Starting Over

Chapter 3 (Hold On A Little Longer)

I couldn't believe what had just happened. I was only a few miles away from the bus, hiding from the creatures that had attacked. Steve had managed to escape just in time, but I could only watch in terror. Some of me wanted to help, but I didn't know how. Suddenly, a noise in the distance made the creatures run away from the bus, leaving everyone unharmed. I couldn't stop thinking about where they had gone. Maybe they were hiding somewhere, and perhaps that place could lead us to Hawkins. I was determined to discover and make myself known to someone who was also part of this discovery.

Upon returning home, I noticed the garage was filled with boxes. As I approached, I saw the boxes labeled "FOR MOVING." The thought of moving away had never crossed my mind as a solution to our family's problems. I wasn't sure if I was ready to start a new life, especially since I didn't know how this one would end. I was too afraid to talk to my parents about my concerns, so I decided to face my fears by going back to where it all began.

As I searched for supplies around my house, I filled my backpack with the necessary items to investigate the creatures. Since it was dark outside, I grabbed a flashlight to help me navigate and find where I needed to go. I wanted to locate the tracks again and was prepared for any situation. Although I didn't know what I might get into, it was a risk I was willing to take. I slowly started my hike to the location of the tracks, hoping to find a new place where these creatures could be found. As I walked through the tracks, searching for anything unusual, I heard screeching coming from a distance. I decided to follow the sound and see where it would lead me. At that moment, I thought, "I could use my music right about now."

                                                                                        POV

As Steve fought off the creatures that attacked the bus, he noticed the Walkman he had found earlier on the tracks. He couldn't help but wonder who it belonged to. What if he listened to the music and tried to understand the person's taste? He pressed play, and an upbeat song with a hint of melancholy began to play. The music made him feel strong and empowered yet vulnerable. It was a song about the struggles of love and fighting for something already lost. Steve was curious about the person who owned the Walkman and wanted to connect with them. However, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself for now.

                                                       Scene from Stranger Things Season 2

Steve, Dustin, Lucas & Max are walking along the railroad tracks, tracking the creature to see where they could've ended up.

Lucas: You're positive that was Dart?

Dustin: Yes. He had the same exact yellow pattern on his butt.

Max: He was tiny two days ago.

Dustin: Well, he's molted three times already.

Steve: Malted?

Dustin: Molted. He shed his skin to make room for growth like hornworms.

Max: When's he going to molt again?

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

Steve: Yeah, and he's gonna eat more than just cats.

Lucas: Wait, a cat? Did Dart eat a cat?

Dustin: No, what? No.

Steve: What are you talking about? He ate Mews.

Max: Mews? Who's Mews?

Steve: It's Dustin's cat.

Dustin: Steve!

Lucas: I knew it! You kept him!

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

Lucas: Bullshit!

Dustin: I didn't know he was a Demogorgon, okay?

Lucas: Oh, so now you admit it?

Max: Guys, who cares? We have to go.

Lucas: I care! You put the party in jeopardy! You broke the rule of law!

Dustin: So did you!

Lucas: What?

Dustin: You told a stranger the truth!

Max: [scoffs] A stranger?

Lucas: You wanted to tell her, too!

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

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

Dustin: That was not my fault! He wasn't going to eat us.

Lucas: He was crawling to come to say hello?

                During their disagreement, [screeching is heard in the distance]

                                             Steve starts to head towards the noise...

Steve: Guys? Steve ended up raising his voice, GUYS!

                                                                      [More screeching continues]

Steve starts to follow the noise into the darkness... Soon after, Dustin and Lucas begin to run after him while Max falls behind...

Max: No, no, no. Hey, guys, why are you headed towards the sound? Hello? Hello?

As Max caught up with the others, she suddenly saw someone nearby. At that moment, she realized that she was no longer alone. This realization filled her with intrigue, and she couldn't help but wonder who this person might be.

Linda was walking towards a loud screeching sound when she heard a voice in the distance. She knew that she would be discovered by someone sooner or later, and that moment arrived when she saw one of the kids walking toward her. As Max approached her, Linda froze, unsure of what to do. She found herself face to face with Max now and thought, " So much for not getting caught.

I encountered someone on my path, and she asked if I was following her. I introduced myself as Linda and said I wasn't causing any trouble. I remembered she was also at the junkyard, where I saw creatures surrounding them. Her name is Max, and she was hesitant to say anything but eventually suggested that I follow her if I wanted to know more. 

I'm worried that if I follow Max, I'll be known to the group and have to face Steve, who has my Walkman. I wonder if he'll recognize me even though he didn't see my face. But I can't turn back now. If I want to learn more about this town, I must follow Max.