TEENAGE NIGHTMARE
CHAPTER EIGHT — PART ONE.
THE CONNECTION.

Franny made a mental note to never drive with Steve Harrington when he's in a hurry ever again. The boy sped along the roads at a lightning speed, making the girl nearly vomit out the window at his reckless driving, but, it was effective enough to get them to the school within ten minutes, she she couldn't complain much.

When they had arrived, Franny hurriedly got out of the car and slammed the door shut, not entirely sure where to go or where to even begin looking for the group of boys, but she figured searching around the front of the school was a good start. Steve jogged to catch up to her, insisting that she wrap her hand up with something before it gets infected, to which she dutifully ignored. She heard him huff and mutter something about how a debate club nerd was so fast.

" You got long legs, Harrington, use 'em! " She reminded him as she trekked along the sidewalk leading to the school; the only place she could imagine they'd be outside was either in the back, where the recess playground was, or at the football field that sat as a center ground between the high school and the middle school.

As she got closer to the building itself, she squinted her eyes at the football field, trying to see if she had actually seen a small black blob or if her eyes were just seeing things. Without taking her stare off of the blob, her legs began to quicken and, soon enough, she was running towards the football field. The blob became clearer, more detailed, and she realized that it was a figure, a person standing in the middle of the field.

" Will. . . " She whispered, recognition hitting her like a ton of bricks when she saw the short, brown haired boy standing idly, not seeming to be doing anything in particular; for some reason, it was unsettling. It made her stomach lurch, and she knew that something wasn't right, so she tried to move her legs faster, practically sprinting down to the field as she shouted, " Will! Will! "

Then, when she was just yards away from the boy, she slowed. She kept calling his name, but he wasn't answering her, and she felt dread threaten to stop all of her words as she swallowed thickly. She finally was in arm's reach of him, and she stretched her hand out towards his shoulders, fingertips inches away from him when something suddenly leaped from Will's body, landing right on her hand.

" Fucking hell, what the shit— " She screamed in surprise, flinging whatever the small, purple creature was off of her hand, hearing it screech quietly before it was racing off; it disappeared from her sight, and she briefly looked down at her injured hand to see leftover slime from the animal seeping into the open wound, soaking into her bloodstream before disappearing completely. She furrowed her eyebrows at it, but she reminded herself that there was a more important matter at hand.

" Will, " She said again, gently grabbing his shoulder and turning him to find his eyes wide and glazed over; they were open but not really seeing, at least, they weren't seeing her. His face was drained of all color, and Franny felt a sick feeling rise in her throat as she shook his arm, getting nothing in return.

He must've been having an episode, she concluded, trying to run through everything Joyce had told her to do in case she was alone with him when another one happened. Of course, just when she needed it, all the important information left her memory, replaced with extreme panic as she shook his shoulder again, calling his name and hoping that he would just shake out of it.

" Will, Will, come on, please, " She whispered, then the boy suddenly fell, as if something had knocked him off his feet; Franny was quick to throw her arms underneath his body, falling to her knees and preventing his head from slamming against the hard ground. She felt tears prickling at her eyes as she looked down at Will's lifeless body in her arms, her breathing rapidly quickening as she leaned her head forward against his chest. She heard a quiet pulse and lifted her head, letting out a shaky sigh of relief before squeezing her arms around his body tightly.

" Come on, kid, wake up, wake up, don't do this to me, " She mumbled under her breath, lifting one of her hands to the back of his head, turning it to look down into eyes that weren't meeting hers; she sniffled quietly as the warm tears fell down her face, not realizing that Mike, Charlie, Dustin, Lucas, Steve, and Max had appeared behind her. The girl just tapped the side of his face, smearing some of the blood from her hand onto his face as she leaned over it, hair falling in front of her face. A single tear fell from her face and splashed onto Will's pale skin, and she let out a strained sob.

" Will, please, please, god dammit, kid, wake up, " She rambled, and the group of kids behind her watched in horror; she could head Steve saying that they should call 911, to which Dustin remarked a snarky comment back.

" Will?! Where's my boy, where's Will?! " Joyce Byers' shrill cry made Franny lift her head, the soft pleas falling from her mouth going silent as the dark haired woman came running onto the football field, practically sliding to her knees as she dropped on the other side of her son; she immediately placed her hands on either side of his face, a panic-stricken look on her face as she called, " Will, Will, baby, wake up, it's me, it's Mom, baby, wake up— "

Charlie felt frozen in his place, much like he had whenever he experienced Will's other episodes, except, somehow, this one was much worse. Franny and Joyce were crying like Will was dead, which, of course, he couldn't be, there was no way. Still, he felt helpless and hated it, hated watching the boy he (very strongly) liked looking lifeless and dull. Then, his eyes left Will's pale face and moved to his sister's hand, which had an odd, purple haze to it. His eyebrows knitted together, catching Mike's attention, but, before either of them could say anything, Will was shooting upright, gasping loudly.

While the boy was coughing on air, Joyce held his face in her hands, smiling through sadness as she hugged her son tightly. Franny shifted on her legs, moving to sit down on the damp grass as Steve crouched beside her, placing a hand in her shoulder. After Joyce released him, Will turned and looked at Franny like she was a ghost, but she either didn't notice or was unbothered by the strange look, because all she could think about was engulfing him in a tight hug.

" Never do that shit to me again, I thought you were dead, kid. " She told him in a quiet whisper, closing her eyes as she sat her chin on his shoulder, hearing him mumble an apology; she let out an inappropriate laugh before telling him, " Damn right, you better be sorry. "

Behind the happy reunion, the boys (and Max) stood with suspicious looks on their faces. It was no coincidence that Dart grew legs, escaped, and then Will had another episode. They were connected, that much was known between the boys. Max, however, still seemed a bit in the dark.

" Okay, that totally freaked me out. " Max admitted as Joyce helped Will stand, Franny apologizing to them both and giving the boy another hug before they began to walk back to her vehicle. " Did that not freak you out? "

It was a question directed at all of the boys, but it went unanswered. Lucas stared blankly as all the boys kept their eyes on Will's back. Charlie was half expecting him to collapse and go right back into the void.

" Two episodes in two days. " He pointed out, letting out a heavy sigh, " This sucks, man. "

" It's getting worse. " Mike confirmed, to which Charlie shook his head in frustration, unable to peel his eyes away from Will as he walked away with Joyce.

" He's getting worse, I mean, he already looks like a a sick puppy. " Charlie insisted, and Lucas nodded halfheartedly in agreement.

" Do you think it's True Sight? "

" What's True Sight? " Max asked, and the boys shook their heads, again, not answering her question. Lucas opened to his mouth to reply, but, with a sharp look from Mike, he only sighed again.

" It's, uh, it's nothing. "

Max seemed pissed off at that, rightfully so, but she wasn't a part of what happened last year. She couldn't possibly understand what they had been through. Franny was standing now, turning to look at the younger kids with Steve at her side. Charlie's eyes instantly shot to her hand, but she didn't seem to notice.

" What the hell are you doing here? It's nearly seven o'clock. " She stated, mostly directing her words to Charlie, but her questioning look met all of their faces.

" We were, uh, " Dustin trailed off, and Mike elbowed him sharply in the ribs, flashing the teenager a smile.

" We were just hanging out in the AV room, you know, " Mike put air quotes around the next part, having heard Franny say the term many times when referring to the younger boys, " 'nerd shit'. "

Franny gave him a dry look before looking to Charlie. She wasn't sure if they really thought she was that stupid or if they were just hoping she didn't ask more questions, so she just left it alone, insisting, " Okay, sure, nerd shit's over. Let's go, Charlie. "

" Yes, mom. " Charlie muttered, making at least Dustin snicker; Franny flashed the curly haired boy a warning glare before walking back up to the parking lot with Steve, Charlie trailing behind her after saying goodbye to his friends. He couldn't help but keep his eyes glued to her hand, especially when he swore he saw something pulsing within it.

Something wasn't right.

X X X

Apparently, JP was just as stupid sober as he was drunk, since he didn't seem to think over how incredibly awkward sitting in a car with Jonathan Byers and Nancy Wheeler would be. When Nancy told him about her grand plan to tell Barb's parent what had really happened to their daughter, he mostly went along with it because he figured it would keep his mind off of, well, everything else.

However, he was painfully close to keeling over and dying as he sat in the backseat of Jonathan's car, leaned forward so that his head was popped in between Jonathan and Nancy. It was quiet, and they had been waiting in the parking lot of the town park for nearly an hour, waiting to see a pair of ginger adults walking around. The trio were growing impatient, whether they showed it or not.

           Oh, and JP showed it.

            " This is so boring. " He said bluntly, clicking his tongue and rolling his eyes all the way around; neither teen in the front acknowledged him, so he fell dramatically against the backseat, blowing out a puff of air, moving the strand of greased blond hair out of his face. " We've been sitting here for hours— "

            " JP. " Nancy said, narrowing her eyes at him through the rear view mirror; he tilted his head and gave her a lazy grin, but she only rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the park.

            It was getting dark out, and, as much as JP always hated bursting Nancy's bubble and popping her well-intended ideas, it seemed pretty likely that they weren't coming. Jonathan has to agree, there was no way he was dense enough not to. JP shifted in his seat again, leaning forward and resting his head on his hand as he turned to look at Jonathan with furrowed eyebrows. It took a minute, but the reserved teen realized that JP was staring at him, taking a double take before raising an eyebrow at the blond.

            " Um, " Jonathan began, eyes flickering between JP and Nancy, who wasn't paying a lick of attention.

           " Oh, don't mind me, Byers. " JP insisted, making Nancy glance over at the two boys with an annoyed look. " I'm just trying to figure out what's so great about you. "

            " I don't know what you mean, "

             " Oh, come on! " JP jeered, shoving Jonathan's arm with a plastered grin on his face, " Nancy Wheeler doesn't just fall for anyone, and, oh, boy, wasn't the last one a real catch! "

              " JP. " Nancy called warningly, and Jonathan just gave him a look of confusion; the blond shook his head at Jonathan, the grin on his face widening as he shifted his gaze to look out the window, which was cracked an inch. He decidedly pulled out his pack of cigarettes, not even needing to ask as Nancy held the lighter up to him, an irritated look on her face as the boy lit the end.

            He inhaled heavily before leaning back, blissfully closing his eyes with a sigh, " Eh, I'm just kidding, Byers. My sister says you're a good guy, so I guess you're good in my book. For now. "

            Jonathan didn't reply, and it was quiet for a while, before Nancy turned around in her seat, looking at JP pointedly, " Would you mind doing that outside? I don't want my lungs to dry up before the Hollands' get here. "

           JP laughed through a puff of smoke, " Bold of you to assume I'd have enough cigarettes to last that long. "

           Still, he compliantly got out of the car, standing next to the driver's door as he left his open. There was a slight breeze blowing past, and JP took the opportunity to look around, trying to see any sign of the Hollands, but he couldn't convince himself that they were actually coming. The park was mostly empty, especially at this time at night, and he had half a mind to wonder why Nancy would ask to meet them here of all places. She had mentioned that she assumed that their calls would be traced, so she wanted to go somewhere safe and out in the open. JP didn't ask who she thought would be tracing their calls.

          Then, he saw it. A man walking a dog near the sidewalk where they were parked. It was an ugly dog, even making JP scowl as it tipped angrily at him when it spotted him. The man, wearing a jogger's suit, nodded to him apologetically, to which JP just dismissively waved his fingers.

          JP nearly laughed at the dread he felt in his stomach as the man and his ugly dog walked away, but he couldn't help his eyes as they scanned the darkened park, seeming to see shapes within the shadows. He gritted his teeth when he swore he heard the sound of rustling behind the bushes across the way, and he threw the cigarette to the ground, quickly stomping it out before getting back inside the car, slamming the door shut and locking his door.

           " JP, you look like you've seen a ghost, " Nancy commented, both teens turning around to look at him with confused looks; the blond shook his head, scooting towards the middle seat as he let out a shaky exhale.

            " Something's not right out there, feels like something was. . I don't know, like, fucking watching me. " He explained, realizing that he didn't sound more shaken up than he thought he felt; Nancy and Jonathan shared a look, and Jonathan was the first to speak.

            " It has been half an hour. " He pointed out, and Nancy sighed quietly, a look of disappointment crossing her face but she still nodded in agreement.

           Jonathan turned the key in the ignition, the engine revving briefly before spluttering our pathetically. JP dug his nails into the seats, leaning forward and giving Jonathan a dry look as the Byers' boy began to panic.

           " Oh, my god, this is just like every shitty teen horror movie ever. " JP declared, and Nancy shot him a look, but she frowned over at Jonathan, too, looking a bit worried as the car still didn't start.

            A sudden knock on Jonathan's window made all three of them jump and gasp. Jonathan looked between JP and Nancy cautiously before lowering the window, revealing an older man offering them a warm smile that didn't reach his wrinkly eyes.

             " Trouble with you car, kid? " He asked, gesturing towards the front of the car, " I can give you all a lift if you'd like. "

             " Uh, yeah, no thanks, sir, " JP answered dryly, ignoring both Nancy and Jonathan's sharp looks to him as his fight or flight kicked in; he was very much fight, but with words instead of his hands, especially when it came to intrusive old people. " we'll be just fine sitting here, in the pitch black dark, at night. You know, you really shouldn't just knock on people's windows, we could've been half naked in here, making out or doing drugs, or some other shit— "

            " JP. " Both Nancy and Jonathan said his name this time, making him draw his eyes away from the old man, whose odd smile never left his face; a woman in a neat business suit stood near Nancy's side of the car, and something bumped against the back of the car. At least three other people dressed quite inconspicuously joined the old man and the businesswoman, surrounding the car.

             JP could only say one thing in return.

             " God dammit, Nance, I really wish I couldn't say this, but: I told you so. "

X X X

note.

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