Teen Spirit, Lucas Sinclair

xi. the Mindflayer

CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE MINDFLAYER

"You're positive that was Dart?" Lucas asked, his voice tight with concern.

Dustin nodded emphatically. "Yes. He had the same exact yellow pattern on his butt."

Max's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "He was tiny two days ago."

Rowan added, his tone serious, "Well, he's molted three times already."

Steve, looking confused, interjected, "Malted?"

Dustin corrected him, "Molted. Shed his skin to make room for growth, like hornworms."

Max's voice was laced with urgency. "When's he gonna molt again?"

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

Steve's face darkened as he realized the implications. "Yeah, and he's gonna eat a lot more than just cats."

Lucas stopped, surprise and a touch of irrationality in his voice. "Wait, a cat? Dart ate a cat?"

Dustin looked defensive, eyes darting between his friends. "No, what? No."

Rowan shot Dustin an exasperated look. "What are you talking about? He ate Mews."

"Damn it, Rowan!" Dustin exclaimed.

Lucas's face hardened as realization set in. "I knew it! You kept him!"

"No! No, I... No, I didn't mean to," Dustin stammered. "He missed me. He wanted to come home."

"Bullshit!" Lucas spat.

Dustin looked desperate. "I didn't know he was a Demogorgon, okay?"

"Oh, so now you admit it?" Lucas's voice was edged with anger.

Max interjected, frustration coloring her tone. "Guys, who cares? We have to go."

"I care!" Lucas snapped back, turning his glare to Dustin. "You put the party in jeopardy! You broke the rule of law!"

Dustin's eyes flashed with indignation. "So did you!"

Lucas looked taken aback. "What?"

"You told a stranger the truth!" Dustin accused.

Max and Rowan exchanged incredulous looks as Dustin flashed their faces with the light. "A stranger?" Max scoffed.

Lucas was indignant. "You told Rowan too! Plus, you thought of it!"

Rowan and Max stood there, caught between their bickering friends.

"Well, sorry, okay? It is what it is!" Dustin said, exasperated.

A loud, chilling screech echoed in the distance, cutting through the tense air.

Dustin looked panicked. "We both broke the rule of law, okay? So we're even. We're even."