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Steve and Beth sat in the very back of the bus, Max and Lucas on lookout while Dustin sat at the very front, keeping an eye out as well.
Beth nervously picked at her long nails, the waiting being the worst part of this whole thing, the anxiousness killing her.
"Hey." Steve said, catching her attention. "Everything's gonna work out." he reassured, scooting closer to her slightly. She nodded, but it wasn't convincing Steve at all. He took out his Zippo, lighting and closing it mindlessly.
"You know, I see how much you care about Dustin." Steve told her. "I get it. I just think you need to let yourself relax sometimes. You are constantly by his side, protecting him more than yourself. I mean, yeah, take a bullet for your sibling or whatever, but with what we're dealing with, protect yourself too. I'm not saying throw him under the bus to save yourself, but I am saying at least help yourself a little too. That kid's strong, and he's smart. He's shown me that he knows very well how to take care of himself. So, for his sake, and your own, start protecting yourself a little more." Steve finished, sighing and taking his focus off of Beth's big doe eyes that were staring up at him.
"Why do you care, Harrington?" Beth asked, genuine wonder lacing her expression. "I mean, we see each other in the halls at school and you were Nancy's boyfriend, but you barely know me. Why are you looking out for me? And don't say you're not, because, yeah, you totally are." She asked, twisting her shoe string around her finger as she waited for Steve to answer her.
He sighed, avoiding her eyes. "Well, I don't really know. I guess it's just instinct. Or, I guess, that's just what it feels like. You know, this thing could be really dangerous. And if you're not gonna protect yourself, I guess I'm gonna have to."
Before Beth could reply, a loud growl came from outside the bus. Steve and Dustin rushed towards a spot where they could peek outside, Beth being gently pushed away from the opening by Steve.
She ignored it, peeking over Dustin's head and out to the foggy junkyard, trying to find Dart. "You see him?" Dustin asked Steve.
"No."
Dustin moved away, calling up to Lucas. "Lucas, what's going on?"
"Hold on!" Lucas replied.
Beth began stepping towards the door, fear entering the air surrounding her.
"I've got eyes!" Lucas yelled. "Ten o'clock! Ten o'clock!"
Dart seemed to be just staying in the same spot, low growls and chitters emitting from his shadowy figure.
"What's he doing?" Dustin asked.
"I don't know." Steve mumbled. "He's not taking the bait."
"Why is he not taking the bait?" Beth asked, her eyebrows scrunched together as she peeked out of a crack in the door.
"Maybe he's not hungry." Dustin suggested.
"Maybe he's sick of cow." Steve said bluntly.
Beth looked over to Steve in confusion, only realizing what he meant as he got up and grabbed his bat. "Steve?" she asked.
"Steve. What are you doing. Steve." Dustin said, Steve turning around and looking Dustin in the eye. "Just get ready." He said, tossing him his Zippo and ushering Beth out of his way.
"No." she spat, standing firmly in front of the door.
"Move, Beth." Steve urged gently, pushing her away and making it out of the door before she could pull him back in. "Idiot." she mumbled, watching him closely.
Dart's chittering became louder as Steve slowly walked towards him, swinging his bat and whistling. "Come on, buddy."
Max came rushing down the ladder and over to Beth and Dustin. "What's he doing?"
"Expanding the menu." Dustin told her, keeping a sharp eye on their friend.
"Come on, buddy." Steve repeated, whistling at Dart like he would to a dog. "Come on. Dinnertime. Human tastes better than cat I promise."
As the kids and Beth watched, Max spoke up. "He's insane."
Dustin grinned. "He's awesome."
Just then, more of them came up, surrounding Steve.
"Steve!" Beth screamed, rushing to the door as Dustin swung it open. "Steve! Abort! Abort!"
Dart screeched, all of them running at Steve. As everyone screamed for him to get inside the bus, he fell and nearly didn't make it. After he threw himself inside the bus, he slammed he door shut and put a metal panel over the door and one of the roughly beat at the door.
It's arm came through the metal sheet, reaching and clawing at them. As they all screamed and rat away, Beth's ankle twisted, causing her to fall.
Her leg was too close to the door for the thing's arm not to reach her. As it was violently clawing, it's nail dug into Beth's leg. A scream ripped through her, Steve and Dustin running to her and yanking her away, the damage being harsh, but fixable.
The bus turned into utter chaos. Dustin screaming into his walkie for help, Lucas yelling out in fear while Max just wildly looked around for any possible way out. Steve grabbed his bat, going over to a whimpering Beth who's calf was now drooling blood.
He quickly tore his shirt sleeve, tying it around her leg just as the monster figured out that there was a way on top of the bus.
They all went silent.
Max was stood by the ladder, the monter looking right at her. She let out a blood-curdling scream, it's face opening up at Steve pushed her out of the way. "Out of the way! Out of the way!"
He looked at the monster, pushing his bat upwards. "You want some? Come get this!"
But before he could hit it, it stopped it's hostility and looked up, waiting seconds before howling into the air and calling his buddied he brought along out of the junkyard, fleeing completely.
Dustin wasted no time pulling Beth off of the bus floor, wrapping her arm around his shoulder and allowing her to lean on him for support. "Can you walk?" Beth nodded, attempting to move quickly until Steve came over.
"I got her." he told Dustin who was struggling to hold his sister up and walk her.
Steve pulled her arm over his shoulders, walking to the door and slowly opening it. Bat in hand, he looked around and made sure it was safe before walking out with Beth.
"What happened?" Lucas asked, shaken up.
"I don't know." Max replied.
"Steve scared 'em off?" Dustin inquired.
"No." Steve said, lifting Beth lightly as she grunted in pain, her blood staining her shoes as it dripped down her leg at a fast pace.
"No way." Steve told them. "They're going somewhere."
•
once again, unedited. three updates in one day! i'm going for more, hopefully i can get at least one more out or at least started before i call it a night! happy reading :)
