The Rise of The Archer
Chapter 3 "The Search"
Abigail pressed her fingers against her temples, in a feeble attempt to ease the pounding headache that had settled in. The muffled sound of Dustin's bedroom door shutting echoed down the hallway. Abby sat up turning her attention towards her mother shuffling around in the kitchen.
"So, exactly what do we know?" Abigail questioned; her gaze fixated on her mother bustling around the kitchen finishing up a meal that seemed inconsequential in the face of everything.
Claudia glanced up from her task, a slight weariness in her eyes. "The chief said they found the bike abandoned at the side of the road. Only slight damage from a crash. They think he may have wandered off into the woods. They're organizing a search party tonight. I'm joining them."
Abigail's jaw clenched as her frustration was hitting its boiling point. "And what about me? Am I just supposed sit here and do nothing?
"I know you want—" Claudia began, but Abigail cut her off.
"It's not just about what I want. I'm skilled with a mom, Mom. I can track. I can help find him," Abigail insisted with a slight pleading tone that made her sound much younger.
Claudia's expression softened, but her resolve remained firm. "It's too dangerous, Abby. We don't know what happened to Will. I can't risk losing you too." Her voice slightly cracking towards the end.
Abigail clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "Life isn't safe, Mom! People die every day. If there is even a chance I could find Will, I have to take it."
A tense silence grew between the mother and daughter, the only breaking sound was Abby's deep breaths as she attempted to use breathing exercises to reign in her temper. The unspoken underlying fears hung between them driving a wedge between them.
"It's not an option," Claudia finally said, her voice firm with conviction. "Do not raise your voice at me."
"God forbid I actually feel something for once!" Abigail snapped, her attempts to control her temping caving. Without another word, she stormed into her room, slamming the door shut with
"Abigail Grace Henderson!" called Claudia before letting out a frustrated sigh when she rattled the doorknob to find it wouldn't open. "Fine, I'll give you space. But this conversation is not over."
Abby flopped down in her bed planting face first into a pillow. She screamed into it. Her bedside lamp flickered several times before staying off when she rolled over onto her back. Hot tears burned in her eyes. She didn't stop it when it rolled down her cheeks. She got up going into her closet pulling out the tattered cardboard box pulling out the blue Brewers hat and a red and black flannel shirt from the back of her closet. She pulled her sweater off, tossing it on the floor replacing it with the flannel that was gigantic on her frame. She clutched the hat as she plopped back down on the bed. After staring at the ceiling for several minutes her headache won, and her eyes closed making her mind go blank.
A soft rapping on her door made Abby groan, rubbing her eyes. Her room had darkened significantly as dusk was approaching.
"Abby, are you awake?" called Dustin rattling the doorknob. "Come on, why is it fucking locked. ABBY!"
Abby got up, yanking the door open, making Dustin stumble into her. He quickly recovered, giving her his classic smile.
"Whatever, stupid plan you have cooked up in your head you are not doing it," sighed Abby.
"Come on, please, just listen to it," pleaded Dustin.
"Fine, you have two minutes to convince me," Abby said, crossing her arms.
"So, we want to go to the spot where Will disappeared and look for him. He might come to us if he's too scared to come to the adults," said Dustin "and we'd really like our favorite archer to join us. Well, I suggested that in case there was something in the woods that scared Will."
Abby sighed "That really is not very convincing."
"You said you would play a game with us some time. This is just like Dungeons and Dragons except we are looking for Will. Pretty please," begged Dustin, bringing out his puppy dog eyes.
"Just so this is clear. I'm not doing this because you begged me. I'm only doing this because mom said I had to watch you and I couldn't let you go into the forest by yourself. If we get caught by mom this is totally on you," said Abby.
"Yes! Fine, I'll take the blame if we get caught," agreed Dustin "come on get your archery stuff!"
Abby shook her head as walked towards the living room. She grabbed her keys from the backpack. She patted Mews's head as she walked past her lounging on the sofa. Mews leaning up into her hand.
"You'll be a good cat and won't tell mom right," she whispered. Mews gave her a soft mew. "I knew I could trust you."
"Stop talking to the cat and let's go," whined Dustin.
"You better knock that off right now before I change my mind," grumbled Abby "like seriously that makes you sound like baby."
Dustin frowned at the mention of being a baby. "I wouldn't have to if you hurried up."
Abby went into the garage grabbing out a bow and quiver from a cabinet. She yanked her buried bike out with a firm tug opening the garage door to push it out before closing the door again. Dustin stood outside by the door.
"So, biking?" questioned Dustin.
"No shit, mom would totally notice my car," Abby replied, rolling her eyes "unless you want to get caught."
"Right."
Abby looked up at the sky. "It's going to rain."
Dustin pouted sightly looking up. "Yeah. Let's hurry then." He paused looking at shirt. "Is that…."
Mike and Lucas made the turn down their street making Abby sling the quiver around her shoulder and put her bow in the basket of her bike.
"Come on, if we are going to do this let's try to beat the rain," said Abby getting on her bike.
"Yeah," mumbled Dustin.
"Fancy seeing you boys here. I heard you guys are looking for an archer," Abby called to the other boys.
"Ha, told ya Mike!" Lucas said, giving Abby a big smile "Hell yeah, I knew she'd join!"
Mike rolled his eyes.
"I can't let my favorite boys go into the woods alone," said Abby, patting the top of Lucas's head with one hand while balancing on her bike.
"You had no problem letting Will bike home alone," Mike muttered under his breath.
Dustin frowned. "Hey! Don't talk to my sister like that."
Abby reached over, slapping the back of Mike's head.
"What the hell!"
"Don't be a shithead," said Abby "I'm not putting up with that attitude all night."
Mike rubbed the back of his head before biking ahead of everyone.
Dustin looked over at Abby. "He's wrong. It's not your fault Will biked alone. If anyone I should…"
Abby sighed "If it's not my fault. It's not your fault either. Let's just find Will."
The group turned down Mirkwood road and soon reached the yellow police tape. Abby sucked in air deeply as everyone got off their bike and fixed her quiver. They all paused for moment looking into the woods.
BOOM! The clouds ahead darkened, and a flash of light lit up the forest. Sprinkles land on top of Abby's head making her look up just as Dustin did the same.
"Oh man, you guys feel that?" asked Dustin, holding out his hand as the rain started to fall. "Maybe we should go back."
Mike took off his backpack grabbing his walkie and handing it to Dustin. "No splitting up or anything stupid like that but stay on channel six. Just in case." Mike and Lucas starting walking into the woods.
Abby sighed. "Come on Dustin. We came this far." She was suddenly wishing she had maybe brought something a bit more useful like a gun instead of bow and arrows.
BOOM! With another clap of thunder Dustin quickly followed his sister. "Hey, guys, wait up. WAIT UP!" He briefly grabbed onto the back of his sister's shirt before letting go looking over at Mike and Lucas.
Another crash of thunder and a brief flash of lighting lit up the group. Everyone was completely drenched. Flashlights reflecting off the steady rain.
"Will? WILL?" called Mike.
"Byers?" Lucas called.
"It's okay Will. Come on out!" called Abby "no one's upset just come out!"
"I've got your X-Men One-thirty-four!" Dustin called out.
"Not a bad idea," said Abby quietly to her brother giving him a smile. Dustin smiled back. The group continued on. Abby frowned slightly feeling the hair on the back of her neck tingling slightly. She rubbed it looking behind her squinting looking into the woods.
WHOO! Abby jumped quickly drawing an arrow from her quiver before looking up into a tree finding a pair of beady yellow eyes staring back at her. She let out a sigh of relief looking up at to see an owl putting back the arrow. She quickly speeds off to catch up with the boys.
Dustin looked up at the sky, weary , shivering slightly. "Guys, I really think we should turn back—"
"Seriously, Dustin, if you want to be a baby, just go home already," retorted Lucas.
Abby sighed listening to the boy's bicker. If only she could reach over and slap the back of Lucas's head, but he was way out of reach. She knew better than to intervene in the argument.
"I'm just being realistic, Lucas –" replied Dustin frowning slightly.
"No, you're being a sissy—" snapped Lucas.
"Knock it off," said Abby, "you guys are giving me a headache." The pounding in her head started to return.
"You ever think Will went missing because, you know, he ran into something bad? And now we are going to the place he was last seen, and we don't have any weapons besides Abby, or anything," Dustin continued.
Abby frowned. So, Dustin had heard her argument with her mother. She inwardly sighed it wasn't like she was quiet about it though so that was bound to happen.
"He has a point. I am not even sure a bow and arrow is a good weapon if there is something out here," added Abby.
"You're his sister. You have to agree with him!"
"Listen here you little—" Abby snapped.
"I'm just saying', does that seem smart to you?!" Dustin snapped.
"Shut up!" yelled Mike.
Dustin instantly deflates his eyes, softening as he looks at Mike, who was staring into the forest. Abby presses her fingers into her temples.
"Do you guys hear that?" whispered Mike.
A small rustling of leaves as Abby reached into her quiver moving forward standing in front of Mike. Everyone tense moving back slightly while Abby steps forward tentatively holding her breath. Mike flashes his flashlight ahead of Abby.
Whoosh! A shadow figure darts behind them making everyone whirl around. Abby lets go of the arrow in surprise. It hits a tree next to Dustin making him look at the arrow wide-eyed as does Abby. She gave him a silent apology with her eyes. As everyone's light hits the figure it's clearly a girl in a hospital gown with a shaved head.
After a trek back through the woods back to the bikes everyone goes to Mike house. Abby looks around making sure no one is in the Wheeler's living room before gesturing the boys in. Everyone rushes and runs, sneaking down into the basement.
Abby flopped down on the nearby sofa as the boys approached the girl. She folded herself down putting her head in lap and holding her hands behind her neck pulling herself down. Her stomach twisting in knots and her head spinning.
"Is there a number we can call for your parents?" questioned Mike.
"Where's your hair? Do you have cancer?" asked Dustin. Abby looked over at her brother with disbelief.
"Did you run away?" asked Lucas.
"Are you in some kind of trouble?" continued Mike.
Lucas inched closer to the girl. "Is that blood?"
The girl starred wide eyed backing away from the boys. A piece of D&D figures fell off the floor. An elf holding a bow to be exact. Abby starred at it as it had landed near her feet. Like that she lifted her head as she felt complexly fine again.
"Stop it! You're freaking her out!" snapped Mike.
"She's freaking me out!" retorted Lucas.
"I bet she's deaf," said Dustin. He clapped loudly making the girl jump "not deaf."
Abby rolled her eyes.
"Alright, that's enough, all right? She's just scared and cold," stated Mike.
"Boys that's enough," said Abby standing up "Back off. You're scaring her."
All three boys looked over at Abby as she got up kneeling down in front of the girl.
"Don't mind them, they are just stupid boys," Abby said softly "My name's Abby. What your name?"
The girl shook her head.
"Okay, let's start with some dry clothes. Go find some of Nancy's old clothes," said Abby.
Mike shuffled around in the basement finding some clothes. He brough them back and held them out to the girl.
"Here, these are clean," said Mike.
The girl started to pull off the gown. Abby jumped forward.
"Wait!" called Abby "you can't do that here."
"No, no, no!" exclaimed Mike.
"Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my god!" repeated Dustin covering his eyes.
"The bathroom is this way," said Abby, holding out a hand towards the girl. The girl slowly took her hand. Abby led her into the bathroom shutting the door.
"So, didn't your parents tell you not to undress in front of boys?" asked Abby, setting out the clothes for the girl.
The girl shook her head. Abby let out a sigh. She paused for a moment , chewing on the inside of her cheek.
"No one hurt you right?" Abby whispered, "like touch you in places you didn't want them to?"
The girl stared at Abby, not giving her any clues. Abby sighed. "Alright, that's fine. Not very talkative. Here's the clothes. Do you want me to stay or go?"
"Stay," said the girl.
Abby sat down on the toilet seat letting out a sigh staring up at the ceiling as the girl changed. She looked over briefly once the girl had put on most of the clothes, seeing a marking on her wrist as she pulled on the sweater.
Abby could hear the boys bickering in the other room. She turned towards the girl again as several red flags signal in her mind.
"Do you have a name?" questioned Abby softly looking into the girl's eyes.
The girl pointed to her hand. Abby moved in a bit closer. Eleven. Abby looked at the girl turning her head slightly. Almost certain she could hear the girl trying to warn her. The hair on Abby's arm stood up for a moment giving her goosebumps.
"Hmm, okay," muttered Abby "ready to go back?"
The girl nodded and the pair of girls joined the boys again.
"Who's crazy now?" said Mike shaking his head.
"How is that crazy?" asked Lucas.
"'Casue, we weren't supposed to be out tonight, remember?" said Mike.
"Why are you guys arguing now?" asked Abby.
"They want to tell my mom," said Mike.
"Hmm, yeah. Not a good idea," said Abby "at least not tonight."
"See, she gets it," said Mike.
"Get's what?" Lucas snapped.
"So if I tell my mom and she tells your and your mom," said Mike.
"Oh, man," said Dustin.
"Our houses become Alcatraz," said Lucas.
"Exactly, we'll never find Will," Mike said.
Abby sighed. "Okay, let's all pause a moment and think. How can we help her without getting us all in trouble for the rest of our lives?"
Everyone pauses a moment before Mike speaks up. "Alright, here's the plan. She sleeps here tonight."
"You're letting a girl—" interrupts Dustin.
"Just listen! In the morning, she sneaks around my house, goes to the front door and rings my doorbell. My mom will answer and know exactly what to do. She'll send her back to Pennhurst or wherever she comes from. We'll totally be in the clear And tomorrow night, we go back out. And this time, we find Will," said Mike.
"Pennhurst? You guys think she's from Pennhurst?" questioned Abby in disbelief.
"She tried to get naked," countered Dustin.
"In front of us," continued Lucas.
"That doesn't mean she's from Pennhurst," replied Abby.
"Then what does it mean?" asked Dustin.
Abby sighed giving Dustin a look that said, 'we'll talk later'.
"You guys should go home," said Mike.
The girl clung to Abby's-soaked shirt. Abby gave the girl a small smile leaning down to her level again.
"I'm going to come back. Okay. I promise," said Abby. The girl nodded letting go of Abby. Abby gave her a small faintly sad smile as she pulled Dustin up the stairs.
Abby carefully approached their house seeing that it was still dark. She quietly pulled upon the garage finding her mother's car still gone. She let out sigh of relief as she put her bike back where it was and pulled Dustin's in while he went inside.
Abby went into her room locking the door as she found some pajamas to change into before knocking on Dustin's door.
"Give me your clothes so I can throw them in the wash before mom gets home."
Dustin tossed out his clothes onto the floor. Abby sighed as she picked it up heading over to the laundry room. She grabbed the rest of the laundry tossing everything into the washer starting it up.
"Dustin, you want dinner?" Abby called from the kitchen.
"Yeah."
Abby turned on the oven grabbing the pan in the fridge. She waited for the oven to heat before tossing in the meat loaf. Dustin came in and sat at the table.
"Abby, why don't you think she's from Pennhurst? Like it was seriously creepy how she just tried to get naked right in front of a bunch of boys. Like what sane person does that?" exclaimed Dustin.
Abby frowned slightly. "Um, God I really don't want have this conversation," she started. "Um, okay. So sometimes bad things happen to kids, and it makes them act differently."
"Like what?" Dustin questioned.
Abby sighed, sitting down looking at Dustin seriously. "So sometimes bad people touch people in their private areas without permission. So, they don't really understand that those places are private."
"Oh—" Dustin paused for a long time. "You don't think those people that did that to her have Will, right? Can that happen to boys?"
Abby twirled one of her damp curls between her fingers. "I don't even know that's what happened to her. Let's not think about that," she replied "but, yeah, it happens to boys and girls."
"Gross," said Dustin grimacing.
"It is. There are some really bad people out there," agreed Abby.
"Abby—" said Dustin.
"Yeah." Abby replied.
"Can I sleep in your room again? I try not to kick you again," asked Dustin softly.
"I guess," said Abby seeing the worry in Dustin's eyes.
"And Abby?" said Dustin.
"What?" Abby sighed.
"I think dinner is burning," Dustin stated.
"Shit!"
AN: Thanks for reading everyone. Sorry for the long wait for a chapter. Guess who forgot to publish the new chapter. This story is actually very far along and I got distracted writing a later chapter and forgot to actually update the story.