The New Girl

chapter three

chapter three - november, 1983

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Alex and Mike were sitting in between Dustin and Lucas on the principles small sofa chair as Dustin and Lucas were talking over each other. Alex and Mike were sitting there in silence as the sheriff, Jim Hopper, was trying to get them to be quiet.

"Okay, okay, okay," Hopper said raising his voice slightly so he could make himself heard over the boys. "One at a time, all right? You," he pointed to Mike. "You said he takes what?"

"Mirkwood," Mike said as the other three nodded.

"Mirkwood?" Hopper asked and Mike nodded.

"Yeah," he said. Hopper turned to his deputy, Callahan.

"Have you ever heard of Mirkwood?" Hopper asked and Callahan shook his head.

"I have not," he said, "that sounds made up to me."

"No, it's from Lord of the Rings," Lucas explained.

"Well, The Hobbit," Dustin corrected as Lucas looked at him.

"It doesn't matter!" Lucas said as Alex and Mike exchanged looks as they sat there in silence, both looking annoyed.

"He asked!" Dustin said as Lucas looked at him like he was stupid.

"He asked!" Lucas said, mocking Dustin.

"Shut up, guys!" Alex said, losing her temper and the four of them began talking over each other again.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Hopper said, raising his voice and the four of them fell silent. "What'd I just say?"

"Shut up," Lucas said to Dustin as Alex looked at him then at Hopper.

"One at a damn time," he said. "You," this time he pointed to Alex.

"Mirkwood, it's a real road," the blonde explained. "It's just the name that's made up. It's where Cornwallis and Kerley meet."

"Yeah, all right," Hopper said nodding as he looked at Callahan, "I think I know that. . . ."

"We can show you, if you want," Alex suggested, but Hopper was quick to shut that idea down.

"I said that I know it!" Hopper said as Alex frowned.

"We can help look," Mike said as Alex and Lucas nodded.

"Yeah," Dustin added, all four of them looking hopeful.

"No," Hopper said and instantly the four of them began speaking over each other again, trying to persuade Hopper to let them go. "No," he repeated, "after school, you are all to go home. Immediately. That means no biking around looking for your friend, no investigating, no nonsense. This isn't some Lord of the Rings book." Alex's jaw clenched as she stared bitterly at the ground. She wanted to help look for Will.

"The Hobbit," Dustin said.

"Shut up!" Lucas said, leaning over Alex and Mike to slap his leg.

"Hey!" Dustin yelled and the two boys began bickering while Alex looked extremely annoyed.

"Do I make myself clear?" Hopper asked softly, getting off his chair and standing up. The three boys looked up at him while Alex stayed staring at the ground. "Do I make myself," Hopper asked again, his voice stern, "clear?"

"Yes sir," Mike and Dustin said.

"Yeah," Lucas said. Everyone turned to Alex.

"Blondie?" Hopper asked, causing Alex to look up at him. "Do you understand me?" She sighed and nodded.