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HAWKINS, INDIANA — 1986.
MAX WALKED OVER TO A TABLE CLOSE by, picking up Dustin's walkie-talkie.
"If we go to East Hawkins, will this still reach Pennhurst?" she questioned.
"Of course," Dustin replied.
Steve frowned. "Wait– why are we talking about East Hawkins?"
Max turned to him, looking between Steve and Theresa. She realized what Max was wanting to do, and she really didn't have any objections.
Steve, however, was not going for that.
"No," he firmly stated, looking at the rest of them. "No, no!"
Max, unsurprisingly, did not listen to Steve. She grabbed her backpack, heading toward the basement door that led outside.
Steve scrambled to his feet to follow her, giving Tess a look.
"You gonna help me out here?"
She climbed to her feet slowly, sighing. "I think we should just go. Come on."
Lucas and Dustin were already gone, following after Max while Steve gave Theresa a look of reluctance.
"Come on," she repeated, sliding her arm around his and pulling Steve outside.
Max was already at Steve's car, but he was still trying to convince her to stay.
"Max, just wait a second–"
"Steve, if you really think I'm going to spend what is likely the last day of my life in the armpit that is Mike Wheeler's basement, then you're out of your mind. So either take me where I need to go or you're gonna have to tie me down, which is technically kidnapping of a minor. And if I live to see another day, Steve, I swear to God, I will prosecute."
Tess raised her eyebrows, glancing up at Steve.
Max tugged on the door handle, finding that the car was locked. She looked back to Steve, determined.
"Open the door."
Steve scoffed. "Uh, no."
"I know a good lawyer."
He gave her a deadpan look. "Tess doesn't count."
Theresa rolled her eyes, reaching over in Steve's jacket pocket and ignoring his protests.
