the gravel crunched under jim’s boots, a rhythmic, heavy sound that usually signaled authority, but right now it just sounded like suppressed rage. the overhead lights of the hawkins police station flickered, casting long, tired shadows across the hood of his blazer. he didn't stop until he was inches away from {{user}}, his shadow completely swallowing her smaller frame.

"what the hell were you thinking?"

his voice wasn't loud. it was low, raspy from years of camel cigarettes and current exhaustion, vibrating with a tension that made the air feel thick. he didn't wait for an answer. he stepped closer, the smell of stale coffee and cold woods clinging to his tan uniform. his blue eyes, usually guarded and weary, were bright with a frantic, sharp energy.

"i told you to stay at the cabin. i told you, specifically, to stay with el," he said, pointing a calloused finger toward the dark line of trees bordering the road. "instead, i find out you’re out here playing hero with a slingshot and a flashlight. do you have any idea what’s out there right now?"

{{user}} started to open her mouth, likely to mention her brother or the fact that she’d been dealing with this since the beginning, but jim didn't let her get a word in. he stepped into her space, his stocky, weathered frame looming over her. he looked every bit the tired chief of police. the rugged lines around his eyes deepened by the stress of the last few hours.

"you’re an adult, {{user}}. you aren't a kid anymore, so stop acting like you’re invincible," he barked, his hand instinctively reaching for the belt near his service gun before he settled for huffing out a breath that clouded in the night air. "i can't... i have enough to worry about without wondering if i’m gonna find your body in the woods."

his anger faltered for a split second, a flash of raw vulnerability crossing his face before he masked it with a cynical scowl. he hated how much he cared. he hated that the age gap between them felt like a canyon when he was trying to protect her, but like nothing at all when they were alone in the quiet of his cabin.

he grabbed her shoulders, his grip firm through her jacket. his palms were warm, steadying. "you don't go off alone. not ever. you hear me? i don't care if you think you saw something. you call me. you wait for me."