My dad and i sat in the morgue in silence. "So... He fell?" i asked quietly. Hopper nodded his head. "I mean, are you sure it's him?" i asked.
"He's wearing the same thing Joyce described when he was reported missing so... Yea, it's him" he said with his head in his hand.
Johnathan walked towards us slowly and sat down. We all sat in silence. What do you even say to someone who's just lost their brother? I'm sorry? Or is that too soon? Am i overthinking this?
"How's your mom doing?" Hopper asked breaking the silence. "I don't know" he replied blankly. "How long has this stuff been going on? With the lights and Will and the... The thing in the wall?" Hopper questioned.
I was beyond confused but i stayed quiet. "Since the first phone call i guess. You know, she's had anxiety problems... In the past. But this... I don't know" Johnathan said with a sigh.
"I'm worried it could be... Ugh i don't know. But she'll be okay. We'll be okay. My mom, she's tough" Johnathan said.
"Yea she is" Hopper said giving Jonathan a light tap on the back. I gave Johnathan a small reassuring smile.
Suddenly, Joyce ran into the room as the examiner followed her out. "Ma'am, you have to sign this!" the examiner exclaimed. "I don't know what you think that thing is in there, but that is not my son!" Joyce shouted as she walked out the door.
Johnathan ran after her, leaving me and Hopper standing there awkwardly. "Come on kid, i better get you home" he said putting his arm around my shoulder.
"What about school i asked?" i asked. "Uh, not today kid. I don't want you walking home on your own" he said. I found it strange that he was being so tense over a drowning. It was as if he wasn't telling me something.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" i asked as we walked to the truck. Hopper sighed. "I hope so bambi" he said.
Hop dropped me home and i laid down in my bed, thinking about everything that had happened. My dad was always sort of on edge but now, something was off. And it wasn't just Will.
I decided to try and figure out what he was hiding myself. I then remembered Wills file. I ran into his room and grabbed his box of files that he hides in his closet. I scoffed at how much he underestimates me.
I emptied the box and spread everything out on the floor. "Terry Ives?" i said to myself. Why did he have a file about some nut from the 60s? I mean, her child with telepathic abilities was taken from her? Couldn't she think of a more believable story at least?
I looked at the other files and was confused. Why did he have so many files on Hawkins Lab? What did they have to do with Will? Maybe my dad was the nut.
After a couple of hours, i read all the files my dad had collected. Something was off about this lab. Well, that's at least what he thinks.
Suddenly i jumped as the phone rang. I got up and answered it. "Hello" i said angrily. "Joy?" i heard a voice say. I knew that voice. "Steve?" i questioned.
"Look Hopper, i need to talk to you. Like... Now" he said. He sounded anxious. "I'm busy" i said as i was about to hang up the phone. "Wait! Wait! Wait!" he called out.
I put the phone back up against my ear. "It's about Barb" he said. "What?" i replied. "Just... Would you meet me now please!" he shouted. "Fine!... But i need you to drop me off somewhere" i said.
I could tell he was rolling his eyes through the phone. "Fine... I'll be there in 20" he said hanging up the phone. I slammed the phone down in annoyance.
I gathered up all my dads files and put them back in his closet. Except the one about Hawkins lab... I had plans for this file.
When Steve arrived he held his hand down on the horn. I came outside and ushered him to shut up. "Do you ever just shut the fuck up" i said through gritted teeth. "Will you just get in" he exclaimed.
I stood in front of the door, refusing to get in. "Please" he mumbled. I rolled my eyes as i got in. Steve sped off as i jerked forward. "Let me get my seatbelt on at least!... Dick" i mumbled.
"We have a big problem" he said. "What?" i questioned. "Barb... Her parents reported her missing" he said anxiously. "Oh god, did she run away or something?" i asked.
"They don't know... But they know i had a party and they know about the beers!" he exclaimed. I was actually shocked at how stupid he is. "Are you serious right now?" i questioned.
"Look my dads a grade A asshole okay! I was just wondering, could you... Well... You know how your the sheriffs daughter and stuff?" he started. "Don't! I know what your going to ask, just don't" i shouted.
"What! It's not a big deal! Just, sneak into your dads office and cut out the part of the file that talks about the beers! You can do that right?" he asked. I chuckled as i shook my head. "You were there too! Nancy's going to tell the cops you were there, then your in deep shit" he said.
"Is Nancy okay?" i questioned. Steve sighed as he rubbed his head in frustration. "I don't know... I was kind of an ass... She walked away all upset and now, she won't answer my calls" he said tensely.
I bit my tongue. "Please don't tell me you told Nancy to lie to the cops so you won't get in trouble?" i asked. Steve stayed quiet.
I burst out laughing. "Shut up!" he shouted. "Her best friend goes missing... And you tell her your worried about your dad knowing about the beers?!" i questioned.
"Do you know what, get out of the car" he said stopping the car. I raised my eyebrows in judgment. "Make me".
Steve glared at me as he started the car again. "Where are we even going?" he asked. "The library" i replied. "Jesus, you know, i wouldn't expect you to be such a nerd" he said.
I looked at him in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?" i asked. "Well you know... Come on, everyone knows that you've slept with like, half the school!" he said with a laugh.
My confused face slowly turned into anger. "How many people have you fucked then?" i asked angrily. He went quiet. "So, you can sleep with every girl on the cheerleading team, every girl on swim team, but i can't sleep with anyone?" i questioned.
"I didn't say that" he said keeping his eyes on the road. "But that's whats you meant" i said. "All i'm saying is-" "Harrington... I swear i will jump out of this car" i exclaimed. Steve went silent.
After a silent journey, we finally arrived at the library. I got out and slammed the door. Steve rolled down the window. "Your welcome!" he exclaimed. I threw up my middle finger as i continued walking.
I walked inside and saw the librarian. I cringed inside remembering when i walked in on her having a shower after she slept with my dad. I gave her a small wave causing her to go red.
I headed over to the newspaper isle and looked at everything on Hawkins Lab. "The Hoppers are quite the family of detectives, huh?" i heard the librarian say.
"What?" i asked. "Your dad was in here a couple of days ago looking at Hawkins lab" she said. "Oh... Yes! Of course" i said pretending to know what she was talking about.
I grabbed a couple newspapers and sat down. I felt the librarian looking over my shoulder. "Did you need something?" i asked. "Oh... No just nosey" she said with an awkward laugh.
I joined in with her laughter. "Yea you are, aren't you?" i said with a fake smile. She finally understood what i meant as she walked away.
"Now, Hawkins lab. What have you got for me" i said to myself.
Authors note:
-Things are finally getting more interesting!