Hawkeified

twenty eight Writer #hawkeifiedwrites

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Lizzie. 28. Writer. Minors don’t interact. 18+

Masterlist.

Steve Harrington:

Things That Lurk Fanfic:

Meet Julie Newby, daughter of Bob Newby, a simple girl in the simple town of Hawkins, Indiana.

Season One:

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Season Two:

Season Three:

Season Four:

Season Five: coming soon

Robin Buckley

Rockin’ Robin and Jammin’ Jonathan: a radio station friendship one shot

Vickie x Robin One shot: coming soon

Jonathan Byers

Rockin’ Robin and Jammin’ Jonathan: a radio station friendship one shot

Eddie Munson X Jonathan Byers: Coming soon

Nancy Wheeler x Robin Buckley One shot: Coming Soon

The Gang:

‘Steve, you need to run’ angst ST5 one shot.

Steve Harrington:

Steve Harrington Background Series:

1. October 2, 1966

2. April 17, 1967

Steve and Jonathan:

The Talk

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Code Red.

Winter 1987.

The lights flickered again.

Lucas’s fingers twitched on the bat in his hands. The old aluminum one, taped at the handle with duct tape and stained with more than just rust. He stood at the edge of Max’s hospital room, peering out into the dim hallway. The power had gone out twenty minutes ago, the backup generator barely keeping emergency lights on. But something else had come with the dark.

"Still nothing?" Vickie whispered behind him, clutching a fire axe she'd yanked from the emergency box down the hall.

She was dressed in her volunteering nurse uniform, her hair neatly pinned back.

Her freckles were washed pale in the red glow of the emergency lighting. She looked nothing like the nervous band geek from a year ago. This version of Vickie had seen things.

Lucas shook his head. “They’re close. You can feel it.”

Behind them, Max lay still. A faint hiss of her ventilator was the only sign she was even alive. Lucas’s eyes flicked to her. So fragile. So still.

He swallowed hard and stepped back into the room. “We have to protect her.”

“I still don’t get why they’re after her,” Vickie muttered. “She’s... she’s not even—”

“She’s tethered,” Lucas said sharply. “Vecna did something. She’s not all the way here, but she’s not gone either. He can still feel her. So can they.”

As if on cue, a guttural screech echoed down the corridor.

Vickie flinched. “That wasn’t one, that was—”

“Two,” Lucas said grimly.

They didn’t have time to board up the room. The hospital was too open. Too many glass windows. Too many vents. Too many damn ways in.

Another thump — closer.

Vickie raised her axe. “Why are we alone? Where the hell is Dustin?”

“Trapped at the lab,” Lucas said. “Something about a breach. Said we had to hold out until morning.”

A snarl, then claws skittering across linoleum.

Lucas didn’t wait.

He kicked the crash cart across the floor and shoved the IV pole in front of the door.

The first Demodog burst through the wall—not the door—glass and drywall flying.

It was massive. Bigger than the ones from ‘84. Blacker. Its skin glistened like oil, eyes shining like headlights.

Lucas didn’t think. He swung.

The bat connected with a crunch that made his teeth rattle, but the Demodog just screamed and lunged. It pinned him to the ground, drool hot on his neck.

And then—

WHACK.

Vickie’s axe came down with a sickening wet sound, biting into its shoulder. The creature screeched and turned on her, tail whipping around.

Lucas rolled, grabbed a fallen syringe pump, and slammed it into its side. It shrieked, then dropped like a puppet with its strings cut.

Panting, Lucas stood up. His shoulder bled where the thing’s claw had grazed him. “That’s one.”

“No time to celebrate,” Vickie whispered.

The second one was already here.

It barreled into them from the hallway, knocking Lucas into the wall hard enough to make the lights above flicker.

It went straight for Max.

“NO!”

Lucas launched himself at it, grabbing its hind legs. It dragged him like dead weight. Clawed paws reached for Max’s still body.

Vickie screamed and hurled the fire axe.

The blade hit home — straight into the Demodog’s side — but it wasn’t enough. The creature staggered but didn’t fall.

Max twitched.

Lucas saw it — her fingers.

Just barely. A reflex? A flinch?

The creature reared back to lunge—

And the heart monitor flatlined.

Max’s eyes shot open — blank, white, glowing.

And for half a second, reality fractured.

The Demodog stopped moving — mid-leap — as if caught in invisible chains. Its limbs shook, then snapped backward at impossible angles.

It fell like a broken marionette, blood steaming.

Lucas stared. “Max…?”

Her eyes fluttered. The glow faded. The line on the monitor spiked again—beep, beep, beep.

Then she was still. Comatose. Breathing.

Vickie grasped the Axe from the demodog’s shoulder and pulled. She’s going to need the weapon again, later.

Vickie moved back beside him, axe trembling in her hands. “What the hell just happened?”

Lucas didn’t have an answer.

But he knelt beside Max, took her cold hand in his, and whispered, “You’re still in there.”

The hospital was too quiet.

Lucas crouched behind a supply cart, every muscle tensed, bat clenched so tight his knuckles had gone white. A flickering fluorescent light buzzed above them. That was the only sound — until a low, wet sniff echoed down the hallway.

He turned slowly.

Behind him, Vickie was crouched with her back against the wall, cradling Max's fragile body in her arms. She had carried her down two flights of stairs when the Demodogs had overrun the upper floor.

Now they were in the basement, in the dark, with no way out.

And the Demodogs were hunting them.

Lucas pressed a finger to his lips and pointed: Don't move.

Max twitched slightly in her sleep. Her eyelids fluttered, like she was dreaming something bad. Her breathing was shallow — too fast.

A heavy thump.

Something had landed nearby.

Lucas peered around the corner.

A Demodog stalked the hallway. Its jaws opened, teeth glistening with saliva. It wasn’t just walking — it was searching. Sniffing the air. Listening.

The fire axe Vickie carried was slick with blood from earlier. She kept it close, but her hands were shaking.

Lucas breathed through his nose. Shallow. Controlled.

The Demodog passed the cart… paused… its head cocked. It heard something.

It started turning their way.

Lucas’s heart dropped.

Max exhaled — a soft, rasping gasp — too loud.

The Demodog snapped toward them and charged.

Lucas didn’t think. He grabbed a discarded IV stand and threw it down the opposite hallway. The clatter echoed like a gunshot.

The creature swerved toward the sound — snarling, crashing into a wall.

Lucas turned and grabbed Vickie’s arm. “Go!”

They slipped through a maintenance door and down into a sub-hallway — used for laundry and morgue access. Pipes hissed above their heads. Steam clouded their path.

Behind them, the creature shrieked — no longer fooled.

It was coming.

“Third door on the left!” Lucas whispered, dragging Max’s gurney. Vickie yanked it open — a storage closet.

They shoved Max inside, pulled the door shut just as the Demodog skittered into the corridor.

They didn’t move.

Didn’t breathe.

The Demodog slowed.

Its sniffing was right outside the door now. Claws tapped on tile.

Lucas’s pulse was thunder in his ears.

Then—

Max made a small sound. Like a dream whimper.

The Demodog heard.

Its claws scratched the door. Then again.

Vickie tightened her grip on the axe. Her lip quivered. If it broke in, they’d only have seconds.

Suddenly — a voice.

“HEY, UGLY!”

A fire extinguisher clattered down the hall — followed by a flashlight beam.

A figure appeared at the corridor’s end.

Dustin.

The Demodog snarled — and ran toward him.

Dustin turned and ran the other way, screaming, “I HOPE THIS WAS WORTH IT!”

Lucas opened the door an inch. “Vickie. Now. Move.”

They pushed Max’s gurney into the open. The sound of pursuit echoed away — Dustin had drawn it off.

Lucas exhaled shakily, then looked at Max’s face.

Still no movement. But her mouth was twitching. Like she wanted to say something.

“We’re not losing you,” Lucas whispered. “Not tonight.”

He pressed a kiss upon Max’s cold pale forehead.

The hallway was still vibrating from the sound of the Demodog’s roar.

Lucas and Vickie pushed the gurney as fast as they could, Max’s unconscious form rattling slightly with each bump across cracked tiles. The emergency lights above them blinked in a slow red rhythm — like a countdown.

The air smelled like mold, old blood, and steam.

“We have to get to the service elevator,” Lucas said, panting. “That’s the only way up to the ER.”

“That’s assuming the power holds,” Vickie shot back. Her freckles were smeared with sweat and grime. “Assuming wehold.”

Behind them, the Demodog shrieked again — but farther away. Dustin’s distraction was working… for now.

Then, a voice on the radio crackled in Lucas’s pocket.

“Lucas? Lucas, come in—this is Robin—are you—crap—are you still alive?!”

Lucas fumbled the walkie from his belt. “Robin! We’re in the tunnels. Basement level. We’ve got Max. Two Demodogs are loose.”

“Make that three,” Robin’s voice rasped. “I lured one into a stairwell, but it ate the fire extinguisher. Ate it. Tore it to pieces?!”

Vickie’s eyes widened. “Please tell me she’s not alone.”

“She’s never alone,” Lucas said.

A door burst open ahead — and there she was.

Robin, hair in chaotic waves, holding a jury-rigged stun baton made from hospital parts and a car battery. “You guys look like death.”

Lucas grinned through the terror. “You’re a sight.”

Robin jogged over and looked at Max. “She still out?”

“Yeah,” Vickie said. “But she’s… twitching. Moving sometimes.”

“Vecna’s got a foot in the door,” Robin muttered. “Come on — elevator’s three doors down.”

The four of them — three walking, one unconscious — pushed forward.

But the moment they reached the elevator…

The lights died.

All of them.

Total blackness.

Then…

A breath.

A growl.

Something wet and hungry.

And then—

BANG! Something hit the wall next to them.

“Flashlight!” Robin shouted.

Lucas fumbled with his belt, clicked it on—light spilled into the hall—and revealed a Demodog crouched low at the far end.

Behind it…

Another.

And another.

Three total.

Robin whispered: “Well. Shit.”

The Demodogs stalked forward.

Lucas grabbed the bat. Vickie raised the axe. Robin primed the stun baton.

But they weren’t going to win.

Not three on three.

Not like this.

And then—Max’s monitor spiked again.

BEEEEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

The Demodogs froze.

Max's mouth opened slightly. Her fingers moved.

And then her eyes opened.

Not fully — just a slit. But glowing faintly red, like backlight behind a curtain.

Robin gasped.

The Demodogs backed up a step.

Lucas dropped the bat and rushed to her. “Max. Max, if you can hear me—you’re not alone. You’re still here. We’ve been here the whole time.”

One of the Demodogs lunged.

But Max twitched—and everything shifted.

A pulse shot through the hallway — like a gravity wave — warping the air.

The Demodog stopped mid-leap. Crashed into the ceiling.

The others shrieked and twisted, suddenly slammed by an invisible force.

Lucas stepped back. “What the hell?”

Max’s mouth moved — her lips forming silent words.

Vickie leaned in. “She’s saying something…”

“Light…”

The ceiling above them cracked—emergency power flicked back on.

The elevator dinged.

The doors slid open.

Robin whooped. “Go! GO!”

They shoved the gurney in. Robin slammed the panel. The doors began to close just as a Demodog flung itself toward them—

CLANG. The doors caught it and crushed it half-in.

Robin stabbed it with the stun baton, sparks flying. It screeched and dropped. Doors shut.

Silence.

Heavy breathing.

Then the elevator started to rise.

Lucas dropped to his knees beside Max.

Her eyes were closed again.

Still unconscious.

But on the monitor… her heartbeat was stronger.

“She's fighting,” Vickie whispered.

Lucas nodded. “And we’re not letting go.”

Robin leaned against the wall, hair wild, eyes wide.

“Okay,” she said, “I think I need to throw up.”

Vickie laughed ‘I love you.’

[hawkeifiedwrites]

July 4, 1985

All around Steve was chaos. Bright emergency lights flashed around him, making him squeeze his head in pure agony, as his head throbbed.

Confusion. Anxiety. His breath trembled sharply in the midsummer’s air.

Blood trickled down his face, his eye heavily with pain, and he was covered in blood and puke. His body ached with pain, and he longed to sleep, but he was terrified of closing his eyes.

He was standing alone.

Everyone was paired up around him, making him feel more alone than ever.

Nancy and Jonathan were snuggled up together in the back of ambulance. Joyce was crying and comforting Eleven, who was mourning the loss of Chief Hopper.

Robin was being embraced by her parents nearby, and the scene caused Steve to feel awfully neglected.

Of course, he was alone. He always was.

A ambulance driver offered to take him home, as his keys were somewhere deep down a Russian spy basement. Steve was grateful for the opportunity to shut his eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath through the pain, he clambered out of the back of the ambulance, and thanked the driver with a quick wave.

His house was dark, cold, empty, and his hands trembled at the sight of it.

Steve Harrington was alone.

He trudged slowly up to his big uninviting red front door, and placed his key in the lock, turning the handle as he went.

Stepping into that house was like a pure nightmare. Steve was often plagued by nightmares, but they normally contained demodogs and spiders. Tonight they will probably contain Russian Soldiers and human fleshed mindflayers.

He sighed wearily, his entire body aching.

A shower & sleep. that’s what he needed.

Trudging up his wooden stairs, he stopped to look behind his shoulder. Paranoia held him like a vice, and he catapulted himself down the stairs.

Triple checking the front door was locked.

Satisfied, he backed away slowly, turning back to climb the stairs.

A hot shower was exactly what Steve needed, but he hissed in pain as the said water reached his wounds.

Gingerly exiting his shower, he began to examine his wounds.

His face was covered in dried blood, and bruises, and he winced.

Moving along to his bedroom, Steve glanced around, before he decided to simply sit on his bed. Pulling on a plain t shirt and a pair of basketball shorts, he took two painkillers in order to try and numb his agony.

The room is dimly lit by a small bedside lamp. Shadows stretch across the walls. Steve sits on the edge of his bed, sleeves rolled up, a cold compress pressed gently to a deep cut on his forearm. Dried blood crusts around the wound, but he’s carefully cleaning it with a damp cloth.

His breathing is slow but uneven. Every now and then, a small wince breaks through. The pain is physical but something deeper lingers beneath.

The faint sound of distant fireworks still echoes, a ghost of the previous night’s chaos.

He pulls out a small mirror from the drawer, inspecting a bruise forming under his right eye.
Steve muttered to himself under his breath "Not bad for a guy who just survived the end of the world."

He sets the mirror down and leans back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling.

Memories flicker upon his eyelids.

The panic in the mall. The frantic battle with the Russians and the Mind Flayer. The desperate run through the tunnels. The moment he thought he might lose everyone.

A shaky breath escapes him. He reaches for a photo on his nightstand — a candid shot of him and Dustin, grinning after a summer day. The lightness of that moment feels miles away.

He runs a hand through his hair, trying to shake the heaviness.

Suddenly, the door creaks open. It’s Robin, holding a small first aid kit and a reluctant smile. “The door was locked, so I let myself in with the spare key.’

Robin stepped into Steve’s bedroom. 
"Wow, dingus, you look like you lost a fight with a garbage disposal."

Steve laughs softly, then winces. "You don’t know the half of it."

She sets the kit down on his dresser and kneels beside him. "Come on, let me help."

Steve hesitates, the thought of always being strong, and letting someone see him like this isn’t easy. But the way she looks at him, with quiet platonic concern, breaks through.

He nods.

She carefully cleans the wounds, her touch gentle but sure.
"You’re a lot tougher than you look, Harrington."

Steve was half-smiling, rolling his eyes. 
"Yeah? You’d be surprised."

They share a look, their new friendship seeping through the cracks.

Outside, the night deepens.

Steve lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
"Thanks, Robin." 
"Anytime. But you owe me a soda for this."

Steve chuckles, the weight on his chest easing just a little. “Deal."

[hawkeifiedwrites]

The Wheelers House: Season Five (part one of ?)

November 1987.

Nancy Wheeler was strong. Atleast she thought she was. She had endured true horrors, but still remained strong and fearless in her personality.

Everything changed in the blink of an eye.

Will had informed the gang, at the radio station, that something was happening over at the Wheelers, and that he could sense Vecna being there.

Eleven offered to travel with Nancy, to the Wheelers, in case she needed to use her powers against Vecna.

Entering the house, neither woman was prepared for what they would witness.

Nancy lowered her gun, her face turning a ghastly white, sheer horror entering her face.

her father was sat in his favourite chair, as he always did.

This time was different.

blood was smeared all over the floor, spattered across the wall, indicating major blood loss.

Ted Wheeler was sat in his favourite chair, the tv still running, but his eyes was glassy and unseeing.

A large gash across his stomach and chest seemed to be the cause of death. His right hand, now pale and blue, was severed from his body, and was laying next to him. His other hand, now limp, was resting on his stomach, preventing his internal organs from leaving his body, which had already begun to slip into the Wheeler’s carpeted living room floor. The same floor where Nancy would open her childhood Christmas presents, where her father used to play dolls with her as a child.

Eleven moved behind Nancy, but the girl’s eyes were glued on her father’s corpse.

Memories travelled through Nancy’s mind, and she sobbed.

Her breath hitched, and she fell to her knees, almost in a slow motion movie way.

A sharp cry draw the two girls attention away from the L ate Ted Wheeler.

His wife Karen Wheeler, was laying in a puddle of her own blood, grasping at a chunk taken out of her right shoulder, and muttering under her breath.

‘Mum!’ Nancy screamed, scrambling across the floor to land at her mother’s side.

Karen lay there, her breathing shallow, and was clearly in a bad way.

Her right shoulder had been torn, the wound started at the top of her shoulder, and traveled down to her rib cage.

Her neck had a large gaping hole in it, as if something had taken a chunk out of her.

Her right leg had obtained deep wounds, with one starting at the knee, and ending near her ankle. Her left leg had a similar injury, although somewhat smaller.

The daughter quickly assessed the injuries, and removed her denim jacket, placing it firmly on Karen’s legs.

‘El! I need you’ Nancy called, desperately.

Eleven Hopper appeared at Nancy’s side, and peered anxiously at Karen.

Nancy’s hands were beginning to become covered with blood, and she shook at the sight of it.

Taking a deep breath, the elder female turned to the younger one. ‘I’m going to need you to hold this firm against her injury.’

Jane nodded, her eyes taking in the seriousness of the situation.

Nancy launched herself at the phone, calling 911.

Explaining the situation, the paramedic told her to stay on the phone with her until the ambulance arrived.

The eldest Wheeler returned to her mother’s side, where Karen was mumbling under her breath.

Karen wheezed, reaching for Nancy’s hand. The mother and daughter clasped hands, each trying to support each other.

‘Holly. Something took Holly. I don’t know where she is’ Karen’s face portrayed the pain of a mother’s love and protection for her children.

‘It’s okay, we’ll find her. Don’t worry Mum’ Nancy smiled, her heart sinking down into her chest.

The ambulance arrived, all blaring lights of red and blue.

The next few minutes were a complete blur to Nancy, who was ushered into the back of the ambulance with her unconscious mother on a gurney.

Eleven offered to come with Nancy, and then would contact Jonathan and Mike from the hospital.

Nancy nodded briefly, and Eleven was by her side, wrapping her arm around the elder girl comfortingly.

Arriving at Hawkins General Hospital, Karen was whisked away to emergency surgery.

Eleven ran across to the telephone booth, finding the courage to speak about what she had witnessed at the Wheelers.

Nancy walked numbly into the hospital toilets, her hands covered in blood, her hands shaking.

Her eyes welled up with tears, as she glanced down at her hands, smeared with her mother’s blood.

She sobbed, scrubbing her hands roughly repeatedly in order to remove the blood. The water ran red, until it didn’t anymore.

A figure appeared behind Nancy.

‘Nance.’ Jonathan breathed, his arms reaching for his love.

‘Oh, Jonathan.’

The couple embraced.

‘I’m here. I’m always here, and I’m not going anywhere. Everything will be okay, we’ll face every situation together. I love you. I’ll always love you, and I’ll always be here to support you during your hardest moments, your softest moments, your scariest moments.’ Jonathan stoked Nancy’s cheek, and placed their heads together, in a way to show her how they were two pieces of a puzzle.

Nancy gave him a watery smile, leaning into his chest, into his embrace.

‘I love you.’ Nancy spoke into the silence.

‘Always and forever’ Jonathan held out his palm, and Nancy smiled, copying his action.

Jonathan placed a kiss upon her forehead, and both stood up.

‘Come on, let’s find out what’s happening. We’ll face it together’

[hawkeifiedwrites]

the best two nights I’ve had in a long time ❤️

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Steve & Jonathan talk.

November 1987.

Steve drew in a sharp shaky breath, as he approached the other man sitting on a bench in the middle of Hawkins Square. He had just defeated Vecna, alongside his friends, but somehow this felt scarier.

His timid steps moved him forward to Jonathan Byers, who turned around sharply as the noise alarmed him.

Brown eyes met Brown eyes.

Jonathan breathed a sigh of relief. He had been on edge for so long, it seemed like routine to be jumpy.

‘hey man’ Steve greeted, his hands sweating slightly.

‘hi Steve’ Jonathan moved to the left slightly, and Steve joined him.

They sat in silence for a while before Steve cleared his throat.

Jonathan turned to look at him, and their eyes met.

‘Look, we’ve been through a lot over the past year, and we haven’t really talked about everything that has happened between us, and I think now is a great time so we can finally move forward’

Jonathan smiled. ‘yeah, yeah, I would like that.’

Steve took a deep breath.

‘Starting from the beginning, I deserved that punch. It set me on a course that I don’t regret, because it brought me Dustin, Robin, a friend in Nancy, you, and so many others. I deserved it after -‘

Steve’s voice trailed off as he studied Jonathan’s facial expression.

‘No, no, you didn’t’ Jonathan said, making Steve’s eyes go wide.

‘I shouldn’t have taken those photos of Nancy. They were really inappropriate, and whilst, I’ve apologised to her, I’ve never apologised to you. So, I’m sorry. You were dating her, and I completely overstepped boundaries. I’m sorry.’

Jonathan’s sincerity caught Steve by surprise, and he blinked multiple times in shock.

‘Thanks man.’

Jonathan smiled at the other man, for the first time in three years.

‘And whilst, we’re on apologies, I have one of my own. I’m sorry for calling you a Queer, and insulting your family. I was angry but it was so uncalled for.’ Steve explained to the younger man.

‘It wouldn’t matter if you were queer or not, because…’ Steve trailed off, his eyes closing in sheer horror.

‘because Robin is.’ Jonathan smiled at the older man. ‘Will is too’

Relief covered Steve’s face. ‘I’m happy for Will.’

‘I forgive you.’ Jonathan suddenly stated, his eyes gleaming into Steve’s.

‘And thank you for the camera. I knew it was you, and it’s my treasured possession, so thank you.’

Steve Harrington blinked in shock but mumbled ‘you’re welcome’

Jonathan stood him, and Steve cautiously followed him.

‘So friends?’ Jonathan held out his hand in offering.

‘Friends.’ Steve ignored his hand, and reached in for a hug.

The two newly turned friends embraced.

‘thanks man.’

‘no, thank you Jonathan. You made me the person I am now’

‘I’m honoured.’

‘How about some ping pong at the Blue and Gold Bar?’

Steve agreed, and the two friends turned and walked away.

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Steve Harrington’s background:

Part 2: April 17, 1967

Both Audrey and George were woken by baby Steve crying within his cot. George groaned and rolled over, falling back asleep. Audrey exited the bed, stretched, and walked over to her beautiful boy.

‘Oh, hello, my darling. Are you hungry?’ she cooed, lifting him gently up from his bed.

Steve squealed softly at the sight of his mother, and Audrey laughed.

‘Come on then, let’s go to breakfast.’

Mother and son wandered down the wooden staircase, towards the kitchen.

Audrey hummed softly to her son as she prepared his milk.

‘Okay, here we go’ Audrey feed her son, making him feel full.

The Harrington Mother lifted up her six month old son, and started to sing to him. ‘You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.’

This action caused baby Steve to laugh.

‘Alright. What should we have for breakfast, hmm?’

Audrey placed her son in his highchair as she prepared both his breakfast and hers. This morning, Steve had soft banana, strawberries and some baby porridge.

George Harrington emerged from upstairs, dressed formal to the brink, a red tie, and a black jacket. He had a series of meetings in New York, and this was the first time Audrey wasn’t following him. He kissed his wife and son goodbye, abit coldly, and disappeared out the door.

Audrey sighed heavily, before turning to her son, and smiling.

‘Shall we go and get ready to go and see Auntie Joyce?’

Steve giggled at his mother.

They got ready for the day; Steve wearing a blue bodysuit, and a pair of trousers. Audrey wore a white shirt and jeans.

‘Oh, look at you. You’re so cute.’ Steve squealed in response and Audrey kissed him.

‘Okay. Let’s go and see Joyce and Baby Jonathan, right?’

Audrey loaded Steve up into his car seat, and headed over to the Byers house.

Steve babbled playfully as his mother lifted him out of the car seat, and into her welcoming embrace.

Joyce and Lonnie Byers lived in a one floor house, surrounded by the woods. Raised voices were heard from outside the building, and Audrey frowned in concern.

Lonnie stormed out of the house, face red and fuming, eyes wide with anger. Joyce followed him, newborn Jonathan in her arms, and shouted ‘go back to her Lonnie, and don’t come back!’

Lonnie growled and entered his car, before turning around and driving off.

Audrey turned to her dearest friend, who stood there, looking tired and disheveled. Joyce ushered Audrey inside.

‘Joyce, what’s the matter?’

The new mother sighed heavily, and whispered ‘Lonnie’s been having an affair.’

‘Oh my love. Come here.’ Audrey Harrington wrapped an arm around her.

‘This is baby Jonathan’ She exclaimed, peering at the new infant.

Jonathan Lonnie Byers was a chunky little boy, full of pure energy, and fluffy brown hair.

‘Joyce, he’s precious.’

‘He’s everything. I just hope I’m able to give him the life he deserves.’ Joyce wept quietly.

‘With you as his mother, he will have.’

Joyce smiled bashfully at her friend.

Audrey placed Steve in the playpen centred in the corner of the room, where he proceeded to shove a set of plastic baby keys into his mouth.

‘May I hold him?’ Audrey asked, and Joyce lifted Jonathan into her arms.

‘Why, hello Jonathan. It’s a pleasure to meet you. How beautiful you are.’ Audrey smiled at the child. Jonathan blinked slowly, peering at the new face.

‘Maybe you and my son will be good friends, and have lots of adventures together. Who knows.’

Little did they know.

[hawkeifiedwrites]

A Steve Harrington Background Series.

Part 1.

October 2, 1966.

Lying in her hospital bed was Audrey Bouchier, who was panting slightly, overcome with pure love, exhaustion and excitement as she looked down at her baby boy’s tiny face.

It was a difficult labour, lasting almost 48 hours, but she was grateful for her child to be born alive and healthy. Her husband George Harrington, was lying in the corner snoring loudly, as she cradled their child in her arms.

Her perfect son, his small wisps of brown curly hair, tiny fingers and tiny toes. He was utterly perfect. She raised the tiny infant up to her mouth, kissing him sweetly on his forehead, and whispered ‘I love you my darling, forever and always.’

Knock. Knock.

Fluffy curly brown hair appeared from behind the door. Audrey’s best friend’s sweet face appeared, causing her face to light up.

‘Joyce!’ Audrey exclaimed, in pure love.

Joyce Byers, pregnant herself, waddled over to Audrey, beaming in pride.

‘Meet my son Steve Patrick Harrington’ Audrey bubbled with pure adoration, passing her treasure to Joyce.

‘Oh, he’s beautiful, Aud. You should be so proud of yourself.’ Joyce whispered gently. ‘How do you feel?’

Audrey smiled tiredly ‘I’m okay, just tired.’

‘How’s Lonnie doing?’

Joyce grimaced, a non verbal answer. Audrey took her hand, squeezing.

Audrey glanced over at her sleeping husband.

‘He’s not that much better either’

Joyce snorted ‘Men!’

The women laughed in unison.

The midwife entered the room, and cleared Audrey to go home.

‘Thank god, I need a shower.’ Audrey stated, relief covering her face, and the midwife smiled.

Joyce handed baby Steve back to Audrey, who gently caressed his little face. Audrey moved towards Steve’s baby carrier, and placed him in it gently.

‘My son.’ She whispered.

Audrey groaned as she stood up, shaky on her feet. She walked slowly over to her absent husband, shaking him awake.

‘George, darling.’

George Harrington was a complex person, with a lot of pressure upon his shoulders, and because of this, often spent vast amounts of time away from Hawkins, Indiana. George’s father Arthur Patrick Harrington set up the foundation of Harrington Real Estate, which has now expanded across many different states of America. Audrey’s husband was the current head of this business, and had multiple responsibilities in running the company smoothly.

The Harringtons were rich, but with that came other responsibilities and issues.

‘George!’ Audrey shook her husband, and he jolted awake.

His hazel brown eyes, individual to their newborn sons, shot open, and he blinked.

He stood up and stretched.

‘Ready to go?’ He asked, and Audrey nodded.

They collected their belongings, and headed home.

Audrey carrying her baby boy proudly. She looked at that little face and wondered what kind of life he would lead. All the Christmases, Birthdays they would spend together. They now have everyday together.

All three Harringtons arrived to their home. Audrey disliked this house, it was too big, too empty, too grey, but it was a show of wealth for George, and he was the main breadwinner.

Audrey smiled and took her son out of his carrier. ‘Welcome home, my boy’

George wrapped his arm around Audrey, an unfamiliar cold gesture.

‘Cmon, then’ He ushered the family into the home.

Audrey turned to her husband ‘do you mind holding Steve for a moment, whilst I have a shower?’ she asked.

George frowned slightly, but nodded, and Audrey smiled, passing their child over.

The father held his son stiffly, his cold hands making the newborn boy wail. This was a sign of things to come.

Audrey Harrington disappeared up the wooden stairs, and George heard the shower start.

He sighed quietly, looking down at his son, and realised his son was looking back at him.

Bright Brown eyes. A cute button nose. A grey elephant printed onesie.

For a fleeting moment, George felt a spark of warmth flood through his body, and he cooed at baby Steve.

Then his smile fell, and he remembered the statement he made to his wife, which reduced her to tears. ‘I need a son to carry on the Harrington legacy.’

Like his own father had said to his own mother about him years before.

[hawkeifiedwrites]

‘Steve, you need to run!’ A one shot based off *that* spoiler audio.

November 1987

The warehouse was dark, and foul smelling. Cobwebs hung around the walls, like some kind of late Halloween decoration. The air was cold and icy, so cold that you could feel it on your breath.

Hopper had chosen this location as an ideal spot to try and take down Vecna once and for all. Isolated. Away from the decaying Hawkins. A few months had passed since Vecna’s first attempt at destroying Hawkins, losing Eddie, Max’s coma, Eddie’s funeral, a quiet affair with Dustin and Wayne as the primary grievers. Dustin’s mother Claudia was one of the fallen during the Earthquake, and with Dustin’s house being destroyed, he moved into Wayne’s trailer, spending their evenings reminiscing about Eddie.

Nancy stood, armed and ready, her face portraying no emotion, hard as steel, but inside she was deeply terrified. Jonathan stood next to her, also armed with his own weapon. Will stood beside his elder brother, his eyes closed, hand raised to his neck, trying to sense Vecna’s presence. Steve was standing a few feet away from the trio, eyes alert and his bat located over his shoulder. Robin stood next to him, fierce like Nancy, but again, her insides felt icy and cold.

Vickie Turnbow, her girlfriend, stood next to her, holding a crossbow, her hands shaking with pure fear.

Dustin had headphones upon his head, and was verbally communicating with Hopper’s group via the radio.

The entire group was covered in army gear, taking precautions against Vecna’s powers.

Hopper’s group, which consisted of himself, Joyce, Eleven and Mike, were currently working on developing Eleven’s strength and powers in order to undertake the final battle.

Will shuddered, his breath hitching, and his eyes shot open. ‘He’s here’. The group braced themselves, clutching their weapons tighter. Jonathan moved closer to Will, his protective older brother instincts kicking in.

Vecna emerged from the shadows, like a animal stalking their prey, his claw shaped hands bent beside his withered skin. His demon liked eyes fixated upon the group.

Dustin spoke into the radio ‘Eyes on Vecna. Repeat, eyes on Vecna!’

Vecna smiled. Nancy felt her blood run cold.

She blinked, and he was in front of her.

She screamed, before shooting straight up into the air.

‘Nancy!’ Jonathan screamed. high, fearful, spine shaking. Robin gasped, watching her friend levitate in the air. Steve closed his eyes.

‘Dustin, music, quickly’ Jonathan pleaded, his voice cracking. Nancy’s favourite song rung out across the warehouse.

But Nancy was somewhere else. Somewhere with Barb, Her little sister Holly, her mother Karen. Somewhere away from Vecna. Somewhere safe.

Crack. Her left arm. Crack. Her right leg. Crack. Her right arm. Crack. Her left leg.

Each time Jonathan screamed, tears falling down his face. Steve joined him in flinching, and becoming distraught. He wrapped his arms around Jon, and pulled him away. ‘You don’t need to see this’

Jonathan struggled. ‘No. No. Nancy’ he wailed, his grief evident in his face, his eyes, his voice. Steve bawled too, his love for Nancy never stopped. Both the boys loved Miss Nancy Wheeler, at different times in their lives, but she was an important figure within their lives.

‘Don’t look.’ Steve turned Jonathan away.

Squelch. Will flinched as Nancy’s eyes popped out of her face. The image will stay with him forever. Nancy’s body dropped from the sky like she was a bag of rubbish.

Robin roared, like a mighty lion, and speed towards Vecna. Her friend laid there, eyes empty and void, Jonathan caressing her corpse, Steve comforting him. Will leaning his head on Jonathan’s shoulder. Grief and anger carried her feet.

‘Robin!’ Vickie screamed.

Robin faced her demons, in the form of Vecna. The cause for her nightmares. She’s been here multiple times, but this time was real. She could feel his breath on her face.

Vecna raised his hand, and Robin threw through the air, landing painfully on her back.

Steve rushed over to Robin, who lay unconscious, having hit her head. Vickie snapped, loading her weapon, and fired directly at the monster.

Her arrow landed in his shoulder, and blood emerged from the wound.

Dustin joined Vickie in her stance, glaring viscously at the creature who killed his friends.

‘You can kill us. You can torment us. But you will never win.’ He spoke fiercely, never breaking eye contact with Vecna.

Vecna rasped ‘you’ll never win.’ He stepped forward towards Jonathan.

Will step in front of him. ‘Not another step.’ He snarled. ‘You’ve ruined my entire childhood, took Nancy, but no, you’re not taking my brother.’

Vecna simply stared at him, eyes devoid of emotion, and flicked his hand, sending Will into the wall.

Will screamed ‘Jonathan!’ and pushed himself up with all his might. His muscles ached, but it was better than watching his brother die.

Vecna’s hand came up, and Jonathan struggled, gasping for air.

Steve wailed at the thought of losing another friend, his hands cradling Robin’s head.

Vickie snarled, notching another arrow and shooting. This time, her arrow hit the bullseye, and landed right in Vecna’s eye. He screamed, in pure agony, and Jonathan dropped from Vecna’s control.

Will rushed over to Jonathan, and pulled him into a hug. The brothers both weeped with joy.

Vecna turned his attention towards Vickie.

‘No. No.’ Vickie screamed, as Vecna moved towards her.

Steve crawled towards Nancy’s corpse, to find her gun. He pulled it off her body, and fired towards Vecna, but missed. He sobbed violently, yelling ‘cmon’.

Vecna’s hand came up across Vickie’s face, and he creepily whispered ‘I’ll kill you all.’

Vickie sobbed, her ginger hair falling in front of her face.

Her eyes rolled back inside her head, and she began to float.

Jonathan heaved with effort and determination, standing up on shaky legs. He grabbed Vickie’s crossbow, which she had dropped, and aimed.

The arrow entered Vecna’s chest, and he roared. Turning towards the brothers, his eyes flashed with both pain and anger.

Will screamed with his whole chest ‘Steve, run. You need to run.’

‘Take Robin and Dustin. Go.’

Steve looked torn, but ultimately nodded, gathering up Robin in his arms, and gesturing for Dustin to follow him.

‘I’m not leaving.’ Dustin declared, turning back towards his friends.’

Steve hesitated before gently placing Robin down.

‘Me and you. We’re a team.’ Steve said, placing his hand on Dustin’s shoulder. ‘We stick together. All of us.’

Steve turned to the others, and smiled. ‘Vecna cannot win, because we love and he doesn’t’

Vecna snarled.

Steve levitated away from Dustin, who pleaded with him to remain with him, and Vecna’s hand came down.

Crack. Crack. Crack. Crack.

‘No! No! No! Steve.’ Dustin sobbed, as memories of their friendship travelled through his mind. Searching for Dart. Girl advice. Bonding over Star Wars. Scoops ahoy meetings. The Russian Basement escape.

Steve dropped, his eyes empty.

Dustin wailed.

Jonathan stood and ran over to Dustin, holding him back from attacking Vecna.

As he did so, he took his eyes off Will.

Will Byers, at the age of 16, angered by Vecna, by constantly tormenting him and his loved ones, snuck around behind Vecna, and aimed.

His aim was true.

Vecna roared as he took the arrow within his back.

‘Will!’ Jonathan screamed, his voice hoarse, and his face pale.

‘Leave my loved ones alone!’ Will took all the anger and courage into one breath. He stared Vecna down, and the latter recoiled like a wounded animal.

Vecna turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Will breathed a deep sigh of relief, and he ran towards Jonathan.

The Byers Brothers hugged, relieved they had survived, but knowing that there was a bigger fight coming.

Jonathan moved towards Nancy’s corpse, picking her up gently, and carrying her out of the warehouse.

Vickie moved towards Robin, who stirred awake, clutching her head.

Blood trickled down her forehead, reaching her neck, and she groaned.

‘Robin. Robin, slowly, carefully’ Vickie advised her girlfriend.

Robin turned and looked around the space.

She came across her best friend’s body, not breathing, face pale and cold.

The noise that emerged from Robin’s throat was ear piercing and raw. One that Vickie hoped she would never hear again.

Robin was leant over Steve’s body, screaming her lungs out, grief and anger transforming into rivers of tears.

‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.’ She repeated over and over again into his brown hair.

Vickie moved forward. ‘Robin, we have to go.’

Robin nodded sniffing loudly, moving towards Steve’s legs. Dustin gently stepped forward, and picked up Steve’s arms.

‘Let me help. He was my family too.’

Together, the group exited the building, full of sorrow, grief stricken and sadness.

Six went in. Only four came out.

[stonathandreamer]

Seriously, I loved how the entire Jonathan fandom came together to express our discontent with the way our beloved baby boy is being handled. Seriously, guys, if we got organized, we could start a revolution, overthrow the Dumber Bros, take control, and reinstate Jonathan to his former glory!

The coup d'état meeting will be here at home tomorrow during lunch. Everyone brings what they want to drink.

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Rockin’ Robin & Jammin’ Jon

A one shot that emerged from my mind after the minor Robin Radio ST5 spoiler & my love for Jonathan and Robin as friends.

‘good morning Hawkinssss’ Robin grinned into her microphone, turning to look at her cohost.

Jonathan beamed at her.

His sweet voice travelled over the station as he spoke into the equipment.

‘It’s your hosts Byers and Buckley, here at WSQK Radio, and we are here to provide you with all the latest tunes, our favourite songs.’

Jonathan looked down at the list of songs they wrote together.

The Smiths.

Madonna.

The Clash.

The Beatles.

Queen.

Wham!.

The list goes on and on.

‘Our first song of the day is Should I Stay or Should I Go. This is dedicated to my baby brother Will, who i introduced this song to years ago, and primarily our bonding song.’

Across Hawkins, in the Byers household, Will’s eyes bubbled with love, and he sang along as the song played.

Back at the radio studio, Robin cleared her throat.

Jonathan faded out the song, and spoke again into the microphone.

‘Passing over to Rockin’ Robin, for our next hit.’

‘Thank you Jammin’ Jon. My choice is Africa by Toto, dedicated to all the Hawkins residents.’

Africa began to play within the walls of the radio station.

Jonathan removed his headphones, and turned to Robin ‘what’s the plan for the rest of the show?’

Robin glanced at the sheet, located in front of him, before replying ‘We should take some calls, requests and such, and then we can each choose a song to finish off the session.’

Jonathan nodded. ‘Sounds like a plan’

‘alright, Hawkins. We’re going to play one more song while we wait for any requests to come in. All you have to do is call the radio station number, and tell us what song you want played’ Robin spoke loud and clear into her microphone.

‘Okay, Rockin’ Robin and I are going to be playing Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, while the calls come in.’

The phone rang; loud and shrill, and Robin jumped, even though she was expecting it. And Jonathan laughed boyishly.

She rolled her eyes at him playfully, before picking up the phone.

‘Hello, Hawkins resident, you’re on the air, what song would you like?’

‘Hi, it’s Vickie Carmichael, and I would like the song Dancing Queen by ABBA.’ Robin’s crush’s voice rang through the station. Robin turned beetroot red, and she stuttered. ‘Vickie?!’ She mouthed.

Jonathan smirked at her and whispered ‘It’s fate.’ Giving her a thumbs up.

Robin had come out to Jonathan after he came out a bisexual, and spoke about how his other best friend & brother were gay.

Robin smiled bashfully at her new best friend, and spoke into the phone.

‘hiya Vickie, great choice.’ Robin pushed a button, and Dancing Queen began to play.

The phone rang again.

This time, Jonathan picked up the phone.

‘hello, this is Jammin’ Jon. What’s your name & your choice of song?’

Karen Wheeler, Jonathan’s future mother in law, spoke on the other side of the phone. Jonathan had recently sought Karen’s approval for Nancy’s hand in marriage, since Ted had already passed, due to a demogordon attack a few months prior.

Karen’s song was ‘Everybody’s talkin by Harry Nilsson’

The song played gently in the background, while the two friends chatted softly.

Once the song had ended, Jonathan decided to play his chosen song, as the phone was remaining silent.

What she said by The Smiths blasted around the radio station & households across Hawkins.

The phone rang, and Robin scooped it up.

Steve’s voice sounded from the phone.

‘hiya dingus. what’s your chosen song?’

Of course, Steve’s choice of song would be Another one bites the dust by Queen. The song save his life, when he was under Vecna’s curse a few months before. It had sentimental significance to both Steve and Robin, as it genuinely saved Steve from death.

Jonathan set up the song, and pressed play on the radio board in front of them.

A knock on the door startled both Jonathan and Robin in the booth.

Their heads snapped to the door, their manager was standing there, looking impatient. He gestured them to hurry up.

‘Okay, thank you Hawkins. This is Rockin’ Robin & Jammin’ Jon, signing off until next time.’

‘Thank you for listening’ Jonathan added, standing up from his chair.

The two friends collected their belongings from the booth, and exited, so the other radio presenter could undertake their own section.

Jonathan turned out the lights, and he caught up with Robin, who turned and placed an arm around him.

The room descended into darkness.

Until next time.

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Things that lurk: Chapter 7.

Apologies that this has taken me so long to finish. Writers block is a pain.

Julie recovers. Will heals from trauma. Christmas 1983.

Pain. Pure Agony.

Memories flicked behind Julie’s closed eyes. Her screaming. The monster. It’s claws.

She groaned lightly, blearily opening her eyes.

White. Pure White. Sterile. Plain.

That’s all she could see.

She glanced around.

A hospital.

Robin was curled up in a chair, all catlike, eyes closed, snoring quietly.

Steve was located on the other side of the room, his head leant back, staring up at the ceiling. Her father was standing, his back towards her, talking quietly with a nurse.

‘Julie? Oh my god. You’re awake.’ Steve bounced up, hurrying over to Julie, his face sagging with relief.

‘Steve. You’re here.’ She croaked, staring into his hazel eyes.

‘Of course. Of course.’ He replied, gently rubbing her cheek.

Her father catapulted himself next to Steve, his eyes wet with tears.

‘Julie. Oh my god. I was so worried.’ Her father reached for Julie’s hand.

‘What happened?’

Steve hesitated, his eyes expressing more emotion than his face.

‘It was a bear attack, honey. you were mauled, and required 30 stitches.’ Bob responded.

Julie stared at Steve, frowning confused, before returning her glance to her father.

‘Right. Of course.’

‘I’ll go and get Jonathan. He’s with Will right now. But he wanted to see you when you woke’ her father explained, landing a kiss on Julie’s forehead.

‘Okay. Thank you dad’

‘I love you.’

‘I love you too.’ Julie whispered, smiling watery at him. The door clicked shut.

‘Do you remember what happened?’ Steve’s face peered anxiously over Julie.

‘The monster. It attacked me.’

Steve practically sagged with relief at the thought of not having to explain what happened to her again.

‘I’m so glad you’re okay’ Steve kissed her forehead, and she blushed. They caught eye contact, and both smiled shyly.

Jonathan barged into the room, with a bang, and Robin jumped as result, causing him to smile apologetically at her. ‘Sorry’ he mouthed, causing Robin to laugh.

Jonathan bounded over to Julie, like a golden retriever, full of energy and relief.

‘holy shit. I’m so so glad you’re okay.’ Jonathan grasped at Julie, hugging her tightly. His face landed on Julie’s shoulder, and she felt him gently crying.

‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re my only friend.’ Jonathan broke down, causing Julie to pull him back so she could look into his eyes.

‘I’m okay. I’m sorry I put you through that.’

Jonathan’s eyes ushered with unshed tears, and he chucked watery.

Robin pushed Jonathan out of the way. ‘hey, my turn, dingus’

Robin clambered on the hospital bed, and squeezed Julie into a hug.

‘I’m glad you’re okay, Jules.’ she whispered into Julie’s hair.

‘thank you Robs’

The girls separated from their embrace.

Jonathan smiled at them, and said ‘hey Jules, you wanna go and see Will?’

Julie beamed with pure relief and nodded.

‘Hang on, I’ll grab a wheelchair.’ Robin said, opening the room’s door, and speaking to the nurse outside.

Julie moved to the edge of the bed, and leaned forward. Steve steadied her.

‘Be careful’ Jonathan warned.

‘I’m okay.’ she replied as Robin returned with the wheelchair.

‘Here we go’ she smiled, placing the chair into front of her.

‘Okay, then, let’s go see Will.’ Julie said, pushing up off the bed. Steve moved into help her, wrapping his arms around her, and gently lifting her into the wheelchair, being mindful of her leg.

‘Thank you.’ Julie looked up at Steve, and their eyes met softly, both smiling bashfully.

‘Okay, let’s go.’ Jonathan stated, placing his hands on the back of Julie’s wheelchair.

The quartet headed down the hospital corridor towards Will’s room.

Nancy was sitting outside the door, with her parents, and she turned to look at the group approaching them.

She jumped up from her seat, her face covered in relief.

‘Oh my god, Julie. You’re okay.’ Nancy enveloped her in a bear hug.

‘I’m okay, thank you Nance’

The girls smiled at each other, friendship showing in their faces.

Steve pushed Julie forward, his hands squeezing white against the handles.

He glanced at Nancy, and he knew. Nancy and Jonathan were staring at each other, looking shy and besotted. Yeah, he knew.

And it sucked.

But he didn’t notice Julie staring at him like he hung the moon and stars. Of course he didn’t.

Steve had one thought on his mind: talking to Nancy. To try and fix things.

Julie pushed herself forward, reaching Will’s room. Joyce was standing there, hovering gently over her son.

‘Will. Oh my god.’ Julie beamed with pure joy.

She wept ‘I’m so glad you’re alive. I’m so sorry for not being able to help that night.’

Will chuckled weakly ‘I’m okay. I’m okay’ he said before coughing violently. Julie looked mildly concerned, before Joyce actively ushered her away, saying Will needed to rest.

‘Of course. I’ll see you soon Will.’ Julie said, squeezing his hand, before wheeling away.

Bob was waiting outside the door for her.

he smiled when he saw her. ‘Hey, pumpkin, let’s head home.’

‘yeah.’ Julie waved goodbye to Nancy, Steve and Jonathan, who where sitting together, with Robin walking towards Julie.

‘hey Robs, I’ll drop you off home.’ Bob offered, with Robin thanking him.

The trio left the hospital, and the Newbys dropped off Robin at her house, before arriving at their home.

Julie’s father got her settle in her room, before leaving her in peace to make her some food. Julie smiled and looked around her room.

Time passed, and Christmas was right around the corner. Julie’s leg healed, Will’s nightmares slowly disappeared, and Jonathan began to open up about his trauma to Julie. Steve and Nancy cautiously got back together, spending Christmas together with the Wheelers, although they both had their heart set on someone else. Both were trying though, and that’s what counted in Steve’s mind tho.

Steve and Nancy gifted Jonathan a new Camera, in replace of the old one Steve broke. Julie gifted Steve a record player, Nancy a Tom Cruise poster, and Jonathan The clash tickets during their 1984 world tour.

Julie received Wham! tape from Robin, a Walkman from Steve and Nancy, and a new camera strap from Jonathan.

life was good, and Julie hoped it would continue like this for a while to come. After everything that has occurred this year, they deserved peace.

Little did they know, that things were going to get stranger from now on.

[hawkeifiedwrites]

actively trying to write the next chapter of the things that lurk but writers block is exhausting

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Things that Lurk Chapter Six

Will’s funeral is held. Steve and Jonathan fight. Julie, Jonathan and Nancy attempt to fight the monster: Julie is attacked.

Black. Black like Midnight. Like the darkest night, the darkest day. Which it was. Julie despised black. She feared today.

She stared at her black dress for what seemed like forever. Funerals were meant to be a way of saying goodbye, a celebration of someone’s life. How can someone say to celebrate someone who had barely had the chance to live? To experience everything life had to offer? To grieve someone so very young.

Zipping up her dress, Julie was drawn into a flashback of that night. But this was different. Scarier.

‘Will?’ ‘Will?’ Julie called out. No reply. Just the November night breeze whistling. ‘Will!’ She screamed into the black night. Will’s tiny body appeared in front of her, wringing wet, clothes dripping with quarry water, blood trickling down his face, eyes haunted and a cloudy blue, skin shallow and pale. ‘You killed me. You didn’t stop that night. And now, I’m gone.’

‘No. No. Please Will. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.’ She fell to her knees and sobbed.

‘Julie! Julie.’ Her father’s voice drifted into her ears, and his worried face came into view. ‘Are you okay? It’s like you were in a trance.’

Julie shook her head, her head feeling foggy, and her hands shaking. ‘I’m fine. I’m fine.’ she croaked. ‘Just thinking about Will.’

Bob frowned concerned, but didn’t press her. ‘Nancy is waiting downstairs for you.’

‘I’ll be there in a minute.’ Julie replied, grabbing her bag. Her father left, and Julie followed, before stopping abruptly.

A strange cold feeling washed over her, and she felt like she was being watched. She spun around, but nobody was there.

‘Stop it Julie. You’re being paranoid.’

She turned and pulled the door shut.

Nancy was waiting for her downstairs, her hair pulled back up into a ponytail, and her face solemn.

‘Hey nance, thank you for picking me up.’ Julie stated, pulling the girl into a hug.

The gesture was reciprocated.

‘Are you ready?’ Nancy asked.

‘Yeah, I’m ready.’

The two girls left, waving goodbye to Julie’s father.

The funeral was a solemn affair. Grief weighed heavily on Julie’s shoulders, as she clasped Nancy’s hand tightly. Nancy squeezed her hand.

Julie glanced over at Jonathan sitting between his parents, face down and staring at the ground.

Julie’s heart broke for him.

The service went quickly, and soon, everyone had dispersed.

Nancy and Jonathan were cuddled over in a corner of the cemetery, clearly discussing something very important. Julie approached them, offering Jon her condolences before giving her apologies for the gathering taking place after the funeral.

She had an afternoon work shift.

Arriving at the Hawk Theatre, she noticed how quiet it was.

Alan, her manager, greeted her, and placed her on cleaning duty as it was quieter than usual.

One hour later, she had one final cleaning job.

Julie groaned as she carried the heavy rubbish bags out to the back door.

Jonathan and Nancy had been acting strange since the funeral this morning, and she hadn’t spoken or seen them since then.

She pushed the fire doors hard, struggling with the two bin bags, and as a result, she heard a loud groan.

‘What the?’ Julie mumbled, looking up. A body was squished against the door, and the person groaned.

‘Oh, my. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?’ Julie asked, releasing the door, and dropping the bags.

As she did so, she noticed graffiti on the outside of the door.

BYERS IS A PERV.

‘What? What is this?’ Julie asked looking around. She caught the eye of Steve, who looked back at her. His eyes filled with genuine pain. Something had happened, something Julie didn’t know yet.

‘Steve, what’s going on?’

Before he could answer, Nancy came walking up to them, determined, and her eyes filled with pure rage.

‘Oh, hey, there’s the princess’ Carol sneered.

‘Shut the fuck up Carol!’ Julie hissed, defending her friend.

Nancy walked straight up to Steve, and slapped him.

Julie winced.

‘What the hell is wrong with you?’ Nancy fumed.

Julie walked towards Jonathan, who was lingering behind Nancy.

‘What the hell is wrong with you? I was worried about you. I can’t believe I was actually worried about you.’ Steve snapped back.

‘What are you talking about?’

‘I saw you and Jonathan’ Steve explained.

Understanding flooded Nancy’s face ‘you came by last night.’

‘Yeah.’

Julie looked at Jonathan confused, but his focus was purely on Nancy.

‘It wasn’t what you think. We were just..’ Nancy stuttered unable to finish her sentence.

Steve looked at her dead in the eyes ‘finish that sentence’

Nancy remained silent, causing Jonathan to approach her, pulling her away.

‘Just leave it Nancy.’

Steve stepped forward, anger and hurt coursing through his entire body and face.

Julie stepped forward, placing her hands on Steve’s chest, preventing him from moving.

‘Listen, I’m not going to excuse their actions, but I’m sure there is a reason for Jonathan staying over at Nancy’s. Don’t give in to your anger, it won’t help.’

Steve looked at Julie, who remained calm, and glazed into his hazel eyes.

‘I know you’re trying to help, but step aside please.’ Steve whispered quietly to her.

Jonathan moved forward and pulled Julie away. ‘Stay away from her.’

Steve snapped ‘you know what Byers, I always took you as a queer, but I guess you’re a screw up like your father.’

Steve pushed Jonathan and he tumbled. He turned around and kept on walking, Nancy doing the same.

‘Steve, leave it.’ Nancy commanded. ‘Jonathan, ignore it.’

Steve wouldn’t shut up, and his mouth kept moving. ‘You know, I’m sorry to tell, but the entire Byers Family is a bunch of screw ups. Your Mum. Your brother. I mean, It’s not surprising that he went missing.’

Julie watched as Jonathan’s face shifted into something animalistic. He roared, spinning around, and decking Steve across the face. Steve plummeted into one of the bins, losing his footing, before turning back to gave Jonathan.

‘Steve. Jonathan. Stop it.’ Julie screamed, moving towards them.

Steve retaliated, swinging for Jonathan, the latter ducking, before his fist came hard against Steve’s nose.

Blood emerged from Steve’s nose like a waterfall. He groaned, before ramming Jonathan on top of one of the cars parked.

Julie briefly heard Tommy scream ‘kick his ass man’ causing her to roll her eyes.

‘Steve. Stop it’ Julie pulled on Steve’s arm, attempting to move him off Jonathan.

Jonathan rotated Steve, throwing him to the ground, and straddling him.

Punch. Punch. Punch.

Steve’s nose. His eye. His chin.

Blood. Bruises.

‘Jonathan, stop it. You’re hurting him’ Nancy stood there, utterly shocked and defeated.

‘Enough Jonathan’ Julie wrapped her arms around Jonathan’s torso and pulled.

Julie grunted softly, using her entire strength to pull Jon, when a figure emerged from behind her.

Officer Callahan approached Julie, who stepped back, towards Nancy.

Callahan pulled Jonathan off Steve, using brute force, before Jonathan’s hand came out and smacked him.

Callahan shoved Jonathan towards Powell, who was standing a few feet away. Powell handcuffed Jonathan, who was leant over one of the cars.

Callahan set off in pursuit of Steve and Tommy who were speeding away. Julie caught Steve’s eye and she nodded, with Steve smiling appreciatively at her.

Julie sighed.

Jonathan was bundled up into the back of the police car. Nancy following suit.

Julie turned to Officer Callahan, and explained she was at work, and needed to explain the situation to her boss. Callahan nodded, and told her to come to the station shortly.

‘Okay. Thank you.’

Julie explained what had happened to her friends, and he agreed that she could leave early, as the cinema wasn’t busy anyway.

Julie walked out of the cinema, heading towards the police station.

Arriving at the station, she was greeted by Chief Hopper and Joyce Byers.

‘Good afternoon, Joyce. Chief Hopper.’ She nodded. ‘I’m just here to see Jonathan’

Joyce sighed. ‘Wait here.’

Joyce and Hopper entered the station, and reemerged around 15 minutes later with Nancy and Jonathan in tow.

Julie launched herself at both Nancy and Jonathan, collecting them into a group hug. They both laughed, and Jonathan squeezed Julie tightly.

‘We need to go now’ Hopper stated, looking around anxiously.

‘What’s going on?’ Julie asked.

Hopper looked mildly annoyed ‘I’ll explain later’ and guided the teens into the back of his truck. Joyce drove Jonathan’s car.

They arrived at the Hawkins Middle School. Julie frowned confused, turning to Jonathan. ‘What are we doing here?’

‘Just come on.’ Hopper barked, exiting the car.

Nancy, Julie and Jonathan slid out of the back seat of Hopper’s police truck, one by one.

Joyce and Hopper were at the front entrance of the school, and quickly ushered them into the building.

They walked into the hall, where they found Dustin, Mike, Lucas and another unfamiliar girl.

Hopper explained about Dr Brenner, Eleven, the Upside Down and how Will was still alive.

‘Wait, Will’s alive?’ Julie questioned, turning to Joyce.

‘We believe so, yeah.’ She replied, looking relieved.

‘that’s wonderful.’ Julie beamed, hugging both Joyce and Jonathan.

‘As lovely as this is, we need to focus’ Hopper’s sharp voice broke through Julie’s celebrational spirit.

‘you’re right, what do we do now?’

Eleven stepped forward ‘I can contact him. I just need a pool of water to lie in.’

‘Okay, okay.’ Julie exclaimed, running over to the tap by the edge of the hall.

Dustin and Lucas pulled the Hawkins paddling pool to the centre of the hall.

Julie turned the tap connected to the hose, and the pool began to fill.

Once the paddling pool had filled up enough, Lucas gave Julie a thumbs up, and she squeaked the tap off.

Eleven entered the pool. And they waited.

Julie moved to sit beside Jonathan, her legs tucked under her.

The lights flickered.

Eleven started to shiver in the pool, screaming out.

Joyce soothed her. ‘It’s okay honey. We’re here’

Nancy leaned forward ‘Is Barb okay? is she okay?’

Eleven screamed, high pitched and hoarse. ‘GONE. GONE. GONE.’

Nancy’s jaw dropped, her hand coming up to her mouth in pure shock.

Julie wrapped a arm around her, and Nancy leaned her head on her shoulder.

‘I’m so sorry Nance.’ Julie comforted.

Nancy sobbed quietly, muffled into her hand which was still covering her mouth.

‘I need some time to process. I’m sorry.’ Nancy stood up and walked away.

Julie turned to Jonathan ‘go after her and see if she’s okay’

Jonathan nodded before standing up, and squeezing Julie’s shoulder.

They were gone for about ten minutes, in which Eleven had found Will, and had told him Joyce was on the way.

Nancy and Jonathan returned, the former’s face steeled with determination.

Joyce moved over to Jonathan, placing her hands on his cheeks and whispering to him quietly.

Nancy moved closer to Julie. ‘Jonathan and I are going to track down the monster that killed Barb. Will you stay here with the kids?’

‘No. No, you guys are my friends and I’m not leaving you to fight something alone.’

Nancy looked doubtful but eventually nodded.

‘Let’s go.’ Julie stated.

The trio walked out of the hall, and towards Jonathan’s car.

Jonathan speed off to his house.

Nancy departed the car first, walking around the boot, and collecting a big box.

‘Let’s kill it.’ She declared, staring at the duo.

Julie and Jonathan looked at each other.

‘Let’s do it.’ Julie agreed.

The Byers house was in a state of disrepair, and massive hole punched into the wall, all boarded up, lights hanging all around the house.

Jonathan turned to Nancy and Julie. ‘Don’t ask’

Jonathan grabbed the gasoline, pouring it across his hallway. Nancy followed with a chair, placing it outside Jonathan’s room.

She pulled out a yo-yo from her pocket, before placing it across the chair, and underneath the door.

Julie grabbed the baseball bat, and started to hammer in nails.

Once this had been completed, she handed it to Jonathan, and picked up her crowbar.

Nancy returned, holding her gun. ‘Okay. Let’s do this.’

Jonathan turned to Julie ‘We have to cut our hands to call it. It’s attracted to blood.’

He held out three individual knifes.

She shuddered but put on a brave face.

‘Okay. Okay.’

Nancy encouraged her to sit, with her taking a seat next to her. Jonathan sat down next to Nancy.

‘Ready’ Jonathan asked.

Nancy and Julie both nodded.

Jonathan handed the girls a knife each, and Julie took a deep breath.

The knife sliced Julie’s hand and she winced.

Jonathan and Nancy did the same.

Wrapping their hands up with bandages, Nancy and Jonathan shared a moment, smiling softly at each other.

Julie beamed at her friends, before deciding to give them some space.

Steve’s voice from outside the door made her jump.

‘Jonathan. Jonathan. It’s Steve. Please I just want to apologise.’

Julie glanced over at Jonathan, before moving towards the door.

She opened it a tad, peering out.

Steve’s bruised face stared back at her.

‘Julie.’ He exclaimed surprised.

She smiled softly at him.

‘hey, hey, what happened?’ he asked touching her bandaged hand.

‘Nothing, nothing.’

‘Did Jonathan hurt you?’ Steve asked, his eyes darkening with anger.

Steve pushed the door open hard, before Julie can even reply.

Steve’s hazel eyes scanned the room before landing on his girlfriend.

Jonathan stood up moving towards Steve as Nancy held the gun up.

Jonathan turned to Nancy in horror.

‘Steve, you need to leave. I’m not asking. I’m doing this for you.’

‘Wait. Wait. What?! What is happening?’ Steve was in a state of shock and denial at his girlfriend threatening to shoot him.

‘Please.’ The girl pleaded.

‘Okay. Okay.’ Steve put his hands up, and quickly turned and fled.

The lights flicked unevenly and the three friends huddled together.

The entire room plunged into darkness. Julie’s breath hitched, cold air exhaling from her mouth. She gripped her crowbar tightly in her hand, so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Nancy and Jonathan stood back to back, a few feet away from her. One holding a gun, the other a spiked bat.

‘Where is it?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Cmon, you bastard.’

A growl sounded from behind Julie and a shiver ran down her spine.

She didn’t even have time to blink. Not before the monster pounced upon her. Julie collapsed like a domino, the monster on top of her.

A vile creature. It’s warm breath. Julie closed her eyes, and prayed for the first time in her life.

The monster opened it’s mouth, and five flower shaped jaws lined with rows and rows of sharp teeth loomed over Julie.

The creature’s talon like claws pierced Julie’s lower leg calf and scratched.

Screaming sounded into Julie’s ears. Loud and nearby.

And it took her a long time to figure out it was her.

‘Julie!’ She heard Jonathan screaming, but it sounded muffled and faraway. ‘Julie!’

‘Go to hell.’ Bang. Bang. Bang. Nancy fired her pistol at the creature, hoping to kill it.

One of Nancy’s bullets ricocheted off the creature’s shoulder, and it let out a huge roar.

Nancy’s gun clicked. No bullets. Shit.

Steve barrelled back into the Byers house, letting out a loud scream, and physically pushed the monster off Julie.

‘Steve!’ Nancy gasped out shocked.

Julie cried out in both shock and immense pain.

Jonathan lent over Julie, holding her leg, trying to stop the bleeding. His hands quickly becoming a sticky red.

Julie whimpered.

‘It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.’ Jonathan tried to comfort Julie, but his voice broke half way through the sentence.

‘It’s trapped. It’s stuck. Jonathan, now’ Steve called. Jonathan looked torn, before quickly rushing over to Steve and Nancy.

One small click, the lighter igniting, and boom, the creature was screeching out in pain, thrashing around the Byers hallway, on fire.

The trio of teens covered their eyes to shield from the fire’s brightness, and when they looked back up the Monster had vanished.

‘Julie.’ Steve whispered, catapulting himself into the Byers living room. Nancy rushing to the telephone to call an ambulance.

‘Julie, oh my god.’ Steve tore a strip of his jumper, and pressed it down over her wound.

Jonathan joined him, peering nervously at Julie.

‘hey, stay awake. Jules. Stay awake. Help is on the way’ Jonathan gently comforted her, grasping her hand. ‘Please stay awake.’

Julie’s eyes fluttered, and she mumbled ‘I’m here.’

Both Jonathan and Steve breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Ambulance is on its way. I said it was a bear attack.’ Nancy rejoined them.

‘We should move her outside. By the woods.’ Jonathan suggested.

Steve nodded ‘okay.’ He scooped Julie up into his arms, careful not to jolt her leg too much, and she relaxed into his arms.

Relocating her outside the Byers house, the teenagers waited.

Sirens were heard, and soon blue and red lights appeared nearby.

Nancy waved down the ambulance, and the paramedics rushed out of their vehicle.

‘Please, please help our friend.’ Nancy pleaded.

‘We’ll do everything we can. Your friend is in safe hands.’

Jonathan looked down at his hands, and gulped. The remains of Julie’s blood covered his hands, taunting him with the possibility that he might not be able to save her.

Nancy shivered next to him as tears rose in her eyes. It’s all her fault. She was the one who suggested that they kill the monster. And now her decisions have hurt another friend. What if Julie dies too at the hands of the monster like Barb?

Steve wrapped an arm around Nancy, and she welcomed the comfort.

Jonathan sighed softly, before turning to the couple. ‘I’ll ring her dad, and then we’ll head to the hospital.’

Steve nodded.

Jonathan moved inside his house, towards the telephone, and dialled the familiar number.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

‘Hi, Mr Newby? It’s Jonathan Byers. Look, something’s happened to Julie.’

Steve paced nervously up and down the Byers driveway, before turning around and exclaiming ‘We should go to the hospital now.’

Nancy had her face covered in her hands, but removed them, looking up at Steve.

Jonathan emerged from the house, and as a consequence Steve breathe a sigh of relief.

The teens clambered into Steve’s BMW before speeding off to the hospital.

To find out whether she was still alive.

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Things that Lurk Chapter 5

Will’s body is found. Julie comforts Jonathan in his grief.

Masterlist

November 10 1983

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Julie woke up with a start. For a moment, she forgot where she was.

Her eyes full of sleep, she blinked softly, looking around at her surroundings. The Byers. she was at the Byers.

Joyce was curled up on one of the sofas, fast asleep.

Bang. Bang. Bang. What is that noise?

She shook her head, before rising up from the sofa.

Jonathan was in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. Eggs and toast.

‘Morning Jon, oh, this looks delicious.’

‘Morning Jules.’

Bang. Bang.

The banging was coming from the front door. ‘I got it’ Julie told him, moving towards the front door.

It was Chief Hopper. One glance at his face and Julie knew.

‘Jonathan.’ She shouted, looking over her shoulder.

Jonathan peered out from the kitchen, and seeing the look of Jim Hopper’s face, his face crumbled.

‘No. No. No. Not Will. Please not my baby brother.’ Jonathan’s face pleaded, his eyes wide and glassy, filled with tears, his voice cracking with pure grief. His hands shaking.

He’ll never see his brother again. Never listen to music with him again. Never see him grow up. Never again.

His entire world stopped. In an instant. A reversible change.

Julie moved to comfort Jonathan, wrapping her arms around him, and squeezing him.

Hopper entered the house, touched Jonathan’s shoulder, before moving towards Joyce.

‘Joyce. Joyce.’ Hopper gently roused Joyce from her slumber.

‘hmm… Hopper?’ She blearily asked, awakening from her sleep.

Hopper stared at her solemnly, and Joyce burst into tears.

‘We found a body. I’m so sorry Joyce. The working theory is that he slipped and fell into the quarry’ Hopper gently explained.

‘But…But… I just spoke to him. I spoke to Will… in the walls. He was there.’ Joyce babbled, anxiety and hysteria arising in her throat.

‘In the walls?’

‘yes. yes.’ Joyce was desperate for someone to understand. ‘I saw him. There was something after him. A monster with no face.’

Jonathan wept, removing himself from Julie, and leaving the room. Julie hesitated, but ultimately decided to follow him. Joyce and Hopper’s voices trailing off as Julie moved further away from them.

‘A monster with no face? Look, Joyce when I lost my Sarah…’

Julie knocked on Jonathan’s closed door.

Jonathan’s sweet little voice reached her ears ‘come in’

Julie entered his room, and looked around.

Jonathan was sitting on his bed, staring at his boombox, tears silently streaming down his face.

‘Jon, I know I can’t bring him back. But I am here for you; and I always will be. Talk to me. I’m here for you’

‘He’s is - was my baby brother. My best friend. I was supposed to protect him. be there for him. And I wasn’t. And now he’s dead. I’ll never see him again.’

Julie immediately moved to comfort Jonathan. Wrapping him up in a bear hug. Protecting him from this cruel world.

‘It’s not your fault at all Jonathan. I promise. It was just an accident.’ Julie pressed a kiss on top of Jonathan’s hairline, and she felt him smile into the hug.

Knock. Knock.

Jim poked his head through the door.

‘Julie, your father is on the phone.’

‘Okay, thank you chief.’ Julie squeezed Jon one more time, before walking towards the door.

Reaching for the phone, she heard her dad’s voice on the other end.

‘Hi dad.’

Julie reassured him that she was okay, that she was at the Byers, and that she would be home soon.

‘I’m just going to make sure Jon is okay, and then I’ll be home.’

the father and daughter bid each other farewell.

Julie sighed and hung up the phone.

She turned, and Jonathan was standing there.

‘I have to… I have to go and confirm it’s Will at the morgue and sort out the funeral arrangements.’ he croaked, his eyes heavy with grief.

She nodded. ‘I’ll come with you.’

‘It’s okay, you don’t have to.’

‘Jonathan, I’m not leaving you alone. I’m coming with you. Always.’

Suddenly, she was enclosed in a massive bear hug, Jonathan’s arms lifting her up onto her tiptoes.

She laughed shocked, as she grasped his shoulders for stability.

‘Thank you for always being a friend.’

‘Always’

Hopper bundled up a distraught Joyce into his police van, whilst Julie rode with Jonathan to the Morgue.

The foursome entered the building, where they separated.

Julie gave Jonathan a squeeze of his hand, before he entered the room with his mum. Both Hopper and Julie sat down on the hard plastic seats in the waiting room, in pure silence.

Hopper cleared his throat. ‘Hey, you’re doing a good thing for Jonathan. He’s going to need you now more than ever.’

Julie nodded ‘I know. He’s the best, and I just want to help.’

‘You are.’ Hopper smiled at her.

Jonathan emerged, red eyed and pale. Julie immediately stood up, and Jonathan fell into her arms.

‘It’s okay. It’s okay.’ She comforted, before guiding him to one of the seats.

Hopper asked ‘the voice in the walls, has this been happening for a while?’

‘it’s just the grief, you know’ Jonathan smiled softly.

‘Yeah.’ Hopper gave Jonathan a comforting squeeze.

Joyce came barging into the waiting room. Her face red. Angry.

‘What ever that thing is that’s not my son!’ She pulled the front door open, and it slammed with a huge bang.

Jonathan sighed. ‘I’ll go talk to her’ he whispered.

‘Okay.’ Julie said sympathetically.

‘Cmon, kid, I’ll take you home. Your dad is probably worried sick’ Hopper offered.

Julie smiled ‘yeah, thanks’

The ride home was silent. Julie glazing out the window her mind filled with thoughts.

She thanked Hopper for the lift home, and exited the car. Hopper beeped as he drove away.

Julie entered her house and called out for her dad.

Bob’s solemn face emerged from kitchen.

‘Jules.’ He breathed, enveloping her in a hug.

‘hi dad’ she mumbled against his shoulder.

‘Are you okay?’ He asked. ‘I heard about Will.’

‘Yeah; I’m okay.’ Julie replied, extracting herself from his embrace.

‘I should go and pick out my outfit for tomorrow.’ She said, walking to her room.

‘Sure’

Julie entered her bedroom and looked around. Her eyes scanned her processions before moving towards her wardrobe. Pulling out her black dress and a winter coat, she relocated them to the hanger behind her door.

Staring at the dress, she thought about Will, his small innocent face, and the fact she wasn’t going to see him again.

She wept gently. For Will. For Joyce. For Jonathan.

Tomorrow was the day they would say goodbye. Forever.

Author notes:

Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate you all so much. There’s not much Steve action in this chapter, as I wanted to portray the grief that Jonathan felt at losing Will, I hope I did it justice. In the coming chapters, we are going to have more Nancy/Jonathan solo scenes and Steve/Julie solo scenes so excited for that. thank you, love you 🫶🏻

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Things that lurk Chapter 4

Julie has a confrontation with Jonathan, Steve, Tommy and Carol. Julie tutors Eddie in History. Julie and Jonathan have a movie night.

Series Masterlist

November 9, 1983

Julie hummed to herself softly to herself, as her Walkman played her favourite song. Wham. She adored George Michael and had a poster of him in her bedroom.

Her smile slowly grew as she took in the music coming from her headphones.

Nothing was better than music.

Nancy came running up to her.

‘Hey Nancy. You okay?’ She looked worried and flustered.

‘Hey, have you-‘ Nancy swallowed. ‘Have you seen Barb?’

‘Umm, no. No, not yet. I’ve just arrived.’ Julie frowned concerned. ‘Are you okay?’

Nancy mumbled distractingly ‘yeah, yeah.’

Julie opened her mouth to reply but Nancy walked off the school’s public telephone.

Julie stared at the back of her for a moment, before shaking her head, and moving forward to the school’s entrance.

Moving towards her own locker, she noticed Nancy standing at her locker, looking forlorn.

Briefly walking towards her, Julie stopped in her tracks when she noticed Steve strolling towards Nancy.

Steve and Nancy spoke in hushed terms, before kissing softly. Julie smiled softly before turning away, a small tear rolling down her cheek. Brushing it away, she continued on with her day.

Jonathan and Julie were walking to his car, and chatting quietly to themselves. Julie was telling Jonathan about how she was helping Eddie Munson with history tutoring this evening, when she spotted Carol, Tommy and Steve sitting on Jonathan’s car.

She gently reached out to Jonathan’s arm, alerting him to the issue in front of them.

Steve noticed them, and slid off Jonathan’s hood.

‘Hey man.’

Jonathan froze, making eye contact with Steve.

‘Umm, what’s going on?’ Julie’s voice broke the silence. She frowned confused.

Brown met Blue. Steve’s eyes made contact with hers, and something flashed briefly in them.

‘Nicole was telling us about your work. We’d love to take a look, you know, as coercers of art.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Jonathan brushed past Steve and Tommy, causing the latter to grab his bag.

‘Please give me my bag back.’ Jonathan pleaded, his bag being thrown to Steve.

‘Steve. Leave him alone.’ Julie’s voice snapped sharply, defending her friend.

Steve pulled a cluster of photos.

‘Well, look what we have here.’ Steve flicked through the photos, his minions leaning over to peek at them.

‘What the hell!’ Julie heard Tommy exclaim.

‘I was looking for my brother.’ Jonathan reasoned.

‘No, no, this is called stalking.’ Steve accused.

Nancy appeared, looking between Jonathan, Julie, Steve and Carol, curiously. ‘What’s going on?’

Carol smirked ‘well, look who it is!’ She taunted. ‘the star of the show’

‘What?’ Nancy whispered, glancing around at the group of people.

‘the pervert was having a photoshoot of us last night.’ Carol explained, handing Nancy a photo.

‘He’s not a pervert. And you’re just a bully.’ Julie spat. Carol just smirked.

Nancy stared at the photo for a moment, quietly, before lifting her glaze to meet Jonathan’s eyes.

They stared at each other for a long period, before Nancy broke eye contact.

Steve took the photo from Nancy, and simply stepped towards Jonathan.

Steve tore up the photos, releasing them, and they sprinkled to the pavement, like confetti.

Julie noticed Steve had Jonathan’s camera in his hand, and she knew it would end badly.

She glared at Steve, coldly, staring him out.

‘Stop it Steve.’ Julie took a few steps forward towards him, before Tommy blocked her path.

his arms came around her like snakes on a tree, tight and unrelenting.

‘Ugh. Let me go, jerk.’

Tommy’s cruel laugh echoed in her eye. Julie shut her eyes tightly, reared her head back, and head butted Tommy hard.

He jerked back, clutching his nose, his eyes flaring with anger.

‘You bitch’ Tommy seethed, grasping Julie’s arms tightly. Julie winced in pain.

‘Let her go.’

‘Tommy. Stop it.’

Both Jonathan and Steve spoke at the same time.

Tommy smirked, ‘okay.’ and shoves Julie down.

She stumbles, before catching herself, straightening up.

Jonathan rushes forward, and checks on her.

‘Of course. You okay?.’ Jonathan replied.

‘Yeah.’ Julie smiled at her friend.

‘Dude, what the hell?’

‘What?!’ Tommy exclaimed.

Steve ignored him as he turned to Julie and Jonathan, Jonathan’s camera in his hand.

‘No. No. No, not my camera please.’ Jonathan implored.

‘Steve. Stop it. What is wrong with you? This isn’t you.’ Julie, staggered forward, her eyes meeting Steve’s.

Steve didn’t say a word, letting his hand drop, and Jonathan’s camera fell.

Smash.

Julie winced.

Jonathan fell to his knees in pure despair. An entire four months of wages went on his camera, and he was surrounded by its fragments. It’s a representation of how losing Will has shattered him, and how he feels so broken like the pieces of the camera lens. He’s lost all hope.

He barely noticed Julie laying a hand on his back, in support.

Nancy bent down to examine some of the photographic evidence, spotting Barb in one of them.

‘Nancy, are you okay?’ Julie asked, moving closer to the girl.

She nodded briefly, before Steve called her to come.

Nancy glanced at both Julie and Jonathan, before shoving the torn up pieces into her bag, and walked away.

Julie sighed softly, turning to Jonathan.

‘Are you okay?’

‘I’ll be okay.’ Jonathan replied.

‘You sure? Do you want me to come with you?’

‘No. No, I’ll be okay.’

Julie didn’t believe him, but nodded anyway.

She’ll check in on him later.

Right now, she needed to head to the Forest Hills trailer park to help Eddie.

Julie squeezed Jonathan’s shoulder, showing her silent support, before moving towards her bike.

10 minutes went by, and she spotted the welcome to Forest Hills Trailer Park sign in front of her.

She parked her bike up against the side of Eddie’s trailer and moved up the steps to his house.

She knocked gently, and heard muffled voices coming from inside.

A middle aged man, with greying hair, pulled the door open.

‘hi; I’m Julie, a school friend of Eddie’s and I’m here to help him with some schoolwork.’ Julie held out her hand, and the man shook it.

‘I’m Wayne, Eddie’s uncle.’ Wayne spoke, moving to one side, and gestures for Julie to enter.

‘Nice to meet you Wayne.’

‘Julie, you’re here.’ Eddie’s voice came from behind her.

‘hi.’ Julie smiled.

‘welcome to my humble abode. Ignore the mess, the maid took the week off.’

Wayne laughed, before gathering his keys and coat.

‘I’m off to work now, but I’ll be back later. It was nice to meet you Julie.’

‘You too, Mr Munson.’

Wayne smiled at Julie, before exiting his home.

‘Okay, shall we get started?’ Julie asked, holding out her history books.

Time passed quickly at Eddie’s, and they arranged another tutoring session next week.

Eddie offered to give Julie a ride home, and she really appreciated that, because she had a surprise for Jonathan planned.

Julie asked if Eddie could drop her off the Family Video in town briefly, before continuing on her the Byers house.

Once Julie had gathered all the necessary essentials, Eddie dropped her off at Jonathan’s.

‘See you later Eddie’ Julie called, as she exited his van.

Eddie sped off and beeped in response.

She smiled and waved, before entering the Byers porch.

Her arms were filled with snacks, drinks and plenty of movie options; everything you need for a perfect movie night.

She knocked on the door.

A frantic and frazzled Joyce opened the door.

‘Will?’

‘Um, hi Mrs Byers. Is Jonathan in?’

‘Julie, hey, it’s you.’ Joyce replied. ‘Yeah, Jonathan is in his room. Come on in’

‘Thanks.’ Julie stepped into the Byers house.

Julie noticed many Christmas lights hung up around the ceiling, but didn’t mention it to Joyce out of compassion.

‘Where’s Jonathan’s room?’

‘Down the hall. Second door on the right’

‘Thanks Joyce.’

Julie wandered down the corridor, reaching Jon’s door.

She was about to knock, when she heard something that saddened her.

Crying. Jonathan was crying.

Her heart hurt for him, and as she raised her fist to knock, she wiped away the tears welling up in her eyes.

She knocked.

She heard Jonathan clear his throat, and get up from his bed.

The door swung open. And there was Jon. His eyes puffy and red. His headphones wrapped around his neck. His eyes haunted.

‘Julie.’ He said surprisingly.

‘hey, so I was just worried about you, and well, I was thinking we have a movie night?’ Julie held up her resources, smiling.

‘oh, yeah, that sounds great.’ Jonathan smiled, deeply probably for the first time since Will went missing.

‘Okay, cmon then’ Julie hooked her arm around Jon’s, and pulled him out of his room.

‘So, as you’ve had a lot on your mind, you get to choose the movie tonight’ Julie grinned, pulling out her stack of movie options, and handing them to Jon.

Jonathan browsed through them, as Julie turned to Joyce.

‘Mrs Byers, do you want to join us? It might be the distraction you need.’

‘That’s a lovely suggestion, thank you Julie.’

Jonathan had chosen the movie ET, which released last year.

‘A classic. Good choice Jon’ Julie exclaimed, as she handed out the required movie snacks.

And as the three people snuggled down to watch the movie, Jonathan glanced around, and thought ‘I’m grateful for Julie Newby.’

Little did he know, Julie was thinking the same thing. ‘Jonathan Byers is so much better than people think.’

[hawkeifiedwrites]

Things that Lurk: Chapter 3

Julie Newby was a normal girl. Attending School, worrying about Chemistry tests, working at the Hawk Theatre with her best friend. Until Will Byers disappeared, and everything changed. And her life would never be the same.

November 8 1983

Julie helps Jonathan hang up missing posters, has a run in with Tommy, Carol and Steve, agrees to tutor Eddie Munson and spends some time with her father.

Julie sighed tiredly as she wandered into school this morning. She wasn’t ready to face another day.

She stopped just outside to gather her breath back, and to clear her thoughts.

School was the last thing she wanted to think about.

A shout of her name made her jump.

‘Jules. Jules’ Robin came running up behind her.

Julie turned ‘hey Robs’

Robin smiled at Julie ‘how are you?’

‘I’m good. Worried about Will. But I’m okay.’

Robin smiled sympathetically. ‘you know, that’s what I admire about you, you just care so much about people.’

Julie reached out to grasp her friend’s hand. ‘That’s so sweet of you Robs’

The two friends walked into school together, mindlessly chatting away to each other.

Julie noticed Jonathan standing by the school’s notice board, holding a pile of papers.

‘Umm, I’ll catch up with you in English.’ Julie spoke to Robin, who nodded.

‘Sure, see you soon’

Julie approached Jonathan.

‘Hey. Is this the final product?’ Julie asked.

Jonathan turned around to face Julie, and her heart almost sank at the look on Jonathan’s sweet face.

‘yeah. yeah, this is the final product.’

Julie smiled at Jonathan. ‘Can I… Can I see it?’

‘Of course.’

Julie was handed a missing poster, and she glanced down at it.

Will’s little face stared back at her.

Julie swallowed thickly ‘It looks great Jon. Can I take a few, please so I can hand them out?’

‘yeah, okay, thank you Julie.’

Jonathan handed Julie a pile of the missing posters.

Nancy walked over to the duo.

‘hey. I just wanted to say that we all thinking of you. And that we hope Will turns up soon.’ Nancy spoke to Jonathan.

Julie frowned and thought ‘Whose we?’

She looked over Nancy’s shoulder and saw Carol Perkins, Tommy Hagan, Steve, and Barbara Holland staring at the trio.

Julie rolled her eyes.

Carol spotted her and waved mockingly.

Julie raised her middle finger and smiled.

Three things happened as a result.

Carol’s eyes flashed with pure anger. Jonathan and Nancy sniggered quietly together, their eyes briefly making contact and Jonathan blushed. Steve burst out laughing, his eyes twinkling with something Julie couldn’t place.

Julie and Steve made eye contact, and they smiled at each other.

‘Anyway, I should be going. Class and all that’ Nancy explained backing away.

‘yeah, course.’ Jonathan replied.

‘Good luck.’ Nancy’s voice parted ways, and she returned to Steve.

Julie turned to Jonathan, who remained looking at Nancy leave.

‘I’m heading to Lonnie’s house to look for Will. I’ll see you later.’

‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Julie reached out to hold his arm. Julie knew Lonnie had a complex relationship with his sons, Jonathan most of all.

‘No, it’s okay. Thank you.’

‘Okay. Call me if you need anything’ Julie said, and watched Jonathan exit the school doors.

Julie turned around and headed towards English.

Robin was waiting outside the classroom for Julie, and she smiled at her friend.

‘Hey, thanks for waiting.’

Robin and her fist bumped, and entered English together.

Robin sat down her designated seat at the back of the room, and Julie moved to sit next to her.

The School day passed quickly, and Julie was exiting the school grounds.

She was heading to her bike when she heard a shout of her name.

‘Julie.’ ‘Julie.’

Julie turned surprised at the voice she heard. For there stood Eddie Munson.

‘Eddie?!’ Julie questioned looking confused. ‘Are you okay?’

Eddie panted softly, pausing momentarily, as he wiped his hands on his denim jacket.

‘I’m fine. I’m fine. I just wanted to ask you if you were able to tutor me at some point? Mrs Click is on my case about my history grade, and I know you are in the same class as me, and I wondered if you were interested in tutoring me as you’re the smartest person in that class.’

Julie smiled softly and replied ‘of course I’ll tutor you. How about tomorrow after school? I’m not working then so?’

‘tomorrow is good. say 4?’

‘Four. Good. I’ll see you at yours.’

Julie cycled home quickly, eager to get home.

Her dad’s car was in their driveway, and she smiled softly at this. She placed her bike inside the garage, and entered the house through the connecting door.

‘Dad?’ She called.

‘hi honey, I’m in the kitchen.’ Julie heard her dad’s voice echo through the house.

Julie followed the sound of her father’s voice, and entered the kitchen where she smelled yummy food in the oven.

‘I’m making chicken for dinner. How was your day?’ Bob’s gentle voice soothed her.

‘My day was good, how was yours?’

‘one of my staff members quit. so I’m looking for a part time worker.’

‘Oh, I hope you find someone soon dad.’

Bob smiled at his daughter and thanked her.

‘Okay, let’s eat’

The father daughter duo laughed, ate, and enjoyed each other’s company during their dinner time.

Julie cherished the simple memories she had with her only parent, during this time.

They tidied up together, and Julie wandered up to her room, to finish some homework and then head to bed.

Julie smiled softly and snuggled into her bed, unaware of the events occurring over at the Harrington house, and how this would impact her life going forward.