Trial By Hellfire

Chapter 7 - The Cult of Vecna

I don't know why but I took my time getting ready. My mom left me a message on the answering machine saying I could borrow her car since they took my dad's into the city. I stuck a tape into the boombox that I had in my room, turned up the volume to max and pressed play. I danced around my room while I planned an outfit for tonight. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by the Whitney Houston came on. One of my favorite songs at the moment. I danced and sang around in a big t-shirt and shorts. I pulled out black jeans, and a Metallica t-shirt. Not many people this but secretly, I was a bit of a metal head. I pulled my blonde hair into a messy bun. I looked at my roots starting to show, it had been ages since I bleached my hair. I put on a few necklaces and my favorite rings, and my watch. I looked around my closet for my Dr. Marten's platform boots.

"Hey cuz!" I jumped.

"What the fuck Steve! You scared the shit out of me! Wait, how did you get in?" I asked, while trying to calm my nerves. He sat there laughing for a second before answering.

"Your parents gave me a key. Just in case." I rolled my eyes.

"They just wanna make sure someone responsible is watching over you."

"And they thought that you were a good choice?"

"Hey!! No fair! I am a GREAT babysitter." Steve and I walked into the kitchen while I made us something to eat. "Where are you going looking all dressed up?" Steve was one of the only people who knew I liked metal music.

"Dustin asked me to sub in for his stupid campaign in Hellfire tonight."

"Hellfire? With the freak?" I knew he was talking about Eddie.

"He's not a freak, Steve. Just because he likes to play a little fantasy game doesn't mean he's a freak. He's actually very.... nice."

"Wow, you really do like him don't you?"

"No, he's just different than anyone I've met before. And we have chemistry together." I tried to deny my feelings for him. How could I really feel that passionately about someone I had just met?

"The fuck you do!" Steve stood up.

"Calm down, we have the class, chemistry together."

"Oh." He sat back down, a bit embarrassed but thankful it was only me there to see his stupidity play out.

Steve and I both drove to the school separately. He brought a date to the basketball game, ick.

"You sure you don't wanna come to the game? You're gonna miss Tammy Thompson singing the national anthem!" Steve said as we both got out of our cars.

"Oh no! I'm gonna miss the muppet? No thank you." We both laughed and walked into the school together, along with his date, before parting ways. I met up with Dustin and Mike in the halls.

"Hey Lizzie, are you ready?" Dustin asked eagerly, but I could tell he was nervous.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I clutched my binder in my hand, terrified of what was going to happen next.

Mike was about to open the door but before he could, it swung open. Standing on the other side of the door was the gorgeous Eddie Munson. Our eyes locked on one another and I felt the world start to slip away again.

"Welcome to Hellfire Miss Harrington." He said as he held out his hand. I took it and he walked me over to the table like a princess. I could tell his friends were skeptical but trusted in not only Dustin and Mike's judgement, but Eddie's as well. The entire game I could hardly keep my eyes off of Eddie. He was passionate about the game, you could tell.

"Lizzie." Dustin said shaking my arm.

"What?" I looked around at everyone staring at me.

"To the death?" Dustin asked. I looked at him and smiled.

"To the death." Out of the corner of my eye I could see Eddie's beautiful smile, dimples and all.

After a while of rolling dice, Dustin and I were the only ones left. Me and the other boys gathered up into a huddle, trying to figure out what to do. Some of Eddie's friends wanted to flee, and while Dustin and I tried to plead our case Eddie's buttery voice interjected.

"Gentlemen, Lady Harrington." Every time he said my name it sent shivers down my spine.

"Whilest I respect the passion, you'd be wise to take Gareth the Great's concern to heart. There is no shame in running." The same words my mom used to describe me before we moved to Hawkins. "Don't try to be heroes. Not today, 'kay?" I felt a fire ignite inside of me.

"No. We're finishing this." Eddie's eyes lit up at my words and a grin spread across his face.

"There she is." Dustin whispered. I knew Dustin and I only had 12 hit points left but we could do this. I could do this.

"Let's kill this son of a bitch." I said before we resumed the game.

Dustin rolled and missed. "Shit!" He exclaimed. I grabbed the 20 sided die and shook it in my hands. It was almost as if I could feel time moving slower. I released the die onto the table, never taking my eyes off of it while all the boys begged and pleaded.

After what felt like forever the die finally landed on a number. 20. "A crit hit!" Mike yelled from behind me. The boys started jumping and cheering. Eddie jumped up from his chair pulling his arms into chest in shock. I danced in celebration with the boys. "

That's why we play!" Eddie exclaimed. I looked over at him and he bent over and spread his arms open wide over the board. I had done it. I beat Eddie's illustrious Vecna.

A little while after the game ended, I was packing stuff up in my binder, getting ready to leave.

"You were awesome back there Lizzie." I'd know his voice anywhere.

"Oh, so we're on a first name basis now, Munson?" I asked, flirting to the best of my abilities without making it obvious that I could barely control myself around him.

"I've never met anyone like you before." He said, staring into my eyes. I wasn't quite sure how to respond. We were the only people left in the room. Dustin and Mike went to find Steve for rides home.

"Do you wanna hang out sometime?" Eddie asked, his eyes never leaving me. I sensed a bit of nerves when he asked.

"Are you asking me out Munson? And are you nervous about it?" He laughed trying to release the tension.

"Maybe." He said.

"When do you wanna hang out then?" I said without looking at him.

"Now?" He asked shyly. "I don't really have anymore plans tonight." My eyes immediately snapped to his.

"Okay." I let out, without even thinking about it. We walked out of the room together.

"So.." I started.

"Maybe we could grab some food and go back to my place? Watch a movie or something." Eddie suggested.

"Okay." I responded with a giant smile on my face, which made Eddie smile too. I'd do anything to make smile, to make him happy. I thought to myself. Luckily we didn't bump into any of the gang on our way out of the school. I turned and looked at Eddie.

"I just wanna drop the car off at the house. It's my mom's so I'd hate to leave it somewhere. You can follow me if you'd like?"

"Sure Harrington." Eddie replied. I got into my mom's car and watched as Eddie climbed into his van. We both set off on our way to my house before our last minute so-called date.