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“Look, I didn’t realize she was going to make so many.” Billy said, exhaling the smoke from his cigarette.
He looked over Jonathan, the lanky super freak that had him interrogated by the government. Sworn to secrecy over his own beating, which was fine, saved his pride a bit. That didn’t stop the persisting anger he found in himself whenever he saw Jonathan.
A scowl and name calling would never be sufficient to express the hatred he has for him, it was beyond that at this point.
They were behind the gym, in the designated smoking area. It was the only time they happened to run into each other, a weird connection all smokers had at this school.
Teachers and students, bumming cigarettes or lights off each other. It was a community, all joint together by a tobacco addiction. Though, if Jonathan was there first, he found himself turning the other way and settling to smoke in his car.
Today however, Jonathan was able to corner him after school, forcing them to talk.
He was leaning against the brick as the freak stood in front of him. Jonathan looked rageful, a slight grimace on his face as he stared up at Billy. His arms crossed, his stance rigid.
Billy was honestly prepared for another fight, and still kept a level of readiness with how Jonathan was eyeing him.
“You ruined Steve’s life. They were everywhere. He got kicked off the basketball team, his folks kicked him out, he even–” Jonathan snapped, but was cut off by Billy’s chuckles. Billy looked off to the side.
“I didn’t ruin his life, I wasn’t the one hanging around him all the time,” Billy snidely commented as he looked back at Jonathan.
Yeah, he helped make the flyers, but they would’ve never been made if Jonathan wasn’t hanging around Steve.
Jonathan paused, something igniting behind his eyes. Jonathan then stepped even closer, getting close to his face.
Billy’s eyes flickered across Jonathan’s face, he could almost feel the heat of his anger radiating off him.
“Leave us alone,” Jonathan growled.
The closeness sparked something in Billy, he got a tense feeling on the back of his neck. A sense of dread washed over him, he thought he heard flickers of voices in the back of his head.
“Or what?” Billy snarled back, ignoring that pit in his stomach.
“You know what,” Jonathan then turned and marched away.
The crunch of the gravel sharp as he stormed off towards the track. He watched as the weirdo marched towards the parking lot.
That’s when he saw him, Steve Harrington, running up to Jonathan. He placed a hand on Jonathan’s shoulder while saying something. They shared a look, a soft and caring look, before they walked off to Steve’s car.
That whole interaction, watching Steve be so kind to Jonathan made him kick the ground in front of him. He turned around and punched the brick wall, feeling the pain radiate through his knuckles, welcoming it over the vile feeling he got from watching the two.
“Fucking assholes…” He mumbled to himself, as he flicked his cigarette to the ground and walked away.
He walked away to his car, brushing off anyone trying to talk to him. He was about to open his door, but paused.
That feeling in his neck became 10 times stronger, it sent a chill down his spine. Whispers started to invade his head, they sounded like gibberish but became clearer and clearer.
Billy…
Billy whipped his head around, the parking lot was empty. He was about to open his mouth to say something.
Stay silent, follow them…
Billy then heard a squeaking, from under his car 13 rats scattered out. 12 of them made their way across the street and down the road, then one stayed behind. Sitting up on its hind legs, staring at Billy.
He wasn’t going to do it, but the whispers in his head got louder the more he was thinking about ignoring the voice. So loud that they were actually starting to hurt his head. He slowly got in his car, and started it. The rev of his engine that he loved to hear now felt like a prison as he started to slowly drive along the street, following the group of rats.
He pulled up to an abandoned building, it was concrete and had overgrowth of vines covering it. The building looked unstable, unsafe, and it was covered in graffiti. He parked his car, and got out, the rats now entering the building.
That feeling in his shoulders and neck getting more intense. There was a pressure starting to build behind his eyes as he got closer to the entrance of the building.
Then a foul and sour smell hit his nose as he started to enter. So intense he had to stop outside the entrance and cover his nose. He gagged, the smell suffocating, finally he bit down on his tongue and entered the building.
Swarms of flies were buzzing around the room, it was dark besides the rays of sunlight coming through the cracked and crumbling ceiling. The smell was even worse, as the rats led him more and more into the building.
That’s when he saw it, a rotting carcass of a donkey was surrounded by rats, maggots, and flies feasting on its flesh.
He stared, the pit in his stomach growing. He wanted to run, then he heard footsteps behind him. He whirled around, a man was stalking towards him from the shadows. His footsteps echoing off the walls.
“What the hell is this?!” Billy spat out at him.
The man only chuckled, he finally walked into a ray of sunshine. He was tall and wore a brown suit with a brown hat, he was holding a pocket watch. The man finally stopped, snapping the pocketwatch closed, sending the rats and flies scattering from the rot.
“Hello, William,” the man said, looking towards him.
“Don’t call me that,” Billy scowled, he hated when people used his full name.
“What should I call you then?”
“...Billy is fine,” He answered, wondering why he was even talking to this man.
“Okay, Billy, it’s nice to meet you. My name, is Henry.” The man put the pocket watch back into his suit, then stuck his hand out to him.
Billy wanted to fight, get out of here and quickly get out to his car. This man, tall and intimidating, didn’t look that strong. One swing would probably do it, but he couldn’t. It was like this man, Henry, had this repellant on him. Stopping Billy from hurting him.
So Billy bit his tongue, and shook his hand. Henry’s snide smile grew.
“You have been chosen. Part of a reigning class, through this we are brothers. But, I need your help, because we share a common enemy.” Henry put his hands behind his back, staring down at Billy.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Billy asked, confused. Reigning class? Brothers? Common enemy? The words swirled around his head.
“May I…show you something?” Henry asked.
Billy didn’t even get a response out before Henry put a clawed hand up to Billy’s face. It felt like a car hit his head, the amount of force he felt hit him square on his forehead. He gasped out in pain and fell backwards, but not onto concrete, no he fell onto sand.
He looked around, no longer in the abandoned building. He was on a beach, his heart dropped as he recognized it. He went surfing here, before his mother passed, before his father ripped him away from the place he loved so much.
He slowly got up. There was a breeze, and the smell of the salty ocean hit his nose. It was comforting despite the nagging fear of how he even got here.
He heard a huff from an animal, he turned around and saw a donkey behind him. It was pawing at the sand and brayed at him. He furrowed his brow, very confused by the scene.
“A jackass? Really?” He said to himself.
Then he heard squeaking, he looked down, and a rat was staring up at him. It was black and had big round black piercing eyes. The rat circled around him and squeaked excitedly. He chuckled, he actually never minded animals, it was odd to see a rat so excited.
The rat then jumped onto his leg, he flinched.
“Too far! Too far!” He tried to shake the rat off his leg, but the rat stayed strong and kept crawling up his leg.
“Get the hell off me!” He snapped, the rat squeaked back. A violent trill of squeaks escaped the rats as it climbed up his body. Like it was talking back to him.
The rat finally crawled up to his arm, holding on tightly. Billy finally gave up, and stared at the rat now perched on his arm like a parrot.
“What the hell is your problem?” Billy asked the rat.
The rat squeaked back at him, like he was cussing him out.
“Wow, a rat with an attitude, of course that’s what I have to deal with.” He snidely remarked.
The rat stuck its nose up like it was saying deal with it, then it pranced up to Billy’s shoulder.
The rat squeaked, as it circled and perched onto his shoulder. Holding on tightly, almost nuzzling into him.
The sound of the donkey braying at him jolted him, he looked over at the donkey again. It pawed the ground again, this time kicking more sand.
“Do I…follow it?” He asked himself. Then he heard a quick squeak, he looked down at the rat, who was nodding its head.
He raised his eyebrows in shock, realizing the rat really did understand him. He grumbled slightly, this is so weird…
He walked towards the donkey who started to lead him away from the beach and into a forest.
As he walked into the forest, it was dusk and grey. There was a light mist on the ground, it swirled around with every step he took. It was cold, which confused him because he was just on a sunny beach.
That’s when he heard it, Steve’s voice rang throughout the forest.
“Jonathan! Wake up man!” Steve said, panic lacing his voice.
The donkey led Billy to a clearing and stopped, that’s when Billy’s eyes landed on Steve and Jonathan. They were in the middle, Steve was grabbing onto Jonathan’s shoulders. Shaking him slightly with fear in his eyes. He recognized the outfit Steve was wearing, this was the Halloween party.
“I am showing you the truth, everything that they are. Past, present…and future,” Henry’s voice echoed throughout the forest. Billy stayed silent. His eyes glued to Jonathan and Steve in front of him.
Jonathan all of the sudden fell back, Steve toppling over with him. He couldn’t hear much, but he watched as Steve adjusted Jonathan to hold him. He watched as Steve brushed the hair away from Jonathan’s eyes, softly…lovingly…
“Fucking disgusting…” Bill said to himself, looking away from the scene. Ignoring the turmoil it was causing in his chest. The rat squeaked, he almost forgot it was there. The rat sounded sympathetic, as much as a rat could.
The donkey started to walk again. Billy followed, wanting to forget what he just saw.
The donkey led him to another clearing, this time, it was the Henderson’s house. The place gave him the shivers, remembering how angry he got, how Jonathan almost killed him. He felt an embarrassment run through him. The donkey walked up to the window in the front yard, Billy walked up next to the animal and peered in alongside it.
He saw himself knocked out on the floor, he watched as Steve scrambled up and ran towards Jonathan pulling him into an embrace. Over his limp body.
His fists started to shake in anger as he became lost in thought. The donkey brayed, making him jump back to the present.
They walked away again, this time they walked towards a wooden cabin. They all paused at the porch, he then felt the donkey nudge at him, pushing him up towards the door.
He walked up the porch, the rat on his shoulder stayed clinging tightly. More than before, Billy wondered if the rat was scared.
The door to the cabin was slightly cracked open, he pushed it, looking inside.
Jonathan was convulsing on the bed, tied up with rope. Steve was straddling him, a firepoke in hand.
He watched as Steve stabbed it into Jonathan, then a black mist left his body, breaking through the cabin ceiling.
“Steve saved him…” Billy whispered to himself, the rat on his shoulder weakly squeaked.
Billy turned away, and walked down the porch. The donkey was already starting to walk away. That’s when he saw a house he didn’t quite recognize, though, he did recognize the car outside it. Steve’s beamer was parked in the front, Billy glanced beside him, a mailbox was there. Byers was painted across it.
Jonathan had said to him Steve’s parents kicked him out, that probably meant they were living together now.
Billy huffed at the thought, but was quickly interrupted with the donkey braying at him again.
“Ugh, I get it, follow the donkey!” Billy grumbled, begrudgingly following the donkey to the side of the house.
They walked to a window, Billy could see two figures behind the sheet that was covering the window. He could hear the muffled voices.
He opened the window, pushing it up. He then tugged at the sheet, ripping it down. He saw Jonathan and Steve in bed. They were cuddled up next to each other, he felt his heart drop.
Steve’s head was resting against Jonathan’s chest as Jonathan was running his fingers through Steve’s hair. Steve’s arms were wrapped around Jonathan.
He watched as Steve and Jonathan intertwined fingers.
“What is this?” Steve’s voice asked. The words seemed to echo.
“My hand?” Jonathan responded.
“No…this? What are we doing here, Jonathan,” Steve asked.
It was very obvious. They were together, it was making him feel sick. Sick with…envy and he hated that. He hated that he was feeling that. But it was just part of him, a part of himself he had to deal with.
“You’re…my best friend, Steve.” Jonathan said.
The mood shifted, you could tell, Steve’s eyes widened. He looked like he was about to cry. Billy was even confused, best friends don’t hold each other like that. Then anger took over that confusion, as he realized…Jonathan was just using Steve. Taking advantage of his feelings…for what?
It was like someone hit a button, everything in the room seemed to fast forward. Then it started to slow again, focusing on a new moment.
Steve was reading an issue of Hotrod on the bed, while Jonathan was putting a vinyl on his record player.
“I can’t believe you barely know David Bowie. He’s like…one of the greatest of all times. Definitely in my top three,” Jonathan was saying to Steve.
Yeah he would be, huh you queer? Billy snidely thought to himself.
“Let’s Dance is like one of the best albums of all time,” Jonathan added, he then put the needle down. The record started to spin, a song started to play.
“Better than Combat Rock?” Steve asked, he looked over at Jonathan, putting the magazine down on his lap. Steve’s eyes seemed to glow looking at Jonathan, and his face had a big warm smile.
“Mmmm, possibly, but you can’t tell Will I said that,” Jonathan chuckled as he turned around to look at Steve.
Steve started to get up, he walked over to Jonathan. He looked like he was listening to the music.
“What’s the name of this song?” Steve asked.
“Modern Love, the next song on this track is my favorite however,” Jonathan said while shrugging.
“I mean it does sound like dancing music,” Steve said, he had a smirk on his face.
“Yeah, I guess. Dance is in the title of the album,” Jonathan started to say. Then Steve grabbed Jonathan’s wrists and pulled him to the middle of the room.
“What are you doing?” Jonathan asked.
“I’m listening to Bowie,” Steve laughed, grabbing onto Jonathan’s waist.
“I don’t dance, really, unless drunk,” Jonathan said, trying to push Steve away, his face red. Steve just pulled him closer.
“I saw you on Halloween, come on,” Steve said, his eyes now hooded while he was grinning.
Jonathan laughed, “Yeah! I was drunk!”
Despite the protests, they danced together.
Billy felt the color drain from his face. He could barely stand to watch, but he just couldn’t look away.
They both paused, Steve and Jonathan looked into each other's eyes. Billy felt his own heart race.
Steve then started to lean in closer to Jonathan. Billy watched Jonatahn’s eyes widen, he was hesitating. He was being a coward.
Jonathan then pushed himself away from Steve.
“I-I, I can’t..” Jonathan said as he escaped Steve’s hold. He quickly walked out the room.
Billy watched as Steve now stood in the middle of the room, staring at the door. Steve cussed to himself, looking over at the record player. Steve walked over and stopped the music, he then stared out the window. Unknowingly staring at Billy.
Billy felt a heat rise to his face, he started to reach out towards Steve. Then Steve sighed, turned around and left the room before Billy could even graze his fingers against his face.
“Joanthan, wait…I’m sorry,” Steve was starting to say as he left the room, closing the door behind him.
Billy quickly retracted his arm back, feeling ashamed for even letting himself do that.
Time seemed to fast forward again, going to a new moment. To a new memory.
He felt the rat on his shoulder, nuzzle into him. Like the rat knew what he was feeling. Like the rat was trying to comfort him.
The room seemed to start to slow again. The memory came into focus.
They were making out, intensely. Jonathan straddled Steve’s lap while Steve sat on the bed against the wall. Their sounds of kissing, grunts, and gasps filled the room.
“Woah,” He said to himself, unintentionally covering the eyes of the rat on his shoulder.
He felt a rage. This time, he looked away, he couldn’t watch this. He heard Jonathan moan out Steve’s name, he heard Steve chuckle. A chuckle he realized he would never hear for himself.
He felt like he was going to hurl, the dread so intense in his stomach. It felt like torture, no, actually, this was torture. He wanted to punch a wall, Jonathan, really anything. He hated this feeling, it’s why would pick fights. A punch in the face felt better than this.
Finally he heard the door open and close, he glanced up. Steve was left in the bed alone, he was looking towards the door. Almost a sorrow on his face.
Time sped up again, then they were both laying down on the bed. Jonathan’s head against Steve’s chest, holding him, a privilege Jonathan probably didn’t even realize was one.
“Best friends?” Steve asked.
“I…don’t think so?” Jonathan responded.
“Then what?” Steve asked again.
“I don’t know.” Jonathan stated, still holding on to Steve.
Billy was stunned, then he started to laugh. He didn’t even hear what Steve said to Jonathan.
He laughed, and laughed. The memory seemed to pause, both of them frozen in time.
“Holy shit!” Billy laughed out.
“He can’t…that bastard can’t even admit it!” Billy felt crazy as he laughed, because he realized…he was better than Jonathan. Well, he did beat Steve up—wait. So did Jonathan!
He laughed and laughed because he can at least admit to himself that he is some degenerate. He knows he is one.
Jonathan can’t even swallow the fact that he is broken. Jonathan still wants to play pretend, pretend like he isn’t some fag like them. Pretend like he isn’t part of “The Club”.
The rat on his shoulder seemed to squeak along, like the rat was laughing with Billy.
His laughing titred off as he realized…Steve was still infatuated with Jonathan. Even though he was better than Jonathan…Steve was still choosing Jonathan.
The rat on his shoulder stopped its squeaking, as if sensing Billy’s shift in demeanor. All of the sudden, he heard a chime of a clock, and he was sent back to standing in front of Henry.
The smell of decay hit him again, his head was hurting, and he felt a trickle of blood start to leave his nose.
He felt out of breath, he realized he was hyperventilating. He quickly controlled his breathing, hating that feeling of being vulnerable. He then realized there was still a weight on his shoulder, he looked down, the rat was still there.
“Looks like you made a friend, he wanted to join, he was so cute I could hardly say no,” Henry said, looking towards the rat with a giddy smile on his face.
Henry then straightened up, looking into his eyes, “So, you see, we share a common enemy.”
“...Jonathan?” Bill asked, confused why this man would also not like him.
“Yes, indeed, Jonathan. The Chaos Wielder…Billy, he is dangerous to this world…he is dangerous to Steve. I need you to help me bring him down,” Henry said.
“Why me? I don’t understand,” Billy asked.
“Because, He chose you. Eight of us were, you are one of them.”
“He?”
“Yes, He,” Henry then pulled out his pocket watch, pointing towards the carving on it. It was the Moon. He then put it back into his suit
“He has blessed you with magic to control the dead. The dead are bound to no master, except if given to a master by their living soul. You can be their master.” Henry said, clasping his hands together. As if he was excited to share this news with Billy.
The rat on his shoulder started to squeak and jump excitedly too.
“Master of the dead?” Billy asked, not hiding his skepticism.
“Okay, yeah sure.” Billy added, laughing.
“Oh, you don’t believe me?” Henry asked.
“Yeah, what are you on about?” Bill started to say, but Henry quickly snatched the rat from his shoulder, snapping its neck. The rat flopped dead in Henry’s hands instantly.
Billy was stunned for a beat, then a wrath took over.
“What the fuck?! Why would you do that?! You fucking psycho–” He was startig to yell.
“Bring it back, the rat has obviously chosen you.” Henry said, his face was stone-cold.
Oh, he’s just crazy, okay…
“H-how?” Billy asked, not being able to hide the waver in his voice.
“Focus on the rat, then draw an X over its body.” Henry said, handing Billy the dead rat.
Billy carefully took the rat, holding its limp body in his hand. A tingle appeared in his hands as he looked down at the poor creature.
A sense of…paternal energy appeared in him. A protective attitude took over in his chest. He lifted his other hand, and drew an X over the rat’s body. He watched as the rat wriggled in his hand, its bones snapping back to normal.
He waited, then watched as the rat’s body started to heave with breaths again. A relief washed over him. The rat sat up again, it seemed a bit drowsy.
The rat shook its head and looked back up at Billy, it bowed its head, then crawled back up to Billy’s shoulder.
Billy looked up at Henry, whose face was smug.
“Believe me now?” Henry snided.
“Yeah…yeah, I believe you now…” Billy cautioned.
“It is through The Chosen that we are brothers. You, me, and Jonathan.” Henry changed the subject.
Jonathan…being my brother…ugh. Billy thought to himself, and Henry chuckled. Quickly, Billy felt…invaded, wondering if Henry had heard that thought.
“We cannot hurt our fellow brothers and sisters, He commanded us not to. But, the dead however, are not bound to his commandant. If you can build an undead army, we can take him down, once and for all. Then you can have this,” Henry said, then he pulled a tiny draw string bag from his pocket. He held it up, dangling it in front of Billy.
Billy looked between the bag and Henry, “What is it?”
Henry then handed him the bag. Billy took the bag, it was heavy. He opened it and poured the contents into his hand.
About 30 silver coins fell into hand, but they quickly transformed into a tiny wooden figurine. It was a tiny figurine of Steve, then Steve’s chuckle could be heard. The same chuckle he gave Jonathan while making out with him. Billy felt a flush across his face, his eyes flickered up to Henry.
“A toy? You want me to kill my ‘brother’…for a doll?” Billy grumbled.
“That’s more representative of what you can have. If you can end Jonathan, he’s all yours,” Henry said, a snide smile spreading across his face.
“Heh, why would I want…Steve…” Billy tried to deny, but Henry tilted his head and looked like he was trying not to laugh.
“Billy, I value the truth. There is no need to lie to me. I simply don’t care.” Henry said, a sly smile on his mouth.
Billy felt his heart race, but also, a sliver of hope now appeared.
“Are…you serious? About, Steve?”
“I only tell the truth, Billy. I am bound to only tell the truth.” Henry put a hand over his heart, then bowed. Like he was swearing to Billy.
Billy looked down at the little wooden carving again. Then he clasped his hand around it tightly. His hand was almost shaking.
“What do I need to do?” Billy asked. Henry’s grin only grew wider.
“So? You accept?” Henry asked.
Billy nodded enthusiastically, “Yes, what do I need to do?”
Henry put his hand up, as if telling him to calm down. He took a deep breath, waiting for Henry’s answer.
“This will take time. Do not rush it. We need to prove to people that they want to hand over their souls to you. So, talk to people. Gain their trust. May I suggest picking up a job as a life guard? That will be your starting point, might as well use your…assets.” Henry chuckled.
“Okay…then what?”
Henry started to walk, gesturing to Billy to follow. Billy walked side by side with Henry, waiting for his answer. They were walking back towards the exit, the rat that was on his shoulder finally crawled off, but was now leading the way back towards the doors of the building.
“I will let you know when to start marking the ones that have given you their souls for death. All it will take is you drawing a simple X over their body, as you just did, then they will be yours to control. Though…that won’t happen for a while, we need to make sure our army has numbers. Jonathan…is strong. We need to make sure we are stronger.” Henry seemed to be deep in thought.
Billy couldn’t help but chuckle, Jonathan did not seem like the type of guy that you would need an army to be able to fight him.
“You laugh, but do not underestimate that boy. He chose Jonathan to be His prophecy child, that means…Jonathan is who He loves most.” Henry said, his lips pursed together.
Billy realized Henry did not like that. Hell, he couldn’t blame the guy. He knows what that feels like, for someone to choose Jonathan over you.
“Okay, I get it…” was all Billy could come up with to say.
They were now standing outside the exit, he could see his car. The rat ran out and was now climbing to the hood of the car, it looked to be waiting for Billy now.
“Before you leave, I must warn you.” Henry said, turning towards Billy. They stared at each other.
“Jonathan’s whispers are influential. Be careful,” Henry said.
Henry then turned around and walked back into the building. Billy looked back at his car, the squeaking rat becoming impatient, then he turned back towards the building.
“Whispers? What do you mean by–” Then he realized Henry was gone.
He looked around, Henry disappeared.
Billy then looked back down at his hand, realizing he was still holding the tiny wooden carving of Steve. He looked at the tiny wooden-Steve in his palm, then put the figurine in his pocket.
He then looked at the tiny drawstring bag Henry gave him. In the light, he could see it better. It was a lilac color, and in the middle the moon was embroidered on it. It was pretty, he doesn’t have much use for it…he’ll probably give it to Max.
He sighed then walked back to his car, the rat now jumping excitedly.
“Yeah, guess I have you now too,” Billy sighed, he opened the driver's door. The rat quickly dived into the car, getting into the passenger seat.
“Just don’t chew anything up!” He demanded, the rat just squeaked back at him. Now looking out the windshield.
“I’m going to call you…ugh, I don’t know, Max was always better at this stuff. I’ll let her name you,” He chuckled.
He then drove off from the building, back towards his house. An electrifying tingle in his hands as he started to wonder who he was going to gain the trust of their soul first.