There's No Place Like Hawkins//Stranger Things. SH

FIVE

The Weirdo On Maple Street

That afternoon once school ended Cat said her goodbyes to Barb, pulling her into a hug before mounting her bike and cycling to the Middle School where she met up with Dustin and Lucas, who informed her that they were going to Mike's house. Cat decided to go with them, seeing as she was going to go over there later anyways to get ready with Nancy for the party at Steve's. She'd decided to go as a way to take her mind off of everything. As soon as they arrived at the Wheeler's, Mike dragged them all to his room and Dustin quietly shut the door behind them. They stared for a moment at the small girl from the previous day who was sat cross-legged on Mike's bed.

"Are you out of your mind?" Lucas asked the raven haired boy.

"Just listen to me." Mike replied.

"You are out of your mind!" Lucas responded as Dustin stayed staring at the girl. Cat sent a comforting smile at the girl who sent the older girl a quick but small smile in response. She wanted the girl to be able to feel safe as it was obvious how scared she was.

"She knows about Will." Mike's statement caused Cat to whip her head in his direction, her hair hitting her in the face. Her eyes widened as she pulled her hair into a ponytail so it was out her face.

"What do you mean she knows about Will?" Dustin asked, turning his gaze from the girl to Mike.

Mike went over to the table near the door, picking up a picture of all four of the boys. He held it up in front of Lucas, Dustin and Cat so they could see it. "She pointed at him, at his picture." He explained to them. "She knew he was missing. I could tell."

"You could tell?" Lucas questioned, not quite believing his friend.

"Just think about it." Mike began. "Do you really think it was a coincidence that we found her on Mirkwood, the same place where Will disappeared?"

Cat raised an eyebrow, glancing over at the quiet girl. Was it a coincidence?

"That is weird." Dustin agreed as he and Lucas shared a look.

"And she said that bad people are after her."

Cat's eyes widened again. "No wonder she's terrified if she's got bad people after her." She took a seat on Mike's bed next to the girl and gently rubbed her back.

"I think maybe these bad people are the same ones that took Will." Mike explained to them. Catherine shook her head slightly, trying to push down the guilt she had for not cycling Will home. "I think she knows what happened to him." Mike told his friends.

"Then why doesn't she tell us?" Lucas asked, his arms crossed over his chest. They were silent for a moment as they all looked at the girl sat next to Catherine. Lucas took a few steps forward until he was right in front of her. "Do you know where he is?" Lucas snapped, clearly frightening the girl as she moved closer to Cat. The boy suddenly grabbed her shoulders asking loudly if she knew where Will was. Catherine let out a gasp, prying Lucas's hands off of the young girl. She stood up and pulled Lucas a few step away from the girl and scolded him for scaring the frightened girl. As she did this, Mike yelled at Lucas to stop, stating that he was scaring the girl.