"The Rise of the Archer"
Chapter 6 "A Night to Forget"
Claudia sighed as she grabbed her purse that had been laying on the dining table putting it under her arm as she dug out her keys. It had already been a very long day and it was far from over. She reached the hallway leading down to the bedrooms. Both of her kids had their door closed. The silence in the home was an odd feeling. She was used to the blaring sounds of music and the occasional sound of the fire alarm going off with an experiment gone wrong. She let out a long sigh. She didn't blame the kids for not being themselves. She was barely grappling with the fact her daughter had special powers because her husband's family for generations had these powers. It sounded like it was straight out of a superhero comic. She never imagined that people could actually see the future, past or people from far distances, but she knew deep down that it was real even if the logical side of her brain wanted to believe Margaret had simply lost her mind in her old age. Let alone the fact one of her son's best friends was missing and probably in all likelihood would turn up dead What was a mother supposed to do in these situations? There was a heaviness in Hawkins and Claudia couldn't help but wonder how safe her kids actually were. They had come to start over, but regret was starting to burn its way into Claudia's mind. She truly hoped for the safe return of Will, he really was a sweet boy, but she knew the reality of life. She stood for a long time at the end of the hallway in her blue scrubs.
"Hey kids, I'm going to work!" Claudia called.
Dustin's door swung open as he popped his head out, "Bye, mom!"
"Have a good day at work!" called Abby sticking her head just enough to see her mom while hiding her outfit from Dustin on the opposite side of the hallway.
"Dinner is in the fridge!" Claudia told them as she headed out the door.
As Claudia got in her car, she looked at the house hesitating a moment. A gnawing feeling of dread bubbled around in Claudia's gut as she turned her car on. She knew her kids needed her, but there were bills to be paid. She sighed as she pulled of the driveway. As she got ready to drive down the road her radio started to rapidly flick through stations.
"Claudia…" whispered a distorted male voice from the radio. Claudia gripped her steering wheel tightest and slammed on the breaks making her tires squeal. All blood drained from her face as voice was unmistakably familiar.
"James…" choked Claudia as tears brimmed in her eyes. She let out a small gasp of air as if the oxygen had been sucked out of the car.
"Claudia—it's—" started the voice before the radio started blasting the Beatles on the local Oldies station.
Claudia shook her head as she started to rationalize her late husband's voice as merely static and conflicting radio stations. James is dead. He had been dead for four years now. As her thoughts began to spiral about James and his untimely passing, she shoved the thoughts away. She had to be here and now. She was working in a hospital for goodness' sake she couldn't be thinking about James right now. She brought back her focus to driving as she looked out her rear-view mirror back at the house. For a moment, she swore she saw huge dark mass dart behind the bushes near the edge of the forest. As she starred at the bushes a suddenly chill went up her spine making her shiver and the hair on her arms raise up from the goosebumps. Despite their not being a breeze out and her windows being closed she shook the feeling as it being late fall in Indiana and went on her way to the hospital for a long night as third shift at the hospital.
Abigail finished putting on her outfit by finding her denim jacket to put over her Eagles t-shirt. She grabbed her makeup box opening it up grabbing her foundation and concealer attempting to hide ashen appearance and the bags under her eyes. Adding in some mascara and eyeshadow as she looked into the mirror, she could almost believe she was her normal self, and nothing was wrong, but her eyes broke the illusion. Hearing a knocking at her window she turned away walking over but when she looked out there was nothing in sight. A bush in the distance rustled. She shook her head putting the strange sound out her mind along with the bubbling feeling in her stomach.
Soon as Abby pushed open her door, she found herself face to face with Dustin. Dustin had his arms crossed with a raised eyebrow looking at her outfit. A clear expression of disbelief in his eyes.
"You're joking, right?" said Dustin his voice cracking slightly, "tell me you are joking."
Abby chewed on the inside of her cheek. "This isn't what it looks like," she started to explain.
"Really? Because to me it looks like you're going to a party after you literally just passed out this morning?!" snapped Dustin throwing his hands into the air.
Abby blinked a few times watching Dustin with uncertainty. A knot grew in throat. The words she had in her mind to try to explain to Dustin about Nancy and Steve failed to come out. She took a deep breath feeling herself being dragged back to the summer when she came in stumbling in the early morning and Dustin was sleeping on the couch with the TV on waiting for her. Guilt bubbled inside Abby as anger flared in Dustin's eyes.
"Exactly!" shouted Dustin glaring at his sister as he clenched his hands into fists.
As soon as the knot had grown it vanished as Abby cleared her throat. Her voice slightly horse before returning to its natural tone. "It's not a party okay, I'm just trying to keep Na-a friend from making a really stupid mistake. It's more of a quest than a party," Abby replied softly.
"You promise us to help find Will!" Dustin relied harshly fighting back tears.
Abby completely deflated and flinched at the words. She sighed closing her eyes for a second before speaking. "I will, just not tonight. This is imp—"
"Will is important!" snapped Dustin.
"He is important. And I will help. I just have to do this too," replied Abby gently. Her emotions swirled in her mind becoming more mush than anything else.
"And you promised no more secrets!" replied Dustin waving his hands around exasperated, "you just keep on lying to me."
Abyy ran a hand through her curls as her breathing increased rapidly. From the corner of her eyes, she could see flickering lights in living room. Momentarily she furrowed her eyebrows before returning back to Dustin.
"I said I would tell you things within reason. I can't tell you everything. And this isn't something I can tell you," snapped Abby.
Dustin stared at Abby contemplating his words. "What about that girl? Or finding Will? Is whatever you are doing more important than Will?" His eyes getting slightly teary.
"Of course I care about Will," said Abby, her tone softening at Dustin's expression, "I just don't know Dustin. It seems pointless for us to look for Will. We should leave it to the police. I'm sure they'll find him."
"You don't know that!" shouted Dustin, "it's already been two days."
The letter flashed in Abby's mind as the temptation to say something about this morning came to mind. Her lips sealed shut. She didn't know exactly what was happening or if any of this was real. And if it was real. She refused to put Dustin in danger being he was completely normal.
"Fine, whatever, go with whatever bullshit friends!" snapped Dustin "We're going to go find Will without your help! I thought you actually cared about us, but I was wrong. You're just like Nancy and don't give a shit about us!"
"Dusin—" called Abby as Dustin stormed away from her slamming his door bringing an end to the argument.
Abby ran a hand through her hair. "Fuck. That was not part of tonight's plan. Nothing was supposed to happen tonight," she mumbled to herself. She retreated into her own bedroom flopping backwards onto her bed. She covered her eyes with her arm before moving to rub her temples firmly as her own eyes started to brim with tears and her head pulsed under her fingers.
Abby looked back at the house one more time before she got into Barbara's car. The blinds in Dustin's window moved before flopping back down. She frowned slightly looking between the house and the car. She took a deep breath frowning before getting into the car plopping into the passenger seat as she slammed the door behind her.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Barbara.
"Not all," said Abby, "just drive before I change my mind."
After turning down the road towards Nancy's house Barbara broke the silence. "Is something wrong?" she pressed.
"Just fighting with Dustin. No big deal. He'll get over it," grumbled Abby.
"Do you—want to talk about it?" asked Barbara slowly.
"Not really."
The rest of the ride was in silence besides for the radio softly playing. The car stopped in front of the Wheelers and Abby flipped to the backseat making room for Nancy in the passenger seat. Nancy looked over her eyes widening to see Abby in the backseat.
"I thought you were sick," said Nancy towards Abby as she got into the car.
"Not sick enough to keep me home while you make a huge mistake," said Abby shrugged looking out the window as she forced down some bile that rose up on her throat.
"Seriously Barb, why did you bring her if she is sick," said Nancy glancing at Barbara.
"Don't blame me for the fact she doesn't like Harrington," sighed Barbara, "you're fine, right Abby?"
"Yup. I'm fine," said Abby forcing a small smile, "Someone has to keep Nancy from fucking Harrington."
"Gross! You're both so dramatic," said Nancy rolling her eyes.
Abby clenched her jaw as her head pulsated. "Fuck you, Nance," snapped Abby, "we actually give an actual shit about you and you are treating us like crap."
"Alright, alright. No need to swear Abby. Nance she just wants to help. Let's just do this thing, okay, no more fighting," interrupted Barbara.
The rest of the drive was in a heavy silence. Abby rested her head on the window with her eyes closed. Her head continued to throb, and a knot grew and twisted in her gut. Nancy had her arms crossed glaring out the front windshield. Barbara was anxiously tapping on the steering wheel.
"Barbara, pull over," said Nancy.
"What?" replied Barbara.
"Pull over!" yelled Nancy.
"What are we doing here? His house is three blocks away," stated Barbara.
"Obviously, she doesn't want us to be seen by his house," said Abby "afraid of getting caught by the neighbor's Nance?"
"Why don't you just go home if you're going to be such a bitch?" snapped Nancy.
"Because then I'll miss the chance to harass Carol," said Abby with a fake smile, "I have a few words for her."
"This is so stupid," groaned Barbara, "I'm just going to drop you off and take Ms. Crabby back home."
Abby flipped Barbara off half-heartedly from the backseat. "Please do, I'm regretting this whole decision," added Abby sharply.
Nancy took a deep breath. "Come on it will be fun. I promise. I want you both here," said Nancy looking directly at Abby when she said both.
Abby rolled her eyes. "Fine, but the second Tommy H and Carol start being stupid I'm out," she relented.
"Come on guys," said Nancy, opening the car door. "You promised that you'd go so you're coming."
"I didn't promise shit. I just went along with it because Barb convinced me. If anything, I'm breaking several promises just coming," grumbling Abby under her breath.
"You know I'm talking to Barb. If you seriously don't want to be here go home," stated Nancy, "We're gonna have a great time."
"He only wants to get in your pants," said Barbara, "I'm kind of with Abby with this one. Please reconsider this Nance."
"No, he doesn't," argued Nancy.
"Nance seriously," sighed Barbara "He invited you to house. His parents aren't home. Come on, you aren't this stupid. Tommy H and Carol are gonna be there. Tommy and Carol have been having sex since, like, seventh grade. It'll probably just be, like, a big orgy."
"Gross," replied Nancy grimacing.
"She's right though. Trust me I've been at parties with them," stated Abby, "they have no shame. They were seriously fuck just about anywhere."
"Fine, if you guys are so worried you can be like my guardian. All right? Make sure I don't get drunk and do something stupid," relented Nancy.
"Too late we're here," sighed Abby, "if anyone knows anything about stupid mistakes it's me. Take it from me, nothing good will come of tonight."
Barbara groaned, "This is going to suck." She looked over at Nancy pausing for a second "And is that a new bra?"
"What? No," replied Nancy defensively.
"I seriously cannot believe you are wanting to sleep with Harrington. His slept with half of the school," said Abby wrinkling her nose.
"Guys, just chill," said Nancy.
"I'm chill," retorted Barbara.
"I'm so not down with any of this. But I'm not wasting a chance to get back at Carol," said Abby.
"Can't you just be nice," whined Nancy.
"No, they're assholes. But if they behave I will. Otherwise I ain't holding back," grumbled Abby.
The trio finally left the car. Abby stayed further behind Barbara and Nancy. Abby shuffled her feet slowly just hoping Nancy would change her mind. Her stomach started twisting as they got closer to Steve's house.
"Abby are you okay?" asked Barbara quietly, slowing down slightly to match Abby's pace.
"Yup, I'm totally fine. I'm going to fucking party while there is a missing kid right now and not to mention I promised my mom no more parties, so I'm anything but fine," hissed Abby "Nance has absolutely no idea what she's about to get herself into. And I know for a fact that nothing good comes from hanging around Tommy H and Carol."
"Well, hopefully we can keep her from making this into a worse mistake," whispered Barbara, "honestly, you are probably the only one that can do it. But if you seriously don't want to do this, I'll take you back home."
"I'm already here. I have a plan. I'm going to get Carol to shut down those rumors or I'll make her life hell," whispered Abby, "I know it's her. She's the only one stupid enough to add Chrissy into a rumor about me."
"Are you sure confronting her is the best idea?" asked Barbara, "won't it just make it worse?"
"Barb, you really don't get popular girls at all," sighed Abby, "I have a plan and trust me it will work."
Barbara frowned, concerned about whatever Abby had cooked up in mind. She looked over at Nancy as she was walking up the house and quickly joined her on the porch. Meanwhile, Abby stood further back, gazing into the nearby woods. A chill ran up her spine, causing her to shiver and get goosebumps. Squinting into the woods, she felt a sense of unease. A rustling in a nearby bush made her freeze in her spot as her heart skipped a few beats. Abby sensed something big and malevolent lurking nearby. Though she couldn't see it, she could almost feel its murderous eyes on her, a dark presence that seemed to permeate the air. Suddenly, the image of the letter flashed in her mind, the word 'monster' standing out in bright red lettering, a warning echoing in her thoughts. The urge to beg her friends to come home forced itself into her throat, but before she could mutter the words the door swung open.
"Hello, ladies," greeted Steve pausing for a moment before continuing, "I see we have one more guest."
"Is that a problem?" asked Barbara sharply. Nancy nudged her shoulder glaring at her.
"No problem," shrugged Steve.
"Abby! Come on!" called Barbara.
Abby shook her head and quickly ran towards the door. She had no desire to stay anywhere near the woods. She couldn't see it. But she knew something was watching them.
Soon everyone was gathered at the pool. Abby clung to Barbara's side. She kept starring back at the woods sensing the presence still looming around feeling as if she was being stalked like prey.
"Dude, what are you looking at?" asked Barbara quietly, watching Abby.
"Something is watching us," replied Abby.
Barbara raised an eyebrow looking at her friend with a mix of concern and skepticism. "Nothing is watching us. You're just anxious about being here."
Abby inwardly sighed. There was no way Barbara was ever going to understand everything she had just learned in the last 24 hours. "Maybe, maybe not. This is such a bad idea being out right now. We should all be at home, indoors, safe."
"What are you ladies whispering about?" sneered Carol.
"I'm just sharing with Barb here. How I plan on making big giant posters, some photos of you and Tommy that one of the cheerleaders took that party at Jason's in August and posting them all over the school," said Abby sweetly.
Barbara's eyes widened with the sudden revelation from Abby. Carol frowned sharply.
"There's no pictures," stated Carol, although her tone was filled with doubt.
"Oh, but there are. You see when you started spreading rumors about Chrissy and me one of the girls told Chrissy that her boyfriend had taken some photos with you and Tommy fucking by Jason's pool," continued Abby standing up from next to Barbara standing inches from Carol.
"You wouldn't dare make posters anyways. That would be-illegal," said Carol stumbled slightly with her words.
"I know of someone who would help me," shrugged Abby, "and anything that would happen would be so worth dragging you down for screwing with not only my reputation but Chrissy's. She has nothing to do with the fact you hate me."
"Maybe she shouldn't be so cozy with you then because people get wrong ideas," snarled Carol.
"Or maybe your just jealous because Chrissy decided to hang around me all summer instead of you," said Abby, "maybe if you stopped fucking Tommy every damn second, you'd have real friends."
"What's going on here ladies?" asked Tommy, putting an arm over Carol's shoulders.
"Nothing," said Carol glaring at Abby.
"Just a little chit-chat. I hope we can understand Carol," said Abby "think about what I said, and I expect an improvement by the end of the week."
Carol glared at Abby but quietly retreated away to a chair near the edge of the pool with Tommy.
"Okay," said Barbara, her eyes sparkling slightly with amazement, "that was totally badass."
"Not really. Carol has no backbone," replied Abby shrugging before turning to sit next to Barbara again.
"One-Two! Three," said Tommy, preparing to toss Carol into the pool.
"Stop it! Tommy, no! Don't!" whined Carol.
Tommy laughed and put Carol down.
"You're such an asshole, Tommy," said Carol playfully, hitting him.
Nancy joined Barbara and Abby for a moment. She looked at the two of them expectantly.
"What was that about?" questioned Nancy.
"Just handling a little problem," replied Abby, "nothing to worry about."
"For some reason Abby that makes me even more concerned," sighed Nancy, "please don't start something tonight."
"I didn't start nothing," sighed Abby putting her hands up defensively, but a small smirk betrayed her voice "I'm just ending it."
Nancy shook her head not believing a word Abby was saying. But as Steve came out, she moved to sit closer to Steve. Steve grabs a can of beer from a cooler then used a knife punch a hole in the side of the can shotgunning it. He plops down on a chair and prepares to light a cigarette.
"Is that supposed to impress me?" asked Nancy.
"You're not?" retorted Steve.
"You are such a cliché, you do realize that," said Nancy.
Abby faked gagged looking at Barbara, who grimaced as well.
"You are a cliché," replied Steve, "What with your grades and your brand practice." He lights his cigarette.
Abby turned her head, her eyebrows furrowed in disbelief at Steve.
"I'm so not in band," replied Nancy.
"Are you fucking serious?" asked Abby, staring at Steve.
"Abby—" started Nancy.
"Oh, shut up I'm not talking to you right now," said Abby dismissing Nancy. "Do you even fucking know a damn thing about Nancy?"
Steve's eyes widened a bit, taken aback by Abby's statement. This only made Abby tense more. Barbara reached to grab her forearm preventing her from standing up. Steve shrugged, not bothering to respond to Abby. Abby clenched her jaw, her temper boiling, but remained in her chair.
"Come on," whispered Barbara, "no fighting Nancy's boyfriend."
"I swear to god when they break up, I'm going to beat the shit out of him," mumbled Abby to Barbara.
"Okay, party girl," retorted Steve rolling his eyes, holding out the knife to Nancy, "why don't you just show us how it's done, then?"
Nancy grabbed a beer from the cooler. "Okay," she replied, taking the knife.
Abby's stomach twists as Nancy grabs the beer. She held onto a sliver of hope until Nancy opened it up. She looked towards the woods and squinted, seeing someone in the distance. She completely ignored the banter going on with the others until Nancy turned to Barbara.
"Barb, you wanna try?" asked Nancy.
Abby scowled at Nancy with the offer. The world started to spin a bit, not enough to disordinate Abby but enough to agitate her. She felt memories of that party coming bubbling to the surface again.
"What? No," said Barbara, taken aback by the question.
Nancy grabbed a beer out of the cooler and walked towards her friends.
"No, I don't want to, thanks," said Barbara.
"Come on!" said Nancy, holding the beer out for Barbara.
"Yeah," encouraged Steve.
"Nance, I don't want to!" exclaimed Barbara.
"It's fun! Just give it a…" continued Nancy.
"Nance!" shouted Barbara.
"Just-just give it a shot," pleaded Nancy.
Abby suddenly jerked up knocking her chair over. She ran a hand through her hair. "I can't do this. I'm sorry Barb." She quickly bolted towards the general area she sworn she had seen someone without really understanding why she would go towards the unknown person.
"Abby, wait!" called Barbara.
"I'm sorry, I'll see you tomorrow," said Abby, shaking her head. Guilt, anger, and frustration all bubbling inside her as her eyes turned with tears bubbling inside her.
The last thing Abby expected as she walked through the brush was to come face to face with Jonathan standing by his car with his camera in hand.
"This isn't what it looks like—" started Jonathan.
"I honestly don't even care," said Abby dismissively, "I'm just going to chill in your car a minute."
Jonathan didn't even bat an eye when Abby climbed into the passenger seat of his car. He turned his attention back to the party, starting to snap pictures.
Abby curled into a ball in the passenger seat. Her entire body was shaking. She pressed her head into her knees as she attempted to control her breathing. She focused on her breathing, completely shutting out the concept of time.
Jonathan continued to snap photos. His face flushing slightly as he snaps a photo of Nancy in the window. He peered into the car at Abby considering getting in. But then he spotted Barb sitting at the edge of the diving board and snapped more pictures until he reached the end of roll. He started winding up the film back and prepared to load another roll.
Abby's head suddenly shot up feeling that energy approach from the forest again. She fumbled with the door of the car. Just as she got out, she could hear a distant scream. Her heart stopped. Her legs refused to budge though she wanted to run towards the house.
"Woah, what are you doing?" asked Jonathan, seeing Abby as she left his car door open and remained completely frozen.
"Abby…" he continued, "Hey!"
Abby could hear him but couldn't move as if something was forcing her to stay in place.
"Hey," said Jonthan much more softly, grabbing Abby's wrist gently.
Abby jolted out of whatever sorta of trace she had been in and stared at Jonathan blankly.
"Are you okay?" questioned Jonathan, "you wouldn't respond." He quickly let go of wrist.
"No," replied Abby, "something is wrong." A sudden breeze hit Abby making her shiver as a chill go straight up her spine while Jonathan remained standing as if there was no breeze at all just the brisk November air.
"There's a lot wrong," replied Jonathan.
Abby looked back towards the house not seeing anything out of the ordinary. The image of Will in her bedroom flashed in her mind. She looked at Jonathan wanting to just air it all out, but the letter also flickered in her thoughts. Most people would never believe her if she told them what had happened. How would Jonathan react? Would he get angry or believe her? She just didn't know and wasn't willing to risk losing any more friends than she probably had tonight.
"Abbs, seriously, you're freaking me out," said Jonathan moving directly in front of her breaking her direct line of sight.
"I—" Abby started to reply. An icy feeling shot up from her feet all the way up her body to her fingertips. Suddenly, the world flipped upside down and she felt herself falling backwards.
Abby gasped as she stumbled disorientated by the sudden change in scenery. She looked around. Jonathan was gone. She was standing alone.
"Nancy! Abby!" called Barbara's voice in the distance.
As if something inside Abby ignited, she bolted towards Steve's house. "Barb!" she called, "Wait! I'm coming!"
Abby raced towards the house. She reached the pool, nearly stumbling inside when there wasn't any water. She gasped seeing Barbara at the bottom wrapped in some sort of weird vine. Abby hesitated for a second before sliding down the side of the pool. She reached Barbara and tried to pull the vines off. The vine moved, reaching over, and smacking her away.
"What the fuck," said Abby as she stumbled back falling onto the bottom of the pool.
A menacing growl from above made Abby look above. She gasped seeing a massive creature standing on its hind legs. It was a murky gray color with elongated limbs with huge claws. Its head unfolded like a flower with a head full of jagged teeth and let out an ear-piercing screech. Abby couldn't help but scream.
Abby gasped for air as she jolted awake once again making Jonathan jump in his seat, the car swerving hitting the curb before he sharply yanked it back onto the road. "What the hell Abby!"
Abby looked around blinking for a few seconds before she realized she inside of Jonathan's car while he drove like a bat out of hell instead of in the woods. She nearly screamed clenching the seat when Jonathan narrowly managed to not go off the road. "Holy shit Johnny! Can you not kill us?!"
"How about you don't pass out on me!" gasped Jonathan pulling the car over for a moment as he caught his breath, "you scared the shit out of me. You nearly smacked your head into my car if I hadn't caught you."
"Shit, sorry," mumbled Abby as everything came back to her in a wave along with a sense of being in moral peril. She grew silent again.
"That's it, I'm taking you to the hospital," said Jonathan moving back onto the road with the car.
"Absolutely not!" argued Abby, "I'm fine. I'm just sick and stupidly choose to go to a party in the middle of the night in November."
"That shit might work on Nancy and Barbara but that's not working on me," retorted Jonathan rolling his eyes before continuing with tone that had zero budge, "I'm taking you to the hospital."
"Jonathan, seriously, just take me home. My mom's working tonight. She'll freak out," whined Abby.
Jonathan clenched his steering wheel as he approached the crossroad between turning towards the hospital or towards their houses. He paused at the intersection staring directly out the windshield not looking at Abby once.
"Jonny, please," pleaded Abby, "if not for me please do it for my mom."
"Fine, but I'm not happy about it," caved Jonathan turning the opposite direction from the hospital towards Abby's house, "I'm only doing this because I don't want to upset your mom."
Abby let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," she replied softly. She starred out the window looking warily towards the forest. Her mind reeling from what had just happened. She pinched herself certain she was stuck in some sort of nightmare, but the slight sting reminded her this was all very real. She shoved her hands into the pocket of jacket as that icy feeling still tingled in her hands and up through her entire body as if she had just been outside in sub-zero temperature.