And His Name Was Steve

Chapter 7: The Preparation Phase

A/N: Hey guys! This chapter includes: bullying, cursing, monsters, blood, physical touch, family issues, fighting, and mentions of missing children and death. Just wanted to let y'all know <3. Anyways I hope you enjoy!
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Saturday: November 12, 1983

"NANCY, LEA!!" His voice was heard but he wasn't seen. The girls scattered around the strange woods, begging to be saved by someone. "We're gonna die!!" Lea screeched, refusing to look behind to see if the monster was close.

"Jonathan! Jonathan! Jonathan we're right here!!" Nancy screamed, twirling around as she looked for him. "Nancy! Lea!" The girls jumped over logs, their hearts beating faster than the speed of light. "Jonathan, where are you!?" Lea wailed while she followed closer behind Nancy. "I'm right here!" "Jonathan!!" "I'm right here! Lea! Nancy! Just follow my voice!" Nancy's eyes were bloodshot and her body was drenched in a mysterious goo. Her chest heaved as she wrapped her arms around Lea. "We need to get out of here," Lea sobbed as she pulled away. "Follow my voice! I'm right here!" Lea grasped Nancy's hand, "C'mon!" "NANCY! LEA!" Jonathan's voice echoed around them. Their feet pounded against the sticky and moist ground. "Lea, I'm scared." Nancy wiped her tears away as they continued to run. "Me too, but we gotta get out of here!" "Nancy! Lea!" As they spun around a tree, the gray glossy creature snarled. It towered over them, its body looked like the size of the empire state building. "AHHHHHH!" Lea seized Nancy's arm, lugging her body away from the monster. "NANCY! LEA!" The girls panted before hiding behind a treel. Their fingers interlocked, squeezing each other like a stress ball. The growling grew closer and closer. Its footsteps sounded like the earth was cracking below it. The demogorgon touched the opposite side of the tree, its nails digging into the moist bark. Lea and Nancy scrunched their faces, tilting their heads to each other so their foreheads touched.

Lea saw Steve teaching her to swing at the playground when they were six. "Push your legs! You can do it!" His warm hands pressed against her back. Then, she was crying into Steve's arms, "He's gone. He's never coming back." Steve kissed her forehead and played with her hair. "I'm always here for you, Lea. I love you so much, I'm so sorry you're going through this. Let it out, love. Let it out." He patted her back as she continued to cry. Her body began to sway as she turned to her left to see Steve passed asleep in the hammock next to her. His gentle snores and the steaming water calmed her. She nestled into his chest before closing her eyes. When they opened she was playing D&D with Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and Will. "Fireball or protection Will!?" The boys laughed badgering Will. "Uhhh-" "Cast protection!" "No, fireball!" Lights began to flash and there she was: playing hockey with her dad and Dustin. "C'mon Dusty! Shoot!" Lea cheered. Dustin smiled and passed it to Lea instead. She made the shot, right between her dad's legs. "YAY!!" Dustin dropped his stick and wrapped her in a hug. "I knew you could do it sis," he whispered. Her dad gave her a hug from behind. "Lea strikes again! That's my girl!"

Lea gasped as she regained consciousness. From the corner of her eye, she saw the monster stalk off into the distance. "Nancy, let's go home," she pointed to the tunnel. Nancy took a deep breath before nodding. They both crawled into the gaping hole quietly and stealthily. The mushy wet ground squelched beneath their knees. When they reached the end, Nancy stuck her hand through the goo coating. "Jonathan!" She screamed. "Nancy!" He strained attempting to pull her out. With every muscle in their bodies, she pushed and he pulled. Within moments the wet barrier ruptured and Nancy toppled on top of him. "Jonathan..." she broke, tears streamed down her face. Jonathan helped sit her up and rocked her back and forth. One hand was on her head and the other on her lower back. "It's okay. I'm here." Lea crawled through the opening and enveloped herself around the two. "We're okay now." She sobbed, wetting Jonathan's jacket. With a loud crack, the group peered over to the tree. Wood and bark grew over the tunnel. It's goo disappeared and the tree began to reform. Lea touched the new grown wood. "What the fuck?"
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