ACE OF HEARTS CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: A WALK THROUGH THE UNDERGROUND
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
TAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN OFF of Cornwallis Road, Max Mayfield clenched the steering wheel in her fists — focusing her eyes on the road ahead. Thumping her knee up and down nervously, Cassie Harrington watched from the passenger seat as Max pressed her foot harder on the gas pedal.
Taking a deep breath, Cassie informed the girl, "Okay, then you'll take a left-"
Before she could finish, Max already began turning the wheel; sending the car abruptly to the left as the force pushed the kids to the right.
"Jesus," Mike whispered under his breath as he grasped onto the large tank of gasoline that made slushing noises with each movement. "Take it easy."
"Nancy?" A voice questioned in reply.
With confusion plastered on his face, Mike Wheeler furrowed his eyebrows at the elder boy. He was obviously delusional. With a busted lip, a bleeding forehead, a broken nose, and two bruised eyebrows, the kids were surprised he was still functioning.
"Mhmm," Steve groaned as he lifted his hand to his face.
Noticing this, Dustin Henderson quickly pulled his hand away, speaking, "No, don't touch it. Hey, buddy, shhhhhhhhh,"
Steve blicked a few times, "Huh?"
"It's okay, you put up a good fight," Dustin continued. "He kicked your ass but you put up a good fight. It's okay."
From the front of the car, Max turned to Cassie and asked, "Where to next?"
"You're gonna keep straight for a half mile," Cassie informed, her eyes falling onto the map in front of her. "Then, uh...make a left onto Mount Sinai."
"Got it,"
Suddenly, a raspy voice spoke from behind the two girls, "What's going on?"
Biting her lip, Cassie turned to face her brother, her blue eyes filled with guilt and worry. Blinking a few times, Steve's gaze fell on Max, whose eyes filled with the same expression. Letting out a few laughs, the boy suddenly went into panic, "Wo-ah, oh my god."
"Steve, just relax, she's driven before," Dustin assured him.
Mike scoffed, "Yeah, in a parking lot."
"That counts!" Lucas defended.
Switching her gaze from her own brother to her red-haired friend, Cassie leaned over to the girl and whispered, "Step on it."
Without hesitation, Max slammed her foot on the gas, shooting them forward with a zoom. As the engine roared, Steve Harrington's voice grew louder, "Woah, woah, woah, woah, what's going on? Oh my god! No!"
Clenching his jaw, Mike Wheeler turned to Dustin, "I told you he'd freak out!"
"Stop the car!" Steve bellowed in panic.
"Everybody shut up!" Max Mayfield shouted over the voices. "I'm trying to focus!"
"Shit, Max!" Cassie yelled in reply as she noticed a familiar gravel road. "That's Mount Sinai! Turn left!"
"What?"
"Left!"
Max then lost control, the tires screeching as she went off the road, completely taking out a mailbox. A high pitched scream sounded through the red-head's ears, causing the girl to turn to Cassie and say, "Stop screaming!'
"That wasn't me!" Cassie defended, turning to Lucas, who shyly turned away.
Closing her eyes, the brunette prayed for her life. With her older brother's protests to stop, Lucas Sinclair's abnormal high-pitched screams, and Max Mayfield pleads for silence, the girl thought this would be the end. That was, until the tires screeched to a stop.
"Ah, hello!" Steve yelled at the top of his lungs, letting out a large puff of air.
"Incredible!" Mike admitted, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
"I told you," Max breathed, turning off the car. "Zoomer."
After the five kids swiftly filed out of the car — and Steve, well...fell out of the car — they all grabbed their weapons and masks from the trunk. Not a single one of them had been down in that hole, nor had they wanted to. But, it was the small price to pay to save Hawkins...to save the world.
"Here, Cass," Mike spoke softly, handing the brunette a pair of blue-rimmed goggles.
Thanking the boy, Cassie pulled the goggles over her head and threw a red bandana over her mouth. From below her, Cassie's brother, Steve, let out a groan, "Guys? Oh, no. Guys?"
Picking up the large container of gasoline, Mike Wheeler stepped past the boy, who had now perched himself up to a standing position. Moving his gaze, Steve spoke to the raven-haired boy, "Hey, where do you think you're going?"
When receiving no response, Steve continued, "What are you, deaf? Heelloooo?"
Slamming the trunk shut, Cassie Harrington moved past her brother and fell beside Mike, who was busy connecting a long rope to the bumper of the car. As she helped him unravel it's twisted knots, her brother continued to shout in protest.
"We are not going down there right now! I made myself clear!"
No response.
"Hey, there is no chance we're going in that hole, alright?!"
No response.
Letting out a huff, Steve Harrington pushed himself off the supporting car and grabbed Dustin's bag, throwing it to the ground. This, unlike all of his other protests, finally got their attention. Stepping up to the boy, Dustin shouted in reply, "Steve, you're upset, I get it. But the bottom line is, a party member requires assistance, and it is our duty to provide that assistance."
"Yeah, Steve," shouted Cassie from afar as she stepped closer to the hole. "You got two options here. You can sit here like a little pussy, or you can help us save El. Now, the brother I know wouldn't just chicken out...he would fight."
Taking a deep breath, Cassie finished, "So, Steve...help us fight."
"But I told Nancy I would keep you safe," Steve argued, rubbing his hand over his blood-covered forehead. "I made a promise."
