His Tenebris Moenibus - A Stranger Things Story

006

March 1986

"The Devil has come to America." Eddie read aloud from the magazine in his hands. "Dungeons and Dragons. At first regarded as a harmless game of make-believe now has both parents and psychologists concerned. Studies have linked violent behavior go the game, saying it promotes satanic worship, ritual sacrifice, sodomy, suicide, and even... murder."

The group of five laughed at the absurdity. Emily let out a snort with her laugh, snatching one of the pretzels off of Eddie's tray. He flicked her ear in response, yet she paid it no mind. She spotted Mike and Dustin across the room, smirking.

"Society has to blame something. We're easy targets." Ryan said next to Emily.

"Exactly. We're the freaks because, what, we like to play a fantasy game? But..." Eddie stood up onto the table. "As long as you're into band, or science, or parties, or a game where you toss balls into laundry baskets!"

"You want something, freak?" Star basketball player Jason Carver asked Eddie. He just replied by making a face and gross noises. Jason grimaced and sat down.

"It's forced conformity. That's what's killing the kids!" Eddie shouted at a few girls as he ran back down the table. "That's the real monster. Not us and our game, no way in hell."

"And you see even fewer girls in the game. It's one big boys club." Emily snorted.

"For the last time, get your nasty ass feet off the table, we're eating here." Eddie said, shoving her mud covered boots off the edge.

"Why are you so bothered, Eddie, you eat shit every other day." Emily shot back, making a show of putting her boots back up. The others let out laughs and 'ooos' as Eddie sighed.

"Sometimes I even wonder why I let you in." He said, flicking her shoulder.

"Because I'm a freak just as you all are. You think it's easy walking around like I'm a maskless Phantom of the Opera?"

"Please, you hide in the woods all day, I rarely ever see you in town, and even then you're usually ambling down Morehead."

"And yet I still show up here in the end, diving ass first into public high school. That's scarier than any campaign you could cook up." Emily turned up her chin as if that ended the arguement. Eddie sighed.

"What do you want, a medal? You show up here for a couple days every few weeks and then you screw off again. I mean, where do you go all the time?" He said, gesturing broadly.

"Around."

"Does 'around' include a booty call?" Jeff asked. Another chorus of 'ooos' rang out, Emily's face turning pink with anger.

"I get more action than all you losers combined." She snapped.

"Doubtful, considering he doesn't exist." Eddie said, emphasizing his words.

"He goes. To another school." Emily said, getting right into Eddie's face and punctuating her words.

"What's it called?"

"What are you, a cop?"

"I can be if you don't tell me."

"My personal life is none of your business. Besides, you do too many drugs to be a cop. How do you get those, anyway?"

"You're deflecting, you just don't wanna admit that you've been lying."

"Why would I keep up the lie for this long?"

"Because you live a sad, pathetic life, unable to graduate from high school. So you craft this boyfriend in your head to help you cope with your own inadequacy."