Dove sat at the kitchen table, absentmindedly pushing her cereal around the bowl with her spoon. Across the room, Dustin was acting anything but calm. He sat at the edge of his seat, his eyes darting nervously between his breakfast and the clock ticking on the wall. His silence was deafening, and the tension between them had grown thick since the night before.
"You sure everything's okay?" Dove finally asked, trying to keep her voice steady as she eyed him suspiciously. She couldn't ignore the feeling that something was wrong—really wrong, and she knew he was hiding something from her.
Dustin looked up, a tight smile on his face. "Yeah, everything's fine. Will's fine." He sounded almost convincing, but Dove knew better.
Dove sighed, setting her spoon down and folding her arms on the table. "Listen Dustin, what happened to Will really freaked me out yesterday. And Dart? How fast he's growing is.. unnatural. He's not the same creature we found in the trash. It might be time for us to consider other options."
"No. He's still Dart, Dove. I've got him under control. He's not dangerous," he insisted, though the edge in his voice told a different story.
Dove stared at him, her chest tightening with concern. She wanted to believe him, to trust that her little brother had things under control, but the image of his growing legs and strange movements replayed in her mind, leaving her unsettled.
"You know this is getting serious, right?" Dove said softly. "If we don't deal with it now, something bad is going to happen."
Dustin's face flushed with frustration, and for a moment, he looked ready to snap. But instead, he shoved his chair back and stood up, grabbing his backpack. "I can handle it, Dove. Just trust me."
Dove's heart sank as she watched him walk away. The nagging feeling that something terrible was coming only grew stronger as she pedaled toward the school.
By the time Dove arrived at Hawkins High, her mind was still spinning with everything that had happened that morning. She couldn't shake the worry that Dustin was in over his head, that he was hiding something from her, and somehow Dart was involved. And now, that fear hung over her like a storm cloud.
As she made her way through the crowded hallways, heading for her locker, she felt a familiar presence nearby—one that sent a chill down her spine.
Dove's shoulders tensed as she spotted Billy leaning against the lockers further down the hall, his smirk as sharp and smug as always. His eyes flicked toward her, and for a moment, their gazes met. His grin widened, dripping with menace.
Dove kept her head down, trying to ignore him, but she could feel his eyes on her, watching her every move like a predator. She moved faster, her heart pounding as she focused on getting to her locker. But Billy's taunts followed her, lingering in the air like a bad taste.
By the time she reached her locker, her hands were shaking. She fumbled with the combination, willing herself to calm down, but the knot in her stomach only tightened.
"You okay?"
Dove jumped slightly, surprised to find Steve Harrington standing beside her, his hands casually shoved into his pockets. His easy-going expression was replaced by concern, his eyes glancing briefly toward Billy, who was still leaning against the lockers at the far end of the hall. It was the first time they'd spoken since Halloween, and she hadn't expected to see him.
Dove forced a smile, finally getting her locker open. "I'm fine. Just.. Billy being Billy."
Steve's jaw clenched as he looked back toward Billy, the tension between them unmistakable. Billy caught his eye and gave a slow, taunting grin, as if daring Steve to do something. Steve's gaze hardened, his fists clenching at his sides for a brief moment before he turned his attention back to Dove.
"If he's bothering you, just.. let me know," Steve said, his voice low but determined.
Dove laughed, closing her locker and turning fully to face him. "Didn't you lose a fight to Jonathan Byers last year?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. "And you think you can take on Billy?"
Steve's face reddened slightly, but he managed a smirk, shrugging with a hint of embarrassment. "Yeah, well.. Billy's got it coming. Someone's got to put him in his place."
Dove shook her head, amused by his determination. "Well, I appreciate the offer, but I think I've got it handled."
Steve nodded, his confidence faltering a bit as he met her eyes. "Right, yeah, of course," he said, looking like he wanted to say something more but stopping himself. His gaze shifted to the books in her hands, and he cleared his throat.
"Are you, uh, heading to the library?" he asked, sounding almost tentative. "I was actually going that way too. If you, you know, wanted to walk together."
Dove raised an eyebrow, surprised by the unexpected offer, but also at how nervous he seemed as he asked. Steve Harrington, usually so confident and easygoing, looked almost shy, his gaze flicking from her to the floor as he shifted awkwardly.
"Sure," she replied, a small smile breaking through her surprise. "Why not?"
Steve relaxed a little, a faint smile tugging at his lips as they started down the hall together, falling into step side by side. The quiet between them was surprisingly comfortable and Dove couldn't help but notice how different he seemed in this moment.
They pushed into the library, and Dove immediately spotted Eddie lounging at a table near the back, flipping through a worn D&D manual. The moment he saw her, his face lit up, and he practically shouted across the library, "Hey, Princess!"
The librarian's head shot up from behind her desk, giving Eddie a fierce "Shhh!" that echoed through the quiet room.
Unbothered, Eddie's grin remained firmly in place, but his eyes drifted to Steve standing beside Dove. His expression shifted, eyebrows raising as he took in the unexpected sight. Eddie leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he looked Steve up and down, a mixture of curiosity and mischief flickering in his gaze.
"Well, well," he murmured, though just loud enough for them to hear as they approached. "Didn't realize you'd be bringing a bodyguard."
Dove and Steve both opened their mouths, starting to explain or protest, but Eddie cut them off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Yeah, yeah, save it," he said, digging into his bag. He pulled out a hefty stack of books and dropped them onto the table with a satisfying thud. "For your research, as promised."
Dove smiled at him and sat down, shuffling through the titles, her fingers skimming over worn spines with fascination.
Steve leaned over her shoulder, his curiosity getting the better of him as he read one of the titles aloud. "Mythical Creatures and Legends of the Night?" he murmured, raising an eyebrow. "What exactly are you researching?"
Dove hesitated, glancing at Eddie, who was watching with an amused grin, clearly enjoying Steve's confusion. She looked up, giving Steve a small, appreciative smile. "I think we've got it from here, Steve. Thanks for walking me over."
Steve straightened up, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face as he nodded. "Right.. yeah, of course," he said, forcing a casual tone. "Guess I'll see you around."
As he turned to go, Eddie raised a hand and waved dramatically, adding a little salute for effect, his smirk widening as he caught Dove's eye.
After school, Dove and Dustin walked side by side, each rolling their bike along the quiet sidewalk. The silence between them was thick, the argument from that morning lingering in the air like an unspoken weight. Neither had tried to break it, both too caught up in their own thoughts.
Finally, Dove sighed, glancing over at Dustin. "I've been doing research, trying to find out what Dart is," she said, her voice hesitant but resolute.
Dustin didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. She could tell he was holding something back—something that was gnawing at him.
She continued, hoping her next words might get through to him. "I think you were right. Dart is some kind of.. new species. I found the contact information of a biologist at Notre Dame," she said, her tone firm. "I'm going to call him when we get home. See if he can help us figure this out."
At this, Dustin stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with alarm. He tightened his grip on his bike, glancing away as though struggling with what to say.
"You.. you don't need to do that," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Dove narrowed her eyes, studying Dustin's expression as he looked anywhere but at her. She could feel the tension in the air, the way he seemed to be teetering on the edge of revealing something.
"What are you hiding, Dustin?" she asked quietly, watching his face closely.
Dustin's jaw clenched, and he stared at her for a moment, clearly struggling with whatever was weighing on him. For a second, she thought he might tell her, his eyes flickering with hesitation. But then, just as quickly, he looked away, his expression hardening.
"I'm not going to let you call anyone to take Dart away," he muttered, gripping the handlebars of his bike tighter and starting to walk again, his shoulders tense.
Dove blinked, caught off guard by his words. "Dustin, this isn't a joke. We don't know what Dart is or what he's capable of. He could be dangerous."
Dustin kept his gaze forward, his steps quickening. "He's harmless, Dove. And he trusts me."
Dove felt a pang of frustration, quickening her own pace to keep up. "And what if you're wrong?"
Dustin didn't answer, his silence only deepening the distance between them.
When they finally reached their house, Dove and Dustin spotted their mom in the front yard, a worried look on her face as she jingled one of Mews' toys, her voice calling softly. "Mews! Mews, where are you, kitty?"
Dove exchanged a glance with Dustin, a heavy feeling settling in her stomach. "Mom?" Dove called, letting her bike drop as she walked closer. "Mom, what's going on?"
Her mom turned, forcing a small, strained smile. "Oh, there you two are. I can't seem to find Mews anywhere. She hasn't come for her food, and that's not like her."
Dustin's face paled, and Dove could see his shoulders tense up. Without a word, he bolted up the porch steps and rushed into the house, leaving Dove and their mom standing there, the worry intensifying in the air.
Dove forced a reassuring smile for her mom. "Don't worry, we'll check inside again. Mews is probably just hiding somewhere."
Her mom nodded, though her expression was far from convinced. Dove quickly followed Dustin, her heart pounding as she entered the house and hurried down the hall to his room.
When she finally reached him, she found Dustin kneeling on the ground in front of his dresser, his shoulders tense, hands trembling. The glass tank that had once held Dart was shattered, pieces of glass scattered across the floor. A thick, slimy substance clung to the shards. The air in the room felt heavy, oppressive, as if something had been lurking there just moments before.
"No.." Dustin whispered, his hands trembling as he picked up a piece of slime-covered skin. "He's gone."
Dove stood frozen in the doorway, her heart pounding in her chest. "What happened?" she asked, though she already knew the answer. Dart had escaped.
A low, guttural screech echoed from the far corner of the room, freezing them both in place. Dove's blood ran cold. Slowly, she turned toward the sound, her eyes widening in horror.
There, in the shadows of the room, crouched Dart—but he was no longer the small, strange creature they had found in the trash. He had grown significantly, now the size of a small dog, his pale green skin darker, slick with slime. His body had become more muscular and his mouth—if it could still be called that—was a gaping hole, wide enough to swallow something whole.
Dove's eyes followed the trail of blood on the floor that led to the limp, motionless body of Mews.
The family cat lay sprawled on the floor, her abdomen torn open, her fur matted with blood. Dart was crouched over her, his jaws clamping down on her body as he continued to feast. The sound of wet, grunting noises filled the room as Dart tore into the flesh.
Dove's stomach lurched, her hand flying to her mouth as the realization hit her like a freight train. "Oh my God.."
Dustin stood frozen, his face pale as he stared at the horrific scene in front of him. "Mews.." he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Dart lifted his head from the gruesome scene, his entire face beginning to split and peel back, like some horrific, blooming flower. His head opened into five distinct, petal-like sections, each one lined with rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth, glistening in the dim light. As Dart emitted an ear-piercing screech, the five sections of his face vibrated, amplifying the sound. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, tensing and coiling, giving him an almost predatory stance, like he was ready to spring. The once-small, almost cute creature was now monstrous, his true nature fully exposed, leaving no doubt that he was anything but harmless.
Dove stumbled back, her heart hammering in her chest as she took in the monstrous transformation before her. Her hand shot out, grabbing the doorframe to steady herself, her fingers gripping the wood so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Still think he's harmless?" Dove asked, her voice sharper than she intended, trying to fight the urge to panic. She stood frozen, staring at Dart as he crouched over Mews' lifeless body, her mind racing. The sound of his teeth crunching through bone sent a shiver down Dove's spine, and she felt a wave of nausea wash over her.
Dove's eyes darted to the window, desperate for an escape plan, when she saw her mother outside, walking toward the front door, still calling softly for Mews. Panic surged through her, and she turned to Dustin, her voice barely a whisper.
"Don't let that thing out of here," she whispered urgently, her voice low but firm. "I'll find a way to get Mom out of the house."
Dustin nodded, his expression torn between fear and resolve as he glanced back at Dart, who was still engrossed in his grotesque feast. "Hurry," he whispered back, his voice trembling.
Dove took a steadying breath and slipped out of Dustin's room, shutting the door quietly behind her. She bolted down the hallway, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a believable reason to keep their mom out of the house—and away from the horror lurking in Dustin's room.
Dove's eyes landed on the phone in the living room, and an idea sparked. She grabbed it, the loud dial-up tone screaming in her ear, and quickly pressed her finger down to silence it. Just as her mom opened the front door, Dove put the receiver to her ear, forcing herself to sound animated and cheerful. "Thank you so much, Mr. McCorkle, you're a life saver. Yep, you too. Bye now."
She hung up and turned, pretending to be surprised to see her mom standing there in the doorway. "Great news," Dove said, forcing a smile despite the fear swirling inside her.
Her mom's eyes widened, hope glimmering as she spoke. "They found her?" Mrs. Henderson asked, tears brimming in her eyes.
Dove's heart clenched, but she shook her head. "No, but they saw her wandering around Loch Nora."
"How did the poor baby get all the way out there?" Mrs. Henderson asked, her voice trembling.
"I don't know, but they're going to keep looking for her," Dove said, stepping forward and placing her hands on her mother's shoulders, trying to calm her. "Dustin and I will stay here in case someone calls or if Mews comes back on her own."
Mrs. Henderson sniffed, nodding as she pulled Dove into a tight hug. "I don't know what I would do without you, Dovey. I love you so much."
Dove blinked away the tears threatening to spill and returned the hug, her voice soft. "I love you too, Mom."
Her mother gave a final, shaky nod before making her way toward the front door. Dove breathed a sigh of relief, waiting until she was sure the car had pulled away before turning and rushing back down the hall to help Dustin.
Before she could reach the door, she saw him already stepping out, closing it slowly and quietly behind him. He looked up at her, his expression a mix of determination and anxiety.
"I hope you have a plan," Dove whispered, glancing over her shoulder to make sure their mom was truly gone. "I only bought us a couple hours, tops."
Dustin nodded, swallowing hard as he took a steadying breath. "I.. I think I have an idea," he said, his voice hushed but resolute. He looked back at the door, then at her, steeling himself. "We're going to need a container, something strong. And some kind of meat. If we can lure him out, we might be able to trap him somewhere."
Dove frowned, thinking hard, when suddenly an idea sparked. "The old storm cellar in the backyard," she said, her eyes widening. "It's sturdy, and it's been sealed up for ages."
Dustin's face brightened with a mix of relief and determination, already running through the plan in his head. "Alright. We'll need to grab whatever meat we can find in the fridge to lure him outside. Once he's in, we slam the doors shut and lock them tight."
Dove took a deep breath, visibly calming as they solidified the plan. "Let's do it. We've got no time to waste."
Dustin moved through the house in a flurry of activity, grabbing anything he thought might help with their plan. A hockey stick, his goalie pads, even the pillows from Dove's bed—he threw it all together with an intensity that made Dove both anxious and proud.
Dove, meanwhile, stood in front of the open fridge, staring at its mostly empty shelves. The only meat they had left was a couple packs of bologna, hardly the enticing meal she had hoped for, but it would have to do. With a sigh, she grabbed it, then set about scattering the slices onto the floor, creating a trail from just outside Dustin's door all the way to the cellar door in the backyard. With each slice she placed, her anxiety grew, her mind racing with the thought of Dart following the trail.
Reaching the cellar, Dove unchained and flipped open the old metal doors, a stale, musty smell wafting up from the darkness below. She grimaced but ignored it before turning and jogging over to the shed, her mind set on one last precaution.
Inside, she set down the chains and padlock and grabbed her old aluminum softball bat, feeling the familiar weight in her hands as she gripped it tightly. It wasn't much, but it would have to do if Dart got too close.
Dove stepped back inside, barely stifling a laugh at the sight of her brother. He was strapped into his hockey gear, a full cage helmet over his head, looking both ridiculous and determined. When he saw her, he waddled over, arms stiff from the pads, and grabbed two pillows and a roll of duct tape.
"Hold still," he muttered, and with a reluctant sigh, Dove let him tape the pillows to her chest and back, doing her best not to laugh as he struggled with the tape.
Once he finished, Dustin tossed the duct tape aside and slid on a pair of oven mitts, giving himself an exaggerated sense of invincibility. Then, he gripped his hockey stick like a weapon, giving her a confident nod.
"Alright," he said, his voice muffled by the cage helmet. "We're ready."
Dove gave him a firm nod and headed to her position by the open cellar doors. She ducked behind one of the doors, gripping the bat tightly as she shielded herself, her breaths coming shallow and quick. The silence around her was unnerving. All she could hear was her own heart, pounding violently in her chest as she waited for any sign that their plan was working. Seconds ticked by, and the quiet stretched on, her panic rising with each beat.
Finally, Dustin came waddling out of the house, his padded figure rushing toward the shed just like they'd planned. He glanced back, his eyes wide, as he ducked into the shadows, setting the stage for their risky attempt to lure Dart out and into the cellar.
Another tense moment passed before Dove heard the soft, low chirps and a faint growl as Dart emerged, following the trail of bologna. She held her breath, watching as he stopped to devour each piece, inching closer and closer to the cellar. Her grip tightened on the bat, muscles coiled, ready to act.
Then, suddenly, a strange chill crept up her spine, stopping at the base of her neck. Before she could make sense of it, she felt a warm trickle running from her nose. She reached up, wiping it with her fingers, momentarily distracted as she stared at the blood smeared across her hand.
Her heart pounded, her focus breaking for just a second, but it was enough. When she looked up, Dart had paused right outside the cellar doors, his body taut, head lifted as if he'd caught her scent. Suddenly, his head snapped in her direction, and he let out a furious roar, his mouth splitting into those terrifying petal-like sections, rows of jagged teeth glinting in the dim light.
Without a second thought, Dove sprang into action. She swung the bat with all her strength, connecting with Dart's side and sending him tumbling down into the cellar. For a split second, there was silence, but Dart recovered quickly, his growl echoing up the steps as he scrambled toward the entrance.
Dove grabbed the cellar doors, slamming them shut just as Dart reached the top step, his body slamming against them from inside. She threw her weight against the doors, every muscle straining as Dart's furious thrashing and growling shook them.
Her arms and shoulders burned, but she held firm, pressing herself against the metal as Dart's body crashed against it again and again, desperate to break free.
"Dustin!" Dove yelled, her voice tight with fear. "Lock the door! Now!"
Dustin scrambled from the shed, rushing to the cellar door as Dart slammed into it once more. The force nearly knocked Dove off balance, but she held firm, her heart racing as she pressed her back against the door.
Finally, Dustin managed to secure the lock, looping the chains through the handles and pulling them tight. They both pressed their bodies against the doors, bracing themselves for the next impact, for the furious slams they expected would follow.
But nothing came.
Instead, an eerie stillness settled over them, the silence pressing in with a weight that felt almost suffocating. Dart had gone quiet, and the only sounds were their own labored breaths as they exchanged a tense, uncertain glance.
Slowly, they both stepped back from the cellar doors, their movements cautious as if even the slightest noise might set Dart off again. Dustin's gaze drifted to Dove, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the smear of blood on her sleeve. He looked up at her, concern mingling with a trace of disbelief.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice low. "Are you bleeding?"
Dove glanced down at the blood, almost laughing as the absurdity hit her. "Oh, you know," she muttered with a wry smile. "We almost died because I got a nosebleed." She let out a shaky laugh, the adrenaline slowly giving way to a mix of relief and disbelief.
Dustin's mouth twitched into a small, incredulous smile, but his worry didn't quite fade. "Of course," he said, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation. "Just our luck."
Dove nodded, her amused relief quickly fading as the reality of the situation sank in. Her mind flashed to Mews, and a pang of guilt and sadness hit her like a weight. Without a word, she turned and headed inside, moving numbly as she walked into the living room and picked up one of Mews' blankets from the couch.
Clutching the blanket tightly, she made her way to Dustin's room, feeling the ache settle deep in her chest.
The room was still. The shattered glass from the tank glittered on the floor, reflecting the daylight that filtered through the curtains. But Dove's eyes were fixed on the small, lifeless form in the corner. The cat's once soft, orange fur was matted with blood, her body curled unnaturally where Dart had left her. Dove's throat tightened, a lump of grief forming as she forced herself to move forward.
She crouched down beside Mews' body, her heart aching. Carefully, she spread the blanket on the floor next to the cat. Her hands trembled as she gently lifted Mews, cradling the limp body like she would a fragile piece of glass. The cat was so light—too light—and Dove swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.
Slowly, she wrapped Mews in the blanket, tucking the corners in as though she were swaddling a baby. Every movement felt mechanical, like her body was on autopilot, working through the motions to avoid the crushing grief that lurked just beneath the surface.
Once the cat was securely wrapped, Dove stood and made her way back outside. Dustin was still standing by the cellar, his eyes fixed on the door as if he was waiting for Dart to break free at any moment. His hockey gear hung awkwardly off his frame, and the exhaustion on his face mirrored her own.
Dove didn't say anything. She couldn't. Instead, she walked past him toward the old oak tree in the yard, the branches casting dappled shadows across the grass. Gently, she set Mews down, her heart heavy.
Without pausing, she went to the shed and grabbed a shovel, her fingers gripping the worn handle tightly. Returning to the tree, she took a deep breath and began to dig, the sound of the shovel hitting the earth steady and calming.
The ground was hard, the earth compacted from the lack of rain. But Dove didn't stop. She drove the shovel into the dirt again and again, each movement more desperate than the last. Sweat dripped down her forehead, and her arms burned from the effort, but she refused to give in to the exhaustion. She needed to do this. She needed to give Mews, and hopefully herself, some peace.
Each scoop of dirt felt like a small act of penance. For keeping Dart. For not stopping this sooner. For everything that had spiraled so horribly out of control.
Finally, when the grave was deep enough, Dove carefully placed Mews inside, kneeling by the edge for a moment as she whispered a quiet goodbye. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she quickly brushed it away, biting down on her lip to keep from crying.
With a heavy sigh, Dove picked up the shovel again and began to fill in the grave, the weight of each shovelful mirroring the ache in her chest. She worked slowly, carefully, until the hole was filled. She smoothed the earth over gently, her hand lingering on the fresh mound before she finally rose, taking a deep breath as she looked up at the tree above.
Dove stood over the unmarked grave, staring down at the fresh dirt. She didn't know how long she stood there, her thoughts swirling in a sea of grief and exhaustion. The weight of everything they'd been through settled in her chest, and for the first time, she allowed herself to feel the depth of it all.
It wasn't just Mews. It was everything—the fear, the danger, the lies, the secrets. It was the terrifying realization that her world was unraveling, and she had no idea how to fix it.
Dove jumped slightly, startled out of her thoughts by Dustin's voice. She turned to see him standing a few feet away, his walkie-talkie pressed to his mouth. His expression was serious, his eyes wide with a mix of determination and fear.
"Code red," he said into the walkie, his voice steady despite the weight of the words. "Does anyone copy? I repeat, this is a code red. We need help. Now."