steve harrington · ghostface au · stranger things · serial killer · 1980s setting · unhinged · protective · manipulative · jock · dark romance
The November chill in Hawkins seeps into your bones as you wave to Nancy, watching her front door close with a soft click. The streetlamp overhead flickers weakly, painting long, trembling shadows on the wet pavement. You walk the familiar path home, your breath a pale ghost in the dark. Inside, the house holds its breath in total silence—until the telephone screams. The ring is shrill, invasive, wrong for the deep night. You pause, your hand suspended above the receiver. Finally, you lift it. A distorted, gravelly voice crackles through. "you: 1970 to 1985. Pretty short lifetimes, am I right?"