"Care," she repeated, like the word might break if she held it too hard.
"Okay, heartwarming moment over," I cut in, clapping my hands once to get everyone focused again. "We still have a missing kid."
That snapped them back.
"Right," Lucas said, backing me up.
"Then tomorrow we go look for him," Mike said, already slipping into leader mode. "After school."
"Yeah… about that," I said. "I'm splitting off halfway."
Lucas frowned. "Why?"
I exhaled. "Because my mom found out I snuck out yesterday. She and my dad grounded me. It starts today. Seven-thirty sharp."
The colour drained right out of their faces.
I raised a hand. "Relax. She didn't tell any of your parents."
Their relief was instant.
"Yeah, then… maybe you should sit out this round," Lucas said carefully.
Dustin nodded way too fast. Mike followed a second later.
I stared at them.
Unbelievable. They're ditching me so they don't get caught.
"Oh wow," I said flatly. "Didn't know you guys were this loyal."
They all pretended they didn't hear me.
"Well, whatever, I'm leaving," I muttered, turning away, still annoyed at these shitheads.
Before I walked out, I glanced back at El. "Take care of them."
She nodded.
🃂Chandler POV🃂
I headed toward the quarry near Mirkwood, mostly because Evan and his friends had mentioned it and partly because pacing felt more productive than sitting at home thinking.
Which, unfortunately, brought my brain right back to the most pressing issue.
Will.
Still missing. The kid who'd been at our house. The one who laughed at my jokes—actually laughed, not the polite "please stop talking" kind. A quiet kid. Awkward. Trying to fit in.
Relatable.
By the time I reached the quarry, Jim Hopper was already there, standing near the edge with one of his officers. The officer was leaning forward, peering down like gravity was a personal challenge.
"I could make the jump," the officer said confidently.
My mouth engaged before my brain could file an objection.
"And I have fairy wings."
Both of them turned toward me.
Jim sighed. "Bing."
"Hopper," I replied. Mutual disappointment established.
The officer frowned. "George did the jump. And he was drunk."
Jim didn't miss a beat. "George is a liar."
The officer looked confused.
"Also," I added, "falling from this height would make the water feel like cement. Basic physics. Gravity is kind of a buzzkill like that."
Understanding dawned slowly. The officer took a cautious step back from the edge, reassessing his life choices.
I resisted the urge to applaud.
Before I could follow up with "You're welcome for the continued existence of your spine," Jim's walkie crackled.
He pulled it out. "What is it, Flo?"
"Chief," Flo's voice came through, urgent, "you need to get to Perk & Plate. Now."
My stomach dropped.
Monica's restaurant.
Jim turned to look at me.
I was already looking at him.
🃂
Half an hour later, we pulled up outside Perk & Plate.
The lights were on. Too bright for this early. Too wrong.
I got out of the car. Jim did too, slower than usual. Neither of us said anything. We didn't need to.
Inside, the smell hit first—coffee, oil, something metallic underneath. Benny was on one of the prep tables. Not neatly. Not staged. One hand clenched around a folded note, the other slack around a gun.
I stopped.
I'd known Benny for seven years. So had Jim. He was the kind of guy who complained about overtime but still stayed late. The kind who stole fries but always asked if you wanted some. He didn't quit things halfway.
He especially didn't quit life.
Monica was across the room, answering questions. Calm voice. Straight posture. Doing that thing she does when something is breaking, and she refuses to let it show in public.
I crossed the room and hugged her.
That was all it took.
She folded into me as someone had finally turned gravity back on. No words. No sobbing fits. Just quietly crying, her shoulders shaking once, then again. I held her and rubbed her back, slow and steady, like muscle memory.
I didn't tell her it would be okay.
I didn't tell her anything.
She already knew I wasn't going anywhere.
Jim stood a few feet away, staring at Benny like his brain was still trying to argue with reality.
First Will.
Now Benny.
This wasn't a coincidence. It wasn't random. And it definitely wasn't suicide.
I rested my chin lightly on Monica's head and looked past her at the note, still clenched in Benny's hand.
Something was wrong in this town.
🃃 Wheeler House — Third POV 🃃
Except for Evan, everyone was gathered around the Wheeler dining table. Karen set down plates of meatloaf one by one, pausing when she noticed something off.
No one was eating.
She glanced around, puzzled.
"Is something wrong with the meatloaf?"
The boys exchanged quick looks.
Dustin cleared his throat. "No, it's great. I just… had two bologna sandwiches for lunch. Don't know why."
"Same," Lucas added quickly.
"It's delicious, Mommy," Nancy said smoothly, already taking a bite.
Karen relaxed a little. Barbara, sitting beside Nancy, gave a small nod in agreement, quietly cutting into her food without much appetite.
Nancy spoke up again.
"There's a special assembly today. For Will. To show support."
Karen frowned. "And why am I only hearing about this now?"
"I thought you already knew," Nancy replied, careful not to push.
"Well, I don't want you out there," Karen said firmly.
"It's fine," Nancy said. "Barb's with me."
Barbara looked up at that, startled for half a second, then nodded. "I'll make sure we stay together."
Karen studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Alright. But straight home afterward."
Barbara nodded again, a little stiff. "Yes, Mrs. Wheeler."
Karen turned to the boys.
"And you boys? You're not going?"
"No!" Dustin blurted out, far too loud.
Karen raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
Footsteps echoed on the stairs.
Eleven appeared at the top, descending slowly and cautiously with each step.
Mike immediately choked on his milk.
Dustin panicked and slammed his fist down on the table. The sharp noise made everyone jump.
All eyes snapped to him.
He froze, then smiled weakly. "Sorry. Muscle spasm."
Karen reached over to calm Holly, who had startled.
"It's alright, sweetie."
Across the table, Nancy shot Dustin a look and mouthed, Great job.
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Number of Chapters in P@treon: 23
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