How to escape your imagination

Chapter 11

Nancy and I leaned over the table as Mike flipped through the endless pages of the book.  

"Demogorgon was one of the first two demon lords, making his debut alongside Orcus in 1976. Both appeared in Eldritch Wizardry, the third supplement to the original D&D box set, and Demogorgon was a spectacular foe from the start..."  Mike reads aloud.

"Mike no, we're looking for what  it is."  Nancy says rubbing at her face.

"That's literally what I just said, are you deaf?" He retorts.

I sigh, reaching over Mikes head to grab the book.

"Sorry..."  I trail off as I stare at the scripted words on the page.

"The Demogorgon may very well be considered the "supreme" leader among demons."

I read once more.  

"It has a reptilian body with tentacled limbs and baboon heads..."

Nancy cuts in.  "But no, that's impossible,"  Looking to Mike she continues in a confused tone of voice.  "That description doesn't match the visual in my head."

Mike rolls his eyes.  "You know, Nancy, you're not always right about everything."

He grabs the book back from my hands ignoring my gaze.  "If you want to know more than I've already told you, then you'll have to talk to Dustin."

"Who's that?"  I inquire.

"He's a friend of mine, and he knows a whole lot about Demogorgon's."  Mike smiles.

"Probably just to impress Max."  Nancy says under her breath.

I don't bother asking who she is.  

"Then can we go find him?"  I ask, standing up from my kneeled position on the floor.

Mike nods.  "He should be home, I mean, he has nothing better to do with his time."

I nod graciously and quickly run up the stairs to grab my coat off of the hanger in the bedroom.

I wince in the privacy of the space as I accidently hit my bruise on the doorknob.

The little prick didn't heal my ribs, but I will have to get over it, otherwise it could stop me from getting done what needed to get done.

Right as I am about to go down the stairs I hear a frantic knock on the window.  I spin around to see a young girl peering in at me with large brown eyes and shaggy brown hair.  I narrow my eyes and move over to the window to investigate.  Opening up the window, the girl climbs in before asking for permission.  She crouches down on the floor, then hops back to her feet.  

"Jonathan."  She says.  How does she know my name?  

"That's me..."  I say cautiously.  She doesn't reply, but instead walks over to the door, closing it quietly.  

"They aren't safe."  She says with her back turned.  "They are bad."

Puzzled, I walk closer, being careful not to startle this strange girl.

"Who are you?"  I ask.  She ignores me again, peering through a crack in the door.  She closes it abruptly and walks towards me again.

"Come with me."  She says.  I shake my head.

"I don't even know who you are!"  She lets out a large sigh and wipes her nose with the back of her hand.  A large streak of blood comes off and I let out a little gasp.  

"Are you ok?"  I ask, sounding a bit like my father when I scraped my knee at two years old.  My mind begins to drift into memories before my horrific foster family, but the mysterious girl snaps me out of my daze.