𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 | 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧

006

006- the hive mind

"You're positive that was Dart?" Lucas asked as they walked along the train tracks. "Yes. He had the same exact yellow pattern on his butt." Dustin insisted. "He was tiny two days ago." Max spoke from behind the group. "Well he's molted three times already." He explained. "Malted?" Steve furrowed his brows. "Molted." He corrected. "Shed his skin to make room for growth like hornworms."

"When's he gonna molt again?" Indi asked curiously. "It's gotta be soon. When he does, he'll be fully grown or close to it, and so will his friends." Dustin explained. "Yeah, and he's gonna eat a lot more than just cats." Steve sighed. "Wait, a cat? Dart ate a cat?" Lucas asked, eyes wide. "No. What? No." Dustin panicked. "What are you talking about? He ate Mews." Steve stated, equally as confused as the rest.

"Mews? Who's Mews?" Max asked. "It's Dustin's cat." He said as if it were obvious. "Steve!" Dustin yelled. "I knew it! You kept him!" Lucas looked to Dustin annoyed. "No! No. No I... He missed me. He wanted to come home." Dustin explained, almost a sad tone layering his voice. "Bullshit!" Lucas yelled. "I didn't know he was a demogorgon!" Dustin argued. "Oh so now you admit it?" He asked.

"Guys- who cares? We need to leave." Indi spoke, trying to break up their argument. "I care! You put the party in jeopardy! You broke the rule of law!" He continued yelling. "So did you!" Dustin yelled back. "You told a stranger the truth." He shined the light in Max's face. "You did too!" Lucas argued. "I had to tell her! She walked into my cellar and saw Dart's tunnel and skin, there's no good excuse for that Lucas!" He yelled. "We both broke the rule of law, okay? So we're even, we're even." Dustin sighed. Lucas continued to argue when Indi noticed Steve stepping off to the side. "Guys." He said worriedly.

"Guys!" He yelled, catching everyone's attention to the nearby screeching. Everyone followed towards the sound running through the trees. "Hey guys? Why are you heading towards the sound! Hello?" Max called. "Max, just come on!" Indi yelled. They walked through the forrest until they came to a cleaning on the top of the hill. "I don't see him." Dustin stated. Lucas got out his binocular and looked around. "It's the lab." He said. "They were going back home."

We walked back through the woods towards the lab before we heard someone yelling. "Hello! Who's there?" They yelled. "Harrington who is that?" Indi asked, worry laced in her tone. "I guess we're gonna find out." He said as he stepped out of trees, everyone following behind.

"Steve?" The two people said in unison. Indi recognized the girl to be the same person who handed her the flyer to the Halloween party. "Nancy?" Steve asked. "Jonathon." Dustin said, walking closer. "What are you doing here?" She asked, seeming annoyed. "What are you doing here?" He asked. "We're looking for Mike and Will." She stated.

"They're not in there, are they?" Dustin asked, pointing to the lab. "We're not sure." She said. "Why?" Jonathon asked.  A familiar screech rang through the air, causing everyone to turn their heads away from the lab. Everyone started to panic, arguing about Mike and Will. "Who are you?" Nancy asked. "Uh- I'm Indi." She said awkwardly. "I'm Max's sister." She gave an awkward smile.

"The power's back." Nancy stated, looking towards the lab. Jonathan ran over to the gate, looking in the control box to see if it would budge. He pressed the button repeatedly, causing nothing to happen. "Let me try." Dustin walked into guard house. "Hang on."

"Let me try, Jonathan!" He shoved. He pressed the button, the gate still not moving. "Son of a bitch! You know what?" He pressed the button repeatedly, the gate opening this time. "Hey! I got it!" He smiled. Jonathon and Nancy got in the car, driving up to the lab to find Will and Mike.

"Harrington, I'm really wishing I would've looked both ways right about now." Indi paced. "What the hell did I get myself into." She sighed. "Hey." Steve grabbed her arm. "I'm sorry I ran you over and dragged you into this, but this is what we're dealing with now. We're in this together. All of us." He said softly, nodding his head towards the group of kids.