#eddie munson tolkien fanfic

[sofiiel]

Ch.34 | The Shortest Division

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Warnings: 4222 words - some angst.

Myrtle lay nestled on the edge of the bed that she shared with Amy and Kali. She gazed at the ceiling. Her mind endlessly ran, "Did Mom and Dad get my message? Are Robin and Chrissy really ok? Are they mad at me?  Is Shelob ok?" were just a few.

"Did the boys go back home? or, did they follow?" It was endless.

She watched the popcorn ceiling willing sleep to take her, though it didn't want to. Myrtle sighed, giving up she carefully sat up in the bed, and in doing so. The lamp that Mick had on to read by went out.

The room became dark, "Mick? are you off to bed?" Myrtle asked quietly. She received no answer, "Mick? Myrtle questioned. However, as she looked at the small table in the corner of the room she found no one sitting there. 

"M-mick?" She stammered.

The air became cold and thick, Myrtle could feel goosebumps creeping up her arms and legs. A familiar dripping down her spine.

"N-no....I'm awake....this isn't happening again." Myrtle whispered, turning to shake Amy awake her hands landed on the sheets of the empty bed.

"What!" she gasped. 

Kali and Amy had vanished as well.

The familiar ghostly particles trickled down from the sky like snow and Myrtle looked around to find she was alone in the bed, alone in the room.

She drew the covers to her chest and crawled to the center of the bed, like a child trying to keep the monsters away.

Myrtle's heart raced as she saw the thick vines slither across the floor, snaking slowly as if to taunt her. 

"I welcomed you home, and you fled. I offer you a kingdom, you silly simple thing." spoke a child's voice.

At the foot of her bed stood a familiar face, though as always she could never fully recall where she'd seen the odd child before. 

He looked clean through her with cold blue eyes.

"Excuse me?" Myrtle questioned.

A deep bellowing rumble echoed from outside of the motel room windows. In the cover of the night, a large shadow lingered outside,

"It looks like the thing that was coming for the building beyond the gate." Myrtle thought.

"It is, you shouldn't be afraid." The boy said in his high monotone voice. Myrtle's eyes turned to him.

"You could create something to rival it, let us teach you." He said.

"And if I don't want to learn?" she asked, the air was starting to make it hard to breathe it felt something like actually being there.

Looking down at her arms an uncanny pain crept up them slowly, a vibrant red membrane took the form of a rash, glowing and pulsing up her arms in the rhythm of her heartbeat.

"No, I don't want it, stop!" Myrtle cried out crawling backward, her back pressed to the headboard.

"It's not about what you want." said the boy, "rather, what you are made for." His voice changed into some distorted thing. "You will become your truest self," it said. 

The world flicked with a flash of red as a vibrant storm brewed outside, Myrtle's head snapped to the windows as creatures outside screeched and rammed into them. The glass groaned and cracked under the pressure.

"If you will not obey through a gentle hand I will  call you home by force." The child vanished, and the voice became harsh and deep. Something heavy landed on the bed near Myrtle's feet as if it had fallen from the sky.

Myrtle's hands clasped over her mouth as she muffled a scream, her eyes frantically scanning over the gnarled body before her. Blood came from his mouth and his skin was fading into a cold blue.

She shut her eyes tight, "It's not there....it's not him... it's a trick." She whimpered, but painful groans and small breaths filled her ears, and though she tried to cover them, the sound still broke through.

"If you listen...." The voice said.

The groans turned to screaming. Tears slipped down Myrtle's cheeks, "I will let you keep him," said the voice.

Myrtle's eyes shot open, watching the vision of Eddie at her feet, the screaming was gone, and now with the light gone from his eyes and the color from his skin, he lay silent and motionless.

Myrtle was afraid to move as she watched the body blow away like ash. The glass started to break, and soon noisy winged beasts rushed in. 

With a shrill cry, Myrtle made to get away, falling off of the bed in her panic. The vines took hold of her swiftly, curling around her arms and the trunk of her body.

"Stop!" Myrtle cried out.  Her wide eyes looked down at herself in horror, just as her arms had done within the Gate, her legs doubled in number. And as she struggled, so too did her arms.

"You will learn, there is no running - or going back." said the voice.

"Myrtle!" Angel called,  knelt over the seizing girl on the floor.

One hand held the top of her hand and the other held her still by her stomach. "Hey!" Angel shouted to her.

"Shit..." Amy whispered hopping out of the bed and dropping to the floor. 

"Wh-whats happening?" She asked, her hands carefully resting on Myrtle's arm. 

Doris walked over with cautious steps, she watched the lights flicker within the room, "He's here." She said.

Angel glared, "and he's got her..." He growled.

"Who has?" asked Axel as He, Funshine, and Mick watched over them from a distance, as if afraid to get any closer.

"One." Kali whispered.

"Her eyes are wide open," Funshine muttered.

Kali looked around the room, "maybe it's an illusion?" She asked.

"No, it's not out here, it's in her head," Doris said.

Myrtle's eyes began to bleed, red rivers slipping out of the corners of her eyes and down the side of her face.

Angel's heart raced, "He won't kill her, she's to serve him a purpose....so what's he doing?" He thought.

"Come on Fairy, it's not real. I promise it's not." Angel called to Myrtle while he and Amy struggled to keep her still.

Amy's eyes were large as her teeth dug into her lip, "who the hell is One?" she asked quietly. "what the hell is he?" 

Angel glared and both Doris and Kali fell silent.

"What do we do?" Amy asked turning to look to Doris.

"If we can calm her down, we might be able to get her to sleep, it can shut her mind down to him for a while," Doris said thinking quickly.

"I've never heard of that," Angel said.

"Well....that's because it's just a theory. It's worth a try, but what would calm her?" Doris asked looking around.

Everyone, however, seemed at a loss.  Amy looked to Angel who held an ever-growing frown on his face, "fuck." Angel sighed shutting his eyes.

"Doris we need to try another kind of tether." He said.

"Uh yeah s-sure what'd you have in mind?" She asked him, quickly stepping over the seizing girl to sit on the floor near him.

"I need you to tap into Eddie's head, I'll tether him to Myrtle. It's the only thing I can think of." Angel said.

"But...she wouldn't want him involved," said Amy.

"Look at her, does it matter what she'd want right now?" Angel snapped, his eyes thinning into a sharp glare.

"uh...guys," Funshine voiced tentatively, "what's happening with her skin?" He asked.

All eyes fell back on Myrtle, a faint red glow lingered beneath her skin, something like seeing the sun through one's eyelids. The shadow of her veins left a spidery pattern against the red. 

"He's trying to force a transformation," Angel said quietly.

"And that's...bad?" Axel asked.

Angel looked to him flatly, "Put it this way, when I do it - I hunt, I trap and I kill,  you'll all be prey." he said.

"Really bad then," Axel muttered going to his bag.

Rummaging through its contents he pulled out a small black pistol and loaded it.

"Doris?" Angel asked,

"On it just...give me a second. It's hard to focus." Doris murmured, closing her eyes. Angel doing the same.

"What are you doing put that away!" Kali shouted at Axel who had his aim trained on Myrtle.

"Look if she turns into some hungry thing, you'll thank me." He said.

"Eddie!"

Eddie jumped, falling over in the bed of the truck, "shiii-" He hissed wide-eyed as he looked around.

"Who?" Eddie asked.

"Doris, idiot we don't have time for you to be confused. We need you." Doris said in his mind.

"I'm sorry did you just call me an idiot and then say you need me? Why the hell should I help?" Eddie said.

Gail watched as Eddie apparently talked to himself. "Please tell me someone is doing some freaky mind thing or something." She muttered. 

"It's Dodo," Eddie explained quickly.

"Tell me where Myrtle is or get out of my head," Eddie demanded.

"Oh, you know, seizing on the floor, about to transform into... well we're not sure what. Put it this way, Pete is nervous and he's never nervous." Doris said quickly.

"Hold on what happened?!" Eddie called out.

"Hell if we know, look. I just need you to say something to her - Angel's going to tether our connection to Myrtle. Think fast, he doesn't have a lot of strength to expend." Doris spoke so fast that Eddie wasn't sure he'd heard everything right.

Suddenly Eddie's mind felt crowded, "Speak Munson." Angel's voice said.

"And say what? - wait..." Eddie started to panic, his word faded to black, the world around him gone in an instant.

"What just happened?" He asked.

"You're in her head with me." Angel replied.

Eddie jumped, and looking to the side he could see Angel come into view, side by side they stood in a world of endless black. Clear darkness, In the distance Eddie could see Myrtle on the ground. Amy and Doris held her down as her body threw a fit. 

Eddie followed Angel to them, kneeling carefully next to Myrtle.

"What...do I do?" Eddie asked calmly though he looked lost.

"If we can calm her down, we can get her to sleep as she will be exhausted that should- might stop this," Doris explained. Her lips didn't move in the vision Eddie was viewing, although her voice still echoed all around them.

"How do I do that? Can she even hear me?" Eddie asked as he took Myrtle's hand. He'd expected his hand to go right through, holding tight when he felt both their hands were solid.

"She can," Angel said. 

Eddie watched Myrtle's face, the drying stream of red curving down her eye line and rolling over her cheekbones and jaw.

"Hey..." He started lightly, squeezing her hand in both of his, "I'm here, I know you thought you'd gotten rid of me." Eddie said trying to force a small smile, "Looks like it didn't really work, did it?" He asked.

Eddie gave his drying lips a lick, unsure of what to say, or what would help. 

"I, ah, I found the change. You know, I told you I didn't want you to pay me back. Remember?" He said to her.

"You're always trying to give me nothing short of a heart attack." Eddie said.

He looked at her and leaned forward, "Can you hear me?" He asked.

Lost in the waking nightmare, Myrtle struggled against the vines, flailing every limb she had. "Can you hear me?" Eddie's voice asked muffled and far away.

"Is this the boy or is this my mind doing this?" Myrtle thought past the pain that grew as the rash did.

"I can," Myrtle answered voice strained. "I can hear you," she repeated.

Eddie smiled faintly surrounded by the dark, "You know what you did kind of sucked," Eddie said playfully.

"I'm sorry," her voice called to him.

"I understand, but I'm about to prove to you - I can help," Eddie said.

"First....stop struggling." He said calmly. Eddie rested a hand on her shoulder. 

"But...the vines..." Myrtle called.

"There are no vines." Eddie replied. "Stop fighting, I wouldn't tell you to stop if you really needed to be." He reasoned.

"H-how do I know you're actually Eddie?" She asked. 

Eddie stayed quiet for a moment and thought, "I can't prove that to you without my guitar." He said simply, "I could flood you with every feeling built up inside - and hopefully, they would be ones you remember." He said.

"But I'm here, in the dark with you. I can't  see enough to play even if I had a guitar with me." Eddie said.

Myrtle looked at the ceiling above her as the white spores fall down on her. "I'll choose to believe." She whispered closing her eyes. Myrtle tried to relax her body and stopped flailing.

Angel sighed in relief as the seizing stopped.

In the motel room, Amy searched Myrtle's body with her eyes. "It's working," she said with a smile.

"They still need to snap her out of it and get rid of that creepy glow," Axel muttered gun still aimed.

"Good, now...you must be tired right? It's just been nonstop." Eddie said to Myrtle. 

"A little, but, there are monsters here. They're in the room, watching." Myrtle said, turning her head to look at the strange winged beast that opened its round mouth to show splinter-like teeth.

"I know it's not really here...But things hurt, so - part of it has to be real." Myrtle said.

"We won't let them hurt you," Eddie said firmly as he shook his head.

"We?" Myrtle asked.

Eddie looked at Angel, "Hey Fairy....you hear me now?" asked Angel. He didn't get an answer.

"Uh..." Eddie tore his eyes away from Angel as he grimaced. "Angel is here and Doris....I can see Amy. " Eddie said. "I'm sure there are others, I can't see much." 

"Close your eyes, if you want out you need to sleep." Eddie said. 

"Yeah? Then....I've got an idea. Can you just, just keep talking?" Myrtle asked.

Eddie nodded, "Sure, I won't stop," He said before clearing his throat. "Uhhhh, so....back when I was in junior high my dad thought it would be cheaper to just buzz my hair down." Eddie started to ramble.

Myrtle closed her eyes and exhaled, "It's the very same as going to see Pastor Alvin, or the Fords. Its just a waking dream..." Myrtle told herself. Laying still, listening for Eddie's voice.

"He was watching the game while trying to shave down my head and his team really messed up a play. He got so mad his hand veered off and left a big bald spot right in the center in the back of my head." Eddie went on.

He laughed, "I wore baseball caps for weeks, My uncle Wayne would buy me all sorts of them. Not that I ever actually like them that much. They never really covered the spot well unless I wore them backward." Eddie said.

"Which really ruined the look I was working on." He laughed.

Myrtle cracked a small smile, "...so go to sleep." Myrtle sighed.

Eddie watched as Myrtle's breathing began to even out. "Pst...you still awake?" He asked her. 

"Yes," Myrtle said quietly.

Eddie held tight to her hand. "About your Corroded Coffin shirt, when summer's over, the boys and I were thinking about starting an afterschool club. Jeff and I thought maybe you wouldn't mind helping with the Club shirts. Scott can help you with the mascot." Eddie said, "and um...what's your favorite color? It's important for...reasons..." Eddie said.

He didn't get a response, "Myrtle?" He asked.

Nothing. 

Angel checked over Myrtle quietly and soon a faint smile came to his face. "Well look at that, you aren't completely useless." Angel said to Eddie.

"She's sleeping?" Eddie asked. Angel gave a nod of his head and got to his feet.

"You can go now." said Angel.

With one last glance at Myrtle, Eddie got to his feet, "wait!" he called to Angel.

"No, you tell me where you guys are. What if this happens again?" Eddie reasoned. 

Taking a step forward he glared, "You're power, sorry, powers are fading. That's why she couldn't hear you. You couldn't talk to her and keep the tether up at the same time, right?" Eddie questioned.

Angel glared at his feet, keeping his back turned to Eddie in the darkness.

Taking a few more steps forward Eddie sighed, eyes pleading, "I can help, you've  seen it." He said quietly.

"Tell me where you guys are." Eddie said again.

Angel glanced over his shoulder, the pitiable expression on Eddie's face caused Angel to groan in frustration at himself as he scowled. He could never stand up well to that face, "East Side." Angel muttered.

Eddie's eyes shimmered happily, "East Side where?" He asked him.

"Chicago Illinois." Angel sighed.

Eddie smiled a small grin, "Thank you, and please don't tell her..." Eddie said, "She'll only tell the others and hit the road again." he added.

Angel rolled his eyes, "And I suppose you'll want me stall too." He said in annoyance.

"I mean.....yeah, I thought that was implied," said Eddie.

"I'm done." Angel muttered as he cut the tether.

The real world dropped around Eddie so suddenly that it made him dizzy.

"What just happened?" Gail asked him loudly, leaning towards him with wide eyes.

"I was in Myrtle's head...I think, or they all were in mine? I, I don't know." Eddie said with a shake of his head.

"And? is she ok?" Gail asked.

"She is now, and I know where they are," Eddie said, turning around he knocked on the glass of Rick's truck and opened the small square window in the center.

"Rick! they're in East Side Chicago." Eddie said.

Rick glanced at the gas meter, "We've got enough for that, sure." He said.

"Now will you two come in here? I can't find a good station and the beeping of this tracker is driving me crazy." Rick complained.

"Sure, Rick, pull over." Gail chuckled.

"You can lower that thing now." said Amy, she had a fierce glare trained on Axel.

"Calm down, it was for everyone's safety." He sighed, taking the ammo out and heading back for his bag.

Amy exhaled and looked to Myrtle who was now sleeping peacefully. "You keep drama like a stray does fleas." she said to her.

Angel exhaled shakily and without a word lay down beside Myrtle. He curled on his side and watched her.

Doris frowned, "How you holding up, Pete?" She asked.

Angel kept his eyes fixed on the sleeping girl, "I'm holding." he muttered softly, reaching out to move a few flyaway hairs from Myrtle's face.

"Mick, pass me that water bottle," Doris called reaching out. Of course, he would say it was ok, Pete was prideful like that, but the already pale boy had drained of even more color.

Mick passed the water bottle to Doris, "Thanks" Doris said before turning to Angel with a stern face. "You need to drink this," she ordered.

Angel chuckled, "what are you, my mother?" He asked.

"No, Worse, I'm Doris. Now take it," Doris demanded, rolling the bottle across the floor to him.

Angel sat up with a bit of a struggle to push his tired body up and reached for the bottle with his fingers. Quietly he drank the water, wiped his mouth clear, and then lay back down.

"Everyone should try and get some sleep, we still have a few miles to go." Kali advised.

"And we just leave her on the floor?" Funshine asked.

"It's probably best not to wake her," Doris answered.

Funshine shrugged and made his way toward the old armchair in the room. Axel made himself at home on the floor, and Mick went to the second bed.

Amy took to the first bed,  and lay down, Doris and Kali getting into bed with Mick to give the girl her space. Axel lay out a solitaire round on the small table as he prepared to take the first watch for the night.

Angel's eyes struggled to stay open as he focused on Myrtle and eventually, he gave up on trying to keep them open.

Eddie's eyes focused on the road ahead of him, He'd taken Rick's place at the wheel as the man was exhausted having run so many days on very little sleep.

The beeping of the tracker seemed distant in his ears as he honed in on the white lines in the asphalt, hand tapping with the music on the radio.

"So what's the plan once we get there?" Gail asked from the passenger seat.

Eddie shrugged, "Try my damnedest to get them to let me stay." He said glancing towards her, "Angel's a pushover, no matter how much he'd like to deny it." Eddie snickered.

Gail had to laugh too, he wasn't wrong. "You're his soft spot, it's true." she hummed.

"Sometimes, anyway," Eddie said.

"So what? We stay with them until they finish what they set out to do? We don't know how long that'll take." Gail said.

"No." Eddie said with a long sigh, "We don't, but I'm drawn to this fucking girl and I can't fully explain why." Eddie looked to Gail.

"Like a mosquito to a bug zapper." Eddie chuckled.

"Yeah it'll probably kill me, but it's so damned bright..." He sighed looking out at the road.

Gail turned to watch the road as well, "It's what the Special K was to me back when." Gail muttered, she turned to Eddie and gave him a teasing smirk, "She's your drug, mister dealer." she said.

Eddie laughed lightly, "Ugh, never using that one. I'm not going down as being that cheesy." He said.

Gail tilted her head, "Girls like that love cheese. She's probably never had a date in her life, and dreams of all the sparkles and fluff of a boyfriend." she said.

"And then there's me, rusted and full of metal studs." Eddie said.

Gail smirked, "Oh no, you're full of fluff, you're just a teddy bear and you know it." She shot.

"You'll need to be tough though if they want to stop these people. You'll need to be nails." Gail murmured.

"It's not just because the fight we just faced. I feel I know these people, or people like these people." Gail spoke quietly.

Eddie watched her for a moment in silence. "Gail." he called.

She looked up at him waiting as he glanced back her way.

"Thank you for this." He said a shakey smile formed on her face at the sincerity in his voice.

Gail gave a deep nod, "Of course, I ruined what we had. But I'll always be your friend." she said. "I won't  let you face that level of regret while I'm still here." Gail said, "call it my shot at redemption." she added.

Eddie looked back at the road and shook his head.

Gail smiled, "See, teddy bear." she hummed in amusement seeing his eyes glisten with a thin layer of water.

"I'm not crying." he muttered.

"Might as well be." she snickered.

"Shut up." Eddie grumbled sulking.

"Stop pouting," Gail sang, "I'm done teasing I promise," she said.

"So was she happy to hear from you?" Gail asked, she could see Eddie was getting sleepy, but she also knew there was no way he'd pull over.

Eddie gave a faint smile, "I think so, or at least she didn't seem annoyed. But she was scared so...she probably didn't have time to think about what was going on much." Eddie said.

"God, you just light up when you talk about her," Gail whispered squinting. "I'm almost jealous," she admitted.

Eddie looked at her nervously, "Of  you, not her." Gail said looking out onto the road. "To feel that would be amazing." she said.

Eddie did a double take, "Wait...you didn't...feel that with Me?" He asked.

Gail shrugged, "I guess at first, yeah." she said.

"And with Angel?" he asked.

Gail fell silent, "Not really. It was never about feelings with Angel. I thought I loved him because  he gave me the thing that made me feel good." Gail confessed.

"But really, I just clung to him for the special K, you wouldn't give me any, he would." She released a long loathing sigh "it was just that simple. It was never anything against you." Gail said.

Eddie gave a nod, "Somehow, that makes it a little better." he said.

Gail reached forward and turned up the music. "At this rate we'll both fall asleep." she said.

Eddie laughed and his eyes creased as they smiled out unto the road. "Did I tell you I met Myrtle in person because of a crash?" he asked.

"That's....what?" Gail asked making a face. "That's awful!" she shouted.

"I didn't cause it!" Eddie said quickly. "Let me tell the story before you yell at me please!" 

"Talk fast because I can see you, fortunately unfortunately wrecking that girl's car and trying like hell to flirt anyway," Gail said.

Eddie fell into a peal of silent laughter, leaning against the steering wheel.

Gail turned to him wide-eyed, "That's what happened isn't it?" she asked flatly.

"No," Eddie said catching a breath. "I helped her out, she was stumbling through the trees after the crash and I found her," he explained.

Pinching his thumb and index fingers close to each other he gave a silly smile, "I was flirting a little bit, when I tried to help her get back home." He admitted. "but I'm kinda bad at that and she didn't notice. she thinks I play too much." said Eddie.

"You absolutely do." Gail agreed.

[mirkwoodshewolf]

IN A SLUMP SEND REQUESTS

Okay so lately I've been in such a creative writing slump. I only really have time to write on the weekends and most of the time I come up with SQUAT!! So I figured since it's been a bit maybe I could do some requests, go on my pinned post to see which fandoms I write for and if any specific characters havent been written, just send me a quick message and I'll get back to yah on whether of not I'll write for that character.

I don't want to give up on fanfics but I'm tired of trying to push something out of my brain and onto the computer that isn't going to either be finished or just ends up like shit, so to all my readers and followers out there, help a girl out and send in any requests you guys have been keepin inside yah

[melodymunson]

Get to know me

My name is Melody. I'm 33. I've been a Stranger Things since early 2017 and an Eddie Munson stan since May 2022. Writing requests for Steddie x reader, Steve x reader, Eddie x reader, Steve x Robin x reader are open! (Platonic Robin and Steve only.)

My former tumblr username was MelodyLangdon

About me: I’m a passionate concert-goer, a horror convention junkie, and a Halloween lover.

My favorite series are SAW, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, American Horror Story, Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street, Paradise City, South Of Nowhere, Rob Zombie’s Firefly family trilogy, and Hemlock Grove. I love thrillers and horror books and my favorite authors are Richard Laymon, Jack Ketchum, Megan Hart, Anne Rice, JRR Tolkien. My top favorite bands of all time are Type O’ Negative, Bullet For My Valentine, Otep, Manson, Rammstein, Motionless In White, Ice Nine Kills, Arch Enemy, Kittie, David Bowie, Motley Crue, Poison, Butcher Babies, Children Of Bodom, Apocalyptica, Raven Black, Straight Line Stitch, Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Ghost. Metal, punk rock, nu metal, thrash metal are my favorite music genres. The Soska Twins, Eli Roth, and Mary Harron are my favorite directors. My top favorite movies are American Mary, American Psycho, American Satan, 10 Things I Hate About You, Girl Next Door, Strangeland, Mistress Of The Dark. The coolest celebs I’ve met are Twiggy Ramirez, Tobin Bell, Manson, Otep, MIW, Butcher Babies, Elvira, Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, and Felissa Rose. My favorite actors are Keanu Reeves, Joseph Quinn, Joe Keery, Heath Ledger, Cody Fern, Bill Skarsgard, River Phoenix, Blake Lively, Megan Fox, Susan Sarandon, Amber Tamblyn, and Margot Robbie. 

I follow back any active Stranger Things blog/fan who interacts with me and is 18+. Ask box/inbox open to questions/asks. Minors, creeps, bots, and anyone who’s intolerant towards women, any racists, any anti- POC/WOC and anyone exclusive of any part of the LGBTQIA+ will be blocked no exceptions. Intolerant of intolerance and my blog is a safe space.

My favorite Stranger Things characters are Eddie Munson (obviously). Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, 001/Henry Creel/Vecna, Joyce Meyers, Dustin Henderson, and Argyle.

Favorite ships and couples of ST: Steddie, Chrissy/Eddie, and  Nancy/Eddie/Steve/Robin (the fruity four).

I write and take requests for Chrissy/Eddie/reader, Chrissy/Eddie, Eddie/reader, Steddie/reader, Steve/reader, Robin/reader/Steve (platonic Steve+Robin ONLY), Chrissy/reader, and Eddie/reader/Corroded Coffin groupie.

Works in progress/completed: My first Eddie/reader fic was rockstar Eddie x reader headcanons. I have also published 2 Steddie/reader holiday fics on ao3, an Eddie/Chrissy/reader oneshot, Stobin/fem!reader, and a cheerleader reader/Eddie 3 part series. My ao3 username is MelodyLangdon. My next fics to be published will be an Eddie/reader/Corroded Coffin groupie. Rockstar Eddie/fem reader fic series in progress.

18+ only and preferably 21+ following me/interacting + reading my fics. No exceptions.

My newest fics: 

Steve/fem!reader/Robin https://archiveofourown.org/works/47570095

Older rockstar Eddie x younger fem!reader https://archiveofourown.org/works/47570314/chapters/119891428

My profiles/socials: https://bento.me/melodymunsonharrington

Masterlist: https://melodylangdonmasterlist.blogspot.com/2020/03/fanfics-masterlist.html

Moodboards: https://melodylangdonmasterlist.blogspot.com/2023/03/moodboards-for-stranger-things-fics.html

More moodboards: https://melodylangdonmasterlist.blogspot.com/2023/03/cody-fern-character-moodboards-for-fics.html

[kwistowee]

Thank you for tagging me, @eddie4lyfe

Favorite colors: Neutrals and pretty much every shade of blue, particularly dusty ones:

Relationship status: In a relationship (w/ mashed potatoes)

3 favorite foods: see above, dark chocolate, and really good sushi

Top 3 shows: Ever or atm? Um, I'll give you a mix of both. Farscape, BTVS/ATS, Ted Lasso 

Top 3 characters: Dean Winchester, Eddie Munson, Samwise Gamgee (and Frank Castle gets an honorary mention)

Song stuck in my head: Ice Ice Baby (there is a reason for this and some of you know already... the rest of you will see soon enough)

Last movie watched: Genuinely struggling to remember... pretty sure it was Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Last thing I googled: Gris Dior Joseph Quinn

Last song I listened to: Alas, Ice Ice Baby has been stuck in my head for a few days...

Dream trip: I lived in England for a few years in my youth and I would love to head back and meet up with some friends. And then I want to go goof off and retread the path my music group toured throughout Europe in 2005. Basically, I wanna go climb around castles and spend lots of time in museums.

Currently watching: Star Trek (never actually watched the original series before) and anything I'm giffing

Currently reading: Ella Enchanted (to my nieces at bedtime; the book is amazing and the movie is the worst book:film adaptation I have e v e r seen;I despise it with every fiber of my being), The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, and way too much fanfic (some of you are amazing writers!)

Current obsession: Learning new editing software. Hopefully it pays off.

No pressure tags: @doverstar @anna-hawk @lumadreamland

[madaboutmunson]

I posted 2,497 times in 2022

That's 2,497 more posts than 2021!

245 posts created (10%)

2,252 posts reblogged (90%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@misha-misha

@portaltothevoid

@steveshairychest

@hellfirehaley

@lengthofropes

I tagged 388 of my posts in 2022

#eddie munson - 336 posts

#stranger things - 294 posts

#eddiemunson - 290 posts

#eddie stranger things - 252 posts

#eddie the freak munson - 207 posts

#stranger things fanfiction - 121 posts

#fanfiction - 113 posts

#eddie munson fanfic - 108 posts

#eddie x reader - 80 posts

#eddie munson fluff - 74 posts

Longest Tag: 138 characters

#tiny eyebrow flash of i like what i'm seeing so completely distracted shortly before his expression changes to wth is going on on this day

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

See the full post

163 notes - Posted July 14, 2022

#4

Welcome to Madaboutmunson :)

As the name of this blog implies on May 27th I (and millions of others) fell in love with a fluffy haired, metalhead named Eddie Munson. So this is a little section of the internet I can come to and share my obsession with other people who also are obsessed

He is the first character I've ever met that inspired me to write fanfiction, and I love him for that because it pushed me to join this wonderful community and "meet" people I could never be without now (you know who you are you beauts!)

I'm still new to writing and love hearing from anyone who reads my stories. So totally happy to receive asks and/or feedback.

A bit about me...

I'm so old, like I could be one of The Endless.

I'm bad a Tumblr, but I am trying my best here.

I'm from the UK.

My Eddie Munson Fanfics

Requests

Requests are open see here for info

Dad!Eddie Munson - Where there is no babysitter and Eddie has to juggle a toddler and get to his daughter's recital

EddieMunsonxReader - A case of mistaken Wayne-entity. Where reader moves to the trailer park, falls for Eddie but thinks Wayne is just another townie judging Eddie harshly

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Series/Multichapter

Creep (12 parts)

Pairing: Reader x Eddie Munson

Summary: You meet Eddie Munson under the trying circumstances of high school, an event you can't fully recall, and the fallout of being the only one who can piece things back together.

Warnings: Violence, death, fluff, amnesia, implied sexual intimacy, bullying, angst

Author Notes: First ever fanfic I've written (feedback welcome)

Thanks to everyone who read, liked reblogged and let me know how the story made them feel.

I am beyond thrilled that even 1 other person read and enjoyed this. What a wonderful community, thank you 💚💚

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Fire (17 Parts)

A story about falling in love against the odds, in the weird world of Hawkins.

This is mostly a fun, fluff type story, even your parents like Eddie, but there are some instances of threat and gore towards the end.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Eddie Munson Tape Dates (with Sunbeam and Moonbeam universe from Fire)

In the fanfic Fire (above) Eddie has a box of tapes and each one is a date he's planned out for you. I decided to write a few up. In the end all of them. The first of which is directly from Fire

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

See the full post

180 notes - Posted June 28, 2022

#3

Ok so I love the Steddie HC which have Eddie reading to Steve I think it's the cutest.

I'd like to add that whilst Tolkien is first because Steve has to learn what Mordor is, I'd like some nights for it to be a choose your own adventure book.

- Eddie reads the set up and let's Steve make the decision generally (just like his DM role in Hellfire)

- Eddie always keeps a finger in the previous part page in case Steve makes a 'wrong turn'

- If Eddie ever complains about Steve's decision making. Steve snatches up the book and hits him with "Well alright Mr Smartypants, you decide" (Eddie loves this and can't hide his grin)

- Steve very much gets into being the book heroes (regardless of gender/personality)

- They exhaust the adventure books that Eddie has, so sometimes Eddie makes up a Story adventure for Steve on the fly

- Steve buys Eddie a huge set of these books for his birthday/christmas

- Eddie writes a hand bound one for Steve, where the main character is Eddie and he's rescuing Steve, because Eddie couldn't bare the thought of writing anything bad happening to Steve if he made a bad choice.

213 notes - Posted August 4, 2022

#2

Look I am not a d&d expert I've only been playing for a few years, but hear me out, I have to say I disagree with Steve being a Paladin.

Yeah he absolutely cares ferociously about his party, and will protect/defend them like the super single mom he is but to me that guy is a Barbarian.

he is first in, meat shield, and just because you are big and tough (even though he doesn't win all his fights doesn't mean he's not tough) doesn't mean you can't also be loving and kind.

See the full post

218 notes - Posted August 9, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Look, everytime I see these GIFs my brain does two things:

*INTERNALLY SCREAMING* WHERE IS YOU HAND STEVEN???!!!

*tiny boop sound* little hip bump

See the full post

346 notes - Posted July 21, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[staceymcgillicuddy]

to get my soul known again

Chapter Two is up, in which Eddie has a burger, and Chrissy has a question.

(I promise am not making a picture collage for every chapter, but uh. Look. That shot of Grace. How could I resist?)

[hellcheerficdatabase]

Twenty-One Rules

Author: elanor_gamgee

Rating/Warning: Teen and Up Audiences, Referenced/Implied ED, Abusive SO, Violence

Chapter Count: 21/21

Description: Chrissy needs a fake boyfriend so she can keep her ex away. Eddie needs to admit that he's falling in love with her.

Tags: the fake dating au absolutely nobody asked for, in which the biggest problems chrissy and eddie face are their own feelings!!, yearning and pining obviously, eddie being a Big Dork, mentions of dungeons and dragons, mentions of tolkien lore, Fake dating AU, Alternate Universe- No Upside Down, Alternate Universe- no vecna, fake-dating, idiots in love, angst, alternating POV, Friends to lovers, mutual pining, Status: Completed, Multiple Chapters, Multi-chaptered

[i-peregrin]

you know something that kind of upsets me. is the elitist attitudes of a lot ( not all 💚 ) of tolkienites. some of y’all will act as if anyone who hasn’t read EVERY book, every subscript, every anecdote, and not just once but at least twenty times, studied and devoted and memorized… somehow isn’t a ‘real’ tolkien fan or doesn’t ‘deserve’ to enjoy his world

it’s kind of like the heavy metal situation when eddie munson’s character blew up so much.

just because someone gets into a fandom/interest ‘late,’ doesn’t mean they aren’t a real fan. just because someone is a more casual fan, doesn’t mean they aren’t a real fan.

i’m here to extend a warm, welcoming hand to any and all who have discovered the world of tolkien through watching the rings of power ( or in fact, through eddie munson, since i mentioned him already and he does have tolkien ties! ).

don’t pay the elitists any mind. are tolkien’s works fucking wondrous? YES! but are they long and endless and often quite dull? yes. and not everyone has the time or energy to devote to consuming them. and that’s okay.

those works will always be there if you ever have the desire for them! and if not, you keep doing you, enjoying the movies or shows or fanfics or whatever other facet of tolkien’s ideas you prefer 💚

tolkien’s magic is for everyone.

[sunflowerheartsandstarryskies]

Stranger Things That 70s Show AU~ That 80s Show

That 80s Show Background and Headcanons 

(Eventual Eddie Munson x fem!reader)

Author’s Note: This is for the eventual fic that I want to write because I am soft for grumpy x sunshine otps and Jackie x Hyde were the definition of that. So the background is important for this AU I think.

Who knows if I will fully write a fic about this? But I love this idea, I just don’t know if anyone else will. I also wrote this while I was bored at work if you couldn’t tell.

I don’t know if I should cross-publish here and on AO3 or just AO3??? Idk? This really is a “guess I have to do it myself” fanfic scenario, as I am combining one show with a fav of mine. 

Background/Headcanon:

✌  I had this in my head for a while so this is what you need to know if you  haven’t seen That 70’s Show. The main group is a feminist, a conspiracy hippy, a horny foreign exchange student, a peppy cheerleader, a complete dork, and the definition of getting by on looks alone.

✌   I am getting rid of Fez’s character (the foreign exchange student) because I don’t know where to include him in this story, he wouldn’t fit in Hawkins.

✌   This is also a universe where the Upside Down doesn’t exist, and that means everyone lives! So now they are living in a goofy sitcom show instead of a paranormal drama show.

✌  I think Robin and Donna from That 70’s show would get along up to a certain point. Robin and Nancy I think could make a total feminist power couple. Nancy has the “I will fuck shit up and you up if you don’t listen to me” like Donna had and Robin has a better sense of humor than Donna.

✌  Steve could make a total Kelso and Eric combo. I feel like he’s got some hidden nerdiness in him that he doesn’t want to be known, and in this AU he’s childhood friends with Nancy, Robin, and Eddie and so this confident, popular act makes a sort of shield around his friends, to know they can’t be messed with. He also babysits the neighborhood kids from time to time, and so he’s the golden boy of Hawkins, popular, sweet, and responsible.

✌  Eddie I feel is a mix between Hyde and Eric, he’s definitely gotten the bad boy look down, listening to rock and metal, dealing weed, but he’s a total dork like Eric. He loves D&D, and Tolkien, and probably loves Star Wars and Star Trek as well.

✌   The town judged him too quickly based on his looks so the inner nerd in him kinda quiets down and is only known by his close friends. He becomes more theatrical, and dramatic, though, and starts to rave on the different conspiracies of the world to anyone who listens.

✌  Steve’s parents are Kitty and Red, since we don’t see the actual Harringtons, and I love them.

✌  The reader is a ray of sunshine, femme, and a cheerleader, who would fit into the role of Jackie but not outright Jackie. She’s into Star Wars and D&D but has to keep that quiet because she doesn’t want to get kicked off the cheer squad. She’s friends with Chrissy and they get along fairly well. She would be considered the golden girl of Hawkins.

✌   Steve keeps hitting on her (think like Season 1 or 2 Steve) and he won’t take the hint to leave her alone. She gives in and says one date and the possibility of meeting his friends as well (since she’s hoping to meet Eddie through Steve). He’s ecstatic and thinks that’s like two dates.

✌  She’s immediately drawn to Eddie, even with Steve hitting on her, she’s always had a thing for the whole bad boy aesthetic, and knowing Eddie likes the same music and movies as her??? Yeah, she’s full-on crushing.

✌  Eddie at first tries to keep up this grumpy bad boy facade so that the reader doesn’t know he likes her and also doesn’t want what little of her social status is left to come crumbling. However, once he knows she has an inner nerd like him, he kinda becomes his full dorky self that everyone loves from the show.

✌  The AU starts with everyone the same age, 16-17, in high school, so they are sophomores in high school at the start.

[luna-writes-stuff]

Requests Character List:

Go back to main masterlist

When sending a request; please specify in which pronouns to use. If not, I will automatically use they/them.

I will determine by myself whether I want to write a fanfic about it or simple headcanons. You must understand writing an actual story takes up a lot of time, so I won’t always write an entire fic. Then again, it also depends on the request and which form is better suited for it. once again, I will decide this for myself.

Requests CLOSED

Grishaverse: - Jesper Fahey - Kaz Brekker - Inej Ghafa - Nina Zenik - Wylan van Eck - Nikolai Lantsov - Alina Starkov

MCU: - Loki - Shangqi - Steven Grant (Sorry Jake Lockley/Mark Spector simps✊😔) - Brunnhilde/Valkyrie - Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel - Bucky Barnes

X-Men: - Peter Maximoff/Quicksilver - Logan Howlett/Wolverine - Ororo Monroe/Storm (Specify in actress; Halle Berry or Alexandra Shipp)

Tolkien: - Kili - Fili - Thorin Oakenshield - Aragorn - Éowyn - Frodo Baggins - Bilbo Baggins - Pippin/Peregrin Took - Merry/Meriadoc Brandybuck (I see one Rings of Power character, you are blocked. Immediately. Don't you dare🤺🤺)

Star Wars: - Leia Organa - Din Djarin/The Mandalorian - Ashoka Tano (only tcw and live action, specify which one) - Fives - Echo - Rex - Kix - Cody - Obi-Wan Kenobi

Stranger Things: - Eddie Munson - Steve Harington - Nancy Wheeler - Robin Buckley

Arcane: - Viktor - Vi

Supernatural: - Dean Winchester - Sam Winchester - Charlie Bradbury - Castiel - Gabriel - Lucifer

The Legend Of Vox Machina: - Pike Trickfoot - Vax'ildan

Good Omens: - Aziraphale - Crowley

Baldur's Gate 3: - Gale of Waterkeep/Dekarios - Halsin - Shadowheart - Astarion

Misc.: - Aidan Turner - Pedro Pascal - Tessa Thompson - Joseph Quinn - Chris Evans - Brie Larson

I prefer not to write for characters who are not on the list, as I know the chosen characters better. This list will change, depending on what I feel like writing at the moment, so it is possible that the characters you requested for last time might not be available at the moment. Please, don’t make a big deal out of it.

I do not write: - Smut. (You do not want to read that from me, it’s so bad. I’m only saving your soul. - Anything that counts as discrimination (Racism, sexism, ableism, “my religion is better than yours”, homophobia, transphobia etc. This can however be negotiated with if it is for the purpose of a hurt/comfort fic) - Sexual assault. Even for smaller fics or requests, I do not feel comfortable discussing them. I hope you understand this. - SH and depressive thoughts. Personal experiences make it difficult to write about it.

I do write: - Literally anything else??? - Wlw, mlm, anything gay, really. Actually, make it as queer as you can. - Any pronouns, gender sexual orientation and the whole shebang.

[sofiiel]

Ch.33 | Two Roads, One Lane

Summary: 4556 words : Eddie gets left behind, but he won't take it lying down. The chase is on. Meanwhile, Myrtle and the gang gather supplies for the journey ahead of them.

◁ Previous | Table of Contents | Next ▷

Warnings: no warnings needed for this chapter.

"Wait...what! Hey!" Rick shouted as he saw the white van disappear from the corner of his eyes.

Scott and Jeff looked away from where they stood waiting on lemonade and quickly abandoned their hopes for it. Sprinting as fast as they could back to the caravan.

"Holy shit, where'd they go?!" Jeff shouted as he joined Rick wandering in the place the white van was once parked.

The three turned about but could not, for the life of them, find it or any trace of those that were inside.

"You think Kali has hidden it?" Scott asked.

"Did they abandon us?" Jeff asked.

"Maybe Kali and her crew just didn't sign up for this much trouble." Scott reasoned.

Rick looked at the boy with a troubled gaze, He didn't want to have to tell them.

"Why is everyone shouting..." Eddie muttered, exiting the Van via the driver's door.

Gail timidly hopped out behind him, biting her lip nervously. She watched as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Eddie looked where the three of them stood, "Where's the van?" he asked carefully.

Gareth hopped out of the van as well, hearing the gathering. 

"Somebody should tell Myrtle they've left." Scott said.

The color drained from Eddie's face, "She isn't in the van." he said, thumb pointing over his shoulder. His eyes wandered to the open road ahead of them.

"Amy?" Eddie asked.

Rick shook his head, and Eddie rushed to him.

"Angel?" he asked Rick.

"They got into the van, kid." Rick sighed.

Eddie stood looking into Rick's eyes in disbelief. He cracked a shaky smile.

"No," he said, shaking his head, "No we didn't come through all this just for..." Eddie's words cut off.

Backing away, he jogged up the road. "McKinney!" He called out, cupping his hands around his mouth. 

Myrtle drew in a sharp breath, his figure was getting smaller, almost a speck as she looked through the back window.

"I'm sorry." she thought.

"Damn it!" Eddie yelled.

"Myrtle! Angel!" he shouted down the road.

Gail and the boys moved to Eddie quietly, each resting a hand on him.

"Eddie." Gail called softly.

He was quick to shake them free of him, "Don't!" he snapped. His fists clenched tight.

Myrtle turned away from the window, She touched her chest, "It hurts." she winced.

"Emotional energy can be kinetic as well if it's strong enough." Kali said.

"Try to ignore it, for now, we'll be far enough away soon - you won't feel it." Angel said. 

Amy scowled, "ugh, how cold can you be," she snapped at him.

"He's angry," Myrtle murmured.

"He's hurt, not angry, not at you anyway." Kali reasoned.

"Axel, turn on some music, we need to cause some interference," she ordered.

"Gladly." Axel hummed, turning the radio on and blasting it.

Myrtle could feel the whole van shake with the bass. But it wasn't enough, a burning constriction had a hold on Myrtle's lungs.

"Doris." Angel spoke in a dry, chilly tone.

"yeah?" she asked.

Angel's gaze was fixed to Myrtle. "Tell him to stop." Angel said, glancing back at Doris, "he's only hurting her." He said.

Doris nodded and closed her eyes.

"Eddie," Doris' voice echoed in Eddie's head.

He nearly jumped out of his skin. "Son of a- Doris!?" Eddie asked, turning about to look for her.

"I'm not actually there, dude. Look, stop kicking up a fuss. We're doing what has to be done. You're hurting Her, we'll get your little girlfriend back to you someday." Doris stated.

"Bullshit, Dodo. You turn that van around and bring them back!" Eddie shouted. 

"What the hell is going on?" Gareth asked, watching Eddie with wide-eyed as he shouted at nothing.

"Doris is in my head," Eddie growled.

"You bring them back, how am I supposed to go back without-" Eddie's words stopped as he felt alone in his own head.

"Doris?" He asked. "shit." Eddie cursed.

"Wait, what about the tracker, isn't it still in the truck?" Scott asked.

No sooner had he said so than they ran for Rick's truck. Rick opened the lock box in the truck bed.

"Yeah, they didn't take it." Rick called with a smile.

"Didn't Doris operate it last time?" Gail questioned with a brow raised.

"Hey, I helped, alright. I can manage on my own." Rick scowled, He and Scott worked fast to get it set up in the back of the truck.

Eddie closed his eyes and tried to calm himself, but it wasn't working.

"Eddie...she's not doing it to hurt you, she wants to protect you, all of you." Gail said to him calmly, waiting next to him near the Van.

Eddie crouched as he held his head letting out a growl of frustration He looked at the leather around his wrist and frowned, He'd been meaning to give it back to her. 

"I can't go back without her." Eddie said.

It wasn't just that he didn't want to leave her behind, but people would question why she'd not come back. The summer concert was only supposed to be a two-day thing, it had already been nearly a week.

The pain in Myrtle's chest started to fade with distance, she could breathe more clearly again.

"Better?" Angel asked her.

She gave a feeble nod, "At least as far as the pain goes, yes." She said.

"I still feel like an ass." Myrtle sighed.

"Munson's feelings are always out of control, little bastards got some strong emotions," Angel said with a playful smirk. 

"So I've noticed." Myrtle sighed.

Angel looked her up and down and frowned lightly. Getting up, he knelt near her seat and took her hands. "Here" He spoke quietly.

Where his hands touched her skin crawled briefly, the crawling turned into a pulling sensation. Her arms felt cold, but the remaining pain in her chest formed around her lungs and traveled up her shoulders and down through her arms.

The pain disappeared altogether after it collected in her palms and fingertips.

"Let me take it. I'm used to a little pain," Angel said, "In fact, I'll welcome it." He added.

Myrtle looked up at him with wide eyes, "You just-" she gasped.

He flashed her a crooked smile, exposing his canine, "Impressive?" he asked her. 

"But...what happens when you expend all the strength you have left?" Myrtle asked.

Angel side glanced, "Nothing, I just won't be able to be much help for a while..." Angel said.

He may have spoken with a casual air, but the fact that he refused to look her in the eye made it feel like a lie.

"Bullshit, what really happens?" Amy called out.

Doris laughed, "she has your whole hall card, Pete." Doris teased.

Angel glared at Amy, "As I said Nothing. Besides, I didn't expend much just now. Let me worry about myself." He muttered.

Angel then stroked the top of Myrtle's head with an almost childlike smile. "When you learn to use your abilities, you can return the favor." He said.

"But what if that isn't part of my skill set?" She asked.

Angel shrugged a single shoulder, "You'll have something I can use." He said, looking out the window. Angel focused on the gently falling rain outside and the pale gray skies.

"Who knows, I might need a rainy day." he said.

Myrtle looked down at her hands, "I'm sorry I can't make it stop, I'm not sure why or how I'm even doing it..." she murmured.

"You're sad. Bad emotions bring the rain." Angel said, glancing back at her.

"How do you know?" asked Funshine.

"He tells me things," Angel said quietly.

Funshine looked at Axel, who also looked unsettled. "Don't tell me you're one of them crazies, man, do I need to keep an eye on you?" Axel said.

Angel laughed, "I'm hardly crazy, but that doesn't mean you should let your guard down." he shot in a cold tone.

Axel grimaced, "yeah, don't like you." He muttered.

Mick pulled the car to a stop at a pay phone. Myrtle, Amy and Angel piled out of the van with Kali.

"I just need to make a few calls," Myrtle said.

"Take your time, I think we're far enough now you won't have to worry about them catching up," Funshine said with a reassuring smile to the nervous girl. 

"The question is which 'them' are you talking about?" Amy muttered. 

"We're going to go see what supplies we can get our hands on." Mick called from the driver's seat.

"Do you need me to go?" Kali asked.

"You kidding? We were using five-finger discounts long before your crazy powers, Kal. We're good." said Axel as Funshine closed the doors. 

"We'll meet you right here in about 20 minutes or so," Axel said before the van road away.

Myrtle walked up to the phone booth and exhaled, a shakey hand popping change in. The first call would be the easiest. Chrissy, something told Myrtle she wouldn't pry too much and might even understand to an extent, it was something in her eyes.

"Hello?" A bright voice chimed on the other end of the line, "Um, yes - this is Myrtle McKinney....Chrissy, is that you?" Myrtle asked. 

The voice on the other end gasped, "Myrtle! Oh my goodness, where are you? Are you ok? " She asked. 

"I'm fine, yes. I'm sorry if I caused you too much trouble. I just - I decided I'm not coming back home. I have my reasons. The boys I came out here with should be home soon, I want people to know it's not their fault. I chose this, I'll be back - eventually, but I needed to tell you, so you wouldn't be trying to cover for me." Myrtle explained.

"You're not coming back?" Chrissy questioned, clearly confused.

"I'm sorry I didn't get to show you much about ballet, but if you go to my house, I'm sure my mom or Pat can give you my ballet books, they should help a bit." said Myrtle.

"I'm not worried about that, are you sure you're ok?" Chrissy asked, concern clear in her voice.

"Yes," Myrtle tried to put a smile in her words, "I am." she said.

"Well, then I guess that's the most important thing. I hope you find what you're looking for, Myrtle." Chrissy said.

"You're very kind, Chrissy." Myrtle said.

Chrissy giggled, "uh huh, I better let you go, I'm sure you have other calls to make, see you, Myrtle." she said.

"Goodbye Chrissy." Myrtle replied, hanging up the line.

Chrissy was left looking at her phone, she was no less confused, but she was sure she could seek Robin out about it later.

Myrtle popped in another quarter and dialed, "Hello? Buckley residence." Robin's voice sighed.

Myrtle remained silent for a moment, "Maybe I should have called home first, she won't make this easy on me..." she thought.

"Hello?" Robin questioned.

Silence lingered, and Robin drew in a breath, "Myrtle?" she questioned. 

Still the silence, Robin held the phone with both hands, "L-look if you're there just say something, I'm freaking out over here, and I just need to know if-"

"I'm ok Robin, " Myrtle said quickly. 

Robin exhaled and smiled faintly, "Oh my god, w-where have you been? I come home, and you're hanging out with Chrissy Cunningham and - and going to concerts with strange boys." Robin said, somewhere between disbelief and continued panic.

"I...a lot happened," Myrtle said.

"Yeah, well I expect details when you get back, which I assume is soon, yeah?" Robin said.

Myrtle fell silent again.

"It's soon right? Right Myrtle?" Robin asked, heart racing as unease sank back in.

"I'm not coming back Ro-"

"Of course you are!" Robin shouted.

She quickly covered her mouth and looked about. "Oh, that was loud." Myrtle heard Robin whisper.

Myrtle gave a small smile, "I'm not Robin, at least not for some time. But I'm ok - I just...have things I need to find out about myself." she explained.

"How long is some time? And what things? Did you like miraculously finding a clue about your family or something? Or did that asshole dad of yours run you off?" Robin asked.

Myrtle looked to Kali, Amy and Angel. "I don't know....but I guess you could say that yes, I found a clue about my family." Myrtle said, Kali smiled at her.

"And more - look, I will call whenever I can. But I'm ok, really. I'm sorry to just leave like this, But you're my best friend Robin, I wouldn't leave you behind if I didn't have to." Myrtle said.

Robins could feel the water in her eyes, "You're my only friend, Myrtle." Robin whispered.

"How long is some time?" Robin asked again.

"I don't know, I'm sorry. I really am." Myrtle said, Robin chuckled bitterly on the other end of the phone.

"This is gonna sound stupidly selfish but...Robin, I need a favor. You're the only one I have to do this." Myrtle said.

Robin sniffled, "Oh? Lay it on me and we'll see." she said.

"I went to the concert with Eddie Munson and his band, They should be coming back home soon. Robin, if anybody tries to blame them, It's *not* their fault. They tried everything to get me to change my mind." Myrtle said.

"The freak?" Robin asked.

Myrtle rolled her eyes, "He's not a freak, and um.... If you go to my room, there is a number on my dresser to a Mrs.Mayfield-Hargrove, I need you to let her know I'm out investigating my family and that I won't be able to babysit. And Shelob will need a new home for a while" she said. 

Robin exhaled, "fine, I can do that, even keep your creepy pet..." she said.

"Thanks, Robin." Myrtle whispered.

"He...He might not be taking this well, Eddie. It-It's a long story but...look after him for me, ok?" Myrtle said, "and He'll look after you too."

"You're kind of freaking me out...why do you sound like that?" Robin asked. 

"I'm just sentimental...you know, me." Myrtle said, "I mean, you sound funny too." Myrtle shot. 

Robin scoffed, "Um excuse me of course I sound funny, I'm saying goodbye to my -" Robin stopped herself and cleared her throat, "My bestie." she said.

"I'll call, I promise. Wish me luck, maybe some time will be sooner than either of us think." Myrtle said.

"Stop it. You're freaking me out again! Like seriously." Robin groaned. 

Myrtle sighed, "Right, well... I've got to call home now - wish me luck." Myrtle said.

"If you don't come back within the summer, I am not going to forgive you, Myrtle McKinney," Robin said quickly in a shuddering breath.

"I've got a goal then, don't I? I'll try not to let you down Robin." said Myrtle, she quickly hung up the phone and pawed at her eyes to rub away a few tears.

"One more call, hang in there," Amy said.

Myrtle puffed out the air in her lungs before drawing another deep breath. "This one will be easier," she murmured.

"You should let me tell them," Amy said with a smirk.

Myrtle shook her head as she put in another quarter, her hand lingered on the coin slot as it gave her a flashback. The night Eddie saved her.

Myrtle shook her head, "Stop thinking about him, you're not helping yourself." She thought and dialed. The house phone rang and rang, until Myrtle could hear her mother's voice speaking pleasantly over the voicemail.

"You have reached the McKinney Residence, we are sorry we are not available at this time. If you could kindly leave your name and number, we will get back to you as soon as possible, have a lovely day."

"Um yeah, Mom? Dad? It's me. I um...I wanted to say I won't be coming home for a while. It's not Chrissy's or anyone's fault. I just...I've found some clues about myself and I - I need to know. And Pat, I hope this brings you a moment of peace. I'm real sorry about this. Anyway, bye for now. I um, love you guys." Myrtle said, hanging up with a sigh.

She turned to her three waiting friends, "It's done, Angel do you have any calls to make." Myrtle asked.

Angel chuckled bitterly, "Nah, Rick's all I have, and I think he more than gets what is going on." He said 

"What about your band?" Myrtle asked.

Angel, tittered his head, "Eh, they're used to me going off. They're not actual friends, just lackeys who wanted to play with the most infamous musician at the Hideout." Angel said.

Myrtle looked at him quietly, he laughed.

"Don't look at me with those sad eyes, fairy. If you recall you didn't have anyone either to start." He said.

"I know, doesn't make it any better. Things changed for me." She said.

"Don't be so sad, I'll be the weirdo's friend." Amy sighed as if it had been a great chore.

"My don't I feel special," Angel said with a roll of his eyes.

"You should, I'm picky." Amy shot.

Kali laughed, "You three will fit in well with us." she hummed. "And you'll never be alone again." Kali added.

A horn honked behind them, "Come on let's go, we got a long road." Axel called, rolling down his window.

"And where are we going exactly?" Amy asked

"Chicago." said Funshine

"That's where we were headed before, well, everything." Kali explained.

"There are some lab techs in hiding there, apparently," said Doris.

"Sounds like a good start," Angel murmured heading for the Van.

Myrtle made to follow him and Kali, but her feet stopped. Looking back at the payphone, she looked it up and down.

"I know it's a long shot..." She thought, pulling a few quarters from her pocket.

Walking back, she lay them on the phone box ledge and in the change return slot.

"If you come looking...please turn back."  Myrtle thought, turning and jogging to the Van, she hopped in.

"Here, we got you some candy, chocolate bars are good for the soul." Doris said passing Myrtle a bag. 

Rick, Eddie and Gail sat in the truck in silence, headed up the highway as fast as they could while trying to avoid the chances of being pulled over.

The tracker was working, though the signal was faint, and they had no physical radar to look out to tell them the distance.

"We're running blind." Rick thought.

Eddie sat in silence, and Gail quietly held his hand to comfort him.

"It was right to send them back home." Gail said to him.

"Was it? They care about her too." Eddie asked.

"No, it's a good idea. Myrtle doesn't want anyone hurt, it's best to cut our numbers. It's three fewer people to worry about. Plus now we also know the guys will be safe." Rick reasoned.

"And they can run interference for you back home, in case any rumors spread," Gail jumped in.

Eddie sank down in the seat, "Yeah, it all sounds about right." He said. "But can we talk her into coming back?" he asked.

Rick glanced at the two teens. "I don't know the kid too well." Rick said with a shrug.

"Neither do I, but I know enough that it won't be easy, you'd better have a plan, Eddie." Gail said.

"The plan is, she's coming back, or I'm gonna stay." Eddie muttered.

Myrtle walked into a pawn shop with Axel, Angel, and Funshine. The boy's arms were loaded with items. She had to admit the place looked fairly seedy.

She quietly entered with her bag of jewelry, looking around at all the odds and end. Axel bopped into the place with a large stereo on one shoulder and one of the guitars they'd stolen on the other.

Angel entered with an easy stride, carrying with him a glass sculpture of a greyhound that was nearly as large as a small child. Myrtle was never going to understand how that wasn't too heavy for him. Funshine had with him a Tv set.

"Helloooo! anyone home?" Axel called out at the vacant counter as the four of them collected behind it.

"Yeah, yeah, hold your horses!" A voice worn by years of hard liquor and self-rolled cigarettes called out.

The clerk exited the backroom and lazily sauntered up to the counter.

"What can I do for you?" He asked, eying the group with dull eyes.

"Can you help a couple of lowlifes get concert money?" Axel chimed with a charismatic smile, "You see, Sugarplum down there is about to graduate, and we're taking her to her first concert." Axel lied, smiling towards Myrtle.

"And short man over here, as the boyfriend had decided to pawn some of his old man's heirlooms...god rest his soul." He continued.

The man behind the counter did not look like he wanted much of an explanation. 

"What's in the bag?" asked the clerk, nodding towards Myrtle. 

Unsure if she could lie as smoothly as Axel had, she looked to him and Angel.

"It's ok, baby girl." Angel said playing his role.

The words coming out of his mouth made Myrtle want to double over in laughter. However, as she tried to contain it, her nerves were shaken away.

"Um, some Jewelry." She said, placing the purse on the counter and slowly taking each piece out.

"Make it look like they matter to you." she told herself.

The guy looked down at her, "What are these? How's a kid like you got jewelry like this?" He asked.

Myrtle gave a guilty smile, "They used to be my Geegee's old jewelry." Myrtle said, she put on a timid face.

"I...I used to play in them when I was small." she confessed.

The man's gaze softened a bit. Funshine held back a smile as he watched the man start to cave.

Make no mistake, he could sell them for a pretty penny, so he was going to buy them. But it was in his eyes that he'd felt bad for her. 

"Your first concert, huh?" He asked.

Myrtle gave an eager nod, "Yeah! My old man never let me listen to my music loud, made me listen to classical music trying to make me a 'proper' lady." Myrtle said.

The man behind the counter laughed.

"Well, he must be somewhere crying if these are your friends," The man said.

Myrtle tried to toss a smitten look back at Angel, and she'd pulled it off better than he'd expected, as his heart skipped several beats.

"He tried to shoot you, didn't he, Jimmy," Myrtle said with a giggle.

Angel smirked.

"Tried, is the keyword." Funshine said.

"Look... I can give you two hundred for the frost, and another two for the dog, TV and the stereo. I can only go about 20 for the guitar." The man said. 

"You have a deal, sir," Funshine said happily as he and Angel sat down their items.

The man behind the counter started to count out the money, "Hey look, Jimmy? Was it? If your old man's got any more heirlooms you'd like to unload. Here's the place, I'll give you the best price with no questions asked." He said to Angel.

Angel simply nodded, "Thanks, I'll remember that." he said, taking the money from him.

"And you have a grand time, sweetheart." the man called to Myrtle.

She placed on an over-excited grin and gave Angel the most smitten smile she could once more.

"Thanks mister." she said, taking Angel's hand and waving before running out the store, Axel and Funshine followed behind them laughing.

"Jesus, that was over the top," Axel laughed, holding his gut as they stopped a few buildings up the block.

"It was so bad. But he believed it." Angel shrugged.

"Baby Girl?" Myrtle said, her face scrunched up as she shuddered.

"I don't do pet names, it's all I could think of," Angel said.

"What about fairy then?" Funshine asked.

Angel frowned, "That's not a pet name, it's a nickname." He reasoned. 

Axel reached down and pinched Myrtle's cheek, "Luckily, Sugarplum here as such a sweet little face." He called in the tone used for toddlers.

Myrtle swatted Axel's hand away, "Ouch" she muttered, rubbing her face. 

"I feel guilty for lying to that guy, but that was kind of fun. Do you think he knew the stuff was stolen?" Myrtle asked quietly.

"Oh, he knew something was up that's why he offered that we come back - He just simply doesn't care," Angel said.

Looking up the street they could see Kali, Doris, Mick and Amy returning with the van.

"At least we've got enough to pay for a room and food for a while." Funshine said pleased.

"And speaking of food, I'm starved." Axel grumbled.

The sun began to set by the time Rick, Eddie, and Gail decided to stop for a rest. They monitored the tracker outside a burger place, eating in and on the truck. It was quiet among them, each lost in their own thoughts.

Eddie's eyes wandered over to the payphone across the street, "She left without saying goodbye but...." Eddie lifted his head and slowly set his burger back into the bag.

"She'd call Robin," Eddie muttered, hopping out of the bed of the truck he jogged across the street reaching into his pockets.

"What's gotten into you now?" Rick called out to him, but Eddie wasn't listening nor could he hear.

Rushing inside the phone booth Eddie went to put in a quarter when a silver glint caught his eyes as the streetlights came on. Eddie stuck his quarter into his pocket and took up the one on the metal phone box.

As he did, two more quarters fell from it. "What?" Eddie mouthed, picking them up from the floor, seventy-five cents.

"Who leaves behind three quarters?" he asked himself. Curious, he stuck his finger in the change return flap. Metal scraped against the bottom.

"No..." Eddie thought, pulling the three-quarters out carefully into his palm.

"No, it can't be..." He exhaled as he looked down at the dollar fifty worth of quarters in his palm.

Eddie smiled, and quickly closed the change in his palm, running back to the truck. 

"We're on the right track!" he cheered.

The wide grin on his face almost startled Gail and Rick as he came running along, hair bouncing in the wind.

"And you know this because?" Rick asked. Eddie rushed to them, folding his fingers away to show the change in his hand.

"She left a sign." Eddie exhaled, still grinning.

"Change?" Gail asked carefully, "Eddie... I hate to burst your happy bubble, but, anybody could have left that." She said.

"It's the exact amount she owed me after the night we first met," Eddie said, his grin falling into a soft smile. 

Gail and Rick looked at each other worried, "She's probably telling you to phone home as in go home. I'm sure she was aware you might try and follow her somehow." Gail reasoned gently.

Eddie still looked at the change in his hand.

"You're probably right," he said, Looking up at his two friends, "or" he sighed, "some part of her, wants me to follow." He said.

Rick shook his head, "Can we eat first?" He asked.

Eddie tilted his head with a grin, "yeah, on the way." he said, hopping into the bed of the Truck.

Gail sighed and snatch her bag of food from the hood of the car.

"Well come on then, Rick, the signal will get fainter if we linger too long." she said, getting in the bed of the truck as well.

"And no one is going to ride inside and keep me company?" He asked.

"Nope, no friends for the faithless, Rick." Eddie said. 

"How'd I get wrapped up in this again?" Rick muttered to himself, getting into the truck and firing it up.

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[sofiiel]

CH. 27 | Stricken Warnings: Gore

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Myrtle took in the sight before her. In this familiar decaying world the air was heavy feeling as if a toxic fume. It made her lungs cold and her nostrils sting, then again, maybe that was the strange spores that littered the air.

"It's like we just stepped in a refrigerator that  had food left in it for fifty years." Amy muttered rubbing her arms. "It is cold as shit in here," she grumbled.

Angel's eyes scanned the area carefully, watchfully. "We need to be careful." He lulled, replacing Myrtle's arm over his shoulders, his hand wrapping around her middle to support her.

"Don't you think she needs a rest?" Amy asked.

"If we stop, it'll only subject her to this place longer," Angel reasoned. Amy did not protest, she watched Myrtle quietly, the color was slowly starting to drain from her face and breathing seemed difficult for her.

"Yeah, yeah, you're right," Amy murmured, following slightly behind the two to watch their flank.

"It's a whole city down in here...." Myrtle said, looking about, "or the ruins of one."

"It's a mirror image of the one above us, or so that's what he says." Angel spoke quietly.

"Wait...why are you so quiet?" Myrtle asked. Angel's arm gave her waist a squeeze, and his eyes narrowed into a glare ahead of them.

Instead of answering, he nodded his chin forward. Myrtle's eyes noticed the pack of figures slowly approaching up the road.

"Oh shit." Amy exhaled, peeking between Angel and Myrtle.

"Take her," Angel stated, slipping Myrtle away from him.

Amy was quick to offer Myrtle her support to stand.

"You can't take those on alone." Myrtle said. A lopsided grin fixed to Angel's face as he took a wide stance to hold his ground.

"I can here." He laughed deeply. 

"Is this where they came from?" Amy asked, watching the monstrous canines.

With a twisted whimper, the canines rose slowly into the air. Angel held out both hands raising them to the sky. The veins of his arms raised above the skin in a ghostly blue beneath pale skin, they constricted as they strained.

"Whoa," Amy murmured, watching the creatures float above them.

Angel's eyes narrowed, and he released a guttural scream, a roar which held an almost musical quality. Myrtle could feel the air ripple and the wet sound of splitting flesh. She jumped at the sudden sound of rushing, blood pouring from the sky.

She and Amy watched as blood and entrails splattered across the decaying pavement. The vines across the ground writhed about as if in agony, twisting and curling as they convulsed. 

"Oh god." Myrtle breathed, covering her mouth, the scene was too much for her empty stomach to handle. She fled away from Amy to the side of the road, purging mucus and acid from her belly before falling into a series of dry heaves.

"Brilliant idea, you couldn't do that....cleaner?" Amy asked Angel as he tilted his head sharply. The action caused what remained of the levitating creatures to crack loudly, bones distorting before falling to the ground. 

"Ewww." Amy shuddered, "uh, that sound." she complained, Unable to take her eyes off of the creatures which had been ripped open, flayed like fish.

Angel smirked down, happy with his handy work;. He took a moment to take it in before turning on his heel and heading for Myrtle. 

Myrtle held her stomach and wiped her mouth clean. 

Angel watched her quietly, standing behind her waiting. "Sorry." he offered, though it hardly sounded genuine. It was as if he couldn't understand why it made the two girls so sick and unsettled at all.

Myrtle turned to face him, Angel watching her as if expecting something to happen. When she offered a strained smile, his eyes grew wide.

"No, it worked, right? Thank you. I couldn't have gotten rid of them, Amy, neither." Myrtle turned to look at the bloody mess on the pavement.

She gulped back the urge to vomit again.

"I'm so sick of seeing those things, I can't even feel sorry for them." she said, turning her attention back to Angel. "No matter how frightening, that was kind of amazing to see," she admitted.

A smile inched gradually across Angel's face, and his eyes held a pleased shimmer as he looked down at her. "Let's keep going." He said, holding his hand out to Myrtle.

She took it, noting how cold his hand felt. "Are you ok?" Myrtle asked.

Angel looked down at his hand, "they're always that way." he said, swinging her arm over his shoulders.

"Let's hope we find a hole out of here or something soon." Amy said as they walked back towards her.

"I haven't seen any so far, but if those things were around, it might mean they found something," said Angel.

The three continued on up the dark streets, feet squelching as they were forced to reverse over the creature mush in the road.

It was quiet in the old factory, Mick, Doris, and Funshine posted on guard at the windows while everyone tried their best to find sleep. The sun set and night had fallen. It was safe to say everyone was exhausted. Even the concrete floors didn't make too terrible of a bed.

Eddie lay on his back, fingers laced together as his hands rested on his stomach. His eyes gazed into the fresh night from the hole in the roof above him.

"You'd better be giving your left arm to keep her safe." Eddie thought with Angel in mind.

Whatever their past, Angel was always the strong one, and that thought gave some speck of comfort between the doubt and worry filling Eddie's mind.

Lifting his wrist to his face, Eddie looked at his watch for the tenth time, sighed, and laced his hands back in place.

"You'll make yourself sick. Time still works the same, you know. Five minutes won't magically mean fifty minutes." Gail teased, but her voice was hardly playful as she went to lay down at Eddie's side.

His hand reached for hers, a habit he'd formed when seeking comfort.

The two of them watched the stars. Gail took in a deep breath and then exhaled. "You know," she started quietly, "We'll get her back, right?" Gail asked, turning her head to look at him. 

Eddie turned his head to look at her, and at that moment he'd looked so pitiful it nearly took her breath away.

"I can't stop thinking, what if this is just a repeat?" Eddie questioned, turning to look back at the sky. "To be the one who did nothing all over again?" He sang bitterly.

Eddie's eyes narrowed at the sky, "it's worse this time, 'cause I had a good run where I could be there every time. I've never had anyone look at me the way she does when I arrive." Eddie murmured.

Gail's eyes studied the profile of Eddie's face, "and how's that?" She asked.

A bitter smile tilted onto his face, his chest heaved as he sighed and then chuckled to himself. "It's kind of embarrassing to say." He said, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks.

"Eddie? I've seen that bald spot your dad buzzed into the back of your head back in middle school. Embarrassing? With me? Really?" Gail said with a playful squint of scrutiny.

Eddie laughed, "yeah, I guess you're right." He said. Eddie turned to look at her again, "none of this....bothers you?" He asked.

Gail offered a short smile, "tell me how she looks at you." Gail demanded gently.

Eddie looked into Gail's eyes and his head shook slightly, his blush growing brighter. If it hadn't been painful, Gail might have laughed at how silly he looked.  

Eddie suddenly side glanced and murmured, "likeI'msomekindofchampion." He said quickly.

Gail thought for a moment, trying her best to put the words apart from each other, but she was failing miserably. "What?" she asked, squinting.

Eddie cleared his throat, "uh...I said she looks at me like I'm an um," the word got stuck in the awkwardness as he tried to clear his throat again, "champion." he said.

Gail laughed, "god, you're still hopeless!"

"Gee, thanks for that. I'm only pouring my heart out to you here." Eddie said dryly.

Gail rolled her eyes, "ever think maybe you should be telling the girl who needs to hear it?" Gail asked.

Eddie fell silent, "even if I had the nerve to, she's not here, is she?" He asked.

Gail trembled at those words, she watched him silently for a moment, heart beating painfully in her chest. "No, you're right." she whispered and in a quick motion, she got to her feet and hurried away.

"Oh...oh, damn it." Eddie thought, sitting up quickly, "Gail!" He called, but she'd already fled to the front door and outside. Eddie held his head in his hands, "because I needed things to be more complicated." He thought.

Looking down, he could see the scarlet guitar pick hanging from the chain around his neck. Eddie grasped it wondering if the time had come to return the pick to Angel, "it's the second time you've been unwilling to make this trade," He thought gripping the pick in his fist. Eddie looked to the door.

Rick came up from behind him and took a seat by Eddie on the floor.

The two friends looked at each other, "Now is as good of time as any, remember - moving forward, it ain't necessarily letting go." said Rick, "that's what memories are for man."

Eddie nodded and then snickered, "huh, guess all that gray finally caused some wisdom to kick in." said Eddie.

Rick tapped his temple, "nah man, that was the Dutchie." he whispered giddily.

Gail burst through the front door suddenly, she pointed over her shoulder, "guys!" she shouted, "There's a payphone ringing on the corner that looks like it hasn't been touched in years." She spoke quickly.

Rick and Eddie hopped to their feet as everyone woke from their sleep or slowly shifted from their guard posts.

"Do you think it's him?" Kali asked. 

Doris shrugged, "it could be, well Rick get your hustle on, to the booth!" Doris called, clapping her hands together.

"Don't rush me!" Rick called.

Eddie ran behind him and started to push Rick towards the door.

"The lady says hurry, come on! No time to lose!" Eddie said.

"Hello?" Rick called as he picked up the phone. Surrounding him Eddie, Doris, Kali, Gail, and the boys of Corroded lingered, listening. "This the riddler?" Rick asked cautiously, he could hear someone lingering on the other line in silence. 

"I can't talk long, so listen well. Myrtle and the other two are inside the gate, there is a world very much like ours but very different. This place is toxic to miss McKinney and every minute spent there will tick away at her." He said. 

Rick glanced back at Eddie and it instantly made him nervous.

"Alright, then how do we get her out?" Rick asked.

"Sometimes there are small gaps in that world, mini gateways, they're rare. But fortunately, I wouldn't waste time with that. If you can somehow make contact with one of them, there might be a chance that the boy can tear open a gate. Alternatively, Myrtle can open a gate herself. In her state, it won't stay open long, and it could harm her to do so. But the alternative is more than just a maybe." said the Riddler.

"H-how do we reach Angel or Myrtle if they are in a different world, exactly?" Rick asked, clearly frustrated.

"You need someone with the ability to tap into their minds. You can also boost Myrtle's power if you can trigger her senses." said the Riddler.

Rick pinched the bridge of his nose, "alright, and how would we go about that?" He asked.

"As Franchesca did, she reacts to those she cares about, though I don't know how that would help if she cannot see any of you, and it would not be pleasant for the volunteer." said the Riddler.

"Great, well, how long do we have to figure this out?" Rick asked.

The Riddler fell silent, "Hello?" Rick asked.

"We have guests." the Riddler said.

"O-oh so do you need to ha-"

"What is always on its way but never arrives? Answer that first, and it will answer your question." the Riddler said quickly before hanging up.

"Hey! Hey wait!" Rick shouted, but he was gone.

"What just happened?" Doris asked.

"Breathe man!" Jeff yelled at Eddie, who stood pale and holding his breath. They gathered around the table in the old factory, listening to Rick repeat what the Riddler had told him.

"I can try and reach Angel, He's the strongest of the three of them. But... I've never tried to enter the thoughts of someone who wasn't on earth? If that's even the situation." Doris said. The whole thing was enough to make her head spin.

Gareth smacked Eddie's back, causing him to release the air from his lungs.

"He said we could boost Myrtle's power, right? If where they are is draining her, maybe a boost will help her survive longer. Like....life support." Kali reasoned.

"That's a good idea, but how do we do that?" Gail said.

"Cattle Prods worked well enough," Axel said.

"Nobody is getting zapped." Jeff snapped.

"Besides, she couldn't see what was going on, it wouldn't do a thing." said Mick.

Gareth gave an excited gasp, "oooo I know!" he called with a grin as he turned to his friends. "Do you guys remember what happened at The Hideout?" he asked.

"We were in the middle of the battle, and she starts clutching her head, the lights and glass in the place busted, and that freaky lightning struck outside," Scott recalled gradually. 

"Yes," Gareth said.

A light bulb went off in Kali's head and eyes, "What Myrtle did while at that abandoned house, required multiple forms of psionic energy. Specifically? Many forms of Ergokinesis." Kali said.

"And in lame man's terms?" Gail asked.

"Power to control various forms of energy," said Eddie.

"And you know that how?" Rick asked.

"It's a power some characters have in Dungeons and Dragons" Scott explained.

"He's right, a good way to tap into that power is via sound. When an instrument is played, it generates sound waves, creating Kinetic Energy. Specifically, with music, that energy can be amplified by Emotional Potential Energy. People generally push their emotions through the instrument they play or even their own voice. Instruments are just more powerful at sending it out. This emotional energy can carry across the sound waves." Kali explained.

She'd lost half of the group, but a few still listened intently.

"The combination of sound and empathic energy probably generated a force of energy so heavy it was too much for her and overloaded her capacity to absorb it. Too much pent-up power." Kali continued.

"Many of us with these abilities are clairsentient, it's like next-level empathy." Doris chimed in.

"Which means what exactly?" asked  Funshine.

"It means... Myrtle can feel music, feel sound, and feel us." Eddie said, eyes looking over the group. He could feel his heart skip a beat at just the thought of it.

"So we can play to send her a boost?" Scott asked.

"In theory, yes, but that's *if* the speed of sound can carry through to a different dimension. You'd have to get as close as possible to their location on the other side, and we have no way of figuring that out." Doris said.

"So we'd need to go back to the ruined house?" Gail asked.

"That would be better than trying it here, however, we're not sure just where on the other side they are," said Kali.

"I know a guy who might be able to help with that..." Rick muttered, digging into his pockets for change as he ran back out the front door.

"Wait...the riddle about how much time we have?" Gail questioned, she looked at Eddie with apprehension in her eyes, "the answer is Tomorrow." she said.

Eddie quickly looked down at his watch. "9 pm." he muttered.

"We've got just under 3 hours,"  Jeff whispered.

Eddie's heart was noisy in his chest. "That's not enough time, we need instruments, and amps and power cords and -" Eddie quickly got lost in rambling a list.

"Hey!" Gail shouted, she rested a hand on Eddie's arm, "Tomorrow is vague, ok? So for all we know, it means tomorrow at this same time. 24 hours." Gail tried to reason.

"It could still just as easily mean the new day on the dot." Axel said.

Eddie started to pace and Gail sighed in defeat.

"What do you need? Does it need to be specific or can you guys play on any old thing?" asked Kali.

Eddie crossed his arms and bent slightly forward, his eyes narrowing contemptuously. "I'm hardly picky considering," he said.

"Eddie, simmer down." Gail sighed.

"Why do you ask?" chimed Jeff.

Kali looked to Axel, Mick and Funshine. "Because we can go get what you need. We know the city well, and we're used to looting and hitting up shops." Kali explained.

"Axel and Mick are fast, Funshine will man the car and I...well, I make sure no one sees us doing it." she said.

Axel smirked, "ah, so we get to rob something good this time," he said.

Eddie rubbed the back of his neck and flashed guilty eyes. "Yeah that'd be great actually...um...sorry about that." He murmured.

Mick smirked, "we'll cut you some slack, fuzzy." she hummed.

"I'd be a mess if my girl was trapped and dying in another world too." Axel said with a shrug.

"Axel!" Kali barked as the color drained from Eddie's face and fingertips.

Doris hid her face in her hand, "ugh, real tactful." she muttered.

"I'm sure, she isn't dying yet, man," said Scott.

Eddie's eyes were screaming. 

"Let's get a move on." Kali ordered, leading her crew to their van before Axel could say anything more to panic the group.

"Keep your head up, kid." Funshine offered, Eddie nearly fell over as he slap his shoulder in support. The large man didn't know his own strength.

Eddie gave a nod, "yeah...thanks." He said.

"What song?" Gareth asked Eddie who shrugged.

"I don't know, but -" Eddie exhaled and ran for the door, bursting outside he waved his hands about to grab the attention of Kali and the others as they started to leave.

"What?" Axel shouted out the window.

"Music book! Swan Lake! By some... I dunno Russian guy?" Eddie shouted out.

Axel made a face and turned to Kali confused, "you know it?" he asked, she rolled her eyes.

"Just come on, Funshine and I will find it." She murmured. Axel flashed the ok sign with his hand before the van pulled off.

Eddie bit his lip, "let's hope we can pull this together." He thought watching Rick, who was in the phone booth.

"Swan Lake?" Gail asked, stepping up behind him.

Eddie turned back to her and smiled, "the most metal swan lake you'll ever hear" his smile dropped a bit "...uh...hopefully if we can pull it off." Eddie sighed.

Gail smirked a wicked grin, "maybe?" she teased, "have you forgotten who we are?" she asked.

"Corroded Coffin, we're the mother fuckin' shit!" Gail cheered.

Eddie laughed, "right, and we've now got to save our number one fan." Eddie murmured, leading Gail back inside.

"It's a smart idea, here I was expecting you to pick 'we are the champions'" She teased.

Eddie blushed, "shut up - or I just might." he shot. 

Myrtle hissed in pain and her legs buckled, "wait, wait. I need to sit down." she panted.

Angel looked up the road with a grimace before looking about. "Nothing seems to be lurking but the vines." he murmured. "Fine."

"Over there that car," Amy said pointing to the blue sedan. 

Myrtle's body screamed as Angel lay her down on the hood, the window as her backrest. The now grayish rash had not only spread but thickened, Angel placed a hand at the hem of Myrtle's shirt.

"um, what are you doing?" Amy snapped.

"Checking." Angel said, raising Myrtle's shirt. He scowled as he could see the rash crawling up her stomach.

"It's spreading, everywhere." Amy gasped.

Myrtle looked up at the rolling sky above, no stars, no light, just thick clouds tinted in the grey-blue hue the rest of the world seemed to be lost in. Tears stung at her eyes as her body was nothing but a dull, radiating wave of pain.

Holding up her hand, it looked much like the decaying world around them, only now....

Myrtle's pulse raced as she looked at her fingertips, they'd been replaced by claws, she screamed.

Angel snatched up her hands, "no, no, no, stay quiet!" He hissed, looking around, he could feel things creeping nearer.

"Cut her some slack? Do your eyes even work?" Amy asked. Darkness clouded Angel's eyes as he lifted Myrtle's rough clawed hand and kissed it. 

"This is hardly monstrous, I could easily show you a monster." He murmured.

His kiss sent pain through her fingers, and she could not figure out why the strange rash hurt so much.

"My back hurts." Myrtle complained and Amy carefully sat her up.

"Ugh... not to alarm you or anything, but y-you got things growing out of your shoulders."  Amy spoke cautiously.

Amy moved her face to get a closer look, four little appendages wiggled as they grew out from the skin, and the four turned to five, five on each shoulder, and then they grew further into, "h-hands!" Amy gasped, jumping back.

"What?!" Myrtle shouted trying to reach around and feel her back, fingers hooked into her hand and Myrtle went to scream once more, but Angel quickly covered her mouth.

Myrtle snatched her hand away from the grasping hand in her back, watching horrified as it grew quickly into a full arm, two of them arching out of her back.

Angel watched with wide eyes before he grinned, "they're lovely." he exhaled.

"Are you nuts." Amy barked.

Myrtle's tears splashed onto Angel's hand as it kept her silent.

"Can you control them?" He asked.

Myrtle closed her eyes tight and focused, the extra hands reached over her shoulders and took hold of Angel's hand, prying it away from Myrtle's mouth.

"Oh my god!" Myrtle cried, body trembling, "I can, they listen to me - what else is going to happen?" her fear was turning into frustration fast. The two extra arms pulled at her hair as her regular arms would have in irritation. 

Amy's eyes were like saucers, "I can't go back like this." Myrtle whispered, watching Amy quietly. The look on her friend's face was surely what everyone would have looked like back home.

Angel rested a hand atop Myrtle's head. 

"Of course, you can." He said, his tone cold. "The world should kneel before those like us, we are few." He murmured.

Tilting Myrtle's chin to face him, one side of his face slowly clouded over in rough black flesh. It crawled as if alive down his neck and shoulder, engulfing the arm and hand that held Myrtle's chin. 

The sclera of Angel's right eyes blackened as well, with his iris and pupil blazing a glowing amber.

Angel smiled, his right Canine lengthened enough to hang past his bottom teeth.

Myrtle couldn't look away no matter how frightening it was, and he seemed pleased.

"It's just the in between, stages. There is something much more frightening." he said.

He rubbed her chin with his thumb, "but look how brave you are." Angel whispered.

"What are monsters, but unbecoming gods? What if Zeus had been distorted like the beasts in children's nightmares, would they welcome spring if Idun was nothing but a hag? Would they pray in Jesus' name had he been a hunched, brittle leper? The Mayans had it right, all their gods were great, terrible, and frightening. Nearly beasts" Angel spoke with a maddening smile.

"Get away from her now, you're crazy, dude," Amy said, pushing Angel away.  Out of reflex, he swiped at her with his blackened hand, Amy backed up just in time, only leaving her sleeve ripped.

Angel gazed at her arm with a blank stare. "You shouldn't do that, I have an adverse reaction to fear when like this. It makes me..." Angel's features slowly returned to normal, "violent." he whispered.

"Who did this to you?" Myrtle asked.

Angel looked up at her past Amy, "A doctor did, they pumped the ashes of this world into me, and this is what is left." he lulled. "They wanted a weapon against him, and made something that hated the world just as much." Angel said in a bitter chuckle.

He looked up at the extra arms looming above Myrtle's head. "We'd better keep going before you sprout more limbs, something tells me, it won't stop at just two." He said, his eyes falling on a growing number of spiders skittering up the metal of the car.

"Spiders," Amy muttered, raising her hand as if to smack them.

"No!" Myrtle called, all four of her arms spreading out, hands hovering over the spiders. "Leave them be." she said. Looking down at them, she lay out her hands, allowing the small creatures to climb up, soon they started to lay her skin with webs.

"They want to help. It is said spider silk has healing properties." Angel said.

Amy shook her head, "of course it does, of course, they do, no normal shit is possible anymore is it?" Amy raged, walking off a little.

"I just want us to get home in one piece." Amy sighed, holding her hands.

Myrtle staggered as she got off the hood of the car. Her legs were still weak as she walked to Amy. She rested her main right hand on Amy's shoulder and tried to offer a smile.

Amy looked up at her, tears faintly lingering in her eyes, "You helped me Amy, I won't let you guys be stuck here, no matter what happens to me." Myrtle promised. Kneeling to the stooped Amy, all of Myrtle's arms hugged her. 

Amy sniffled loudly and pushed Myrtle away with a teary chuckle. At least those things are good for hugs." Amy said.

Myrtle shrugged, "I just hope they go away when this stupid rash does." she said.

Angel crossed his arms, "can we keep moving now?" He said, "as pretty as they are, those arms are only going to drain your energy even further." He said.

"Let's hope that topside they've found a way to help us." Myrtle said.

Amy yelped and started brushing off her clothes, "Spiders! Fucking spiders!" she yelped, running about frantically.

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[sofiiel]

Part 26 | Tales of the Past

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Amy slowly turned about in a circle, gazing in awe at the vividly red world around her. "Holy.....shit." she exhaled feeling small and terrified, "we got dragged straight to hell." She whispered.

Angel rolled his eyes from here he knelt, allowing Myrtle's head to rest in his lap. "I'd hope hell's a damn sight more exciting than this," Angel muttered.

"It's odd, this isn't where I expected to end up, it seems he wants us close," Angel said.

"Just who is he and why are you always talking about him?" Amy asked.

Angel rested his hand on Myrtle's forehead. "Wake up fairy." he hummed. A pulse like a gust of wind shot through Myrtle's body, and her eyes flew open.

They flashed between a sharp silver and orange glow as Myrtle gasped for air quickly checking her skin. 

The strange rash was still there, but now it took a different form. Where it was red and slightly slimy before, it was now the color of ash with the texture of rotting fruit.

"What's happening to me?" Myrtle whispered.

Angel held a long frown as she looked up at him. He glanced around. It was odd, the deeper levels of the world beyond the gate always made his abilities feel stronger.

However, looking at Myrtle, "this place is draining you." He said, helping Myrtle to her feet.

"We will have to find a way out. He planned this," said Angel.

Myrtle squinted at him, "He?" she asked.

Amy rolled her eyes, "Yeah, weirdo here is always talking about some unnamed man." She snorted.

"A man? Does he ever look like a small child?" Myrtle asked.

Amy covered her face with her hands, "No, don't feed into his lunacy!" she scolded Myrtle.

Angel raised a brow, "I've never seen him as a boy, he reveals himself as you last remember him, if you have a memory of him that is - otherwise...." Angel glanced off.

He'd been visited by the monster often, usually as intimidation for when he was unwilling to perform his bidding.

"Some undead thing with crawly skin?" Myrtle asked. She ran her fingertips along her bottom eyelid, "milky blue eyes." said Myrtle.

The bitter anger in Angel's eyes answered her question for him. "If he planned this, he has a reason. He wanted us here, both of us." Angel murmured to himself.

Amy grimaced and lifted her foot out of the soggy ground, "Ugh, this place feels like a swamp. Why is the water so sticky?" Amy complained.

"Maybe it's not water at all, let's try not to think about it." Myrtle suggested starting to take steps forward. Her leg threatened to give out from under her, her body felt exhausted.

Amy supported Myrtle's weight by lending her shoulder, "So, Angel? Right? Have you ever actually been here before?" Amy asked.

Angel looked around cautiously, "not while awake, and not this far down. He is stronger here." he said.

"The surface level usually has small gateways that give glimpses to the outside. They can usually be opened larger." Angel explained.

"Surface level?" Amy asked, "how do you know all this?" 

Angel gave her a dry look, "how do you think I managed to get out of Hawkins' lab." He stated simply.

"Oh, so you're one of them, I knew it! Not about you, but...about the lab." Amy said excitedly, "were there lots of you? Or just a few? How long had you been -"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't give you permission to pry." Angel snapped, his voice chilling over.

"I just want out. Out, a nap, and then some answers." Myrtle sighed.

"Look, there's a weird...portal? Over there, the scenery is different." Amy called out, pointing to the far distance.

"What's a long way off." Myrtle said.

"It is, but she's right, it's a way up. It's not as vivid through there," said Angel.

The trek forward seemed painfully slow. With an arm slung over Amy and Angel's shoulders, Myrtle's mind was lost in a twisted forest of thoughts.

"I shot a TV across the room, with my voice? Angel and Amy are both some people with powerful abilities, and apparently, I fit in that classification now?" she wondered.

At the forefront of her thoughts was Eddie's face, Myrtle sighed, "It was a dirty thing to do, but we'd have pulled everyone in." she thought. A guilt-riddled frown slowly drooped down her face as she could clearly reimagine the look in his eyes as she shoved him away.

"Stop worrying about it," Angel spoke up dryly.

"Huh?" Myrtle asked.

"He'll be fine, truth is he'd do the same, it's not you he'll be mad at." said Angel.

"That's what I'm worried about...." Myrtle murmured.

"It won't be Eddie's first time beating himself up. He'll get over himself eventually. Gail is good at reeling him into level ground." Angel said.

Myrtle recalled the girl, "who...who is she exactly?" She asked.

Amy snickered, "Trying to learn about the competition?" she teased quietly.

"H-hardly, Amy." Myrtle stammered. "It just seems as though they're close, and I got the feeling she's been gone for a long time." she added.

"Gone is one way to put it, but that back there - that wasn't Gail. I'm sure of it." Angel spoke lowly.

"So who was she? What happened to the real one?" Amy asked.

"Gail....was some runaway stray Eddie and I found in middle school. She'd run away from her grandmother, who was some strict old miserable woman. Rick kind of took her in with the two of us. At the time we'd just started the band, just Eddie, Scott and Me." Angel explained.

He shook his head and sighed, "Eddie took one look at her and was head over hills. Lucky enough for him, Gail had pipes, deep pipes the kind perfect for metal, so he had an excuse. We added her to the band as our frontwoman." Angel said.

"In those days, Eddie and I competed over everything. Rick used to say we were like rowdy twins. Eddie hated it, truth was I was always slightly ahead of him, even when I tried not to be." Angel let out a small chuckle as an even smaller smile fixed onto his face.

"Gail kept running away, would come to us with bandages up her arms and rambling. You see the reason she was stuck living with that old bat was because her mother dropped her on the old woman. She'd figured out her perfect little girl wasn't alright in the head. Didn't want the responsibility of helping her through that." he said.

"Gail was a fucking mess, and we didn't see it until it was too late. Rick taught us to push weed for cash, to support the band but....one day, I went to him wanting to do something more. Last year, I started pushing special K. It's not as dangerous as other stuff, but Gail never does anything in moderation. She begged me to give her some, she couldn't sleep as she'd made a promise to Eddie to stop the cutting. But it was the thing that calmed her demons." 

Myrtle and Amy listened to Angel in silence he seemed to be deep in his own memories. 

"In return, she'd asked him to join her in taking it. Of course, he did, he was hopelessly lovesick. She'd helped him develop a singing voice, he used to sound like a fucking toad." Angel laughed. He tilted his head and gave it a shake, "But I gave her the Special K, and it made her feel...better for a while. But she was a zombie half the time. It made me her 'hero' and it made her leave Eddie. I didn't tell her not to, and we started dating. That's about the time Eddie really started to dislike me." said Angel.

"You stole your bud's girlfriend!" Amy gasped.

Angel shrugged, "It was better for Eddie that I did." was all he said.

"Anyway, I gave her drugs, the cutting stopped, she sang even better, and instead of Eddie she did them with me. It dumbed down my powers, which at the time was perfect, as I was back in hiding from the lab. Then one day... Gail shows up at Eddie's place in tears - I refused to give her more meds. It left us all in a cage, and Gail lost her shit. She fucked around with Eddie, and with me, to create a rift. She smacked her grandmother around in a rage, and the old bat fell down the stairs. Dead. Then she went off and tried to convince us to bury the body for her. She told me we could blame it on Eddie because his dad was a felon." Angel sighed heavily.

"Annnd then she went to Scott, Eddie, and Jeff and said they could pin it on me. At the time, I was a bit notorious around Hawkins. But luckily, the missing kid put all that into the background." Angel continued.

"What did you do?" Myrtle asked.

"I confronted her, in front of the others. I was livid. I told her who she was becoming and that that part of her wasn't welcomed if it couldn't behave. There were many faces to Gail. She wasn't all bad, but this one was the strongest. I wasn't kind, but I don't believe in sugar-coating shit. Gail ran off for a few days. Stole my stock and well... one day she arrives at our old hangout. I found her there, near comatose and foaming. I don't know what all she took and what with. I called Rick, and we got her to the hospital." Angel looked up at the road ahead of them, they were closer now.

"Eddie arrived and kicked me out of the hospital room, he stayed by her side for weeks, she woke up spitting blood and was back out. One day, Eddie comes to visit after school, and Gails gone, He finds her in the woods near Rick's and brings her back. I wasn't there, but apparently, she raged at him up until the last couple of minutes of her life. Doris said she begged Eddie to stop the K, he'd gotten used to taking it too. She said she was sorry, she said thank you, she said I love you, and then she was gone."  Angel shook his head again.

"Only thing was, Eddie wasn't in the room, He'd gone...to call me. Thinking I should be there." Angel gave a cynical smile, "the fucking thing was, I didn't give a damn about Gail." He chuckled bitterly. "Everything I did was for little rowdy Eddie Munson.  Kid's like a puppy, as much as he annoys you, you know he needed somebody," Angel grumbled.

"But in trying to call me he missed a chance to say goodbye, and he's hated me for it ever since. I stole her all over again." Angel said.

Myrtle bit her lip, hard.

"And now she's back?" Amy asked, "from the dead?" she didn't like the sounds of this at all. Peering up at Myrtle's face, she squinted, "why are you tearing up?" she asked Myrtle.

"Because, it's sad, isn't it? I mean... Eddie should know. You weren't trying to hurt anybody, and Gail...she, was never given a chance. She spent her last moments with nothing but regret. That sounds awful." Myrtle said.

She gave a feeble shake of her head, "nobody should have to go like that."

Angel laughed loudly. The tin-like sound was cold and shocked Myrtle as he roughly brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

"Oh little fairy, you have a bleeding heart, don't you?" He asked. "It's not sad; Gail made her choice the same way I did. To shrink her own pain was worth the pain of others, she was smart in that. People only hurt you in the end. No matter how much you trust them, it's just not always on purpose. Keep them close, but be ready to cut the bind if you need to." Angel said.

"I've been trying to teach that idiot that for years," Angel muttered.

"That's horrible to say." Myrtle whispered

"But he's not wrong about the people bit. People suck." Amy said.

"Your typical ant of a person sucks. But you see we aren't them. That's one philosophy He gave me that I can live by. People like us don't belong with the rest. We are effectively spiders among flies, Young Demigods among pigs." Angel said.

Myrtle glared at him, "Don't put me in that, I'm no different from anyone else. and Neither are you, Angel - we are all only human. I cut you and you bleed just as badly as any other person. You can get sick, you can die. And for all those words....why care so much about Eddie?" Myrtle asked.

Angel grimaced, "Hell if I know." he spat.

Myrtle watched him quietly. Looking at his face, it seemed that he wasn't lying, as his eyes were full of confusion.

"This whole conversation is making me depressed and hungry," Amy muttered as she looked at the Red world around them. "And I think I have to pee." she said.

"You think? You mean you don't know?" Myrtle asked.

Amy shrugged, "could be the need to pee. Could also just be the fact that this place is the scariest shit ever, and I'm waiting on little guys with horns to drag us away." she said.

"Do you think the others made it out ok?" Myrtle asked.

Angel shrugged, "probably, I wish I could tell you I could check in on them. But its probably better if none of us activate our abilities here. He will feel it and it will lead him here." Angel advised.

"Does 'He' have a name?" Myrtle asked.

"He has a number," Angel stated simply, his eyes glaring into the distance.

"A number?" Myrtle asked.

"We all had numbers." said Angel. "Almost there." He added, nodding towards the odd portal-esque opening ahead of them.

The sun was lowering in the sky, a large group of young adults sat clustered within a hulking old factory in the industrial district. Takeout scattered the tables on the main operating floor.

"This doesn't seem sanitary." Jeff complained, laying out napkins to cover up the table's surface.

Axel rolled his eyes at him, "never rough it before kid?" he asked.

"There's roughing it and then there is this." Jeff shot back.

"You two play nice over there," Funshine called digging into his little white box of noodles printed in tiny red dragons.

Eddie sat on the metal staircase to the second-floor platform, watching the others. His hand folded in front of his mouth as his elbows rested on his knees. One leg bouncing up and down with pent-in emotions.

Gail took up her little white box and chopsticks and went to Eddie, taking a seat on a step above him. For a moment they sat in silence, she wasn't sure of what to say to him.

"Um, so do you wanna try and see if you can figure these things out?" She asked playfully holding out her chopsticks.

Eddie glanced up at her briefly, a flat gaze that read, "Do I look like I do?"

Gail huffed in defeat and opened her box, clumsily trying to eat with the utensils. "You should try and eat something, you know." She advised. "Might up fill that annoying itch of guilt you're feeling." She said.

Eddie leaned his head back and inwardly growled, "I can't believe I let her push me off." He said. "The girls got the touch of a mouse." He muttered.

"She caught you off guard, she was desperate, it was on her face. People become strong when they have to be. She needed you off of her." Gail reasoned.

Eddie shook his head, holding it in his hands, leg still bouncing.

"Here man, eat." Gareth said, passing Eddie a box of noodles.

Eddie reluctantly took the box. He side glanced, "She never ate for that day either." Eddie said.

"Give it a rest, for now, I know it sucks, but right now all we can do is wait and hope that Riddler guy contacts us somehow," said Gareth.

Eddie muttered under his breath and popped open the box, steam rose above the flavorful scented noodles. Gareth passed Eddie a plastic spork. 

"Wait, how come he gets that, and I got sticks?" Gail asked.

"You grabbed the chopsticks, everyone figured you wanted them," Gareth said simply.

Eddie snickered faintly as Gail rolled her eyes, "Trying to impress people doesn't always work out so well, does it?" Eddie asked her.

"Ah, sarcasm, looks like he's feeling better." Gail chimed.

Eddie's smile faltered, "no he's really, really not." Eddie exhaled. "But you're right, being a sad sack won't help. McKinney needs me again. It's just....I can't help if I don't know where she's gone." Eddie said.

Gail leaned forward her eyes narrowed slightly, "Who is she?" She asked.

"Patrick McKinney the jock's older sister. By all rights, she could probably be one of the most popular girls in school. Only she's hidden away in this shell, lets people walk all over her. Her best friend is the band geek Robin Buckley." Eddie said, a quiet chuckle following after his words.

"She'd never even stayed out past midnight before," Eddie snickered, leaning to look back at Gail. She could see a fond twinkle in his eyes, "But that all makes sense, she's quiet. Or at least at first, and has the worst luck." Eddie went on.

"She, uh, she likes Tolkien shit and Ballet. Moves like something out of this world. I saw her dance once. Tries a little too hard to see the good in people, gives you the feeling she doesn't see the good in herself."

Gail let Eddie ramble and gazed down into her noodles. "She sounds pretty rad." Gail said quietly.

Eddie looked back at her with a smile, "she's one of the best. I'd used to sit and think how well you two would get along." he said. He shook his head, "seeing as she's the only person in a long time to look at a dufus like me, like I'm actually somebody." He said.

Gareth stood quietly, listening. Eddie took a spork full of noodles in an attempt to stop himself from rambling. Gail looked at Gareth and flashed a strained smile.

"Well," Gail sang playfully, "don't stop now," She said, giving Eddie's shoulder a light shove.

"Come on, the fancy dancing nerd? That's all there is to her? I mean, she's obviously got powers, right? Your new gal pal might just be the black canary for all you know." Gail teased.

"She's too quiet for a canary cry." Eddie laughed.

He looked down at his food, "But I wouldn't be shocked one bit to learn she's got freaky abilities. You can look in her eyes and tell there's something she's hiding, and it's hidden even from herself. You get stuck just looking at her, her eyes trap you. Then there's that weird flake of blue in the one eye, tricks you into believing you're running to a light at the end of the tunnel. It keeps you gazing longer." said Eddie.

Gail sat up a little, "aw" she teased. "Has Eddie found his next crush?" Gail said in baby talk.

"Stop it." Eddie hummed, a small smile forming.

Gareth raised his brows, "He totally has." He said.

Eddie looked up at Gareth, glaring. "Nobody asked you, you still here?" He asked him.

"Emotional support dude." Gareth shot back.

"Eddie totally has what?" Jeff asked, wandering over.

"Got a crush on Myrtle," Gareth said.

"Oh god, so bad." Jeff sighed dramatically. "You know he made us run through the school gathering instruments to save her from humiliation by mean girls?" Jeff said, looking at Gail.

She laughed and looked at Eddie, "as a matter of fact, no. He was too busy gushing, like a giddy girl." She sang.

"I was not, you asked." Eddie said to her.

"I asked after you'd already gone on for about fifteen minutes." Gail said, rolling her eyes. A faint bitterness in her voice.

"Oh, sorry?" Eddie said.

"That's a question?" Gail asked back.

"Well I mean....considering...." Eddie muttered.

"Look, for all you guys knew, I was dead. I was put in the ground, right? They held a funeral. I also left you for, Pete. I did....things I regret. But I'm glad if you met someone who made all the mess of the past feel lighter." Gail said.

Jeff snorted, "He's only known her a handful of weeks." he said.

"What's that matter?" Gail asked.

"Time doesn't equate to impact." Scott chimed in.

Gail held her hands out towards him, "see?" she said.

"How long have you been there?" Eddie asked.

"A while dude," Gareth answered.

"It's ok, our dear Beren is still bewitched by his lady Luthien Tinúviel." Said Scott in a flare of drama.

Gail giggled, "who? I'm a comic book kind of girl, not a fantasy one." she said.

"Iconic lovers of Arda, it's a Tolkien thing." Gareth explained.

"Stop trying to sound like you know, you don't know, you only just started reading up on it." Jeff said to him.

"And I do now. Remember time? Impact? All that?" Gareth shot.

Eddie shook his head, "as you see, little has changed." He said to Gail.

"That's somehow comforting." she hummed.

Across the room Doris watched Mick and Axel play a game of Solitaire while Rick and Funshine ate, "So you've got freaky powers too?" Rick asked her.

Doris raised her head slightly, "aren't you an ex-grunt for Loxion?" Doris asked, "why should that surprise you?" she asked.

"Hey, I was the delivery man, I didn't get to see what was going on from the inside," said Rick.

"You saw something," Kali chimed in with a tilt of her head, "otherwise you would still be working for them." she reasoned.

Rick fell silent for a moment. "I needed the cash bad, as I had loans that would be a health hazard. So I turned a blind eye to the hints that they were snatching women and children - I was told it was for medical studies....I didn't know Loxion was tied with anything this bad until I heard they were trying to sever ties with the Lab. I didn't even know they were tied to Brenner's research until then." Rick explained.

Taking a long gulp from his beer bottle, Rick sighed. "Then I ran into Angel, pale as a ghost like he'd never seen daylight...." Rick paused and snickered, "actually turns out he just looks like that." he said causing Kali and Doris to laugh.

"But this 14-year-old kid, comes wandering into the street, head buzzed in a hospital gown. He looks about 11 or 12 rather than his age and is scrawny. I pull over and ask if he's lost, and take him to a place he says was his grandfather's block. I don't ask any questions and take him there. The kid resurfaces a year later, catch him trying to rob me. I feed him and found out he was squatting in some old abandoned house. He tells me his story in exchange for me teaching him ways to support himself ." Rick shook his head in dismay.

"The things he said about that lab was nightmare fuel, and I still think he saved me the uglier details. Later I ended up renting him the spare room at my cabin, and became an uncle, I guess." Rick muttered.

Doris could see the concern on Rick's face. It was true, he was often stoned off his ass most of the time. But he wasn't a bad guy. Most people in Hawkins said he had a rough life. Whatever the case - He cared about Angel as if he were blood, and he'd been close with the Munson family.

"Angel's fine Rick. He can take care of himself." Doris reassured.

Rick nodded his head, "I know." he whispered.

"Anyway, that's why I went into complete hiding. I know a guy who works for the Lab. Doctor....jesus what was his name..." Rick murmured, picking through his memories.

"Maybe try a little less weed huh?" Axel advised with a scoff. 

Rick snapped his fingers as it came to him, "Doctor Owens! that's his name. yeah, he's the new head honcho 'round there for now. He said he had a contact within Loxion. That said contact had informed him of a plan to catch Myrtle McKinney. Loxion has been running surveillance on her in recent months, spotting her when all that mess went down with that Byers kid and the Russian girl." Rick explained.

"They got radar that can track the changes in atmospheric pressure that thoughs like Kali, Angel, and I cause just by existing. Loxion was probably trying to track me or Angel. See they couldn't replicate either of us well and have been hunting us down." Doris said. She stabbed at the cold eggroll before her with her chopsticks, "But Myrtle? I wasn't expecting that one. She'd gone completely noticed, I wouldn't have guessed she was one of us. I don't remember her from Loxion or the Lab." Doris admitted.

"Myrtle has a defect in her eyes that I've seen before, it's slightly concerning - though I am sure it's not horribly uncommon and could be nothing," Kali said, the caution in her tone made Doris and Rick uneasy.

"Defect?" Doris asked. 

"In one eye, if you look closely there's a speck of Blue. There was an orderly named Lilliandra who worked at the lab, she had dark grey eyes and one had a small fleck of Hazel in it. The color of the speck isn't the same, however... it's in the exact same spot." Kali said.

"How would you even remember that?" Mick asked amazed.

Kali turned to her and smiled, "we all loved Lilliandra. She was nice and actively tried to make the children's time in the lab seem...normal. Some of the youngest children struggled with her name, so she had us all call her Lilly." said Kali.

"She used to give me Double Dutch braids whenever I asked for them, and always carried candy."  Kali frowned, "she was one good memory of that place."

Eddie hearing them from across the room stood up and walked to the table, he crossed his arms and looked at Kali, "You know Myrtle's adopted. People around Hawkins say her folks just kind of found her passed out in the middle of the road." he said.

Kali and Doris glanced at each other, "Lilly didn't have any children with her, She lived at the Lab in the employee dorms and I've never seen Myrtle before." Kali said.

"Maybe a sister?" Doris asked.

"Why would it matter?" Gail chimed in making her way to the table as well.

"well aren't you nosey as ever?" Rick asked, Gail, simpered in response.

"Lilly was a....resident before she was an orderly. She like many of us was taken from her family, but unlike the rest of us, she didn't take to the treatments. It's said she had faint signals of abilities but her mind simply couldn't be tapped into the same way. It's said she knew too much about the Lab to be sent away, she'd been there far too long and what's more. Doctor Brenner's star patient the one who started it all was very fond of her - they grew up together in that awful place." Doris explained.

"That would make Myrtle too young to be Lilly's sister." Kali cut in.

Doris shrugged, "you're right about that. They don't look very much alike, either. It may just be a strange twist of fate." she said.

"It would help if the Riddler would call. Surely he could clear more up for us." Funshine sighed.

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A/N: just posting more existing chapters here to tumblr as well as give it a bit more editing than I did when I posted to Ao3 and Wattpad.

[sofiiel]

There & Back Again | Ch.25

Down

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Myrtle could feel panic settling in her chest like a cloud of foul dust or vapor inhaled too deeply. All she could do was listen from that hospital bed. Her head hurt as her thoughts began to wonder if maybe everything around here was a dream.

"So uh....what do we do to make the so-called trade then?" Eddie spoke into the walkie. "You simply walk out that door and go home," said Franchesca. 

Eddie's jaw clenched tight, nothing about this felt right. Gail raised her brows with a smile as he glanced back at her, even she didn't feel right. Eddie looked at Scott and Jeff, both looked uncertain, and none of them looked as if they wanted to make this deal.

"We can't do this, Eddie." Gareth spoke up. "What happened to no fellowette left behind?" He asked. His eyes wandered to Gail. She was a legend he'd only heard stories about, Eddie's first-ever girlfriend, second friend, former frontwoman for Corroded Coffin, and also the one who broke his heart.

Gareth scowled, "She didn't choose you, did she?" He reasoned.

Eddie froze and glanced off while Gail's eyes honed in on Gareth, they watched him as if trying to drag up a memory that had been forgotten. Soon that blank look in her eyes was replaced with a smile.

"You mean I chose the drugs? I did...that's not my fault, they get in your head like a phantom. I learned my lesson." Gail said calmly. Jeff frowned, "he wasn't talking about the drugs." he said. Axel rolled his eyes, "Can we make it clear, there's no deal if Kali is staying behind too." He said.

"I'm not leaving her to these people, Axel. Not if she's one of us." Kali stated from Doris' side. She looked up at Doris, her eyes reading "you do have a plan right?" to which Doris smirked. Kali exhaled, of course she did, she always does. But so much time had passed, they weren't children anymore, and the fact was she wasn't sure Doris was the same person.

In those days, she would have never turned her back on him.

Eddie looked at the front door, it was easy, right, just walk out? There would be many people back home who would be overjoyed if he'd returned with Gail. More so, if there was an explanation for it all that made vague sense.

Doris, Samantha, uncle Wayne, Rick, and the usuals at The Hideout, it would heal the old hurt her loss left behind for them. Eddie's hand shook as it gripped the walkie. But there was too much of a question lingering over what that would mean for Myrtle.

Eddie couldn't shake Amy and Robin's faces out of his head.  "You bring her back in one piece, Rughead, or I'll hunt you down like one of those damn dogs." Amy's words echoed in his head.  He didn't understand why, but the thought of letting 'weird girl' down made him sick, almost as sick as the thought of leaving Myrtle behind.

Eddie looked down at Gail once more and spoke carefully into the walkie. "Is she there, I want to talk to her." He said, voice calm but heart pounding.

Franchesca rolled her eyes, she hated how melodramatic teenagers were, She held the walkie to Myrtle's ear. Myrtle exhaled shakily, "Myrtle?" Eddie asked.

Myrtle released her bottom lip from her teeth, "Eddie..." she said in a shaken breath of air. The strength left Eddie's shoulders at the sound of her voice. "Thank you." She said. "Hey." He called steadily. " You promised to come to every show I play, remember? What makes you think you can do that left here," said Eddie.

Myrtle smiled faintly and tried to combat her tears with her lashes and gave a nod. "Hey lady? You can fuck right off." Eddie said, glaring at the walkie.

Franchesca laughed, "oh poor delusional child, you thought you were being given a choice?" She hummed through a chuckle.

Eddie froze, "what?" he asked.

The machine hanging from the Basement ceiling started to whirl loudly, it turned on with a stronger blast than before, the laser bringing the twisted unnatural hole into the floor. Larger this time, it pulsed like a heartbeat, and it could be felt throughout the house.

"What the hell is that?" Scott asked.

The group looked at each other, frightened at the feeling. Gail held onto Eddie's arm. "It's opening." she whispered, visibly shaken. Eddie looking down at her, raised a brow, somehow the look in her eyes, it didn't look like Gail. The look in her eyes was that of a stranger.

"What the hell is going on here..." Eddie thought to himself. Doris grimaced, trying her best to remain calm. "Shit, Eddie, way to ruin the plan." she thought.  "Where is that coming from? You hear it? That noise in the background?" Mick said.

"Not sure..." Eddie said.

The front door once again opened, this time more violently as Funshine tossed it wide. He looked to Kali, "There's a strange glow coming from the cellar doors." He said huffing and puffing from the run.

Kali and Doris looked at each other, "shit, find the stairs!" Kali called, the group scattered in hopes of finding the door to the basement.

"Why don't we just head to the cellar doors?" Jeff asked. "They're chained." Funshine stated simply.

Eddie and Mick looked up at a thin door in the hallway, Mick gave the knob a jiggle. "Locked, surprise!" Eddie called out frustrated. "Damn it!" he cursed. Mick chuckled lightly, "easy there." she said, putting two fingers in her mouth as she whistled, drawing Funshine's attention.

"You feeling up to knocking down this door?" She asked him.

Funshine looked up at it, ordinary he would, but the wound on his side and in his leg was saying otherwise. "I might need a hand," he admitted.

Scott walked to stand alongside Funshine, "I got you man, on the count of three." said Scott. The teen and man aimed their shoulders toward the door. "Three!" Funshine called out and each used forward.

All it took was one good ram, the door popped free from the lock.

Scott rubbed his aching shoulder. "It's all you" He said to Eddie. "Thanks, come on." Eddie said, rushing through the door and down the stairs. The roadblock in the dark stairwell sent Eddie's hands flying up to his hair, pulling at it in frustration.

"Well, that's...about as expected, isn't it?" Axel asked. Eddie looked back at him, eyes screaming. "Who has a giant metal door in the basement!" Eddie raged. "Mad scientists, of course." Doris chimed, she sauntered down the steps with a confident smile.

Taking a wide stance, Doris drew her elbows back towards her hips, fingers down and palms up her hands crooked up as if trying to form claws, the skin of her palms opening up, folding away. A bright green light started glowing softly before, with a squelching sound, thin wispy liquid shot from her palms. "Please stay behind the safety line." Doris mused playfully.

The boys of Corroded Coffin and Eddie all screamed and jumped back in horror and amazement as the green liquid burned holes through the metal as if acid. "What was that?" Gareth asked in a small voice.

Doris looked over her shoulder, pleased with her handy work as a hole continued to grow in the metal door. "Venom." Doris hummed before climbing through. "Be careful not to let it drip on you." she advised as the others followed after her.

Gail followed behind Eddie quietly, her heart pounding hard in her chest. Something in her was afraid to go down into the basement, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember why. Quietly, she took Eddie's hand.  He looked back at her as she gave him a stiff smile, "shut up, I'm not scared or anything." she shot with a playful leer.

That was the Gail he remembered, a spitfire. "So why does she revert back and forth so much?" Eddie found himself thinking.

Angel hopped out Rick's truck and looked about at the 7eleven, Amy held a frown on her face as she exited the gas station convenience store, shaking her head. "I asked the cashier. She says she wasn't clocked in yesterday." said Amy, "she won't let us get a hold of the security tapes either." Rick scowled, exiting after Amy with four bags hanging from his arms and a hot dog in his hand.

Angel threw him a sharp look and a scowl. "Yeah, he bought out the whole store, I swear to god..." Amy complained. "It's lunchtime and I got you two something too, so a little gratitude? Yeah?" Rick shot back.

"As if either of us is hungry?" Amy scoffed, turning her back to Rick.

"Eddie's memories told me they tracked the fairy's captors to the neighborhood of Larimer, It's an old house. I will know it when I see it." Angel murmured. "It would have been nice had there been a clue around here, however." He muttered.

"Let's just get back in the truck and go then, who knows it's been hours since we hit the road they might have moved locations," Rick said.

The three piled inside the truck, Rick quickly scarfing down the rest of his hot dog as he passed Amy the bags.

Angel closed his eyes as Rick started the car. "You should give that a rest, you're using up your strength," Rick murmured. "I am not." Angel stated flatly, slightly annoyed. "Just looking doesn't take up much. Now, shut up." He added.

Rick snickered to himself as he glanced at a determined Angel, "kid gives me the heeby geebies sometimes, but he's alright. Fucked up in the head and all." Rick thought, shaking his head. 

"Do you see them?" Amy asked quietly, leaning over the front seat but Angel remained silent, scowling with his eyes closed.

In the darkness, he could see Myrtle, her eyes frightened as she looked at something on the floor. Angel standing at the side of the hospital bed looked in the direction of her gaze, but he could not widen his third eye's field of vision, the world around them was nothing but a void of black.

"What are you looking at? Why are you scared?" Angel asked her. His hand rested on her shoe, and he stood at the end of the bed. Straining to bring the surroundings to vision. But nothing was working.

"Myrtle!" He could hear Eddie's voice, turning his head, Angel watched as Eddie and Corroded Coffin entered the vision, standing at a distance from Myrtle. The group's eyes fell on the thing that had Myrtle frightened.

Everyone seemed afraid to move, and Angel didn't like it.

"Oh, that's - that can't be good...." A familiar voice mused with caution. Angel turned to watch the woman who spoke, his eyes widened a bit, "Dodo?" He questioned walking towards her, but it was the girl who stepped out behind Eddie that sent a chill down Angel's spine.

Angel watched Gail and found her instantly unnatural. His eyes squinted, "fuck." He growled quietly, looking back at Myrtle.

"They've got a mimic," Angel said to Rick and Amy.

"And are we supposed to know what that is?" Amy asked. Rick nearly held his breath. "Why would they need a mimic?" Rick asked. "It's risky to use them, they're unstable and rare, aren't they?" He asked.

"More unreliable than unstable, but they aren't rare they can be easily created, it's a waste of a number, however," Angel murmured eyes still closed and flickering about. "My guess, is they planned this, the mimic was a throwaway," Angel said.

His eyes remained on the panicking group, "Fairy's got a lot of friends..." he muttered, looking over the faces, but one stood out vividly, enough to cause a slow smirk across Angel's face.

"W-why is he looking like that? What's with the freaky smile?" Amy questioned, her eyes darting between Rick and Angel. Rick shook his head, trying to keep his eyes on the road. Angel gave a dark chuckle softly under his breath saying, "well it looks like it's going to be a regular family reunion."

He stood before Kali in the darkness, and for a moment she looked right at him, her eyes growing wide. Angel turned round as he realized she was no longer looking at him.

"Holy shit." he exhaled.

"What's happening now?" Amy asked quickly, but she didn't get a response.

Myrtle yelped as he skin flared up with an odd sort of pain, a boiling feeling as if hot grease bubbled beneath her skin.  Her hands and arms started to glow, a veiny red that matched the membrane covering the hole being made in the floor.

This membrane lightly rippled and bubbled as it had a volcanic glow of smoldering coals. It crept slowly up Myrtle's arms, overtaking her shoulders, and neck, and soon emerge on her face like a spreading rash.

Myrtle's eyes burned a startling orange, the pain and panic making it hard for her to breathe. Not only that, she felt weak, as if she had gone running on a hot summer day.

"W-whats happening now?" Myrtle struggled to ask. 

"Franchesca, we need to release her from the binds!" The man in the scrubs shouted, worry strewn across his face.  Franchesca wasn't happy, but she rushed to free Myrtle.

While she did so, Kali walked quietly behind her, cattle prod in tow.  Doris glanced towards an old large area rug rolled and bound, focusing hard she made it levitate.

Kali gabbed Franchesca with the electric rod, the woman cried out and tried to fight back, but while she did so the rug came hurdling towards her.

Myrtle watched with large eyes as Franchesca went crashing across the room, her head hitting the wall and knocking her unconscious. "Go now, while you can." Called the man in the scrubs. "You helped us?" Jeff asked him. He offered a weak smile and turned his gaze to Myrtle.

"You have more people on your side than you think." He said. Myrtle tilted her head, "what's happening to me?" she asked. "You are waking up." Kali said. Myrtle "what?" Myrtle asked. But before she could get any answers, Myrtle was rushed.

The air was both compressed down into her lungs and crushed up and out of her lungs. "Guys..." Myrtle wheezed crushed in the arms of Jeff, Scott, and Gareth. "God, you're a real troublemaker," Scott said to her.

"Weird shit just follows you around," said Gareth.

"Your weird skin thing isn't contagious, is it?" Jeff asked.

Speaking of her skin, Myrtle didn't have the heart to tell the boys their endearing group hug was sending a deep pain everywhere the odd membrane rash had spread.

"No, but coincidentally, that should likely hurt very much." said the man in scrubs.

Eddie stepped forward, leading Gail behind him. She had watched as the band threw themselves upon Myrtle in silence. 

Myrtle's eyes wandered over to Eddie and quickly landed on the girl behind him.  Her eyes locked onto Myrtle's and they were unreadable.  "You should hurry and leave, before Franchesca awakes, I can fare well enough in making it look like I was overpowered." The man laughed, "I'm not much of a fighter." he said.

"What's your name, guy?" Doris asked. "Names are dangerous. My contacts know me as The Riddler." The man hummed, pushing up his glasses. "Like.... as in...batman?" Jeff asked skeptically. The Riddler laughed, "well no... I've never touched a comic book. I relay information in codes, riddles." he said.

"But look you need to hurry and leave, the transport van should be arriving to pick up Miss McKinney fairly soo-" The Riddler's words ended in a gasp as Vines flew out from the odd hole in the floor, bursting through the membrane.

Myrtle turned to run as they shot out towards her, wrapping under and around her shoulders, trying to pull her back. She remembered seeing these odd vines in her dreams, in that place that felt decayed.

"So it wasn't just a dream?" she thought. "Help!" Myrtle screamed.

Eddie ran forward, Gail releasing his arm, and took hold of Myrtle's hands, but the odd rash on them made her grip slippery as it oozed a clear thick liquid. Eddie felt sick at the feeling of it, but tried to hold on tight. Despite the pain that shot through her arms and hands, Myrtle held as tight as she could to Eddie's hands.

"No, I got you!" Eddie called out, shutting his eyes tight, he tried to back away from the hole in the floor, pulling Myrtle with him.

The Vines, however, were stronger and for every inch away he pulled, the Vines pulled them several more inches back. "I-It's growing!" The Riddler called, he turned to the various computers and started typing furiously. Above them, the machine slowly hummed and started to whirl backward.

"Get her loose, and then we all make for the cellar doors, We can not stay in here, the machine will seal the gate." said The Riddler.

Eddie embraced Myrtle to get a tight hold on her. "Eddie?" she questioned, "I'm not letting go." He said, "Guys, pull me!" He called back. Gail rushed in first, and Scott, Gareth, and Jeff followed. Axel, Mick, Kali, and Funshine then took hold of them and pulled.

Doris held her palms out towards the vines and sent forth a steady stream of venom.

It wasn't working, more vines shot out of the growing gate, taking hold of Myrtle's legs now. 

"This isn't happening, we've got to weigh over 800 pounds together, how is it dragging us?" Axel questioned. "Just keep pulling!" Eddie called. Myrtle's hands clung to the back of Eddie's shoulders, glancing back she could see the Gate glowing, some strange shadow looming on the other side.

Her heart pounded, "it's a gate, then if it leads where I think it does..." Myrtle thought, she looked at the others trying to pull, "Even with all of us, what if this time there's no getting out? It won't be a dream we're all awake this time." Myrtle thought.

Her hands slowly lost their strength around Eddie's shoulders. She could feel it in the way he held onto her, Eddie had no intention of letting go, and asking him to would be foolish.

"Sorry, Eddie." Myrtle whispered, Eddie drew his head back to look at her, the question on his face unable to be voiced as Myrtle shoved her hands into his chest with as much force as she could.

The impact made her arms throb in protest, the odd rash glowing brightly before growing again.

"What?" Eddie gasped as he and the group flew backward, hitting the floor. "Damn it, Myrtle!" Eddie called out, trying to get back to his feet amidst the dog pile of people.

Doris held out her hands, and with a grunt, she struggled to pull Myrtle with telekinesis. Myrtle wasn't moving, it seemed Doris and the numerous vines were evenly matched. Blood dripped from her nostril and her arms shook violently.

Myrtle could feel a magnetic force twice as strong as Doris' tether around her, but not by a limb. It felt like it was pulling at her core.

Veins started to show around Dori's forehead as she struggled, her feet slipping forward across the floor. "It's him." Doris exhaled. "I can't hold this!" she shouted, shaking her head.

"We are running out of time!" called The Riddler as the machine hummed louder.

"What's that thing gonna do?" Gail asked, looking up at it, a bright red light forming at the end of the needle-like drill. 

"Alright, we're here!" Rick called out, bringing the truck to an instant stop before the old abandoned house. "Come on, get out of that freaky trance!" Amy shouted to Angel. 

Angel's eyes shot open, and he quickly hopped out of the truck, Amy pushed his seat forward and climbed out the back. The three of them ran for the house.

"Basement!" Angel said. Rick pulled a pistol from his hip and aimed it as he took point, leading the teens towards the hall. He opened the armed door and headed down the dark stairwell.

A great commotion coming from below. Various persons talking frantically. Rick paused at a large metal door that looked to have been melted. "Mother Mary of Joseph! What the hell did that!" Rick shouted. "Screw it, let's move!" Amy called, following Angel, who was quick to climb through the gaping hole in the acid-gnarled door.

Angel slid to a stop in the basement, his eyes falling on the pile of people only just managing to get back to their feet. "Why's everyone looking like baby deer?" Amy asked.

Angel's eyes flew to Myrtle, he glared in her direction, but he wasn't looking at her. "Fuck you." Angel muttered, holding out one arm he held out his palm to Myrtle, slowly rotating his wrist facing the bottom of his palm towards the ceiling.

In a slow motion, he closed his fingers into a fist as if beckoning, and Myrtle's body lurched forward.

Doris' looked at Angel stunned, "It's about time you got here." she spat. But he ignored her words. "This your cavalry?" Kali questioned.

Eddie's mouth tumbled open, "If the day gets any weirder than this, I'm going to think it's a real bad nightmare." Scott said. 

The magnetic pull on her body felt as if it would tear her in two. Angel gasped as he noticed the rash on Myrtle's body growing.  He released his pull on her. "No, what are you doing!" Doris called out.

"We're making it worse," Angel said, he flung Doris back a few steps, and she lost her pull on Myrtle as well. "Pete, what the fuck, man!" Eddie shouted. Gail grasping Eddie's sleeve held him back.

"You need to trust him, Eddie!" She said. Eddie looked between her and the scene before him. It was something easier said than done with their history.

Free from their powers and with the new force pulling her still, Myrtle flew backward, "No!" Gareth shouted, "Myrtle!" called Eddie rushing forward after Angel who leaped forward, Amy followed after.

"Run! Get out!" Myrtle called to the others.

Angel held tight to Myrtle's wrist and Amy to Angel's shirt.  The three of them were swiftly pulled through the membrane of the gate and the vines weaved it closed tight.

"No!" Eddie stopped at the gate, which now looked like a scabbed wound, still pulsing with a faint glow. He tried stomping on it, trying to break through, but the vines were tough. "God-damn it!" he cursed, body trembling.

"We need to get out, now." The Riddle advised. Gail gently took Eddie's hand. "We should listen to him, that thing up there sounds pretty angry." she said.

Eddie's feet refused to move. "Oh my- Gail?" Rick questioned. Gail looked back at him with a strained smile. "The doctor ain't said shit about all this." Rick exhaled, scratching his head. "Eh, I think it's about time we listen to the riddle man." Mick said, watching as a bright ball of red light formed at the end of the drill.

Everyone looked up, watching amazed and frightened while The Riddler opened the cellar doors. "Come on, everyone out." He said. Gail with the help of Gareth and Jeff managed to pull Eddie away from the gate, albeit kicking and shouting.

"No damn it!" He growled, thrashing about.

"She's got Angel, she'll be fine until we can figure something out!" Rick tried to soothe him, helping the teens drag Eddie out of the cellar doors.

The group ran away from the house towards the burned remains of the house behind it, not a moment too soon.

The group watched in silence as a pale red explosion came from the basement with a series of zaps and crackles. It took out the supports and the house caved in, soon after came a thick smoke.

Eddie covered his mouth from where he sat in the grass, water stinging his eyes. He'd hoped the other side of that gate had gone somewhere deep enough to survive eh explosion. He wouldn't have wished it on Myrtle and Amy, or even Angel.

"Fuck." Axel whispered, watching the blaze slowly build.

"We need to get away from here before the police show up." said the Riddler.

"I know a place." Mick chimed, "good you go, I will find a way to contact you when I can." said the Riddler. Rick gave a nod to him. "We'll be waiting, everyone to the cars," he said.

Kali and her crew headed for their van, and Doris went with Rick, "You can fill me in on what you know seeing as...apparently you are in the know." She said to him, confounded. "Everybody in Hawkins seems to be connected," Scott muttered.

"Come on, let's hurry to the van." said Jeff.

The boys went ahead, but Eddie stayed behind, watching the house. Gail reached down and rested her hand on his shoulder. "Eddie, come on," she called gently. He didn't look at her. She heaved a sigh.

"Stop wallowing there feeling sorry for yourself. You won't help them sitting on your ass, now, will you?" She said, adding strength to her voice. "Get up," she demanded. Eddie looked up at her, and the moisture flooding his eyes made Gail's heartache.

"Don't panic, for all we know that thing goes to neverland." Gail offered a hint of a smile. But Eddie wasn't having the lighthearted comment. Gail huffed, and reaching down tried to force Eddie to his feet.

"Come on, if we stay any longer, who knows what will show up next. Everyone's left, Eddie." she said.

Up on his feet, Eddie quietly took Gail's hand. "She was afraid to leave Hawkins," he whispered to her. "I talked her into it." 

Gail gave his hand a squeeze, "not now Eddie, you can beat yourself up later. We need to go." she said, dragging him along behind her as they headed to Eddie's van. Leaving the abandoned home to crackle like kindling as the fire grew taller. Inside the ruins, the gate seal shut as it was charred to nothing.

↰ ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ | ᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛꜱ | ɴᴇxᴛ ↱

[sofiiel]

There & Back Again | Ch. 24

The Chameleon

↰ ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ | ᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛꜱ | ɴᴇxᴛ ↱

Amy sucked in the fresh air as she followed Rick and Angel out of the long tunnel. Her hair was damp from the leaky cracks within the escape tunnel, and she was unsure she'd ever get the smell of mildew out of her shirt.

"It smells like a swamp down in that miserable thing. Don't you do maintenance?" Angel grumbled with a scowl.

"No, I was never planning on actually using it, you should be grateful it didn't cave in all together," Rick said. He pulled a ring of keys from his pocket and wandered towards a large object covered in Camo, tarp, and other hunting stealth items.

"So wait, let me get everything straight," Amy said, following and wringing out her hair. "You're an ex-Loxion asshole, who's been on the run for the past three - "

"Five" Angel corrected.

"The past five years, you've been feeding this mangy stray dog here," Amy said pointing to Angel who scowled. "Who has, what, powers? And working with a rival group to stop Loxion, and this rival just so happened to have information from another informant that Myrtle is in danger.....in Pittsburgh?" Amy asked.

Rick and Angel pulled away the camouflage to reveal a truck that had seen much better days. It was coated in thick rust and dents that were reminiscent of hitting one too many animals. The front window had several cracks from rocks, and the grill of the truck was painted in the remains of crusty bugs.

Rick watched Angel with concern as his left eye started to twitch. "That...that wasn't you that poofed you and the girl into the tunnel, was it?" Rick asked cautiously. Angel looked up at him, he said nothing, but his clear eyes said it for him.

"Shit, Maybe she should stay behind," Rick muttered.

"Like hell, I will, if Myrtle's in trouble I'm going. We're tied together." Amy protested. "What's it matter if the weirdo gets all twitchy?" Amy asked.

"Angel..." Rick started, But Angel stood tall and glared. "I steal 'abilities' to feed my own, as I cannot tap into my own power anymore thanks to that stupid goddamn chip." Angel spoke in a metallic voice lulling with deep disgust. He rubbed his neck lightly, his short blunt nails clawing at his own skin.

"So I feed off of those who have them as well, I take their power, and It will last me a few years." He explained. Rolling his eyes to look at Amy, he gave a bitter smile, "Only I don't have any more prey now that I'm free of that damned lab." Said Angel.

Amy took a defensive step back. "Well, I won't be your next victim." She barked glaring. Angel laughed. "I can't touch you, the fairy is your friend...remember?" He asked.

"Why's this girl mean so much to you?" Rick asked Angel, he was slightly unnerved by the heavy look of devotion in the boy's eyes. A wild, demented smile crossed Angel's lips. "She's a part of me, I can feel it. He wants her to for a different reason, but..." Angel shook his head, his eyes glaring into the void as he clenched his fists, drawing blood.

Angel's eyes fluttered, and a slight sadness filled them for the briefest of moments, "She's a part of Lilly," Memories flooded into Angel's mind. A small white room, and a woman with a mass of thick kinky hair atop her head smiling down at him. She pressed a finger to her lips and pulled a candy bar from her pocket.

"Papa's a jerk sometimes....but he only wants to see you thrive. Go on...it's your birthday, isn't it, Petey?" Angel murmured quietly, He could remember her words in that deep but soothing voice, like a Billie Holiday record, and a smile that could light up the darkest night. A fearless smile, one of the few that wasn't afraid of him in that awful place.

Angel stood in his silence for a long time, "Pete...you're not there, come on, you know you freak the hell out of me when you do that!" Rick called out. A crooked smile slowly inched across Angel's lips. He looked up at Rick and grinned. 

"And he doesn't freak you out any other time?" Amy questioned.

Rick shrugged, "I'll fill you in on the rest on the way, but you have to explain yourself too." Rick said, pointing at her. Amy shrugged, "might as well." she hummed, watching Rick unlock the doors, "I've told enough people already." she added.

Angel pushed up the passenger seat so that Amy may climb into the back seat of the two-door Truck. Once she was settled, he got in as well.

Looking through the trees, he could see Black cars carefully making their way through the rough terrain. "We got friends." Angel grumbled, a smile ticking back onto his face.

"I have enough strength left...want me to flay them?" He asked.

Amy nearly shivered at the chill in his voice. "Um, no! No! We don't need a crime scene so close to my house!" Rick raged.

Angel shrugged, "you're boring old man." he sighed, leaning back into the sea. "Besides, you might be needed when we get to where we're going." Rick added. "Which is where in Pittsburgh exactly?" Amy asked. 

"How are we supposed to find Myrtle and Rughead?" Amy added, looking at Rick with her brows raised. Rick looked to Angel who closed his eyes, and behind their lids, they started to shift about. "Where are you, little fairy." He whispered.

"Yeah," Amy sang with unease, "not any less creepy," she muttered.

Angel was back in the darkness, his eyes trained on a hospital bed, he could feel static moving around in the air, it made the flyaways of his hair stand up towards the air, and the hair on his arms raised.

But that wasn't just from the suffocating static, Angel walked to the hospital bed, and leaning on it, he rested a hand on Myrtle's arm, his fingers lightly touching the IV dug into her vein.  She couldn't feel him there, he knew that much. Quietly, Angel followed Myrtle's gaze. She was glaring, knives, at a figure ahead of them.

Angel focused, and soon the second figure came into view, "Loxion bitch." Angel muttered, glaring at the oddly dressed woman. Leaving Myrtle's side in the darkness, Angel circled the woman, carefully examining her.

"Do you see anything?" Rick asked. His voice echoes around the Darkness around Angel.

"Myrtle's bound to a hospital bed, The location hasn't come to me yet...but there is a woman." Angel spoke.

Amy watched as Angel's lips barely moved his eyes still closed, still moving about under his eyelids. A faint snarl came to his face, "I know her, she used to work at the lab before the first break-out." said Angel.

In the darkness, he took a step closer to the woman. "Franchesca Torrance" Angel sang with disdain. "Torrance? When did she join with Loxion?" Rick's voice said through the darkness.

"Brenner blamed her weakness after Lilly was....sent away, and then it's said she stole away with several of the kids in the night, But He... helped them escape, that's when they gave him a stronger chip...." Angel explained.

Amy looked at Rick, "is he talking about himself?" she asked.

"No," Angel answered flatly.

In the darkness, he walked closer to Franchesca, and soon he stood before her, nose to nose, staring hatefully into her face. He chuckled giddily under his breath, "I'm gonna kill you, ma'am." He nearly sang. "Very slowly." he whispered.

Angel leaned towards Franchesca's ear, "I will take your drums, your cords, and your teeth." He whispered. "And then I will peel you open."

These words Amy and Rick did not hear, but in Pittsburgh, Franchesca would shiver, not knowing why. 

Angel walked back to Myrtle in the darkness, he touched her face and her shoulder, resting his forehead on hers, in the darkness he closed his eyes. "Now show me...where are you, fairy." He said softly. 

Myrtle's memories flew through his head at agonizing speeds. From the seat of the Truck, blood dripped from Angel's nostril. He could see the Leaving Hawkins sign, He could see Myrtle having fun with Corroded Coffin in Eddie's Van, He could see the way Eddie helped her in the bathrooms, He could see the concert and her interactions there, and finally, he could see the kidnapping.

But he could not see the district or the address of where she was currently.

The darkness faded away rapidly and Angel's eyes flew open, he turned to Rick and shook his head. "She did not see her location." He muttered, turning to glare out the front window. Eyes hooked on the road ahead of them.

"Great now what?" Amy asked.

"I can try again later... I just," Angel sighed, his body shuddered with exhaustion. 

"Yeah, rest up, kid." Rick said comfortingly. Angel leaned his head back and closed his eyes as if to sleep. "I will see if Munson saw anything in a bit." He muttered.

"But Fairy you showed me more than enough, You have her with you....008. You're in good hands, for now." Angel thought, letting sleep take him.

While the guards fought off ferocious mice, Mick had successfully gotten hold of her knife sitting up with her back to Axel's she started to cut his bonds, If she could free him he could take the knife and cut her loose as well.

"Do you think they'll help us?" Jeff asked, "maybe if we buy them time, look, the Mice are starting to go away." Scott reasoned. "Buy them time how exactly?" Eddie asked. "The painful way." Scott said. "Hey! Hey Dumbasses!" Gareth shouted, "what the hell is with the fly goggles? What are you some alien cult? Shouldn't you be at Area 51 or something?" He said laying into them.

It's all it took, one of the frustrated men stomped over to him with Cattle prod in hand. "Wait, wait, I was just -" Gareth's yelps were louder than the buzzing of the prod. "Hey! Lay off him!" Eddie called out furious, but then the prod was moved his way instead.

Myrtle fought at her bindings, "Leave them alone! Please, I swear I won't fight, I'll do whatever you want j-just..." Myrtle stammered. The Tv had been knocked over, she could no longer see it, but now she could hear the muffled cries of her friends from the floor above her.

"But you are giving us what we want, and you can only do so with their help." said Franchesca as he walked to Myrtle's side. 

The woman removed her goggles and mask, smiling down at Myrtle, she lightly pet the top of the scared girl's head. "You see, they will help you open the door to Him." She lulled.

"H-him? Him who?" Myrtle stammered, she didn't like a distant look in the woman's eyes. 

Franchesca suddenly scowled, her eyes becoming sharp, and she grabbed Myrtle's hair roughly. "The monster in your head, the monster in everyone's head. He shares your blood, we will kill him, and keep you to make more. You see..." Franchesca became calm almost instantly, her rough pulling becoming a gentle stroking of Myrtle's hair once more.

"Your DNA is tame, and with it, the research that Brenner failed can be restarted. We can make a force that many will pay top dollar to employ. Perfect soldiers. Soldiers who can fight using parts of the brain most of us have forgotten, soldiers who can tap into a world, most of us have never seen." she lulled.

Myrtle clenched her jaw, "this woman is nuts." She thought. But then she had to wonder. "You did just blast a Tv across the room." Myrtle thought to herself.

Franchesca scowled as she noticed Myrtle's pulse was falling back to steady speeds. "You're calming down." She muttered at her. Myrtle looked at the woman in confusion.

"We can't have that..." Franchesca murmured, lifting the walkie to her lips. "Target the one in the Denim vest and hold it there." she ordered.

Myrtle's heartbeat ran away from her as she started to feel dizzy. "No, no - no, don't! Hello! Listen to me! Don't do it!" Myrtle shouted at the top of her lungs.

Eddie's eyes grew wide as he heard the distant voice of the Walkies of the men. "Myrtle!" He called out, rolling away from the prod. "I knew it!" He gasped, laying on his back, he glared at the man hovering above him.

Drawing his knee's down to his chest, with his legs in the air, Eddie waited for the man to draw close before kicking out as hard as he could. The man with the prod fell to the ground, cupping himself. Groaning and rolling across the worn carpet.

"Fancy suits and no safety cup?" Axel laughed, driving Mick's knife into the neck of one of the guards. Blood shot across his face and clothes, and Mick took the chance to steal the man's cattle prod while Axel stabbed him right to the ground.

Mick jabbed the prod into the base of one man's spine and held it there. "Axel!" She shouted, and without question, Axel slashed the knife across the man's throat.

Jeff watched wide-eyed as the man fell before him on the floor, gurgling. "Holy shit!" Jess screamed.

"Hey!" Eddie barked, having gotten to his feet he ran at one of the men knocking him forward, "Can we get a hand here?" Eddie said, turning to show his arms, which had been bound behind his back.

Axel was quick to cut him free, and Eddie rushed towards his friends, working fast to untie them. Once free, the boys took up as many Cattle prods as they could get a hold of from the fallen guards and used them to help Mick and Axel with the rest.

The group was left out of breath, Axel and Mick covered in blood. "Ew it's sticky!" Axel complained. "Well, maybe next time be less messy, huh?" Mick advised.

"What now?" Eddie asked.

"Axel! Mick!" Kali's cries sounded within the minds of her friends. "Did you hear that?" Axel asked. "No..." Scott said carefully.

"I did," Mick murmured, "Kali," she said turning to Axel who gave a nod, the two looked about quietly. "Your friend? You hear her? I don't hear anything...." Gareth questioned.

"It's an illusion, a vocal one. You wouldn't hear it." Mick explained.

"Where are you!" Mick shouted out at the top of her lungs.

"Shhhhh!" Eddie hushed, "are you crazy, everyone will know something's not right here!" he reasoned. "So let them come, we'll be ready." Axel said. 

Eddie rolled his eyes, "seriously man, if there were this many guys already, there is upstairs and a basement. Probably an attic too in an old house like this." He said flatly.

"All with the potential to be hiding a bunch of mean motherfuckers." He added.

"The attic. The attic hurry!" Kali called to her friends. Without a word, Mick and Axel ran for the stairs.

"Wait! Where are you going!" Jeff called out. "Hello!" Eddie called, chasing after them to the stairs, but his feet stopped him. "Let them go, We need to find Myrtle," said Gareth.

"right but... where?" Scott asked.

Myrtle froze at the sounds of a scuffle over the walkies. "It seems as though your friends made quick work of the pawns. That was surprising" said Franchesca.  The woman looked at Myrtle, watching the electric shimmer in the girl's eyes, they now blazed a violent shade of silver.

 Franchesca held the walkie out to Myrtle, "Have anything you'd like to say before the final act? It seems you're activated now. We've got the other girl. Your friends are no longer needed." She said.

Myrtle's eyes welled with tears, if she took the chance maybe she could warn them, Franchesca had yet to give an order to anyone else. She could at least let them know something was coming.  Myrtle gave a nod and the walkie switched on. "Eddie? Guys!" Myrtle called into it.

Eddie turned and scrambled for the walkie on the floor closest to him. Pressing the button, he held it to his mouth, "Myrtle! Myrtle! Where the hell are you?" He asked frantically. "Eddie, you have to get the guys out! You have to get out now!" Myrtle's voice came through.

"Calm down, where are you?" Jeff said, picking up a walkie of his own off of one of the dead men.  "No time, please, just get out!" Myrtle called. 

"No, what room?" Eddie said.

"Damn it, Eddie, just get out! You can seek help later!" Myrtle shouted, Eddie could hear the tears in her eyes louder than the fear in her words. "McKinney, you tell me right this minute, where are you?" Eddie repeated, calming his own voice down. "She's scared shitless." he thought.

Meanwhile, Franchesca glanced down at the watch on her arm and a catlike smile took over her face. "She's here." she hummed, pleased with herself, shutting off the walkie. "Who's here?" Myrtle asked, following the woman's movements.

"Our Bargaining chip, the last thing Loxion needs is to be tied to an actual crime. Rather than getting rid of a band of teens. It's easier to buy them off." Franchesca mused.

Myrtle glared, "You can't buy them off, they aren't those kinds of people." she barked. 

Franchesca smiled with amusement at Myrtle's defensiveness. "It's almost sad you actually care for them," she said. Myrtle froze and watched the woman baffled as she clicked on the walkie.

"Myrtle, you there?" Eddie asked into his Walkie, "Myrtle come on answer me...." he said again but silence remained. "Shit." he hissed, looking to his friends, but they were just as clueless. "What do we do? Is it the battery or...." Eddie's voice trailed off, he didn't want to think about the or.

Light footsteps could be heard from outside the front door. The boys looked at each other in panic. "This isn't good...." Jeff whispered. Before they could find a place to hide, the door knob turned, the door opened wide and a slender figure entered in.

Spotting Eddie, her dark eyes lit up, and a strained smile crossed her face. Eddie dropped the Walkie in his hand and his body shuddered as he took a step back. "You," he said, the world slowed down as his voice struggled to make the words, "you can't be here." He said.

Water gathered into Eddie's eyes while the boys watched him carefully, "You aren't here anymore." His voice broke. The girl tilted her head and smiled as she held out her arms, "what do you call this then?" She asked, reaching up, she tugged at the end of her hair with one hand. "Feels pretty real," she said with a faint smile.

She stepped inside and let the door close behind her, offering a reassuring smile to the boys who watched almost defensively. "It's really ok," she said to them, She didn't remember Gareth and barely knew Jeff, but Scott she knew well. She used to sing with them.

Eddie continued to step back as they walked closer. "Stop being silly, Ed." She called, Eddie stopped moving away as if commanded. "Huh, you're still a good listener." She hummed.

The girl held out her hand, "come on, take it." she said softly. Eddie was hesitant, but with his hand hovering, he reached out toward the fair hand before him. His palm slipped across her skin, it was faintly warm but also cold in a way it shouldn't have been. As if the circulation wasn't flowing correctly through her fingers.

"Gail?" Eddie questioned weakly. She smiled and gave a nod.

Eddie rolled up the sleeve of her sweater, one thing would tell him the truth, and there they were, lined in perfect rows. Little scars up her flawless skin. "Across the river, not down the stream...remember? I promised." Gail whispered, reaching out her other hand to touch Eddie's hair.

Eddie's arms flew out, wrapping around her, he pulled Gail to him. "How?" He asked, hiding his face in her hair. "How?" He asked again.

Gail stroked Eddie's hair to calm him, and he melted in her arms. "Loxion," She hummed pulling away, Gail held Eddie's face, "They saved me, this is a trade - Eddie. You see...they need your friend. She'll serve an incredible purpose." Gail said cautiously, her words as if reassuring a small child.

Eddie shook his head, "what? What's Loxion?" He asked. "They brought me back." Gail said with a smile.

"I don't trust this, Eddie...." Gareth spoke quietly. 

"I mean...she is here...." Scott said, "what kind of trade?" He asked.

Gail released Eddie's face and turned to Scott, "Me for her, I can come home but Myrtle and Kali must stay." she said. "We can't do that, Myrtle has a family." Jeff chimed.

"If I may." Franchesca spoke into the Walkie.

Myrtle sat in the hospital bed, looking between the woman and the man in the scrubs. The man watched Myrtle with sympathetic eyes, he looked uncomfortable. "Like he knows something." Myrtle thought.

"Who is Gail?" was the other question lingering in her thoughts. She had a powerful but elegant voice, Myrtle could only imagine what she must have looked like. More than anything, the little crack in Eddie's voice as he spoke to her, sent a gentle pain through Myrtle's core.

"She means something to him." thought Myrtle.

"Loxion can and will arrange the situation to where no blame would fall on you boys for Myrtle's disappearance. Her family is questionable at best, you could consider the trade as saving her life." Franchesca offered.

Gareth looked down at his walkie and the boys gathered around him.

"That doesn't sound any less sketchy," said Gareth. "Myrtle will play a role in something historical, an advancement towards the future of the world. While Gail..."

"Don't listen to her!" Kali shouted from the stairwell. Behind her, Mick and Axel now armed with guns and battered from an obvious fight.

"What the fuck..." Jeff exhaled.

Mick and Axel had their guns aimed at Gail. "Eddie?" Gail questioned fearfully, taking hold of his arm she stepped behind him. "Can you please just put those things down?" Eddie asked, his hands in the air. 

Kali however found herself glaring at Gail. "It's a trick, they took someone important to you because they knew you'd be here with Myrtle. It's a setup! Someone told them about you being here, someone knew." Kali warned.

"It's screams planned. You showing up in Pittsburgh, Myrtle stumbling on the alleyway. Those people who chased our crew and trapped Axel. They were Lab men." Mick chimed in.

"Dodo wouldn't have given us tickets to a show just to trap Myrtle. They don't even know each other." Gareth shouted glaring.

"Dodo? Gave you tickets?" Gail asked with a smile. Eddie glanced back at her, mildly confused with how unconcerned she seemed. "Uh....yeah?" Eddie answered. "Is she doing well? God, I miss her, does she still have yellow hair?" asked Gail, offering a fond smile.

"Um... I-it's green now, but, Gail. Seriously? Not right now." Eddie reasoned.

"The show was canceled, and you were miraculously given a 5th ticket. I'm sorry, Eddie, love." A dry voice called as the front door swung open again. As the woman entered, she removed the hood of her jacket and Voorhees mask.

She shook out her sea-green hair, "But I needed to lure you here, to lure them here." the woman said, her eyes glaring at the Walkie in Gareth's hands.

"It's you...." Kali gasped. With wide eyes, she watched the woman. A face she'd never forget, the first face she'd seen on the outside of the Lab. "Hello, eight." the woman greeted with a smile. Kali flew down the stairs, her arms flying around the woman who held her close. "Doris!" Kali choked. 

Axel and Mick were left stunned, as were Eddie and the boys.

"He said you were coming..." Kali stated, collecting herself as she stepped away from Doris. Doris gave a troubled frown, "don't trust him Eight, never." Doris warned.

Eddie shook his head and shouted, "wait!" fists clenched, he took a breath and held one finger in the air. "Can we just make sense of one thing at a time first?" He asked.

Doris looked at him with a Level gaze, "Make the trade and I can answer all your questions." Doris stated calmly. A smirk played on her face. "Trust me, Myrtle's got a cavalry coming." her voice said, words filling the minds of everyone in the room.

"Oh, oooh, ok, what was that?" Scott questioned frightened. Doris simply smiled.

"We've got an old friendship, Eddie...you boys trust me?" Doris asked.

Eddie glanced at Gail, she nodded her head a bit, "do it," she mouthed. "Yeah..." Eddie answered.  His core shook with protest, and his mouth went try as if to stop the words from forming as he took the Walkie from Gareth. "We'll make the trade." He said.

Myrtle's heart sunk, and her eyes flew to the man in the scrubs. The worry on his face had gone and instead, a small smile had formed. "You'll be alright." The man mouthed to her.

However, Myrtle wasn't so sure of that.

↰ ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ | ᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛꜱ | ɴᴇxᴛ ↱

[sofiiel]

Ch. 32 | The Vanishing

Summary: 3836 words : When things seemed to be going right between Eddie and Myrtle. The failed attack on Loxion causes the group of super-humans to think Eddie and Corroded will be safer without her.

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Warnings: Dialogue heavy. This chapter is more centered around the original characters.

The van fell into silence as Scott followed Rick and Axel up the road. Myrtle watched over Amy, Gail, and Angel silently. Each was now resting.

"I wonder if Doris is doing any better." Myrtle thought.

Myrtle frowned, "Maybe I can't go back home if this is how things will be." she thought, her eyes scanning over their worn faces. "Will they keep hunting me? I can't keep putting people in danger."

"Hey," Eddie uttered to her quietly.

His hand lightly rubbed her shoulder.  He looked Myrtle up and down with concern. "What's wrong?" He asked her.

Myrtle looked back at him, "Everything." she whispered for fear of waking the others.

Myrtle turned her eyes to her friends. "They didn't ask for this, everyone was lured here for my sake." She said quietly.

Myrtle shook her head and tried to will away the tears. "And I don't even know why." 

"Ok so there's something they want me to power, and we can guess it's related to the gate. But that's not a real answer, is it?" Myrtle said, she took a look at Jeff and Gareth who were each gazing out a window as if processing everything they'd just seen.

Myrtle looked to Eddie distraught, "They shouldn't be wrapped up in any of this. None of you should. It'd be different if it was just Amy and Angel. We're connected with Doris and Kali and it makes sense that they're here." she said.

"Average ass rangers and halflings travel about with wizards and elves all the time." Eddie said, "In fact, a very wise wizard once said, Many are the strange chances of the world, and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the wise falter." He said.

Myrtle leaned her head onto Eddie's shoulder. "I don't want to be anyone's problem. I'm tired of that. It's only getting worse as I fight it." Myrtle whispered.

"Wait...a minute." Eddie muttered, glancing down at her, he arched a brow. "Whoever told you, you were a problem?" He asked.

Myrtle's side glanced.

"Who told you, you were a problem?" He repeated, his tone slightly angered, but not towards her.

When Eddie didn't get a reply, he wrapped his arms around her to hold her closer.

"Maybe I shouldn't take her home. If that's what she can even call it." Eddie thought. "Why won't you open up to me." his mind sighed.

Eddie gave her a gentle squeeze. "One day you'll tell me everything you lock away in that pretty little head of yours." He whispered deeply to her, resting his head atop hers.

Myrtle stayed nestled in his arms, watching over their friends. "I'm not going back." She thought to herself, "I can't."

Myrtle's mind flooded with the faces of those she'd  cared for back home, Robin, Patrick, Keith, Max, Her mother, Chrissy, and even her father. 

"Just...after last night, how do I tell you..." Myrtle thought to Eddie. In the meantime, accepting the warmth of his arms.

And as if he could hear her, he held even tighter.

Deborah sat in her office digging through a small file, her desk littered with newspaper clippings and a Hawkins Middle school yearbook.

"It's not just a coincidence, it has to mean something." Deborah thought.

"You're in here on an off day...again?" Hopper asked as he entered the police station.

Deborah looked up from her messy desk and gave a feeble smile, "Um...I've taken up a Hobby?" she said, shrugging her shoulders high. 

"You used to be a nightmare in high school...with all your fixations." Hopper sighed, walking to the desk. "So, what's your newest obsession?" He asked her.

Deborah bit her upper lip and glanced down at her research.

"Myrtle McKinney?" Hopper asked, he looked up at Deborah, "do I need to be worried about this?" He asked slowly.

Deborah opened her mouth wide, prepared to explain, when Hopper threw up his hand.

"Don't tell me you're back to looking." He said.

Deborah's face solidified into a stone gaze, "I will not stop until I find out what happened, Hopper." she said.

Snatching up a picture of Myrtle from Middle school, she pulled a worn photo from the pocket of her uniform.

"Look at them, Hopper." Deborah said placing her photo next to Myrtle's face in the yearbook.

Hopper peered down at the identical faces, the old worn photo of a little girl anywhere between seven and nine years old. 

"yes, they look strikingly alike but-"

"They look *exactly* alike, and what are the odds that my sister and this McKinney share the same first name, Hopper." Deborah pushed.

Hopper closed his eyes and sighed heavily, "Deb" he said with a careful sternness.

As Hopper opened his eyes, he was faced with dark eyes daring him to defy her.

Hopper pointed at the pictures with his hand, "That girl can't be your sister. That was probably well before she was even born." He reasoned.

"I'm not stupid, I know that," said Deborah.

Hopper let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm simply saying that...well she was just found right? She could be my sister's child." Deborah said, "My sister could have named her Myrtle in hopes that I or someone would put things together, maybe she even helped the girl escape from the men that took her in the first place." she explained.

Hopper watched her with a blank stare. "You're a cop, Deb. You know the likelihood that your Myrtle is alive is-"

"Slim, yeah I know. But even you, have to admit. It's strange." Deborah said, pointing to the photos. "They're virtually twins." she stated.

Hopper gazed at the photos and shook his head. Yes, she had a point, but at the same time, Deborah was known to reach far in her attempts to solve the old town mystery of what happened to little Murtle Sinclair well over 30 years ago.

"So, what do you plan to do?" Hopper asked, looking down at Deborah.

"Have this random teenage girl DNA tested?" He asked.

"I could," she replied quickly. "If I explained things to her, I mean she was orphaned. She might be interested in finding her real family too." Deborah reasoned.

"Or you get the poor kid's hopes up over nothing." Hopper said.

Deborah fell silent. "Just think about what this could do to the kid and her family before rushing in." Hopper warned.

Deborah sighed heavily, "I will." she promised.

"Good, now come on. I need you to flirt with that guy at the coffee shop and get me a discount." Hopper said with a grin.

Deborah rolled her eyes and grabbed her hat, "You should be ashamed." she teased.

"Isn't that the whole point of being a best friend of the former prom queen?" He said, following after her.

The panicked caravan pulled to a stop in what Myrtle would only describe as the middle of nowhere.

"Are we even still in the city?" she asked, peeking out the window of the Van.

"Doesn't look like it, outskirts of Pennsylvania looks like." Jeff said.

Myrtle looked to find Eddie fast asleep in the seat, head tilted back and mouth wide open. She suppressed a giggle.

"Are we the only ones up?" She asked Scott.

"Yeah, you, Me and Jeff makes three." He said.

"Four!" Gareth called out, waking with a start. He hastily fiddled with his seat belt, freeing himself and trying to step around the others in a rush for the back doors.

"I gotta piss!" he yelped, exiting the van and making a B-line for the side of the road, wading into the tall grass.

Myrtle and the two remaining boys looked at each other and laughed.

"I'm going to miss the guys too." Myrtle thought while unhooking herself from the seatbelt.

"You too?" Scott snickered.

Myrtle shook her head, "Ha, no. I'm going to check on Kali and the others, see how Doris is doing." she said.

"I also need to stretch my legs, we've been driving for hours," Myrtle added, hopping out of the Van.

The midday sun of summer felt good against her arms, even through the mild humidity.  Myrtle stopped halfway to Kali's van to look around.

"Wow we really are in the middle of nowhere." she thought, the place looked more sparse than Hawkins.

Not far off, surrounded by houses gifted with large be it lazily kept yards, was a small lemonade stand by the sidewalk. It had been left abandoned as a group of children ran around the front yard to the back of the house.

The calm scene around her, almost made her reality feel like a bad dream.

Kali opened the doors to the white van, "Myrtle?" she questioned. Her voice drew Myrtle back down to where she stood, where she really stood. Her world was a mess.

"Yeah, how're you guys holding up?" Myrtle asked, making her way over.

"We're fine," Kali said moving so that Myrtle might climb into the vehicle. Axel exited the van ruffling through his pockets for a lighter.

"Here," Mick called, tossing him her matchbook. 

Myrtle looked at Kali, "His nerves are bad." Kali explained.

"All of our nerves are." sighed Mick. 

Kali closed the van doors behind Myrtle and the two turned their eyes to Doris, who was resting quietly with a deep frown on her face. A red splotch was left on her skin where the tiny weapon burned her.

"She's ok...." Kali whispered, "That thing just drained her, a lot."

"She was subjected to it longer than anyone else. It makes sense." Myrtle spoke with a pained expression.

She could hear and feel each one of her friends drop to the ground because of those tiny little things, and the phantom feeling was making her stomach twist into a knot.

Kali studied Myrtle's expression, "You," she started slowly, weighing the air around Myrtle.

"You didn't come here just to check on us, did you?" she asked.

Myrtle shook her head weakly, "No." she sighed, turning to Kali.

"I want to accept your offer to stay with you," said Myrtle.

"You're sure?" Kali asked.

"Yes and No. It's funny, I've got so many friends now, that I should want to return home. But -"

"You'd only end up getting them hurt." Kali said.

Myrtle gave a nod. "Look what they did to Doris," Myrtle spoke softly. "And Angel, I've known neither long, but I know they are strong, and both were brought right to their knees. In seconds." she exhaled.

Her eyes welled slightly with salty water,  "What could they do to the others?" Myrtle asked. 

Kali nodded, "You aren't wrong to worry, but I will say they can still be of help. Mick, Funshine, and Axel aren't like us. But here they are." Kali reasoned.

Myrtle looked at Mick, "They aren't. But they're tough, I can tell. They're fighters - each of them looks like they've been fighting all their life." she said.

Mick smiled, "not wrong there, kid."

"We were just, small-town teens. They can't be like this, it's not on them." Myrtle sighed. She then laughed slightly, voice gently breaking, "but they're oddly loyal."

"Are you going to tell them or just slip away?" Mick asked.

Myrtle looked up, "Oh," she said breathlessly, fiddling nervously with her fingers.

"I didn't think about that." Myrtle looked down at her hands, "How do I do it? They'd throw a fit if I told them. Not that I blame them, if this was always going to be the case, they could have left me to start with." Myrtle thought.

"But I don't want to not say goodbye." This thought rang the loudest through her reasoning.

"I don't know what would be easier." Myrtle sighed.

"Neither, if they are your friends, they will suffer either way. You'll have to cut all ties if you really want to keep them safe." said Kali. Her words came out cold, but her eyes were kind and held sympathy in them.

Myrtle shut her eyes tight and nodded. "I won't be telling them. I just need to figure out how to just...slip away." she said.

"We can help you with that," said Mick.

"Do you think it will be hard to get Amy and Angel to join you? We'd be something to reckon with them along." Kali asked.

"Not at all, Amy's been looking for answers about her sister involving Loxion and if they truly are tied with the Lab that held you and Angel. She'll be all for it, I'm sure." Myrtle stated.

"And Angel?" Kali asked.

Myrtle sighed, "I don't know him well, but I know - He's gonna be pissed off when he wakes up. Something tells me he'll want revenge of his own. We'll help you take down those involved with the Lab if you can help us find out more about Loxion and put an end to them." said Myrtle.

Kali smirked at the determination in the girl's eyes. Kali held out her hand, and Myrtle took it.

"We'll turn you into something to be feared." Kali boasted, giving her hand a shake. "And we will tear down Loxion and the Lab someday together." she added. 

Myrtle smiled faintly.

"I'd better be in on this path of vengeance" Doris croaked through a dry throat as she opened her eyes.

"Sorry, did we wake you?" Myrtle asked quickly.

"I heard interesting things, that's what woke me. I'd better be in on it." Doris said, she sat up and rubbed her neck.

"That hurt like a bitch." she hissed, she turned to Kali and craned her neck, "Is the scar sexy?" she asked her.

Kali chuckled, "Hardly, it looks like a giant freshly popped zit." 

Doris shrugged into a simper, "Too bad, I needed another impressive scar for the collection." she sighed.

Myrtle giggled, "You're really taking this in stride." she said.

Doris arched a brow, "It wasn't fun, but I've faced worse, and I am sure worse will be coming for me one day soon." She shrugged with her arm up in the air, "No use in letting it keep me down, I won't get anything done." Doris sighed.

"The real question is...do you think that bitch is still held up in that storage facility?" Doris asked.

"Doubt it, you guys busted that place pretty good. I'm sure the police have investigated it by now. Closed the area down." Axel said, getting back into the passenger seat. 

"Damn," Doris whispered. "It'll take us a long time to track them down again." she sighed. "Even with Myrtle with us, they won't make the same mistake."

"That's perfectly fine, I'd rather not have to face them again until I know I can. So yeah, in no hurry." Myrtle said.

"But taking her out now would mean getting back to your life sooner, to your friends sooner." Doris reasoned.

"Or it could mean I die a very painful, untimely death. I'd rather be alive when I go back to my friends, not in a casket or an urn." Myrtle said.

Axel laughed loudly, "Whoa wait-" he said, "She's leaving them?" He asked.

"You missed a lot while out on that smoke break," Mick said simply.

Axel leaned back to look at Myrtle from his seat, "Welcome to the teeaaam, sugarplum!" he sang playfully. 

Myrtle's smile was faint, "And to think I thought you were mean at first." she said.

"Oh, I am, I just make exceptions." He said.

Axel's eyes fell on Kali, "One day you could be for them what she is for us. And Kal? Kal's the only one who can turn you into that." He said.

Myrtle looked to Kali, who tilted her head and rolled her eyes.

"He's putting a little too much on it, Axel is the dramatic type." She said.

"I can tell by the hair." Myrtle chuckled.

"I can hear you." Axel muttered.

"How do you even fit in here without messing it up?" Myrtle asked.

Axel grinned, "Half a can of hair spray." he said.

Gail stood with her ear to the glass of the white van, where the windows had been coated with white paint for cover.

"Leaving?" Gail thought.

She looked back to Eddie's van, where the others rested. Scott and Jeff had gone to stretch their legs, heading for the abandoned Lemonade stand in hopes of luring the seller back, so they could purchase some.

It would be easier to let her go, but Gail couldn't unsee how Eddie looked at her, or the way he spoke of her. Gail took in a deep breath.

"Should it even bother me if I'm not..." her thoughts wandered as she recalled the fuzzy memory and Amy's face.

"Who is Susan?" Gail asked herself.

"Never mind it you have to tell Eddie and the guys," Gail whispered, backing away and heading to the green van.

But as she ran around to the back doors, Angel stepped groggily out of them, letting them fall shut lightly on their own.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Don't tell me you're planning on running again." He spat at Gail.

She rolled her eyes and scowled, "No. Ok, believe it or not, I'm not that stupid. I need to warn the guys." said Gail, trying to push past Angel.

However, he refused to move, "Warn them about?" he asked skeptically, clear eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Myrtle's going to leave." Gail huffed, "I need to tell Eddie, so he can talk her out of it. She's going to leave, and she's going to do it without saying goodbye." Gail explained.

Angel's brow rose high on his face, "Continue." He ordered.

Gail growled under her breath, "She's going to stay with Kali and Doris. She wants to go after Loxion. I didn't hear much else, but...they want you to go with them. I missed some bits." Gail murmured.

"So for all you know, she told them no? And you'd be panicking everyone for nothing." Angel reasoned.

Gail looked into his eyes for a long time in silence.

"Y-you're trying to stop me from telling him." Gail stammered.

A thin smile slipped across Angel's lips. "It'd be better for the both of us." he hummed.

"Eddie would hate you for it." Gail shot.

With a hard roll of his eyes, Angel scoffed, "Eddie already hates me enough to where it wouldn't matter." he said.

Gail shook her head, "You're awful." she hissed.

"And you're not? You don't even know who you are." Angel whispered.

Taking steps forward, he backed Gail away from the van doors. "Your current existence is a lie, so what's it to tell another one?" He asked her, earning a furious glare.

"What the hell are you talking about?" She asked him.

Angel smirked, "So you've already lost a great deal of awareness about your original self." he spoke amused.

"Ok then 'Gail' think of it this way, you let the fairy and I leave, and you get your chance to start over." He bargained with a silver tongue, turning to look back at the van.

"He will need a shoulder to blubber on about it," said Angel.

Gail fell silent, "but if he found out..." she murmured.

"Oh, he'd hate you. Almost as much as he hated me. It's up to you to decide the worth of the risk." said Angel. 

"Though one thing remains. If Myrtle wants to go, He may not be able to stop her. She's going to do it because she cares about them, and they aren't built for the world we live in." Angel left her with those words as he made his way toward Rick's truck, where the man stood smoking a short blunt.

Gail stood in a humid breeze watching the door to the Van.

"You're going to tell him." she told herself, but her feet no longer wanted to move. 

Amy groggily popped her head out of the Van, "Myrtle?" she asked Gail.

Gail watched Amy with wide eyes, and Amy arched a brow.

"Okay, you're obviously still freaking out." Amy muttered, hopping out and wandering off around the Van.

Gail's eyes followed her, "Why do I know you?" Gail's thoughts questioned. "She seems to have forgotten she called me Susan..." Gail sighed.

"Hey, weirdo," Amy called, spotting Angel as he was walking away from Rick.

Angel coughed lightly and drew in a deep breath to expand his lungs. "What do you want?" He asked her, his usual edge seeming more passive.

"I um, have you seen Myrtle?" Amy asked, her face scrunched up, "You reek of Ganja" she muttered pinching her nose.

Angel sighed, "I do, and you should go ask Rick for a puff of it as well. It does wonders for numbing that pain from those fucking little zappers."  he said.

"I'm good, I'd rather have the clarity, thanks," Amy muttered. 

Angel rotated his shoulder a few times, to loosen the muscles that knotted together, seized from the pain hours before.

"Myrtle's visiting Doris, looks like we're headed to the same place," Angel said, reaching out for the Van doors he held one door open.

"Oh, perfect timing." Doris greeted them with a wide mischievous smile, "hurry get in." she called, beckoning them with a wave of her curling fingers.

Amy looked at Angel confused as he seemed to know exactly what was going on but followed him inside nonetheless.

"What's going on?" Amy asked.

Myrtle turned around to look at them and gave a strained smile.

"We're leaving," Angel said.

"Leaving? Where?" Amy asked quickly.

"To whoever the road to Loxion and the Lab workers takes us to." Kali said.

"You're going to hunt them down?" Amy asked.

"We wanted answers, didn't we?" Myrtle asked her.

Amy smiled, "I mean hell yeah but...." Amy glanced out the window to the green van a small distance away. 

"They can't know, it's too dangerous. They aren't like us." Doris explained.

Amy gave a nod and looked at Myrtle. "If you're good, I'm good," she said to her. Myrtle smiled gratefully at Amy and turned to Angel.

As she went to open her mouth to speak he tilted his head.

"I'm with you, fairy. You don't need to ask." He said, eyes glinting with the same sharpness of his smirk.

"I owe them a kick in the teeth too." He murmured as if annoyed.

Doris laughed, "I knew that zappy shit would make you mad." she hummed.

"So when do we leave?" Amy asked.

"As soon as Axel returns with Funshine, he just left to get him." Mick explained.

Myrtle exhaled a nervous breath and shook out her hands.

"It'll be ok," Kali said calmly.

"Will it?" Myrtle thought.

The back doors opened again and in climbed Funshine as Axel got into the front passenger seat.

"Soon is here, then let's hit the road." Axel chimed excitedly.

Myrtle could feel the acid burning in her gut, and Angel quietly took her hand.

"It will be alright, It's scary at first, and then it gets easier." He whispered.

Myrtle nodded, "Let's go." she said.

Amy watched her with concern, "you're sure? Like..."

"I'm so sure, this is the only way they'll be kept safe," Myrtle said with a firm nod.

"It's the right path, Myrtle, you won't regret it long." Kali said with a smile, she rested a comforting hand on Myrtle's arm. "And you're not alone." she added.

"Step on it, Mick!" Doris called.

Mick started the Van and Kali quickly cloaked it with her powers, they'd all but vanished to the world around them. 

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