Not Your Baby ║ Billy Hargrove

Chapter Seventeen

My trembling hands found the door handle as I quickly shot out of the car, ready to warn her of whatever was outside. Billy caught eyes with me as I emerged. He too, with a look ready to tell her to scram.

All four doors opened in the Vanagon, causing me to step back in hesitation. Nancy emerged first out of the driver's side. Jonathan came out of the passenger door and headed towards the trunk of the car.

"What are you guys-," I was cut off by the back passenger door creaking open; emerging out was no one other than Dustin, Mike and Lucas and Eleven. My face went from fear to confusion as I opened my mouth to ask what he was doing. Before I could speak, the Jonathan opened the trunk door and Steve fell out of the back, hitting the hard asphalt. He groaned and got to his knees, rummaging around the trunk and pulling out what seemed to be a baseball bat with nails hammered into the wood.

"Thanks for the warning." He snapped at Jonathan before whipping around and seeing Billy and I.

"Nel?" he asked, giving his hair a few run throughs before pointing a finger at Billy. "What are you doing with-," he stopped short.

The same piercing sound from the cornfields at Jess' party echoed in the backyard of the neighbor's house in front of us. I felt my face go white as we collectively stared at the house directly in front of us.

Out from behind the house, a dark creature emerged in the grass; the same from moments before. Its face looked like a botched environmental science project while its body glistened with a purple, slimy hue. It stood almost 7 feet tall, with puss filled oozes seeping out of its sides. It looked to have several sharp, claws that could have been longer than my arm. The mouth looked to resemble a flower, with multiple vase shaped slits that shimmered with wet saliva.

Before I could let out a scream the creature lunged forward at us, causing Nancy to draw what looked like a small gun from her pocket and Steve to join her side with his apocalyptic bat. Jonathan pulled out a crowbar from inside, and Dustin and his friends quickly hid behind the car door; creating a metal shield. Billy stumbled back, catching his balance and backtracking towards my side; his one hand firmly guided itself across the side of the car. My whole body went numb as I fell back, completely terrified of what was in front of me. A silent scream formed in my throat as I felt Billy's hand force me back upright and on my feet.

I watched in horror as my friends braced and began defending and persevering against the beast. The trio lacked fear as they took turns defeating the creature with their weapons. It screeched and roared as it weakened by the multiple blows. Billy stood in front of me as we stood in terror and disbelief. The creature seemed focused on Nancy, using its remaining strength to attempt and swipe at her stomach. Steve utilized the distracted beast to his advantage as he struck it in the middle of its head. The creature let out a curtailing cry for help as it collapsed on the asphalt, breathing one last breath before ceasing to move.

My mouth formed an opening; as if I was trying to scream but nothing came out. I felt a tears form in my eyes as I relied on Billy's arm to keep me upright. My mind tried to force itself out of this terrible nightmare before it settled with the reality that this wasn't a dream. Billy took a deep breath and turned to face me. His hands gently cupped my face as he tilted my chin upwards to face him.

"Nel!" I heard him try and get my attention; my eyes focused at the dead creature in sheer horror. Billy altered his stance and stood directly in my line of sight, causing me to direct my gaze at him. "Are you okay?" I heard him ask. My brain muted all sounds as I felt numbness travel through my entire body. A sudden spike of adrenaline shot its way up to my mind, instantly snapping me out of my numb daze an into reality.

"Yeah." I shakily exhaled as I laid my trembling hand on top of his. I gave him a nod of confirmation before peeping my head out from his shoulder.