#*v. 01.

          WHOA ! betty’s turned a bit too quickly , nearly lost her balance.  the water is disgusting - the mere thought of the grimy feeling on her skin enough to send her stomach twisting.  hands clench to gentle fists , eyes turning back to look along the tunnel.  she can’t remember what she was doing.  “ i---- i was . . . i was just exploring. ”

          he’s tired now , finally slowed down to rest palms against knees and struggle to drag breath into his lungs.  a stumble , vans scuffing against the concrete as boy stands at his full height again , “ what do you want , man ? ” a sigh ; a desperate attempt to regain oxygen.  “ i didn’t do anything , alright ? ”

          “ HUH , i wish i’d hear something more pleasant. ”

          “ I SAW YOU.  you and your friends---- down in the barrens ? why ? ”

          “ HUH . . . ” she speaks quietly to herself at first , overhearing a conversation she definitely wasn’t included in moments prior.  betty shifts uncomfortably at her desk , scrawled drawings upon lined notebook paper littering the tabletop , “ i wouldn’t go down there if i were you. ”