wasteland, STRANGER THINGS

fifteen.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN:

THE MIND FLAYER

After what had happened in the junkyard, the group had left quickly. It was now pretty dark outside and they were walking back down the train tracks.

"You're positive that was Dart?" Lucas asked.

"Yes." Dustin answered, "He had the same exact yellow pattern on his butt."

"He was tiny two days ago." Max pointed out.

"Well, he's molted three times already." Dustin replied.

"Malted?" Steve repeated.

"Molted." Dustin corrected, "Shed his skin to make room for growth like hornworms."

"When he's gonna molt again?" Max wondered.

"It's gotta be soon. When he does, he'll be fully grown, or close to it. And so will his friends." Dustin explained.

"Yeah, and he's gonna eat a lot more than just cats." Steve commented.

"Steve. No." Cassie shook her head.

"Wait, a cat? Dart ate a cat?!" Lucas exclaimed.

"No, what? No." Dustin denied.

"What are you talking about? He ate Mews." Steve added.

"Steve, stop." Cassie urged.

"Mews? Who's Mews?" Max questioned.

"It's Dustin's cat." Steve responded.

"Steve!" Cassie and Dustin shouted at the same time.

"I knew it! You kept him!" Lucas accused.

"No! No. No, I....No I-" Dustin stammered, "He missed me. He wanted to come home."

"Bullshit!" Lucas argued.

"I didn't know he was a Demogorgon, okay?" Dustin defended.

"Oh, so now you admit it?" Lucas huffed.

"Guys, who cares? We have to go." Max chimed in.

"Seriously." Cassie agreed.

"I care! You put the party in jeopardy! You broke the rule of law!" Lucas yelled.

"So did you!" Dustin yelled back.

"What?" Lucas groaned.

"You told a stranger the truth!" Dustin shone his flashlight in Max's face.

" A stranger?!" Max scoffed.

"You wanted to tell her too!" Lucas brought up.

"But I didn't, Lucas, okay?" Dustin stated, "I didn't tell her! We both broke the role of law, okay? So we're even. We're even."