Trials of the Damned

0. The Fool: In which she knows little

"Tread wisely traveller for we know not what lies ahead or if we have the tools to fend off what lies below. One thing is for certain everything always has a way of coming to the surface, prepared or not"
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He was brooding, full-on arms crossed and listless glare out the window, brooding. As if there was so much on his mind before the 'big' prep rally, I could attest to the sulking to dad's usual 'People like us must do more than just stand out..' speech, but what he meant to say was 'Lucas Sinclair you're the second black boy on the team EVERYONE is expecting you to be great.' Releasing a sigh, and earning myself a glare from his reflection, I spoke while casting Lucas a couple of side glances. "You'll burn a hole through my window kid..." He scoffed as he dramatically turned his posture to now facing me, his gaze now scorning my temple. "Hawkins Laboratory seriously...?!" Those words were dripping with raw disgust as we pulled into the parking lot of the illustrious Hawkins High; of course like any boy going through puberty, he would most likely not tell me why his tone held such weight. "What do you mean? It's the only lab close enough to us without interrupting Ma and pop's schedules. Besides is that what you're worried about...?"

Lucas proceeded to shove the door open and stood on the outside, slumping over to get his bags as he spoke. "Yeah Harper, it is! You have no fucking idea what that place is...." Raising a brow at him in scepticism, I opened my mouth to speak right as he unceremoniously slammed the door on my face. The irritation of the unknown growing, I swung the door open gripping both it and the roof of the car. "LUCAS SINCLAIR DON'T CUSS AT ME." My voice boomed warning a few wayward stares, chewing on my bottom lip in discomfort I grabbed my bags and slammed the door shut. I could feel the braids atop my head throbbing as the gears in my head turned; if he was so upset you think he'd tell me why. Especially after he spent last year gallivanting around Hawkins.

Lost in thought as I made my way to the gym for the prep rally, it would be just my luck to bump into someone heading the opposite direction...? The scent of cigarettes, weed and plain ol' soap wafted between our collision, with an unceremonious eye roll I crouched down to begin collecting the scattered pencils and papers. "You should get your head out of the clouds, Harpie..." Standing with an unamused squint as the discarded items were returned, I came eye to eye with the 'infamous' Eddie Munson.

The man's rep includes but is not limited to drug dealing with the locals, garage band, mosh pitting, and the town's 'cult'. "The Hellfire Club-" I shook my head from the internal soliloquy I was having with his wrap sheet. "Excuse me..?" I asked looking at him with my usual raised brow. The wild hair man raised his hands in surrender as he smirked. "I was just asking if your brother was making it tonight..?" Squinting at him one last time before turning to walk away, I spoke back loudly. "Don't call me Harpie Munson..." A long-pitched whistle was heard signifying his exit in the opposite direction.

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As lunch came along, I stood in line, a tray of whatever poison they deemed food in hand. The lovely Chrissy to my left was going on about how sweet her boy toy was for professing his love during the prep rally, as we walked to our table. "How's my favourite class President doing- oh oh did you pick a dress for the after-party?!" With a mouth full of lettuce, crunched rapidly while looking at her gleaming eyes, which did little to hide that she obviously hasn't been sleeping well. We stared at each other for a moment before I noticed her get nervous. "I did pick something, are you still crashing at my place? You know my mom lets us drink her good wine.." Chrissy nodded excitedly before her sentence was cut off by yelling. Eddie was on another tirade about graduating, his worn combat boots narrowly missing lunches and his limber way of speaking around people helping him avoid another collision. Rolling my eyes I noticed Chrissy staring out the window with a panicked look cool sweat forming on her perky face. "Chris- you good? You look pale..." The petite blonde shot up gripping the straps of her book bag," I uhm- just remembered I have to go see Ms Kelly, I'll see you later." Slapping a chaste side hug on me, she ran off, well more so ran away.

Just as my intuition began telling me to follow her, Eddie threw himself in the seat in front of me, annoyance plastered on his face. "Harpi- Harper I vaguely remember asking if your brother could make it tonight.." Eddie's leg bounced in an anxious twitch all while he twirled his rings, as if summoning the power to hold eye contact with me. "That was his plan last I checked Munson, why?" He licked his lips leaning in to speak in an upset yet hushed tone. "He cancelled to warm the benc-" I set my can of lemonade on the table roughly while crossing my legs; his eyes followed the motions I made almost far too slowly. Starting from my ankle and back up to my face, I'd be lying if I said his gaze didn't make me squirm in my seat. Shaking his head he groaned leaning back in the seat," Listen, sweetheart, this is the bigg-" I cut him off for the third time now," I know Eddie, big campaign, Vecna. Yada Yada. Find a replacement and if it's a Sinclair which most likely will be the curfew is 8. Got it?" He stared back at me with a lop-sided smirk, rolling his tongue on the inside of his cheek. "The only thing I got is that you're a bit pretentious...or" Eddie leaned in fiddling the ends of his hair in between his ringed fingers. "Completely boring-."

Casting out a flabbergasted scoff I leaned in which obviously had him taken aback as he gave me a few rapid blinks. "I've got your replacement for your silly campaign, BUT you will escort me and Chrissy to this damn party." It was Munson's turn to scoff, "Babysit the two goody two shoes? Are you teasing me?" I pushed his forehead back with my index and pointer finger. "See you after school Eddie-!" I could hear an exasperated chuckle as I left.

The only thing I could think of for the reasonable half of the day is what Chrissy seemed so afraid of and why the heck Lucas hated Hawkins Lab.?

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