Freaks

Chapter 16

"Okay. I wanna run through it one more time." We gathered round Nancy, an owl echoing in the darkness outside the van, "Phase one."

"We meet Erica at the playground." Robin confirmed, "She'll signal Max and Lucas when we're ready."

"Phase two." Nancy nodded.

"Max baits Vecna. He'll go after her which gives Ari a chance to get into his head." Steve looked between Nancy and I.

"Phase three?" She asked.

"Me and Eddie draw the bats away." Dustin toyed with his spear, "Ari stays in the fortified trailer to have a secure place to enter the mindscape."

"Four." Robin continued, "We head into Vecna's newly bat-free lair, and...flambé." She shook the molotov in her hand."

"Nobody moves onto the next phase until we've all copied." Nancy commanded, "Nobody deviates from the plan, no matter what. Got it?"

"Got it." She got a unified chorus of agreement from us, before we all rose to our feet, gathering up the weaponry and making our way out the door.

Everyone slinked round the edge of the trailer-park. Using the dark night sky to our advantage. I limped from shadow to shadow, making sure no one could see us.

The five of us stealthy made our way up the steps of Eddie's trailer, making sure to stay out of reach of the streetlights. We piled in the door, the gateway still gaping in the roof, squelching and squirming from within.

"Be careful." Dustin's eyes were wide as he warned Steve.

"Thanks buddy." He patted his back, "Here goes nothing." He pulled on the makeshift rope that was still hanging from the roof and pulled himself up and through the gateway.

Everyone watched in anticipation as gravity caught him on the other side and he rolled down onto his feet. Steve looked back through, looking very pleased with himself.

"Whoa." Robin's tone was laced with sarcasm, "What does he want us to do, applaud?"

Quickly Steve yanked the upside down mattress into the living room, giving us a safe landing pad.

"All right!" He tugged on the rope, "Let's go."

One by one we dropped down onto the mattress, taking our handmade weapons as we went. Until eventually everyone was through, panting and panicky.

All five of them bundled out the door. I stood at the doorway, watching them go. This was my post, the trailer. Eddie and Dustin would make it impenetrable, so I'd be safe to do my thing.

"Hey, guys." Steve turned back, looking between Eddie Dustin and I, "If things here start to go south, I mean, at all, you abort. Okay? Draw the attention of the bats. Keep 'em busy for a minute or two. We'll take care of Vecna." He paused, "Ari?"

"Hmm?" I bit the inside of my cheek.

"If things get hairy in there you get yourself out okay? All you gotta do is buy us some time, don't try and defeat him."

I gave him a shaky thumbs up, "Got it."

"No one try to be cute or be a hero or something." Steve shook his head, "Okay? You guys are just-"

"Decoys." Dustin finished for him, "Don't worry. You can be the hero, Steve."

"Absolutely, I mean, look at us," Eddie glanced at Dustin and I, "We are not heroes."

I ran my hand up and down the doorframe, fingers twitchy.

"Hey, Steve?" Eddie stepped forward, a little nervous it seemed, "Make him pay."