☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

°•. ┊ Daylight┊.•°
✧ ˚ ━ i understand, act three

CHAPTER SIX — the monster and the superhero

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It's about an hour later and I'm back home. We all decided that Eddie should stay hidden at Reefer Rick's and we'll bring supplies to him in the morning. Steve and Robin insisted on staying here tonight, while Max stayed with the Henderson's. The three of us are sitting around the living room, trying to figure out what's still open and what to order. Thankfully, Sarah gets home and has a pizza. "Hey guys?" She says, dropping her keys in the dish by the door and placing the box on the coffee table. "Nice to see that you're alive."

"Yeah, sorry. I couldn't leave Eddie alone after everything that happened."

"Wanna elaborate on what exactly happened in that trailer park?"

"I would, but we don't entirely know anything. And Dustin's theory could be completely wrong." I explain, taking a piece of pizza from the box. "It's not as simple as evil Russians or a monster made of melted people. His theory is that this dark wizard is possessing people and killing them from the inside out. I guess we're calling him Vecna. I don't know. We don't really have any details yet, but hopefully we'll be able to find out more tomorrow." I stand up and head into the kitchen to grab a few soda's, while Sarah follows me.

"Are you okay?" She questions, leaning against the kitchen island.

"Honestly?" I turn and she gives me a small nod. "No. I can't do this again. I lost everything last time. I lost myself. And I am finally getting my life back. Now, it's all gonna go to shit again. I don't know if it's just the fear in Eddie's eyes or the fear of last year repeating itself, but I have a terrible feeling about this. I'm scared, mom. Really fucking scared. But we're the only ones that can stop it. I don't see it working out for us this time. We're all separated. There's no chance we all get out of this alive."

"You don't know that." She breathes, brushing a piece of hair behind my ear and taking one of my hands in her own. "Yes, things didn't go as planned, but now you guys know better. And you'll know to go into a fight with a fully thought out plan. Because everything that happened were possibilities none of us factored in. You have got to forgive yourself for something that wasn't your fault."

"If it weren't for me, Gen wouldn't have been a part of any of this. She wouldn't have been in Hawkins or at the mall. It's on me. She saved my life. It was supposed to be me." I breathe. "You had to watch the love of your life die. And he died saving me. You wouldn't have even been here if it wasn't for me. You've lost a lot. So, that's all on me too. I'm the reason you were all at risk anyways."

"Hey, we chose to be here." She smiles softly. "Everything we did, we did because we love you. If I didn't come here, I wouldn't have gotten to be your mom. I have a job that I love and a family of kids who I definitely wasn't expecting to adore. And I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. If I could go back, I wouldn't change a thing. You are my everything. You're gonna figure this out and we'll all be back together in no time."

"I love you, mom."

"I love you too, kid." She pulls me into a hug and I inhale deeply, soaking in the moment; unsure of how many we have left. We pull away and I wipe the stray tears from my face, grabbing the drinks and returning to my friends. We all eat and then Sarah turns in early, while the three of us decide to watch a movie. About half-way through, my eyes close and I drift off.

When I open my eyes, I take in my surroundings; finding myself in the carcass that used to be Starcourt Mall. "Billy!" Max's voice echoes through the air and I spin around looking for her. My heart starts racing and I shut my eyes, trying to wake myself up and blink away the tears. When I open them again, I'm in the middle of a road, and someone's standing about ten feet away from me. It's too dark to be able to make out who it is, so I cautiously approach the figure and recognize it as Fred.

"Fred? What are you doing out here?" I question, getting closer now that I feel slight relief. The boy doesn't respond. He hasn't even moved. "Fred?" I wave my hands in front of his face, but it seems like he's frozen. Stuck. His eyes are white and it's like he's not even there. I shake him a bit, but he doesn't move. He doesn't wake up. The curse. Wait, this isn't real. I fell asleep at home. With Robin and Steve. "Steve! Help me! Robin! Please! Somebody wake me up!" My voice rings through the woods around us and I can tell that it's not going to work. I blink and find myself in some sort of cave-like hole. I spin around and see Fred; he's definitely afraid and this time he's awake. There's a low voice that grabs both of our attention, as he says the boy's name, and I see a tall, grotesque creature approaching him. He seems to walk right past me and gets close to the boy.

"What do you want?" Fred asks, fear evident in his tone. What the hell is happening? I try to start a flame in my hands, but it doesn't work. I try a few more times and still nothing.

"I want you to join me." He answers the question in the creepiest fucking way possible, tilting his head. Fred shakes his head and repeats 'no' over and over again. He's so scared. Panic surges through my body, afraid of what's going to happen to my friend. I try my powers again, but it's still not working. I'm powerless. I can't do anything. Shit. The creature puts his hand over his face and the scene in front of me changes; I'm back on the road with Fred, only this time he's floating in the air and his bones start snapping. A sob escapes my lips and I fall to my knees. Just like Eddie said Chrissy died. His body bends in ways that no human should. And then he just drops to the cement. I release a scream and feel the tears falling from my eyes. I couldn't help him.

"Help. Please, anybody!" I cry out, my arms wrapping around my body in an attempt to console myself. Finally, my body and mind get on the same page, so I'm back in the apartment. I look at my friends and find them both fast asleep. I sit up and pull my knees to my chest, letting silent tears fall. I don't remember falling back asleep, but I wake up to the front door closing and find a sticky note on my forehead. it reads; 'Off to work. Keep me in the loop and be careful. Love, Mom.' I sit up and glance around the room, finding Robin asleep in a chair and Steve on the floor, hugging one of the couch pillows. He's so- No. Don't be an idiot. I take the pillow by my feet and loft it at the brunette, causing him to sit up quickly. A small laugh escapes my lips and he sends a glare my way, before chucking it back at me. I catch it and turn towards Robin, smacking her with it, waking her from her slumber.

"Let's go." I breathe, rising to my feet. "We have to check in with the others and get supplies for Eddie." The three of us leave and head out, driving to the Henderson household. When we arrive, the other half of our group comes out and gets in the car. Dustin informs us that the police are definitely looking for Eddie, which makes our lives that much harder. We drive to the grocery store and Dustin runs in with Steve and Robin, while the rest of us wait in the car. I turn around to face my sister and best friend. "Okay, so I had a dream. Well, a nightmare. An extremely realistic nightmare. I think I know who's next on Vecna's chopping block. It's Fred."

"From the newspaper?" Delilah asks.

"Yeah. I saw it happen."

"In your dream?" Max questions. God, these two have the most ridiculous questions.

"Yes, in my dream. Although, it might not have been a dream. I don't know. I know nothing about my abilities. The only person who could tell me about what exactly I can do, is dead." I explain, running a hand through my hair. My head turns to the side and I see our three friends walking out of the store. I turn back around and sit down properly. They put the stuff in the trunk and get back in the car. Lila and Max don't mention anything about my dream. I'm slightly relieved. I mean, if I'm wrong, then we waste time. And if I'm right then we spend time trying to fight something that we can't even see. We head to Reefer Rick's house and walk into the boathouse, bags in hand. Eddie starts eating cereal straight from the box, as we all stand around, and deliver the news. He insists on hearing the bad news first.

"All right. Bad news. We tapped into the Hawkins PD dispatch with our Cerebro, and they're definitely looking for you." Dustin starts. "Also, they're, uh, pretty convinced you killed Chrissy."

"Like, 100% kind of convinced." Delilah adds.

"And the good news?" Munson asks.

"Your name hasn't gone public yet." Rob states. "But if we found out about you, it's a matter of time before others do. And once that gets out, everyone and their shallow-minded mother is gonna be gunning for you."

"Hunt the freak, right?" A slight crack in his voice, makes my gaze soften. He doesn't deserve this. Sure, he's weird and kind of an ass, but he's no murderer.

"So, before that happens, we find Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence."

"That's all, Dustin? That's all?" He questions, rhetorically, in an attempt to show Henderson how complicated the issue actually is.

"Yeah, no, that's pretty much it." The younger boy responds, not understanding that Eddie was trying to prove a point.

"Listen, Eddie, I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we've actually been through this before." Robin explains. "I mean, they have a... a few times, and... and I have once. Mine was more human-flesh-based, theirs was more smoke-related, but bottom line is, collectively, I really feel we got this." I wish I could have even an ounce of the belief that she does. Eddie just stares between all of us with this dumbfounded look on his face.

"We usually rely on this girl who has super powers." Steve informs him. "But, uh, those went bye-bye, so..."

"So we're technically in more of the..." Robin tries to continue his thought.

"Kinda..." Steve adds. Jesus christ, why are we letting these two lead the conversation?

"Brainstorming phase." I breathe, shutting up the best friends who clearly had no idea where they were going with that.

"Brainstorming." Steve agrees with me, while snapping. Dustin fumbles over his words, before reassuring Eddie that he has nothing to worry about. Yeah, that was about as convincing as when Steve tried to tell me that I was hotter than Phoebe Cates. Harrington agrees with him and sends a small smile towards Munson. Eddie looks at Dustin with his brows raised, not buying a single word, and tilts his head slightly. Sirens start wailing and we get on high alert.

"Tarp." Lila states. "Tarp. Tarp." I stand up quickly, shoving the boy into the boat, as he pulls the plastic sheet over himself. We all run over towards the window and watch as two police cars and an ambulance drive by. What the hell is it now? All, except Eddie, run out to Steve's car and pile in once more, driving in the same direction, wondering what we're going to find. As he pulls up, I notice the coroner's van and Nancy being questioned. Harrington puts the car in park and all of us get out, standing by the doors, looking at the scene. I take in my surroundings and start spinning around like crazy. Shit. Shit. Shit. This is the same road. Hands are placed on my shoulder and stop my movements, turning me to face them. Robin.

"What is wrong with you?" She searches my eyes for an answer, while I ignore her question and look at Delilah.

"This is the place. From my dream." I tell her, earning confused glances from everyone besides my sister. Lila just looks stunned. "It was real. It happened. And now someone's dead." I pull myself away from the group and approach the police barricades, slipping past them. I walk straight towards Nance, pulling her into a side hug, while sheriff Powell and officer Callahan try to tell me that I can't be here. "Do you boys really want to argue with me? She's my friend and she's alone."

"This one's mean. I suggest we let this go, Chief." Callahan says to Powell. Their next question reveals that the victim is Fred. Oh my god. I stand there, while they continue talking, images of last night flashing in my mind over and over again. Was it a nightmare? And if not, what the hell does it mean? Am I on Vecna's hitlist? We have got to figure this out. They wrap up their questioning and the two of us head towards the group. No one says a word the entire way to the trailer park. When we arrive, we sit at this picnic table and start discussing everything.

"You're saying that this thing that killed Fred and Chrissy, it's from the Upside Down?" Nancy questions.

"If the shoe fits." I huff, pulling at the jewelry around my neck. As Dustin goes into detail about how Vecna possibly attacks his victims. The young boy also mentions how he believes that the creature is basically the Mind Flayer's bitch. To sum it up, this thing is different from things that we've fought before.

"It doesn't make sense." Nancy shakes her head. Dustin reiterates that it's just a theory, but that isn't what she was referring to. "No, Fred and Chrissy don't make sense. I mean, why them?"

"Maybe they were just in the wrong place." Delilah offers. "They were both at the game." Max adds that they were near the trailer park as well. Quite literally the only things those two seem to have in common.

"We're at the trailer park." Steve says, clearly unnerved by our current location. "Uh, should we maybe not be here?" We all glance around, not looking for anything in particular.

"There is something about this place." Nance starts. "Fred started acting weird the second we got here."

"Acting weird as in...?" Robin questions.

"Scared, on edge, upset." The Wheeler girl explains. I remind them that Max mentioned something about Chrissy being upset.

"Yeah, but not here." Max states. "She was crying in the bathroom at school."

"Serial killers stalk their prey before they strike, right?" Robin leans forward. "So, maybe Fred and Chrissy saw this Vecman..."

"Vecna." Over the past couple of years, I've noticed how much Dustin enjoys correcting people. It's extremely annoying.

"I don't know about you guys, but if I saw some freaky wizard monster, I would mention it to someone." Steve says, scratching at the five o'clock shadow on his face. My god, he needs to shave.

"Maybe they did." My sister seems to have come to some realization. "I saw Chrissy leaving Ms. Kelley's office. If you saw a monster, you... you wouldn't go to the police. They'd never believe you. But you might go to your..."

"Your shrink." I breathe. She nods in agreement and we all decide to check out that lead. While walking back to the car, Nancy continues right past it.

"Whoa, whoa, Nance. Nance! Where you going?" Harrington asks, rapidly. The tone of his voice and the look on his face is much more worrisome than that of a friend. Nance explains that she wants to check something out, but of course that's not good enough for Steve 'I-Still-Love-Nancy' Harrington. 'A real shot in the dark' is how she describes it, but it's Nancy. It's gonna be helpful in one way or another. "Yeah, okay. Are you out of your mind? Flying solo with Vecna on the loose? No, it's too dangerous. You need... You need someone to... Here. I'll stick with Nance. Take the car, check out the shrink." He tosses Robin his keys and I lean against the passenger door, very aware of my jealousy.

I don't think you want me driving your car." The blonde tells him, earning a confused 'why' from the older boy. "I don't have a license."

"Why don't you have a license?" Steve questions.

"I'm poor." Robin shrugs. Delilah doesn't have her license either. Those two are lucky we live in a small town otherwise they'd need their moms to chauffeur their dates. Now, I could offer to drive, but I'm petty. Plus, I just don't want to. Why does he need to go with Nance? Did he even want to be with me? Was I simply a stand in for the girl who truly desired? Did our relationship mean jackshit to him? God, I am so annoyed that I might just drive his precious car into a tree. Huh, that's not a bad idea actually...

"I can drive." Max offers. A smile finds its way onto my face, as Steve looks like he's having flashbacks to that night.

"No, never again. Please. Anybody but you. No. No chance." He rushes out, pointing at her.

"Still traumatized, huh, Stevie boy?" I tease, earning a sarcastic smile and a glare from him. Now, it's Dustin's turn to offer his excellent albeit illegal driving skills.

"All right, okay. This is stupid." Buckley takes one of the walkies from Dustin's bag and Delilah's arm, walking over to Nance. "Us ladies will stick together. Unless you think we need you to protect us." Robin leaves an open trap for him to walk into, but he keeps quiet. Then he proceeds to instruct them to be careful and the three girls walk away. I pull open the car door and sit down.

"Wow, be more obvious, why don't you, Sammy?" Max remarks, leaning forward.

"Don't start with me. So not in the mood." I huff, slouching in my seat and she drops it. Steve and Dustin take their sweet ass time joining us. When they do they're bickering with one another. Shocking. Harrington orders the Henderson boy to wipe his feet before entering the car.

"Always the babysitter." He mumbles to himself, starting the ignition. "Always the goddamn babysitter!" The drive to Ms. Kelley's house is quiet. The better term is silent. The drive is silent. I spend it festering in my jealousy and hating myself for it. Of course, as we sit outside of her house and watch Max enter, Han and Chewy start arguing once again. "Okay. She's in."

"I'm missing collarbones, not eyes." The younger boy snaps, causing me to laugh quietly. A moment passes and soon enough Henderson is pushing buttons again. "So, we gonna talk about... it?"

"Huh? Sorry, talk about what?"

"Your temporary insanity earlier today when you basically threw yourself at Nance?" Dustin asks. Steve disagrees and argues that none of that happened. "Pretty sure that's what happened. It was public. There were a lot of witnesses."

"You implying I still have a thing for Nance?" Steve looks at him, while my eyes remain forward.

"No. I'm not implying. I'm stating." Henderson replies. A small smirk ends up on my face. "And, as it relates to your steadfast refusal to get back with Sam, it's pretty much the only logical explanation." My face falls and I look out my own window, avoiding all forms of contact.

"That's not the only one." Steve speaks hesitantly. "And as for Nance, I was just trying to protect a friend. A friend, Henderson. Okay?" Dustin says 'okay' and Harrington continues his over-denial. "Don't wanna find her with her eyes sucked out of her skull by this Vecna creep."

"You're bright red in the face right now." Dustin laughs, mocking the older boy. My head turns to look at him and Henderson isn't wrong. How did I get stuck with these dweebs again? Especially after mine and Steve's breakup. This sucks.

"I'm not. I don't wanna talk about it." He snaps. "I'll punch you so hard your teeth will fall back out." Damn. Harsh.

"Whoa. Too far." Henderson breathes.

"Not cool. Sorry." Steve apologizes, genuinely. These two are like an elderly married couple. I share a look with the older boy, before quickly averting my eyes. "Here she comes. Here she comes." He says, gaining my attention, as we watch my younger sister get back into the car. Dustin questions her on what she talked about with the counselor.

"Nothing, just drive." She commands. "Steve, drive." And with that his tires are screeching, as we quickly drive away from the house. Soon enough, Dustin's radio goes off and Lucas' voice rings out.

"Lucas? Where the hell have you been?" The boy questions. Sinclair asks about Eddie and whether we're looking for him or not. "We found him, no thanks to you."

"You found him?" The Sinclair boy asks and Henderson goes on to reveal his location. Seriously, has he learned nothing? I mean, I love Lucas and I trust him, but he's been MIA for two days. The last time we saw or heard from him, he was with the basketball team. Plus, after everything last year with Billy and the Flayed. You can't trust anyone. "You guys know he killed Chrissy, right?"

"That's bullshit. Eddie tried to save Chrissy." Dustin argues and I grab the walkie from him. Sinclair asks why the cops are saying that Eddie killed her. Um, how about the fact that it's the only lead they have and they're not exactly the brightest bunch.

"Lucas, you're so behind it's ridiculous, okay?" I respond.

"Just meet us at school. We'll explain later." Max instructs him, leaning onto the middle console. He says he can't because some bad shit is gonna go down. Jesus fucking christ. We do not need anymore 'bad shit,' not this week. Or this lifetime. "What are you talking about? What bad shit? Lucas? Lucas?" Steve pulls into the school parking lot and we all exit, finding our way into the building. It's surprisingly easy.

"Dustin, do you copy?" Robin's voice sounds through the device, as we walk through the halls. Dustin answers the girl. "So, Nancy's a genius. Vecna's first victims date back all the way to 1959. Her shot in the dark was a bullseye."

"Okay, that's totally bonkers, but I can't really talk right now." The younger boy whispers into the walkie. This leads the girl to question his current actions and whereabouts. "Breaking and entering school to retrieve confidential and extremely personal files."

"Can you repeat that?" Lila's voice is now heard.

"Just get your ass over here, stat. We'll explain everything." He huffs and that's where the conversation ends. We approach Max, who's using the key to unlock the guidance office. When we enter the room, the two of us make a beeline for the file cabinets, while the boys make Watergate comments.

"Holy shit." Max breathes, when we find an unsuspecting file. Talk about a mini-plot twist. "Yeah, and not just Chrissy's file. Fred was seeing Ms. Kelley too." We pull out both files and sift through them at the desk. I'm standing behind Max, glancing over he shoulder every now and then to read Chrissy's file, meanwhile Steve and I are reading Fred's. While looking over the notes, I start to notice a pattern, and apparently I'm not the only one. "Can I see Fred's file?" Harrington hands it to her and she goes quiet.

"Max? What is it?" I question, my hand on her shoulder. She doesn't move. And she doesn't say anything. I move around to the other side of the desk to find her with white eyes. Just like Fred...

[word count: 4120]

lexi's letters; for the record, i know that fred died during eddie's discussion with the rest of the hawkins group, but for this purpose it happened later bc i said so lol