Not Just Another Number

Almost Eaten By Demodogs

Sarah's POV

"So, you guys have fought this thing before?" Max asks. I look over at her from my spot on the ground and nod. I see Steve do the same. He flicks his lighter back and forth, lighting it over and over. Don't know why he needs it, I could just light the pile on fire myself.

"And you're 100% sure it wasn't a bear?" She asks, rightfully skeptical. I go to answer, reaching over to stop Steve from flicking his lighter more since the sound got annoying, but Dustin responds first.

I stop, arm extended, as he snaps. "Shit, don't be an idiot. It wasn't a bear, okay?" I look over at Steve and his eyes are just as wide as mine. Holy crap. Max looks surprised, going far enough to lean back a little. "Why are you even here if you don't believe us?" Dustin scoffs.

"Just go home."

Max, after recovering from his sudden outburst, rolls her eyes and stands up, walking over to the ladder. "Yeesh, someone's cranky. Past your bedtime?" Dustin paces as she climbs up.

I sigh, letting my arm drop as I shake my head, and stand up. "I'll go check on her and Lucas." I tell them as I climb up the ladder.

The wind flows through my hair as I climb onto the roof of the bus. Max and Lucas are sitting next to one another. "Sup guys. How's the life of the Roofers?" I joke, pulling myself up on one of the tires.

"The Roofers?" Lucas asks. I shrug. "I dunno." Max and Lucas laugh and turn back to the junkyard ahead of us. Max sighs, smiling.

"It's kind of awesome."

"Huh?"

"The fog. Looks like the ocean."

"You miss it? The ocean. The waves? California?" Lucas asks. California? Oh right, she's Billy's sister and he's made that comment about California girls. Max looks sad and a little shocked. "Hawkins seems pretty lame, I bet." Lucas laughs.

I nod my head, leaning back on my hands. Max seems to shrink a little. "No it's not that. It's just.....my dad's still there." Poor kid. Maybe I should leave, let them have their private conversation. Well, it's either go back down and deal with Dustin being jealous, because he obviously is, or stay here with the love birds and keep watch for Dart. I think I'll take curtain number 2.

"Why?"

"It's called divorce." I say, finally speaking up. Max blushes, embarressed. "I-I uh..." She stutters. I put my hand on her arm, stopping her. "Hey, I'm here to help if you need me. If you guys want me to leave, I will." I tell them, trying not to make Max uncomfortable. She looks at me, and after a few seconds, he shakes her head, blush going away.

"It's, uh, it's fine. I guess." She says. She turns away from both of us, looking over at the junkyard. She sighs before she starts talking. "My mom and stepdad, they wanted a fresh start away from him. As if he was the problem, with is total bullshit." She clenches her fists and furrow her brow.

"Things....are just worse now. My stepbrother's always been a dick, but now he's just angry all the time and. Well, he can't take it out on my mom, so..." She trails off, her voice growing thick.

I lean forward a little. "Fucking hell Billy. He takes it out on you?" I ask, with Lucas saying the second part as well. She looks at us, shocked and a little aprehensive. She shakes her head, laughing a little, but there's no humor in her laugh. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this. It's just...I know I can be a jerk like him sometimes, and I do not want to be like him. Ever. I guess, I'm angry too...I'm sorry." She finishes, looking straight at Lucas. Yup, definately Love birds.