❝𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆❞

After the chaotic day yesterday, the Wheeler basement was filled with small snores from everyone. With Dustin propped up against the tv, his mouth hung open. Robin's face was smushed up against the table as she used her jacket as a pillow. Nancy slept on the carpeted floor, curled into a ball. And Lucas and Steve were fast asleep on the couch. Sadly, you were also on the floor. Static from the walkie interrupted the quietness, "hey Dustin, this is Eddie. You there?" Eddie's voice came through. "Dustin, can you hear me? Dustin?"

Your hand reached over for the walkie, your eyes still closed. Your hand searched for the walkie, hitting the table multiple times before you finally grabbed onto the walkie. Letting out a groan, you rubbed the back of your neck, your whole body stiff from sleeping on the floor. "Hey, it's y/n." You talked into the walkie, looking around at the others. "Y/n!" Eddie said with enthusiasm. "Hey, um, I'm gonna need a food delivery like really soon. Unless you want me going out into the big scary world..." Eddie joked.

Shaking your head, you leaned in closer to the walkie, "no, don't do that. I'll be there soon." You took a deep breath in. "Yeah, yeah, listen...can you pick me up a six-pack?" Eddie asked. You rolled your eyes at his question. "I know it's stupid as shit to drink right now, but something nice and cold would really calm my nerves." Eddie tried to convince you. Looking around at the others again, you noticed that Max wasn't on the couch. Your eyes widened immediately as you began to worry. "Hey, I'm gonna have to call you back." You quickly spoke. "No, no, don't you dare. Y/n-" You shut the radio off as Eddie was talking.

You quickly crawled over to Dustin, shaking him awake, "Dustin!" You yelled in a whisper. "Huh?" Dustin mumbled. "Where is Max?! You were supposed to keep an eye on her!" You shook him again. "I was. She's sleeping right....there," Dustin rubbed his eyes, pointing at the couch before turning his head to look at it. "Oh, shit." He kept staring at the couch. "Where is she?" You asked. "She was there a second ago. I swear I just dozed off," Dustin looked at his watch, "...an hour." He looked back up at you. "What's going on?" Nancy looked at the both of you, her eyes still puffy from just waking up.

"Dustin fell asleep while watching Max." You explained, quickly standing to your feet as you began running up the stairs. Dustin followed after you, tripping on his own feet. "Dustin!" Nancy groaned in annoyance, jumping to her feet as she followed after the two of you. You opened the basement door, speed walking through Nancy's living room and kitchen before your eyes landed on Max. She was sitting at the table with Holly, Nancy's baby sister. "Good morning to you three!" Mrs. Wheeler chirped, placing a plate of freshly cooked eggs on the counter. "Morning, mom." Nancy smiled.

"Good morning, Mrs. Wheeler." You looked back at her with a smile. Max looked over her shoulder, seeing the three of you standing there in the kitchen. Giving a small wave, she turned back around. "It's so nice to see that Nancy is still making new friends. Both you and Robin are wonderful. Please, have some breakfast." She smiled at you. "Oh," you chuckled, "thank you." You grabbed the plate from her hand, Dustin doing the same. "You know you're always welcome here too, Dustin."

"Maybe try sticking around at a different house for change though, yeah?" Mr. Wheeler took a sip of his coffee, specifically looking at Dustin. As you guys conversed with Nancy's parents, Nancy walked over to Max. Dustin smiled at Mrs. Wheeler, "you're like family. May I?" Dustin pointed at the pancakes. "Yeah, why not? Take us for all we're worth." Mr. Wheeler spoke. Dustin slowly turned towards him, grabbing the pancakes, "really? Okay!" Dustin placed a few more pancakes on his plate, a smile on his face. "Are you not hungry, sweetie?" Mrs. Wheeler slightly tilted her head. "Uh no," you grabbed a pancake. "I'm not that hungry. Just gonna eat this. Thank you."

Taking a bite of the pancake, you walked up to Nancy and Max, noticing Max had her music playing. Ever since yesterday, when Nancy and Robin figured out that someone's favorite song could save them from Vecna, all of you had Max playing on replay. Nancy explained to everyone that music somehow saved Victor Creel, saying while he was under Vecna's curse he could hear an angel singing to him before he woke up. And started humming the song while they were speaking to him. Though the plan didn't work out too well in the end, you guys still got the information you needed to try and beat Vecna. Somewhat. Yesterday, Steve said he was going to take you back home today to grab your walkman. Being under Vecna's curse as well meant you needed music blasting in your ears all day too.

"Hey, Max." You smiled down at her. She looked up at you, smiling at you, "hey." She looked back down at what she was doing. "You okay?" Nancy asked her. "Just couldn't sleep. Had music blasting in my ears all night." Max gestured at the headphones. Nancy furrowed her brows as she saw what Max was drawing. You also were puzzled. Most of the pages were colored red. "What is this?" Nancy asked, picking up one of the papers, and examining it. You did the same as well, taking a bite of your pancake. "It's what I saw. Well, it's supposed to be." Max placed the red crayon down. "Everything is red."

Max looked up at you, "everything was surrounded in like this red fog. I thought it would be easier to draw than explain. Can't really explain something like that can I? But, the drawing doesn't seem to help much either." Max shrugged. Placing the paper back down, you looked at the others, your eyes scanning over them. You noticed one, in particular, two people. Their eyes were blackened out and their mouth agape. Drawing it closer to you your brows furrowed, "is that Chrissy and Fred?" You asked, your voice soft.

"It was like they were on display or something. And then again, the red fog was everywhere. It was a nightmare." Max explained. You pushed the paper back into its place. Nancy looked at Max, "do you think Vecna was trying to scare you?" Nancy asked. "With Billy? Yeah. But when I got here," Max pointed at the pages, "it felt like I wasn't supposed to see it. Like he didn't want me to be there. He seemed surprised." Max looked at the both of you. Dustin sat down at the table, joining in. "Maybe you entered in his mind?" You theorized. "I was gonna say the same thing," Dustin looked at you. "He invades your mind, right?" Dustin looked at Max. "Maybe you somehow wound up in his?" Dustin shrugged.

You bit the inside of your cheek, thinking Dustin was somehow right. Nancy rubbed her hands together, looking back at the pages. "Like Freddy Kruger's boiler room..." You muttered, remembering how you watched A Nightmare on Elm Street a few days ago before all hell broke loose. "Exactly!" Dustin slapped his hand on the table. "Who's Freddy Kruger?" Holly looked at you. "He's this dude with burnt skin who has razors for fingers," Dustin gestured with his hand, "and he kills you in your dream-"

"Dustin, seriously?!" Nancy shot him a look. "Right, sorry. It's just a movie. It's not real." He dismissed Holly. "Just think about it," you pulled one of the chairs out from under the table, sitting down, "what if you somehow unlocked a door to this upside-down place? Or Vecna's mind?" You questioned, looking at Max. "Maybe the answer is right here in this incredibly vague drawing," Dustin examined the picture. "God, we need Will!" Dustin placed the picture back down. "Yeah, no shit," Max rolled her eyes. "But I tried calling them this morning and it's the same busy signal. "Who's Will?" You asked. "Oh, Will is our best friend that moved to California. He was the friend that went missing a few years back." Dustin explained.

"Oh, him! Will Byers! I remember his missing poster being everywhere. He's the one that was taken into the upside-down, right?" You looked at Dustin. "Bingo." Dustin nodded. Nancy scattered through the drawings, picking up the one Dustin had previously put down, "is this a window?" She asked, still looking at the picture. "Yeah." Max nodded. "Stained glass with roses." Nancy was still looking at the picture. "Yeah." Max nodded again. "Looks like she's not that bad of a drawer, after all, Dustin." You chuckled. Dustin stuck his middle finger up at you.

"Well, it helps that I've seen it before." Nancy mumbled. She began folding the paper into a small rectangle before grabbing the other pages and assembling them. You and Dustin leaned over the table as you watched her put the images together, folding some of the papers. You tilted your head to the side, "it looks like a...house?" You looked at Nancy. Nancy grabbed a sharpie, outlining the images, almost like she was playing connect the dots. "That's because it is," she placed the marker back down. "It's Victor Creel's house."

You all looked at each other, shock in your eyes. Nancy quickly got up, grabbing the pages before she began walking off. "Where are you going?" Dustin asked with a mouthful of pancakes. "Wake the others." She walked off. You and Max followed behind her, "come on, Dustin!" You walked back over to him, snatching him from the table. "But my pancakes!" He whined, his hands covered in syrup.

━━━━━

"Be quick, alright? I need to get back to the others soon." Steve smiled at you. You nodded at him, shutting the car door. The others were waiting at Victor Creel's house while Steve brought you to your house to grab your walkman and bring you back to Reefer Ricks to deliver Eddie his food. The others thought it wouldn't be a good idea to leave you alone with Eddie, but you digressed, telling them it would be fine. As long as you had your favorite song playing, things would be okay. Right?

Opening your door, you entered your house. You almost forgot that your parents weren't here. They were still in Illinois, visiting your grandmother without you. You exhaled, looking around at the empty house, everything in the same place as you left it. You didn't want to think too much about your parents, about them basically neglecting you your entire life. There were much bigger things to worry about now. You ran up the stairs to your bedroom, opening your bedroom door. Your eyes immediately landed on your desk where your walkman was placed. "There you are." You smiled.

Grabbing your book bag, you emptied out all of your school contents, all of the papers, books, pens, pencils, and notebooks falling onto the floor. You kicked the papers aside, shoving each of your cassettes into the bag, looking at the last cassette which was your favorite song. You smiled, "hope you save my life." You mumbled, opening your walkman, and placing the tape inside. Before you could place your headphones on your head, you heard the deep and dark voice, "y/n..."

Looking over your shoulder, you shuddered, looking all around your room. You gulped, feeling like something was watching you from the doorway. As you turned back around, you heard your name again, "y/n!" Though this time, it sounded like your mom's voice. Your brows furrowed. Were they back home early? "Mom?!" You called out, grabbing your things as you walked out of your room. "Are you back?!" You slowly waked by the railing, looking over at the bottom of the stairs. Silence. You took a deep breath, stepping down the stairs.

"Mom?" You took the last step, turning to see your mom sitting in the living room, watching tv. She looked your way, smiling as she noticed you. "I didn't hear you come in," she chuckled. "I was in the bathroom." She explained. You slowly walked up closer. "Where's dad?" You asked, looking around. "He went to work," she furrowed her brows. "You doing okay? You look sick." She slightly tilted her head. "I-I'm fine." You swallowed. "Make sure you get your work done, though. When I came home I saw you were working on a project? You had left it scattered on your bed." She looked away from you, watching the tv. "Yeah, I will. I'm just busy-"

"I want you to finish it now, y/n," she slowly looked at you. "I didn't have you just for you to be a failure, now did I?" She smiled at you as if she didn't say the vilest thing she could. "What?" You mumbled, stepping away from her as she rose from her seat. "You wonder why I never pay you any attention? You're not good enough. You disappoint me. You never do your best. I don't need a failure as a child!" Her voice got louder and deeper, almost like the one you heard earlier as she stepped closer to you. You let out a small gasp, watching her eyes turn white and a sadistic smile spread across her face. Tripping over your own feet, you fell onto your back.

You clenched your eyes shut as you fell, opening them quickly to look back up at your mom, except she wasn't there. She was gone and the tv was off. The house was silent and empty, just like when you entered. You looked around you, quickly standing to your feet as you tried to catch your breath. You gulped, placing your headphones on and pressing play. You ran out of the house as the song started, slamming the door shut behind you as you ran towards Steve's car. Opening the door, you quickly sat down, shutting the car door. "What the hell took you so long?" Steve looked at you, his expression changing as he saw you breathing hard. "Woah, you okay?" He asked.

Removing your headphones you looked at him, "I'm fine, just thought I lost my walkman so I was running around the house looking for it." You lied, letting out a small laugh. "Alright," Steve looked at you, "You got Eddie's snacks?" He looked at the bag that sat beside you. "Yup." You nodded, placing the bag into your lap. Steve silently nodded, pressing his foot on the gas. Your eyes locked onto your house, looking at it as Steve drove away.

━━━━━

"You gonna be alright?" Steve questioned as you grabbed your things, opening the car door. You smiled at him, "yeah. Just keep an eye out for Robin, please? For me?" You jokingly said to Steve even though you were mostly serious. "Yeah, yeah, of course." He nodded. "Thanks, Harrington." You smiled at him. Steve grabbed your hand before you were able to leave. You looked at him, puzzled. "You sure you're okay?" He asked. "I'm fine. I'll see you and the others in a few hours." You nodded, removing his hands. "Just one more question."

You playfully rolled your eyes, slinging your bag over your shoulder, "yes?" You tilted your head. "Are you and Eddie like a thing?" Steve said in a whisper as if the others were around to hear. "God, no! Why?!" You scrunched up your face. "It's just, you're volunteering to...spend time with him. Robin always told me how you hated working on projects with him so now it just seems a little... weird. I don't know." Steve shook his head, adjusting in his seat. You looked away from him, "um," you paused, "it's just because I feel bad after what happened with Chrissy." You assured Steve, though the look on Steve's face told a different story.

"Yeah, mhm." Steve nodded, glancing at you. "It's true!" You chuckled, playfully slapping his arm. "Listen, everyone sees the way you two act around each other. Even Robin is starting to believe there's something going on." Steve raised his brows. "Nothing is going on between me and Eddie. We're just...friends I guess." You shrugged. "Oh, so now you're friends with the guy you used to hate? Sounds a little suspicious." Steve looked away from you. "I never hated him! I only hated working with him! There's a difference. Plus, I only found him annoying. That's all. But, he's actually pretty cool." You smiled to yourself.

"Yeah, yeah, just make sure you invite me to the wedding." Steve rolled his eyes. You scoffed, stepping out of the car, shutting the door, "whatever, Harrington!" You flipped him off with a smile, walking away from the car. Steve waved goodbye with a smile. Letting out a small laugh, you waved bye. As Steve drove off, you clutched onto the bag of snacks for Eddie, turning on your heel as you began walking down to the boathouse. With your headphones around your neck, your favorite song still played in your ears. Though you were still able to hear your surroundings.

The leaves crunched under your feet as you hummed to the song, bopping your head. Approaching the boathouse, you slowly opened the door, "Eddie?" You called out, the wooden door creaking as you walked through. You looked to your left, Eddie hiding in his usual spot. "It's just me." You waved. Eddie got up, jogging over to you with a smile on his face, "you got my snacks." He grabbed the bag from you. "Of course. I told you I would." You placed your bag down. "Wait," Eddie looked around, "where's my six-pack?" His eyes landed on you. "One, I'm eighteen and can't waltz my way into the liquor store buying you beer without an ID. Two, I got you a soda. It should quench your thirst."

Eddie let out a dramatic sigh, walking over to the boat, and sitting on it, "you're such a goodie two shoes." Eddie popped open a bag of chips, scarfing down a handful of chips. "Yeah, thanks." You rolled your eyes. Eddie watched as you paced back and forth, "thought you said you were coming back for me last night?" Eddie cracked open a can of soda. You stopped in your tracks, looking at him, "I told you to use the walkie if you ever missed me," you smiled, walking over to him. "Did it get lonely?" You joked, sitting next to him. "Very. But, thankfully there was no one stealing my bed this time." Eddie wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve.

There was a few seconds of silence before Eddie looked at the headphones you had around your neck, his brows furrowed before he leaned in closer, "is that," he scooted closer towards you, "is that Scorpions?" His eyes were filled with amusement as he looked at you. "Yeah, why?" You looked at him. "Nothing, just never thought you'd listen to...rock music." Eddie raised his brows, taking a swig from the soda can. "I listen to all types of music. It's just this song by them happens to be my favorite." You shrugged. Eddie slowly turned towards you, "your favorite?!" He questioned in surprise. "What?" You laughed, looking back at him. "You're full of surprises, y/n." Eddie shook his head.

"Well, it's clear you know the song. Is there some special hidden meaning I don't know about that you do?" You leaned in towards him. "No it's just, um, I don't mean to brag, but...I know how to play it on the guitar." Eddie looked everywhere except at you. You let out a small gasp, "really?! How come you never told me!" You pushed him. "I don't know! I never took you as the type to listen to rock music." Eddie shrugged. "Do you listen to rock music?" You asked. "Um, sometimes, but mostly metal, like Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne. That type of stuff." Eddie explained. "You know, you should play it for me one day." You spoke softly. Eddie turned to look at you, his eyes locking with yours, "really? Play your favorite song?" He asked, his voice barely audible.

"Yeah," you nodded. "Is there something wrong with that?" You genuinely asked. Eddie shook his head, his mouth zipped shut. A small smile crept on your face as you looked away from him, "maybe when you convince me to hang out, you can play it then. Should we add that to our deal?" You looked down at your feet, your hands holding the edge of the boat. "Uh, yeah, yeah." Eddie looked away from you. "It'll be like a personal concert, just for me. The one and only Eddie Munson, the lead guitarist of Corroded Coffin, playing my favorite song on his guitar." You smirked in a joking manner, glancing at Eddie.

"Very funny. Haha." Eddie chugged the last of the soda in the can, tossing it at the wall. "What? You don't believe me?" You retreated a little bit. Eddie clasped his hands together, ignoring your question as he dug through the bag for more snacks. "I think I'd be a better audience than the 'five drunks' you claim to have at your concerts. Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I'll even pretend to be your number one fan." You nudged him on his shoulder. "Fine. Only if you promise you'll be a better audience than the five drunks?" Eddie pointed at you. "Promise." You smiled.

"And if you buy me a six-pack." Eddie smirked at you. You rolled your eyes, "Eddie, how am I supposed to buy you a six-pack without an ID?" You pursed your lips. "You're smart. You'll find a way." Eddie smiled. "Yeah, book smart not street smart, dumbass!" You pushed him. "Then I guess I won't be playing your favorite song on the guitar." Eddie tilted his head with a smile. "Fine, I guess we won't be hanging out then. The. Deal. Is. Off." You leaned in closer to him with each word. Eddie's eyes flickered down to your lips for a quick second before meeting your eyes. You looked down at his lips before looking back up at him, silence and tension filling the room.

You two leaned in closer, searching each other's eyes before both of you started at each other's lips. Suddenly, you both pulled away, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway scaring you both. "Stay here." Eddie placed his hand on your arm, looking at you before creeping towards the window. You nodded, sitting still on the boat. Eddie placed his hand on the window sill, peeking out from the window. "Shit, shit!" He yelled in a whisper, backing away from the window. Eddie turned to look at you. "Who is it? Is it the police?!" You looked at Eddie as he ran over to the other window, looking out at the house. "No," he shook his head, looking back at you, "it's Jason."

"Jason?!" You stood up, walking over to the window. "I said stay there. Goddamnit, why don't you listen?" Eddie sighed as you pushed him out of the way. "Where are they?" You asked. "They went into the house. They look like they had weapons." Eddie stepped back. "Shit." You ran over to your bag, kneeling down on the floor and unzipping it. Grabbing the walkie, you turned it on, extending the antenna, "call Dustin." You tossed the walkie to Eddie, running back to the window to keep a lookout. "Hey, Dustin, you there?" Eddie asked in a shaky voice. "It's Eddie. You remember me, right?" Eddie questioned with clenched teeth. No response. "What the hell are they doing?" You looked back at Eddie.

"If anyone is there, me and y/n are in a bit of trouble here, okay?" Eddie was starting to become annoyed at the silence on the other end. "Wheeler? Harrington?" Eddie peeked out the window as he talked into the walkie. Eddie slapped the walkie, "anybody?!" He screamed in a whisper. "Why the hell aren't they answering?!" You backed away from the window, running over to your bag, zipping it back up. "I don't know, but we need to get out of here." Eddie paced around the boat.

━━━━━

The night had set in, you and Eddie still crouched around in the boathouse. It felt like years when in reality it's only been fifteen minutes. "Give me the walkie," You snatched it from Eddie. "Hey, dipshits, it'd be really nice if you answered the goddamn walkie right now! Dustin, please! Is anyone there?" You asked. Nothing but static on the other end. "Son of a bitch!" You sighed. "Just forget it." Eddie walked over to the boat, removing the tarp and tossing it on the floor. "We're taking the boat?" You looked at Eddie. "Got any better ideas?" Eddie asked. You didn't say a word. "Didn't think so. Now, help me." Eddie untied the boat from the dock. You quickly shoved the walkie into your bag, rushing to help him.

Untying the other side, you and Eddie began pushing the boat out towards the lake. "You ready?" He glanced at you. "Yeah." You said out of breath. Giving the boat one final push, you and Eddie both jumped into it at the same time. Eddie quickly grabbed an oar, rowing the boat. You grabbed the other one, placing the wooden stick in the water, and trying to push yourselves to the other side of the lake before Jason and his friends see you. "You okay?" Eddie looked at you. "Yeah, yeah fine," Looking over your shoulder, you noticed two people walking. "Eddie..."

"Hey, freak!" Jason shouted. Eddie looked back in horror to see Jason and his friend standing on the shore. "Where do you think you're going?!" Jason yelled, beginning to undress as he prepared to jump into the water. "Eddie!" You looked at him with wide eyes. Eddie dropped the oar, running to the motor to try and start it. Eddie pulled the wire, "come on you piece of shit!" Eddie grunted, pulling the wire again. "Eddie!" You shouted, watching as Jason and his friend jumped into the water. "You gotta help me out here." Eddie spoke to the motor. He kept trying to pull it over and over. "Eddie, forget the damn motor!"

"Come on you piece of shit!" Eddie pulled the wire again. "Goddamnit!" He shouted, quickly pulling the wire to try and start it. Jason and his friend were already gaining on you as they quickly swam towards the boat. Eddie kicked the motor out of anger. "No? Okay." Eddie grabbed the oar, rowing the boat. You stood to your feet, dragging the oar out of the water as you began swinging it around at Jason, "stay back!" You shouted. Eddie stopped rowing, standing up as he pushed you aside, "stay back, man!" Eddie shouted at Jason, his breathing labored. "Stay back!"

"Come on, let go! We almost have them!" Jason shouted, looking back at his friend. His friend just looked around, almost like he was panicking. It's like he didn't even hear a word Jason said. "Patrick!" Jason shouted. His friend was breathing heavily, looking all around him. "Patrick!" Jason shouted again. Suddenly, his friend disappeared under the water. "Patrick?" Jason looked around him. Your eyes searched the water, wondering where he went. Eddie looked around, the oar still in his hand. There was nothing but the movement of water as Jason tried to keep afloat. "Hey, Patrick!" Jason looked around.

Within a blink of an eye, his friend's body floated out of the water, hovering in mid-air. Your eyes widened as you recognized what was happening, remembering when Max started to float. With your breath caught in your throat, you and Eddie just looked up in pure terror. You let out a gut-wrenching scream as you witnessed his bones snapping out of place. Eddie slowly backed up, his mind reminding him of the true horror he witnessed the night Chrissy became a victim of Vecna.

Without realizing it, Eddie was tipping the boat causing you to lose your balance. "Eddie!" You both fell into the water as Eddie tipped the boat over. You were engulfed in the cold water, water seeping into your nose before you swam back up for air, gasping. Blinking away the water, Jason's friend was still in the air, his bones snapping in every single place. His body was contorting, arms and legs snapping backward and sideways like he was some sort of rag doll. His jaw snapped before his head was thrown back and just a second later his body dropped into the water.

Your heart was beating out of your chest as you began to swim away in fear, holding your breath. "Eddie?!" You stopped to breathe, looking all around you. "Eddie?!" You called out again. Your eyes scanned the lake, no sign of him. You began swimming again before you heard a gasp of air in the distance. "Y/n!" Eddie called out to you. You quickly swam over to him, reaching him in just a few seconds. "Are you okay?" You looked at him, breathing heavily. He clenched his eyes shut, shaking his head, "let's just go."

𝑨𝑼𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑹𝑺 𝑵𝑶𝑻𝑬:
This was a long chapter wowee...also yes I did change y/n's favorite song and yes I did edge yall in that one part hehehehe. Hope you enjoyed!