The Next-Door Down

Arguing

"Oh..um..okay." You say, stepping away from the stranger, a little offended.

You itch the back of your neck, noticing how the tension in the room had increased rapidly.

Mike carefully approaches the girl, she didn't seem to be afraid of him so why was she afraid of you?

You watch as Mike escorts her to the den he'd made as the other two continue their heated discussion.

"Do you really think she's escaped from Penshurst?" Dustin asks Lucas.

"What's Penshurst?" You question.

"The local asylum." Dustin speaks as if it were obvious.

They both go quiet for a minute, contemplating the suggestion.

"Well, I wouldn't want her in my house." Lucas adds.

The three of you stare at Mike as he spoke quietly to the girl.

You couldn't help but wonder what had made her so afraid of you.

"Y/n." Mike says, breaking the trance.

You meet his gaze but to your horror he looked almost suspicious of you.

Mike quickly glances back at the cowering girl as she hid herself behind the blankets before getting to his feet and walking towards you and the others.

"No offence or anything..." Mike says, looking to the floor awkwardly, "But she looks terrified of you so do you mind leaving now?"

You were shocked that your new friend thought so little of you, it was lucky that Dustin and Lucas were there to back you up.

"Mike!" Lucas squints, "You're going to ditch someone we've known for.. twelve hours.."

Your face falls as you listen to his voice trail off, realising that they were more interested in the crazy girl that they had found in the forest.

You pull your rucksack up on your shoulders, looking at the floor as you walk out of the basement.

You knew that Dustin was biting his nails, clearly feeling guilty.

You could hear their voices even though you'd slammed the basement door behind you.

Instead of leaving, you stop and wait behind the wooden door, eager to hear what they thought of you even though you were sure it wasn't going to be nice.

"Come on guys, she's one of us now! She's helped us try to find Will-" Dustin begins only to be cut off by Lucas.

"Yeah, and what's she helped us find? A weirdo?I told you something was up with her." Lucas argues.

"Yeah, I see what you mean by the air around her." Mike's voice echoes.

"Guys! She's nice th-" Dustin continues to argue in your favour but gets interrupted again.

Only this time not by the others but by the girl.

"Lab." She says the singular word yet you could hear it clearer than day.

"What are you saying?" Mike says, clearly rushing over towards her, "Are you saying she's from the lab?"

"Yes.. bad.."

You were beginning to hate her voice.