"So let me get this straight, you kept something you knew was probably dangerous in order to impress a girl who... You just met?" Steve questioned.

"All right, that is grossly oversimplifying things" Dustin said. I cringed as i dipped my hand into the bucket of raw meat.

We had made a plan to lure the big lizard to the old junkyard with beef. Then, when he gets there, we fight him and hope for the best.

"I mean why would a girl like some nasty slug anyways?" Steve asked. "Yeah i don't think we tend to like slugs. Especially when they you know... Are front the upside down and eat cats" i said sarcastically.

"Because it's awesome" Dustin said. "Well even if she thought it was cool, which obviously she didn't, i feel like your trying way to hard" Steve said.

"Well not everyone can have your perfect hair, alright?" Dustin mumbled. I nudged Steve slightly to try and give him some advice. "It's not about the hair man. The key with girls is just acting like you don't care" Steve said with a shrug.

I scoffed. "No. That is the opposite of what we want! We want to be told that we're liked, then, we may like you back" i said. "Do you even count as a girl?" Steve asked. I rolled my eyes as i walked ahead of them both.

"Even if you do?" Dustin asked. "Yeah, it drives them nuts." "Then what?" he questioned. "Then you wait... Until you feel it" Steve said.

"Feel what?" "It's like before it's going to storm, you know? You can't see it but you can feel it like this, uh... Electricity" Steve said. "Oh like, in the electromagnetic field when the clouds and the atmosphere-"

"No, no, no, no like a... Sexual chemistry. You feel that, then you make your move" Steve said. "So that's when you kiss her?" Dustin asked.

"Woah, slow down there Romeo. Sure okay, some girls, yeah, they want you to be aggressive. You know strong, hot and heavy like... A lion. But others you gotta be slow and stealthy like ninja" he said.

"What type is Joy?" Dustin questioned. Steve shook his head and laughed slightly. "Joys different. She's different from the other girls" he mumbled. "Yeah she seems, pretty special i guess" Dustin said.

"Are you girls still talking?" i shouted ahead of them. They both groaned as they began to catch up.

As we were walking, i realised the woods where we were in, was close to my house. I thought i should go visit El incase she was worried. I felt bad i had left her alone with Hopper who i was still angry with... But i knew i had to see him too.

"You guys go ahead... I think there might be some weapons in my grandpas old cabin. It's only a couple of minutes away" i said. "Do you want us to come with you?" Steve asked.

"No!" i blurted out quickly causing them both to give me a confused look. "It's dirty... Practically falling apart... I'll be back in half an hour" i said. They both were still confused but kept walking.

It only took me a few minutes to get to the cabin. I gave the secret knock but there was no answer.
I sighed as i realised El must be even more angry than i thought. I took a clip out of my pocket and began picking the lock.

"El?" i called out as i walked inside. My face dropped as i saw the place was still a mess. Even more messy. There was boxes and old newspapers scattered on the floor. I grabbed one of the old newspapers and i felt my stomach drop.

"Terry Ives claims daughter was kidnapped by American scientists for her special capabilities"

"Eleven?" i shouted with more urgency. I barged into every room and tried to look for her. But she was gone. It looked like no one had been home since i left. I felt my breathing quicken as i panicked.

This was all my fault. If i had just stayed at home with El then i could have explained to her about her mother. Or, if i had just not lied to Jake about my walkman he would have dropped me home in time and El wouldn't have left in the first place.

I knew i had to deal with this... But i had to deal with the huge lizard first. Once that was finished, i will go find El myself.

I walked out to the shed behind the cabin and grabbed my Grandpas old shot gun. I then began walking quickly to the junkyard.

Once i arrived, i saw Dustin, Lucas, some random red haired girl and Steve beginning to barricade the old school bus. I'm guessing this was for shelter when the lizard does show up.

"Hi where have you... Where the hell did you get that?!" Steve exclaimed as he saw the gun. "My Grandpas house... I told you he has weapons."

"Yeah but guns? Do you even know how to shoot a gun?!" Steve questioned. "Well, you'll find out soon enough wont you Harrington" i said walking past him. "Hey wait, you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine... Why?" i questioned. "You just seem... Off." "I'm fine. Now, who is that girl?" i asked. "Oh yeah, that's Max i think her name was. Aka Dustin's girl crush" he said. "Oh, hmm" i said with a nod.

We all continued barricading the bus but all i could think about was El and my dad. Steve could tell something was off. But it's not like i could tell him. If i did, i'd have to tell him about El which would put her and Steve in danger.

It began getting darker and darker so we all clambered inside the bus. "So you've fought one of these things before?" Max asked. Steve nodded. "And, you're sure it wasn't like a bear or a rabid dog or something?" she questioned.

Steve gave her a confused look. "If you don't believe us, why are you even here? Just leave!" Dustin snapped. I think he was taking Steve's advice too seriously.

"Jesus! What's gotten into you? Is it past your bed time?" the girl snapped back as she climbed the ladder to the top of the bus. She probably went up there to be with Lucas who was the look out.

Steve gave Dustin a reassuring wink. "Stop it Steve. Why are you winking?" he asked. He winked again. Dustin groaned as he went to the other side of the bus. "Wow, that little shits got an attitude, huh?" Steve said.

I was in my own world, not listening to what he was saying. "Joy?" Steve said nudging me. "What?" i snapped. "I was just asking if your okay? You seem on edge" he said.

I sighed as i tried to keep the lump in my throat from not making me break down. "I haven't spoken to my dad in two days" i mumbled. "Yeah? That's not too long. When all this is over you'll see him. Don't worry."

"No Steve. It's... If we know about this lizard thing. My dad probably does. And i'm worried if he knows he may be in danger. Or he'll try and kill it himself. And then there's El... I mean electricity!... He probably left all the lights on" i said trying to cover myself.

"Your dad will be fine Joy, don't worry" he said. "But jesus Steve" i said standing up, beginning to pace up and down. "I was such a dick to him the last time i saw him. I said some bad stuff... And if anything happens i-"

Steve stood up and grabbed my shoulders. "No one is going to die. I'm sure your dad doesn't even know about this. And if anyone is going to survive fighting this weird, upside down lizard... It's your dad" he said.

I smiled slightly but it faded quickly. Steve?" i mumbled. "What?" he said.

"I think i'm a bad person."

"What?" Steve questioned. I opened my mouth to speak but was cut off by a loud, high pitched screech.

Max climbed down the ladder and Dustin ran over to us. I pulled away from Steve quickly as i wiped my eyes. "What was that?!" Max exclaimed.

"It's Dart" Dustin said. "Dart?" i questioned. "My lizard? The one that was tiny and now is massive, Joy keep up!" Dustin shouted. "Jesus i'm sorry, i just forgot his name was Dave!" i exclaimed. "Dart!" they all shouted.

I put my hand up in surrender. Steve walked past us and grabbed his bat. Well my bat... But i'll let him have it for now.

"Steve what are you doing?" Dustin questioned. "Just get ready" he said passing me the lighter. "No, are you joking? I'm coming" i said trying to walk past him.

Steve gently grabbed my arm. "Stay. Look after these shit birds. I'll be fine" he said giving me a small smile. I reluctantly took a step back and let him walk out the door.

Max and Dustin ran over to the small window and looked out at Steve. I looked at the lighter.

"Please don't fuck this up Harrington."