Never Let Go

chapter 5.

I wake up the next morning, the bed next to me empty.
But it was to be expected Eddie must of returned to the upside down before sun up.
Today was different though my heartbeat no longer hurt instead waves of hope ran around my body.
I smile and swing my legs out of bed and jump to my feet.
Something caught my eye on my bedside table...
My walkman, two cassettes and a note.
I read the note with curiosity.
"My Darling Mandy
I took the liberty of hunting these out of your collection.
It's close to know which one is your favourite. Your usual fantastic music taste of rock... Bon Jovi.. You give love a bad name.
Or the secret side of your music taste... The Bangles Manic Monday. Under normal circumstances I'd be questioning your brain but I caught you singing this the morning of Skull Rock... and your voice was a beautiful way to wake up that morning, and if it helps keeping Vecna away from you well so be it my sweetheart.
I don't know if I'll be able to be with you again tonight... you just know Vecna will be on to us soon.
Just promise me you'll be careful until I see your face again.
I love you my queen
Eddie
Xxx
My eyes widened I had no idea he was awake watching me that morning I giggled and remembered that morning and the terrifying night before...
*flashback*
Eddie and me had retreated back to the storage hut after having used the cabin to cook food.
I had thought about taking him home and hiding him in my bedroom but it was far too risky.. to close to the attention of the town and prying eyes and too near to a mother who was too protective for her own good.
No this will have to do.
Little did I know our safe space was about to be blown out of the water.
Eddie and I were sat in the boat making out and things were about to go further but we heard a car engine.
We looked at each other Eddie took his hands from mine as he edged to the small window. I wasn't that edgy expecting it to be Steve or Nancy until Eddie threw himself against the wall.
"Fuck!" He put his finger to his lip.
I remained quiet long enough to hear Jason and a couple of his minions.
"Shit!" I whisper.
Eddie reaches for Dustins Walkie and tries to get a hold of him or anybody for that matter. No answer came.
"Where the fuck are they?" He whispered crawling back to me.
I shrugged my shoulders. We were trapped we had to think of something and fast.
Time passed and it was now dark. Jason and the rest of the idiots had tore Reefer Rick's cabin to shreds looking for Eddie. I was terrified of what Jason was going to do to Eddie if he got hands on him.
"We're running out of time Mandy." Eddie says as he reached for the walkie one last time.
With yet again no response we both looked at the boat and realised it was our only hope.
We'd managed to get it to the water but not without causing noise Jason and Patrick were running towards the lake at pace.
Eddie struggled to get the motor running...
"Eddie leave it come on." I screamed and handed him another per.
"Fuck!" Eddie said as he took it from me.
Jason was gaining but I'd noticed Patrick had fell behind.
"Munson we want to talk to you!" I heard Jason shout.
He was too close for comfort our escape attempt was in vain.
He caught up with the boat and knocked us into the lake before I knew it he had hold of me.
"What's this Munson?? She your next victim freak??"
"Jason it's not like that you close minded idiot... he never hurt Chrissy you've got this so wrong!" I struggle in Jason's hold.
"Really? Or maybe he's got you brainwashed too?"
"Fuck you Jason!" I'd lost patience and was through trying to be nice.
Jason hadn't noticed Eddie come behind him and pulled him off me.
"Get your hands off of her" Eddie growled and threw a punch.
I swam a few feet away and noticed something as they exchanged blows.
Patrick had started to lift from the water.
"Eddie!.... Look!." I shouted it was enough to make them stop.
Eddie swam to me knowing what was coming.
Jason just froze looking up at his teammate.
"Don't look sweetheart." A breathless Eddie said as he pulled me close to protect me but it wasn't enough to stop me from hearing Patrick's bones snap and crack.
His body eventually splashed back into the lake.
Jason still froze we saw our chance.
I pulled Eddie under the water and swam with him so Jason couldn't tell which direction we went.

We dragged ourselves ashore and made our way to Skull Rock dripping wet.
Somehow we managed to build a fire and we warmed ourselves and our clothes.
"You ok? Did he hurt you?" Eddie said as we cradled each other by the fire.
"No.... he didn't..... and no I'm not ok."
I barely whispered in reply as the gravity of the situation pushed down on me even harder..
Eddie was public enemy no1 and I didn't know how to save him. I wept as he pulled me onto his lap and he gently rocked me kissing my hair on the top of my head.
"It'll be ok." Eddie tried to be reassuring.
We fell asleep in each other's arms under the rock.

I woke the next morning and I felt horrid on more levels than one, I needed a shower and I couldn't get the sound of Patrick's bones out of my head.
"Six o'clock already I was just in the middle of a dream."
I started to distract myself singing.
"I was kissing Valentino by a crystal blue Italian stream."
I sang the entire song at a low enough volume or so I thought.
It was enough to get the funk out of my system for now at least.
I looked at Eddie... sound asleep or at least that's how it looked I know better now.
I brushed his hair out of his face and his eyes fluttered open.
"Hey beautiful." He said sleepy. god even that looked hot.
"Hey listen you stay here I'm going to go get some supplies."
"What?.. no you can't!... no doubt Jason would of told everyone I've kidnapped you.. the whole of Hawkins will be looking for you!" He protested.
"They'll be looking for me yes... but they'll be gunning to kill you. There's a vast canyon of difference baby."
I lean in and kiss him.
"The sooner I go the sooner I'm back."
"Ok. Be careful... please He reluctantly replied.

I kept my promise returned with food and a new walkie expertly stolen from a near by work site.
We eventually reunited with my brother and the others Dustin especially releaved they thought we'd either got arrested or Jason had killed us.
*end of flashback*
I decided to put Manic Monday in first. Shut my walkman clipped it to my jeans and put the headphones round my neck.
I knew El was resting up and trying to figure a way to amplify her powers I intended to drop in at some point to see how she was doing I didn't want to rush her though.
But I knew she'd need all the help she could get so I decided to call round to The Wheelers I needed Nancy's help.
I was just about to leave when I opened the door to Robyn about to knock.
"Oh hey Mandy."
"Hey..." i look at her and I know exactly why she's here.
"Steve sent you to babysit me didn't he?" I smirk.
"Um...maybe. He promised Eddie he'd keep you safe at all costs when he's not here so...." Robyn explained.
"Ugh... Men!"
Robyn laughed at my reaction.
"We aren't staying here are we?" She asked under her breathe.
"Nope!" I said as I push her out of my door.
"One word to Steve... I sware Robyn!"
"No... I promise this time between us girls." We pinky promised.
Not ten minutes later we knocked on the Wheelers door, Nancy answered.
"Nancy... I need a favour."
Nancy looked at both me and Robyn with a quizzical look on her face.