Angelica "Freak Two" Munson

Chapter 8

Steve lifts Angie from the ground, one hand cradling her, the other gripping the bat, ready for anything.

"Come on, Steve! Hurry! Let's go!" the kids shout.

Steve swings the bat warningly as he steps onto the bus. "Get back! Get the hell back!"

"Oh my God! That's a lot of blood!"

"Holy shit! I'm gonna puke!" Max whines.

"Thanks, Max," Angie mutters, as Dustin wraps Lucas's bandana tightly over the wound.

"At least her sarcasm's still intact," Max whispers, suppressing a gag.

The bus shakes as creatures slam against it. 

Steve slams another piece of metal over the door before stomping it in place. "Apply pressure! Make sure she doesn't bleed out!"

"I'm working on it!" Dustin grits his teeth, pressing down hard. "This is gonna hurt. Sorry."

Angie screams as pain radiates from her leg.

The bus rocks violently, almost tipping. 

High-pitched screeches ring out. 

A demodog breaks through the barrier, lunging for Angie. 

Steve swings the bat, keeping it at bay, while Max grabs another piece of metal to reinforce the door.

Dustin releases Angie's leg long enough to call for help on the Cerebro. "Is anyone there? Mike? Will? God! Anyone!"

A massive paw print slams inches from his head.

"Shit! Shit! Shit! Angie's hurt bad, guys! We're at the junkyard, and we're gonna die!"

Footsteps pound the roof as one demodog appears through the fire hatch. 

Max screams.

"Get out of the way!" Steve shoves the kids back. "You want some? Come get this!"

The demodog screeches but suddenly stops, noticing something in the distance. 

With a final growl, it flees with the others.

"What just happened?" Lucas asks, staring at the empty space.

"Maybe Steve scared 'em off?" Dustin offers.

"No... they're going somewhere," Steve mutters. 

He hands the bat to Lucas and lifts Angie again. 

She cries from the pain, tears streaking her face.

"I know, I know," he murmurs, brushing sweat-stuck hair from her face. "Just hold on a little longer, Ange."

Steve stumbles down the steps after the kids, carrying Angie.

"Can she walk?" Lucas asks, eyeing the gaping wound.

"No. Even if the pain was bearable, she's basically unconscious," Steve pants.

"She really needs a doctor," Max states.

"Yeah, I know," Dustin sighs. "But we can't risk losing track of the demodogs."

"We can't risk her bleeding out either. Not an option," Steve argues. "Max, Lucas, help me get her down so I can make a proper bandage."

Once she's on the ground, Steve points at Dustin. "Take off your jacket."

"Why?"

"Just do it. Hurry."

Dustin strips off his thin jacket.

"You don't have any important attachments, right?"

"No, why—"