*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
˚ ₊ ♡ ❰ CRUEL SUMMER ❱
*✧ ─── ❝ ❪ IF I MUST, I WILL ! ❫ ❞
▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ SEASON THREE ☀️ ⁺⑅

═════════ ☆•° °•☆ ═════════
SUPER FREAKS SERIES ⋆ 🚲.
♯ ❝ IMPORTANT. FINDING THEM IMPORTANT! ❞
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
˚ ₊ ♡ 1985, July 4th ─── episode seven
▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅

⠀. * 　 ✦ . 　⁺ ✦ .⁺ 　˚
. * 　　　 ✦ . 　⁺ 　 .
✦ . 　 　 ⁺ ⁺
✦

THE GROUP WAS SCRAMBLING IN A FLURRY OF SHOUTS AND GIGGLES (FROM ROBIN AND STEVE.) TOWARDS THE BACKDOOR of Starcourt Mall, which would hopefully provide some sort of cover. Milo's heart was hammering in his ears, and his clammy hand clutched tightly onto Juno as they ushered the two drugged teens through the door. "Go! Go! Go, keep moving!" Dustin was screeching fearfully.

The blue tinted hallway light's illuminated the white tiles as the inner halls of Starcourt Mall passed by them in a blur of doors, storages and emergency exists. Their feet thundering like an alarm above their heavy breathing.

"Whoa!" Steve shrieks as Dustin pushes him down another corridor by the hand, "Where are we going?"

"Just trust me." Dustin raggedly breaths out.

Juno glances over her shoulder worriedly, hoping they were getting further and further away from the Russian soldiers.

"hmp—" She rubbed her head as she crashed into Robin's back as the girl suddenly stopped to stare at the ceiling.

"Whoa."

"Keeping going!" Juno pushed the girl and Erica is quick to wrap her hand around her wrist to tug her along.

Milo winches as the volume of Robin and Steve's laughter grew, as they kept about going through the twists and turns of the labyrinth like corridors, but at least he could not hear the shouting of the Russian soldiers.

With flushed cheeks, Juno, shared a small relieved look with the blond boy next to her and noted that Milo stilled looked sickly pale, the purple and blue bruises beneath his eyes more prominent then before.

Dustin was shouting again as he yanked Steve through another door, and Milo despite the circumstances could not help but grin dopely at Juno, whose eyes seem to glimmer beneath the fluorescent lights.

But the thought quickly vanished again as Juno pushed him through the same door, where a barely-lit and lavishly furnished hallway was revealed. They were in the cinema halls, the colorful and oddly patterned carpet floor was decorated with littered popcorn and Juno spotted a gross-looking stain beneath the wall the movie posters were hung.

Milo peeked over her shoulder, and she could feel the warmth of his skin against her own. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she felt him press closed against her. "Is it safe?" He whispered.

It was Dustin who answered. "it's clear." He whispered,

Carefully, Milo, Juno, Dustin and Erica made their way toward the richly colored red curtain that separated the hallway from the actually movie theater, but Steve and Robin were lacking their stealth as the stumbled and pushed one another to reach the curtain first.

Dustin pushed the curtain aside and with the slam of his hands threw the cinema's double doors in front of them open. Light rushed into the darkened room, and protests echoed from inside the room.

Milo's eyes flickered to the screen with a childlike wonder, brown eyes lit up with mirth at the sight, momentarily forgetting they were being chased.

"What did I tell you!" a man with wild, white hair gleefully exclaimed on the screen. He was holding something akin to a remote control, waving it in the air like a mighty prize. "Eighty-eight miles per hour!"

Behind him stood a boy with brunette hair, weary a multitude of colorful jackets and materials.

"Come on," Dustin urged them to move, and Juno eyes flickered toward Steve, who somehow managed to snatch a small bucket of popcorn...from somewhere?

Juno and Milo followed closely behind, skipping down the steps in quick succession. Dustin waved frantically at them from the bottom of the steps as Erica managed to push Robin and Steve forward, as they giggled and bumbled down the stairs in a clumsy manner.

Milo and Juno quickly fell into the first two seats available while Dustin moved the others a couple more rows down and to the side before pointing seriously at Steve and Robin akin to a father scolding his children and then down at the two seats at the front next to Milo. "You two. Sit."

Robin immediately began to complain, but as the girl caught a glimpse of Juno weathering glare she shrunk into herself and rushed into the seat anyway. Steve, like a lost puppy followed her and let himself fall into the seat next to her. "No, no, no! These seats are too close!" He whined as he looked up.

"Then don't watch the movie." Dustin muttered irritated with his hands on his hips.

"We wanna watch it!" Robin moaned, leaning up in her seat to glare at Dustin.

"Then watch it!" Dustin's voice was high-pitched as he grumbled the words out.

"Shhh!"

Juno and Milo shrunk in their seats with shame. "Sorry."

"Whatever you do." Dustin grilled the teens, "Don't. Go. Anywhere."

"Fine, dad." Steve mocked, throwing up a piece of popcorn and catching it with his mouth as Robin giggled childishly.

"Are you okay?" The girl whispered concerned as she caught his faraway look.

Milo blinked, a bit unsure looking. "Scared." He breathed in, "For Eleven and my friends."

Juno reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers and gave him an assuring squeeze. "They'll be fine. Your sister looks like she can handle herself."

"She can." Milo nodded proudly, but his attention was stolen as he noticed Dustin stand up from his seat.

"What is it?" Juno asked, trying to see what he was looking at.

"Dustin." Was all he said as he pushed himself up from his seat to follow the boy. The blond winched as a sharp pain shot through his leg, and the throbbing in his head from the hard blows he received by the hand of the Russian soldier intensified.

"Where are you going?" Juno hissed worriedly.

"Dustin." He repeated. "Should not be alone. Friends protect friends." He urged before hurrying after the young boy.

"Be safe!" She called after him.

"Shh."

Juno leaned down further in her seat.

With haste Milo ran up the stairs after Dustin. "Dustin!" He called after the boy who came to an abrupt halt that surprised the tall teenager as he barely managed to stop himself from tumbling into the kid. "Can't go alone."

Dustin's gaze softened at the concern in Milo's face and he nodded. "Alright let's go."

Together they quickly left the cinema and found an small abandoned storage room around the corner. They creeped along the wall, worried eyes looking out for the Russian Soldiers.

Milo let out a breath of relief as he lowered himself to the ground and he could take his weight off of his leg again. Dustin was crouched next to him, turning on his radio and pressing the button. "This is a code red. I repeat this is a code red."

They held their breath as they waited for a response, and Milo sighed in relief as crackling came through the tiny black walkie talkie. "D-dustin?"

Milo had never been more glad to hear Mike's voice. "Mike?" Dustin asked.

"Dustin!"

"Mike!"

Milo snatched the walkie talkie from Dustin's hands and clumsily pressed the button. "Is Eleven with you!? Is Eleven okay?" He rushed out.

"She's hurt, but she's okay." Mike's distorted voice came through and Milo felt his shoulders slouch at the revelation. He didn't fight Dustin as he snatched it back from his hands.

"You have to listen, I know we've been MIA, and I'm sorry, it's not because I'm mad—I mean I actually was mad. But it is also because we've been trapped underground in a secret Russian base beneath Starcourt Mall. I know that it sounds insane, but the Russians have infiltrated Hawkin! The gooddamn Russians! And now they're using some kind of super laser to open up the gate!"

The boy barely took a breath between words as his tone grew higher and his words more breathless. "And now they're after us, and we don't have a way out of here, so I need you to come and get us. Can Nancy drive?"

"D-Dustin y--, way...too f—st. I ca—unde—and yo-u." Milo frowned, sharing a worried look with Dustin.

"Mike?"

"D—stin ar-are you th-there?"

"Mike do you copy?" Dustin held the walkie talkie closer to his mouth.

"Dustin?" The distorted voice was barely recgonisable and the two looked down at the walkie talkie as it let out a warning noise, a red light blinking, indicating the battery was low.

"Shit! Not now. Please, not now! Mike?" He hit the side of the communication device to no avail, but only static answered them, followed by silence.

The battery was dead.

"Maybe I can reach them?" Milo offered with a tired smile.

Dustin regarded him with doubt, taking in the pale color of his skin and the sweat that clung to his brow. The boy looked barely able to keep his eyes open, but they had no other choice. "Okay."

Milo swayed a bit sideways, steadying himself by placing his hand on the cold floor. He took in a deep breath before closing his eyes and trying to search out his connection with Eleven.

His head throbbed and throbbed, like lightning was crashing through his skull. The pain grew and grew more intense and his hissed underneath his breath.

"Milo?" Dustin's voice sounded far away, "Milo? Milo stop! You're hurting yourself." A strong shove against his side made his eyes snap open and only then did he feel the blood trickling down his nose.

He grimaced as he wiped it away with the back of his hand. "Sorry."

"it's okay." Dustin shook his head, and stood back up again, dusting his hands off against his dirtied shorts. "let's get the others."

Milo nodded, as he too, unsteadily rose to his feet and followed the boy back towards the movie theater.

They tiptoed around the dimly lit hall and silently crept back inside. "Ask Juno for batteries. Double A." he instructed and the blond nodded, passing the others.

Juno looked worriedly up at him, noticing the faint trace of blood on his skin. "Milo?"

"Batteries?" He asked quietly. "Double A?" He asked unsure about what that even meant.

Juno bit her lip, but grabbed her backpack from beneath her seat and started to rummage through it only to shake her head in defeat. "I'm sorry I don't have any."

Defeat was written across her face, but she quickly wiped the look off and gently tugged Milo with her toward Erica and Dustin. "Juno doesn't have batteries." Milo whispered sadly, but it seemed that those were no longer a concern as the two youngest kids were hissing insults at one another.

"What is it?" Juno queries.

"They're gone!"

"What?" Juno whirled around, brown hair flying in her face and she spluttered as hair gets stuck in her mouth.

"Where are they?" Milo's worriedly looked between Juno and Erica.

"shit."

The four scrambled up and rushed towards the exit of the cinema, ignoring the shouts of the other people. Milo squinted his eyes as the bright lights of Starcourt greeted them.

"Where could they go?" Juno hissed, glaring around the mall.

"I don't know!" Dustin spat, surveying the area.

"I find them." Milo muttered as he leaned against a sand-colored pillar. "Must be close. Can't be far. Should be f-fine."

"No." Juno and Dustin turned away from glaring at each other to point at Milo.

"You're battery is dead Milo, it only hurts you more." Dustin stated matter-of-factly.

"No. Low. Not dead." Milo protested. "Important. Finding them important." His words slurred together, not installing the confidence he tried to display.

"I don't want you to get hurt." Juno begged quietly, as she crossed the space between them to grab his hands. "Please, we'll find them without your powers. You need to rest."

"No." He shook his head, tugging his hands free from the girl. "I do this. Friends. They are friends."

Juno didn't protest this time, and silently backed away.

Milo took a steadying breath and slowly closed his eyes again. White noise buzzed inside his head, faint voices echoed and blurred together. A throbbing pain shot through his head that made him winch.

But then a warm sensation grew inside and Milo was vaguely aware of two hands cupping his head at the base of his jaw. It calmed him and he focused again.

His mind wandered, trying to clear out the noise until a familiar giggle resounded in his head. He followed its traces in his mind's eye until he came to a halt in front of a familiar door.

His eyes blinked open and he used all his strength to remain standing and stare in the warm and calming eyes of Juno who gifted him a gentle smile. "Toilets. Scoop's Ahoy." He breathed out.

Dustin immediately took off, and Juno slung Milo's arm over her shoulder to help the boy walk as quickly as he could. They crossed the Mall as quick as they could, stumbling through the cheerful crowd until they came upon the bathrooms closest to the ice cream shop.

Dustin was the first to enter, slamming the door open with such a force, the door crashed against the wall, startling the occupants on the ground. "Okay. What the hell!" He shouted, glaring at the two teenagers.

Silent enveloped them until the two busted out in childish laughter when they looked at one another.

"What if the Russians caught you, huh?!" Dustin scolded the teens before pointing at a swaying Milo. "He got himself completely drained trying to find you!"

More giggles erupted from the teens and Juno shook her head in disbelief before marching over and grabbing both Robin and Steve by the scruff of their clothes to haul them to their feet.

"Whoa." Steve staggered to his feet unsteadily, wide eyes staring comically at the girl. "You're strong..."

"Move it Harrington." She hissed, pushing him toward the door.

Dustin cautiously opened the door, peering outside the see the a growing crowd from what he assumed was the cinema mingle about the place. "and..."

They waited and Dustin nodded. "blend."

Together the moved, keeping their heads lows. "Well, shit." Erica started surprised, "That worked."

"Of course it worked. " Dustin sputtered, offended. "We just have to get on the bus with the rest of the plebes. And home sweet home, here we come."

"Uh, Dustin." Steve started demurely.

"What?"

"We might not wanna go to your house. Or Milo's."

"What why?"

"Well I might have told them your full name...and that Milo's dad was gonna get the calvary."

"What is wrong with you!" Dustin jeered.

"Dude, I was drugged."

"So?"

"So?" Steve spoke in disbelief.

"So you resist. You tough it out. You tough it out like a man." He nodded at a bruised up Milo. "Like him!"

"Oh it's easy for you to say—"

"Uhm. We probably should stop the bickering." Juno mumbled staring ahead at the entrance of the mall.

Right in front of them, the soldiers from before stood, asking the people questions and asking for identification.

"Shit."

"Abort."

The man turned and caught sight of them.

"Abort!" He repeated more urgently, pushing the others back. "abort!"

They immediately spun on their heels, trying to weave their way back into the crowd, but the Russians were right on their tails.

Robin, who luckily seemed a bit more lucid again took off ahead, barraging through the mass of people, ignoring their complaints. Juno was dragging Milo along as the boy could barely keep standing, let alone move at the pace they were going.

She was desperately looking for a way out, and then Robin called out as she abruptly halted next to the barricaded escalator. A robe barriers and blocked the steps, but with the rising panic in their chest, the group ignored it, and instead Robin started to climb onto the narrow, metal strip between the escalators and sliding herself down.

Next was Steve, and then Dustin. Juno pushed Erica in front of her and Milo gave her a gently push. "Go.."

She nodded, wasting no time sliding down the metal ramp, brown hair fluttering. She barely managed to stand up before Milo was with her again, dizzily clutching his head and she tugged him up.

Milo glanced up over his shoulder and his eyes widened, spotting the two Russian soldiers looking over the balcony with fury in their eyes.

"Go. Go. Go. Go." He started to shove Juno forward and the group took off running agan

With their fingers wound together, Juno and Milo overtook the others, searching for a way out and Milo never wished more for his powers to be stronger, knowing he could had found a safe passage. He tried his best not to let the guilt consume him.

The kids groaned as they could not find a way out, and instead slowly crept towards a closed shop, stalking in a crouched potion behind the counter, and out of sight of the soldiers that had found a way to the lower level, talking into their walkie talkies.

Milo tried his best to keep his labored breathing as silent as possible, fear coursing through him like fire but he winched as Dustin moved and his sneaker squeaked.

Their panting fell silent for a second and Juno squeezed her eyes shut as footsteps came closer, followed by a hushed command in Russian from the strange man.

Juno brought her hand to her mouth and bit her knuckles to keep quiet as more footsteps followed and crept closer to them, her other hands tightly holding onto Milo who had tugged Erica closer into his side, the girl burying her head in the side of his arm in fear.

Juno could hear the cocking of a gun as the safety was unlocked and she bit her lip so forcefully she tasted the metallic of her blood on her tongue.

And when she thought all hope was lost, a blaring, thundering alarm cut through the silence like a stroke of lightning.

Juno, albeit frightened, twisted her body slight to peer around the corner of the counter, and frowned at the sight of a show model of a car, shaking and blaring with its lights flickering as if possessed.

Her breathing staggered as she noticed a shadow move on the upper level of the mall, and a familiar girl stood on the balcony with her arm outstretched shaking with fatigue, metal clattering.

Milo's sister.

She blinked and the car came barreling towards the three soldier, smacking into them with a force, surely lethal. Steam was hissing from the car as it rocked and Juno tugged on Milo's shirt.

Slowly the group stood back up and there they were.

Milo had never smiled as big, as he did looking up at Eleven.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

AUTHOR'S NOTE
AHHHHH EVERYONE IS GONNA BE REUNITED AT LAST. can't wait for hopper to still see Juno with Milo. Pop's is gonna have to deal with both of his kids in love 😜 on another note, one more episode to go! I'd love to hear your guesses for the end of milo's story in the book!