'It's just, sometimes... people don't really say what they're really thinking. But when you capture a the right moment it says more.' - Jonathan Byers

Two weeks earlier...

"So Coleman, besides obsessing over Billy Hargrove, what do you do with yourself all the time?" Jesse's tone is playful as he fiddles with one of the napkin dispensers during our nightly clean up at the diner. 

These shifts we work together have become more than just mindless labor for me since Jesse starting working at the diner. Hiring him might have been one of the greatest gifts my mother has given me, ever.  

Jesse and I chat constantly and I've started to find myself much happier at work than I'd ever been before. Jesse is the kind of person who can light up an entire room with one simple smile. His energy is bright and warm, not once have I ever felt uncomfortable in his presence. 

"I mean- not much lately. I used to be kind of into art and you know, drawing things but I just haven't been feeling it lately." I sigh, thinking of how much happier I was in the past. Jim wasn't around, I was dating my best friend, Steve and my other best friend, Nancy, well we were closer than ever. 

"What do you mean? You don't draw anymore?" Jesse questions lightly. 

"Yeah I guess not, I hadn't really thought about it. I've had so much on my mind lately, it's like I haven't had any time for the things I love." 

Jesse stops furiously swiping at the greasy tabletop in front of him up at my words and comes to stand beside the booth I'm sitting in. 

"Is this about that Billy guy? Is he- does he hurt you? 'Cause Andie, I know I haven't asked about it before but I've noticed those bruises you come in with," he confessed quietly.

"What? No! God, no! Billy would never hurt me Jess," I insist. "I swear," I add, when he doesn't seem convinced. 

"Well.. if you say so. But you know you can talk to me, right? I know we haven't known each other for long but I really like you Andie, I want you to feel like you can trust me, you know?" he admits, an earnest look in his eyes. 

I reach up and grip his arm gently, "Hey, I like you too. And I do trust you, Jess," I manage a small smile. I wasn't lying, I did indeed find myself trusting this seemly genuine and kind boy but I knew there were still things that I wasn't ready to share with him yet. 

I think he sensed it too, but I was praying he could be patient with me. I really didn't want to lose one of the only good relationships in my life right now. 

Jesse smiled brightly, "Okay, good." 

I made to stand up but he stopped me with more kind words that I probably didn't deserve. "Hey, don't let the shitty parts of  life get in the way of doing the things you love. Start drawing again Andie, that's an order." And with one last smile, we both went back to work.

* * * 

Present day...

Jesse's words kept repeating in my head as I tread lightly behind our small group on the railroad. Billy is quiet beside me, but as we walk through the ominous darkness, I couldn't help but think of the sweet boy who'd come into my life not too long after Billy. 

I still feel guilty for abandoning Jesse last night but I hope that when this whole nightmare is over I'll finally be able to find him and apologise. The thought of him hating me is unbearable.

"You're positive that was Dart?" Lucas speculated to Dustin a few paces ahead of Billy and I.

"Yes," Dustin stresses. "He had the same exact yellow pattern on his butt."

"He was tiny two days ago." Max adds, sounding confused.

"He's molted three times already." Dustin explains, sounded exhausted.

"Malted?" Steve interrupts.

"Molted. Shed his skin to make room for growth like hornworms."

"When's he gonna molt again?" Max asks. 

"It's gotta be soon. When he does, he'll be fully grown, or close to it. And so will his friends."

"Yeah, and he's gonna eat a lot more than just cats." Steve points out. I smile faintly, thinking of the stupid cat named Mews. Can't say I'll miss the thing.

"Wait, a cat? Dart ate a cat?" Lucas demands suddenly, pressing a hand to Dustin's chest to stop him. The rest of our party stops in unison. 

"No, what? No." Dustin says, avoiding Lucas' eyes. I move up to stand beside Steve and Billy follows to stand on my other side. I cross my arms, hiding my amusement as I watch the cat fight that's about to happen between the young boys.

"What are you talking about? He ate Mews." Steve says innocently. 

"Mews? Who's Mews?" Max questions.

 "It's Dustin's cat." Steve continues, looking lost. I hit his shoulder, holding back a chuckle. He gives me a look of confusion. "Dude, obviously Dustin didn't tell Lucas about Mews." I mumble under my breath and Steve instantly looks guilty.

I zone out as Dustin and Lucas continue to bicker between themselves. I shiver involuntarily as I look out into the pitch black wilderness that surrounds us. Those creatures are out here somewhere and I'm dreading the moment that we face them once again. 

Billy takes a step close and wraps his arm around my shoulder, using both hands to rub my arms softly. "You cold?" he whispers, careful not to interrupt the argument in front of us. 

I lean into him and meet his worried eyes, giving him a reassuring smile, "A little, but I'll be okay. Just want this night to be over already."

Billy opens his mouth as if to respond but Steve speaks up before he can, "Hey guys?"

The kids don't hear him at first, so he tries again, "GUYS!"

Everyone falls silent as the distant growl of one of the monsters can be heard, rising goosebumps all over my body. Steve and the boys waste no time running after the sound but Max, Billy and I are a little more hesitant."

"Hey, guys, why are you headed towards the sound?" Max yells at the already retreating forms of our companions. 

"Uh- yeah guys, I agree with Max here! Shouldn't we be going the other way?" I argue, putting my hands around my mouth to project my voice.

Billy chuckles and grips my hand tightly and jokes, "Come on kids, where's your sense of adventure?" Before I can protest he takes off after the boys, dragging me with him.

Strangely enough, I get the weird sense that Billy is enjoying this. 

I hear Max curse quietly behind us as she finally follows after us. When we reach the trio again they've stopped at the top of a large open hillside. Lucas has his binoculars out, obviously searching for any sign of the illusive, 'Dart' and his ugly friends. 

After a few moments of silence, Lucas finally speaks up. "It's the lab. They were going back home." 

* * *

The forest seemed ominously quiet as we treaded quietly through. There were no signs of the demodogs yet, even the sound of our own footfalls were silent. All that can be heard are the sound of the leaves in the gusty wind. 

I followed the lights of Steve and Dustins flashlights as we continued downhill towards this so called 'lab'. I didn't know much about it yet, only what Dustin had hurriedly explained to me not five minutes ago. 

He'd said that it was some kind of government research facility and that his friend Will had been going there regularly since his return the the 'real' world. Whatever that meant. Dustin was so unlike his older brother that most of the time it was easy for me to forget they were related.

When Billy had dropped back to walk beside his step-sister and they began to talk quietly, I'd sped up to lead the pack with Steve, wanting to give them some privacy. 

I desperately hoped that Billy was trying to mend his rocky relationship with the girl. I knew he was angry at his father, and angry at his step-mother, but I really did believe that he and Max could help each other. 

As we began to reach the edge of the trees, a voice travelled up towards us and it sounded vaguely familiar. "Hello? Who's there? Who's there?"

Steve lowered his flashlight as the strangers came into view. 

"Steve?" Nancy and Jonathan say in unison.  As I step up beside Steve, Nancy looks even more surprised. "Andie?" She asks, bewildered. 

"That's Cassandra to you, Nancy." I proclaim unashamed. Nancy looks hurt but I avoid her eyes, forgiveness is not always something that comes easy to me.

"Nancy?" Steve asks finally, ignoring my rude remark. "Jonathan." Dustin announces.

"Is that.. Billy Hargrove?" Nancy questions nervously. 

"The one and only!" Billy asserts loudly, coming to stand by my side again.

"What are you doing here?" Nancy demands, angrily.

"What the hell does it look like? We're monster hunting." I reply sarcastically. Billy chokes on a laugh as Steve gives me an exasperated look.

"What are you doing here?" Steve fires back, choosing to ignore my smart ass comment.

"We're looking for Mike and Will." Nancy explains, also ignoring me.

"They're not in there, are they?" Dustin chips in.

"We're not sure." Is Nancy's response. 

"Why?-" Jonathan's question is interrupted by the bone-chilling growl of the demodogs. It's much louder before and much more terrifying. The sound sends chills up my body.

"That. Would be why." I joke, earning a furious glare from everyone except Billy.

* * *

sorry about the wait (again), but i hope you enjoyed this update! what are your thoughts? do you have any predictions for the next few chapters? 

hope you're all having a relaxing sunday x

au; unedited