Clustered tightly with her companions, Maddy's distress was almost tangible as she confessed, "I don't feel like a confident, empowered Charlie's Angel. Instead, I feel like one of those helpless damsels in deep distress. This entire situation is overwhelmingly distressing."
Jen nodded in agreement, tightly clutching her friend's hands. "I feel the same way. Damseling is definitely one of my strong suits."
Even as she gripped the two girls' hands, Katie admitted, "I'm not very good at playing the damsel. But when it comes to distress, I'm a pro. My worry and anxiety can mix and marry and create a whole host of anxious scenarios, like right now."
Releasing Jen's hand, Katie extended her own, displaying her nails. "Just look at my nails. They're a true reflection of my anxiety, more telling than any words could convey."
Under the soft moonlight, the girls examined Katie's nails. They looked a ragged mess and were in a sorry state, clearly showing the effects of her anxious habit of biting them. As the growling grew louder, the three girls clutched each other even tighter. They suddenly realized that Steve had silently made his way to the window and was now peering out into the darkness.
Maddy, filled with curiosity, inched closer to Steve, her heart pounding with bravery. "What is it, Steve?" she asked, eager to discover what had captured his attention.
His head turned slightly, and he raised a finger to his lips, signaling for her to be silent. With a subtle movement, he directed her gaze towards something in the distance, silently urging Maddy to look in that direction.
When she did, Maddy saw something beyond distressing. It was the embodiment of her darkest nightmares come to life. A monster! A monster, right there in front of her, moving. No. Prowling on four legs with no face, just four flaps that resembled a flower, a grotesque, sickening one. Maddy was startled, and she sucked in a gasp by biting her lip. At that moment, she reached out for Steve's free hand, holding onto it tightly, her grip matching the strength she clung to both her friends.
As Steve clasped her hand, he felt a surge of gratitude for the lifeline that anchored him in courage. A sense of urgency and frustration welled up inside him as he locked eyes on the creature in the junkyard and exclaimed, "It's not taking the bait. Why isn't it taking the bait?"
Maddy squeezed his hand a little. She answered, saying, "Maybe it's full from the other meat you laid out on the tracks."
Steve considered Maddy's suggestion, acknowledging her usual wisdom. "Maybe it's sick of cow," he mused. Feeling a surge of determination, the brown-haired athlete tightened his grip on Maddy's hand, drawing strength from her presence. He knew what he had to do. Knowing the task that lay ahead, he reluctantly released her hand, unable to meet her gaze for fear of faltering. Standing upright, he grasped the spikey bat, feeling its weight in his hand, and headed purposefully toward the bus's entrance.
Maddy's brows furrowed together as she gazed at the man standing before her. Despite having a sinking feeling, the young blonde was unwilling to accept the truth. "Steve, please don't do this," she pleaded, her voice tinged with fear.
Her heart raced as she watched Steve turn to look at her, his gaze meeting hers. A sense of dread washed over her, causing her blue eyes to fill with tears. Steve studied her intently, as if committing every aspect of her to memory, before flashing her his trademark Harrington smile. He then handed his lighter to Dustin, instructing him, "Just be ready." With a final glance in Maddy's direction, Steve left the safety of the bus, his departure leaving an unsettling feeling in the air.
As Steve walked out, Maddy felt a firm grip on her hands. She recognized her friends by the touch and the sound of Katie's voice in her ears. "He's actually a great guy beneath all that hair, but he's totally insane," Katie confessed. Maddy's voice trembled as she replied, "Yeah," while Jen leaned her head on her shoulder.
"He's awesome," Dustin said, looking out another window. Maddy nodded even though the boy couldn't see.
The trio kept their eyes trained ahead on Steve, who was walking toward the pile of meat. They could see the creature a few feet away, not moving. It's like the thing was waiting for Steve, who whistled and stared straight at it. But it doesn't move. Not a muscle. Not even when Steve said, "Come on, buddy."
Maddy's worry grew as Steve continued to whistle nonchalantly and swing his bat. "It's not working. The plan isn't working!" she exclaimed.
Jen, carefully assessing the situation, chimed in, "There's a good reason. Steve thinks he's the predator here, but I suspect that creature is trapping him in. I feel it. Master predators always catch their prey, no matter what. It's in their DNA."
Before she could finish, Lucas's urgent voice cut through the tension, "Steve, watch out!"
"I'm a little busy here," Steve responded, stalking the beast.
Lucas's urgent cry pierced the air, "Three o'clock! Three o'clock!"
The girls snapped their heads in the direction of his voice and saw it: another monstrous creature slinking up behind Steve. It was as Jen had feared--- their carefully laid trap had been foiled, and now they were the ones being ensnared by these cunning creatures.
Steve's athletic prowess surged as adrenaline coursed through his veins, and he contorted his body to assess both menacing monsters. Just as he thought he had the situation under control, Lucas's urgent cry pierced the air, "Guys!"
A third monstrous figure loomed into view, sending Maddy's heart into a frantic rhythm as she grappled with a sense of helplessness. "Shit. I mean, shoot. No, it's shit. It really is," Maddy noted, worried.
Steve's expletive punctuated the tense moment, conveying the gravity of the situation. But Dustin's call of "Abort! Abort!" kicked her in gear. The blonde yelled out, "Steve! Come back!"
He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, the sound of his heart thundering in his ears as he barely made it to the bus before the menacing creatures could catch up. Breathing heavily, he collapsed onto the floor, using all his strength to keep the doors shut. Maddy shook off her friend's grasp and hurried to his side, determined to help him. "You should go back," he urged, his voice filled with urgency as they struggled to keep the doors closed.
"No way! I'm staying with you," she insisted, joining him in the battle to keep the creatures at bay.
As the relentless onslaught of monsters continued, they overwhelmed the group, breaking through the doors with sheer force. In a frantic attempt to seek refuge, Maddy dashed for cover, huddling together with her friends for safety. Amidst the chaos, Jen confessed, "I think I wet myself," while Steve valiantly wielded a bat, striking out at one of the oncoming monsters in a desperate bid for survival. They heard Dustin making frantic calls over his walkie-talkie, which got no response.
A thunderous thud reverberated across the top of the bus, sending shivers down their spines. Katie's eyes widened as she pointed upwards, her voice trembling, "It's up there."
Maddy's cheeks were stained with tears as she stood there, feeling the weight of her earlier premonitions. "This is the end," she whispered to herself, regretting not expressing her love for her father more often. The thought of never experiencing a kiss weighed heavily on her as she realized that she might never get the chance. Her two friends were also visibly upset, and Max's anguished screams echoed through the air as she gazed up at the top of the ladder.
Steve sprang into action, forcefully pushing Max out of harm's way. With unwavering resolve, he faced imminent danger, gripping the bat with the confidence of a professional baseball player, and defiantly shouted, "You want some! Come get it!"
Steve locked eyes with the demigorgan, the tension crackling in the air as they waited for the next move. The monstrous creature let out a deafening roar before suddenly falling silent as if completely ignoring Steve. A low, menacing growl filled the night air, and then, as abruptly as they had appeared, the creatures vanished, leaving an eerie silence in their wake.
Breaking the silence, Katie whispered to Jen, "I think I wet myself too." Through tears, Jen and Maddy chuckled. The girls stayed huddled together as Steve bravely opened the bus door. He peered into the darkness.
The group followed his lead one by one, with Lucas questioning, "What happened?"
With a mix of fear and determination, they cautiously ventured into the darkness. "Steve scared them off," Dustin answered.
However, the athlete didn't move, gripping the bat tightly and scanning the surroundings. Suddenly, he turned with a resolute expression and declared, "No. They're going somewhere."
Maddy felt a chill run down her spine as the group hastily collected their belongings. In a moment of relief, Katie reached for the flashlight and exclaimed, "I knew this would be useful! More than that bug spray."
The tired-looking blonde smiled and remarked, "Perhaps if I had actually brought it and sprayed it right into his mouth, it might have been effective as well." She glanced at her friends' expressions and added, "Well, probably not."
The group felt a sense of unease as they left the junkyard, knowing that those mysterious creatures could be lurking somewhere out there. As they walked back along the path they had come from, Maddy felt a pounding in her head and found herself falling behind, seeking refuge at the back of the group. She couldn't keep up with the discussion the younger ones were having about Mews, molting, darts, and demigorgans.
Maddy felt the overwhelming urge to cry, but she knew that shedding tears wouldn't solve anything in that moment. They'll only make her weaker. Despite her efforts to stay composed, a few tears still managed to escape. Steve noticed that Maddy was struggling to keep pace, and it worried him because he knew she wasn't accustomed to this level of intensity. He slowed down and positioned himself next to her, offering his support.
The teenager observed as her hand moved up to wipe her eyes, showing vulnerability. He felt a strong sense of protectiveness and compassion towards his tutor girl because she is his tutor, his girl, his. Gently, he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers and drawing her closer to his side.
"You alright," Steve asked.
Trying to make herself alright, Maddy answered, "Just peachy."
"Yeah, that sounds incredibly convincing," he told her.
The blonde sighed and said, "I told them we shouldn't follow you. I told them I had icky feelings when I woke up. They didn't listen, and now, now..."
Steve's eyes widened as he listened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth despite himself. "Icky feelings, huh? Is that what they're calling it now?" he asked his tone a mix of amusement and concern. "Is that why you weren't at school today? I was actually going to come see you at lunch, but Dustin stopped me and dragged me off on this wild adventure."
It didn't escape her notice that Steve said he was going to check on her, but there was more to it than just feelings of discomfort. She told him, "Yes, icky feelings, but it's more than that. Jen said I had a premonition. That my strange, unsettling instincts were warning me. Now I know it was true."
All Steve could manage to say in response was a noncommittal "Hmm." But deep down, the insecure part of him wondered, "I hope those feelings weren't about me."
Maddy, not fully understanding his point, responded, "No, definitely not. There's a deeper significance to it. Seeing the image of the gross, rampant pumpkins in the newspaper triggered another emotional response, and now this entire experience solidifies that feeling. It's strange how these kinds of things occur, right?"
"Right," Steve answered, "You're an interesting girl, Maddy. You're intelligent and kind but also brave when you need to be."
She disagrees, "I don't feel very brave, especially back on the bus. Unlike you, who displayed unwavering fearlessness. Your unwavering dedication to ensuring everyone's safety was truly remarkable. Even if it meant going against your own instincts and capabilities, you still took on the challenge. That kind of determination takes real courage. That takes guts. It was impressive."
Steve was struck speechless. Never has he been called impressive. Sure, his hair is impressive, as are his athletic abilities and his car, but himself? No. Her words meant something. They mattered. She matters, and maybe he does to her, too.
As the guy opened his mouth to speak, a chilling, guttural growl reverberated through the dense treetops of the mist-shrouded forest. Everyone paused, with Jen asking, "What was that?"
Dustin answered, "Demigorgans."
Without uttering a single word, Steve tugged on Maddy's hand, keeping their fingers intertwined, and silently led her in the direction of the mysterious sound. She didn't like this. Not at all.
"We're moving in the direction of the noise when we should be heading the other way. Steve, I've already told you that I don't consider myself to be brave. I'm not like everybody else. I run away from conflict and hide from danger. I'm different," Maddy reminded him.
As Steve continued to walk with determined steps toward the demigorgans, he stole a fleeting but deliberate look at her and expressed with unwavering certainty, "I know. That's one of the reasons why I like you."
He likes her? Steve said he likes her. It may not be how she desires, but it's still something. The profile of his face, the curve of his lips, combined with the warmth of his hand in hers, overwhelmed her. It was almost too much to bear but in the best delicious way possible. It's so good that Maddy just exhaled a long breath.
"Besides," Steve said, "Just remember, I'm here. King Steve will protect you, just like you tried to protect me."
She carefully considered his argument and realized that he was making a valid point. It seemed impractical to turn back now, especially since Maddy was unaware of their current direction. With a resigned tone, she conceded, "Alright, Your Majesty. You win. This time. And you need me."
Steve felt a surge of emotion unrelated to the imminent danger. He's got that covered. "Oh, is that right? I need you? With your scrawny arms?"
Playfully, she pinched his side with her free hand and retorted, "Very funny. But yes, you do. It's like one of our tutoring sessions. You need me because we complement each other. We're like cupcakes and frosting. Some things are just better together.
After a long and arduous trek, the group emerged into a spacious clearing at the hill's peak. Eagerly, they scanned the surroundings, their eyes darting in search of any lurking monsters, but the coast appeared to be clear. However, in the distance, they spotted a solitary building standing tall amidst the landscape. "That's the research lab," Katie announced with a sense of determination in her voice.
Lucas nodded, "Yeah. They're going back home. Whatever the reason, it can't be good."
Max voiced the girls' thoughts, expressing that it was also time for them to head home. However, Steve was resolute and unwavering in his determination. "No," he insisted, "We can't allow those things to roam freely in Hawkins. It's a disaster waiting to happen. We have to follow them and stop them."
As a true leader, Steve doesn't waste time waiting for responses or complaints. Instead, he decisively sets off down the hill toward the lab, displaying his proactive and determined approach to leadership. The deafening roars of the monstrous beasts reverberated through the dense forest, emanating from the exact direction they were advancing. Steve's heart raced as he instinctively clasped Maddy's hand, his tightening grip the only subtle sign of his growing unease.
When Steve carefully moved a branch out of the way, a familiar voice suddenly called out, "Hello?"
Bubbling tension filled Maddy's stomach. She knew that voice. It belonged to Nancy. Of course, Steve's ex would be here along with Jonathan, which made her think, "My Dad!"
Dropping Steve's hand like it was on fire, Maddy hurried over to Jonathan and gently took hold of his arm. "Have you seen my Dad? He was supposed to have a date with your mom tonight," she asked urgently.
"No," Jonathan firmly stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We're here looking for Will."
Maddy carefully watched Jonathan's face and saw the unease reflected in his expression. His eyes kept shifting nervously between the two exes, indicating his discomfort with the situation. She then glanced at Steve, wondering if he, too, felt as uneasy as Jonathan and whether he was also stealing glances at Nancy.
To her surprise, Steve didn't seem interested in Nancy at all. Instead, he was looking at her and stealing awkward glances at Jonathan, making it seem like something was going on between Maddy and Jonathan. What kind of weird love triangle does Steve think this is? Please! As if Maddy were interested in Jonathan! Gag! It was a rather unpleasant thought, considering that Jonathan was like an annoying brother to her.
However, if she behaves like this is a normal situation, then maybe it will be ... Except nothing about this is normal. Nothing at all because, right on cue, a chilling series of roars and growls reverberated from within the darkened building, sending shivers down our spines. It spurred Lucas into action. "We have to get in there," he declared with determination.
Jonathan, the pseudo tech expert, quickly chimed in, "I agree, but the power's out. The button to open the gate doesn't work." With a sense of urgency, he pressed the button to demonstrate the issue to the rest of the group.
Dustin, known for his love of all things tech, confidently declared, "Let me give it a try." He strolled over to the button and pressed it, but nothing happened. Undeterred, he pressed it again and again, increasing the force each time, to no avail.
Jen couldn't help but chuckle at Dustin's persistence. "Just because you press it multiple times doesn't mean it's going to suddenly start working," she teased.
"It will work," Dustin told her, continuing to press undeterred. To everyone's astonished surprise, it was as if the gate were sprung to life by magic. Presto! It suddenly buzzed and swung open. Dustin turned to Jen with a smug grin and proudly declared, "See, I told you I could do it!"
Katie exclaimed excitedly, "Hey, look! The power's back on," as the entire laboratory was bathed in a warm, bright light. Suddenly, a vehicle came hurtling towards them. As it approached, the group realized it was Chief Hopper's police truck. The truck screeched to a halt next to them, and Chief Hopper urgently yelled, "Get in! Now!"
Without hesitation, they all squeezed into the car. Despite the cramped space, they managed to make it work. As they settled in, Maddy glanced towards the front of the vehicle and spotted Joyce. "Where's my dad?" the blonde inquired.
Joyce sat there, her voice choked with emotion as tears streamed down her face. Maddy, her eyes filled with worry, turned to Hopper and asked with a hint of desperation, "Chief, my dad is at home, right? He's there waiting for me."
Hopper's gaze locked with Maddy's through the rearview mirror. His expression was a mix of sternness and sorrow as he slowly shook his head. The intensity of his stare and the solemn motion of his head communicated a heavy message to Maddy, prompting her to whirl around and cry out, "Daddy!"
All the pent-up sorrow and anguish she had been holding inside for so long finally erupted, cascading out in a deluge of tears as she desperately attempted to navigate her way over the backseat. Steve's protective arms encircled her, tenderly drawing her back down to his lap while her girlfriends looked on in stunned silence.
Maddy's sobs gradually tapered off, and she began to shake silently, her entire body trembling with emotion. Steve leaned in, resting his head on hers, and held her tightly as they sat in the truck. They remained like that until the vehicle finally came to a halt. The moment the door creaked open, Maddy leaped out and sprinted down the Byar's driveway, her feet pounding the ground as if she was determined to outrun her thoughts all the way back to the lab.
As Maddy fled, Steve and Hopper chased after her, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence. The Chief managed to reach her just as she crumpled to her knees, his voice heavy with emotion as he spoke to her, "Kid, your dad's a good man."
Maddy's sobs reverberated in the air as she sought solace in the Chief's embrace, feeling the weight of her emotions lift slightly. It was then that Steve, with his unwavering strength, gathered her into his arms and carried her into the Byar's house. Following Joyce's guidance, he gently laid her down in Jonathan's room, a space filled with musical comfort.
She lay on the bed, her body curled into a tight ball, tears streaming down her face. Steve lay beside her, his arms wrapped around her, fingers trailing down her arm and side, offering silent comfort. The door opened, and Katie and Jen entered, both visibly distraught. Without a word, Steve moved to make room for them on the bed. Katie and Jen crawled in, surrounding Maddy, and the three of them held each other tightly, sharing their grief. In that moment, no words were necessary. The unspoken bond between them, as soul sisters, provided all the support they needed.