Loomiseater

1983

You had been a little on edge since Joyce Byers called your house yesterday, inquiring about Will’s whereabouts. You could hear how frantic she was through the phone. You could only assume that this was how your mother must’ve felt.

Of course you were concerned about Will, but a pit grew in your stomach when only a few days earlier you started having nightmares again. Granted you always had nightmares. You would wake up screaming soaked in sweat, always about your days in the lab and usually about one in particular. After years of therapy you were able to tone down their severity. You no longer screamed bloody murder in the middle of the night, forcing the whole house awake. Those painful moments became still horrific but distant memories. They didn’t send a shiver down your spine like they used to. That was until a few days before Joyce's call. 

You saw something you had never seen before. Something so bizarre and terrifying, yet so real at the same time. It gave you the same feeling as the nightmare you had of the massacre at Hawkin’s lab. It was a tall and boney creature. Its skeleton covered in gray and glossy skin with fingers sharp enough to cut through metal. You wished that was the worst part, but of course it wasn’t. You thought you were going to have a heart attack when it stalked up to you and opened its petaled face to scream at you, revealing rows and rows of razor sharp teeth. It was a horror lurking in the shadows waiting for the right moment to pounce. You began waking up screaming again, and again, and again. You wished you knew how to make it stop.

You couldn’t help but feel that this thing might have a connection to Will’s disappearance, you just couldn’t figure out how. Who were you supposed to tell about this? Ever since your escape, you kept tight lipped about what you experienced. You swore off your abilities wanting to pretend like you weren’t cursed with them. That you were just like everyone else. When questioned by police, you told the chief that a non descript man threw you into his white van. Classic pervert trope. Of course with not much to go on, your case went cold. You wished that you could tell your story, but who would believe you?

After an amazing wake up call, your day started behind schedule. Your hair was taking forever and you had been debating with yourself in the mirror on which patterned fabric would work best with your pants, almost giving up on the outfit as a whole.

“Shit!” You panicked when you read the time on your clock. Steve was supposed to be here in five minutes and you hadn’t even eaten yet. You grab your backpack and bound down the stairs, rushing to take your seat at the dining table.

 “You were screaming in your sleep again.” Lucas commented as soon as you sat down.

“Oh yeah?I didn’t notice.Can someone pass the bacon please? Steve’s gonna be here any minute and I’d like to finish eating before he gets here.” 

“I don’t know why you still hang out with that boy.” your father complained from behind his newspaper, making you roll your eyes.

“Charles!” Your mother chided him, knowing how sensitive of a subject this was for the two of you.

“We’ve been over this, dad. He’s still my best friend.” 

“And because she’s in love with him.” Erica teased, making kissing noises as she brought her face closer to you.

“No I’m not. We’re just friends.” You placed your hand on her face, pushing her away from you. 

“Knock it off, Erica.” Your mother scolded. Right as you brought the bacon to your lips, you heard Steve’s distinct honking pattern.

“Crap, he’s here.” You got up from your seat in a hurry, throwing the bacon and two pieces of toast on your plate onto a napkin to take with you. You kissed your goodbyes before running out the door.

 When you stepped outside, Steve was standing in his usual place. He was leaning against the passenger side of his car, arms impatiently folded.

“Come on, Sinclair, we're gonna be late.” He urged you to move faster.

“Since when did you care about being late?” You questioned when you finally made it to him.

“I don’t but you do.” He replied, opening the door for you.

“Ooo, can I have a piece of bacon.” He looked over at you after he started the car.

“No, the bacon is mine, this is for you.” you held out one of the pieces of toast for him to take a bite from

 “What no peanut butter?”

“If you want peanut butter so bad, you can go inside and get it yourself. I’m sure my dad would love to share his peanut butter with you.” He narrowed his eyes at you.

“You know what, I think I’m good.”

“That’s what I thought.” You chuckled, clicking your seatbelt. 

“By the way, I’m having a little party tonight and I’d love it if you came.”

“With Tommy and Carol?”

“Yeah, who else?” You rolled your eyes at that fact.

“I think I’m good. I might hang out with the girls after soccer practice tonight.”

“Pleeeeasse.” He begged with an exaggerated pout. When it seemed like your will wouldn’t resolve, he brought out the big guns. He gave you the stupid big brown puppy eyes. The ones he would use to make you do incredibly dumb shit.

“I don’t know. I’ll see after therapy.” You began to relent.

“Great! so you’re coming.” Steve cheered.

“What?” You looked at him like he lost his mind.

“It’s kind of your thing at this point. You always sigh and say ‘I don’t know. I’ll see after therapy’ and then you come over and we have the best night ever.” He explained.

“Yeah, but that’s when it's just us. I don’t like hanging out with Tommy and Carol outside of school hours, and even then it’s too much.” You tried to reason.

“I don’t force you to hang out with them.”

“Yes, you do. You whine and cry when I don't. Your like an obsessive boyfriend.”

“Sorry for wanting to hang out with my best friend.”

“Don’t try that manipulation shit on me. I love hanging out with you Steve, but full offense, Tommy and Carol suck.”

“I know but, I don’t have anyone else besides you that I want there.” He confessed, making your eyebrows clench in confusion.

“What about Nancy, she's practically your girlfriend at this point.”

“Sure, but things are still kind of weird when Nancy hangs out with us. It’s a weird energy. I know you can feel it too.” Ever since Steve and Nancy started dating, Tommy and Carol became wolves ready to pounce on their next meal. They took in her shy demeanor and ran with their antics as far as they could before Steve would “attempt” to reign them in.

“Things are weird because Tommy and Carol are awful." You explained.

“Exactly.” He nodded along.

“Exactly what? Part of it’s your fault."

“What’s that supposed to mean?" He asked with furrowed brows.

“It means you let those idiots get away with way too much. Punching Tommy in the arm and telling him to ‘shut up’ doesn’t do what you think it does. He’s a jackass who mooches off your popularity and he thinks he can do and say whatever, because you let him. When you grow a pair, maybe your friends won’t treat your girlfriend like shit.”

“What about you, they weren’t weird with you.”

“That’s because I don’t want them to like me. I’m only around them by circumstance. I hang out with your goofy ass cause you're practically glued to my side and they’re practically glued yours. It’s a fucked up chain of symbiosis. I think Nancy and I would both love it if you cut out the cancers.”

“Alright, they aren’t that bad.” He tried to defend, earning your pointed eyes.

“You are so lucky you’re handsome, Harrington.”

“Slow down there Sinlair, I have a girlfriend.”

“Fine, I'll call you stupid next time. Is that better?”

“I think I prefer handsome."

“That’s what I thought.”

“I’m serious though,come to my party. Hang out with your good ol pal Steve.” You rolled your eyes in faux annoyance. You already knew you were going, but you wanted to let him sweat a little bit.

“Listen. I’ll think about it. I don’t really want to be the fifth wheel tonight.”

“What about Jack? Bring him.” Steve offered.

“I think I’m gonna break up with him. It might be a little confusing if I bring him to your party and then dump him.”  You hesitantly confessed. Steve looked over at you with wide eyes. He brought a hand to his mouth, trying to slyly cover a satisfied smirk. He shouldn’t be as happy about that as he is. Something about him irked him. He wasn’t a bad guy by any means, but he just didn’t like when he was around.

“Woah, slow down. When did you decide this?”

“Like a week ago. I’ve been trying to find the right time to do it.” You shrugged.

“A week ago?Why didn’t you tell me?” As much as he cared about the information,he was more so concerned that you didn’t tell him, something that became more of a trend after your escape.

“I didn’t think you cared. You didn’t even like the guy.”

“When did I ever say that?”

 “You didn’t have to. Your eyes would basically glaze over every time I would talk about him and you would barely acknowledge him when he hung out with us. Anyway, things just aren’t working anymore.”

“Aren’t working? He’s like head over heels for you. It’s a little annoying.”

“I know. He’s a cute guy and great in bed…” Steve gave you the side eye. “but I’m just not in the relationship the way I should be. I figure I should rip off the bandaid now before I really hurt him. He’s a sweet guy but I don’t think we're right for each other. He bought me farah faucet hairspray. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?” You pointed to your hair, making him chuckle. “I mean come on.”

“At least get some Afro Sheen.” He suggested.

“Exactly!” You nodded in agreement.

“Look,you can cut him loose tomorrow or something.Can you just bring him so that we can both be happy.”

“Fine. I’ll bring him to your lame ass party.”

“Ah! You're the best!” He reached over to sling his arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer to him to kiss your forehead.

“Let go! You’re driving!” You remind him wriggling out of his grasp when you feel the car begin to drift.

“Shit!” He put his other hand back on the wheel to straighten out, making you both breathe a sigh of relief. WHen Steve’s mind finally cleared, a wave of realization hit him.

“Wait, did you regift that spray to me?” He looked at you bewildered. His suspicions were confirmed by your sudden silence. “I can’t believe you're regifting me shit from your boyfriend!” 

“You said you were out and I had a free bottle right there! Be grateful Harrington.”

When you walked up to the group after class, Jack’s arm slung over your shoulder, Steve and his goons were trying to convince Nancy to come to his party.

“Sooo you in?”

“In for what?” Nancy questioned, confused.

“No parents,big house.” Carol spoke as if she was stupid.

“A party?”

“Din!ding!ding!”

“But, it’s Tuesday.”

“It’s Tuesday. Oh my god.” Tommy mocked her, making you roll your eyes.

“Come on It'll be low key.It'll just be us.” Steve gave her that signature ‘king steve’ smirk. “What do you say, are you in or out?”

“I’ll be there if it makes you feel better.” You chimed in, hoping that would make her feel comfortable. She was the main reason you were going in the first place. She was the first girl in a while that Steve seemed to actually be into for more than sex and you would’ve felt really bad if you left her with the two assholes Steve called his friends. Before Nancy had a chance to answer, Carol decided to do what she does best. Bully and deride anyone she deems worthy, even in their worst circumstances.

“Oh god, look.”She spoke in disgust, all of you shifting your attention to Jonathon Byers hanging up missing posters of Will. Steve felt like he was looking into the past. He remembered what it had felt like to be Jonathon. To be so sacred and so fragile. To not know if the person you cared about the most was suffering, or worse. Dead. A chill ran down his spine at the memories creeping up on him. They made him unconsciously move closer to you. He needed to know you were still here before he spiraled like he used to.

“Should we say something?” Nancy questions.

“I don't think he speaks.” Carol’s words made your blood begin to boil.

“How much you wanna bet he killed him?” Tommy teased.

“Shut up!”Steve shoved his shoulder.

“Does it help you two sleep at night knowing you’re the biggest assholes on the planet? His brother is missing and you still can’t find it in yourself to be a normal human being.”

“I was just joking, you don’t have to get so bent about it.” He brushed you off

“Joking? What’s so funny about this? Is it the part where a little boy’s family is worried sick because they can’t find him or is it the part where he might be alone and scared or god forbid dead. I really want to know. I’m sure Steve can give you an answer to one of those, right?” When he didn’t respond you pushed further.

 “Don't get all quiet now Tommy. I wanna know which one you think is funny.” Tommy’s jaw began to clench in anger. This kind of interaction wasn’t new for the two of you. You never took shit from neither him nor Carol. Since it seemed Steve would never do it, you made it your little passion project to keep their egos in check whenever you had the chance to. 

“How bout this, I’m gonna talk to Jonathon like a normal human being so that you can take your time and think real hard about your answer.” You gave him a tight lipped smile before walking over to the sulking teen.

“What is your problem man? Why would you say something like that around her?” Steve pressed him.

“We were just joking alright.” Carol tried to defend her boyfriend.

“Well it wasn't funny, asshole.”

“Hey.” You walked up to Jonathon, hoping you had fully shaken off your look of frustration.

“Hey.”

“Any leads?”

“No. I’m planning to go out to my dad’s house and look for him there. I hope he’s there, but at the same time I don’t. He would be safe, but not safe ya know.” You nodded solemnly.

“I’m sure you're tired of hearing this already, but I’m here for you and the boys are too. I promised Lucas that I wouldn’t tell anyone, but they went out last night to find Will.” 

“That’s not safe

“I know, but you do crazy things for the people you love right?”

“We do, but I-I don’t know. I feel like I’m spending more time trying to keep my mom from falling over the edge and then I end up feeling like I’m not doing enough for him.”

“Speaking from experience, Will knows that you’re doing everything you can to find him. Even if you feel like you aren’t. He knows that you and your mom won’t stop looking for him. I knew that too. It’s part of why I’m even here today.”

“Thanks. I-I appreciate it.”

“Anytime, Byers. Call if you need anything.” You gave him a sympathetic smile before walking back to the group, Nancy passing you on her way to Jonathon.

“Did you decide yet, Hagan?”

Once the school day ended, Steve went his usual route to meet you at your locker. He would have approached further until he saw you locked in a conversation with Jack. He knows that a break up between the two of you was on the horizon, but watching the two of you for some reason put a pit in his stomach, which is stupid. He liked Nancy. He liked her a lot, but to him Jack didn’t seem worth your time. 

“Pick me up at around seven thirty so that we can get there by eight?”

“Yeah, I’ll call you when I’m about to leave.” 

“Perfect. Thank you.”

“Of, course.” He pecked you on the lips. “I’ll see you tonight.”

He waved a quick ‘bye’ to Steve, before walking to his own locker, leaving you and Steve alone.

“Aw, you guys are so cute.”

“Shut up!” You playfully punch his shoulder

“WHat you are, you and your little bench warmer. I can’t believe you’re breaking up with him.

You're one to talk, you haven't won a championship yet Mr. Varsity. You’ve got about a year left. He's only on the bench, but you're starting five. What’s your excuse?”

“My excuse is that I have a Sinclair breathing down my neck begging me to take her to therapy.”

“It's just you and me, Harrington, no need to lie. If anyone is begging, it's you. I was perfectly content with my mom taking me, but nooo.”

“Sure, but would your mom take you for a milkshake and fries before your appointment?”

“No, but at least she lets me pick the music.”

“What do you have against The Cure?”

“Nothing, but I thought that after almost twelve years some of my music taste would rub off on you at some point.”

“It has, but sometimes I just want to listen to The Cure, so for today it’s my car, my rules.”

“Now you sound like my mom.”

“There she is!” Steve cheered when he greeted you at the door. “Now the party can start.”

“Alright, calm down. I’m not Princess Diana or anything.” You commented. You held onto Jack’s hand as Steve led you to his backyard. You realized that Steve was being incredibly liberal when he described his little function as a party. It was a kickback at best and even still, it was pretty lame. The music sucked (Tommy’s mixtape), the energy was weird, and the only thing to drink was shitty beer. You felt bad for dragging Jack out of the house for this. That feeling was made worse when you realized that Nancy brought Barbra with her. You liked her well enough. She didn’t talk much and was pretty straight laced, so it was clear why she would be uncomfortable. The only person she felt comfortable with was Nancy and she had most of her attention focused on Steve. She was in the position that you didn’t want to be in, but instead of the fifth wheel, she was the seventh.

When either you or Nancy tried to bring her in on some of the fun, she insisted that she was fine even though she was clearly not having a good time. It felt like she was watching the party from the outside in. SHe stayed reserved to her lounge chair while the six of you tried to squeeze what fun you could out of the party.

You knew it was coming before it happened. The gears were turning in Tommy’s head while his eye bounced between the pool and his girlfriend.

You doubled over in laughter, walking up to the pool with Nancy when you heard Carol scream and the subsequent splash that followed. The two of you were too busy in your shock and laughter to hear either of your boyfriends creeping up behind you. Before either of you knew what was happening, they pushed you in, both of them quickly jumping in after you.

You splashed water at Jack in retaliation before swimming to the pool’s edge.

“Barb, are you sure you don’t want to join us? The pool’s heated so you won’t get cold.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m ok over here.”

“Are you sure?” She responded with a nod. You knew parties weren’t for everyone, but you really wanted her to have a good time.

After about thirty minutes of swimming, you felt a tingle run down your spine when Jack swam close to whisper in your ear.

“Do you think Harrington will care if we occupied the guest room for a bit.” You looked over to Steve, his arms wrapped around Nancy. He probably wouldn’t even notice if the two of you snuck off.

“I don’t think he’d mind at all.” You accepted his proposition. You felt bad for agreeing considering the relationship was on borrowed time, but what’s one more for the road right?

You led Jack upstairs to one of the guest bedrooms. One that was originally for a Harrington sibling, until they realized they barely had the time or care for one.

“We have to make this fast. They’re gonna figure out what we’re doing pretty quickly.” You explained before pulling him into a heated kiss.

“You know how quick I can be.” He pulled apart from you, each of you helping the other remove your tops. Before gently pushing you back into the bed. He climbed on top of you, his lips finding your once more. You brought your hands to the back of his neck, trying to pull him closer. You closed your eyes, leaning into the pleasure. You were ready to jump into the abyss with him until the darkness behind your eyelids transformed into flashing images of something terribly familiar.

You were seeing it again. The gray and glossy monster clearly designed to kill. It made your blood run cold. IN your nightmares it felt so far as if it were a danger coming from far away, but now it felt present. Like it was close enough to touch. 

You were only pulled out of your trance when you heard a pained groan. Your eyes snapped open at the sound. You realized you had been digging your nails into Jack’s back like a cat’s claws clinging into fabric.

“Oh, my god. I’m so sorry.” You promptly released him, your chest rising and falling in a panic.

“It’s ok. I think I might be into it actually.” He tried to soothe your anxieties. He began to lean back in until you stopped him. You had to see for yourself. You had to make sure that thing wasn’t out there.

“Shit! Did I go too fast?” He crawled off of you.

“No, no. It’s me. I-I just need to check something really quickly.” You rushed out, throwing on your shirt. “I’ll be back in a minute!” You called behind you before slamming the door and running down the stairs. The first floor had been vacant. When you looked through the sliding glass door, you spotted Barbra, sitting on the edge of the pool.

 “Hey, where did everyone go?” You looked around suspiciously.

“Um, Steve brought Nancy upstairs a couple minutes after you left with Jack and I don’t know where Tommy and Carol went.”

“Um, maybe you should go home Barb. I know it's not my place to kick you out but,  I think Nancy is going to be a while and who knows when Tommy and Carol are coming back. I'm about to leave anyway so Jack can drive you home.” You desperately offered. You couldn’t shake the bad feeling you had about her being out here at all let alone by herself.

“Oh no, I can't go. I’m Nancy's ride.”

“I’m sure Steve can give her a ride home.”

“Mrs. Wheeler saw her leave in my car. I don't want her to get in trouble.” You were losing your mind. You wish you could control her mind and make her leave.Your anxiety only grows the more you survey the scene. Your ears listening for as much of a twig snap.

“Listen, I just have a bad feeling about you being out here so just please sit inside.”

“It’s ok, I like the fresh air.”

“Can you at least do it  until Tommy and Carol get back.” You felt a wave of relief wash over you when she finally seemed to give in.

When you went back to the room Jack was waiting patiently on the edge of the bed, his leg bouncing with excess energy.

“Hey, I'm really sorry to do this to you cause we were just getting started, but I need you to take me home. I really wanted to do this, but I can’t. Not right now.” 

“O-ok. Is everything fine?”

“I’ll explain later ok, but right now we need to go.”

“Did something happen? Are you ok?” He questioned, taking in your nervous energy.

“Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind right now and I just really need to go home.”

You waved 'bye' Barb while she was in the kitchen grabbing a drink on your way out the door with Jack. You only hoped she stayed there, but there was a chill that ran down your spine that told you she didn't.

Taglist: