cursed (2022)

chapter twenty-seven: creel house

Nancy's driving us to Victor Creel's house. She said he mentioned it whenever she and Robin were trying to figure out how to wake me up. The car ride was a bit long. Lucas said he was supposed to go to Chrissy's funeral, but explained that he had to trick Jason so he wouldn't find Dustin, meaning he's on his bad side now.

I've always thought Eddie was crazy and Jason was the sane one, but hearing Lucas talk about Jason completely changed that. I don't think there's anything he's going to do to Eddie that won't get them both arrested- that is if he even finds him. He's not my boyfriend anymore, but I'd be pretty upset if someone murdered Lucas and ran away. I think I'd leave it to the cops though.

The house looks old and busted up. Nancy did mention that it's been abandoned since Victor was locked up. I think its original color was blue or green, but now it just looks like a blueish shade of gray. The front door and the windows are boarded up with wood. Robin and I exchange looks as we're going up the steps.

"Yeah, that's not creepy," Steve says.

We all walk closer to the front of the house in silence. Steve and Nancy get out hammers and start pulling out the nails keeping the wood attached to the door.

"I mean, what exactly are we supposed to be looking for in this shithole?" Steve questions.

"We're not sure," Nancy looks at him. "We just know this house is important to Vecna."

He raises an eyebrow, "Because Max saw it in Vecna's red soup mind world?"

"Basically..." Nancy retorts.

"Great," Steve nods.

I don't see why it wouldn't be important to him. Everything Vecna is doing must be for a reason, right?

"Maybe it holds a clue to where Vecna is. Why he's back, why he killed the Creels. Dustin suggests. And how to stop him before he comes back for Max."

I get shivers down my spine. I know that we know a way to get me out if Vecna does end up coming back for me, but I had to attack him myself before I was even able to leave. I had to get dodge all those obstacles he was throwing at me, and what if he finds a way around it? Robin and Nancy found me a way out by luck, and what if we're not so lucky next time?

"We don't think he's in here, do we?" Lucas asks.

"Guess we'll find out," I say.

"Ready?" Steve says to Nancy.

"Mhm," she nods.

They let go of the wood and it falls, blowing a bunch of dust, leaves, and debris our way. I quickly move back before looking back up at the door. It's the same door I saw in Vecna's lair-the same stained glass rose design and everything.

Steve tries to open the door, but it doesn't budge.

"It's locked," he announces. "Should I knock, see if anybody's home?"

Steve is not funny. I don't think I ever laughed at a single thing he's said.

"No need," Robin says. I look behind me and there she is, smirking and holding a brick up. "I found a key."

"Alright, move back," Steve says.

Dustin hands us flashlights and we all move back as Robin gets ready to throw the rock. She throws it straight at the glass. I look back on instinct and hear the sounds of glass shattering. When I turn back around, Steve is reaching his hand into the house from the hole in the glass. He unlocks the door and it loudly creaks open and we make our way inside.

"Looks like someone forgot to pay their electric bill," Lucas says.

Dustin turns on his flashlight and Steve gives him a confused look.