Not Just Another Number

Diving Into The Deep

Sarah's POV

Dustin races through the trees in the dark ahead of us, weaving through trees. He stops at the edge of the tree line, holding up his compass. "Something's happening!" He says before running off again. Eddie pushes his way through the trees, sighing. "Dustin? Can you slow down? Dustin?" he calls. I push a branch out of my way as I try to catch up with them. Everyone else follows behind me, moving the same branch out of the way.

"I think we're getting close!" Dustin shouts back over his shoulder, not looking where he's going. I reach my hand out to stop him from walking into the lake in front of him, but Eddie beats me to it. "Whoa, watch your step, big guy." He holds him by his shoulders, keeping him steady. I lean over his shoulder to look at the compass in Dustin's hand. The needle is going crazy. It's spinning out of control. We're close.

Steve gasps as he looks at Lover's Lake in front of us. "Oh, man. You gotta be shitting me." Eddie sighs as he lets go of Dustin's shoulders. "I knew these woods were familiar."

"Lover's Lake."

"This is confounding."

"There's a gate in Lover's Lake?" Max asks. I take a step closer to the lake. "It would make sense," I shrug, "Whenever the Demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening. Maybe Vecna's the same way." I hear Steve sigh behind me. I look back over my shoulder at him, watching him walk over to me. "Yeah, only one way to find out." He looks at Eddie, resting his hands on his hips. "Where'd you leave your boat?" He asks while gesturing with his chin. Eddie nods and leads us to his boat. He grabs the tarp covering it and pulls it off with a flourish.

Steve and Eddie are quick to move the boat into the water. "Easy. I...I said easy, man." Steve mumbles as Eddie loses his grip on the boat, making it fall into the water with a small crash. "Sorry, dude." Eddie apologizes. They both look back at the rest of us, waiting to see who will get on the boat first. Christine looks around the group, sighing as no one steps forward. "I guess I'll go." She steps up to the boat, taking the hand Steve offers and stepping onto the boat.

Robin follows after her, ignoring Steve's hand and putting her hand on his back. "I'm just gonna do that. Thank you." Christine holds her hand out to help her sit and Robin takes it easily, sitting close by her side. "Yeah, that works too." Steve mumbles under his breath. Eddie steps into the boat next, turning back and helping Nancy in. "I've got her. Wheeler."

"Thanks."

Dustin tries to follow them, but Eddie stops him with a small shove. "Hey, hey, her, you trying to sink us? This thing holds four people tops, okay?" Christine leans forward, trying to cheer Dustin up. "It's better this way, okay? You guys stay here with Max. Keep an eye out for trouble."

"You keep an eye out! It's my goddamn theory!"

"You heard Christine." Robin defends.

"Who put her in charge?"

"I did."

Nancy sighs, reaching towards Dustin. "Compass." Dustin pouts, groaning loudly into the night. Reluctantly, he pulls out his compass and hands it over. I look over at the boat, crossing my arms over my chest. I can't let them go in there alone. I look over at Steve and he's already looking at me. He's already shrugging off his bag, nodding over to the boat. Looks like he has the same idea.

I look down at the water. I could probably keep the six of us afloat. I flex my fingers, focusing on the weight of the water. I can feel the pull of the water in my arm. The boat shifts ever so slightly, rising with the added pressure of the water.

"Hey," Steve tosses his bag at Dustin, "there you go." Dustin fumbles with the bag, shocked. "Ow," he groans. Steve ignores him, holding his hand out for me to take. I take it easily and climb onto the boat. Steve lets go of my hand and pushes the boat off of the bank before climbing in himself. Robin and Eddie take the oars and begin to row out further into the lake. Dustin scoffs, holding onto the bag tighter. "You said four!" Steve and I look back. I shrug as Steve apologizes.