Warm sunlight seeped into the boathouse as tires screeched in Rick's driveway. Eddie shot upright and kicked the blanket from his legs, scrambling to shake Sadie awake. "Hey—hey! Someone's here," he told her, climbing out of the boat.
Pulled from a dreamless sleep by Eddie's shaking, Sadie groaned and nudged him away. The slightest movement revealed how her back ached from sleeping in the abandoned dinghy. She craved another few hours of rest in something more comfortable, but Eddie's words registered as he hopped over the side of the boat. She shot upwards, her heart thudding as he edged toward the window.
"Eddie, get away from there!" Sadie threw one stiff leg over the side of the boat and then the other, standing on unsteady feet for a moment. "Do you see anything?" She hurried to where he stood, her chest pressed against his back as she peered around him. Though, little was seen behind an old pine tree. "I don't see anything."
"Neither do I," he whispered through nervous breaths. "Shit."
"Get back in the boat," Sadie murmured. "I ca—"
The door burst open without warning, and Eddie and Sadie cursed simultaneously. They jumped backward, their backs pressed against the wall as Dustin, Steve, Max, Robin, and Nancy Wheeler entered the boathouse.
"Delivery service!" Henderson announced.
Eddie allowed himself to breathe fully, realizing how Sadie lingered in his arms before she inevitably shook them off. Whether he had tried to protect her or had grabbed her because he was scared shitless, Eddie couldn't remember. "Christ… You don't have to yell, Henderson," he muttered.
Relieved to see familiar faces—as well as food in the bags they carried, Eddie hurried toward them. He was fucking starving. Robin grinned as the man took her bag and then plopped herself onto the plastic storage container, her legs idly swinging back and forth as she looked at Sadie.
Nancy's bag was the last one Eddie took before he settled into the center of Rick's boat and tore into a box of Honeycombs. He was surprised to see her here, knowing Mike had left for California. Dustin and him had suggested postponing their D&D campaign because of it, which was utterly ridiculous. "What are you doing here, Wheeler?"
"Long story, actually…" The girl shifted uncomfortably before turning to close the boathouse door.
Dustin pulled a stool closer to Eddie as he gorged himself with dry cereal. Sadie snorted as several of the pieces missed his mouth and fell into the bottom of the boat. The faint smell of sugary food made her stomach growl with hunger, but the look on their faces had the opposite effect. She fell still beside Max.
"So, we have some good news, and uh, some bad news…" the boy paused. "Which would you like to hear first?"
"Bad news first, always." It was said as if Dustin should have known better, and she couldn't fault his logic. It was better to end with the good news, right? Either way, Eddie drowned his worries with a bottle of Yoohoo.
"Alright…" Dustin proceeded with caution. "Bad news is, we tapped into Hawkins PD with our Cerebro, and they're definitely looking for you. Also, they're pretty convinced you killed Chrissy—Fred Benson too." He added that last part quickly, as if haste would somehow lessen the blow.
"Like 100% convinced," Max said.
Robin stepped forward. "...but your name hasn't gone public yet."
"Hold on—what?" Eddie held up a hand to stop them. "I-I've never even spoken to that kid."
A second death sent a chill up Sadie's spine. She crossed her arms, looking between Eddie and the others. The police's theory had initially made sense. Chrissy was found in the Munson's trailer, and Eddie was missing—that was suspicious. But Fred Benson? The connection didn't make sense anymore. This was bad, really bad.
Hawkins was a small town, and it was only a matter of time before people put the pieces together on their own. A full-fledged manhunt, gunning for her Eddie. "And what was the good news, exactly?" she asked. "...that his name hasn't gone public?"
"Yes and no," Dustin said, his gaze sliding between Steve and Nancy. "This is something new for us, and we're exploring all our options, but I think we have a theory…"
Max nodded in agreement, those steely blue eyes finding Eddie. "I saw Chrissy leaving Ms. Kelley's office. You said she was dealing with something, right? Well, Nancy told us that Fred was acting weird too. Something about the trailer park set him off. Maybe they were both seeing this… Vecna. Talking to the school shrink about it would make sense."
"So…" Dustin interjected. "Before the town turns on you, we need to talk to Ms. Kelley and find out more about Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence."
A stiff silence fell over them, and though she could not see his expression head-on, Sadie could tell Eddie was unhappy with their good and bad news. He glanced over his shoulder to find her, and the woman was forced to maintain a neutral expression—if not for her sanity, then his. Her lips parted to offer something encouraging, but he had already refocused on Dustin. "That's all, Henderson? Really?"
"Listen, Eddie, I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional… but I really feel like we've got this," Robin said. She stood with her hands in the pockets of her black denim jacket. "Remember, we've been through something like this before."
"We usually rely on this girl who has superpowers…" Steve leaned against the wooden support beam. "...except, those went bye-bye, so…"
"There's nothing to worry about," Dustin expressed with a shake of his head.
Max crossed her arms, noting the shift in Eddie's demeanor. "We just have to start with Ms. Kelley, and… I was seeing her, so I know she will talk to me. Steve will drive us."
Steve scoffed. "Oh, will I?" His car was always the group's mode of transportation. It was known that he was responsible for chauffeuring the kids.
"There's also something I want to check on," Nancy Wheeler announced from the back of the group. She was hesitant, and her lips parted as she contemplated continuing.
Sadie met her gaze for the first time, remembering the girl from her time at Hawkins High. With her interest in photography and Nancy's budding passion for journalism, they had interacted on several occasions. She never considered them friends, though.
"It's kind of a shot in the dark, but Wayne Munson suggested this all has something to do with a man named Victor Creel... I think it's worth looking into." The young woman stepped past Steve, addressing Eddie. "Before he died, Fred and I snuck into Forest Hills. The place is crawling with cops, but I had a chance to look around. I spoke with your uncle, and whatever happened to Chrissy… he doesn't believe you had anything to do with it."
For Eddie's sake, that was a relief.
Sadie swallowed, glancing at him as a silence fell over the boathouse. "It's a start," she reassured him. Dustin nodded along, strangely chipper given such uncertain circumstances.
They split off into groups, and Sadie moved from her spot beside the boat, bending down to grab her borrowed backpack. The last thing she wanted to do was leave him alone to hide in the boathouse, but she had to go home. If only to check in with her parents and prove that she was okay. She'd be back.
Having lost his appetite, Eddie picked at pieces of dry cereal as Nancy and Robin split off from the group. He expected Steve, Dustin, and Max to leave as well, but his eyes flickered to Sadie when she began gathering her things.
"Where are you going?" Eddie asked before he could stop himself. He didn't realize she'd leave as well, but it was unfair of him to guilt her into staying. The thought of being alone again made him nauseous—or maybe that was the sugar.
Sadie lingered in front of Eddie, her fingers fiddling with the backpack's straps. She adjusted and readjusted them, her lips slow to part. It felt as if the entire boathouse awaited her response. "I have to check in with my family," she told him. "You know my dad. With the news and all… he'll be worried if I don't come home this morning." Sadie held out the pack of cigarettes and lighter for Eddie to have.
"Yeah, I get it…" His hands hesitated before he took the pack of cigarettes. "Thanks for these."
Closing the space between them, the woman contemplated wrapping Eddie in a tight embrace. Not only was Sadie selfish for missing his touch, but she worried for him. Worried about the possibility that something could happen in the few hours she was gone. That same worry was etched into his features as he stared at her, making the woman's heart sink. She reached out, offering Eddie the pinky enveloped by a thin strand of red ink. "I'll be back," she murmured. Sadie tried to smile, but it was hard. "Pinky promise."
Offered her pinky as a promise, his eyes landed on the ink that encircled it. Having shoved the lighter and smokes into his denim jacket, his fingers fidgeted with his ring again. Could anyone blame him for being weary of her promises? He eventually nodded, though, and wrapped her pinky in his own.
"You do know what a promise is, right?" He smirked, but such playfulness was temporary. His pinky tightened around hers before he released completely, the hand returning to his side. "Good luck with your dad… and uh, don't die. Okay?"
Sadie had already made her way after Dustin, Steve, and Max, but the woman hesitated at the door. She looked over her shoulder, a small smile playing on her lips as she regarded him. "I didn't plan on it. I'll see you soon."
He felt like a kid, watching from the window as Steve Harrington's BMW left the gravel driveway at the top of the hill. It reminded him of a vague memory from when he was much younger—watching from the window as his dad drove off, leaving him in the care of his uncle. Eddie took a seat on the dusty stool that Dustin had pulled closer to the boat, thinking about the man. He was grateful that Wayne believed in his innocence. Their relationship was strange, but they looked after each other. Outsiders had to stick together, right? What he'd give to see him or just share a smoke with him to pass the time.
Her family was eating breakfast at the kitchen table when Sadie entered from the backdoor. She froze for a second, feeling as if she were back in high school again. More than once, she had been caught coming home after sneaking from her bedroom window. "Good morning…" she said, kicking off dirtied sneakers at the door.
Both Christopher and Carla watched her, but it was her father who stood from the table with his empty plate. He was displeased. "Nice of you to finally join us," he muttered. "I didn't make you a plate. I wasn't sure when you'd be back." The man placed his dishes in the sink. "Would it have killed you to give us a call? I mean, have you seen the news?"
Carla set down her glass of orange juice and picked up the local paper. "Killed probably isn't the best choice of words, dear."
Sadie eyed the woman, wishing her gaze could have burned a hole through that stupid newspaper. "I'm sorry, dad." With the backpack still strapped to her shoulders, she followed him into the kitchen and took a glass from the cabinet to fill under the tap. "I just… lost track of time, and then it was too late to ask for a ride. I honestly thought it'd be safer to stay inside anyway."
However many times Sadie had lied to her father, it never got any easier. He truly was a good man at heart and for the longest time, he was all she had. She put him through it with her innocent teenage shit—parties, sneaking out to spend her nights in Forest Hills Trailer Park, coming home smelling like weed. It was different than trespassing and helping a wanted man hide from the law. Not to mention, there was an undead monster lurking out there somewhere. The lie could have very well been her last, and that made her feel guilty.
But, Sadie couldn't risk Eddie's safety. And there was no time to discuss monsters and curses and the world beneath Hawkins when she still didn't understand it herself. "Don't worry about breakfast," she said between gulps of water. "I'm going to shower. We were all thinking of going to see a movie later."
"With the same group of kids?" Carla asked from behind her newspaper.
"Yeah," Sadie was quick to respond. She placed her glass in the sink and had begun to make her way through the kitchen when Christopher scoffed.
"You're going to a movie with Steve Harrington?" he asked with a mouthful of pancakes. "Did he run out of girls to date?"
What a little shit.
Her steps slowed, and she turned to face them. "It's not a date. Robin will be there, and so will Max and Dustin… probably others."
"They're not much older than me."
"And?" Sadie stared at her brother, her patience fading with each second she wasted. "Am I not allowed to hang out with them or something?" Gears began to turn behind his eyes—she watched him, her heart beginning to race as the silence stretched. If he so much as mentioned Eddie Munson, she knew her father would fly off the handle. "Are you done interrogating me now, or can I take my goddamn shower?"
"Language!" Carla warned.
"Your brother was worried. So, stop with the attitude, Sadie. Please?" her father pleaded. Dark brows creased as she strode out of the kitchen and down the hall.
Showered, the young woman returned to her bedroom to change into an old pair of ripped jeans and a cropped white tee. Over it, she tugged on an oversized, black button-down and then lazily pulled a brush through wet strands of hair. All the while, she hurried about her room, transferring random things from her suitcase to her backpack. Sadie heard Christopher knock, but she made no effort to open the door. He let himself in after a few seconds and stood there—arms crossed over his chest, accusingly. He didn't need to say anything, but he did.
"I know you're lying," he told her. "You wouldn't be caught dead going to a movie with Steve Harrington."
The young woman stared at her brother, unable to offer him much more than a shrug of her shoulders. "Yeah? Why the hell are you so hung up on it?"
"Because two people died, Sadie… and you're going back out like nothing happened." The boy stepped into her bedroom, motioning to the backpack left unzipped on her bed. "Chrissy Cunningham and Fred Benson both went to Hawkins High. Dad had both of them in his classes last year. Have you seen the news?"
"Yeah, I've seen the news, Chris. It's sad." She pushed past him, lowering onto the edge of the bed to slip on a pair of white Reeboks. "...but that doesn't mean anything bad will happen to me. I'll be extra cautious."
"Will called, you know? Said you were supposed to call him once you were settled." It was an attempt to keep her here a bit longer, but there were bigger things at stake than her brother's feelings. She had been a shitty big sister for years. Did the kid expect anything different?
The mention of her boyfriend did distract Sadie for a moment, though. Her mouth ran dry, and she ran a hand over her face. "Right. I forgot… I'll have to call him back." Turning, Sadie zipped the backpack and slipped her arms through the straps. She then stepped past Christopher and headed down the hallway. Her fingers found the stairwell railing as she descended, but they tightened around the wood with Christopher's steps close on her heel.
"You're not with Eddie, are you?"
The question turned to ice in her chest. Sadie stopped, unable to face her brother as he continued.
"He's missing… and Dad is convinced he murdered Chrissy Cunningham. Fred Benson too." It was as if Christopher could see right through his sister. Maybe he could—having dealt with her shit for so many years. He knew exactly what buttons to push.
Spun around, she pressed a pleading finger to her lips. Her other hand coaxed the teenager back up the stairs, and once they were hidden down the hallway, Sadie took a deep breath. "I need you to cover for me," she whispered. "You're used to that, right?" Sadie reached between them, gripping his shoulders. Her voice was soft enough for just him to hear when she spoke. "I know that I've lied a lot. I've been a shitty sister, and I'm sorry for that. But please believe me when I tell you that Eddie is innocent. Whatever you hear from dad or Carla or people in town—whatever the news might say. It's not true."
His eyes were wide, and the boy swatted her hands from his shoulders. "I knew you were with him. What the hell is wrong with you? Chrissy's body was found in his trailer, Sadie. He seems pretty guilty to me."
"I know how it sounds," she told him. "I know… But there's a lot more to it than you think. Do you remember the fire at Starcourt last summer? Will Byer's disappearance? It's all connected somehow. I'm still trying to understand it too." Sadie swallowed, her eyes searching his. She was entrusting him with a lot. "There's something bad happening in Hawkins, and I really, really need you to cover for me."
"Well, if something bad is happening, what are you going to do?" he muttered. "Why can't you just let the police handle it?"
She shrugged again—slowly this time—unable to give an honest answer for such a valid question. "I don't know, Chris… but Dustin and the others know what they're doing, and I trust them." Her eyes suddenly burned, and Sadie blinked away the unwarranted tears. "And you know I would do anything to keep Eddie safe."
Christopher stared at his sister for several seconds, knowing he could do nothing to stop her—she had always been headstrong like that, especially when it involved Eddie Munson. Despite what their father said, he had no choice but to believe the man was innocent and that his sister would be okay.
"Stay close to your old radio," she murmured. "I'll keep you updated." Sadie stepped forward, arms extended to envelop her brother in a tight hug. "I have to go now." This time, he didn't push her away.
After dropping Sadie off, Dustin planned for Steve to drive Max to Ms. Kelley's house. Unsurprisingly, the woman refused to discuss other students with Max, so their new plan was to meet at the high school. Thankfully, Hawkins High was only a fifteen-minute walk through the neighborhood of houses that all looked the same.
The street was usually quiet… the only exception being Corroded Coffin's practice in Gareth's garage. Sadie shouldn't have let herself be sidetracked by their shitty cover music, but the shiny Jeep Cherokee parked at the curb caught her attention. Approaching the house, her eyes tracked four others who made their way down the driveway—three sporting green and white varsity jackets. Sadie swallowed, her steps slowing as the music faded.
"We're looking for Eddie Munson," one of them announced. "He's in this band… if that's what you can even call this."
"Why do you care?"
"That's our business." She didn't need to see his face to spot Jason Carver at the front of the group, standing toe to toe with Gareth. The basketball player stood tall and arrogant; the collar of his white polo shirt popped beneath a team jacket. If he was looking for Eddie, it was because he had marked him responsible for his girlfriend's death.
Nervous fingers fiddled with the straps of her backpack. Obviously, she had a habit of inserting herself where she didn't belong—but maybe this was something that required her attention. If they were looking for Eddie, it concerned her. Sighing, the young woman forced herself up the driveway toward Gareth's open garage.
The basketball players had turned on one of their own—Lucas Sinclair, whom she could have sworn was also one of Henderson's friends. But, what did she know? A lot could change in a year.
"We're just trying to find Eddie, man," Lucas reassured Gareth.
The drummer looked surprised by this. "Well, you have eyes, don't you? He's not here."
Jason didn't appreciate the attitude, something made obvious by how quickly his left hook connected with Gareth's jaw. The boy stumbled backward, and the other basketball players lunged forward to grab the remaining members of Corroded Coffin. Though, Lucas stepped back, refusing to help his teammates.
"Hey, asshole!" Sadie yelled as she passed him.
"Company!" Patrick McKinney urged as she stepped into the garage. "Jason!"
The arrogant senior ignored his friend and threw Gareth into the drumset, which broke into several pieces. Jason then leaned over, a sneaker pressing down onto the boy's splayed fingers. "It's gonna be hard to play those drums with a broken hand!"
Gareth's screams filled the garage, echoing down the street just as their music had. And unable to withstand the pain, he offered Jason Carver the information he sought—not once but twice. "Dustin Henderson! He was calling around looking for Eddie! Maybe he found him!" The omission felt like a lead weight in her stomach.
Panicked, Sadie approached Jason Carver. "Hey, fuckhead! Didn't daddy ever teach you to ask for something nicely?" She waited until the athlete had turned to glance over his shoulder before she punched him. There was some pain, but adrenaline dulled the ache as she shook her hand.
The basketball player stumbled, a hand cradling the left half of his face. Stunned, it took him a moment to regain his balance. When he did, Jason wasted no time. He lunged forward, grabbing ahold of Sadie by her shirt. She thrashed, but he yanked her closer—a second hand snatching her by the forearm. He spat blood onto the carpet at their feet before crazed blue eyes fixed on hers. "You bitch," he hissed. "Where's your freak boyfriend, huh?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Sadie held her breath in such closeness; her chin raised defiantly as she offered him a smirk. "What are you going to do, Jason? Hit a girl?"
"I just might."
For a second, she feared he might do just that—or worse. There was nothing behind his eyes that revealed mercy. But Patrick spoke up, his hands still restraining a member of Corroded Coffin. "Come on, man! Don't do anything stupid. We have what we need! Let's get the hell out of here."
Jason made no attempt to release her. He just stared at Sadie behind a fallen piece of honey-blond hair. And for half a second, she felt bad for him. Eddie was the only logical explanation for what had happened to his girlfriend. She could not imagine how heartbroken he must have been. They weren't even dating, but if anything like that happened to Eddie, she'd—
He shoved Sadie back suddenly, the force taking her by surprise. She fell to the carpeted, concrete floor beside Gareth with a thud, and she watched as Jason Carver jogged off with Patrick and Andy at his heel. But, Lucas lingered behind, obviously torn between right and wrong.
Torn between popularity and staying loyal to his friends.
The boy ran toward her at the very last second. Breath was still hitched in her throat as he approached. Surely, she did not expect the hand he offered.
"What are you doing?" she murmured.
"Come on," he urged. "I'm on your side."
It hadn't seemed like that a few minutes ago, but Sadie took his hand, knowing the boy stood back amid his teammates' violence. He helped her up, and Sadie thanked him with a nod. Wordlessly, she pulled Lucas forward by the hand, and they ran off together before Jason and his cronies even noticed.