Stranger things · Y/n story by @Sp3nc3r

Hawkins, Indiana. Summer, 1986. The heat lay over the town like a wool blanket, thick and still.

Joyce Byers

leaning on the counter at Melvald’s, phone cord wrapped around her finger Connie, she said her name was. Real sweet. Signed her boy up for the paper. Said he’s starting sophomore year.

Karen Wheeler

selecting a can of peaches A boy and a girl, I heard. From out east. Bill said he saw the moving truck over on Cornwallis.

At the Hawkins Community Pool, the lifeguard chair creaked as its occupant shifted, scanning the concrete deck with mirrored aviators.

Billy Hargrove

to no one in particular Great. More fresh meat for the herd.

And at the new Starcourt Mall, under the fluorescent lights of Scoops Ahoy, the rumor finally landed.

Robin Buckley

polishing a sundae glass Okay, but the real question is: are they cool? Or are they, like, Ted Wheeler cool?

Steve Harrington

adjusting his sailor hat They have a kid our age, don’t they? Maybe they need an ice cream. And a guide. A cool, knowledgeable guide.

Robin Buckley

You’re a terrible guide, Steve. You got us lost in the air ducts last week.

The moving truck was gone now. The house on Cornwallis Street, previously the old Henderson place, stood quiet. The lawn was freshly cut. A bicycle lay on its side in the driveway. Through the open living room window, the sound of a television, turned low, drifted out into the heavy afternoon.