Hopper pulled up in front of the Byers' house and climbed out of the patrol car. The place looked exhausted, and Joyce… even more so. When she opened the door, she looked like she hadn't slept in days.
"We searched for six hours," Hopper said as he stepped inside.
Joyce's eyes flickered with hope. "So? Did you find anything? Any leads?"
Hopper shook his head.
The hope drained from her face. Her shoulders sagged.
"What are you doing then?" Joyce demanded, frustration cutting through her exhaustion.
"We've been out there all night," Hopper replied, forcing his voice to stay calm. "So how about a little trust?"
Joyce swallowed, rubbing her arms. "I know, I'm just… scared."
"Flo said you got a phone call," Hopper said, finally steering toward the real reason he'd come.
Joyce nodded.
Hopper crossed to the phone. The plastic was scorched, the wires burnt and melted.
"What the hell…?" he muttered. Then he turned back to Joyce. "You're sure it was Will?"
"I heard him," Joyce insisted quietly. "I heard his breathing."
"His… breathing?" Hopper repeated, skeptical but careful not to push too hard.
"I know it sounds crazy. But it was him. I know my own kid."
"There's a chance it was a prank," Hopper said. "Kids do this stuff."
Jonathan finally spoke up from the side, tense but controlled. "Can't you trace it?"
"It doesn't work like that," Hopper replied.
Joyce shook her head, hard. "It wasn't a prank. It was my boy. I know what I heard. Just… trust me. You'd recognize your own daughter's breathing, wouldn't you?"
Silence dropped over the room.
Hopper's expression hardened at the mention of his daughter. Joyce instantly regretted it.
"Hopper… I didn't—"
He held up a hand, shutting it down. "I'm gonna go talk to Lonnie. See if he knows anything."
He turned and walked out without another word, the door closing behind him while Joyce stood there, hands shaking, fighting not to fall apart.
🂽
Since Mike had ditched school, we were annoyed. The second classes ended, we headed straight to his place.
Mrs. Wheeler opened the door with her usual polite smile.
"Hi, boys. Mike's upstairs in his room."
"Thanks, Mrs. Wheeler," I said, since I was the one who knew her best. She called up the stairs for him and waved us in.
We didn't bother knocking.
We pushed his bedroom door open and walked in.
Mike nearly jumped out of his skin.
"You scream like a girl," I said flatly.
He exhaled when he saw us, then frowned. "Ever heard of knocking?"
"Ever heard of going to school?" I shot back.
Lucas crossed his arms. "Yeah. And why is she still here?"
Mike's jaw tightened. "Because I wanted to make sure she's okay."
"And because you don't want to tell any adults," Lucas added.
I stayed quiet, watching. No point arguing yet.
Mike hesitated for half a second… then caved.
"No, because bad men are after her," Mike said.
"How bad?" Dustin asked.
Mike answered by making a gun with his hand and pointing it at Lucas. Lucas slapped it away, annoyed.
"And she knows where Will is."
The room went still.
Dustin blinked. Lucas stared. My chest tightened a little, even though I already knew this was coming.
"That's what she told you?" Lucas asked slowly.
Mike nodded. "Yes."
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Number of Chapters in P@treon: 21
[email protected]/Micheal210
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Adogo_John_Perry, Sorry, buddy was dealing with some fake friend issues.