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41 | Eddie's Truth

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THE SKY BLED INTO SHADES OF DEEP ORANGE AND VIOLET AS THE SUN DIPPED BELOW THE HORIZON, CASTING LONG SHADOWS ACROSS THE DENSE WOODS.

It was getting darker by the second. Steve gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white against the leather, as the car wound down the narrow, tree-lined road leading to Reefer Rick's cabin. The atmosphere inside the car was thick with tension, the kind that made it hard to breathe.

Isadora shifted uneasily in her seat, glancing out the window as the woods blurred by. The thickening darkness only amplified her growing discomfort. She let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding and silently wished they were anywhere else. Home, specifically. Anywhere but heading toward a desolate cabin in the middle of nowhere to look for Eddie, of all places, and at night no less. She wasn't exactly eager to repeat any of their past harrowing experiences.

"I really don't like this," she muttered, eyes narrowing as the cabin came into view. Its silhouette stood stark against the darkening sky, ominous and silent. Steve parked the car, and the group fell into a tense silence, all eyes on the rundown building.

Billy, who had been sitting next to her, reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. His touch was warm, familiar, a small comfort in the chilling atmosphere. Isadora forced a smile at her boyfriend, trying to mask the anxiety that knotted her stomach. She wasn't fooling anyone, least of all Billy, but she appreciated his silent support.

"This is it," Steve said, breaking the silence as he cut the engine.

Isadora's gaze flicked toward him, then back to the cabin. "I know Eddie's our friend, but I can't believe we're searching for him in this creepy place at night. Like, seriously, has no one here ever watched a horror movie? This is exactly how every single one of them starts," she said, her voice laced with nervous sarcasm.

Billy chuckled beside her. "And how would you know, Miss 'I Can't Watch Horror Without Hiding Under the Blankets'?"

"I've watched one. With you and Steve," she retorted, her tone defensive.

Billy grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "The one where you hid under the blankets the whole time? That was A Nightmare on Elm Street, Issi, and it didn't even start with a cabin in the woods."

Isadora rolled her eyes. "Fine, but when they make a horror movie about this, it's going to start just like this, with us checking out a creepy cabin in the woods, in the dead of night. Can we please just get this over with?"

Billy shot her a teasing smile. "What's the matter, love? Are you scared?"

Before Isadora could respond, Dustin, standing by the cabin's door, began pressing the doorbell. He did it repeatedly, each buzz more annoying than the last. "Okay, guess he's not here," Steve said, clearly hoping they could just leave it at that.

"Eddie, it's Dustin!" Dustin yelled, his voice bouncing off the surrounding trees, echoing through the still night.

Isadora crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. "Oh, yes. Let's yell even louder. Let's make sure every creepy thing in the woods knows exactly where we are. Brilliant idea, Dustin."

Dustin ignored her, continuing to call out. "Eddie! Come on, man, we just wanna talk! No cops, I swear!" His voice carried through the oppressive quiet as he banged on the door for good measure.

While the others focused on the door, Isadora descended the stairs, her flashlight slicing through the dark as she peered into the cabin's grimy windows. The interior was still and dark, like the whole place was holding its breath. Too still, too quiet. A shiver ran down her spine.

"I can't believe we're doing this again," Ellie whispered behind her, startling her.

Isadora inhaled sharply, her nerves jangling. "Y-Yeah," she muttered. She forced a small smile, even though her heart was pounding. Ellie had no idea how much this reminded her of the last time they'd faced something unimaginable. She had done her best to block those memories, but now, with the cabin looming in front of them, it felt like they were on the edge of something equally terrifying.

A sudden call cut through the air, breaking the tension. "Guys! Over here!" Max's voice was urgent, coming from near a small boat shed close to the cabin.

Isadora exchanged a glance with Ellie before they both hurried toward Max. The shed was slightly ajar, its door creaking as Max pulled it open further. Isadora's flashlight swept through the dim space, catching glimpses of old fishing gear and forgotten supplies. It looked abandoned, but she knew better than to trust appearances. This would be the perfect place for Eddie to hide.

"I don't like this," Isadora muttered under her breath, another chill crawling up her spine as they entered the shed. The air inside was thick, stale, as if it hadn't been disturbed in years.

While they searched, Steve picked up an old, dusty oar, his movements stiff with tension.

"Steve, what are you doing with that?" Isadora asked, frowning at him.

"I don't know. Maybe Eddie's hiding in here somewhere," Steve muttered, his eyes scanning the shadows.

Dustin sighed. "So, take the tarp off whatever you think he's hiding under."

Steve shot Dustin an annoyed look. "You're so brave, why don't you do it?"

Before they could argue further, Max's voice echoed from across the room. "Hey, someone was here."

Isadora and the others hurried over to where Max stood, pointing to a scattered pile of belongings, clearly disturbed recently.

"Maybe he heard us coming and took off," Robin suggested, glancing around nervously.

Isadora rolled her eyes. "Yeah, don't worry. If anything's out there, Steve'll get it with his oar," she quipped.

Dustin grinned. "Hilarious, right?"

Steve, already on edge, wasn't in the mood for jokes. "Look, considering everyone in this room has nearly died multiple times, I don't find it funny at all," he began, but his words were abruptly cut off as something—or someone—lunged from the shadows, slamming him against the wall with a force that knocked the breath out of him.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Steve gasped, eyes wide in panic.

"Whoa, whoa, Eddie! Eddie, stop! It's me! It's Dustin!" Dustin yelled, stepping forward, hands raised in surrender. "Steve's not gonna hurt you, I swear!"

Eddie, wild-eyed and trembling, didn't release Steve immediately, but Dustin's voice seemed to break through the panic.

"Eddie, it's us!" Isadora added, stepping closer, her voice soft but firm. "We're here to help."

Dustin nodded toward Steve, gesturing for him to drop the oar. "Steve, maybe put that down?"

Steve, still in a state of shock, let the oar clatter to the floor. Eddie's grip on him loosened, but not before one final squeeze. "He's cool, man," Dustin reassured, his voice calm.

"I'm cool. I'm cool," Steve managed to say, rubbing his throat as he caught his breath.

Eddie finally stepped back, releasing Steve completely, his face a mixture of fear and exhaustion. He looked like a man on the edge, hunted and desperate.

"We've been looking for you," Isadora said softly, her voice gentle as she took a step toward him.

"What are you doing here?" Eddie asked, his voice rough.

"We're here to help you, Eddie," Dustin said.

The tension in the air slowly eased as Eddie realised who he was dealing with. Dustin introduced everyone, hoping to put him at ease, but Isadora could see the haunted look in Eddie's eyes. Something terrible had happened here.

"We want to know what happened," Isadora said gently. "Please. We believe you."

Eddie hesitated, glancing around at the group before he finally began to speak. His voice was low, shaky, as he recounted the horror he had witnessed—the way Chrissy's body had lifted off the ground, her bones snapping in ways that defied nature, her eyes wide with terror.

Isadora's stomach churned as she listened. The imagery was too familiar, too close to the nightmare they had faced months ago. She glanced at Billy, who squeezed her hand tightly, his expression grim.

"No, Eddie, we don't think you're crazy," Isadora assured him, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Not after everything we've seen."

Dustin stepped forward. "Eddie, we've been through this before. There's another world out there. It's real. Hawkins ... it's cursed, man."

"A world hidden beneath ours," Max added.

Isadora felt her pulse quicken as Dustin continued to explain the Upside Down and about a creature called Vecna, their voices blending into the night air. There was no denying it now—something far darker than any of them had imagined was happening again.

By the time they finished talking to Eddie and promised to return with supplies, Isadora felt the weight of what was to come settling over her. As they made their way back to the car, the woods felt even more oppressive, and the darkness seemed to stretch endlessly ahead of them.

This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

The entire drive back to Hawkins was steeped in an unsettling silence. The world outside the car window blurred into a mesh of dark shadows and distant streetlights, barely illuminating the empty roads. Isadora sat, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery, but her mind was elsewhere, replaying the night's events in an endless loop. Hawkins, the place they called home, felt unfamiliar, as though the quiet town was once again harbouring unseen horrors beneath its surface.

Max, seated in the back with Ellie and Dustin, leaned forward, peering at Isadora with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Issi, are you okay? You've been awfully quiet," Max asked, her voice breaking the tense silence that had settled between them.

Isadora blinked, as if waking from a distant dream, and turned to face her. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine, just thinking," she replied, her tone distant, not wanting to unload the storm of thoughts swirling in her head.

Steve pulled the car to a stop outside the Family Video Store, and the group slowly piled out, each one weighed down by a sense of unease they couldn't quite shake. They exchanged quick goodbyes with Steve, Robin, and Kendra, who were heading home after the long night. Isadora lingered for a moment, watching as the younger teens—Max, Ellie, and Dustin—stood by their bikes.

"Are you sure you don't want us to give you a lift home?" she asked, her voice soft, laced with concern. The idea of them riding home alone didn't sit right with her, not after everything they'd witnessed that night.

Max smiled, shaking her head. "Nah, we're good. We'll ride our bikes, besides, we've done it a hundred times."

Isadora nodded, though her anxiety remained. She pulled each of them into a quick hug, holding on for a beat longer than usual. "Be careful, okay?" she whispered, before finally letting go.

Once the younger teens were gone, Isadora and Billy made their way to the car. As soon as they settled into their seats, an almost oppressive silence fell between them. Billy drove, his eyes focused on the dark road ahead, while Isadora stared out the window, her mind a chaotic whirlpool of thoughts she couldn't quite grasp. The tension in the car was palpable, the air thick with unspoken fears and unsaid words.

As the trees zipped past outside, flashes of the Mind Flayer began to creep into Isadora's thoughts. The grotesque, shadowy form, the terrifying grip of fear that had once wrapped itself around her, returned with full force. She could still feel the way the air had seemed to vibrate with its presence, its dark energy suffocating everything around them. Without warning, she gasped, her hand flying to her chest.

Billy immediately glanced over, concern flashing across his face. "Issi, are you okay?" His voice was gentle, but the worry was unmistakable.

Isadora shook her head, taking a shaky breath. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, though her voice trembled slightly. She wasn't ready to admit that the monster she thought was gone was now haunting her thoughts again. How could she tell Billy she was seeing things, imagining shadows where there were none? Even she thought it made her sound irrational.

Billy wasn't convinced but didn't push her further. He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his brows furrowed as they drove in silence for a few more minutes. His mind raced, trying to process everything. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter than before. "Do you believe them? That this ... dark wizard, Vecna, could be behind Chrissy's death?"

Isadora exhaled slowly, her gaze dropping to her hands as she traced invisible patterns on her lap. "I honestly don't know what to believe anymore, Billy. It's all too strange. None of it makes sense," she admitted, her voice thick with exhaustion.

Billy sighed, shaking his head. "Nothing ever makes sense in this damn town," he muttered under his breath. "But do you really think it's a good idea for us to go back to see Eddie tomorrow?"

Isadora hesitated, the weight of the question hanging between them. "Yeah, I do," she finally answered, her voice steady. "Eddie needs us right now. We can't leave him alone to deal with this, not after what he's been through."

Billy nodded, though worry still gnawed at him. Soon, they pulled up to their house, the warm glow of the porch light a stark contrast to the darkness they'd just left behind. The house was a small sanctuary in the middle of the chaos, but even its familiar walls couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was looming just beyond the horizon.

After they stepped inside, Billy made his way upstairs for a shower, leaving Isadora alone in the kitchen. She busied herself by rummaging through the fridge, trying to find something to make for dinner. The quiet hum of the refrigerator filled the air, but the stillness of the house only amplified the lingering dread in her chest. As she reached for a package of vegetables, a sudden knock on the front door startled her.

Isadora quickly wiped her hands on her jeans and went to answer it. She smiled when she saw Max, Ellie, and Beatrix standing on the doorstep, their faces lit up with excitement.

"Hi! What are you three doing here?" Isadora asked, her mood instantly lifting at the sight of them.

"We thought we could have a movie night," Max said, holding up a VHS tape with a grin. "Ellie and I picked out something good."

"And I brought dinner for everyone! I got us takeout, and before you ask, yes, Issi, I got you a salad," Beatrix added with a wink, lifting a bag of food.

Isadora laughed, stepping aside to let them in. "Thanks, Bea. You really do know me too well."

The three girls hurried into the living room, setting up for the movie night as they chattered excitedly. Isadora was in the middle of helping them when Billy appeared at the top of the stairs, fresh from his shower, with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Beatrix's eyes widened in horror as she quickly covered her face.

"Oh, sweet Jesus, that's something I didn't need to see," Beatrix groaned, her hand over her eyes.

Billy chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, sorry?"

Isadora tried and failed to suppress her laughter. "Maybe you should get dressed before joining us, hmm?"

Billy nodded quickly and retreated upstairs to change while the girls finished setting up the living room. Blankets and pillows were strewn about, and Beatrix set up the food on the coffee table. Soon, Billy returned, now fully dressed, and joined them as they began to serve themselves dinner.

Billy smirked as he watched Isadora pick at her salad. "I see Beatrix got you a salad from your favourite place. Do you eat anything besides salads, Issi?"

Isadora rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yes, William. You've seen me eat other foods."

Beatrix raised an eyebrow as she dug into her meal. "Wait, William? Since when do you let people call you William? I thought you hated that."

Billy shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's different when Is does it. It's kinda cute."

Max, sitting beside Ellie, pulled a face. "You two are seriously disgusting," she said, though her grin betrayed her teasing tone.

Ellie, meanwhile, had taken the opportunity to try and steal a piece of food off Max's plate with her chopsticks. "Hey!" Max swatted at her hand. "You've got your own food!"

"Yours tastes better," Ellie said with a mischievous smirk.

Max narrowed her eyes at her but took another bite. "It's literally the exact same food."

Ellie waved her chopsticks. "Nope. Definitely different."

Isadora watched their playful exchange with amusement before reaching over and grabbing a piece of chicken off Billy's plate. He raised an eyebrow at her as she popped it into her mouth.

"Tastes good," she said with a satisfied smile.

Billy crossed his arms. "No kidding. Chicken always tastes better than a salad."

Isadora shrugged innocently. "It's a chicken salad, but for some reason, the chicken on your plate tastes better than the chicken on mine."

The group stared at her in confusion for a beat before bursting into laughter, the sound filling the room and temporarily washing away the tension of the night. As they settled in to watch the movie, Isadora curled up next to Billy on the couch, resting her head on his chest. Her gaze drifted over to Max and Ellie, who were snuggled up together on their mattress. Isadora smiled to herself, feeling a sense of comfort seeing her friends so at ease, even if the world around them was anything but.

The movie passed in a blur of laughter and commentary, and by the time it was over, Beatrix, Ellie, and Max decided to stay for a sleepover. Beatrix headed to the guest room while Max and Ellie remained in the living room, setting up mattresses for the night. Isadora and Billy made their way to their bedroom, getting ready for bed and slipping under the covers together.

But as the night deepened and the house fell silent, the darkness crept back into Isadora's mind. Her sleep was restless, plagued by nightmares that gripped her tightly. In her dreams, she was back in the Upside Down, surrounded by swirling shadows and monstrous forms that seemed to close in on her from all sides. The oppressive weight of fear pressed down on her chest, and she bolted upright in bed, gasping for air.

Her heart pounded in her ears as she wiped the sweat from her brow, glancing over at Billy, who seemed to be fast asleep. Not wanting to wake him, Isadora quietly slid out of bed and made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She filled a glass of water, taking slow sips as she tried to calm her racing heart.

Unbeknownst to her, Billy had awoken too, his own nightmares clawing at the edges of his consciousness. He shot up in bed, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat. His eyes darted around the room, panic gripping him when he saw that Isadora wasn't beside him. He stumbled out of bed, his chest tight, and rushed to the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

Leaning over the sink, he splashed cold water on his face, trying to shake the feeling that was suffocating him. The memories were too vivid, too real—the nightmares always came back to the same scene, the moment he felt like he'd lost control, like the darkness had consumed him. It didn't matter that it wasn't real; in his mind, the guilt gnawed at him relentlessly.

Meanwhile, Isadora made her way back upstairs, glass of water in hand. When she noticed the bed was empty, her heart skipped a beat. The sound of running water from the bathroom made her pause, and she relaxed slightly, figuring Billy had woken up and decided to take a shower.

But as the minutes ticked by, and he still hadn't emerged, her worry began to creep back. She knocked softly on the bathroom door. "Billy? Are you okay?" she called out, her voice gentle but laced with concern. There was no response.

Her heartbeat quickened as she knocked again, harder this time. "Billy, please. Open the door," she urged, pressing her ear against the door. Still, there was silence.

Inside, Billy sat on the shower floor, the scalding hot water beating down on him, but he barely registered the pain. His mind was lost in the fog of his thoughts, replaying his darkest fears over and over. He couldn't shake the feeling of drowning, the weight of everything pulling him down.

Outside, Isadora's concern was rapidly turning into panic. She banged on the door again, her voice trembling. "Billy, please, you're scaring me."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door unlocked, and Billy stepped out, still soaking wet, his skin flushed red from the hot water. He didn't say a word as he brushed past Isadora and made his way back to the bedroom. She followed him, her eyes wide with concern as she noticed the angry redness of his skin.

"Oh, Billy," she whispered, sitting down beside him on the bed. "Did it happen again? Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it—"

"Just leave me alone, Isadora," Billy snapped, his voice sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. Isadora flinched at the harshness in his tone, her heart aching as she turned away, blinking back tears. She slid under the covers, trying to ignore the sting of his words. The room fell into a heavy silence, and Billy lay there, staring at the ceiling, the guilt weighing down on him.

He could hear Isadora's shaky breathing, the quiet sobs she was trying to suppress. His chest tightened with regret. With a deep sigh, he rolled over and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"I'm sorry," he whispered against her hair, his voice soft. "I didn't mean to snap at you, Princess. You didn't deserve that."

Isadora stayed silent for a moment, her body tense, but slowly, she relaxed in his arms, her voice barely a whisper. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay," she said, her throat tight with emotion.

"I know," Billy replied, holding her tighter. "I'm just ... I don't know how to deal with this sometimes."

Isadora sighed softly, turning to face him. She reached up, brushing a few strands of hair out of his face. "I'm sorry too, Billy. I wasn't trying to push you. I just ... I worry about you."

Billy kissed her forehead gently, and they lay there in the darkness, the quiet hum of the night surrounding them. As Billy drifted off to sleep, Isadora stayed awake, her thoughts racing, haunted by the night's events and the creeping sense of dread that wouldn't leave her.

By the time she finally fell asleep again, the nightmares returned, wrapping themselves around her in the dark corners of her mind. Her sleep was restless, filled with visions of the Mind Flayer and all the horrors that lurked beneath Hawkins.

The next morning, the sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting soft golden light across the room. Isadora woke up, feeling groggy and exhausted. She stifled a yawn as she stumbled out of bed and made her way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. As she stood in front of the mirror, brushing through her freshly cut shoulder-length hair, she caught sight of Billy in the reflection. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Morning," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Morning," Isadora replied softly, leaning into his embrace. Despite the exhaustion, there was something comforting about the warmth of his presence. It was a small moment of peace, a fleeting sense of normalcy, before the weight of the world outside their door returned.

"Are you okay?" Isadora's voice was soft, a gentle inquiry as her eyes traced the redness still visible on Billy's skin.

Billy took a deep breath, his gaze distant for a moment before returning to her. "Yeah, I'm okay," he replied. The words were firm, but Isadora could see the underlying tension in his jaw, the stiffness in his shoulders. She nodded, deciding not to press any further, though her fingers lingered, lightly brushing over his still-warm skin. Billy responded by pulling her close, his lips brushing her forehead in a soft, reassuring kiss.

Without another word, he turned and left the bathroom, heading downstairs to make breakfast. Isadora stayed behind for a moment, watching him go, her heart heavy with concern. She wanted to ask him more, to pry, to understand what was really going on inside his head, but something held her back. Billy was like that sometimes—closed off, retreating into himself when things got too hard.

A few minutes later, she found her way downstairs, drawn by the familiar smell of toast wafting through the air. Billy sat at the kitchen table, already halfway through his breakfast, a piece of toast in one hand. Isadora smiled as she strolled over, plucking a slice off his plate before taking a quick bite.

Billy raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into an amused smile. "Thanks," she grinned, placing the half-eaten toast back down. "I just wanted a bite."

Shaking his head, Billy rolled his eyes but said nothing. Isadora turned toward the cupboard to grab some cereal, her mood lightened, if only for a moment. As she poured herself a bowl, she glanced back at Billy, noticing how he watched her with that familiar blend of fondness and exasperation.

Before the morning routine could settle into comfortable silence, Beatrix wandered into the kitchen. She was already dressed, her jacket slung over one arm as she gave them a sleepy smile. "Hey, I'm heading back home," she said, her voice still thick with sleep.

Isadora turned from her cereal, offering a quick smile in return. "Okay, we'll see you later, Bea."

Beatrix waved goodbye, and with a quick nod to Billy, she slipped out the door, leaving the house suddenly quieter in her absence. The air felt different, heavier, as if the departure of a friend left more room for the uneasy silence to creep back in.

Moments later, Max appeared at the entrance to the kitchen. Her usually bright demeanour was dimmed by the tired lines under her eyes, her skin looking a shade paler than usual. Isadora's eyes narrowed with concern as she leaned against the counter.

"Morning, Max. You okay? You look a little pale," she asked, her voice gentle but probing.

Max shrugged, her gaze falling to the floor. "Yeah, I'm fine," she muttered, rubbing her arms absentmindedly.

Isadora's heart ached at the sight. She knew that look, the way someone tries to deflect, to brush off their feelings as nothing important. "Are you sure?" Isadora pressed softly, watching Max's body language carefully.

Max hesitated for a second, but then shrugged again, not meeting Isadora's eyes. "It's fine," she mumbled. That answer was all too familiar, a non-answer meant to deflect worry. Isadora sighed softly, the feeling of unease growing in her chest.

Before either of them could say anything more, the sound of a car horn from outside broke the fragile moment. Isadora glanced over at Billy, who was already standing, finishing off his toast.

"That'll be Steve. We should get going," she said, slipping her bowl of cereal onto the counter.

Billy nodded, and together, they all grabbed their jackets and made their way outside. Steve's car sat idling by the curb, and as the group climbed in, the car felt more crowded than usual, despite the empty space in the back. Dustin and Robin were already inside, chattering away in their usual energetic fashion. Isadora settled into her seat beside Steve, nudging him playfully as she buckled her seatbelt.

"Hey, where's Kendra?" she asked, noticing the empty space where Kendra would usually sit.

Steve glanced in the rearview mirror as he started the car. "Nancy called her. Said she needed help with something, so Kendra went to meet up with her."

Isadora nodded, her brow furrowing slightly. "What did Nancy need help with?"

"I'm not sure," Steve replied, his tone nonchalant. "Ken didn't say, but she promised to meet us later."

Isadora sat back in her seat, trying to brush off the nagging feeling at the back of her mind. She smiled at Steve, though the unease refused to fully dissipate. Something felt off, like a storm was brewing on the horizon, and it was only a matter of time before it reached them.

The drive to Reefer Rick's cabin was mostly quiet, save for the occasional bursts of conversation from Dustin and Robin, who seemed determined to maintain some semblance of normalcy despite the growing tension. As the car rumbled down the familiar road, Isadora found herself staring out the window, her mind wandering back to the horrors they had faced before. The feeling that something darker was lurking, something they couldn't see yet, gnawed at her, twisting her stomach into tight knots.

When they finally pulled up to the cabin, the group quickly piled out of the car, their footsteps crunching against the gravel as they approached the boat shed. The moment they stepped inside, Eddie jumped, cereal spilling from the box in his hands as he spun around in surprise.

"Jesus!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with fear before relaxing when he saw them. "God, you guys scared the shit out of me."

Dustin chuckled, tossing a bag of snacks onto the floor. "Delivery service," he quipped, his attempt at lightening the mood falling flat in the tense atmosphere.

The group settled onto the floor of the shed, leaning against crates and walls as Eddie resumed shoveling cereal into his mouth. Isadora grimaced slightly, watching as he ate like he hadn't seen food in days. There was an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the crunching of cereal and the occasional murmur from Dustin as he rifled through the bag of supplies.

"So," Dustin finally said, breaking the silence. "We've got some good news and some bad news. How do you want it?"

Eddie didn't hesitate. "Bad news first, always."

Dustin exchanged a look with Robin before speaking. "Okay, bad news: we tapped into Hawkins PD dispatch, and they're definitely looking for you. They're, uh, pretty much convinced you killed Chrissy."

Eddie froze mid-bite, his face draining of colour. "Like... one hundred percent convinced?"

Robin nodded grimly. "Yeah, they haven't gone public with your name yet, but if we found you, it's only a matter of time before they do too. And when they do, everyone's gonna be gunning for you. Hunt the freak, right?"

Eddie let out a long, shaky breath, dropping his spoon. "Shit."

Dustin nodded sympathetically. "Yeah. But here's the good news: we've got a plan. We just need to find Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence."

Eddie blinked, his face incredulous. "That's it? Just find and kill a powerful dark wizard? You guys are crazy."

Robin piped up, her voice casual despite the weight of the situation. "Look, I know it sounds completely delusional, but we've been through this kind of thing before. Well, they have, multiple times. And I've done it once. Mine was more human-flesh-based, theirs was... smoke. But bottom line, we've got this."

Isadora, still leaning against the wall, felt a sudden rush of nausea as the conversation drifted into familiar territory. Flashes of the Mind Flayer stormed through her mind, the dark, monstrous form looming over her, filling her with dread. Her breath hitched, and she closed her eyes, trying to steady herself. Billy noticed her discomfort immediately and reached out, placing a hand on her arm.

"You okay, Is?" he whispered, his voice gentle and concerned.

Isadora swallowed hard, forcing herself to nod. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, though her voice was shaky, betraying the anxiety gnawing at her insides. She shifted, trying to refocus on the conversation, but the memories still lingered at the edge of her consciousness, refusing to leave.

"See," Dustin continued, "we usually rely on this girl with superpowers, but she kind of lost them. So... we're in more of the —"

Max crossed her arms, finishing the thought. "Brainstorming phase."

Steve nodded in agreement. "There's nothing to worry about."

But before they could continue, the distant wail of police sirens echoed through the woods, cutting through the conversation like a knife. Isadora's heart leaped into her throat as she rushed to the window, her breath coming in shallow bursts.

Billy joined her, his expression darkening as he watched the police cars speed by. "Shit," he muttered.

"Where are they going?" Isadora asked, her voice tight with worry.

"I have no idea," Billy said, eyes narrowing.

Robin sprang into action, pulling a tarp over Eddie's hiding spot. "Tarp. Tarp. Tarp," she ordered quickly.

The sirens faded into the distance, leaving the group in tense silence once again. Isadora turned to Billy, her mind racing. Something was wrong. Deep in her gut, she knew they needed to follow the police. She didn't know why, but the bad feeling that had been simmering inside her was boiling over.

"We need to follow them," she said, urgency in her voice.

Billy hesitated, glancing at the others, but the determination in Isadora's eyes pushed him to agree. "All right, let's go."

The group scrambled back into Steve's car, leaving Eddie behind in the shed. The drive was tense, the silence heavy as they followed the trail of the police cars. Isadora's hands were clenched tightly in her lap, her heart pounding against her ribs.

"Something's wrong," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.

Robin, seated beside her, frowned. "How do you know?"

Isadora shook her head, her stomach twisting with dread. "I don't know. It's just... this feeling. Ever since..."

"Chrissy died?" Max finished quietly.

Isadora nodded, her eyes downcast. "Yeah," she whispered, her fingers trembling slightly.

As they neared the trailer park, the unease in Isadora's chest grew unbearable. When Steve stopped the car, the group spotted a crowd of onlookers gathered around a scene near the road. Isadora's breath caught in her throat as she remembered what Steve had said earlier.

"This is right near the trailer park," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Shit. Nancy and Kendra."

Without thinking, Isadora threw the car door open and bolted out before anyone could stop her. Her heart raced as she sprinted toward the crowd, her legs feeling heavy as if they were carrying the weight of the world. Behind her, Billy called her name, but she couldn't stop.

When she reached the scene, her worst fears materialised in front of her. In the middle of the road lay a covered body, surrounded by police officers and reporters. Isadora's breath hitched, and her feet faltered as she stared at the lifeless form. Her vision blurred for a moment, and everything around her faded into white noise.

"Is—" Billy's voice broke through the haze as he caught up to her, his hand gripping her arm tightly. She glanced at him, but her eyes quickly darted back to the body.

Among the crowd, Isadora spotted Nancy and Kendra, both being interviewed by police officers. Relief washed over her, but only for a moment. Further down the road, she saw Beatrix standing among the onlookers, her expression grim and pale.

Isadora's chest tightened as the full weight of the situation crashed down on her. If this death was somehow connected to Chrissy's, and if Eddie's name went public, everyone would think he was responsible. The fear of the town turning against him was no longer a distant possibility—it was a looming reality.

Billy's voice cut through her thoughts again, pulling her back to the present. "We'll figure this out, I promise."

Isadora wanted to believe him, but as she stared at the body and the gathered crowd, her heart sank further. It was hard to shake the feeling that something far darker and more dangerous was stirring in Hawkins—and that this time, it would be harder to fight.

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