(Ep. 3: The Monster and the Superhero)

After hearing Eddie's recollection of what happened to Chrissy, the group thought it'd be best to stay together, so they settled on sleeping in Steve's car. It was packed to say the least, but they were comforted in knowing they were safe with each other.

Gwen had spent all night tossing and turning. Every time she closed her eyes, her nightmares were threatening to take over. Her mind had become her greatest enemy and it was frustrating that not even in her sleep was she able to escape the harsh reality that her life's become.

It wasn't like she could tell anyone, because nightmares were something everyone had, especially them after everything they went through. Even if her dreams felt too real and like she was experiencing everything again, she chose to stay quiet and focus on protecting Eddie.

As they walked out of Steve's car with groceries in hand, Dustin burst through the lake house like he owned the place.

Eddie jumped back, startled at their abrupt entry, "Jesus, man! Don't do that shit!"

Dustin smiled and held up his bag of groceries, "Delivery service!"

Gwen sent a small wave and held a six pack of beer into the air. It wasn't easy getting it, but since Steve knew the owner of the store, they were allowed to get as much as they needed.

"You're a lifesaver," Eddie breathed in relief and quickly took the six pack from her.

Dustin scoffs, offended at his sister being given the credit when he was the one that suggested getting more groceries for him. "Umm, what about me?"

Eddie was too engulfed in his drink and stuffing himself with cereal to say anything. There hadn't been much food in Reefer Rick's home except for candy and a few bottles of water, so drinking beer and downing an entire box of cereal felt like a feast.

The view of Lover's Lake offered a tinge of serenity as they took a seat around him. It was the calm before the storm and what better way to give the news than now?

"So, uh, we have some good news and some bad news," Dustin began. "How do you prefer it?"

"Bad news first," Eddie said with his mouth full. "Always."

"We tapped into the Hawkins PD dispatch with our Cerebro, and they's definitely looking for you."

Of course Eddie was expecting a manhunt, but he held on to the smallest bit of hope that somehow there would be evidence to prove his innocence. The thing was, everything changed after having learned of the existence of the supernatural. It seemed there wouldn't be a way to save his reputation after all.

"They're also convince you killed Chrissy," Gwen reluctantly added, and tried her hardest to avoid looking at the beers next to him.

She didn't drink again after Christmas. Picking up the habit was a thought she couldn't fathom, but after learning everything was back, it was now when she considered it. It sounded terrible, but the alcohol helped her deal with the mess she became. It set her thoughts on pause and for just a mere moment, she felt like her old self again.

But Christmas night ruined everything.

And she had no one to blame but herself.

Gwen kept longing for a time to apologize, but she was ashamed. She promised not to break his heart and she did worse. She broke their sacred oath and lamenting her mistakes wouldn't change the past.

Often, it never did.

But, then, his brown eyes met her blue ones.

Gwen looked away.

Steve didn't.

"But there's some good news," Robin said, who was surprisingly hopeful and cheery. "Your name hasn't gone public yet, but if we found out about you, it's a matter of time before others do."

Eddie stayed silent.

"Once that gets out, everyone and their shallow-minded mother is gonna be gunning you."

His jaw clenched, "Hunt the freak, right?"

"Exactly," Robin said.

Dustin sprung from his seat and paced lazily all around, "Before that happens, we find Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence."

Eddie glared at him in disbelief, "That's all Dustin? Really?"

He paused, as if giving some thought to it, "Yeah, no, that's pretty much it."

"You say it like it's a walk in the park," Gwen didn't want to be pessimistic, but things never ran in their favor. Rarely they did. "Are you forgetting how all of us have nearly died?"

Eddie's eyes widened in unease.

She noticed, already feeling guilty for putting her negativity in the air, "But that's not going to happen. We're still here, so we'll be fine."

"I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we've actually been through this kind of thing before," Robin gestured to the rest of them and then to her. "I mean, they have a... a few times and I have once."

Eddie felt a hint of hope of going through this with people that had experience. If they survived, maybe he had a chance to get his life back on track once this was over.

"Mine was more human flesh based, theirs was more smoke related, but bottom line is... I really feel like we got this."

Gwen loved Robin's optimism and how hard she was trying to assure him that everything would be fine, but she still felt like something was different about this. This monster didn't act like the previous ones did and it targeted someone for no reason. Usually, there was a connection to one of them, but Chrissy didn't have any correlation to any.

Or maybe she was wrong and all this overthinking was just pessimism.

"We usually rely on this girl, who has superpowers," Steve spoke up, "But, uh, those went bye-bye so..."

"We're technically in more of the..."

"Kinda-"

"Brainstorming phase."

"There's nothing to worry about," Dustin's voice getting higher definitely didn't help proving his belief.

Especially with the silence that fell after.

But, then, police sirens were heard from a distance.

The group turned their heads, worried that somehow the cops were able to find Eddie.

Gwen was quick to shove him further down into the boat, "Don't make a sound. Stay here until we tell you."

"If you guys disappear on me, I swear-"

"Just shut up," she said, and placed the tarp over him.

A swarm of police cars and ambulances drove through the roads at a high speed. Their sirens got louder by the second to the point it became unbearable to hear. Something definitely happened and based on the high quantity of authorities, it couldn't be anything good.

Everyone exchanged equally concerned looks as they considered this was about Vecna. If they wanted to help Eddie, they couldn't stay here and wonder the inevitable. Without a second thought, the group rushed out the doors without looking back.

Eddie heard the door slam, but knew better than to look beyond the tarp. He stayed still for a few seconds until he couldn't take the silence any longer. As he approached the window, he was shocked to find that they left without saying a word.

"Hey!" he peeked his head out the door and hollered loud enough for them to hear. "Thanks for the heads up by the way!"

The passenger window rolled down. Gwen and Dustin bumped against each other as they peeked their head out, "Just stay here until we get back!"

Steve didn't give the siblings a chance to put on their seatbelts. He pressed on the accelerator, causing them bump their heads once again. He tried not to smile when hearing them complain as he was suddenly reminded of the olden days when it was just the three of them looking for Dart.

But just as quick as the memories returned, the reminder that everything changed and not for the better brought him down from cloud nine.

After a few minutes of riding in the nerve racking silence, they finally arrived at what appeared to be a crime scene. The road was completely blocked, filled with cops and coroners along with a few reporters that managed to sneak their way in.

"Someone died, didn't they?" Gwen didn't ask a question to receive an answer. She wasn't surprised anymore at another loss since it was to be expected. There could never be the calm before the storm. It was always a storm after another, so she could only do nothing but accept what was coming.

Steve then noticed her trembling hands. It was wrong of him to do so, but he still reached for hers and provided a gentle squeeze. Her warmth was replenishing, like the first breath after nearly drowning. He wanted to comfort her, but it was her that was comforting him. All it took was one touch and one look, one thing to solidify what was meant.

Gwen felt as if the world had stopped. His graze allowed her to forget and granted her the chance to breathe again. It was a brief moment when she believed he could still love her. From the way he stared at her with a look full of understanding, compassion, care, and devotion, she dwelled on the possibility.

But it couldn't be.

From the way she ended things, she didn't feel worthy of receiving his comfort, his kindness, or the way he stared at her so full of love. She didn't want to drag him into her mess, because he deserved better. He deserved someone worthy of having his heart and if letting him go was the way it should be, then she would rather face heartbreak than hurt him even more.

Gwen dropped his hand and looked away.

And Steve only watched as she headed out.

Standing by the crime scene, Nancy held her arms tightly against herself. She briefly tuned out the sheriff's questions once she noticed her friends. Just knowing they were here made her feel safe, like she arrived at the safety of her home and didn't have to worry for the worst. She softly smiled and sent a small wave, a weight off her shoulders now lifted.

__________________

"You're saying that this thing that killed Fred and Chrissy, it's from the Upside Down?" Nancy asked, refusing to believe everything was back after all they went through these past three years.

Gwen reluctantly nodded, "With our terrible luck, it definitely is."

"Our working theory is that he attacks with a spell or a curse," Dustin explained, once again his knowledge of D&D getting him one step ahead of everyone. "Now, whether or not he's doing the bidding of the Mind Flayer or just loves killing teens, we don't know."

"I don't think it's the Mind Flayer this time," Gwen blurted out, making them turn their heads in her direction. "He's not possessing people. From what we were told on how Chrissy died, the way it kills them is different. Something... more cruel, like he enjoys torturing them before killing them."

The group turned quiet, each developing some theories of their own if Vecna could possibly be the mastermind behind it all or was just another pawn. Regardless of who he was, it didn't change the fact that any one of them could become a target at any second.

Nancy shook her head, confused on how the two victims had any correlation with this, "No, it- it doesn't make sense."

"It's just a theory."

"No, Fred and Chrissy," she corrected, "Why them?"

It did seem strange how two completely different people, who never interacted once, had become a target. Maybe if both of them had been popular, that could've been their shared factor, but it still seemed odd how random their deaths were after months of Hawkins being quiet.

Why did it start now after all this time?

"Maybe they were just in the wrong place. They were both at the game."

Steve faltered.

He was there with Gwen and Robin.

He swallowed thickly as the terrible thought that those he loved most could become targets. Anything could happen and that terrified him more than anything. He wasn't sure when, but he suddenly felt his hand holding Gwen's.

She flinched lightly at how unexpected it was and was about lean away, but she then noticed the frightful look in his eyes. Knowing he didn't like showing his emotions in public, she was certain this was becoming too much for him. She gently squeezed his hand and gazed into his doe eyes, expressing her understanding.

"And also at the trailer park," Max informed them, remembering how Chrissy came with Eddie and since Fred had also been here, this could be a possible connection between them.

But then she realized that Gwen had come to visit her that night as well.

Steve cleared his throat before addressing the obvious, "We're at the trailer park." He looked around curiously and was suddenly drawn to take everyone away from a possible focal point of these murders, "Uh, should we maybe not be here?"

"I think we're good for now," Gwen reassured him, still holding his hand. "Maybe if we stay together, we'll be alright."

He nodded, a faint smile starting to form before they quickly turned away.

"There is something about this place," Nancy began. "Fred started acting weird the second we got here. He was scared, on edge, upset."

"Didn't you say Chrissy was upset?" Dustin looked over at Max, not sure if she was the one that told him.

"Yeah, but not here," she corrected, "She was crying in the bathroom."

"And also when the game ended..." Gwen was certain Chrissy had seen something in the gym. The way she stared at the scoreboard in sheer terror didn't make sense back then, but with what they learned, maybe visions could be something Vecna's victims were tormented with before getting killed. "She was afraid, kept glancing at the scoreboard like it was something terrifying. She seemed on edge, like Nance said Fred was. It all just seems-"

"I knew you guys would be here!"

Daphne Sinclair stormed in their direction. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her brows furrowed into a tight line, and she had the most perfect frown on her face. She stopped at the end of the table and stared at Robin a little longer before addressing the rest. "The least you could have done was call to let me know."

Nancy was confused, "Umm, why exactly?"

"Because she got involved in this last summer," Robin said, and opened up the spot next to her. "This affects her just as much as it affects us."

Daphne gave her a soft smile, "Exactly. Thanks, Rob."

Nancy was still not convinced, "But-"

"So, what did I miss?" Daphne interrupted, and looked at each of them.

Gwen let out a small laugh, "So much, Sinclair."

"Let's get back on track," Nancy suggested. "So Gwen, you were saying that Chrissy appeared to have seen something?"

"That's what it seemed like."

The wheels in Robin's brain started running. She considered that this monster probably stalked his prey before attacking, so maybe that's what happened to the two teens. "Maybe Fred and Chrissy saw this Vecman-"

"Vecna," Dustin corrected.

Gwen and Nancy exchanged equally annoyed looks.

"Dunno about you guys, but if I saw some freaky wizard monster, I would mention it someone," Steve pointed out.

"Maybe they did," Max said, "I saw Chrissy leaving Ms. Kelley's office. If you saw a monster, you wouldn't go to the police. They'd never believe you."

"Ahh," Gwen breathed out, "You would visit your shrink."

Ms. Kelley must have files on all the students she treated, so if visiting the school counselor could offer a possible lead, then they needed to figure out if Fred had been going to her office as well.

The group scattered in different places once they reached the vehicles. Gwen was nearly about to enter Steve's car, but Nancy had other plans. She held her by the wrist and leaned close as if to reveal a secret, "I think I know where we should go. It may be a long shot, but I'm certain it's worth checking out."

"Nothing is a long shot when it's from you," Gwen teasingly nudged her on the shoulder and followed her to her vehicle. "So, where are we going?"

"To the library."

But then, Steve noticed.

Steve didn't say anything to anyone. He merely headed in her direction and acquired ahold of her forearm. No information about this monster was known, so he wouldn't let her risk herself by wandering off alone to who knows where. He much preferred keeping an eye on her just in case the worst should happen.

Of course, it would be easier said than done.

"Let go of me, Harrington," Gwen shoved his grip off, glaring at him so heavily he might as well have turned to stone. "I'll be with Nancy, so I'll be okay."

Steve shot her a look, "Are you out of your mind? Flying solo with Vecna on the loose?"

Nancy seemed hesitant to get in between them, but the circumstances were forcing her to, "She won't be flying solo, actually. She'll be with me, so she's going to be fine."

"I don't care," Steve didn't bat an eye at her and kept his brown eyes on Gwen's. "It's better if we stay together. That way if anything should happen, we'd be able to help each other."

"And how will we be able to?" she asked. "We have no information about him, so regardless if we stay together, it'd be useless either way."

Dustin groaned in annoyance from the car, "Something you want to share with us?"

Nancy was already losing her patience at his tone, "I don't want to waste your time. It's a real shot in the dark."

"More reason not to separate then," Steve continued trying to plead his case and reached for her hand one more time. "Come on."

"What part of me going with Nancy don't you understand?" Gwen appreciated his concern, but considering they could cover more ground if they do research besides just going with Ms. Kelley, it'd be much easier if he just stopped worrying for nothing. "Just stop."

He remained unconvinced, "No, it's too dangerous. You need- you need someone to..."

She froze for a second.

"Look, if you're going, then I'm going as well," Steve tossed his keys to Robin, who barely missed from catching them. "You guys take the car and check out the shrink."

"I don't think you want me driving your car," Robin quickly interjected.

"Umm, why?" he asked.

Daphne answered this time, "She doesn't have a license."

He stared at her in complete shock, wondering how in the world she still hadn't taken her driver's test. "Why don't you have a license?"

Robin nonchalantly shrugged, "I'm poor."

"Come on!" Dustin complained.

"I can drive!" Max perked up, eager to get behind the wheel again.

"No! Never again! Please, anybody but you!" Steve hastily denied Max's offer. Even if he had a concussion and was barely able to know what was happening, he vividly remembered how she almost crashed his car. "Sinclair, you drive them."

Daphne knew how to drive. Well, slightly. She wanted nothing more than to get a chance behind the wheel, but she had been the one to stay behind to take care of Dustin and Erica while they were in the Russian compound, so being the babysitter again was not appealing.

"Oh, come on. Seriously?!" Steve complained when seeing her reluctance.

"All right, okay," Robin interjected, "This is stupid. Us ladies will stick together." She tossed the keys back at Steve and stood between Nancy and Gwen. "Unless, you think we need you to protect us."

Gwen glanced down at her arm, noticing that Steve was still holding her with no intentions of letting go. "Can you let go of me now?"

Steve was reluctant to let her go, but understood that continuing to pry would make matters worse. With a heavy sigh, he released his hold on her and watched as she trailed after the two girls.

"Be careful! Please!"

Daphne stood with her mouth agape, completely filled with utter shock that she was stuck babysitting with him when she would have preferred to go with them instead. "Really? You're leaving me with 'whiskers' here?"

Steve glared at her so heavily. He didn't remember her being this annoying or maybe becoming a cheerleader finally got to her head. "Seems like being a pain in the ass runs in the family."

"Oh, shut it!" Daphne snapped.

"We'll be back soon!" Robin hollered from the backseat of Nancy's car, her voice fading as they drove away from the trailer park.

With hesitation, Steve ordered the remaining of the group to get in his car. After asking Dustin to wipe off his feet, he lost his last bit of patience when the teen did it inside.

Complaining, he turned the engine on rather too forcefully, wishing to have gone with the others instead of having to take care of these teens again. "Always the babysitter. Always the goddamn babysitter!"