Friends Don't Lie

The Nightmare

The woods were dark this time of night, Eleven could hardly see. After breaking down in the school, she knew the only way to get Mike and the other boys out of danger was to lead it away. Away from everything. So she ran. Through the back of the school and into the woods, as far as she could run before her lungs were liquid fire and her eyes were loosing focus on what was in front of her. She collapsed by a tree, heaving and panting as her eyes darted, scanning every inch that was around her. She had no idea where she was, but it was far. The trees rustle behind her, but there was no wind. Turning around, the six-headed monster screeched in a high-pitch tone, high enough to make a persons ears bleed if they were close enough. Luckily, Elle was already gone.

"ELEVEN!!" Mike screamed, running through the woods, Lucas and Dustin not far behind. After seeing the blood drips that trailed down the halls of their school and out to the back, they knew she had run. Now the problem was getting her back. The sun cast a cut up golden light through the trees as they ran. "M-Mike...!" Dustin gasped, "WE NEED TO STOP. I CAN'T BREATHE." he yelled, the only way to get Mike's attention. Mike turned, desperation and anger filling his eyes. "No. WE have to find El. If we stop, she'll just get further away, now come on!" He said firmly, turning back to the long path ahead of him and jogging off towards the red setting sun.

"Where are you El?"

Suddenly, and with no warning, the answer came in a bone-shaking screech, followed by a blood-boiling scream. Chills raced down Mike's spine, tears pricking his eyes, but he didn't let them get farther then that. He broke into a sprint, weaving in and out of the trees as he screamed, "ELEVEN! EL!!" Another scream, this time in the form of a word. "MIKE!!" It was her, it was definitely her. Mike didn't even care that the boys were far behind him. He raced through the woods, crying out for her and her scared responses hitting him hard every time. Then, finally, he was able to catch his breathe, but only for a short second. A shaved head, then, a scared face, and finally, a small torso wrapped in a giant, slimy, dark hand. "ELEVEN!!" Mike screamed, his lungs bursting and gasping for any inch of air as Mike took off, once again, but this time with a known destination.

The monster swiped at El, but she manged to barely dodge it. Her mind racing, images and thoughts and new words she just learned running through her head. Bad. Dangerous. Scared. Help. With all these thoughts, trying to clear her mind to use her powers was useless. All she could do was dodge the claws and throw weak punches in its gut. "El! Don't worry, I'll get you out of there!" Mike, appearing just behind her, said in a panicked voice. The six heads of the Thesalhydra reared, letting out another piercing shrieked. Mike let out a yelp, covering his ears, but it was too late. He collapsed on the ground, doubling over from the pain in his head. Eleven, on the other hand, was completely unconscious, blood trickling only from her ears this time.

Will, Lucas, and Dustin sprinted as fast as they could, coming upon a terrifying scene. Both the kids were now in the hands of the monster. "THE WRIST ROCKET!" Dustin yelled as Lucas ripped it out from his back pocket, bending to grab a rock from the ground. But, as it always goes, it was too late.

"MIKE!!" Will screamed.

Then, nothing was left but three boys and a slingshot.

I love you all, thank you. I cannot express in words the gratitude I have for you all.