Whispers of a Ghost

Chapter 23-

"Why didn't you tell me about Vecna?" Steve asked quietly as he climbed out the Winnebago and stood beside you.

"What?"

"Vecna. Why didn't you tell me? All his victims had the same symptoms. Nosebleeds, headaches, nightmares, that stupid grandfather clock. Why didn't you tell me you were having those symptoms?"

You shook your head, "I didn't have them."

Steve frowned in confusion as he looked over at you and you sighed, glancing out across the field at the others.

Dustin and Eddie were hammering nails into garbage bin lids to create makeshift shields while the Sinclair's were turning sticks into spears by tying large Bowie knives to the ends of them which you thought was a good idea.

You watched them for a few seconds before turning back to Steve who was already looking at you in a mixture of confusion and worry.

"I didn't get those symptoms. I mean... not the nosebleeds or headaches. I've been having nightmares since Starcourt, hell, I've been having nightmares most of my life. And that grandfather clock... that was the first time I've heard it. I would've told you if I thought Vecna was coming for me... I didn't know until it was too late."

"Shit." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair anxiously.

"How... how did you guys get me out?" You asked curiously. "I heard music... but, it wasn't Max's music from her Walkman."

"You have Eddie to thank for that."

"Huh?"

"You started to float... like-like Max did... and everyone was screaming at me, asking what your favourite song was, but you don't have a favourite song! I-I was panicking, I didn't know what to do. If you didn't have a favourite what are you meant to do? Then Eddie found Mr. Selwood's bass guitar in the RV and just started playing. I don't even know what song it was. Something metal. The kind of thing Billy used blast through the Camaro at school... and next thing I knew, you were falling back to the floor, so I guess it worked."

You stared at Steve for a moment noticing the way his eyes were starting to glisten with unshed tears. You thought back to the cemetery with Max and how terrifying that had been when Vecna cursed her... Steve had to witness that again, but with you.

"I'm sorry." You whispered, wrapping your arms around him.

"S-sorry? What? Baby, you have nothing to be sorry for." He quickly said, hugging you back just as tightly.

"Hey, uh, oh sorry to interrupt." Nancy quickly apologised.

The two of you pulled apart and you found her walking out the Winnebago and holding out two pump-action shotguns with a questioning look and you grabbed the one of the left.

"I'm going to saw the barrel off so it'll be harder for anyone to grab it. Do want to do that too?" She asked, picking up a handsaw from one of the bags.

"Nah, it's okay. When you shorten the barrel it shortens the range of the projectiles. It'll be great up close and it'll spread the pellets nicely. But, I'd like a little distance in case for whatever reason, we can't get super close to Vecna." You answered, looking down at the shotgun.

"Oh, I didn't know that. Should I not saw the barrel off then?"

"No, no, it's a good idea. A great idea if I'm being honest. It'll demolish anything up close." You quickly answered and she nodded, happy with that answer before she walked off to go modify the gun.

"Good to see you and Nancy getting along." Robin commented from where she getting the supplies ready to fill up glass bottles with gasoline for Molotov cocktails.