifer, Erica and Dustin stand up straight, shocked and frozen in place. Steve, who is hunched over shocked, looks over at the guy still holding the door handle. The Russian male moves his hand toward the holster as Steve stands, frozen. Robin tries to distract the male with her Russian, failing completely as he begins to grab his gun.

Steve charges at him whilst yelling, talking the guy against the desk as the two males grunt. The soldier pushes Steve back and lunges for his face as he ducks away, advoicing the fist. But the male gains the upper hand and grabs Steve's collar and throws him against the desk before grabbing the back of his shirt. Steve elbows the man in his thigh, catching him off guard as he grabs the telecom microphone and turns around, hitting the male with it as he smacks his face on the other desk before falling towards the floor unconscious. The male pants while he pushes his hair back. Jennifer doesn't know how to react as she stands there, grabbing onto Robin.

"Dude. You did it! You won a fight!"

Steve looks toward Jennifer as she pulls herself away. He smirks at her as she smiles. Dustin rushes over and begins to unhook the keycard from the Russian's pants.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting us our ticket out of here."

"You want to walk all the way back?"

"Well, we can hang out for a little but, relax, have a picnic maybe."

"Have a picnic? We came here for the radio."

Distracted, Jennifer follows Robin up a flight of stairs, a blue hue sets the stairway. They look through the glass on the door before rushing back down. They all get through the door and look through the glass. Across from them are generators, generating energy towards a small opening in the wall. Shocked, Jennifer stands there, grabbing her boyfriend's hand, unsure of what will happen next.

"What the hell is that?"

"I don't know, but it can't be good."

They are unable to turn away, continuing to stare at the partial portal being created across from them. Something about the whole thing makes Jennifer uncomfortable for some reason, causing the anxiety to rise once more.

[strangerficsx]

CHAPTER FOUR | THE SAUNA TEST

gif not mine.

word count: 2,299

Sitting in the back at Scoops Ahoy, Dustin give more detail on the entrance of the small interior they were looking into the night before. Robin fumbles with the scoop as Steve twirls his sailor hat on his finger.

"That keycard opens the door, but unfortunately, the russian with this keycard also has a massive gun. Whatever's in this room, whatever's in those boxes,"

Jennifer sits in the chair as Steve's foot rest against it, in between her thighs. She rests her chin on the palm of her hand. Dustin paces back and forth, continuing his sentence.

"They really don't want anybody finding it."

"But there's gotta be a way in."

Steve blows into his hat, dropping it onto the table.

"Well, you know.." He leans against the table. "I could just take him out."

"Take who out?" Jennifer asks.

"The Russian guard."

Robin nods in disbelieve, lips pursed. Jennifer snickers and looks his way.

"What? I sneak up behind him, I knock him out, and take his keycard. It's easy."

"Did you not hear the part about the massive gun?"

Steve looks toward Dustin.

"Yes, I did. And that's why I would be sneaking."

"Well, please, tell me this, and be honest, have you ever actually... won a fight?"

"Okay, that was one time--"

"Twice. Jonathan. Year prior."

"Listen, that doesn't count."

Robin and Jennifer look at each other, smiling and wanting to laugh. Jennifer turns toward him, clearing her throat.

"Why wouldn't it? Because it looks like he beat the shit out of you."

The boys begin to argue as Robin looks over at the whiteboard as Jennifer follows her gaze. "That just might work."

Robin grabs her bag and rushes out of the back, and scooping the cash from the tip jar.

"Robin. Jennifer. Hey, guys! Hey, what-- what are you doing?"

"We need cash."

"Well, some of that is mine. Where're you going?"

"To find a way into that room, a safe way. In the meantime, sling ice cream, behave, and don't get beat up. We'll be back in a jiff."

Her and Robin rush out and toward the entrance of the mall, and toward Robin's bike.

"Why don't I give you a ride. I have a car."

"Okay, let's go."

The two girls hop in the car and take off down the road toward the County Recorder's Office. They park and exit the vehicle, walking toward the office. They enter the little room, and Robin speaks to the woman at the counter. Eventually, someone was able to give them a blueprint of the vents and stuff at Starcourt Mall.

"I can't believe we actually got something like this."

"Well, for twenty dollars, we'll take it. Let's get back and show the boys, and figure this out."

~~

The two girls get back to the mall, rushing in and toward Scoops Ahoy. The four of them step into the back room.

"It is fascinating what 20 bucks will get you at the County Recorder's Office." Robin speaks, setting the blueprint down.

"Starcourt Mall. The complete blueprints."

"Not bad,"

Robin points at the paper. "So, this is us, Scoops. And this is where we want to get."

"I mean, I don't really see a way in."

"There's not if you are talking exclusively about doors."

"Air ducts."

"Exactly."

"Turns out, this secret room needs air just like any old room." Jennifer walks toward the white board and grabs the marker before returning to the table. "And these air ducts lead all the way.."

She trails a red line with the marker down the paper, leading to the bottom left corner of the page. "Here."

Jennifer, along with Steve, Robin and Dustin look toward the air vent."

Steve exits the room and comes back with a ladder as he sets it up before grabbing a screwdriver, stepping up the ladder and unscrewing the small screws. He takes the vent down, handing it to his girlfriend.

"Flashlight." He says, muffled.

Jennifer hands him the flashlight as he thanks her before taking the screwdriver out of his mouth and handing it to her as well. Steve turns the light on, and shines in the air duct.

"Yeah, I don't know, man. I don't know if you can fit in here. It's, like... uh, super tight."

"I'll fit." Dustin speaks. "Trust me. No collar bones, remember?"

"Uh, excuse me?" Robin asks, surprised.

Steve hops off the ladder as Dustin scurry's up the metal.

"Oh, he's, uh... Yeah, he's got some disease. Chry, uh... It's chrydo, um. Something. Yeah, I dunno."

"Oh, my God." Jennifer groans, earning a look from both Steve and Robin. "He has cleidocranial dysplasia."

"That's it. He's missing bones and stuff. He can bend like Gumbo."

"You mean Gumby."

"I'm pretty sure it's gumbo."

"Just shut up and push me" Dustin exclaims from above, half way out of the air vent.

Steve walks toward the ladder, climbing up and begins to push on Dustin's lower half as Robin snakes closer to Jennifer.

"What do you see in this dingus?"

"Lots of things. But, it's not excusing his stupidity."

"Well, you're not wrong about that."

Steve continues pushing as the two females watch as Robin furrows her brows. Jennifer rolls her eyes, lowering her head and pinching the bridge of his nose, annoyed.

"Not my feet, dumbass. Push my ass."

"What?"

"Touch my butt! I don't care!" Dustin shouts.

Steve begins pushing on Dustin's ass.

"Come! Harder! Push harder!" The curly haired kid shouts.

"I'm pushing!"

Dustin's lower half rests on Steve's shoulders as he continues to push the kid in further.

"You're playing with my legs."

"I'm not playing, I have terrible footing."

Jennifer shakes her head as Robin does the same.

"Come on!"

"I'm gonna shove you, ready?"

"Just shove me?"

"One, two.."

Steve shoves the child with a push as it doesn't work.

In the vent, Dustin curses out loud.

"That work?"

"One more time."

from the front, a dinging bell is heard as both Jennifer and Robin turn to look at the little girl in front of the counter outside.

"Ahoy, sailors! All hands on deck! Ahoy!"

The girl keeps complaining as Robin looks toward the brunette.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yeah,"

After bringing the girl into the back of the room, the little girl climbs the later, shining the flashlight in the duct. Stepping down, she turns to face everyone. The four of them are leaned against the counter, Robin has her elbows perched on the table, Steve's crossed arms, and Dustin's hands in his pockets as Jennifer stands with her hands on her hips. They all look at Erica.

"Yeah, I don't know."

"You don't know if you can fit?" Dustin asks.

"Oh, I can fit. I just don't know if I want to."

"Are you claustrophobic?" Jennifer asks.

Erica snickers. "I don't have phobias."

"Okay, well, what's the problem?"

"The problem is, I still haven't heard what's in this for Erica."

Steve smacks his lips, dumbfounded and does not know what to say next. They get Erica seated as they crowed around her as various types of fancy ice creams surround the table. A nautical tune plays above as Steve pushes a banana split towards Erica. She pushes it away, asking for more fudge. The other's sit there silent as Steve gets annoyed before rising and leaving Jennifer and Robin alone with Dustin and Erica. Jennifer grabs the blueprint, holding it as Robin point to the paper.

"You see this? This is the route you're gonna take. Then we just wait till the last delivery goes out tonight."

"Than you knock out the grate, jump down, open the door."

"Then you find out what's in those boxes?"

"Exactly."

"And you say this guard is armed."

"Yes, but he won't be there."

"And booby traps?"

"Booby traps?" Jennifer asks.

"Lasers, spikes in the wall?"

"What?"

Erica turns to Dustin.

"You know what this half-baked plan of yours sounds like to me? Child endangerment."

"We'll be in radio contact with you the whole time--"

"Ah, ah. Ah! Child endangerment."

"Erica? Hi. Uh.." Dustin begins. "We think these Russians want to do great harm to our country. Great harm. Don't you love your country?"

"You can't spell 'America' without 'Erica."

The child slurps the drink obnoxiously loud.

"Uh, yeah. Oddly, that's, uh, totally true. So, so, don't do this for us. Do it for your country. Do it for your fellow man."

The slurping continues as Robin raises her brows. Jennifer takes a long and slow blink, obviously annoyed.

"Do this for America.. Erica."

She sets the cup on the table.

"Ooh! I just got the chills."

Dustin smiles. Erica finishes her sentence.

"Oh, yeah, from this float, not your speech. Know what I love most about this country? Capitalism. Do you know what capitalism is?"

"Yeah,"

"Yes,"

"It means this ia a free market system. Which means people get paied for their services,"

Robin and Dustin meet eye contact and exvhanging it with Jennifer as well.

"Depending on how valuable their contributions are. And it seems to me, my ability to fit into that little vent is very, very valuable to you all. So, you want my help? This USS Butterscotch better be the first of many. And I'm talking free ice cream for life."

She takes a bite of the cherry off the stem, sassy.

~~

Even though the day was full of sass and people buying ice cream, the malls eventually closes as Robin, Steve, Dustin and Jennifer sit on the roof and in the same spot prior. Radio static pops as Jennifer presses down on the button. Dustin looks out his binoculars.

"Erica, do you copy?" She asks.

"Mm-hmm. I copy. You nerds in position or what?"

"Yeah, we're in position." Jennifer responds. "It's all quiet here, so you've got the green light."

"Green light, roger that." Erica utters. "Commence Operation Child Endangerment."

"Can we maybe not call it that?" Jennifer asks, Steve leaned in close to her.

"See you on the other side. Nerds."

Jennifer and Steve glance at each other before he looks away, she in another direction, praying that it'll be safe for Erica. They wait while Jennifer chews on her bottom lip, nervously waiting before a sound sparks their attention.

"All right, nerds I'm here."

"Do you-- Do you see anything?" Robin asks.

"Yeah, I see those boring boxes you're so excited about."

"Any guards?"

"Negative."

"Booby traps?"

"If I could see them, they'd be pretty shitty traps, wouldn't they?"

"Thank you for that."

"I'm in,"

"Oh, God." Steve exclaims, sighing and running his fingers through his hair.

Suddenly the door opens as Jennifer smiles, impressing both Steve and Dustin as well as Robin. Erica stands there with her hand on her hip, her other hand next to her mouth.

"Free ice cream for life."

The other's get up and make their way towards the entrance as Steve grabs a pocket knife, cutting the box open as he opens it. Robin helps as well. A metal container sits in the Imperial Panda cardboard box as Steve reaches in, grabbing the handle and switches it. The container hisses as air spreads out from the opening. He pulls the top of the box off, steam flowing out of the box as the three teens along with Erica and Dustin stare into the box. Four more latches sit there. Steve furrows his brows.

"That's definitely not Chinese food." He says, setting the top down beside him and looking at the others. "Uh, maybe you guys should, you know stand back."

Erica steps down from the box and takes a step back along with Jennifer and Robin. Dustin stands beside Steve.

"Just step back, Dustin." Jennifer pleads.

"No."

"Oh, my God. You're unbelievable."

"Step back. Seriously."

"No! No!'

The three of them look toward the kid.

"If you die, I die."

Steve stares at Dustin for a few seconds before getting fed up. "Okay,"

He reaches in and turns the knob, air hissing as it get pulled out of the container pulling out a secured cup looking container, holding some type of green substance.

"What the hell?"

"What is that?"

There;s abrupt rumbling as the room shakes around them.

"Wha that just me, or did the room move?"

"Booby traps." Erica whispers.

"You know what? Let's grab that and go." Robin states, grabbing the substance from Steve.

Jennifer watches as her younger brother walks over to the buttons that control the shaft while steve continues with the things inside the box. Dustin pushes the button as nothing happens, pressing it fast each time his finger presses the button. It seems to do nothing.

"Which one do I press, Erica?"

"Just press the damn button, nerd."

"Which one? I'm pressing the button, okay?"

"Press 'open door."

"I'm pressing 'open door."

Steve turns, walking toward the kid.

"Just open the-- Press the other button." He shouts, walking towards the control pad.

"Out of the way so she can push the button--"

"Would you stop?"

"I'm trying."

"Would you let me just do it? Would you stop?"

They continue pushing each button, looking over at the door, panicked.

"Just open the door!" Jennifer shouts.

Something clangs as the door slams shut, closing the kids inside. They stand there frozen in their steps. I shuffles as Robin screams. Everyone loses their balance, trying to hold onto something nearby. Steve holds on the wall with one hand as the other holds Jennifer. The small box slides down a shaft as the lights flicker, getting faster.

"Oh, shit." Steve curses.

Jennifer keeps holding onto Steve, tighter. It slides down the shaft farley quickly as it feels like Jennifer is going to lose her footing and lay against the top of it due to the fast pace.

[strangerficsx]

CHAPTER THREE | THE CASE OF THE MISSING LIFEGUARD

gif not mine. credit to owner.

word count: 1,481

The next night, Jennifer spends time looking through newspaper to find a shrink who can help her with the dire mood she's been in since her best friend died last year -- 1984. She does, however, find a shrink down the road from where she lives as well as the number for her practice listed below the woman's name.

She stands, grabbing the telephone off the table beside the television and sets it down on the coffee table. Picking up the receiver, the dial tone plays as Jennifer then begins typing the number down in the keypad. It was only 4 in the afternoon, so the practice had to be open still. Finally after four annoying rings later, a woman picks up.

"Hello."

"Hi, uh, this is Jennifer Henderson. I wanted to ask of you take in young adults around eighteen, or so."

"Yes, I do. Why?"

"I... I just need someone to talk to and since I'm not in high school anymore, I need a shrink who can help. When is a time that you have opened? It could be tonight, tomorrow. I do not care when it is."

"I have an opening at six tomorrow night, are you available for that time?"

"Yes, I am. Thank you, buh-bye."

~~

The next day arrived faster and Jennifer begins to feel somewhat better after talking as she grabs the photobox from her closet and gets rid of the photos of her and Billie. The anger builds inside, not wanting to throw out the polaroids of them together but does so anyway. Tears form in her eyes as Jennifer puts the lid on the box before shoving it back in her closet.

"If she cared for herself a little more, this wouldn't of happened. God, you're so stupid Billie." Jennifer sneered.

Jennifer doesn't want to admit that she has survivor's guilt, but she's come to the conclusion that she needs to get through the emotions fast so she can live freely like before her best friend's death. In the doorway, a tall brown haired male with big hazel eyes looks her way. Jennifer looks back and almost startling at his sudden appearance.

"I came by to see if things were better?"

"It's a vice versa thing at the moment, but I do know what I have. I may have survivor's guilt, and a little angry about how she just ran out of the bus like an idiot, getting herself killed."

"Good, you're getting those emotions out. Now come on, we have work to do."

"Work? No, you're the one working."

"Not today. Me and Dustin and you, if you're interested, helping us out. And it'll give you something to do beside sit around in the back."

~~

At Scoops Ahoy, Jennifer and Robin are left alone together as Steve and Dustin begin to leave to lookout for an evil Russian. Without hesitation, the older male grabs his girlfriend's hand, pulling her along with him and Dustin.

"Hey, she's supposed to be here helping me."

"Sorry, Robin."

They exit the ice cream shop and lunge toward a bush, hiding behind it as Dustin pulls out a pair of binoculars. Jennifer grabs them, looking through the lens.

"You see anything?"

"Uh, I guess I don't totally know what I'm looking for."

"Evil Russians."

"Yeah, exactly. I don't know what an evil Russian looks like. Steve?"

"Don't ask me."

"Tall, blond, not smiling."

"Mm-hmm?"

"Also, look for earpieces, camo, duffel bags, that sort of thing."

"Right, okay, duffel bags."

Jennifer hands the binoculars over to Steve, looking up at another level of some girl and a tall skinny male.

"Oh, you've gotta be kidding me."

"What?"

"Anna Jacobi's talking with that meathead Mark Lewinsky."

"If your not gonna focus, just gimme or Jennifer the binoculars."

"Aw, Jesus Christ, whatever happened to standards? I mean Lewinsky never even came off the bench"

Jennifer, who's on the other side of Steve, looking over at him before shoving your elbow into his side as he grunts in pain before apologizing to his girlfriend. She rolls her eyes at him.

"Dude, you are the worst spy in history, you know that?"

Dustin yanks the binuclars away from Steve. He sighs in annoyance. The kids continues talking.

"I don't get why you're looking into girls. You have the perfect one in front of you."

"Jennifer?"

"Yeah, I mean even though she's my sister. She's perfect for you."

"She is." Steve says, glancing at Jennifer as he flashes a quick smile.

"Now that you're out of high school, which means you're technically an adult, don't you think it's time you move on from primitive constructs such as popularity?"

"Oh, primitive constructs? That some stupid shit you learned at Camp... Know... Nothing?"

"Camp Know Where, actually." Dustin speaks. "And no, it's shit I learned from life."

"Hm."

Jennifer ignores the two as she looks around a little bit more, trying to find something out of place or a person who is blonde, tall and not smiling. The two guys bicker back and forth like a bunch of buffoons, ignoring them and continuing.

~~

A few hours later, the three of them (Dustin, Jennifer and Steve) continue looking around as Jennifer's brother holds the binoculars and scopes the area.

"Target acquired."

"Where?" Steve and Jennifer say in unison.

"Ten o'clock. Sam Goody's."

"Give me that."

Jennifer grabs the binoculars and looks through, seeing a tall long blond male in all black carrying a duffel bag.

"Shit. Duffel bag."

Jennifer removes the binoculars as Steve and Dustin look at each other.

"Evil Russian," They say at the same time.

The male exits at the top of the escalator as Steve, Jennifer and Dustin follow after him, climbing the stairs. They walks past various people on the second story, rushing by people.

"Slow down."

"We're losing him."

"You're getting too close." Jennifer says.

Suddenly Steve runs into someone as the other male curses at her boyfriend, giving him a nasty look before continuing on. The tall blond male stops in his tracks, looking back as three of them find a way to hide. Dustin grabs the phone off the wall as she brings Steve towards her, kissing his lips. His hands rest against her waist, bringing her closer. Turning and peaking at the male, he continues walking as she pulls away from Steve as he and Dustin follow behind them before stopping behind a pillar in the mall.

The guy walks into an aerobics class, unzipping the duffel bag and pulls out a boom box as she furrowed her brows. The guy unzips his coat and removes it off his shoulders as Jennifer, who stands below her boyfriend watches the women moving their hips. She looks up and sees Steve ogling at the women when she feels something pressing against her lower back. She looks up at him.

"Steve, uh, you're uh.. look."

Steve looks down, seeing his shorts bunched up on his groin. He covers it with his hands as Dustin rolls his eyes. They evetunally get back to the main level as the three of them walk up to Robin who stands on the stone leading towards the small fountain.

"Robin," Jennifer says. "What are you doing?"

"I cracked it."

"Cracked what?"

"I cracked the code."

~~

That night, the rain pours heavily over Hawkins as the thunder claps. Jennifer along with Robin, Steve and Dustin sit on their knees on the roof of Starcourt Mall, peering over as her younger brother holds the same binoculars from earlier. They all are dressed in raincoats.

"Look for Imperial Panda and Kaufman Shoes." Robin states.

Jennifer wipes the raindrops from her eyes. Her lashes wet with water droplets.

"They're with that whistling guy, ten o'clock."

"What do you think's in there?" Jennifer asks.

"Guns, bombs?"

"Chemical weapons?"

"Whatever it is, they're armed to the teeth."

Thunder roars again. Looking over, Steve now wipes the water droplets from his eyes, squinting them in the process. they all continue watching from afar.

"Great. That's great."

"Hey, what's in there?" Robin asks.

"It's just more boxes."

Steve reaches over and grabs the binoculars, trying to pry them from Dustin's grip.

"Let me check it out."

"No, I'm still looking."

"Lemme see it."

"Hang on!"

They drop the binoculars as the thunder claps once more. The guys down below look above, pulling their weapons out. The four of them duck, gasping. They continue laying there as Steve and Jennifer's fingers have laced together, breathing heavily whilst the rain pours over them heavily. They manage to get inside the mall, walking through the hallway leading to the back of Scoops Ahoy. Steve leads the way as Jennifer, Robin and Dustin follow behind.

"Well, I think we found your Russians."

They continue walking together. The suspicion rises in Jennifer as she leaves for the night so she can dry off an get into warm, dry clothes.

[strangerficsx]

CHAPTER TWO | THE MALL RATS

gif not mine. credit to owner.

word count: 2,363 warnings: swearing, angst, mention of death

{June 29, 1985}

The next morning, Jennifer woke up in a dire mood as she lays in her bed. She stares at the ceiling before sighing, getting up and starting her day. Jennifer drove to the mall and entered, opening Scoops Ahoy before Robin and Steve arrived as she turns the lights on above, throwing her keys on the table in the back. Once when the mall open completely, people of different ages storm through and by the time Jennifer knows it, the mall is packed.

Leaning against the counter in between rooms, she watches as Robin hands off two cones to a man and woman as they turn to leave. Suddenly, Dusting shows up.

"Hey, someone's back from camp. How'd it go?"

Dustin looks around the female, glancing at his sister. "Good."

He looks at Robin.

"Hi,"

"Hi. I'm Dustin."

"I'm Robin,"

"Pleasure to meet you. Uh, is -- is he here?"

"I who here?" Jennifer asks.

Steve bursts through the door as he greets the younger boy, cheering and explaining but acting as a little kid. It makes Jennifer furrowed her brows, rolling her eyes before turning away.

"How many children are you friends with?"

Steve sighs in annoyance as Jennifer can tell just from hearing it from afar, walking out and towards Dustin as he greets her. They quickly hug before pulling back.

At a table, the three get situated as Robin continues at the counter. Jennifer sits on the end of the seat as she's beside Steve. Dustin plunges the spoon in a banana split, talking about how hot is girlfriend is plus how she looks like Phoebe Cates.

"Hotter than Phoebe Cates? No."

"Mm-hmm."

Dustin's eyes widen a like a little kid in a candy store as he continues on about this girl he was with at summer camp. Jennifer shifts, glancing toward her younger brother.

"Brilliant, too. And she doesn't even care that my real pearls are still coming in. She says kissing is better without teeth."

Steve nods, disgusted as he and Jennifer look at each other as she cringes. The silence is loud as the conversations around them are indistinct.

"Wow. That's great. Proud of you, man. That's ro-- That's kinda romantic."

Jennifer goes into her own world as she fumbles with Steve's sailor hat on the table, thinking as Dustin speaks. The sounds of a someone clearing their throat makes Jennifer come back to reality.

"Jennifer. you okay?" Steve asks as him and Dustin look at her with concern.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Did you say something, Dustin?"

"Yes, you working anywhere?"

"No, taking a break from stress."

He nods. "What about your relationship, Steve?"

"Good. We're still going strong."

"So do you really just get to eat as much of this as you want?"

"Yeah. I mean, sure. It's not really a good idea for me, though. I gotta keep in shape for the lad-- For Jennifer."

"Yeah, and how's that working out for you?"

"Ignore her."

"She seems cool."

"She's not. Where are the other knuckleheads?"

"Steve," She nudges him with her elbow.

"They ditched me yesterday,"

"No," Jennifer says.

"My first day back. Can you believe that shit?"

"Whoa. Seriously?"

"I swear to God. Mm. They're gonna regret it, though, big time, when they don't get to share in my glory."

"Glory? What Glory?" Jennifer asks.

Dustin scoots closer to Steve. "So, last night, we're trying to get in contact with Suzie.."

"Oh. Mm." Steve hums, looking at Jennifer as she smiles softly at him.

Dustin looks around. "I intercepted a secret Russian communication."

"What?" Steve and Jennifer say in unison.

Dustin clicks his tongue, inhaling deeply before exhaling before speaking softly. "I intercepted a secret Russian communication." Whilst covering his face.

Jennifer furrows her brows.

"Just speak louder."

"I intercepted a secret Russian communication." He speaks, louder this time as everyone in Scoops Ahoy looks at the three of them.

"Jeez, shh. Yeah, okay, that's what I thought you said."

They look around as Jennifer feels slightly embarrassed to be next to her brother and boyfriend. Steve leans against the table.

"What-- What does that mean?"

"It means, Steve, we could be heroes. True American heroes."

"Huh."

"Mm-hmm?"

"American heroes?" Jennifer asks, pretending to be excited.

"American heroes. You could have all of Jennifer you want and more."

"More? No, I have-- I have Jennifer. She's all I need."

"Oh."

"Why did you stammer?" Jennifer asks.

"I did-- I didn't."

"Yes, you did. And you did it again."

"Yeah, you did." Dustin adds.

Steve and Dustin lean in further to one another as Jennifer leans in as well.

"What's the catch?"

"No catch, I just need your and Jennifer's help."

"With what?" Jennifer questions.

Dustin doesn't say anything as he turns to his bag and unzips it, pulling out a small booklet and showing the two adults. It reads 'Romanov's Russian - English, English - Russian Dictionary'.

"Translation." Dustin smiles.

"Seriously Dustin?"

"Yeah,"

"How the hell are we gonna do that? It's gonna take forever since none of us know how to speak Russian, even if we do read the book. It's takes awhile to learn a new language."

"We can try,"

"Jesus,"

Jennifer and Steve rise as Dustin grabs his bag and follows after them into the back room. Behind the counter, she overhears Robin and a little girl. The female calls out to Steve, who is in the back room with Jennifer and Dustin. He paces back and forth as he takes a bite out of his banana as the voice of a male speaks in Russian on the recording. The recorder sits beside a book as Dustin is seated in a chair as well as his sister. A familiar tune plays as well. The kid stops the recorder.

"So what do you think?"

"It sounded familiar."

"What?"

"The music. The music right there at the end." He says, mouth full.

"Why are you listening to the music, Steve?" Jennifer asks.

"Listen to the Russian. We're translating Russian!"

"I'm trying to listen to the Russian, but there's music--"

"All right, babysitting time is over. You need to get out there."

Dustin and Jennifer stay in their places as Steve steps back. Robin walks toward her dry erase board.

"Hey, my board. That was important data, shitbirds."

"I'm not the one who cleared the board. Don't look at me,"

"Not you. Those two."

"I guarantee you, what we're doing is way more important than your data."

Steve nods, tossing the peel on the table below.

"Yeah? And how do you know these Russians are up to no good anyways?"

Dustin cranes his neck, looking at Steve. Jennifer lowers her head, pinching the bridge of her nose in annoyance almost wanting to side with Robin. She sighs.

"How does she know about the Russians?"

"I don't know."

"You told her about--"

"It wasn't me."

"It wasn't me either, doofus."

"Hello, I can hear you. Actually, I can hear everything. You both are extremely loud."

"I agree with that. I kept trying to quiet them down."

"You think you have evil Russians plotting against our country, on tape, and you're trying to translate, but haven't figured out a word because you didn't realize Russians use an entirely different alphabet. Sound about right?"

The room was silent. Robin leans into grab the recorder as Steve swoops in and yanks it away.

"Woah! What do you think you're doing?"

"I wanna hear it."

"Why?" Dustin and Steve ask at the same time.

"Cause maybe I can help. I'm fluent in four languages, you know."

"Russian?"

"Ou-yay are-yay umb-day."

The boys are immersed by Robin speaking another language as Jennifer sighs, lowering her head once again.

"Holy shit."

"Dustin,"

"Sorry."

"That was Pig Latin, dingus."

Steve smacks Dustin with his banana peel with one hand whilst holding the recorder in the other.

"Idiot."

"But I can speak Spanish and French and Italian and I've been in band for 12 years. My ears are little geniuses, trust me."

"Uh.."

"That's why you look familiar."

"Yeah." Robin says, glancing at Jennifer before the two boys. "Come on, it's your turn to sling ice cream, my turn to translate. I don't even want credit. I'm just bored."

She reaches toward Steve with the ice cream scoop. He sighs and the bell in front dings atop the counter. Steve exchanges the recorder for the scoop as she smiles.

~~

With listening and trying to comprehend the Russian language and the stance in the tape, Robin paces back and forth listening intently as Jennifer holds the recorder. The catchy and familiar tune plays once again. She stops, pointing at the recorder.

"Wait, that last part, just one more time."

Jennifer nods and rewinds the tape as the sentence repeats.

"Okay, that word. Um.. That word which is pronounced as Dlt-nna-ya.. which is spelled..."

Robin sighs, taking a seat beside Jennifer and grabbing a pen.

"D... D, D, D..." Dustin says, rising and walking toward the whiteboard. "The-- The chair. The chair-looking thingy."

"Yeah, okay." She says, writing the Russian letter down.

Jennifer stands and rushes toward the window, sliding it open and seeing Steve, who holds two cones in his hand.

"We got our first sentence,"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah."

Robin saunters over as Steve leans against the counter. She speaks in a russian accent. "The week is long."

"Weel, that's thrilling."

"I know. But, progress."

Robin turns and walks the other direction as Steve stands straight and brings over the two cones to Max and El. She closes the window shut, going back to the table.

~~

Late that night, Steve and Jennifer as well as Robin and Dustin stand in front of the whiteboard, staring at the newly formed sentence written on it.

"The week is long, the silver cat feeds, when blue meets yellow in the west."

"Okay that's a little odd."

They exit as Robin grabs her belongings as Jennifer holds her keys in her hands, waiting behind for Steve who locks up the shop for the night. They begin walking through the mall together.

"I mean, it just... it can't be right."

"It's right."

"Honestly, I think it's great news." Dustin says.

"How is this great news?" Jennifer questions. "I mean, so much for being American heroes. It's total nonsense."

"It's not nonsense. It's too specific. It's obviously a code."

"What do you mean a code?"

"Like a super secret spy code."

"That's a total stretch."

"I don't know, is it?"

"You're buying into this?" Jennifer asks Robin.

"Listen, just for kicks, let's entertain the possibility that it is a secret Russian transmission. What's you think they were gonna say, 'Fire the warhead at noon'?"

"Exactly."

"And my translation is correct. I know that for sure, so... 'The silver cat feeds.' Why would anyone talk like that unless they're trying to mask the true meaning of their message."

"Exactly," Dustin says once again.

Behind them, Steve and Jennifer follow as they stay silent. She laced her fingers with his, standing closer to him as they walk.

"Why would anyone mask the true meaning of their message unless the message was somehow sensitive?"

"Exactly."

Steve makes a face, silently mocking the two.

"So I guess that confirms your suspicion."

"Evil Russians."

"I can't believe I'm about to agree with this strange child, but, yeah, totally evil Russians."

"So how do we crack it?" Jennifer asks.

"Well, I guess we translate the rest and hopefully a pattern emerges."

"A pattern. Right, like maybe 'silver cat' is a meeting place?"

"Or a person."

"Or a weapon."

"It's probably gonna take a super genius to crack it, but... Where's Steve and Jennifer?"

She looks back at the two as they stand in front of the horse ride as Steve frantically searches his pockets for change. Coins clatter on the floor as Robin calls out his name.

"What are you doing?"

"Uh, it's a quarter. I need-- Do you have a quarter?"

Robin and Dustin approach the couple, standing behind them.

"Sure you're tall enough for that ride?"

"Quarter!"

Jennifer grabs her wallet and opens it, pulling out a quarter as Steve grabs it. He slides it in the coin slot as the rise moves and the familiar tune plays out as she recognizes it. Steve knelt on the floor, brows furrowed.

"You need help getting up, little Stevie?"

Dustin chuckles as he shushes the two.

"Would you two just shut up and listen?"

Everyone stays quiet as the songs continues playing as Dustin's calm exspression turns into an estatic one.

"Holy shit," He says. "The music."

"Yeah, it sounds very familiar."

Dustin throws off his back before kneeling in front of it and unzips the bag, pulling the recorder out and playing the tape. A male speaks over the tape as the same song plays in the recording. Dustin cranes his neck, looking at Robin.

"I don't understand."

"It's the exact same song on the recording."

"Maybe they have horses like this in Russia.

" 'Indiana Flyer'? I don't... I don't think so. This code, it... didn't come from Russia. It came from here."

Jennifer, Robin and Dustin stare at the ride intently.

~~

Outside, Steve and Jennifer stand at her car as she leans against the vehicle. His hand rests gently against Jennifer's hip.

"Do you believe any of this shit?"

"No, but who knows. There could be evil russians under the mall, you never know."

"Jennifer,"

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure you're okay? Ever since Wilhelmina's death, you've been sluggish lately. I know the anniversary of her death is nearing a year, but I wanna make sure you're not gonna hang yourself tonight when you get home."

"Ste- Yes, I've been sluggish. And no, I wouldn't hang myself over something so.. so.."

"Jen, please just talk to someone about this. I'm worried about you."

"I will do that."

"Please, do."

Jennifer unlocks the car and begins to slide in when Steve stops her, pressing a delicate kiss to her lips. They pull away after a few seconds before she enters the vehicle and closes the door behind her. She puts the keys in the ignition, pulling out of the lot and driving down the road.

[strangerficsx]

CHAPTER ONE | SUZI, DO YOU COPY?

gif not mine. credit to owner.

word count: 2,097 warnings: crying, depression, anxiety

{ June 28, 1985 }

Coming back from the restroom, Jennifer puts on her Scoops Ahoy sailor hat as she enters the shop. She walk past Robin, leaning against the counter and sees a group of kids walking up to the counter of the ice cream parlor as she watches from afar. Jennifer recognizes the group of kids from the events of last year, smiling at Max who smiles back. Robin leans against the counter as a raven-haired kid rings the obnoxious bell that sits by the register.

"Hey, dingus. Your children are here." Robin calls.

"Again? Seriously?" Steve asks from the staff room.

Annoyed, Steve lets the kids through anyway as they trudge through the white vague corridor. Jennifer steps behind the counter, helping two teens select their ice cream before handing them the cones. They pay before walking out of the shop, looking back she watches her boyfriend bring the group of kids with him. He sneaks the group of kids in through the back of the mall, coming back into view as he smiles at his girlfriend.

"Wow, such a good mom," Jennifer jokes.

Steve rolls his eyes, annoyed.

"Well, when you've been doing it for the last two years, you get experience."

Smiling, Jennifer walks in the room and sits down, fumbling with her keys as her eyes well up with tears. Steve approaches and kneels in front of the brunette as they make eye contact.

"Are... Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm-I'm fine."

"No, you're-"

"Dingus. Get out here, there's a group of girls that are annoying me,"

"Okay, just a second. I'm a little busy here."

"Making out with Jennifer? No. Hurry up, dingus."

Steve rolls his eyes as he looks back at Jennifer. The peck their li[s before rising, standing behind the counter. He takes another order, beginning to scoop ice cream when suddenly the lights flicker Jennifer glances down at her arm, seeing the scar that she got from her boyfriend's backyard in 1983. The lights then shut off completely. Looking up, she watches as Steve walks over to the light switch, flipping the knob up and down.

"That isn't gonna work, Dingus."

"Oh, really?" He asks, flipping the switch at an even faster pace.

Suddenly, the light turn on in the mall. A nautical tune plays from the radio as Steve glances at the lights above then looking at Robin and Jennifer.

"Let there be light,"

Even though Jennifer couldn't see Robin's face, she knew she was making some kind of expression toward Steve. The three employees get back to work as Jennifer counts down the hours of work before being able to go home and crash.

——

{ June 29, 1985 }

Jennifer suddenly awakes, looking over at the clock. She sees it sitting ten after eight as the realization sets in, she forgot to reset the clock the previous night due to the power outage. Not only that, but she's very late for work. Throwing the covers off, Jennifer stumbles out of bed and over to her closet where she throws on her Scoops Ahoy uniform and does some light makeup since she'll sweat the makeup off later that day.

Grabbing her keys off her shelf, she leaves without eating before exiting the house. Sliding in the driver's seat, Jennifer puts the key in the ignition as her vehicle starts. Pulling out of the car port and drives down the road and towards the mall, parking in an empty spot as she removes the keys from the ignition and her seatbelt from the latch as she hops out of her car. Striding towards the entrance the sweat forms on her hairline as well as her chest. She walks in and towards the entrance of Scoops Ahoy. Robin notices the sweaty brunette as she smiles, Jennifer smiles back. Steve enters from the back door and greets his girlfriend with a kiss. Pulling away, Jennifer smiles at him as the short haired girl stares at them in disgust.

"Alright, love birds break it up."

"What? It's not like we're making out, or having sex." Jennifer says.

"I don't care, you're abusing company policy."

"Fine, we'll just greet each other like two friends."

"Okay.."

Jennifer rolls her eyes, stepping behind the counter as she holds her keys as she watches as Robin slings a single scoop of ice cream into a cone, handing it to the person. Later, the brunette sits in the back as Robin straightens up and Steve is slinging ice cream in the front. Jennifer overhears his conversation with two girls.

"Alrighty, one scoop of chocolate. That's a buck-twenty-five." He says. "Ooh, Purdue. Fancy."

"Yeah, I'm excited,"

The girl chuckles.

"Yeah, you know, I considered it, Perdue, but I was like, you know what? I really think I need some real life experience, you know, before I hit college, and see what it feels like." He rambles, continuing on. "Kina, like uh, I don't know, see what it's like to earn a working man's wage."

The register beeps as Jennifer giggles, continuing to listen. Steve apologizes to both girls.

"I think that's really important."

"Yeah, totally."

"Yeah, anyway, its so fun. We should kind of like, you know, I don't know maybe hang out this weekend or-- oh, sorry about that. Uh.." The change clatters as it hits the counter.

Jennifer's smile begins to fade as she hears her boyfriend ask a girl out. The awkward male continues talking as the girl turns him down. Robin grabs the white board filled with tally marks and sets it on the counter top.

"Another bites the dust," She says. "You are 0 for 6, Popeye."

"Yeah, I -- I can count."

"It means you suck," Robin comments.

"Yep, I can read, too." Steve says.

Jennifer rises, standing next to Robin as Steve approaches them.

"It's this stupid hat. I am telling you, it's blowing my best feature."

"Yeah, company policy is a real drag." Jennifer responds.

"You know, it's a crazy idea, but have you considered... telling the truth?" Robin asks.

"Oh, you mean, that I couldn't even get into Tech and my douchebag dad's trying to teach me a lesson, I make three bucks an hour, and I have no future? That truth?" He asks.

Jennifer notifies them that a group of girls are approaching as Steve and Robin look towards the entrance. Steve turns to face the two brunettes again.

"You know what? Screw company policy." He says, taking his hat off and tossing it past Jennifer.

"Oh, my god, you're a whole new man."

He turns away and approaches the group of women. Jennifer begins to think about breaking up with Steve as she begins to feel sad, almost on the verge of tears as Jennifer turns away. A stray tear falls from her eye, wiping it immediately. However, Robin notices.

"You okay?"

"Oh, me? Yeah, I'm fine."

"No, you're not. What's going on? Are you... jealous?"

"What? Jealous? Me? No. No, I'm not. I've been... I've been struggling, wondering if I should even keep going with the relationship. I'm beginning to think about breaking up with... him."

"Oh, my God."

"Oh, please. Don't act like you care."

"I do care, or I wouldn't be asking if you were okay. And, wouldn't be standing here listening to you talk about how you want to leave the relationship."

"I mean... should I though? It's just we've been through so much, and that's something we have in common. But, the other part of me wants to end it and see what else is out there."

"You do what feels best to you, okay?"

Jennifer nods, tears streaming down her pale cheeks before wiping them away. Steve notices and rushes toward her, wrapping Jennifer into a hug.

"Steve, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah,"

"Okay, I just wanted to comfort you."

"I know, but this... this really isn't a good time. I.. just need sometime to think." Jennifer says, pulling away from Steve and rushing out of the shop and into a nearby Girls bathroom.

——

That night, Jennifer finishes up for the night as she makes her way out towards out of Scoops Ahoy, pulling the cap off her head. She walks toward the entrance of Starcourt Mall as Steve catches up to her, stopping Jennifer in her tracks.

"What is it Steve?"

"Earlier... you seemed upset, and I wanted to make sure everything's fine."

"Everything is.. is okay. I promise,"

"Okay,"

Jennifer walks out to her car and enters, closing the door beside her. She puts the key key in the ignition as the car starts, blowing out cold air. Jennifer turns the AC off as she sits and stares in the distance in front of her. Tears cloud her vision, the anxiety creeping up on her as she sobs into her hands as the radio begins playing the soft tune of 'I Wanna Know What Love Is' by Foreigner. With tear stained cheeks, Jennifer slides her seatbelt on and pulls out of the parking lot and drives to Roane Hill Cemetery.

Walking toward Wilhelmina's headstone, Jennifer sits in the dry grass and stares at the stone in front of her. Tears stream down her cheeks as a graduation cap sits atop the headstone, the tassel blows in the musty wind. Jennifer sniffles before clearing her throat. Though, she couldn't say another word, Jennifer lays down and cries to herself quietly before drifting off to sleep.

——

Jennifer stands in the bus with Wilhelmina and the kids as the doors on the bus opens and Steve steps off, wielding the bat. Metal creaks around him as he spins his bat before holding it close. He creeps through the junkyard, chittering continues. Steve swivels around and sees two creatures fanking him as they growl. Dustin opens the bus door, shouting for him to abort. Dart charges as Steve rolls across a car’s hood. One falls through the windshield as he hits another one with his bat. At the bus’s door, Jennifer, Max, Lucas and Dustin motion to steve as he scrambles inside, but Billies pushes past them and runs for her life but gets attacked by one of the demo-dogs.

Jennifer is still in shock and panic, not knowing what to do next until she sees Billie lying lifeless on the grass. She rushes toward her and sees the massive pool of blood forming under her body. Tears well up in Jennifer's eyes as they meet with Billie's.

"Je.. Jennifer?"

"I'm here, I'm here. I'm gonna get you to the hospital, just hold on."

"N-no, I... this is my time, Jennifer." She sniffles. "Don't wait for me, go. Save everyone I... I'll be... okay."

"Billie, don't say that. I'm getting you help." Jennifer cranes her neck. "Steve! Help me."

Steve rushes over, telling the kids to stay on the bus before dropping to his knees.

"Jennifer," He says.

"No, no. We... we have to save her. She's... she's gonna die. Steve, please?" Jennifer pleads, tears running down her cheeks as the air feels thicker with each breath she takes.

Jennifer picks Billie up and rests her body on hers, blood seeping into her shirt. She makes eye contact with the blonde.

"Jennifer... Jen... It's okay, let me fly with the angels. I... love you." Billie says, her head rolls to the side.

"Billie," Jennifer calls. "Billie. Wilhelmina, please, wake up. No!" Jennifer cries, holding a dead Wilhelmina close.

As Jennifer gently places Wilhelmina on the ground, she cries harder as Steve brings her into his embrace. The kids begin to approach as they feel saddened by the moment.

——

Suddenly Jennifer wakes up as she starles before looking around in the twilight. The moon is full and the heat is wet. Sweat forms on her forehead and her breathing is ragged. Craning her neck, Jennifer sees her boyfriend Steve down on one knee. She calms down a little as tears stained her cheeks.

"Steve?"

He brings Jennifer into his arms as she sobs silently in his chest. She wraps her arms around him.

"I'm here,"

"I-- I had -- I wasn't meaning to fall asleep. I was trying to say goodbye to B--Billie, but I slipped into a slumber."

"It's alright,"

"No, it's not. I-I wish she were still here."

"I know. but she's gone, and you couldn't help that."

"I know,"

Her and Steve stay there for a little bit longer before pulling away, helping Jennifer to her vehicle before she takes off down the road as she wipes away the tears that stream down her cheeks.

[strangerficsx]

Jennifer Cassette Tape | season 1

Side A

Every Breath You Take - The Police

Uptown Girl

Africa - TOTO

The Man Who Sold The World - David Bowie

Let's Dance - David Bowie

Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler

Separate Ways (World's Apart) - Journey

Carry On My Wayward Son - Kansas

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - Culture Club

Faithfully - Journey

Side B

Dancing Queen - ABBA

Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

Hotel California - Eagles

Fall In Love With Me - Earth, Wind & Fire

Cum On Feel The Noize - Quiet Riot

Bohemian Rhapsody - QUEEN

Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

Beat It - Michael Jackson

(Don't Fear) The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

Give Me All Your Lovin' - KISS