Have you ever thought about how you'd die? I have, over and over again I have theorized on how I would finally take my last breath. I always thought it'd be at the hands of my father who's a different kind of monster, but never in a million years did I think it'd be like this. How'd I get here and how'd it come to this? Perhaps I should start from the beginning, it was the summer of 1985 and I was getting ready to end my short time here in Hawkins, Indiana. Little did I know that it'd be because my life was ending and not because of the plan I had to leave the small town.
Chapter 1: Birthday Plans
It's always interesting coming into work, mostly because of the moms that bring their kids to the pool just oggle me during my shift like a bunch of vultures. It is not so bad, I am able to get a good tan and make some money before going out on the road to California. It is crazy to think that after a very interesting year here in Hawkins I finally get to go home. Today started like any other, I got to work and clocked in. I went into the locker room to change and when I came out all eyes were on me. Teenage girls stopped and stared as I walked by. The community moms wave and greet me in unison. I give them a friendly smile and a hello in return. Then, I see it. From across the pool I see the same kid who's been giving me problems since I got this job and he's running, again. That's it, I'm sick of this shit.
I blow my whistle and yell, " Hey, lardass, no running on my watch! If I catch you running again you're banned for life! Do you wanna be banned for life lardass," he shakes his head no. I blow my whistle again and everyone continues with what they were doing. I head up the lifeguard tower and officially start my shift watching kids play, making sure they are following the rules, and that no one drowns. The rest of the day passed with nothing out of the ordinary. I tanned, yelled at kids trying to break the rules, Mrs. Wheeler tried flirting with me, nothing new. My shift ended and I went back to the locker room and change back into my clothes. I clock out and see her waiting for me. Margaret Henderson is someone no one, especially myself, thought would end up with a guy like me. She's smart, compassionate, determined, sarcastic, beautiful, someone who deserves better than me. She deserves someone that can offer her more that late night drives and short lived thrills, but here she is wasting her time with me, Billy Hargrove "Keg King." She makes me a better person and I am still not sure what I offer her, but at least she's with me and I will take it that is until she realises I am not good enough for her and she moves on. Maggie meets me after work everyday and is never late. She looks so cute in her own work uniform. She got a job at the ice cream place in the new mall that just opened up and comes everyday to bring me ice cream on her break before heading back.
"I have a delivery for an S.S Butterscotch for a Mr. Hargrove? Hm, wonder who he is, he sounds handsome," she says with a smile. I walk up to her and wrap her in a hug, "I didn't know that this ice cream came with such a cute little sailor."
"Oh stop it Hargrove, flattery will get you everywhere."
"Oh really? Well what do I have to do to get a night alone with you sailor? After all it is your birthday."
She giggles, "Are you saying you'd like to take me out?"
"Well, I do remember you saying that your mom left to go pick up your brother from camp and it would not be fair for you to be all alone on your birthday," I give her a smile, "Why don't you meet me at the Motel 6 out on Cornwallis after work tonight and I can give you an extra special birthday gift for your eighteenth birthday?"
"I think you have got yourself a date mister," she says, biting her lip before moving in for a kiss. We stay there kissing for a long time, my hand moves from her back to under her sailor skirt and I give her butt a firm squeeze. She pulls away with a squeak and flushed face and gently gives my chest a smack. "Here take your ice cream before it melts. I have to get back but I will see you tonight, okay?"
"Alright, see you tonight sailor," I wave as she leaves. I have a couple of hours to kill before meeting her so I decided to spend them picking up supplies. I go to the general store to pick up flowers, drinks, and other essentials for the night. After that I pick up Max and take her to the arcade to meet with her friends. As much as I hate her hanging out with that Sinclair kid at least it gets her out of my hair for a while. Then I start the trek to the Motel 6. The long, dark, and quiet road to the edge of town was interrupted by the sound of Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast" blasting through the speakers of my car. I was so distracted singing along to the heavy metal song playing that I didn't even notice what had hit the windshield until it was too late. There was a crash and I started spinning out of control. My car ended up smashing into some bushes by a warehouse. I get out of the car once it's stopped moving and hear noises.
I call out, "Who's there," no answer so I try again, "I said who's there?" That's when I feel it, something grabbing me and pulling my leg, dragging me underground and into the warehouse. Little did I know that this was the beginning of the end for me.