Master of Puppets [ EddiexReader | Stranger Things ]

Hell's Bell's

Your shift at Family Video started like any other. It was a slow start to the day but new stock came in which was your favourite kind of shift. Whenever there was new stock Keith scheduled you, Robin and Steve to get everything straightened out. It usually took about an hour of hard work and the rest of the time you all got to goof off, eat snacks and watch movies until the Saturday evening rush  The shifts with all of you were always the most fun.

Robin was on a tangent about her crush on Vickie, you were wrapped up in your own fantasies and you only caught the tail end of her saying she wished her and Steve could just combine.

"That monstrosity would either be wicked hot or a crime against nature" you said laughing out loud.

Robin and Steve gave you a matching glare before they both started to laugh as well.

"We're a trio of love lorn lame-o's aren't we?" You said with a sigh

"Is that our new club name?" Robin laughed "alright, Doctor Zhivago? It's perfect for love lorn lame-o's"

Steve grumbled about not watching double VHS's but he got out voted. As Robin turned on the tv a news broadcast came on saying that the body of a Hawkins High teen was found.

"Holy shit" you all said in unison.

---

It had been about an hour since you initially saw the broadcast. It was repeating itself on the tv and Steve was trying to take both you and Robins minds off of it.

"Alright sooo Fast Times?" Steve said a little too enthusiastically.

"What about Doctor Zhivago?" Robin said with a huff.

"Only if you promise not to pause it at a specific scene again" you laughed

"Listen! I like boobies, Robin likes boobies I mean you probably like boobies too, there's nothing wrong with pausing for a few moments to appreciate the female form" he said with a smirk trying to ease the tension brought on by the news report.

"Ew! Steve I told you to stop saying boobies" Robin threw a bag of skittles at him, hitting him in the arm.

You couldn't help but laugh at the pout Steve had as he dramatically rubbed his arm.

"Alright, fine, no pausing but that also means no pausing for anyone else on any one elses favourite parts of movies" Steve gave you a pointed look with a feigned stern set face.

"Okay, once! One time I paused The Goonies so I wouldn't miss Brand and Andy's kiss, that's it! There's no nudity and you can't blame me for that one, it's a good kiss" you laughed.

"God you're such a girl, do you read erotic romance novels too mom?"

"Steve you're the only mom around here" you said and Robin giggled.

As if on cue you could see Dustin and Max running upto the storefront through the large front windows. You burst out laughing as Steve pouted again.

"I already said, it's only okay if a girl says it and I'm daddy, don't turn me into a single mom" Steve half whined.

It was your turn to throw a bag of candy at Steve as Robin burst into another fit of giggles. He rubbed his arm and sent you a glare before he laughed too.

They door opened in a flurry, the bells atop ringing as Max and Dustin burst through.

"How many phones do you have" Dustin barked out

"Did you see this?" Steve said pointing a thumb back towards the tv.

"How. Many. Phones." Dustin said again ignoring Steve's response.

"There's two" you said "three if you counts Keith's in the back" Robin added.

Dustin looked to Max "that works" he said before jumping over the counter. Steve and Robin yelled out about the tapes and asking him what he was doing.

"I'm setting up base of operations, we need to contact Eddie's friends" Dustin said seating himself in front of the computer.

"Right, Eddie, your new best friend who you think is cooler than me because he plays a nerdy game" the annoyance in Steve's voice was abundantly clear.

There was more back and forth with Robin, Steve and Dustin. You were looking between them all as the pit you felt in your stomach yesterday at school reformed. The mention of Eddie's name gave you that flip flop feeling again but it was mixed with dread and you didn't know why yet.

"Can you just fill them in while I get this set up?" Dustin looked to Max and then Max looked to you three and started talking.

---

You felt a little dizzy at what Max said, especially with the details she said about the condition Chrissy was found in. Your heart broke a little at the thought of Chrissy, she was so sweet and kind. The feeling of dread was almost all consuming now. You felt a bit selfish worrying about Eddie, Chrissy was dead and you were worried about her possible killer. But you knew deep down that he couldn't have done it, although you weren't involved in the weirdness of Hawkins in the past Steve and Robin would sometimes tell you the details. During your movie nights or the occasional shared joint they opened up about what happened. You kind of hoped you would never have to deal with it yourself but it felt like right now it was inevitable. 

Max, Dustin and Robin were using the phones as Steve helped a girl pick out a movie as you stood around feeling useless. It didn't help that your mind was running a mile a minute.

"I think I have a lead!" Max broke you out of your trance as you all looked to her.

"Apparently Eddie buys his drugs off some guy named Reefer Rick, and he sometimes crashes at his house"

"That sounds promising, so where does this Reefer Rick guy live?" Robin said.

"See, that's the thing, no one really knows. He's more of a legend" Max added with a bit of a sigh.

"I might - actually I do know where he lives" everyone looked at you incredulously. It seemed like Dustin and Max are only now realizing you were even there.

"How on Earth do you know where a Reefer Rick lives?" Steve asked wide eyed.

"Where did you think I got our-" you glanced at Max and Dustin "y'know occasional Friday night add-on"

Dustin gaped and looked at Steve "you told me you didn't do drugs"

"It's just the occasional bit of marijuana" Steve whispered and looked away.

You could help but smile at the family dynamic between the others despite the events unfolding.

Max chimed in "Let's focus on the priority here guys, what's the address?" She looked to you

"Uhh he lives out on Holland Road by Lovers Lake. I don't know the exact address but I know the house"

"Perfect, let's go!" Dustin yelled.

Steve started to protest about going to the police as Dustin took your arm and started to drag you out of the store. But as everyone else started to follow you and Dustin he eventually grabbed his things and ran out the door behind you all. Quickly turning the sign on the door to closed and locking up.

You all got into Steve's car as he started to drive in the direction of Lovers Lake.