Hellfire (Eddie Munson x OC Stranger Things Fanfiction)

Chapter 26: Missing

I go back home.

Home.

It feels weird being back here after everything. But I don't know what else to do. There's no where else to go. Nobody left to fight. Nothing left to do.

"Hey, I've already eaten so if you want anything, you'll have to make it yourself," I hear my dad shout from wherever he is in the house.

It's been, what? Three days, four? Since I was last home and he didn't even notice I was gone. I sigh, turning up the stairs to go my room.

I stop in the doorway, staring at a spot on my bed. The spot where Eddie sat the night Chrissy died.

My legs give out from under me and I collapse to the floor, tears spilling from my eyes. I can't move. I feel frozen. Numb.

I could've saved him. I should have run faster, should have stopped him from cutting the rope. I could've saved him.

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~2 Days Later~

"At least he died a hero, right?" Dustin asks, turning to me. I can see he hasn't slept properly for days.

"Yeah, he did, Dustin. He did," I say. I just wish I didn't have to say it.

He died a hero for this shitty town. A town that didn't care about him.

"I wish it wasn't just us that cared that he's gone," I add. Glaring at the back of Steve's head.

"We do care, all right? We just weren't as close to him as either of you," Steve says, defending himself.

"Sure, that's why none of you have even brought up his name since?"

"We just need to get on with our lives. That's why I've dragged your ass out of bed and into school. We're going to do our bit to help."

"Yeah, like they all helped Eddie?"

"Melissa, for fuck sake! Other people died, not just Eddie!"

I sit in silence, knowing if I push any further, I'll see a Steve I don't want to see.

We finally pull up to the school in all its chaos. Soldiers and people everywhere. Why did I agree to this?

"Come on! Grab a box," Steve says, shepherding us to the trunk where the boxes wait for us. Dustin, Robin and I grab a box each, leaving Steve empty-handed. How is that fair?

I glare at Steve but he ignores me. Instead, leading us into the school gymnasium.

We head towards the donation stand and we're greeted by a volunteer. We put our boxes on the table, and I stand to the side, wishing Steve had just left me alone.

"Hi," Robin says. "Uh, so these are blankets and sheets and some... some clothes and... and some kids' toys."

"Wow, it's already so organized," the volunteer says. "We appreciate that. Do you want a tax receipt for it?"

"Um... no, I don't think that we need one. Thank, you though," Robin replies. "But is there anything else that we can do to help?"

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"H2O?" Dustin asks as he slowly limps between the beds. I follow with my tray of PB&Js. "Vital for all forms of life."