Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"ALL RIGHT, SO, LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT." Romeo, Steve, and Dustin walk through the woods, throwing raw meat on the ground as they go, hoping it will lead Dart towards them. Dustin was explaining to the two older boys about why he kept the creature in the first place, and Steve is having a difficult time wrapping his head around the reason. "You kept something you knew was probably dangerous in order to impress a girl who... who you just met?"
"All right," Dustin rolled his eyes, completely offended. "That's grossly oversimplifying things."
"I mean, why would a girl like some nasty slug anyways?"
Romeo walked ahead of the two, not participating in the conversation because he was lost in his own thoughts. So lost that he didn't even notice that Steve and Dustin's voices drifted away. Everything turned cold, causing a shiver to go up Romeo's spine. He stops, swearing to himself when everything around him has that blue tint that haunts his dreams. He's back in the upside down.
"Hello, Romeo."
That voice.
The voice of that blond man, who dressed head to toe in white and had piercing blue eyes.
"Don't be afraid." The man was suddenly in front of him, placing what was supposed to be a comforting hand on Romeo's cheek. "I'm not going to hurt you. We've been over this."
"What do you want?" Romeo clenched his jaw, doing everything in his power to resist the urge to slap the man's hand away. But he relented, remembering the reaction it caused last time.
The blond man blinked, tilting his head to the side with a small smile on his face. "You've forgotten your purpose."
"I...?" Romeo trailed off, closing his eyes tightly. "You're not real." The grip on his face tightened, causing him to whimper slightly. "You're not real."
"Sh..." One hummed, placing his other hand on Romeo's jaw so that he was cupping his face with both hands. "Romeo, look at me. Open your eyes."
He hesitantly did as told, his green eyes meeting blue.
"Good boy."
"What's my purpose?" Romeo breathed out, breathing deeply through his nose, trying his best to stay calm.
The blond leaned forward so their foreheads were touching. "I chose you, Romeo. I know you won't betray me."
"I don't even know you."
"But I know you." One laughed, "I know what you're capable of. I don't underestimate you. Not like your friends do. They think you're weak. You have these powers. You are powerful, and they still don't believe in you."
Romeo just blinked at the man, anger beginning to swirl in his eyes, "Don't try and manipulate me. I'm not stupid."
One laughed darkly at that, "I know you're not stupid. I wouldn't have chosen you if you were." He moved back, giving Romeo his space. "You have to learn how to master your powers. If you don't... that friend of yours... Steve? Was it? Might not make it."
