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With reassuring words, Eddie and Dustin say goodbye to Ethan, Robin, Nancy, and Steve, watching them head for the woods towards the Creel house. Dustin still looks concerned for Ethan, given his fucked up state, but trusts that the older teens won't burn him out. Dustin cares. He cares for people more than he'd ever realize. Ethan knows, though, his heart radiates with love for others. It's something he'll always cherish in Dustin.
His hand was killing him now, his lack of energy making it hurt worse as he had nothing else for his body to focus on, adrenaline having worn off hours ago. He hoped and prayed he wouldn't need to have as much energy as El did when she shut the gate, needing to be able to save them, save them all, protect them. He now knew Vecna was using him as a passageway to try and get to El, searching his mind for her whereabouts that he didn't have. If she showed up in the void, in his mind, Vecna would know. He tethered himself to the closest thing he could get to El, Ethan.
They had a backup plan with the vodka and lighter, molotovs, but it wouldn't be enough. They needed to char Vecna into an overcooked slab of meat. Ethan was the grill that needed replacing, though.
He couldn't do this, not alone. He needed El, or at least Jaeden, or Hallow. He couldn't do this, he couldn't. Why they couldn't postpone this until they contacted the two superpowered friends again was beyond him. They didn't live far, they could've tried to retrieve them. He needs them, he needs El, he cannot do this himself.
As they stumble through the woods, flashlights in hand as thunder loudly claps, they all feel anxiety rush through their veins. Ethan hated walking in the middle like this, like he needed babysitting by the older teens. He wanted to walk in front, but by Nancy's words, he'd get himself killed. He didn't know what she meant by that, but she was probably right anyway.
"Uh... I don't mean to freak anyone out," Robin speaks, voice quivering as she stutters, "But I swear we've seen this tree before. "
"That's impossible," Nancy replies, looking back at the tree that she shines her light on, a slimy tentacle wrapped around it.
"That would suck, right?" Robin asks, "If Vecna destroyed the world because... cause we got lost in the woods?"
"We're not lost, Robin," Nancy reassures, pulling the group forward.
Robin nervously chuckles, running off past Nancy.
"Hey, Robin! Watch for the vines! Hive mind, remember?" Nancy shouts.
"Thank you!" Robin shouts back before sprinting away, leaving Nancy, Steve, and Ethan alone.
Ethan looks back at the older teens as they'd both fallen back. He gives them a look of 'I'm not chasing her' before turning forward again, lazily trudging through the forest. He decides not to listen to their conversation and instead listen to music to calm his nerves. Plus, a little protection would never hurt. If he got sucked in by Vecna again, he'd be able to escape, hopefully, with the help of some awesome music.
