✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　ten　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

- freak, lana del rey

" your head lies, full of fire
i'm risin' up, risin up
my heart loves, full of fire
love's full of fire, love "

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　batsgiving　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"Eddie!" She kicked and shoved at the bat gnawing on her thigh. With her back turned she didn't notice another creeping up on her backside.

Her mouth flung open screaming in horror when it bit a chunk from her shoulder. Wrapping its tail around her arm it pulled her body down to the ground as another bat came doing the same to the other arm.

Her head titled, eyes watering as she felt the skin being ripped from her body. Her eyes caught Steve being choked out by one of the bats and it seemed he had it far worse than her. Eddie's jacket protecting her stomach.

She wanted to yell out to him but she couldn't, she laid her head back against the lake floor in defeat, accepting her fate.

Just as she was about to shut her eyes for good she felt the pressure of the bat leave her thigh. Gracie's eyes open wide staring at Eddie who had slung it across the floor with a lone oar.

Her lips began to curve in a small smile at the sight. Eddie slammed the other bats down and away from the girl. Fighting them off as one tried to snatch the oar from him.

With no time to worry he couldn't take in the damage done of her body, instead throwing her over his shoulder and beelining to Steve and the girls.

Them battling with the bats but Steve now on his feet. A bat came swooping down towards the pair but Eddie jabbed the oar down it's throat, twisting in all directions before slamming it against the floor.

Now that the bats were gone the three could focus on those with injury's. The girls going to take care of Steve while Eddie tried with Gracie.

He set her down gently on the floor looking at the blood oozing from her thigh. "Oh my God, Gracie." He tan his fingers through his hair in a panic, lip between his teeth nearly drawing blood.

The girl brought her hand up to his arm to calm him in the moment. "I'm fine, Eds." He shook his head rapidly, pulling off the jean cutoff throwing it to the ground before her gripped the sleeve of his Hell Fire shirt.

Before she could even protest he ripped it from the shoulder and pulled it down his arm. "Eddie, you love that shirt..." He ground hid teeth together staring at the wound in her thigh before he wrapped the black sleeve around it tightly.

"Yeah? Well I love you a hell of a lot more." He pulled it once before creating a knot, not realizing what he just said. Gracie's eyes wide, almost sending her into shock.

Before she could fully take it in Robin spoke. "Do you guys think these bats have rabies?" Steve turned gripping him stomach as he held his mouth open in disbelief. "What?"

"It's just that rabies are my number one greatest fear." Robin answered fiddling with her fingers as she stood. "And I think we should probably get you two to a doctor like really soon because once the symptoms set in, it's too late. You're already like dead."

Gracie's eyes watered staring at the girl. "I don't wanna get rabies!" Steve turned seeing the tears flowing down her cheeks while Eddie held her.

"Jeez, don't listen to Robin. You're not gonna get rabies." He rubbed the back of his next going to step closer. "How're you holding up?" Before she could speak the familiar screech of the bats rang through the dusty air.

Seeing half a dozen of them come forward the group began to huddle together. Eddie with Gracie thrown back over his shoulder holding on to the jean cutoff, having to use all her strength to see what the bats were doing.

Looking upon, the creatures all huddled around the small gate chittering. "All right, there's not that many." The bats turning to screech at them. "We can take 'em. Right?" Steve suggested but was stopped seeing nearly sixty bats flying in their direction.

"What were you saying again?" Gracie retorted in a snarky remark, using Eddie's back for support. Nancy turned seeing a way out, grabbing onto the other before she took off. "The woods. Come on."

The group ran after her to the tree line, avoiding the vines that stood under their feet. The group made their way back to Skull Rock, hiding underneath it as many bats flew over.

When the bats finally passed the all stood, Eddie allowing Gracie to use him for support. "Are you all right?" He brought his hand up to her cheek, rubbing inconsistent patterns with his other hand resting in her back.

"I'm fine, Eddie. I told you." He wanted to believe her but he couldn't. There was no way you'd be fine after almost dying and nearly giving up.

She could barely look at him after their time at the lake and it was making him wonder. He hardly noticed her pushing away from him and going after Steve until she nearly tripped over a lone rock.

"Be careful." Eddie almost spat. He hadn't tried to sound so mean but he was ridiculously stressed and worried, the adding on of being a first timer in the upside down hadn't make it better.

He went to apologize but Gracie had already made her way to Steve who leaned against the wall for support. "I'm fine, I'm fine." She helped him down to the dirty floor, looking at his wounds that seemed worse for wear.

"You're not, you're losing a lot of blood. Nancy!" She called the girl over hoping she could be of better help than herself.

Gracie backed up onto the wall watching on feeling a presence beside her. "Did I do something?" Eddie drew his fingers to his lips, chewing on his nails nervously. "No, Eddie..."

His brows wound tightly together dropping his hand back by his side. "Then why can't you look at me?" Her breath was caught in her throat, staring at the floor beneath her bear up Chuck Taylors.

"Can we please talk about this later?" He suddenly grabbed onto her fingers, letting them sit in the palm of his hand. "What if there's not a later?" She shook her head, pushing the hairs out her her face.

"There will be." With all her weight on her good leg she leaned up pressing her lips softly against his. It was enough to let him know she still wanted him, easing his aching nerves.

Nodding he walked away crawling up the big rock he and Gracie had been sat on hours ago. "So, uh, this place is like Hawkins but with monsters and nasty shit?" Gracie hobbled forward leaning onto the rock. "Yeah, pretty much."

Robin and Nancy helped Steve to his feet joining the two by the rock. As Eddie was going to step down Gracie saw his foot close to a deadly vine.

"Eddie!" He stopped in his movements gazing down at her with saucers for eyes. "Watch out for the vines, please."

Nancy nodded standing beside her, helping her stand up straight seeing the distress on her dirty face. "It's all a hive mind. Are you sure you're okay?"

Gracie wanted to roll her eyes at the amount of times she's been asked that in the past twenty four hours but set it aside. "I'm fine. I just need to get home, Dad's probably staring at the door waiting for me."

All of their features softened, none knowing how to tell the girl her father was dead again. "It's all a what?" Eddie asked getting off of the sore topic.

"All the creepy crawlies around here. They're, like, one or something." Steve answered, staring at Gracie face who seemed to have no clue Hopper had been dead for nearly a year. "You step on a vine, you're stepping on a bat, you're stepping on Vecna."

Gracie hummed along, holding onto Nancy who still had her arms wrapped around her waist. "The party taught us that." A small smile gracing her lips. "Shit." Eddie carefully made his way down the rock.

"But everything from our world is still here, right? Except people, obviously?" Nancy twisted her head around to face Robin, who awaited an answer. "As far as I understand, yeah."

"So, theoretically, we could go to the police station and steal guns and grenades and whatever we need to blow up those bats that are guarding the gate."

Steve in pain used sarcasm as he always had to shut down her solution. "I highly doubt the Hawkins PD has grenades, Robin. But guns, yeah, sure."

Nancy glanced off to the side, letting Eddie take Gracie so she could turn fully. "Well, we don't have to go all the way downtown for guns. I have guns in my bedroom."

Eddie looked at her not believing a word coming from her mouth. "You, Nancy Wheeler, have guns, plural, in your bedroom?" Robin smiled pointing at the shirt haired girl. "Full of surprises, isn't she?"

"A Russian Makarov and a revolver." Steve walked up behind her mumbling to himself. "Yeah, you almost shot me with that one." Nancy turned with a wide smile. "You almost deserved it."

Suddenly Steve was hit with a ball of denim. "For your modesty, dude." Shocking all of them the world suddenly shook in a heavy earthquake.

Eddie holding Gracie in his arms bringing them to the ground, the girl grabbing onto Robins sleeve pulling her with them. When it stopped all could be heard were the bats screeching in the distance.

"So guns seem like a pretty good idea to me." Robin pulled herself away from the two agreeing with the eldest boy. "Yeah, me too."

"So what are we waiting for?" Steve questioned pulling on the denim cutoff. He cut on the flashlight him and Nancy leading the group.

Robin following closely behind, Eddie helping his 'fling' up to her feet, letting her put all pressed onto him as they followed the three.

During the walk Gracie gave Eddie a rest, Robin helping her walk the rest of the way. When another earthquake hit, Nancy took off with no word leaving the four with no clue.

"Nancy! Where are you going?!" Robin called out for her, trying to hold onto the tree and Gracie at the same time. "Nancy!" The former yelled for Nancy but got no reply as she wandered into the woods.

Gracie pulled away from Robin trying her best to run after her but it turned into short hobbles. "Gracie, stop!" She could hear Eddie's voice but made no move to stop until she reached Nancy.

"Nancy, what the hell?" She breathed out nearly falling to the ground when she made it by her side, mouth curling when she saw what Nancy had been staring towards.

"Nancy!" Robin was heard as other three ran up beside them coming to a stop seeing what they had been looking at. "Come on." The Wheeler girl instructed, walking forward once more with the others in tow.

The five of them making their way into the particle covered house, nearly gagged seeing what was floating in their airways. "Might be time to get a maid, Wheeler." Robin was the first to speak, glancing around the dark home.

Gracie, out of breath, stumbled by them nearly throwing herself onto Ted's recliner. "I-I need to rest for a second." She could feel the chill running down her spine, a tingle running through her neck.

"Are you sure you're okay, Gray? I don't need another, 'I'm fine', I need a 'yes'." Eddie crouched down in front of her, gripping onto the high of her thighs. "Yes, I'm okay."

Even though he saw the way her skin paled, the sweat dripping down her forehead, he allowed her to think he believed her. They just needed to get her that song, and fast.

"Come on. I don't want to stay here longer than we have to." Nancy stomped up the steps the rest going behind her, until they looked to Gracie who still sat on the recliner.

"I just need a break, I'll come up in a little." She shot them the smallest smile when they continues up, releasing a sigh it relief as she leaned back onto the La-Z-y Boy, reclining it out.

Steve suddenly stopped on the stairs turning back to the dinging room. "Steve? What is it?" Gracie questioned sitting back up seeing the way he stared at the room.

"Do you hear him?" Gracie closed her eyes in pain going to answer but hearing the soft sarcastic voice of her favorite boys. "Dustin?" Steve ran to the kitchen staring up at the ceiling.

"Dustin!" Gracie pushed the recliner down, stumbling over to him. "Dustin! Dustin!" Steve waved his arms in a panic hearing his voice in his ears. "Dustin! Can you hear me? Dustin! Du- Hello!? Hel...Hello?!"

The three who came flying down the steps stared on in worry. "Maybe they really do have rabies."

"Dusty! Dustin!"

"What are you doing?" Nancy finally asked what they were wondering. They flinched back as Steve shined the light onto their faces. "He's here. Henderson. That little shit, he's here. He's like... He's in the walls or something. Just listen."

It grew quiet for a second before Gracie yelled out hearing him again. "Dustin!"

"Dustin! Dustin! Can you hear me?!" Steve wandered back into the kitchen helping Gracie move around as they tried to get his attention.

Gracie suddenly stopped as she remembered what happened nearly three years ago. Joyce saying Will was in the walls. The lights flickering. The phone ringing with his breathing. He could hear her in the upside down.

The rest of her group finally came to be able to hear him going around yelling and searching for him. "All right, either this kid can't hear us or he's being a total douchebag." Gracie hadn't moved from her spot trying to figure out how Will spoke with the lights.

"Will found a way." Nancy added almost as if she couldn't read the girl's mind. "Will, he was speaking with the lights. I've been trying to figure out how this entire time."

Nancy moved quickly, turning a lone lamp on and off but no light came from it. "The switch. Try the switch." She moved followed Steve's suggestions but nothing happened.

"It can't be that easy." Gracie huffed out before she caught eye of Steve staring at the chandelier. "Guys? You seeing this?" Everyone stared seeing it being one to the only things with live color but also glowing flecks of dust around it.

Nancy reached up, twirling her fingers in the dust. "Whoa." All of then stuck their hands up playing around in the glow dust. "It... tickles." Steve grew confused, staring at the way the dust flew thee the gaps between their fingers.

"It kinda feels good." Robin smiled to her self, Nancy drew her hand away staring at the table. "Does anyone know Morse code?" Gracie almost spoke up instantly but... she forgot. "I-I used to. I can't remember, I'm sorry."

The others looked at her in sympathy, Steve rubbing small circles on her lower back. "It's okay, Gray."

Eddie turned looking at Gracie, "Wait, does SOS count? Is that...? Is that good?" The girl smiled kissing his cheek lightly, "That's perfect."

Eddie reached up tapping out the code into the dust. "It's working." Robin grinned, hugging Gracie's side.

They could hear Dustin instructing them to go to Nancy's bedroom, causing the five to hurry up the steps and into the room where they awaited on the bed.

"...ys seeing this?" His distorted voice flowed through the dusty air as the glowing particles appeared on the bed. Nancy stick her hand inside moving it around in a light flow.

"We're not moving it, but we're gonna unplug it. Stand by." The bright glow disappeared but it was still faint. "-y try it now!" Nancy began to draw out into the dust, a large, 'HI'.

They could hear the sound of the kids laughing, bringing some joy to them in the upside down. "That worked!" The group celebrated with Dustin's confirmation.

Eddie gripping onto his girls shoulders kissing her cheeks. "Hi!" Nancy stuck her hand back in while Gracie and Robin giggled to themselves. "You can't get back through watergate?!"

"The hells watergate?" Steve leaned forward to look at the others. "'Cause it's in water and it's a gate." Robin told him as it was obvious making him sit back on his knees.

"That's cute." Eddie tilted his head, leaning onto the Hopper girl's shoulder. "Um, no, it's..." Nancy stuck her hand back through writing out the words again. "Okay, uh, watergates guarded. We think we have a theory that can help with that!" Robin closed her eyes in satisfaction, "Genius child."

"We think watergate isn't the only gate. That there's a gate at every murder site!" They group glanced at each other utterly confused. "Does anybody understand what he's talking about?"

They all responded with a 'no' and a shake of their heads. Nancy leaning forward writing out a question mark. "Seriously?! How many times do I have to be right on the money before you guys just trust me?!!"

Steve resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "Jesus Christ. This kids gotta get his ego in check." Eddie leaned so he could see him as he agreed. "It's his tone. Right?"

Gracie huffed glaring at the bed. "We're having a talk when we get home."

Nancy interrupted the upset conversation, turning to Eddie." "So... So how far is your trailer?"

"Seven miles." Gracie and Eddie both spoke at once, then furrowing their brows at Gracie but shoving it off as Max lived over there.

"Nancy? I know your house here is, like, weirdly, creepily, frozen in time and shit, but haven't you always had bikes?" Gracie nodded along with Robin, "Mine should still be here from that night."

The group ran down the stairs and outside of the house, quickly hopping in the bikes. Gracie went to get on her but a hand stopped her.

"I can pedal, just hold onto me." Eddie spoke softly, glaring down at her wounded thigh that she had already overworked. "Y-You don't have to, I've been putting too much on you." He shook his head, slinging his leg over the bike sitting down. "I got you, sweetheart."

She smiled brightly at him, moving so she was hung on the back of her bike, glad she had got a banana seat to travel the kids around town when their bikes were 'at the shop'.

He pedaled hurriedly after the others to get to his home. The group eased into the trailer park seeing vines covering every square inch. "Right here."

They hoped off of the bike throwing them down against the dirt. "That's gotta be a Guinness World Record. Most miles traveled inter-dimensionally."

Steve coughed out nearly hacking into the grass, "Just inhaled a bunch of that crap." Gracie skipped up the steps being the first to enter the home. "It's suck in my throat." He coughed in the fold of his elbow harshly.

As they all gathered inside the bright beaming red hole caught their eyes. "Goddamn." Eddie cleared his throat staring at the spot. "This is where Chrissy died. Like, right where she died."

Looking further there seemed to be movement from the other side. "I think there's something in there." Robin shook her head not being able to look away.

Suddenly something began poking through from the other side. "What the hell is that?" They all screamed as it was jabbed and the hole opened entirely.

They slowly stepped forward looking up into the hole with much caution. "No way." Looking through they saw the kids plus now Erica gazing up at them laughing. "Hi there!"

The kids began knotting sheets together and slammed the mattress down under the whole, everyone staring at the stains on them. "Those stain are, uh..."

He glanced towards the girl who had been over more times than they could count. "I dunno what those stain are." He replied, rubbing the back of his head looking away as the girl laughed.

"Mhm." Robin hummed looking away in disgust. Dustin suddenly threw the made rope up into the whole causing it to defy physics. "All right, pull on it! See if it holds!"

Robin suddenly used all of her strength to pull on the handing sheets not budging it. "Guess I'm the guinea pig." She jumped onto the rope, pulling herself up before he's fell through threw the hole with a smile.

Gracie moved to the rope instead of trying to climb because of her thigh Eddie picked her up by the waist letting her grab onto the top of the rope and wrap her legs around it. "Watch her thigh!"

He let go allowing her to fall out of the ceiling and onto the familiar mattress, Max holding her arm out to catch her calf so her thigh wouldn't hit hard against the mattress.

"Thanks, Max." She sat up with help hugging each of the kids tightly. The three still in the upside down looked to one and other expectedly. "All right, guess I'll go." Eddie shrugged as the other two made no move.

He climbed up the rope with ease before falling back against his mattress. "That, was fun." He sent a wink to Gracie coming to stand beside her.

Nancy went next climbing through but just before she could reach the top Gracie felt the familiar tingle run through her neck, a distance sound of a clock chiming in her ears.

"Nance." Before she could stop her she fell into a trance standing frozen by the whole. Steve grabbing onto her. "Hey! Nancy! Hey!" He shook her shoulders as he could only see the whites of her eyes.

Gracie brought her hand up to feel the back of her neck, turning her head gazing out of the window to see the grandfather clock chiming in the yard.

"Stay with me! Nancy! Hey!" The rest looked through the whole in the ceiling staring up at it as Max spoke, "Vecna."

"Nancy, wake up! Nancy!"

-from honey

CHRISSY WAKE UP I DONT
LIKE THIS CHRISSY WAKE
UPPPPP HEY HELLOOO
TIME TO WAKE UP
TIME TO WAKE UP
CAN YOU HEAR ME
WAKE UP CHRISSY
I DONT LIKE THIS CHRISSY
JESUS H CHRISSY
I DONT LIKE THIS
CHRISSY WAKE UP!!!