Chapter 25

Sofia wakes up at 7am with her leg on top of Robin and her head on Robin’s chest. She doesn’t remember anything about yesterday, at least for the first seconds.

Sofia looks up and sees that Robin is awake and looking at her.  “Good morning sleeping beauty” Robin says, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

“Hey, when did you wake up?” Sofia asks, rubbing her eyes, but not changing her position.

“Not long ago” Robin responds. “How are you feeling?” 

“I don’t know… I think I’ll be confused for a while. But I like it here” Sofia responds, burying her head deeper in Robin’s chest, making Robin smile.

“Sofia?” Robin says after a pause.

“Yeah?” Sofia asks, looking up.

“I love you” Robin says in a whisper with a gentle smile.

Sofia’s face lit up as she flashed a cute smile. “I love you too”, and that filled the hole in her heart.

Robin couldn’t wait anymore to say those eight letters. And she’s glad she did, seeing how much it meant to Sofia, and to herself too, and to their relationship. 

Robin wished she could say more. Robin wished she could tell Sofia that she’s her whole life. That she’s the reason she doesn’t hate this town as much as she did before. That she’s the reason she wakes up every day. 

Sofia’s the reason why Robin started listening to Madonna with a new perspective. She’s the reason why Robin started reading thriller books. She’s the reason why she can be a bit more confident around big groups.

After cuddling for a while, they got dressed and ready to go get groceries for Eddie. 

(Sofia’s outfit – the one in blue – plus white classic vans)

When they were ready and waiting for Steve, Robin helped Sofia make her bed. Robin sat in bed and looked at Sofia with dreamy eyes. She was totally in love with her.

Sofia sat on Robin’s lap with her legs to the side and played with Robin’s hair. In response, Robin placed her hands on Sofia’s bum and looked right into her eyes.

“Hi” Sofia says, softly.

“Hi” Robin smiles.

Robin places a tiny kiss on Sofia’s lips, and after a pause they kiss again. They were soft, passionate kisses. 

They jumped a bit when the doorbell rang. They were still scared of being caught. This time, they didn’t bring a bag with them since Dustin said he would.

When they got to Steve’s car, Max was already there. The two girls sat on the backseat and Dustin sat on the passenger seat.

They drove to the grocery store and then to where Eddie was hiding. They get there, Dustin grabs the plastic bag, and they open the door.

“Delivery service!” Dustin says, and Eddie heavily exhales in relief.

They give Eddie his food and start talking.

“So we got, uh, some good news and some bad news” Dustin informs. “How do you prefer it?”

“Bad news first, always” Eddie responds.

“All right. Bad news. We tapped into the Hawkins PD dispatch with our Cerebro, and they’re definitely looking for you. Also, they’re, uh, pretty convinced you killed Cher” Dustin says.

It still felt weird to Sofia to hear that her friend was dead, but she doesn’t have time to deal with that reality right now. She just wants to keep everyone safe and end this.

“Like, 100% kind of convinced” Max adds.

“And the good news?” Eddie asks.

“Your name hasn’t gone public yet. But if we found out about you, it’s a matter of time before others do” Robin explains.

“And once that gets out, everyone and their shallow-minded mother is gonna be gunning for you” Sofia adds.

“Hunt the freak, right?”

“Exactly” Robin says and Sofia nods.

“Shit” Eddie curses.

“So, before that happens, we find Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence” Dustin says.

“That’s all, Dustin? That’s all?” Eddie asks, sarcastically.

“Yeah, no, that’s pretty much it” Dustin responds.

“Listen, Eddie, I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we’ve actually
been through this before. I mean, they have a… a few times, and… and me and Sofia have once. Ours was more human-flesh-based, theirs was more smoke-related, but bottom line is, collectively, I really feel we got this” Robin says.

“How has Dustin known about this for longer than you?” Eddie asks Sofia.

“He’s always out, what do you want me to do?” Sofia responds to the question she thinks about every day.

“We usually rely on this girl who has super powers. But, uh, those went bye-bye, so…” Steve says.

“So we’re technically in more of the…” Robin says.

“Sort of…” Sofia says.

“Brainstorming phase” Max says.

“Brainstorming” Steve says, snapping his finger.

“There… There’s nothing to worry about” Dustin splutters.

The sound of sirens wailing fills the silent air. Robin orders Eddie to cover himself with the tarp and he does so. 

The group runs to the window and sees a bunch of cop cars going somewhere. Obviously, they decide to check what’s happening.

Steve stops the car at the trailer park. They see crime scene tapes and cops all over the park. Getting out of the car, they spot Nancy talk to some police officers. 

Nancy softly waves at them, and Sofia and Steve gently wave back at her.

When she’s free, they go to the picnic tables to talk. Sofia sat between Robin and Nancy. Across from Sofia was Dustin and to his sides were Max and Steve.

“You’re saying that this thing that killed Fred and Cher, it’s from the Upside Down?” Nancy asks, as the group told her what has been happening.

“If the shoe fits” Steve says.

“Our working theory is that he attacks with a spell or a curse. Now, whether or not he’s doing the bidding of the Mind Flayer or just loves killing teens, we don’t know” Dustin explains.

“All we know is this is something different. Something new” Max says.

“Doesn’t make sense” Nancy mutters.

“It’s only a theory” Dustin says.

“No, Fred and Cher don’t make sense… I mean, why them?” Nancy asks.

“Maybe they were just in the wrong place… They were both at the game” Dustin says.

“And near the trailer park” Max adds.

“We’re at the trailer park. Uh, should we maybe not be here?” Steve asks, looking around.

The wind starts getting more aggressive, so Robin takes her hand out of Sofia’s and puts her arm around Sofia’s waist, pulling her closer.

“There is something about this place. Fred started acting weird the second we got here” Nancy points out.

“Acting weird as in…?” Robin asks.

“Scared, on edge, upset” Nancy recalls.

“Sofy said Cher was upset too” Dustin points out, and their attention turns to Sofia.

“Yeah, she had been acting kinda off in the last few days, but she did that sometimes… so I didn’t think much of it” Sofia explains, thinking about all of Cher’s secrets that she wouldn’t have to worry about keeping anymore.

All of the things Cher told her didn’t matter anymore because she was dead, and she wouldn’t get to say anything else.

“Don’t blame yourself” Nancy says, looking at the girl.

“I know” Sofia says with a tiny smile, to not seem mean, but she knew that blaming herself would do nothing and it was silly. If Cher truly was cursed, she couldn’t have done anything.

“Max, you said you also saw Cher upset…” Sofia says, shifting the attention to Max.

“Yeah, but not here. She was crying in the bathroom at school” Max explains.

“Serial killers stalk their prey before they strike, right? So, maybe Fred and Cher saw this Vecman…” Robin says.

“Vecna” Dustin corrects her.

“Dunno about you, but if I saw some freaky wizard monster, I would mention it to someone” Steve continues.

“Maybe they did. I saw Cher leaving Ms. Kelley’s office. If you saw a monster, you… you wouldn’t go to the police. They’d never believe you. But you might go to your-” Max says.

“-Your shrink” Robin completes.

“Cher loved her shrink, I’m sure she knows everything” Sofia says, underlining every secret Cher had.

They quickly make a plan and walk to Steve’s car. Nancy starts casually walking to her car, making Steve confused.

“Whoa, whoa, Nance. Nance! Where you going?” Steve asks.

“Oh, there’s just something I wanna check on first” Nancy explains.

“Something you wanna share with us?” Dustin asks.

“I don’t wanna waste your time. It’s a real shot in the dark” Nancy says.

“Yeah, okay. Are you out of your mind? Flying solo with Vecna on the loose? No, it’s too dangerous. You need… You need someone to…” Steve says and throws his keys at Robin. “Here. I’ll stick with Nance. Take the car, check out the shrink”

“I don’t think you want me driving your car” Robin says.

“Why?” Steve asks.

“I don’t have a license” Robin says.

“Why don’t you have a license?” Steve asks.

“I’m poor” Robin says.

“I can drive” Max suggests.

“No, never again. Please. Anybody but you. No” Steve says, frighted.

Dustin gives Steve a look. “No chance”

“Come on” Dustin whispers.

“Sofy?” Steve asks, glancing at the girl.

She looks at her cast and back at Steve. “I mean, I could-“

“No way, the doctor said you can’t drive” Robin interrupts Sofia, keeping her in line. 

“This is stupid. Us ladies will stick together” Robin says, grabbing a walkie from Dustin’s backpack and walking over to Nancy. “Unless you think we need you to protect us” 

“What about me?” Sofia asks before the two girls can walk away.

“You” Robin says, walking over to Sofia, “my love” she whispers, “are going to get some rest”.

“You’re gonna leave me to babysit…!” Sofia complains, in hopes of Robin letting her go with them.

“Be careful” Robin says, hugging Sofia.

“You too” Sofia says, letting go of Robin, rolling her eyes.

“Wipe your feet” Steve orders Dustin before he climbs to the backseat.

Dustin does so, but on the inside of the car. “On the outside, not the inside” Steve complains.

“Always the babysitter” Steve says, mad. 

“We’re the babysitters club” Sofia says, smiling, playing her Madonna cassette.

Steve drives to Ms. Kelly’s house and Max walks to the door. Sofia moves to the backseat because she wanted to lie down. Dustin moves to the passenger seat.

“Okay. She’s in” Steve says.

“I’m missing collarbones, not eyes” Dustin says. “So, we gonna talk about… it?”

“Huh? Sorry, talk about what?” Steve asks.

“Your temporary insanity earlier today when you basically threw yourself at Nance?” Dustin says.

“That’s not what happened” Steve says.

“Pretty sure that’s what happened. It was public. There were a lot of witnesses” Dustin says.

“You agree with him Sofy?” Steve asks, looking to the backseat, only to find Sofia sleeping. “She’s sleeping… already?”

“Let her be” Dustin says, protective over her sister. “But you did throw yourself at her”

“You implying I still have a thing for Nance?” Steve asks.

“No. I’m not implying. I’m stating” Dustin says. “And I think you should get over her… maybe you could get someone that actually likes you, like me and Sofy did”

“Oh, yeah, what a year for the Hendersons” Steve mutters. “And as for Nance, I was just trying to protect a friend. A friend, Henderson. Okay?”

“Okay”

“I don’t wanna find her with her eyes sucked out of her skull by this Vecna creep… I’d do that for anyone else here” Steve explains, blushing harder with every word.

“You’re bright red in the face right now” Dustin laughs.

“I’m not. I don’t wanna talk about it. I’ll punch you so hard your teeth will fall back out” Steve threatens him.

“Whoa. Too far” Dustin says.

“Not cool. Sorry” Steve apologizes.

“Not cool. It’s okay” Dustin assured.

After a minute or two, Max comes rushing through the door and bursts into the car. Sofia abruptly wakes up as Max closes the door fast, making a lot of noise. 

“What’d she say?” Dustin asks.

“Nothing, just drive. Steve, drive” Max orders.

“Okay” Steve says, starting the car and driving away.

Sofia goes back to sleep, not even caring about where they were going, because she was tired and had no escape from this thing, and no time to get high.

Later that day, Robin and Nancy are still going through Victor Creel related news.

“What are we looking for exactly?” Robin asks, but gets no response. “Nance?”

Robin knocks, and Nancy finally looks at her. “Any mention of dark wizards or alternate dimensions? Things in that vein?”

“I don’t know. Okay?” Nancy snaps out. “It’s starting to seem like this was just a big waste of time. You’re obviously bored. Why don’t you call Steve? I’m sure he’ll pick you up. And I mean, I’m not really in danger here, so…”

Robin sighs and follows Nancy down the stairs.

“You do know that Steve and I are, like, totally not a thing, right?” Robin asks her. She felt so mad that Nancy thought she liked Steve.

“What?” Nancy asks, pretending to be confused.

“So, I figure you and Jonathan are still going strong ’cause you guys are going to college together. You’re one of those unstoppable power couples, but I… I just… I wanted to make sure that you knew that Steve and I are just friends. Like, platonic with a capital P” Robin explains.

Robin sighs at Nancy’s nonverbal response. “Just in case that’s adding any tension between us”

“It wasn’t” Nancy politely smiles.

Robin, still feeling some tension between them, starts thinking of ways to gain Nancy’s trust.

“Me and Sofia are dating!” Robin blurts out, not thinking before talking.

“What?” Nancy asks, not sure of what she heard.

“She’s gonna kill me…” Robin whispers to herself. “Me and Sofia are dating” Robin says, back in her normal tone.

“Oh” Nancy says, looking at Robin.

“You got a problem with that?” Robin asks, acting tough, but she sounded as nervous as always.

“Not at all, I just… wasn’t expecting it” Nancy explains. “But I’m happy for you guys, I’ve noticed Sofia’s been happier for a while”

Robin blushes and a sudden wave of missing Sofia hits her. She just hopes they can end this quickly so they can be together again.

In the meanwhile, Steve is driving to the school. Dustin shakes Sofia until she wakes up and after a few seconds she does and follows the group.

“Are we breaking in?” Sofia asks, not knowing the plan, rubbing her eyes.

“We’re breaking into Ms. Kelly’s office so we can check the files” Max explains.

“Alright” Sofia says, still confused, but too tired to care. She just knew they were safe, which made the situation more okay.

They get in and start walking through the hallways, trying to get to the office as fast as possible. Sofia started thinking about Robin and how much she missed her, hoping she’s okay.

“Dustin, do you copy?” Robin suddenly says through the walkie. Sofia lets out a sigh of relief by hearing her voice, a sigh she didn’t know she was holding.

“Yeah, I copy” Dustin says.

“So, Nancy’s a genius. Vecna’s first victims date back all the way to 1959. Her shot in the dark was a bull’s-eye” Robin explains.

“Okay, that’s totally bonkers, but I can’t really talk right now” Dustin says.

“Wait what are you doing?” Robin asks.

“Breaking and entering school to retrieve confidential and extremely personal files” Sofia says, taking the walkie away from Dustin’s hands.

“Can you repeat that?” Robin asks.

“Just get your ass over here, stat. We’ll explain everything” Dustin says, stealing the walkie from his sister’s hands.

They get to Ms. Kelly’s office and Sofia starts feeling less sleepy and more anxious. What if we get caught?

As Dustin and Steve talk about random stuff, Sofia helps Max look for Cher’s file.

“Holy shit” Max says.

“You found it?” Dustin asks.

“Yeah, and not just Cher’s file” Max says.

“Fred was seeing Ms. Kelley too” Sofia completes.

They bring the files to the table and Max starts scanning them, looking for any pattern. Sofia looks around the office and in other drawers, in hopes of finding something else.

“Can I see Fred’s file?” Max asks and Steve gives it to her. Sofia shifts her attention to Max, who looked worried.

“Max, what’s up?” Sofia asks, seeing the girl stop moving. “Max?” Sofia asks, shaking the girl.

Sofia crouches and looks at Max. The girl was paralyzed. “Max!?” Sofia shouts.

She feels a chill run down her spine. This is not good. This is not good.

“Max?!”.