↣ 𝘐𝘯 𝘔𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥

The following morning, the group returned to Rick's house, carrying grocery bags. Dustin burst inside the shed, prompting Eddie to spin around in fear as he gazed at them. Bailey offered Eddie a reassuring smile. Eddie relaxed slightly upon realizing it was merely them. "Delivery service."

Eddie sat down to consume his cereal, emitting a tiny moan of pleasure at the food. Dustin sat opposite as he cleared his throat. Bailey attended Chrissy's funeral accompanied by his dad and Steve. They participated in the funeral, Bailey bid her farewell as he placed a rose on her coffin. However, they had witnessed Jason's remarks, which troubled the eccentric. They intended to harm Eddie.

"So we got, uh, some good news and some bad news." Dustin remarked as he cleared his throat. "How do you prefer it?"

"Bad news first, always."

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

"Like, 100% kind of convinced." Max interjected as Eddie glanced between the two of them.

"And the good news?" Eddie inquired, his tone imbued with hope.

"Your name hasn't gone public yet." Robin intervened, while Eddie regarded her with a look of uncertainty. "But if we found out about you,it's a matter of time before others do." Robin continues. "And once that gets out, everyone and their shallow-minded mother is gonna be gunning for you."

"Hunt the freak, right?" Eddie expressed that his heart gradually felt as though it was shattering with each passing moment of their conversation. Bailey gazed at him with a melancholic countenance. Everyone regarded the boy as a freak.

"So, before that happens, we find Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence." Dustin disclosed with joy. All eyes were on him as they assented, yet Eddie remained unyielding.

"That's all, Dustin? That's all?"

"Yeah, no, that's pretty much it." Dustin smiled, evidently oblivious to the cynicism embedded in his tone.

"Listen, Eddie, I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we've actually been through this before. I mean, they have a... a few times, and...and I have once." Robin added as she tried to help the situation. "Mine was more human-flesh-based, theirs was more smoke-related, but bottom line is, collectively, I really feel we got this."

"It is not an enjoyable club to join," Bailey addressed from his position adjacent to Max.

"We usually rely on this girl who has super powers. But, uh, those went bye-bye, so..." Steve gestured with his hand while speaking.

"So we're technically in more of the..."

"Kinda..."

"Brainstorming phase." Max concluded.

"Brainstorming." Steve nodded in agreement as did Bailey.

Dustin expelled forcefully. "There... There's nothing to worry about." Attempting to provide reassurance to Eddie. From afar, they could discern the sounds of police activity. The police were approaching the house rapidly. Eddie swiftly vanished as they covered the boat with the tarp.

However, they did not halt at the house; instead, they proceeded down the road, exchanging perplexed glances. They all rushed to the car, as Steve trailed the responders. They returned to the vicinity of the trailer park. Law enforcement and emergency medical personnel were encircling the roadway. Steve positioned the vehicle.

They exited the vehicle to observe Nancy Wheeler conversing with the police officer. She bore a sorrowful expression on her face. She glanced to observe them all positioned around the vehicle. She gestured to them, and they reciprocated.

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

"If the shoe fits." Steve answered.

"Our working theory is that he attacks with a spell or a curse." Dustin explained to her. "Now, whether or not he's doing the bidding of the Mind Flayer or just loves killing teens, we don't know.

"All we know is this is something different." Max cut in. "Something new."

"Doesn't make sense." Nancy says with a shake of her head.

"It's only a theory." Dustin spoke.

"No, Fred and Chrissy don't make sense." Bailey contemplated it as well; they were rather distinct. "I mean, why them?"

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

"And near the trailer park." Max commented.

"We're at the trailer park." Steve reminded everyone. "Uh, should we maybe not be here?"

Bailey surveyed the surroundings, abruptly experiencing a sense of discomfort with the location. "There is something about this place." Nancy added to the conversation. "Fred started acting weird the second we got here."

"Acting weird as in...?"

"Scared, on edge, upset." Nancy stated as she thought about how Fred was acting.

"Chrissy would always hide it with more of a smile, things were not exactly as they appeared. Bailey replies, remembering comforting Chrissy when she was distressed.

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

"Vecna." Dustin cuts in.

"Dunno about you, but if I saw some freaky wizard monster, I would mention it to someone." Steve responded.

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

"Your shrink." Robin concluded.

"Whoa, whoa, Nance. Nance!" Steve interjected, looking over at Nancy. "Where you going?"

Nancy turned around to study them. "Oh, there's just something I wanna check on first."

"Something you wanna share with us?" Dustin questioned.

"I don't wanna waste your time. It's a real shot in the dark."

"I'll go with you." Bailey interjected as he approached Nancy. Steve immediately objected and swiftly seized Bailey, pushing him back.

"Absolutely not." Steve remarked that as Bailey gazed at him with a perplexed expression. "I just, i want you to stay with me."

"I shall accompany Nancy." Robin stated as she approached Nancy, who merely grinned in response. Bailey sought to accompany Nancy to uncover her theory, which could assist in elucidating the situation about Chrissy and Fred.

They proceeded approached the vehicle. Dustin and Steve engaged in lighthearted joking as they entered the vehicle. Bailey occupied the front seat, as per his usual practice, while Max and Dustin entered the rear.

"Are you okay?" He inquired while gazing at Bailey. Bailey directed his gaze towards Steve and acknowledged him with a nod.

"I am alright."

────────────────────────

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀

- I wanted Bailey to go with Nancy but then I changed my mind halfway.

To all the people that have supported me closely- Tags: @norasnetflix @wrensofvizla @KleeAlise11 @kiesluverr

𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵e