Drowning • Billy Hargrove

Chapter 45

I began retracing my steps, hoping to find the two.
"Dad?" I silently called out.
There was of course no answer.
"Shoot." I mumbled, violently flicking my flashlight in every direction to find them. The worst thing to do was to get lost in the UpsideDown.
I began walking forwards down the road before the police station door busted open. I turned and flashed my light to see the Demogorgon running after me.
I obviously screamed and began sprinting in the direction of the gate.

"Kate!" I heard my dad scream out.
"Where are you?" He followed up.
But I had no chance to respond since I was too busy running away from the killer that was chasing me.
I kept running as fast as my legs could take me, before I finally see Joyce's flashlight up ahead.
"Dad!" I screamed through huffs and puffs.
"Kate!" He yelled back when he saw me. "Run!"
I ran faster than I've ever run before and I finally made some distance with the Demogorgon.
Gun shots startled me and I soon realized that he was shooting at the thing behind me.
My dad grabbed onto my arm and we all started running towards the gate. "Open it!" Joyce screams into the walkie talkie.
We all run together as fast as we could. Up ahead we could hear the loud sound of the gate being open and gunshots firing rapidly.

"I think we're fine now." Joyce says, slowing down after awhile of running.
"Okay. How much longer?" Dad asks.
"We turn left here then it's the final stretch home."
"Home. That sounds really good right about now." He says, smiling.
"It does. We still on for the date?" Joyce asks. "Because I've got many other men lined up for me."
My dad laughs. "You bet."
I smile to myself, happy that I got my dad back. I was also smiling because I was thankful that there's not much left to go.
I decide to look behind us to see if anything was after us again. So far, I didn't see anything until I looked to my left.
"Uh oh." I say, pointing to the left. There stood two Demogorgons this time, ready to pounce.
"Shit." Dad responds, drawing his gun. He shoots a couple of times, but that just makes the monsters mad. Not surprisingly, they begin running at us, getting closer with every step.
"No, no, no." Joyce says, beginning to run.
Unfortunately, Joyce, Dad, and I all drifted apart during our time sprinting. I ran towards the right and dad and Joyce ran straight.
Now, we each had a Demogorgon on our tails.

I ran and found a house to hide in. I right away recognized it, as it was the house the Wilson's lived in. I ran up the stairs, tripping on every other one.
I ended up in the kitchen, hiding behind the table. I steadied my breath and became completely quiet, hoping the Demogorgon would go somewhere.
The sound of gunshots caught my attention and I prayed that my father and Joyce weren't in the same situation as I am.
The sound of wood being walked on creaked closer in my direction. I held my breath and wiped my sweaty palms on my suit.

The Demogorgon entered the kitchen and walked alongside the counters.
I quickly turned my flashlight off, trying not to make too much noise.
My eyes finally adjusted to the darkness and I could see the slime and the stickiness dripping off of the ugly creature.
"Kate!" I heard a man yell.
The Demogorgon and I both snapped our necks in the direction of the sound, and I could tell my father had something planned.
The Demogorgon roared and ran out of the room and out the backdoor.
I took it as my opportunity to sprint out of there and make my way out to my dad.

I ran out of the house, not caring if the door slammed behind me or not. I turned my flashlight back on and began searching for my dad.
Before I could find him, I feel a hand grab onto my arm.
I gasp and shine my light on my arm.
"It's just me." Hop says.
"Oh, okay." I reply, whispering.
"We have to run to the gate now. Joyce is already in and they're holding it open for us."
I nod my head and prepare for the final sprint.

I take my father's lead as he runs ahead of me by a couple of steps. We run, passing the same skull and bones I saw on the way in.
I let out a breath of relief when I finally see the gate.
"Finally." I say, tears flooding my eyes I was so happy.
"Finally." He repeats.
Through the gate, I can see the men from the Military, Joyce and Billy.
I notice Billy's blue eyes soften as he sees us near the gate.
We still had a couple of yards to go, but we were close. There was no doubt about it, we were going to make it.
Suddenly, everybody starts yelling and jumping up and down from inside the lab.

"They're happy to see you." I say smiling.
"Yeah, I guess so. There's no need to cheer though." Dad gives a small wave as we slow our pace to a walk now.
"What are they saying?" I question, listening to the muffled yells of our friends and family.
"I don't know." He responds.
I could barely hear anything due to this suit, and trying to listen to everybody yelling from far away was even harder.

"Get the hell out of there!" Billy screams from the lab.

"What?" We yell back.

"Run!" Joyce yells back louder.

"Run?" I ask, confused. "Is that what she said?"
"I can't hear her. What did you say?" My dad yells out.

"Run!" Murray screams, adding intense hand gestures.

"He definitely said run." I say, a little worried.
I turn my head to see our worst fear. A Demogorgon, once again, chasing after us.
"Shit."