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― season two, episode twelve;
HEATING UP
[ the finale! ]

0:00 ───|────── 24:03
▁ ▂ ▃ ▄ ▅ ▆ █ 100 %

3130 words

━━

The drive wasn't too long, but every few seconds Mom would glance back at Will and I to make sure that we were fine. And everytime she would glance, I would give her a reassuring smile even though I was feeling extremely nervous and not at all confident.

We arrived at Hop's cabin, hearing some Demo-dogs roaring from the lab in the distance. I winced as I remembered that Belle was there, and I tried not to think about what those dogs would do to her corpse once they got a chance to sink their teeth into her flesh.

I swiped at my now teary eyes, picking up my assigned radiator to carry and hurrying after Mom and Jonathan, who were already halfway in the door.

We entered the cabin, and I looked around, taking it all in. The windows were all shattered, and the furniture was moved around. It looked like there had been an earthquake or something. But despite all of that, it was kind of cozy in a way.

I flipped on the light switch on the wall, and the lamp above the kitchen table began to glow dimly. Jonathan laid Will down on the couch and Mom set down her cords and things that she had carried inside.

Mom wandered around the room until she paused in the corner, turning to Jonathan and I. "We'll do it here."

I stepped into a bedroom and took off all the blankets and pillows. Then I lifted it vertically and shuffled out of the room, bringing it over to where Mom had decided was the perfect location.

Jonathan picked Will back up and laid him on the bed. Mom used the rope that we had bought to tie all of Will's limps to the legs of the bed. And I kept my nerves at bay by keeping busy, loading the fireplace with wood.

I struck a match and tossed it onto the pile of wood, and immediately a strong flame went up. Then I helped Jonathan plug in the two radiators that we had brought, along with some more that we had found inside the cabin into the outlets in the walls. I kept my eyes on the task before me, unable to look at Will, who was now tied down. It hurt too much.

Once we had finished, the three of us stood back and stared at our set up. Jonathan took a shaky breath.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" He breathed.

Mom sighed, looking determined. "This thing has had Will long enough. Let's kill this son of a bitch."

At her words, I stepped forward and cranked all the radiators all that way up. Jonathan hung back, covering his mouth with his hand. He really seemed to be struggling with all of this.

Mom and I, on the other hand, were determined. We had made up our minds that all of this ended tonight, and we'd kill this thing that had tormented our family and our loved ones for far too long.

No matter what.

The heaters and the fireplace had been running for about five minutes and the three of us were sweating bullets. We'd all taken off our coats and I had even taken off my button up shirt, now just wearing my sports bra under my overalls.

Finally, Will jolted awake. He gasped as his eyes darted around the room, taking in everything that we had set up. I bit the inside of my cheek so hard that I tasted blood as I watched him start to freak out.

I just had to remain strong and push through this. Everything was going to be fine, just don't break, I kept reminding myself. No matter how much he seems like he's in pain, keep going. That's the only way to kill it. I took a deep breath as I said those affirmations.

"What's happening?" He panted, pulling at his ties. He grimaced as the heat really set in. "It hurts!"

I saw Jonathan wince at this, but I moved my eyes to Mom, staring at her. I was worried that the two of them would break first and I'd have to be the one to finish the job. I don't know if I could emotionally handle it today.

Will was tossing and turning violently now, screaming how it hurt, and demanding for us to let him go. I felt my breathing grow shallow and my eyes filled with tears as I watched.

Mom scowled and shot out her hand and cranked the heaters up even higher.

"Mom!" Jonathan sobbed.

She ignored his pleas, in fact, she grabbed one of the radiators and held it right up to Will, making him scream louder.

I stepped closer to Jonathan, feeling myself start to cry. I tried to keep repeating my words of encouragement in my head, telling myself that I couldn't break, but I was starting to lose it.

Jonathan whipped around, unable to watch any longer, and I heard him begin to cry. Between Will's screams of agony and Jonathan's helpless sobs, I was starting to break down.

Just then, I remembered. I remembered how this dimension took my little brother, for no reason. I remembered how I felt when nobody knew what was going on, if he was dead or alive. I remembered Mom's hysteria and being the only other person who believed her. I remembered Belle, and how Barb was taken from her by a monster from said dimension. I remembered Bob, and how I had watched him get ripped to shreds. I remembered how Belle had died, killed by the lab that had opened the gate to the dimension, and started this whole mess. I remembered how much hurt this has caused me and my loved ones.

And I remembered that this was the opportunity to kill the mastermind behind it all; the Mind Flayer.

With this new found strength and confidence, I lunged forward and lit a second match, tossing it into the fireplace, watching the flame grow. Just as the heat hit my face, I turned around and gasped.

Will had broken free of one of his ties and now had a hand around Mom's throat. I looked over at Jonathan and he seemed frozen in fear. For a brief moment, I felt myself weaken again. But this time, I pushed through the ache in my chest.

I snatched up the fire poker and held it into the open flame for a few moments. Then I took one large stride over to the bed, and I shoved the scolding metal against Will's side.

He screamed as it sizzled against his skin, and I grit my teeth, pushing down my emotions. He let go of Mom and she fell to the floor, gasping for air. I backed away from the bed so he couldn't grab me next, dropping the metal rod as I realized what I had just done.

Right before my vision blurred with tears, I caught a glimpse of Will's neck. There were dark, black veins running up to his face, like the Mind Flayer was being brought out of him. Inhuman noises were coming out of him, sounding a lot like the screeching veins.

Mom was back on her feet, looking pissed off. "Get the hell out of my son!" She screamed.

Will's mouth opened and a whirling cloud of black smoke exploded out. My knees gave out in shock and I fell onto the floor, starting to sob.

The dark cloud, shrieking, shot through the air right out of the front door, leaving it swinging back and forth on its hinges.

Will fell limp, and Jonathan sprang into action and hurriedly unplugged all the heaters. I weakly pushed myself onto my hands and knees, crawling over to the side of the bed, where Mom was now kneeling.

She pushed Will's hair off of his sweaty forehead, sobbing. "Will? Will!" Her voice shook.

My body was trembling with sobs as I clutched at the bedsheets, praying to whatever high power would listen that he would wake up.

Slowly, Will's eyelids fluttered open and the three of us stopped breathing for a second. My cries from fear turned into cries with relief and I let my heavy head drop onto the bed, crying harder into the sheets.

"Mom?" Will croaked.

"Oh, honey. Oh my God." Mom sobbed.

The bed shifted and I lifted my head to see Will had sat up and was hugging Mom tightly. Jonathan threw himself on top of them, joining in their embrace.

I went to add myself to the hug, but I was so exhausted, I could only rest my hand on Mom's arm before my eyelids started to close.

My head was reeling, and my heartbeat was loud in my ears. The room was spinning before my eyes and so, getting dizzy, I closed them. And then, I slipped into unconsciousness.

*.✧ 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 ✧.*

After everything that happened last month, Nancy and Jonathan released this tape that they had gotten to the public. It was a recording of Dr. Owens talking about the lab's sketchy projects, confirming the public's suspicions.

The lab was forced to shut down, after the controversy and being forced to admit involvement in Barb's death and having covered it up.

The story was that a dangerous chemical had leaked from the grounds of the lab, and Barb had been driving by and gotten exposed to it. And they said that Belle had gone looking for her every day for a year, and then one day, the same chemical leaked from the lab yet again, and then Belle was exposed.

To me, it was a lousy, unbelievable cover story, but to the rest of the town and to the Holland family, it was an explanation, and it gave them closure about what had happened to their daughters.

Currently, the wind blew through my hair as I stood at Belle and Barb's joint funeral, holding onto Nancy's arm as I fought back tears.

It hurt me that I didn't know what actually happened to Belle, and that I'd probably never get answers. But, I was happy that we had gotten to say goodbye, and to admit our feelings about each other. An even bigger piece of me would've died if we hadn't gotten that chance.

I pulled away from Nancy, stepping over to Belle's parents, wanting to speak with them.

"I'm really sorry about Belle and Barb." I said, voice trembling. "They were wonderful girls."

Mrs. Holland smiled at me through her tears. "Thank you dear. You were a great friend to Belle, she never really had one of those before. You were exactly what she needed. I know that she's smiling down at us, and specifically you."

I couldn't stop the hot tears from rolling down my face at her words. I hoped Belle was smiling down on me, I would be honored. I'd always keep her in my heart, thinking of her forever.

Missing her forever.

I gave them a polite smile before I returned to Nancy. She had some tears in her eyes and she only looked up from the ground when I approached.

"Are you ready to go?" She said, swallowing hard.

I could only nod, and the two of us started to walk back towards the parking lot. Nancy stopped under a cherry blossom tree and I paused as well, turning to her confused.

"I have something for you." She said, "But, I wanted us to be alone first."

"You've scaring me." I halfheartedly joked with her.

Nancy didn't return my teasing smile, instead keeping her mouth in a firm line as she reached into her coat pocket. When she pulled her hand back out, I gasped at what she was grasping.

Belle's bracelet.

I looked down at the matching one on my wrist as I felt myself tearing up again.

"I noticed that you had one of them too," Nancy held it out to me. "So, I took it off her wrist before we left her. I thought you'd want to have it."

I carefully grabbed the jewelry between my shaking fingers, a tear rolling down my cheek. My heart swelled as I stared at the pretty purple pendant and thought of Belle's beautiful smile.

I unclasped the bracelet and put it on, right next to my own. I'd wear these bracelets for the rest of my life, and I want to be buried in them, if possible.

I smiled at Nancy, more tears escaping my eyes and wetting my face. "Thank you," I whispered.

She pulled me into a hug and I let myself cry into her wool jacket. I linked my hands together around Nancy's neck and I stared at my two bracelets, side by side.

I love you, Belle Holland. And I always will.

*.✧ 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 ✧.*

"Try this!" Nancy demanded, holding out a serving spoon full of punch.

We were at the middle school dance called the Snow Ball, as volunteers. Nancy and I worked at the punch table, and Jonathan was taking pictures at the photo booth.

I slurped on the spoon, tasting the overly sweet juice. "It's so sweet." I scrunched up my nose.

"Then the kids will love it." Nancy smiled, proud of herself. She locked eyes with Jonathan across the room and the two stared at each other lovingly.

I chuckled at her before smoothing out my dress. I brushed off some blue and white confetti that had stuck to the skirt, looking up slowly at the dancing kids as a new song came on.

Suddenly, the door to the gymnasium opened and El stepped inside. She looked really pretty, wearing a blue dress and some pink eyeshadow. Her short curls were gelled and sitting perfectly.

I couldn't help but to smile proudly at her. I felt like a big sister to her.

She didn't see me, going right over to Mike. The two talked for a moment and then started to slow dance.

"I'll be back," Nancy muttered before running off towards the bleachers on the other side of the gym.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the kids, who were now all dancing with their love. My eyes filled with tears as I wished that I could've brought Belle tonight. We could've snuck away from our duties and dancing together, making even snuck off the to bathroom to share a kiss.

I blinked and a tear rolled down my cheek, and I turned away from the crowds, embarrassed to be crying at a stupid middle school dance.

As I struggled to regain my composure, I knew that I couldn't be here any longer. I left the punch table unattended and hurried out the gym doors.

More tears started to fall as I fast walked down the hallway to the girl's bathroom. I pushed the door open, running into a stall. I locked the door on myself before I completely broke down.

I covered my mouth with my hand to try and stay quiet as I sunk to the floor. My heart ached so badly as I choked back my sobs.

I wish that I had more time with Belle, before all of this went down. Maybe we would've said how we felt about each other sooner, and maybe she'd still be here.

I could almost see her, picturing her standing in the gym, under the streamers the blue light dancing on her face. She'd be in a dress that she probably borrowed from her Mom, or Barb, and she would not shut up about how uncomfortable she was in it. We'd have to dance just as friends, because people could be cruel to people like us, but we'd know. We'd know how special it would be to us. I'd take her hand and spin her around, and I'd bask in how beautiful she truly looked. We'd be happy.

I removed my hand from my mouth, dropping it into my lap, starting to play with the two bracelets. I began to smile through my tears, suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of contentment wash over me. I couldn't help but to think that it was Belle smiling down on me.

I got the urge to go back out there and dance, and I wiped my face, chucking softly. "Fine, I'll go." I whispered, talking like Belle was with me. Because as far as I was concerned, she was. And she'd always be there.

I exited the stall, stopping in front of the mirror to fix my makeup. I used a paper towel to blot out my tears and wipe away my smudged mascara.

Suddenly, the ground vibrated, causing my hand to slip and I poked myself in the eyes, dropping the paper towel.

"Shit!" I gasped, clutching my injured eye. Once the pain subsided a bit, I bent down to grab the towel. I paused when my fingers were right above it.

It was jumping up and down slightly, like something was shaking the ground.

"What the...?" I continued to stare at it as it trembled.

Just then, the hair on the back of my neck stood up, causing a chill to run down my spine. I bolted out of the bathroom, breathing heavy.

What the hell was that?

The chills were gone, and I felt normal again. I caught my breath for a moment before returning to the bustling gym. I found Nancy dancing with Dustin and I went over to the two of them.

"Can I steal Nancy for a minute?" I asked.

Dustin nodded and the two let go of their interlocked hands. I grabbed Nancy's arm and started to drag her out of the gym, planning on telling her. But then I paused, not wanting to tell her anymore. Tonight was supposed to be fun, and carefree.

I could tell her some other time. It could wait.

Ignoring the pit that was growing in my stomach, I faced her and forced a smile.

"What's up?" She asked, smiling brightly.

"Nothing, nothing." I shook my head, lying through my teeth. "I just...wanted to know if you'd like to dance with me?"

"Of course!" Nancy beamed and grabbed my hands, pulling me out to the middle of the dance floor.

As we danced together, spinning around and dropping it low, I couldn't shake the pit in my stomach.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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ೃ༄ cat speaks!

hiii guys!! season two is done!! i don't have much to say except that season three is coming soon, along with many more books from me, so stay tumed for that!

thank you so much if you've read up to this point or even just read one chapter, i'm so grateful!!

━━

𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐖𝐎: astronomy

' 𝒘𝒆'𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒔, 𝒘𝒆'𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔. 𝒘𝒆'𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒔... '

FINISHED.

ೃ༄ ACT THREE COMING SOON.