𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐔𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 ; ᴹᶦᵏᵉ ᵂʰᵉᵉˡᵉʳ

The Dive

Upbeat music plays on the radio as Nancy drives, Robin at her side. Lucas and Max sit in the back seat while Dustin, Steve, and Ian sit in the trunk. Ian silently listens as the group talks about the current situation, explaining how Eddie is screwed.

"See, Robin? Positive spin can make all the difference!" Steve says, dropping chip crumbs onto his yellow sweater.

"Oh, shit," Nancy mumbles, slowly pressing on the brake pedal.

Ian quietly groans, wanting to just go to bed and never speak again. The group all spilled out of the car and followed Nancy, trying to listen in to Chief Powell talking to the news station reporters. Must've been another killing.

"As many of you may know, the Roane County line received a call a little after midnight... reporting a homicide here on the lake"

Ian shares a look with Dustin, Lucas, and Max, one of worry. He listens intently, seeing Lucas' face of absolute shock and numbness hit like a brick after hearing Patrick McKinney's name drop. Ian lays a soft hand on Lucas' shoulder, trying to show some comfort.

"His limbs... his body was disfigured. There was an eyewitness on the scene, and we have also identified a person of interest."

Chief Powell held up a picture of Eddie Munson for the cameras to see. Eddie had nothing to do with this other than witness Chrissy's death. He didn't deserve to have his face broadcasted on the local news stations for something he didn't do. Ian wished he could just go out there and spill government secrets, but he knew that no one would believe him. Even if they did, there'd be consequences.

"Oh, man," Steve whispers, "This isn't good. Really not good, " He says, looking down at Dustin, who clearly doesn't know what to think in the moment.

Lucas, Robin, and Max share a glance, trying to read each other. Chief Powell walks away after announcing his presence for any questions at the town hall at two o'clock. Suddenly, the walkie-talkie that Dustin had in his pocket starts blaring Eddie's familiar voice, looking for Dustin and even Nancy.

"Eddie, holy shit, are you okay?" Dustin asks, the group following his lead to properly hide behind the van they were using as cover.

"Nah, man," Eddie stressfully laughs, "Pretty... pretty goddamn far from okay. "

"Where is he?" Robin asks, directing her words to Dustin so he'd ask the older friend. 

"Where are you?"

"Skull Rock. Uh, do you know it?"

"Uh, yeah, that's near Cornwallis and -"

Steve interrupts, "Garrett, yeah. I know where that is. " He quickly walks back to the car, the others following, leaving Dustin to trail behind. 

"Hold tight. We're coming. "

<~>

Somewhere in the woods, Ian, as per usual, quietly listens to Steve and Dustin bicker about Skull Rock, walking slowly behind Max and Lucas, kicking up leaves and dirt as he walks. They eventually make it to Skull Rock, though, thankfully in one piece. 

"Time to admit you were wrong for once, butthead." Steve speaks over his shoulder to Dustin.

A thud catches both their attentions, causing them to turn around to catch the cause of said sound, being Eddie jumping down from a rock.

"You, Dustin Henderson, are a total butthead." He jokes.

"Jesus, we thought you were a goner," Dustin sighed, pulling him into a hug.