The group gathered around Max's kitchen table as Eddie flipped through a tattered phone book, stopping on a heavily advertised page. He jabbed a finger at an ad featuring a rugged, muscle-bound man holding a massive machine gun, the words 'War Zone' emblazoned below in bold letters. Beneath the title, smaller text boasted a wide selection of army and navy surplus.
"Check this out," Eddie said, tapping the ad for emphasis. "War Zone. I've been there once. It's huge. They've got everything you need for, uh.. well, killing things, basically."
Robin raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking from the ad to Eddie, clearly unimpressed. "Do you think fake Rambo has enough guns there?" She pointed at the ad, squinting at something tucked in the man's belt. "Is that a grenade? I mean, how is any of this legal?"
"Well, lucky for us, it is, so.." Eddie shrugged with a smirk. "This place is just far enough outside of Hawkins. As long as we steer clear of the main roads, we oughta be able to avoid cops and, uh, angry hicks."
Erica, arms crossed and skeptical as ever, chimed in, "If we're trying to avoid angry hicks, maybe we shouldn't go to some store called the War Zone."
"Normally, I'd agree." Nancy spoke up, her voice calm but resolute. "but we need the weapons. So I think it's worth the risk."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "Me too."
"But is it worth the time?" Dustin asked, brow furrowing. "It'll take us all day to bike there and back."
Eddie straightened up, his expression turning smug. "Who said anything about bikes?"
"What, you got some sort of car we don't know about?" Steve asked, eyebrows raised.
Eddie's grin only widened. "It's not exactly a car, Steve. And it's not exactly mine, but, uh.. it'll do."
Dove crossed her arms, already seeing where this was going. "Eddie, we arenotstealing Irene's RV."
Eddie's face fell into a pout. "Oh, come on, Dove! Remember when she called the cops on us for no reason?"
Dove shot him a look. "No reason? You were blasting music during her family reunion."
"Who has a family reunion in a trailer park?" Eddie exclaimed, his face softening as Dove's raised eyebrow silenced him. "Come on, Dove. It's for the greater good." He leaned in, trying to convince her. "You got a better idea?"
Dove held his gaze for a moment, then sighed and shook her head.
Eddie grinned victoriously and turned to Max. "You got a ski mask or a bandana, something like that?"
Max paused, thinking, then disappeared down the hallway. A few moments later, she emerged with a Michael Myers mask in hand.
Eddie's eyes lit up. "Perfect." Eddie tugged the Michael Myers mask over his head, eyes gleaming as he glanced at the group. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said in a muffled voice, "let's do this."
As they made their way outside, Eddie darted quickly into his own trailer, returning with a small, worn bag of tools. They moved quietly through the rows of trailers, keeping low as they slipped between parked cars and abandoned furniture. When they finally reached Irene's RV, they paused, watching Irene and her husband lounging in lawn chairs by the side, eyes glued to a small, flickering TV.
Eddie gestured for silence, leading the group around to the back of the RV. He carefully opened the back window with a tool from his bag and pulled himself inside.
With a quiet sigh, he yanked the mask off, tossing it aside, and motioned for the others to follow. Steve was next, slipping through the window and reaching down to help everyone else inside one by one.
Steve gripped Dove's arm firmly as he helped her through the back window, steadying her as she climbed inside. She glanced around the dim interior of the RV, a rush of nerves flooding her as she took in the space that would soon be their getaway vehicle. She moved quickly to the door, securing the lock with a soft click.
Meanwhile, Steve leaned back out of the window, helping the others inside, his movements quick and careful. As he helped Erica up, Eddie was already making his way to the driver's seat, a determined glint in his eye. He pulled a couple of tools from his bag and leaned over the steering column with a smirk, as if he had been waiting for this moment his whole life.
As Eddie worked intently on hotwiring the RV, Dove slipped into the passenger seat, watching him in silence. The quiet determination on Eddie's face filled the small space with a tense energy. Steve approached, studying Eddie with a curious expression.
"Where'd you learn how to do this?" Steve asked.
Eddie gave a half-smile, not quite looking up from his task. "When the other dads were teaching their kids how to fish or play ball, my old man was teaching me how to hotwire." His tone was casual, almost amused, but Dove noticed the flicker of something deeper in his eyes. Eddie rarely mentioned his dad, and she knew it wasn't something he liked to talk about.
But Eddie continued, his voice growing quieter, almost as if he were talking more to himself than to them. "Now, I swore I wouldn't wind up like he did, but now I'm wanted for murder, and soon, grand theft auto." He shook his head with a rueful laugh, checking the wires for a spark. "So, uh, I'm really living up to that Munson name."
Just then, Robin slipped in behind Steve. "Eddie, I'm not sure I love the idea of you driving."
Eddie grinned, finally looking up from his work as the engine gave a promising rumble. "Oh, I'm just starting this sucker." He tilted his head with a smirk and shot a look at Steve. "Harrington's got her. Don't you, big boy?"
As if on cue, the RV roared to life, the speakers blasting a lively rock song, the bass thrumming through the floor. Suddenly, there was a loud bang on the door. Irene's voice, shrill and furious, cut through the music as she pounded on the side. "Hey! Open this door!"
Dove jumped as Irene's husband banged on the passenger window, his face red and eyes blazing. She turned to Steve, her heart racing. "Steve, drive!"
Steve glanced around frantically before lunging into the driver's seat, fumbling with the gearshift as he took stock of the controls. For a second, he froze, hesitating with uncertainty. From the back, Dustin's voice rang out, desperate and insistent. "Drive, Steve! Drive!"
With a huff, Steve gripped the wheel, throwing a quick look over his shoulder. "Hold on to something!" he shouted, shoving the RV into gear and slamming his foot on the gas. The RV jerked forward, lurching hard as everyone scrambled to steady themselves.
Dove braced herself against the dashboard as Steve barreled toward the trailer park's exit, narrowly missing an old lawn chair and a stray bicycle. They clipped a pile of trash bags on their way out, the bags bursting open, scattering cans and newspapers across the road behind them.
As they pulled onto the highway, Steve's grip on the wheel steadied, his posture shifting as he finally got a feel for the RV's lumbering pace. The tension in the group eased just a fraction as they sped down the road, leaving Irene's furious shouts far behind them.
As the RV rumbled smoothly down the highway, Dove allowed herself to relax, her shoulders easing as the distance between them and Hawkins grew. She glanced around the RV's interior, her gaze drifting over the mismatched cushions, the little kitchenette, and the cramped sleeping space in the back. With a small smile, she reached over and turned down the music, the sudden quiet adding a strange sense of normalcy to their getaway.
She looked over at Steve, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Could you imagine yourself ever owning one of these?" she asked, nodding toward the RV's interior.
Steve chuckled. "Yeah, I've thought about it." His expression softened into surprise as he noticed the thoughtful look on her face. "Wait.. would you?"
Dove shrugged, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. "I mean.. doesn't seem like the worst idea. Being able to just take off, travel whenever I want."
Steve studied her for a moment, grinning, and he gave a soft, almost sheepish laugh. "It'd be a tight fit if you wanted to fit a whole family in here."
Dove turned to him, her eyebrows raised in interest. "A whole family?" she asked, curiosity sparked.
"Yeah," he replied, his gaze drifting to the road. "It's silly, but I've always had this dream that I'd have this, like, this really.. really big family. I'm talking like, uh, a full brood of Harringtons. Like.. five, six kids." He laughed softly, looking back at her.
Dove's eyes widened, and she narrowed her gaze playfully. "Six? Really?"
He nodded, his grin widening. "Yeah. Six little nuggets. Three girls, three boys." His expression softened, eyes distant as he painted the picture. "And.. And every summer, I figured all of us Harringtons, we would pack into something like this and.. just see the country." He glanced over at Dove. "You know, the Rockies, Grand Canyon, maybe Yellowstone. End up in some beachside town in California. Spend a week parked in the sand." He adjusted his grip on the wheel, licking his lips nervously as he stared ahead. "Learn how to surf or something."
"That sounds nice." Dove said quietly, the simplicity of it pulling a smile from her.
"Yeah?" Steve asked, looking back at her hopefully.
"Yeah." Dove nodded, her eyes softening. "Except the whole six kids thing. I've never imagined myself with more than two. Any more than that sounds like a total nightmare."
"If only I had some practice." Steve joked, gesturing to the back.
Dove looked over her shoulder, taking in the lively, makeshift family scene in the back of the RV.
Dustin and Erica were seated at the small dining table, locked in an intense game of rock-paper-scissors, each trying to hide their smugness with every victory. Lucas and Max were on the built-in couch, their shoulders nearly touching as Lucas explained something with a serious expression. Max rolled her eyes every now and then, but she leaned in, clearly was next to them, sprawled backward with his legs sticking up into the air as he stared aimlessly at the ceiling, muttering snippets of a guitar solo under his breath, completely absorbed in his own world.
Across from them, Nancy and Robin sat on one of the bunks, heads close together as they flipped through a magazine they'd found in the RV. Every few seconds, they burst into laughter, trading jokes and pointing at the more outlandish photos and articles.
Dove turned back to Steve, a warm smile tugging at her lips. "All right. Fair" she said softly.
Steve glanced in the rearview mirror, watching his friends with an amused smile of his own. He cleared his throat, his eyes flicking briefly between the road and the rearview mirror. "I mean.. with a family like that, the only way I could keep up is if, you know, my wife were some hotshot lawyer or something. That way I could stay home with the kids," he added with a nervous chuckle, his fingers tapping on the wheel.
Dove's eyes softened as she looked at him, a knowing warmth spreading through her as she picked up on the hint. She could feel her heart beat a little faster, the unspoken words hanging between them. She opened her mouth to say something, to respond to the vision he was painting, but before she could speak, Steve's gaze focused forward, his voice breaking the moment.
"We're here," he said pulling the RV around to the side of the building, far from the main entrance. The storefront sign loomed over them, declaring in bold letters: ARMY NAVY SURPLUS, with a marquee below urging visitors to ARM YOURSELF. Rockets flanked the sign, rusted and worn, adding to the place's imposing, almost surreal vibe.
Steve stood and turned to Dustin, Lucas, and Eddie. "You guys wait here," he said firmly. "Everyone in town is looking for Hellfire."
Dustin looked disappointed but nodded, giving a resigned sigh. Leaving the three of them behind, Dove, Steve, Robin, Max, Nancy, and Erica stepped out of the RV, closing the door quietly behind them as they made their way toward the entrance. As soon as they walked in, the sensory overload hit them. The inside was a maze of aisles, crowded with people browsing shelves crammed with survival gear, military surplus, and racks of camouflage clothing and heavy boots. Banners hanging from the ceiling labeled each section—KNIVES,GUNS,TOOLS—and people moved through the aisles, eyeing everything from hunting knives to high-velocity ammunition.
Dove's eyes drifted to a glass case filled with knives of every shape and size, from small pocket knives to imposing survival blades. The atmosphere was gritty, almost wild, like the place had been plucked straight from a doomsday prepper's dream. A large, rugged man at the back of the store demonstrated a crossbow to a small crowd, his voice booming as he described its range and stopping power.
"So much for avoiding angry hicks." Robin muttered, her expression a mixture of fascination and horror.
"Let's be.. fast." Nancy said.
"Definitely." Erica agreed, going to grab a shopping cart.
The entire place was a strange juxtaposition of survivalist fervor and casual shopping, with patriotic posters plastered on the walls and shoppers calmly picking out tactical gear as if it were as routine as grocery shopping.
Dove walked up to one of the counters, her eyes scanning the array of machetes laid out in a glass case. Each one gleamed under the fluorescent lights, their blades polished to a sharp, deadly edge. She leaned in, studying them intently, when a worker shuffled over, his worn flannel shirt hanging loosely over his frame. He looked her up and down with a faint smile, revealing a few missing and yellowed teeth.
"You looking for anything specific?" he asked, his voice rough but friendly.
"Yeah." Dove hesitated for a moment, then forced a smile, lowering her voice slightly. "What do you have that's good for, uh.. monster hunting?"
The worker's grin widened, clearly not one to question unusual requests. He pulled out a sturdy-looking machete with a thick handle and a wide, intimidating blade. "This one's got a nice weight to it," he said, giving it a gentle tap. "Perfect for hacking through.. whatever you might need." His eyes glinted with a knowing look, as if he'd heard stranger requests in this store before.
Dove nodded, buying the blade from him and making her way over to another counter, where Nancy was examining a rifle, her fingers tracing the length of it thoughtfully. Dove caught the eye of the worker behind the counter, a wiry, short figure with sharp eyes that watched her intently. A faded blue baseball cap sat atop his head, emblazoned with an American flag and the words 'Don't Mess with the U.S.'in bold white letters.
Nancy's movements were quick and efficient as she lifted the rifle off the counter, turning it slightly so she could get a better look. "How much is this?" she asked, keeping her tone casual.
"$120.99," he replied, his voice twangy, with just a hint of pride. His fingers tapped on the counter as he leaned forward, adding, "But I'll throw in 20 rounds of buckshot for you." He gave her a grin that seemed practiced, like he knew how to charm buyers with the right deal.
Nancy nodded, flashing him a polite smile, clearly ready to accept. Dove approached, her new machete clutched in hand, and gave Nancy a quick look of acknowledgment.
A familiar voice sounded from behind Dove, sending a chill through her. "Hey, uh, could I see that real pretty .357, please?"
The worker nodded. "Sure thing," he replied, grabbing the revolver and placing it on the counter. "Here you go, son."
Dove's stomach dropped. She turned slowly, already knowing who she'd see. Jason stood there, his gaze shifting between her and Nancy. His face softened in a mock-friendly smile. "Hey, Dove. Nancy. I thought that was you." He turned to face them. "What are you doing here?"
Nancy's eyes narrowed slightly, and Dove shot him a tense look, her fingers tightening around the handle of her new machete. "Didn't you hear, Jason?" she said, her voice steady but cold. "There's a killer on the loose."
Jason's smile faltered, but he quickly regained his composure. Nancy took a step forward, positioning herself protectively between Jason and Dove. "I was sorry to hear about Chrissy," she said gently, trying to keep the tension from boiling over.
Jason nodded, his gaze flickering to the rifle Nancy held before returning to Dove. "Want my advice?" he asked, his voice laced with feigned helpfulness.
"Not particularly," Dove replied, her tone sharp.
But Jason ignored Dove's cold response, stepping forward with an air of condescension as his gaze drifted over their chosen weapons. "Shotguns aren't much good for anything past killing small birds," he sneered, his eyes locking onto Dove's. "Sure, they've got power, but not much range. That forces you into close combat, where someone can just grab the barrel like this.."
He moved suddenly, lunging forward and grabbing the barrel of Nancy's shotgun. "..and redirect it." He twisted it slightly, his grip tight, his eyes daring her to react.
Nancy's face was a mask of defiance as they locked eyes, both tense and unwilling to back down. Before she could say anything, Dove stepped forward, her voice low and dangerous. "You better back off, Jason."
He turned to her, smirking. "Or what? You gonna kill me like your little boyfriend killed Chrissy?"
"Keep it up," Dove said, her tone sharp as steel. "You'll find out."
Jason let out a cold chuckle, releasing the shotgun barrel and stepping back, his gaze never leaving Dove. "There's only so many places you can hide, Dove. Eventually.. something real bad is gonna happen."
Nancy tugged at Dove's arm, her voice strained. "Come on, let's get out of here." Dove held Jason's gaze for a moment longer, every muscle tense, before finally turning to follow Nancy.
Dove quickly spotted Steve and Robin, who were examining a shelf of survival gear. She grabbed Steve's arm, her voice urgent. "We need to go. Now."
Nancy, meanwhile, found Erica and Max and guided them toward the front, urgency clear in her eyes. They moved quickly, grabbing what they could and heading to the register, checking out as fast as possible. With armfuls of paper bags, they hurried across the parking lot, practically bursting into the RV.
Eddie and Dustin sat up in surprise, and Lucas, noticing their alarm, looked around. "What happened?"
Steve, already climbing into the driver's seat, muttered, "We gotta go." Dove slid into the passenger seat beside him as Steve turned the key, the engine roaring to life.
"Your old friends are here," Erica told Lucas, a hint of disdain in her tone.
Lucas's face darkened, understanding immediately. "Shit," he muttered, bracing himself as Steve floored the gas, speeding them away fromWar Zone and from Jason's threats.