Two days after two children went missing in the small town, the case finally saw a breakthrough—but it wasn't good news. The two missing middle-schoolers were "confirmed dead," their bodies found in a lake at the foot of a mountain outside town.
The entire town, which had been watching the case closely, gasped in horror; the victims' relatives sank into grief so deep it seemed bottomless.
Chief Hopper arrived at the scene wearing an icy expression, while Officer Powell looked even more lost and bewildered. He no longer knew whether what had happened that night was real: the missing kids hadn't been dragged off and devoured by some savage man-eating creature; they'd drowned.
Powell couldn't help wondering—had the ones taken that night actually been different children? Or had he and Chief Hopper both hallucinated the monster they thought they saw?
The "reality" in front of him and those terrifying memories from that night tangled Powell's mind into knots.
Chief Hopper's face was calm; he knew both corpses were fakes.
Having survived something far more horrifying, he kept his composure at this grisly scene, and that calm let him study the bizarre tableau with cold objectivity.
"Think clearly, Powell—don't let the mood here cloud your judgment," the Chief said. His steady voice pulled Powell back from the brink; following Hopper's tone he began to re-order his thoughts. "These bodies aren't real. Look at the people sealing the scene—they're on guard against anyone coming close, even the parents aren't allowed near their own children's "corpses." That's not normal.
If they're worried about the bodies being damaged, why are we, the officers in charge, kept outside? Plain and simple: they're afraid we'll see the corpses are fake."
Powell gradually steadied himself, sweat pouring off him. His voice was hoarse. "And… this was supposed to be a backwater town's missing-persons case, yet it's drawn in the state police."
"Exactly, Powell… someone's trying to bury the truth." Hopper's sharp gaze tracked the two bodies being loaded into a transport van. He slapped the roof. "Let's go. See where they deliver those bodies."
Powell nodded grimly, climbed into the cruiser, and followed the van with Hopper. "The bodies are definitely fake," Richard said, eyes on the repeating local news broadcast.
Robin sat cross-legged on the sofa, disgust on her face. "Hard to imagine how much pull The Lab has—fake corpses so lifelike, the whole hand-off staged perfectly. If they want someone gone, who'd ever find out?"
"Lies are like digging holes to fill holes; plug one and another pops open. No balloon can't be popped," Richard chuckled. "Clever move, but risky—those two fake bodies are now evidence themselves."
Robin's eyes lit up. "Right! If we expose the fake corpses in public, the feds can't deny it."
"Precisely," Richard said with a small nod.
"So how are the real missing kids doing?" Robin asked curiously.
Richard smiled. "Not in danger—scrambling through The Upside Down right now. With Eleven's boosted powers she can lock onto the kid's exact location and track his every move. After this, if that little bully Troy makes it back, he'll have learned his lesson and won't push people around again."
Robin snorted and shook her head. "Exactly. If he hadn't picked a fight that day, he wouldn't have fallen and none of this would've followed."
"Bottom line: we pull the kid out within the week. The Upside Down's air carries chronic toxins—no place for our world's living things," Richard said, slipping into his jacket.
Robin stood as well and grabbed her coat. "Where are you off to?"
"Checking my future shop's renovation. Coming?"
"As if I'd stay here alone."
"I already copied my key for you; come and go as you please," Richard shrugged. Given how often his "big" buddy showed up, handing over a key saved him the hassle of weekly door-openings.
Robin grinned. "Then I'll ride along."
Moments later the two bicycled to the town center and stopped in front of a storefront under renovation.
This wasn't Robin's first visit to Richard and Steve's future drinks shop; she'd dropped by once before the renovations started. Now, seeing it again after the makeover, the place already looked like itself—clean lines touched with a quiet elegance, nothing like the current fads, just easy on the eyes.
"The remodel turned out great," Robin said, impressed.
"Once we add the final touches it'll be even cooler," Richard replied, brimming with confidence.
Robin glanced at the still-empty storefront. "Have you picked a name?"
"HeyHeyTea!" Richard blurted.
Robin froze. "You're sure about that?"
"Simple, catchy, sticks in your head—perfect for word-of-mouth," he answered, dead serious.
Robin: "…If it makes you happy. Does Steve get a vote?"
"He wouldn't dare object."
"…" Robin pictured the self-proclaimed king of Hawkins High bowing and scraping to Richard and said nothing.
"HeyHeyTea? What kind of tea is that?" a voice cut in.
They turned to find Joyce standing behind them.
"Sorry—didn't mean to startle you," she smiled, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Richard and Robin exchanged grins and shook their heads. "Working nearby, Mrs. Joyce?" Richard asked.
"Just down the street at the grocery. Got off shift and spotted you two," she said. "So this is the spot for you and Steve's new place?"
"That's the plan. Another month or two after the fit-out finishes and we'll open—come help us celebrate."
"Wouldn't miss it." Joyce chuckled. "Though it doesn't look like traditional Chinese tea in there."
"Exactly—we're doing new-style tea, the way coffee becomes lattes or cappuccinos instead of just a plain brew," Richard explained. "For the real Chinese tea ceremony you'd visit a specialty shop. What we're mixing is an invitation: see how fun Eastern tea can taste. If that hooks someone into exploring the deeper culture, the shop's mission is fulfilled."
"Admirable," Joyce said, mentally upgrading her opinion of him. She thought of Jonathan, her own high-school senior, and wondered what path he might choose.
Joyis checked her watch. "Time to head home and start dinner. See you both soon."
After waving Joyce off, Robin realized her shift was starting and took off as well.
Left alone, Richard glanced at his watch. "Time to pick up the bike from Eddie—only guy who can get you an unregistered hog. Heh."
Walking home, Joyce's mind drifted back to Jonathan—and to the strange events piling up around town. Knowing fragments of the truth left her uneasy.
Maybe I should move the kids out of here, she thought—but they each had ties she couldn't cut. A divorced single mom, she had no unbreakable bonds herself; moving for her alone would only break their hearts, and that she refused.
If we ever leave, it'll be after whatever's happening at The Lab is finished, she decided.
She passed an apartment block just as a small sedan laden with luggage pulled up. Out stepped a round, pale man with a sunny grin. "Hawkins, long time no see," Bob said cheerfully.
The landlord, who'd been waiting on the stoop, rose. "Hey, Bob—room's all set. Let me give you a hand with those bags."