Chapter Text
Everything had gone to shit. In the span of two months, the quiet, taint town of Hawkins had dissolved into a back-alley dump, overrun by panicking civilians and religious fanatics raising the satanic panic as high as possible, quite literally- posters were raised up in the air, plastered on walls, their chants echoed through the air if you dared to get anywhere near the church. Mike never did, none of the group did. Their faces were known, targeted by practically everyone. Hated by the godly christians and, even worse, the army, which had overtaken the town to the best of their abilities. Army cars drove through the streets, although did little to stop the looting. That wasn’t their focus. Who would have thought that the four ripples (or gates to hell as they were named) in the ground would take top priority?
They had closed the borders of the town within days of it happening, only allowing select families to leave if they consented to rigorous testing, isolation and regular checkups in their new residence. You can imagine how few really got permission to leave.
Corrupt fucks, Mike snarled as one of the cars passed the dark alley in which he stood. Was it safe for him to go out for resources? No. But staying in the bunker was torment, especially when most people were somehow helping- Dustin was forming theories and helping with their cell towers, Nancy, Jonathan and Steve carried out plans outside the bunker with occasional help from Hopper and Joyce, who were mostly occupied with keeping everyone alive and safe and Will was doing his best to enhance his connection with Vecna, doing his best to figure out a way to help them. The only one not doing anything of the sort was…Lucas.
The thought made him bite his cheek as he advanced toward Melvalds where he planned to loot the storage rooms for which Joyce had kept the key. Lucas didn’t spend much time with them ever since Max was…taken. Kidnapped. Killed. Hell knows. She was there one day and the next her hospital bed was empty, she’d been discharged and no one could tell them anything. No sign of her family either. Lucas had a right to do nothing at all. They were all willing to give him space, although unbearably concerned for his well being.
What else, Mike was the least likely to be stopped. He snuck into Melvalds through the back door (which was already broken down) and tried to find the lock in which the key fit. He sighed at another unpleasant thought, even if it was currently working in his favour. Will couldn’t even go outside without Joyce harping over him. Dustin's willingness to sacrifice himself was constantly checked by Steve and Eleven wouldn’t even think about leaving, knowing the dangers it poses. But out of all of them, Mike was of least use to the army. They’d celebrate over getting their hands on El or Will, but him? What did they gain from him? He was useless.
Melvalds had nothing. Nothing of use to him or anyone else- seasonal toys, appliances…He grabbed a few whiteboard markers and some notebooks, pens…He grabbed a box of coloured pencils and shoved it into his bag along with everything else.
“What are you doing?”
Mike flung his limbs in all directions, calling out in surprise as he turned to face Lucas of all people standing in the doorway, looking at him with an empty face. It took him a while to calm his breathing. “Jesus, Lucas, you nearly killed me!”
Lucas didn’t answer, his face stuck in a constant pout. A face Mike was only used to seeing when they had fought as kids. He supposed Lucas didn’t have anyone to stop him from wandering about either. The silence seemed to momentalise this similarity between them.
“I’m gathering supplies.” He patted his bag. “And you?”
“Didn’t take you for a thief…” Lucas tilted his head, half joking. Mike chuckled, unsure still.
“Pretty sure the owner’s been abducted, so…” Mike shrugged, with an awkward smile. The abductions (most definitely by demogorgons and other creepy crawlies, or maybe the dunce just fell into one of the gates) had started again since the gates opened. None of them were sure what for or if it even was Vecna’s doing. They knew so very painfully little. Especially since Vecna hadn’t shown himself in any other way.
At this point the silence became awkward more than anything, and Lucas seemed to feel it. He pushed off the doorframe and walked off into the front of Melvalds. Neither of them had anything to say. Mike wanted to say something, show him that he was there for him or…or...Anything! Anything at all! But there simply wasn’t anything to say. His jaw moved from side to side as his teeth played with his gums. He followed him out: “Where are you going?”
“I’m checking the Barrickades. Maybe there’s a hole in one of the fences.” He walked off. It didn’t seem like he wanted Mike to follow. But then again, Mike wouldn’t know. He never knew. Not with him, not with eleven, not with his best friend. He closed his eyes hard and sighed, deciding to return to camp.