Strange as IT Seems

Chapter 65: Baited

The monotonous static over the headphones becomes almost relaxing as Dustin continues to flick through the seemingly infinite radio channels. The dim basement lighting provided by a single lightbulb does not help with his brain's desire to shut off from the mission and to fall asleep right there. It also was not beneficial that he'd already nearly fallen asleep in history class because the lesson was so boring, and it was about Ancient Rome, a topic he appreciated. Dustin is convinced that there was a conspiracy in high schools to make interesting topics boring and discourage students from pursuing them in college, thus making them work minimum wage jobs to fill out the workforce. While science and technology were his passions, he also had a great love for history, something ruined by Mr. Barton, who barely talked over a hushed whisper it seemed and never once changed the tone of his voice. Maybe it was to encourage students to remain quiet for the lesson by putting them to sleep.

With his right hand pressing against his cheek and his left adjusting the knob to go through the various channels and frequencies and listening for anything interesting, his eyelids were becoming heavy, and the static became white noise. The only excitement he got was when he first got on the radio and was faintly able to talk to Suzie. Until Cerebro was fixed, his amazing girlfriend had taken it upon herself to build a new and better antenna so she could talk to her "Dusty Bun" as best she could during the unfortunate time. While he had told her that it had been blown over in a storm and not snapped in half by El's powers, she was understanding and flexible, it is why Dustin loved her so much.

Nearby, Will and Bill are stationed at an old card table that they found amongst the junk within the basement and were taking this time to work on their graphic novel, trading ideas and making sketches of potential weapons and monsters for their characters to face. Their desire to get this story composed and, possibly in the future, getting it published, is what motivated them to use any spare time, aside from school and tracking down IT and the Demogorgon, to get this project underway. The other boys were not present. After about three days of both the Loser's Club and the Party hanging out in the dank and cramped space, they agreed to work in shifts and to always have someone else with them in case something happened like essential information came through or the link between the psychotic IT creature and the listener needed to be severed.

Meanwhile, Max, Beverly and Eleven sit on an old rug and play a card game. Beverly had taught the other girls of the group how to play Gin Rummy, something her foster mother had taught her, who was quite the card shark. While it felt a bit awkward, especially considering the tense history between Max and Bev, both wanted to keep the peace for El's sake, who wanted to be friends with both of them. It was fun in a "new friends getting to know each other" kind of way.

"I win again," Eleven smiles after they played another hand.

"How did you get to be so good at this game already?" Beverly says, throwing down the cards in defeat.

"I guess I'm lucky," she shrugs.

"Or she's cheating," Max teases.

"I am not!" El snaps.

"Chill, I'm just joking."

The skateboarder then notices that Dustin is half, if not completely, asleep at the controls of the old radio. Putting a finger to her lips, she gets up and slowly sneaks towards him.

Smirking in anticipation, she reaches over and cranks the volume, jolting Dustin awake to the point where he falls out of his chair from the noise.

The entire group can't help but laugh. It was the only moment of humour they'd had in what felt like days.

"What the hell?!" he shouts, the headphones completely askew around his neck and his upper body tangled in the wire.

"You were falling asleep on the job, soldier," she says in a mocking tone.