Harrington

Bullies

I sit with Eleven, eating eggos and resting. We talk, not a lot but we do. The silences aren't awkward, they're comfortable. It's like we came to a mutual agreement that we could sit here and enjoy each other's company without having to speak.

I'm eating my third eggo when I hear a voice.

"El?" It calls. I jerk up into a sitting position and Eleven flinches. My ears perk up for more voices, and I hear Dustin.

"Liz!?"

"Oh my god." I stand up and drop my eggo to the ground, causing El to give me an offended look. I run and grab my bag, stubbing my toe on the tree root, "Shit!"

"I'll be right back." I tell El before hopping on my bike and racing through the forest.

"Guys?" I shout. "Guys I found El, she's over here."

I walk up a small hill and my heart stops at the sight I see. Two bikes lay abandoned in the middle of the forest floor.

I try not to jump to conclusions.

But you know me, I see two abandoned bikes after my two friends had just been calling my name and I immediately think they were taken by a horrible monster to another dimension.

Maybe they just decided to search on foot, and not take their bikes.

I sigh, running a shaky hand through my hair.

"Guys?"

Maybe they're running, maybe the Demogorgon is chasing them. Maybe I can still at least try to help them.

I see scuff marks in the dirt, and I follow them in the general direction that they must have gone. I ride my bike through the forest, as fast as I can. It's difficult to keep my eyes on the ground and follow the footprints while also attempting to dodge trees here and there.

But I manage, eventually seeing the prints lead out into a cliff walk. It's wide, so I can continue on my bike down the gravel path. At first, I don't hear anything or see any footprints, but when I turn the corner, I see a sight that boils my blood.

"Let him go!" Mike shouts at a boy who holds a knife to Dustin.

"Stay back!" The boy shouts, "Or I cut him."

I feel all the anger that has ever lived inside me explode, and I drop my bike to the ground, hopping off of it.

"You dirty rotten assholes!" I shout, "What is wrong with you!?"

The boy turns to look at me, as does Mike and the other bully.

"Stay back!" I can see the fear in his eyes as he realizes who I am. "Or toothless here is in big trouble."

I know he's bluffing, but I still don't wanna take any chances.

"Let him go." I say, "Let him go and take me instead."

"Liz are you fricking kidding me!" Dustin yells. "No!"

I wait for his answer, and he hesitates, pushing Dustin away as I come closer. He then grabs me, holding me in the same position that he held Dustin in. I don't struggle, but I make brief eye contact with Dustin, winking at him. He looks confused, but staggers back to stand next to Mike. I'm still nervous, but a lot less considering Dustin is no longer in direct danger.

"Idiot." The bully that holds me mutters and I roll my eyes.

"What do you want?!" Mike shouts.

"I wanna know how you did it!" He shouts back and I squirm as his breath hits my neck.

"How I did what?" Mike yells.