Stranger Things

The Vanishing of Will Byers

"Something is coming. Something hungry for blood. A shadow grows on the wall behind you, swallowing you in darkness. It is almost here." I stare at my brother, Micheal, as he narrates the others shift at the suspense. "What is it?" Will drums his fingers impatiently. "What if it's the Demogorgon?" I taunt, wiggling my fingers at the others. Dustin gulps, "Oh, Jesus, we're so screwed if it's the Demogorgon." Lucas gestures with his hands, "It's not the Demogorgon. Mika's just trying to scare us! She's the bandit queen, it's what she does!" I giggle and wiggle my fingers at him.

Mike laughs before continuing in his "serious" voice, "An army of troglodytes charge into the chamber!" I laugh and Dustin raises an eyebrow, "Troglodytes?" Lucas grins, "Told ya." We all chuckle but it dies down as Mike grows serious again. "Wait a minute, did you hear that?" He looks around to add to the suspense. "That...that sound? Boom... Boom... Boom!" He finishes with a yell and slams his hand down on the table, causing us all to jump in our chairs.

"That didn't come from the troglodytes. No, that... That came from something else. The Demogorgon!" Mike slams the Demogorgon figure onto the board among the army of troglodytes. I laugh as the others groan. "Mika was right! We're in deep shit." Dustin groans, I wiggle my fingers with a cackle, "The bandit queen is always right!" Mike yells to get our attention. "Will, your action!"

Will struggles as Lucas and Dustin argue on what he should do while I just chuckle off on the sidelines. Mike once again slams his hands on the table and yells, "The Demogorgon is tired of your silly human bickering! It stomps towards you. Boom!" That just stresses the guys out more and the continue bickering as Mike keeps yelling. Will has enough and throws the dice, "Fireball!"

The dice fall off the table and somewhere in the room. "Oh shit!" "Where'd it go? Where is it?" Lucas cries. We all jump out of our chairs and scramble around the room looking for the die. I stop looking when I heard mom's voice call out, "Mike! Mika!" I go by the stairs just as mom opens the door. "Twins!" I throw up my arms, "Mom, we're in the middle of a campaign!"

Mom shakes her head and points at her watch, "You mean the end? It's 15 after." I grab Mike and we clamber up the stairs. "Mom, wait, just 20 more minutes!" I beg. "It's a school night, Michele. I just put Holly to bed. You both can finish next weekend." "But that'll ruin the flow!" Mike whines. "Micheal-" He interrupts, "I'm serious, mom. The campaign took 2 weeks to plan. How was I supposed to know it was gonna take 10 hours?"

Mom finally turns to us with shock written all over her face, "You've been playing for 10 hours?" I give her an awkward shrug as Mike goes and begs dad for more time, but he shuts him down too. I check downstairs to see everyone packing up so I gesture to Mike and we go outside to say our goodbyes. Dustin walks out shaking his head, "There's something wrong with your sister." I tilt my head, "Which one?"

"Nancy. She's got a stick up her butt." I shrug, "She's a high schooler man, I bet they all have sticks up their butts." We all chuckle and Lucas nods, "It's because she's been dating that douchebag, Steve Harrington." "Yeah, she's been turning into kinda jerk. Hey, if I ever start dating a girl and become a jerk, slap me will ya?" I scratch the back of my neck. Everyone smiles at me and Mike slaps me on the back, "Course, Mika. That's if you ever find a girl to date you that is." I give Mike a hug along with the others as they board their bikes. Dustin and Lucas take off first and Will glances at Mike.

"It was a 7." We tilt our heads at him and he explains, "The roll, it was a 7. The Demogorgon, it got me. See you tomorrow." I give him one final hug and wave as he leaves the driveway, "Bye, Will!" I turn toward the house but freeze as the lights flicker. Spooky. I shake it off and smile at Mike, "We have great friends." Mike smiles back, turns off the light, and we head inside. I grab my walkman from the basement and head to me and Mike's room for bed.