OUTCASTS • Eddie Munson

The Dungeon Master

Ellie spent the rest of the school day feeling like she was on the edge of her seat. The minutes ticked by taking longer than they usually would, which didn't help as the classes were the typical pre-break drawl in which even the teachers didn't want to be there.

Her leg bounced up and down repeatedly, pencil tapping against the side of her notebook. She just waited patiently for the sound of the school bell signalling that she could leave.

Dustin had agreed to letting her spectate the Hellfire Club game, knowing that Eddie probably wouldn't be too impressed, but he figured he wouldn't say no if he was put on the spot, not that he told Ellie that. He'd cross that bridge when he came to it.

They would be meeting at the end of school in the cafeteria, where Dustin would introduce him to his friend Mike, of whom he knew definitely wouldn't be happy he was allowing Ellie to join them, but he couldn't really care.

Luckily they'd managed to convince Erica to join them for their final night of the campaign, perhaps a better D&D player than Dustin's other friend Lucas, most certainly more enthusiastic, seeing as Lucas was more focused on being a benchwarmer in the final of the school's basketball tournament.

Dustin also watched the minutes tick by, almost jumping for joy when the last bell of the term rang loud, some students actually cheering as they rushed out of their seats towards the door of the classroom.

He strolled out the door, flashing a grin at his teacher, and walked straight towards Mike's locker, where he was already waiting.

"Hey." They greeted each other, both smiling briefly at each other before making their way towards Dustin's locker to drop off his stuff.

"So where are we meeting Erica?" Mike asked.

"By the buses" Dustin responded, hesitating before adding "but we've got to meet someone else first."

He kept his eyes forward, feeling Mike's eyes giving him a questioning look.

"Who?" He prodded after a moment of silence.

"You'll see." Dustin told him, still not looking at him as he knew his expression would show Mike that he wasn't going to like it.

Mike huffed, deciding to just follow Dustin through the halls.

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Ellie sat on one of the empty tables, flicking the lid of her cigarettes open and closed like she always does, her anxiety settling in, as this was the first time since she left her house this morning, that she was alone.

The sound of the cafeteria door being pushed open made her jump a little. Two boys walked into the empty hall, both sporting "Hellfire Club" T-Shirts. She placed a cigarette in her mouth, her face becoming a blank canvas for emotion like it was when she met Dustin for the first time.

"Hi!" Dustin exclaimed enthusiastically, happy to see that Ellie hadn't changed her mind and still wanted to come and spectate their game.

"Hey!" She responded, her lips turning up at him before she sparked her cigarette.

"Who's this?" Mike asked, no regard for formalities before stopping Dustin from walking any closer to her, and pulling him for a 'private chat'

"That's Ellie" Dustin responded, beaming at Mike in a passive aggressive way, removing his arm from Mike's grip and continuing to approach Ellie.

"Why are we meeting her?" Mike whisper yelled at Dustin, fully aware that they were probably within her earshot by now as the cafeteria was empty and he wasn't very good at whispering.