The Girl With The Flamethrower

I.I.I

Kimberly leans against a mossy log, filling in her latest entry about oak trees, and researches different things that can cause them to rot.

"I don't understand," she mutters to herself and sits up staring at the hole in the base of the tree covered in slime, and looks to be causing it to decay. But she can't find anything in her books to explain what it could be.

The thing about Kimberly Henderson was that she didn't really get along with people very much, and tended to avoid them whenever she could. That was when she wasn't working at the arcade. So she took refuge in the woods and liked to document her surroundings. She found sketching and identifying different plants and animals to be relaxing and has done so since she was eleven years old.

Lately, she's been identifying different types of moss and fungi, and the different properties they can have when she stumbled upon the weird-looking tree bark, and naturally began to investigate.

When she finally lost all the sunlight is when she wandered inside, planning to look at the entry tomorrow with fresh eyes.

🌳🎒🌳

Dustin storms into the house, the door slamming shut behind him.

"Whoa, did you guys lose the campaign or something?" Kimberly chuckled from her spot on the couch.

"No Kimmy- well yes, but that's not what I'm upset about." He sighed and plopped down next to his older sister, "I just lost my X-Men 134 to Will. Will!"

She laughed, "Well could always say you can't find it when he asks about it. And how many times have I told you not to bet your comics away?"

He just grumbles.

"Have you eaten anything? How was the campaign?" She holds out her popcorn bowl to him.

"Ya, we had pizza," he took a few pieces, "It was good. We got crushed by the Demogorgon though."

"Ooo Mike brought out the Demogorgon? Nice! No wonder you all got crushed, you three are no match for it," Kimberly laughs again.

"Oh shut up!"

"Need me to drive you to school tomorrow or are you taking your bike?"

"Bike, I'd like to actually get to school alive."

"I'm not that bad of a driver! I mean... not usually," Dustin gave her a look, "Ok it wasn't my fault the breaks went out that one time, and you know that."

"If you say so."

"Oh shut up!"

🌳🎒🌳

Kimberly grabs her bag, ready to head out for school when the phone starts to ring. She groans, and answers it, "Hello?"

"Kimberly? Did Will happen to spend the night last night?" Joyce asks.

"Oh no, I'm sorry, I didn't see him ride off with Dustin this morning either. Is everything ok?" Her brows furrowed, worried for the young boy.

The mother's worry was very evident over the phone, "I'm not sure. He's not in his room, and Jonathon hasn't seen him either."

"Maybe he left for school super early? I know the boys were really excited about the new radio Mr.Clarke is supposed to be getting in. Maybe he's just at school and forgot to leave a note?"

Joyce sighs, "I hope so. Thank you, Kimberly."

"Ya of course, I'll keep an eye out for him too. I gotta get to school too, but I'm sure he's ok and just totally forgot," the brunette tried to reassure the older woman.