PANDEMONIUM [ 2 ] ↠ STRANGER THINGS

13. ALMOST TOO FAR

PANDEMONIUM
CHAPTER THIRTEEN

➝ ALMOST TOO FAR

COLLEEN FOLLOWED BEHIND STEVE AS THEY WALKED DOWN THE TRAIL, BACK TOWARDS WHERE HIS CAR WAS PARKED. Max was still asking the group questions and trying to piece everything together. And Colleen grew quiet as they made their way out of the woods, her heart still aching to know where Hopper and Eleven were. She missed her family. But she was thankful that she kept Six out of it. She wanted to keep at least one person safe.

"You're positive that was Dart?" Lucas questioned Dustin, as they continued down their trek and Max heaved a sigh.

Dustin rolled his eyes at his friend, but his voice remained monotone in annoyance. He blew out a heavy sigh, "Yes. He had the same exact yellow pattern on his butt."

"He was tiny two days ago," Max joined in as she dragged her feet along the ground. Colleen smirked, happy to know that she wasn't the only one whose feet hurt.

Dustin turned his head towards the girl, but not long enough to see her heavy feet. "Well, he's molted three times already." He got a few questionable looks from the group so he continued, "Molted. Shed his skin to make room for growth like hornworms."

Max quickened her pace to catch up to him, "Well when's he gonna molt again?"

"It's gotta be soon," He admitted. "And when he does, he'll be fully grown, or close to it. And so will his friends."

Steve heaved a sigh, "Yeah, and he's gonna eat a lot more than just cats." Dustin's eyes grew wide and Colleen realized that he kept that information from Lucas. So she nudged Steve in the chest with her elbow to try and help cover the curly haired boys tracks.

Lucas jumped in front of Dustin and pushed him back by his shoulder, "Wait, a cat?"

Steve shot Colleen a confused look as he rubbed where she elbowed him, and mouthed an "ow". Lucas continued to question Dustin about the cat, in which he tried to defend Dart and himself. But Steve clearly still didn't catch onto the social cue and added, "What are you talking about? He ate Mews."

"Mews? Who's Mews?"

Steve replied, "It's Dustin's cat."

Dustin and Colleen scolded him in unison, as Colleen shoved her shoulder into his chest a second time, "Steve!"

Dustin and Lucas continued to argue about Dart and jeopardizing the party. And Steve wandered away from them when he thought he heard something coming from the distance. Max gave Colleen a look, "You're definitely right. Just let the boys, be boys."

Colleen laughed and wrapped her arm over Max's shoulder and she leaned down as they walked to whisper in her ear, "Are your feet killing you as much as mine?"