It was midday, the sun was high and it was a warm day in Hawkins, Indiana.

Max had been in her room, fixing the wheel to her skateboard as it had fallen off earlier that day. She was listening to music, too. Her door had been left a crack open.

Neil Hargrove and her mom had gone out, it was just her and Billy left at home. It was something she opposed, but never complained to adults about. It wasn’t anything she had control over. Neither did Billy.

She could tell Billy didn’t like it, either. They hardly talked to one another, they often spent the day in their rooms rather than to interact with one another.

She had heard a knock on the front door. She put her stuff aside, as she knew Billy was about to request that she open it.

“I’ll get it!” She shouted loud enough for her step-brother to hear.