CHAPTER XXV:
just what she needed

( March 1986 )

EDDIE, CLEO, AND THEIR RESCUERS ALL FOLLOWED DUSTIN THROUGH THE WOODS. The sun had set long ago creating a blue hue over the forest and a cold glow over the faces of every teen.

      "So..." Robin began while swinging around a tree trunk with Cleo by her side. "Eddie mentioned that you fear puked."

      Cleo pressed her lips into a thin line nodding her head, "what else is new?" she said sounding almost embarrassed.

"Well, I was just wanting to know how you were, y'know? Cause of the lake and stuff," the girl said trying to downplay her concern that was surely skyrocketing.

"I'm as wonderful as anyone reliving something they don't even like thinking about could be," Cleo dramatically said while clasping her hands together. "I did almost have an asthma attack though," she rubbed her nose to remove part of a leaf that fell on her.

Robin's eyes widened, "you what? Are you okay? Did you have your inhaler- obviously you didn't have your inhaler, it's in your car- was it in the water? How did you calm down from it? Did you hold your breath? Do the breathing exercises?" Robin fired questions at the girl.

      Cleodora had been unfazed by the amounts of questions being thrown at her by Robin, three years of being friends with the worrier wasn't all bad. "Inhaler in car, one in water, one on land. Calmed down the first time by the shock of the water and being helped by Eddie, second time was from running so we quickly walked in substitution. No holding breath- actually it was because I puked," Cleo answered the majority of Robin's questions.

"Well, you're better now," Robin attempted to optimize with a voice crack. "And that's all that matters, Germy." She wrapped her arm around Cleo's shoulders.

      "Yeah, no more lakes and I'll be perfect," Cleo said while putting her arm around Robin.

"Hey, can we cut the heart the heart stuff back here?" Steve interrupted their moment. "We need to focus, and you especially with how much you fall on your face. He pointed at Cleo.

"Aw, is little Stevie feeling left out?" Robin teased.

      "No," he mumbled.

      "I think you are," Cleo sing-songed.

      "Well you're thinking wrong," he shook his head from in front of them. Rolling her eyes, Robin motioned for Cleo and herself to walk up to Steve. In a quick motion, the two girls had their arms around Steve's shoulders just as they had done to each other. "I'm not going to deny this because you did it yourselves, but I wasn't feeling left out."

"Something's happening," they heard from ahead. Mentally groaning at the discovery, they all became serious and rushed forward and out of the dark woods.

"Dustin, can you slow down? Dustin?" Eddie beckoned at the rushing boy but to no avail.

"I think we're getting close!" Dustin looked behind himself while speaking before Eddie caught him just in time.

"Watch your step, big guy."

"Oh, man," Steve breathed out while taking in the sight ahead of him. "You gotta be shitting me."

Eddie looked back at Cleodora with a moment of sympathy, "Yeah, I thought these woods looked familiar."

"Lovers Lake," Robin gave Cleo a worried look.

Confused, Cleo stepped forward, "what are you... you're kidding. You've actually got to be kidding me," she frustratedly said running her hands through her hair that begged for a wash.

      Just what she needed. A Lake.