Strange as IT Seems

Chapter 73: Plans

"Still no luck?" Beverly asks Dustin, coming down into the Denbroughs' basement with two sodas in her hands.

Dustin removes his headphones as she approaches.

"Jack sh*t," he mutters, accepting the boost of caffeine from her. "I think it's safe to say that this lead is officially a dead end."

"We gave it our best shot," Beverly says, sipping her soda.

"You mean I did," he says.

"You did spend the longest on it, but that's because you know this stuff, while I can barely twist the dials without getting feedback."

"But it wasn't enough," he mutters in defeat.

"Seems like Pennywise has chosen to take himself off the air."

"You joke, but it's basically like trying to find a needle in the largest haystack. There seems to be an infinite number of radio frequencies, and we're looking for a singular one where a demonic man-eating clown likes to taunt us from it."

"That about sums it up. But how did you find the Russian frequency over the summer?"

"Completely by accident, but I was smart enough to record it when it happened. I tried to find it again, but I think they switched it."

"I'm seeing a pattern," Bev teases. "You would do that if someone was listening in."

"I doubt the Russians knew I actually heard them. I think they just did it to keep everything a secret. To avoid the possibility of being discovered or detected."

"I still can't believe that there's a giant laboratory under Starcourt and that Russians were working under it."

"They definitely had help; our corrupt mayor let it happen. I'm pretty sure he only built Starcourt just for that reason."

"Why do you think that was?"

"Was probably paid a ton of money," Dustin shrugs. He turns back and shuts off the radio, relieved to finally be done.

"It just sucks this didn't work out," Bev adds.

"And it makes our job so much worse," he responds gravely. "With your Pennywise ghoul and the Mind Flayer being in an alliance... no one is safe. And if Georgie is seeing the Demogorgon already in this house, it could mean they've already infiltrated Hawkins and found a way to come through the Upside Down or reach out beyond Derry."

"But why them?" Beverly asks. "Why the two things that we've both faced and beaten, deciding to... team up? How did they even meet each other? And what's their plan?"

Dustin shrugs. "I wish I knew all the answers, but I don't."

"And we know you hate that," Beverly smirks.

"Regardless, my guess or developing theory is that the reason they joined forces is that both are sources of evil. They are kindred entities, and often their paths will cross. Like in a game of DnD, the more united you are, the stronger your powers will be."

Beverly smirks. "Max is right, you are all nerds."

"And yet you still hang out with us," he points out.

"True. Back in Derry, we were known as the Loser's Club. Really self-deprecating name and I guess a self-fulfilling prophecy."

"We're only losers to even bigger losers," Dustin says. "Bigger losers that will never amount to anything beyond the crappy town they will live and die in. But we're going to get out of this hellhole and make something out of ourselves."

"Inspiring," she says, taking a sip. "What do you want to do after high school?"

"Go to college. Get the hell out." Dustin replies. "I haven't thought about it much besides that. You?"