Never Let Go

chapter 2

*Back to present day*
I wake up and drag myself out of bed and force myself into the shower.
I get dressed wearing a shirt of Eddie's and a pair of jeans.
10am wow even Dustin hadn't tried waking me this morning... he's learning.
I'm going to help out Steve and Robin today even though it hurts to move.
"Hey sis how are you..."
Dustin stopped in his tracks and didn't finish his question.
"You can say it bro. I'd be lying if I said I was fine. I'm not but my friends need me... you need me."
I look at his leg he's still limping on it days after he forced his way back into the upside down to try and stop me and Eddie from...
I hadn't noticed I'd started to cry.
"Hey it's ok Mandy. You need us too. Anytime you need to talk we're all here for you... especially me it's my job." Dustin says holding me.
A smile crept upon my face and I wiped my face.
"Thanks Dust. I love you you know that right?"
"You too".
We both look at each other he can't say the full sentence anymore  since he said it to Eddie.
I sigh and grab my denim jacket untook my necklace from my shirt so Eddie's ring hung snugly against my chest.
"Let's go."
I grab my flask making sure it's full  it's the only thing that's getting me through the day and slide it into my pocket.
We arrive at the high school Gym and find Robyn making sandwiches with Vickie and Steve busy sorting and folding clothes.
I stopped to help Steve a little but I soon stopped when I saw Dustin talking with Eddie's uncle. I walked over but hung back a little so I could overhear them.
As I was listening to how Dustin was telling how Eddie was a hero and how he saved his life as well as the whole towns even though everybody hated him. I kept seeing Eddie laying there in our arms... "I didn't run away this time right?" His broken voice still loud in my head...
I closed my eyes grabbed my flask took a large gulp and left the building as quick as I could... unknown to me Steve and Robyn where hot on my heals.
"Mandy hey wait up!" I hear Robyn yell.
"Mandy stop! Are you ok?"
Steve had sprinted to catch up to me and stopped right in front of the drivers door to my car.
"I'm fine Steve I just need to go home. I thought I could handle it but I'm not ready.
Steve just nodded sympathetically.
"Do me a favour could you bring Dustin home later?"
"You don't have to ask."
"Thanks." He stepped aside and I quickly pulled away I saw both him and Robyn looking worried in my rear view mirror.
The rest of the day dragged I spent it all in my room avoiding Mom at all costs and only saying hi to Dustin every now and then when we would cross paths on snack or bathroom trips.
I take one final drink from my flask. I'm not quite drunk but I'm almost there... and that's enough I need to keep my wits about me for what I'm about to do.
I sneak out of my bedroom window and make my way over to Eddie's trailer... or at least get as close as I can to it. Since Max "Died" there's one big massive gate to the upside down now and the opening that was once in Eddie's trailer has grown and merged with the others.
Without even thinking about it I step through.
No vines, no bats, just a different type of darkness.
I walk until I find the place were Eddie fell
His body no longer there I assume the bats came back to... eat it.
Yeah it's not my first time back here. I've come back well almost every day.
Morbid? Yes I agree but I need to feel close to him and I can still feel him here.
I sit and slowly start to hear echoes of Metallica's Master Of Puppets.
Before I know it I'm asleep.
I don't know if this has anything to do with the upside down being stuck in the past but I'm dreaming... dreaming of the night Eddie didn't come and get me.

*Mandy's dream*
I'm pacing back and forth it's been close to 3 hours since we left him. Since i opened my heart and let him in.
He's not showed.
"Wonderful" i sarcastically sigh.
There's a quick knock on my bedroom door and Dustin walks in.
"Mandy i can hear your big feet from next door you want to call it a night!"
"He's not showed Bro... you said he liked me!" I say staring out of the window.
"He does! He swore to me I threatened to kill him if he hurts you so something must of come up."
I sigh.
"C'mon on horror movie in my room we will go to his place in the morning."
I reluctantly join him but it isnt long until I'm asleep on his sofa and he's putting a blanket over me.