𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐒,, 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫

Chapter 2: Dungeons and Dragons

Over the next four months, Seven and Six lived under their aunt's roof. When Amy was at work, Jonathan would come over. He and Dawn would help teach the children enough so they could enter 7th grade with the other 12 year olds. At some point during the summer, Jonathan had introduced them to his younger brother, Will. Will, who was extremely excited, told his other friend; Mike, Dustin, and Lucas. Seven and Six were quickly taught how to play Dungeons and Dragons, often joining their campaigns.

By August, the twins were caught up both verbally and intellectually. They were able to enter the 7th grade as smoothly as a new kid possibly could.

Late November, 1983

"Something is coming. Something hungry for blood." Mike began, "A shadow grows on the wall behind you, swallowing you in darkness. It's almost here."
"What is it?" Seven quizzes.
"What if it's the Demogorgon?" Dustin adds, "Oh, Jesus, we're so screwed if it's the Demogorgon."
"It's not the Demogorgon." Lucas scoffs.
"An army of troglodytes charge into the chamber!" Mike slams a figurine onto the board.
"Troglodytes?"
"Told ya." Mike pauses and looks around nervously.

"Wait a minute. Did you hear that? That... that sound? Boom... boom... Boom!" He slams his hands on the table, startling the other boys.
"That didn't come from the troglodytes, no, that... That came from something else. The Demogorgon!" Mike slams another piece onto the board.
"We're in deep shit." Dustin blurts out.
"Six, your action!"
"I don't know!"
"Fireball him!" Lucas suggests.
"I'd have to roll a 13 or higher!"
"Too risky. Cast a protection spell." Dustin adds.
"Don't be a pussy. Fireball him!"
"Cast Protection."
"The Demogorgon is tired of your silly human bickering! It stomps towards you. Boom!"
"Fireball him, Six!"
"Another stomp, boom!"
"Cast Protection."
"He roars in anger!"
"Fireball!" Six calls out as he throws the dice onto the board. They roll off to the side sending the kids in a scavenge.

"Oh, shit!" Six exclaims.
"Where'd it go? Where is it?"
"I don't know!"
"Is it a 13?"
"I don't know!"
"Where is it?"
"Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" Dustin yelled.

"Mike! Mike!" Mike's mother, Karen, yelled from the top of the stairs.
"Can you find it yet?"
"No, I can't find it!"
"Mike!" Karen opened the door to the basement finding Mike at the bottom of the stairs.
"Mom, we're in the middle of a campaign!"
"You mean the end? Fifteen after." Karen leaves, causing Mike to follow after her.
"Why do we have to go?" Seven groans.

"Mom, wait, just 20 more minutes!"
"It's a school night, Michael. I just put Holly to bed. You can finish next weekend."
"But that'll ruin the flow!"
"Michael I'm serious."
"Mom, the campaign took two weeks to plan. How was I supposed to know it was gonna take ten hours?"
"You've been playing for ten hours?" Mike groans and turns to his father.
"Dad, don't you think that 20 more -"
"I think you should listen to your mother."

"Oh, I got it! Does the seven count?" Six questioned.
"It was a seven? Did Mike see it?" Six shook his head.
"Then it doesn't count." The group quickly gather their things. Dustin picks up the pizza box, finding one remaining slice.
"Yo, hey, guys. Does anyone want this?"
"No." They all reply.

As Dustin makes it up the stairs, he spots Nancy's open door and decides to offer her the last slice.
"Yeah. No, I don't think... Yeah, he's cute. Barb, no, I don't think so. Barb, you're not -" Eventually she spots Dustin waving from her door frame.
"Hey, Nancy. There's a slice left if you want it. Sausage and pepperoni!"
"Hold on." A smile grew on Dustin's face as she got and approached him. She flashed him a sarcastic smile before shutting the door in his face.

"There's something wrong with your sister."
"What are you talking about?"
"She's got a stick up her butt." Seven slightly giggles earning a side eye from Mike.
"Yeah. It's because she's been dating that douchebag, Steve Harrington." Lucas adds.
"Yeah, she's turning into a real jerk."
"She's always been a real jerk."
"Nuh-uh, she used to be cool." Lucas, Dustin, Will, Six and Seven get on their bikes and begin pedaling down the street.
"Like that time she dressed up as an elf for our Elder tree campaign."
"Four years ago!"
"Just saying."
"Later." Lucas called out.

As they made it further down the hill, Lucas turned into his driveway.
"Good night, ladies."
"Kiss your mom 'night for me." Dustin calls out.
"Race you back to my place? Winner gets a comic." Dustin added. Will, Six, and Seven agreed.
"Any comic?" Seven quizzed.
"Yeah." Seven dashes before the boys.
"Hey! Hey! I didn't say 'go'! Get back here! I'm gonna kill you!"
"I'll take your X-Men 134!" She yells as she passes Dustin's house. Will and Six laugh while catching up to her.

"That was hilarious!"
"I'll trade you for his X-Men." Will offered.
"Only if you'll give me your New Teen Titans." Will's breath suddenly hitched.
"That's what I thought. Night Will." She and Six pulled into Amy's driveway and tossing their bikes in the garage.

"You two are home late." Amy called from the kitchen.
"Sorry, Auntie Amy." Seven gave her a quick side hug.
"If you guys are still hungry there's leftovers in the fridge."
"Thanks." Six immediately swung the fridge door open pulling out the container of meatloaf at the bottom.
"Alright, don't stay up too late."
"We know."
"Goodnight." Amy made her way up the stairs leaving them to the leftovers.