𝕕𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕𝕤: 𝕒 𝕓𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕗𝕒𝕟𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟡: 𝕊𝕞𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕋𝕠𝕨𝕟

There was something about the grocery store that calmed Darcy's nerves. Maybe it was the cool temperature from the refrigerated section, the colorful aisles of various products, the centuries-old music softly crackling from the speakers, or the friendly employees. Only today, the employees were less than friendly towards her.

Darcy pushed her cart, scanning the aisles while grocers peered curiously at her, some more suspicious than others. She'd overheard some of the grocers talking amongst themselves and with other shoppers.

"What do you mean she wasn't involved with Tommy's disappearance? She was the last person to see him alive!"

"She probably just wanted his parents' money. I hear they're coming back from their trip as we speak!"

Darcy shook her head at herself, grabbing items off the shelves without glancing at the expiration date. She'd hear from her aunt later, but right now, she just needed to leave the grocery store. First, Billy prying for answers, and now this? Hawkins was really a small town.

A cashier whose name tag read "Joyce" smiled politely at Darcy. "Did you find everything okay?"

Not Tommy. Darcy smiled at Joyce politely. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

Joyce began bagging Darcy's groceries. "People in this town talk. And they talk a lot."

Darcy shrugged. Joyce wasn't exactly wrong, but Darcy wanted to leave this grocery store as soon as the last item entered the bag. "It's a small town."

Joyce offered Darcy a small, apologetic smile. "But they don't always make sense, you know."

Darcy paid for the groceries with her card, raising a brow at Joyce. What could she possibly know about her situation? "I guess."

Once Joyce finished bagging her groceries, Darcy stormed out of the grocery store, slamming into Hopper and dropping her groceries.

"Detective?!" Darcy gulped, disregarding her fallen groceries.

"The Hagans want you to take a lie detector test." Hopper puffed from his cigar. "Now."

A/N: Hello and thank you for stumbling upon my work in progress! Unfortunately, I do not have a regular publishing schedule at the moment, but as always, please vote and comment and follow for updates!