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There was something going on. Steve didn't need to be a genius to figure out that.
First there was something going on in the lab. Which he only knew because he may or may not 'accidently left' one of his bugs when he was last there. Anyway the thing went almost haywire a few nights before.
He didn't know what exactly was going on but he knew it included a monster, some kind of gate and a lot of screaming government assholes.
(Which was ironically to think since technically he could qualify as one.)
Secondly there was a missing boy. One Will Byres hadn't returned home and now the whole town was panicking about it.
Steve felt sorry for the kid. Whatever mess the lab did this time was probably connected and now Steve is going to be the one to clean it up.
Which he really hoped he didn't have to. He hated killing kids.
They made him remember the time, he was the one small and inocently asking himself if he is ever going to get out. Well, he got out.
What was he thinking again? Ah, right. There was something going on. Because lastly there was one and only, winner of the best sociopathic scientist of the century, Martin Brenner in his damn living room.
Steve ignored how the older man made him feel. There were days he dreamt about cutting the other man's throat open and there were days he wanted to beg him for his love.
It was rather pathetic, but Papa knew how to get what he wanted.
»Tea?« asked Steve. He knew that even if he made it the man wouldn't drink it. Which was surprisingly stupid of him. Poison was to kind of a dead for him.
»No thank you, Seven,« smiled the man. »I am afraid I can't stay long enough.«
Steve knew he was lying. It took him years to learn to take Papa's words as half-truths at best.
His visit could mean only two things. A job or a check-in. Whatever it was, was important.
»So, what's the job?« he asked. The faster he gets the information less time he is going to spend with Brenner.
»We only came to check on you,« said Brenner.
Steve tried to keep surprise from his face. So, they think he knows something. Or is hiding something.
But what would he tried to hide from them. They had a pretty good deal right now. They keep him to live his own life outside of the lab and he is going to use his powers when they need them.
Of course they didn't actually leave him alone because that would be to much to ask. They still had people looking after him and were in constant belief he is going to snap and went on a killing spree.
That's why Hawkins was perfect. It was close to his previous prison, small enough they couldn't lose him, but big enough they weren't that suspicious.
It wasn't exactly a normal life, but it was closer then he could ever imagine. He could even go to school and made friends.
So what exactly they think he would sacrifice all of that for? The list was short. But there was one thing that first came to mind. And it sent a cold felling all over his back. He pushed down the anger that came with it for later use.
But he couldn't exactly say it. That would be like confirmating their suspicious. And he would rather die than return to that hell.
»What exactly did you did this time?« he asked and rubbed the bridge of his nose. If he could just pretend he hadn't already guessed what it is. Good thing he learned from the best.
»Nothing that we can't handle,« said Brenner with that conviction even Steve almost believed him.
»I just wanted to ask you to keep an eye for things and then report back to me.«
»Of course,« smiled Steve like it was actually a request. Then he added a soft »Papa,« to get a point across. Even if the word was wrong and so so right on his thoung.
Brenner smiled and in another world that would be actually a genuine proud father's smile. But in this world it was a reminder of all of the terrible things the man did. For what. The so called LOVE.
He left himself in an awkward hug that shouldn't made him want to curl futher, but it did and then watched the man leave.
He waited exactly thirty minutes, checking security and preparing already prepared bag. He tossed an extra set of clothes, just in case he was right. Then he checked security again and left.
He hopefully has a sibling to find. And this time he is not walking away as the only survival.