A Different Point of View

6. Monster

7th November 1983, 9:10 pm

SEVEN'S POV

I set off, doing my best to remember the direction I had come from, based on distinct trees and rocks. After traveling for what seemed to be hours, even though in reality it was only probably one or two, I came across a small hut. It was roughly built but it looked sturdy. I looked into the distance to see a small house. It was one story and definitely not luxurious, but probably cozy.

I made my way to the front of the hut to see the words 'Castle Byers' written on a piece of wood at the entrance. I brush my hand against the wood, giving myself a small splinter. "Ow," I whisper to myself as I try to pick the splinter out. It finally gives, only letting a few drops of blood seep through my skin, and onto the ground.

I slowly open the door to reveal a cozy but small space. There was an empty sleeping bag, some blankets, and a small table, where several drawings lay, swaying slightly in the wind.

I smile at the small room before deciding to leave the hut to see if I could find food at the house in the distance. As soon as I walked out of the door to the hut, the whole world had changed. Slime and vines covered every inch of every surface, and spores filled the air. I noticed a definite temperature change.

What was funny about this was I recognized it. Not the area necessarily, but the vines, slime, spores, and temperature drop.

After a few seconds of taking in my surroundings, I heard a low growling coming from somewhere nearby. In a panic, I hurry back inside 'Castle Byers' to now find it now occupied...

My jaw dropped.

How did I not see this boy lying here not a minute ago? I mean, honestly, right now that's the least of my concerns. I lightly shake him on the shoulder, trying to get him to wake up.

"Hey, wake up. What's happening? Can you please explain?" I plead, my eyes filled with terror.

I look at the young boy, probably around my age as he wearily opens his eyes. We held eye contact for a few seconds before he closed his eyes again and drifted off into to sleep.

"Hey no wait, wake up!" I whisper-shouted, not wanting whatever was growling earlier to hear me. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Yep, it definitely heard me. I heard the growling growing louder and before long I could hear heavy footsteps walking towards me.

I rush out of 'Castle Byers', my adrenaline going crazy. I look in the direction I had once come from to see a dark slimy figure edging its way closer to me. Without hesitation, I sprint the opposite way, towards the house in the distance.

As I make my way to the back door, I run inside, not caring if anybody was home. I don't bother looking behind me and instead try to find something around the house that will help me. I look all around the house before noticing a small poster hidden behind the vines. I move the vines out of the way to reveal the writing on the poster. I pick up the poster and it read; 'Have you seen me?' I looked at the poster for a split second and go to put it back down, but my eye caught a certain detail on the poster.

I pulled the poster back towards me to get a better look at it. A photo, of a boy. The boy I saw in 'Castle Byers'... what?

It's probably just an old poster... maybe the boy went missing for a bit in the past. I mean, the poster looked new and the photos didn't look too old but I shrugged it off and let the poster fall to the ground as I once again, scurried around looking for something to help me.

Then, I heard the door creak open, making me look up in horror.

My nerves steadied a little when I see the boy from 'Castle Byers' standing in the doorway, cold and wet. He was shivering and looked quite dreary. "Use the phone, hanging on the wall there," He ordered, pointing to a small object hanging on the wall. I've seen one of those before. I kind of know how they work, but I don't know what to do with them.

"Dial 911!" He shouted before running into the house, closing the door behind him. "Hurry! We don't have much time!" He yelled again, now making his way over to me so that he could hear the phone conversation as well.

I obeyed as fast as I could and entered the digits 9-1-1 into the phone. The phone started to ring.

Before long, the back door once again creaked open. I looked up and to my greatest displeasure... it was here.

JOYCE'S POV

"That's it, that's the one-" I was cut off by the phone ringing. I put the photo in my and down and ran to the phone fast, hoping Hopper had found my boy. "Hello?" I ask, "Who is this?" I asked again, my eyes wide and my heart anxious.

SEVEN'S POV

"Hello? Who is this?" I heard through the phone, though I could barely hear the quiet voice over the sounds of the monster growling. Yes, a monster. Well, that's what it looked like at least. It was edging its way towards us, growing louder and louder with each step. I glance at the boy, who was just staring at the monster in shock and fear, frozen in place. I could hear him hyperventilating heavily and quite loudly.

JOYCE'S POV

I waited for a response but instead heard a low growling. "Who is this?" I questioned in a shaky voice. I could feel hot tears starting to form in my eyes. "Mom who is it?" Jonathan asked. I bit my lower lip and glanced at him for a split second before hearing more sounds coming through the phone.

Breathing. His breathing.

"Will?! Will honey is that you?!" I yelled, my knees shaking violently. I continue to hear a mix of growling and my son's breathing over the phone. "What have you done to my boy!" I yell at the phone, tears streaming down my face.

SEVEN'S POV

By this point, I can barely even hear the person speaking on the phone. When the monster was about 2 meters away from the boy and I, I finally broke out of the trance I was in, dropped the phone and grabbed the boy's arm and just start to run.

When I say I have never run so fast in my life, I mean it. I glanced over my shoulder to see the monster walking past the phone. It looked like it was fully capable of chasing us, probably even running faster than us, but it just chose not to. Why? I have no clue. I did, however, see it walk past the phone line and brush past it, creating a zap, running through the power line. After this, the monster just stared at us, well kind of. It didn't really have a face.

I turned my head back to face in front of me as I continue running with this boy I just met, through the dark, slimy woods in front of his house.

JOYCE'S POV

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BOY?? GIVE ME BACK MY SON-" I screamed, but was cut off by a loud ZAP. I lost my balance and dropped the phone, almost stumbling towards the ground. Jonathan walked up to the phone and started banging on it.

"Who is this?" He asks in a much calmer but still worried tone than mine.

I just stood there, leaning against the table for sturdiness, full of shock. Literally. I just got electrocuted by my phone... not to mention I could hear my boy's breathing... Something had him though, I could hear an eery growling. I could feel my entire body tremble as I started to sob with my head in my palms.