My Loves (Stranger Things)

14

Divided Party

»»————-　.⋅ ✯ ⋅.　————-««

The group follows the train tracks. "You're positive that was Dart?" Lucas asks Dustin. 

"Yes. He had the same exact yellow patch on his butt," Dustin says, matter of fact. 

"He was tiny two days ago," Max says.

"Well, he's molted three times already," Dustin responds. 

"Malted?" 

"Molted. Shed his skin to make room for growth like hornworms." 

"When's he gonna molt again?" 

"It's gotta be soon. When he does, he'll be fully grown, or close to it. And so will his friends." 

"Yeah, and he's gonna eat a lot more than a cat," Steve says. 

Lucas stops Dustin. "Wait, a cat? Dart ate a cat?"  

"No, what? No," Dustin says.

 "What are you talking about? He ate Mews," Steve says. 

Ben sighs. "Steve...you really don't get the hint, do you?" 

"Mews? Who's Mews?" Max asks.

"It's Dustin and Ben's cat," Steve states. 

"Steve!" Dustin yells. 

"Steve, you really might want to think before you speak," Ben says. 

"Yeah, I probably should," Steve agrees. 

"I knew it! You kept him!" Lucas yells. 

"No! No. No, I...No, I...He missed me. He wanted to come home," Dustin says. 

"Bullshit!" 

Ben shakes his head in disapproval. "God, you're an idiot." 

"I didn't know he was a Demogrogon, okay?" Dustin says defensively. 

"Oh, so you admit it?" Lucas asks. 

"Guys, who cares? We have to go," Max says. 

"I care! You put the party in jeopardy! You broke the rule of law!" Lucas argues. 

"So did you!" Dustin yells. 

"What?" Dustin points his flashlight at Max's face. She squints. "You told a stranger the truth!" He puts the flashlight down. 

Max scoffs. "A stranger?" 

"You wanted to tell her, too!" Lucas defends. 

"But I didn't, Lucas, okay?" Dustin states. 

There's a distant screeching noise. Steve and Ben look in the direction of it. 

"I didn't tell her! We both broke the rule of law, okay? So we're even. We're even," Dustin says. 

"No, no! We're not even. Don't even try that. Your stupid pet could have ate us for dinner!" Lucas yells. 

"That was not my fault!" 

"Guys?" Steve says. 

"He wasn't gonna eat us!" 

"He was crawling to come say hello?" 

"Guys!" Ben yells. The screeching happens again. Ben and Steve quickly head toward it. Dustin and Lucas follow them.

"No, no, no. Hey, guys, why are we headed towards the sound? Hello? Hello?" Max says before running after the others. They reach the edge of a hill. 

"I don't see him," Dustin says. 

Lucas gets his binoculars out. "It's the lab. They we going home." They all quickly make their way down to the lab. They're almost there when they hear some noise.

»»————-　⋅. ✯ .⋅　————-««