chapter eleven.
railroad tracks
☄️
disclaimer: I hope everything in Spanish is accurate!! I used Spanishdict like someone told me too !! Hopefully it's correct :)) but thank you to that person (I forgot their username, my bad)
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STRANGER THINGS 2
episode six

NIGHT WAS UPON THEM. The car fell into silence until Steve decided to shatter it with some loud music. "Wait a sec. How big?" Steve finally broke the quietude. "Initially, it was small like this," he gestured, portraying a diminutive size, "but now, it's more like this," expanding his hands to indicate a significant growth.

"No kidding, man. It's just a tiny lizard, alright?" Steve vehemently denied any exaggeration. "Not a lizard. It's a mini-demo... Dustin, what's the word?" she turned to Dustin, seeking assistance in finding the right term. "Demogorgon. It's like a mini one," Dustin explained, shedding light on the mysterious creature they were discussing in the car.

Steve casually glanced over at Josie, a curious expression on his face. "So, you're pulling an Eleven? Is that why the word count is low?" he quizzed, prompting her to shake her head. "Nope, different story. She's from Mexico, had this lab thing going on. Learned words, school, and powers – a much cozier deal than Eleven's journey," Dustin elaborated, stepping in to provide context for Josie's unique background.

Steve quirked an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "Come on, how do you know it's not just a lizard?" he probed, shooting Dustin a questioning look. "How do I know? How do you?" Dustin retorted, matching Steve's intensity. "Exactly! How can you be sure it's not just a lizard?" Steve challenged, raising his voice.

"Because its face opened up, and it ate my cat," Dustin dropped the revelation, leaving Josie's eyebrows to skyrocket, trying to stifle a laugh. "He got you there," she teased Steve, thoroughly amused by his perplexed expression in the face of Dustin's unexpected revelation.

Steve, wearing a bemused expression, questioned her, "What's with all the teasing?" Josie responded nonchalantly, "Don't know, just feels like you're the type I can tease."

As Steve pulled into Dustin's driveway, and as they got out, Josie's attention shifted to the trunk. She circled around, narrowing her eyes, and with a subtle twist of her hand, the trunk dramatically flew open. "Holy shit. She—She—" Steve gasped in shock, frantically pointing between Josie and the open trunk. "I open with the mind. Yes," she replied with a sarcastic smile, reveling in the unexpected revelation and Steve's stunned reaction.

Steve leaned down, the bat finding its place in his hands as he carefully closed the trunk. Following Dustin, they arrived at the underground shelter doors. Steve, wielding the flashlight, fixed his gaze on the entrance, keenly listening for any signs of disturbance. Frustration etched his voice as he snapped, "I don't hear a damn thing."

Josie frowned, her eyebrows knitting together. "You're not hearing well? I hear something," she snapped at Steve, a touch of frustration in her voice. Dustin chimed in, asserting, "He's in there." Steve looked back at Josie and Dustin, uncertainty clouding his expression.

With a firm grip on the bat, he tapped it against the bunker doors, straining to catch any elusive sounds from within. When silence persisted, he escalated, banging the bat against the doors, the echoes reverberating in the tense air as he hoped to coax out whatever lurked inside the bunker.

Steve turned on his heels, fixing his gaze on Josie and Dustin, his face a canvas of seriousness with eyes that communicated his readiness for whatever lay ahead. No words passed his lips, but his expression spoke volumes, conveying the gravity of the situation.

A heavy sigh escaped him, breaking the silent standoff. "All right, listen, kids. I swear, if this is some sort of Halloween prank, you're both dead," Steve warned, his threat hanging in the air, emphasizing the genuine concern he felt in the eerie moment.

Josie couldn't contain a laugh, a subtle sniffle accompanying it. "Sure," she shot at Steve, her glare intense. The color of her eyes shifted to red, and she continued with a sharp edge, "Do really threaten me, Harrington?  I have powers. You dumbass. Heard 'bout you. You bully. I don't like them," her words laced with a challenging tone. Steve, surprised, raised his eyebrows at her unexpected response.

"Okay, whatever, Cortez. I'm just saying. If this is a prank, I'm not gonna help," Steve attempted to clarify, but Josie rolled her eyes dismissively. "It's not," she declared, crossing her arms with unwavering conviction, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation they were facing.

Steve let out a scoff, his flashlight beam cutting through the darkness, landing squarely on Dustin's face. "I don't believe her. Tell me the truth, Henderson," Steve's voice held a palpable tension, urgency etched into each word as he pressed Dustin and Josie for an honest explanation. Frustration and confusion painted his expression, a mix of emotions reflecting the complexity of the mysterious circumstances.

Dustin squinted, irritation evident in his eyes. "It's not a prank. Get it out of my face," he stated firmly, exhaling with a hint of frustration. Steve eyed him with hesitation, grappling with the conflicting information. Josie, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes, subtly tilting her head. In a swift motion, the flashlight flew out of Steve's hands, clattering to the ground.

Steve's frustration was palpable as he sighed loudly. "You got a key for this thing," he asked, gesturing towards the bunker. Dustin shook his head, "No—" he started, but his words trailed off when Josie's eyes narrowed in intense concentration.

Focusing her energy on the bunker doors, Josie sensed the metal's weight in her mind. With unwavering determination, she extended her hand, initiating a subtle yet powerful force. The doors began to creak open, yielding to an unseen influence. The hinges protested with audible groans, but Josie didn't relent. Gritting her teeth, she pushed harder, channeling all her energy into the task, determined to unveil the secrets hidden behind the slowly parting doors.

The bunker doors yielded to Josie's mental prowess, opening wider with each calculated push. A profound sense of relief washed over her; she had successfully unlocked the concealed space using nothing but the power of her own mind. Lowering her hand, she took a deep breath, savoring the rush of adrenaline and the tangible pulse of power coursing through her veins.

Turning to face Dustin and Steve, her expression transformed into a small, triumphant smile. "We're in," she announced, the satisfaction evident in her voice. "Let's go."

Steve's concern surfaced in his wide-eyed expression. "You use your powers a lot. Don't you get tired?" he questioned, a brotherly watchfulness apparent in his tone, as if he felt responsible for Josie's well-being.

Josie, absorbed in her task of sensing Dart and the telltale Upside Down energy, kept her eyes closed, oblivious to Steve's inquiry. Unfazed, he waved his hand in front of her face, attempting to draw her attention. The delicate balance between the mysteries they faced and Josie's unique abilities created a palpable tension in the air.

Josie opened her eyes. "I tried feeling Dart. No sign anywhere close," she explained, her words carrying a sense of disappointment. Dustin raised an eyebrow. "Then where can he be?" he questioned, a puzzled expression on his face.

Josie shrugged. "He's gone. Somewhere," she declared with a hint of uncertainty.

Steve, caught in the confusion, looked between them. "I'm confused. How did he escape?" he asked, seeking clarity on the mysterious disappearance of Dart.

Josie looked at him and casually stated, "Ate through the wall." With a simple twist of her hand, the bunker's light flickered on, revealing a substantial gap in the wall. Dustin's eyes widened, and Steve instinctively patted his lips in shock, processing the unexpected revelation of Dart's escape route.

IT WAS THE MORNING. At the railroad tracks, the trio started the process of unloading items from Steve's trunk. Josie, fully prepared for an evening of telekinetic exertion, felt the anticipatory rush in her veins. Dustin and Steve, getting ready for whatever awaited them, secured their gloves.

A subtle trickle of blood marked Josie's concentration. With a determined focus, she unleashed her telekinetic prowess, lifting the bucket of meat from the trunk. Through a series of controlled motions, she guided it through the air, a display of precise manipulation driven by the power of her thoughts. The scene unfolded with a captivating mix of tension and eerie awe as Josie seamlessly demonstrated her extraordinary abilities in the quiet night.

"Dustin. This is Lucas. Do you copy? Dustin." Lucas' voice echoed through Dustin's supercomm.

Dustin halted his assistance to Steve, clicking the button on the supercomm clipped to his pants. "Well, well, well, look who it is," he remarked with a hint of cockiness.

"Sorry, man. My stupid sister turned it off," Lucas apologized. "Well, when you were having sister problems, Dart grew again, he escaped, and I'm pretty sure he's a baby Demogorgon." The revelation hung in the air, injecting a renewed sense of urgency into their already tense situation.

"Wait. What?"

Dustin exhaled, conveying the weight of the situation. "I'll explain later. Meet me and Steve at the old junkyard," he instructed Lucas, setting a rendezvous point for their urgent discussion.

Josie, displaying a determined stride, approached Dustin. The bucket obediently hovered by her side. Taking the headphones from Dustin's head, she placed them over her own ears. Urgency tinged her voice as she addressed Lucas, "And please get Max. Tell her the truth. We need her." Her words held a firm resolve, layered with a hint of desperation, as she implored Lucas to join them and shed light on the unfolding events.

"Steve? And Max-"

Dustin reclaimed his headphones, and Steve, now equipped with a backpack, leaned down to grab the bucket. "And bring your binoculars and wrist rocket. We need all the help we can," Steve emphasized, making sure they were well-prepared for whatever lay ahead.

"Steve Harrington?" Lucas' surprised voice echoed through the headphones. "All right, let's go," Steve responded, his tone determined. "Just be there, stat. Over and out." Dustin turned his channel off, the urgency of their mission palpable.

As they stepped onto the trail, Dustin, fidgeting nervously, turned to Josie. "Can I ask you something?" he blurted out, his curiosity getting the better of him. Josie's face flushed with a mix of emotions as she looked away, feeling a tinge of guilt. "Yes," she admitted softly, her voice carrying the weight of honesty as she confessed her feelings for Max.

Dustin's initial disappointment was evident on his face, but he swiftly recovered. "It's okay," he reassured, his tone kind and understanding. "You can't control your feelings. I like her too, and I just wanted to know before I fall deeply in love with her." Josie looked back at him, appreciative of his empathy.

"I can see the way Max looks at you," Dustin continued. "I think she likes you too." His admission brought a smile to Josie's face, a glimmer of hope emerging in the midst of their challenging circumstances.

Dustin took a deep breath, his expression turning serious as he looked at Josie. "Can I ask you another something?" he inquired. Josie met his gaze, her curiosity piqued. "Sure," she replied, inviting him to share his thoughts.

"What's on your mind?" she added, wearing a puzzled expression. Dustin hesitated for a moment before finally broaching the question that had been weighing on him. "How do you feel about Mike?" he asked, delving into a potentially sensitive topic.

Josie was taken aback by the question. "What do you mean?" she asked, avoiding eye contact as she felt a pang of guilt for rejecting Mike.

"I mean, do you like him?" Dustin clarified, seeking clarification.

Josie shook her head. "No, I don't," she said. "I kinda spoke to him about it, and I rejected him. He didn't have much... response to it," she stammered, momentarily struggling with her words in English.

Dustin nodded with a sense of understanding. "I'm sorry things didn't work out between you two," he offered sympathetically, his expression conveying genuine empathy.

"But I think it's good that you were honest with him. It's better to be upfront about your feelings than to lead someone on," Dustin continued, his honesty evident in both his words and the casual motion of tossing meat onto the ground.

Steve, recognizing the personal nature of the conversation, opted to listen attentively, sensing it wasn't the moment to interject in Josie's narrative.

Josie nodded, a palpable sense of relief washing over her. "Yeah, you're right," she breathed out, grateful for Dustin's understanding.

"I just hope things aren't awkward between us now," Josie expressed, a hopeful look in her eyes. Dustin responded with a reassuring smile. "I'm sure things will be fine," he nodded.

She sighed. "Just give it some time. And who knows, maybe someone else will come along who's even better for you," Josie advised Dustin, her words carrying a mix of wisdom and optimism. His smile in response suggested a willingness to embrace the idea of new possibilities in the future.

"Thanks, Josie," Dustin expressed his gratitude. "You're a good friend," he added, prompting her to give him a warm, appreciative smile.

"Thanks, Dustin... you know," she responded, stepping in front of him. In the midst of the conversation, she accidentally let go of the bucket with her mind, and it dropped to the ground, miraculously not spilling. However, a gush of blood trickled down her nostrils, signaling the toll of her telekinetic efforts. Josie appeared slightly drained, a momentary pause in the lively exchange.

Steve stopped, glancing over his shoulder, waiting for them. Josie, recovering from the telekinetic strain, assured Dustin, "If you need me, Dustin, like... this again, I hope not, but you don't know... I'll be there. Give a holler. I will be there." Her promise carried a sense of reassurance, emphasized by a nod, as they prepared to face the challenges ahead.

Dustin's lips curled into a tight-lipped smile. "Okay, thanks," he responded, appreciating Josie's offer of support. As she nodded firmly with a small smile, the bucket lifted from the ground, floating by her side once more. She used her sleeve to wipe the blood away, a testament to the toll of her telekinetic efforts.

They resumed walking along the tracks, prompting Steve to share his opinion.

STEVE KEPT ASKING JOSIE AND DUSTIN QUESTIONS. Steve regarded Dustin with an incredulous expression. "All right, so let me get this straight," he began, his tone a mix of disbelief and confusion. "You kept something you knew was probably dangerous to impress a girl you just met? And now you don't like her? And Josie likes her? I'm just trying to get this straight." Steve's attempt to make sense of the unfolding dynamics held a blend of skepticism and a genuine desire for clarity.

Dustin sighed, a hint of frustration in his expression. "Okay, that's grossly oversimplifying things," he retorted, rolling his eyes at Steve's comment. Josie remained silent, attentively listening to the conversation unfold.

"It's not like that at all. I didn't keep Dart to impress Max. I kept him because I thought he was cool and I wanted to study him. And I don't like Max in that way, okay? I just think she's a cool person and I enjoy hanging out with her. And Josie likes her too, but that's not a big deal. We can all be friends."

Steve nodded, a hint of embarrassment coloring his expression. "Okay, I get it," he said, recognizing the need for clarification. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that. I'm sorry," he apologized.

Dustin smiled, a sense of relief washing over him. "It's okay," he breathed out. "Just don't assume things without knowing the full story, okay?"

Steve nodded, his contrite demeanor evident. "Got it," he said. "I'll try to be more careful in the future."

"Well, even if she thought it was cool, which she didn't, I . . . I just. . . I don't know. I just feel like you were trying way too hard. I mean, Josie how is it going with you and Max?"

Josie stole a quick glance at Steve before focusing on the bucket. With a determined sweep of her hand, she threw meat onto the ground. "Not okay. We were good at first. Then... She thought I liked Mike and was keeping it a secret from her. She got mad and hasn't talked since," Josie shared, delving into the intricacies of her relationship with Max.

Steve nodded sympathetically. "That's tough," he acknowledged before offering advice. "Have you tried talking to her about it? Maybe you can explain that you don't have feelings for Mike and that you didn't keep any secrets from her on purpose. Communication is key in any relationship," he suggested, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue in resolving misunderstandings.

Josie looked up at Steve, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "I try talk to her," she stammered. "But... she shut... me down. I don't know what to do," she confessed, her frown reflecting the frustration and uncertainty she felt about the strained communication with Max.

Steve placed a comforting hand on Josie's shoulder. "Give her some space," he advised, his gaze focused on her. Throwing some meat onto the ground, he continued, "Maybe she just needs time to cool off. And then you can try talking to her again. But don't give up on her, okay? You guys had a good thing going, and I'm sure you can work through this," he suggested, offering support. Josie smiled weakly. "Thanks, Steve," she said, pausing abruptly as her head snapped to the side, causing a bunch of meat to fly out of the bucket.

"I appreciate it," Josie thanked him, expressing her gratitude. Steve smiled back. "Anytime," he sighed. "That's what friends are for," he mumbled, a genuine sentiment that revealed the protective, almost sibling-like bond he felt toward Josie. Steve, harboring a desire for siblings, found a connection in their camaraderie, fostering a sense of family in the midst of their shared challenges.

"No one can have the perfect hair like you," Dustin blurted out, his tone tinged with jealousy. Steve chuckled. "It's not about the hair, man. The key with girls is just... just acting like you don't care," he advised, offering Dustin some lighthearted wisdom on the intricacies of attracting romantic interest.

Josie shot him a glare. "Not all the time," she crossed her arms. "Okay, not all the time, but if you wanna make them notice you like them, sometimes at first, you gotta be mean. It drives them nuts," she added, offering her own perspective on the dynamics of romantic interest.

Josie shrugged. "Not wrong," she mumbled, acknowledging the mixed tactics of attraction. Running out of meat, she tossed the bucket to the ground and left it behind. "Out of meat," she informed them, earning curious looks from both boys.

"Then what?" Dustin asked. "You just wait until, uh... Until you feel it," he said, throwing meat onto the ground. Josie raised an eyebrow. "Feel what?" she inquired, prompting Dustin to elaborate on the mysterious cue for romantic action.

"It's like before it's gonna storm, you know? You can't see it, but you can feel it, like this, uh..." Dustin paused, attempting to articulate the elusive sensation. Josie, catching on to his analogy, scrunched her nose in disgust. Realizing she had her backpack on, she stopped walking to look through it, perhaps searching for something to address the discomfort.

Josie found her headphones and put them on, effectively drowning out the rest of the conversation. Uncomfortable with the topic at hand, she sought solace in the music, creating a moment of personal retreat within the trio's banter along the railroad tracks.

—

ash speaks!

Next chapter we get Max and Josie back!!