Raising Hel | a Stranger Things fanfiction

Chapter 23

Timeline check: sets during ST4 episode 9, on Thrusday 27th of March 1986, directly following chapter 22.

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Dustin stands up and lifts his hands to his head. This can't be happening! The bats are dead, this has to mean the others were able to kill Vecna! No, this has to be something else. Maybe Vecna found a way to fulfill his plan without killing a fourth victim. Unless... He plumps down on the ground. Unless that fourth kill is Nance or Robin ... or Steve. A sob bursts out of his mouth. He doesn't want any of them to be dead!

– Hey, big guy, calls Eddie softly. I'm sure everyone's fine.

– You don't know that, he whimpers.

In his haste Dustin forgot his walkie in the trailer, he has no way of contacting anyone. He wishes they could just hurry up and get back already. How is he supposed to sit there waiting to find out who died?!

– We need to go back to the trailer, he says.

Eddie stares at him, pale as a sheet under the coagulated blood on his face. Dustin already regrets saying this, but his friend takes a deep breath, cough some blood then says with determination:

– Okay, let's try again.

*

Eddie grits his teeth as Hellen and Dustin haul him up to his feet. His right leg can't bear his weight, his left one burns – his whole body burns! – and shakes from having to support him, even with the others holding him. The dizziness is worse, everything is spinning. He's never going to be able to walk.

– Bike, shouts Dustin. Let's put him on the bike!

To great efforts, they manage to sit him on the bike. Eddie has to bend over to puke a mix of bile and blood that splashes over Hellen shoes.

– Shit, sorry...

She helps him to sit straight without a word and she and Dustin start pushing the bike toward his trailer. The rift has swallowed half of it, as if it was the gate that had expanded. Which mean that huge thing opens up on the real Hawkins, and this can't be good.

Dustin let go of the bike and sprints inside the trailer before they can stop him. He comes back screaming in his walkie for Steve to pick up.

– What's going on, asks a panicked Robin on the other end.

– Are you guys okay?

– Yes, we're on our way. Have you guys felt this earthquake?

– It's the gates, shouts Dustin. They expanded! Just like in Nancy's vision!

The reply doesn't come right after and Eddie can imagine the trio trying to figure out their next move.

– Can you cross back from the trailer, asks Robin.

– I think so, yes.

– Okay, then do that and wait for us somewhere safe. We're on our way.

– Hurry up, pleads Dustin.

*

Hellen stares blankly at what's left of the living room in Eddie's trailer. The switch inside her came to a new level when they decided to come back here. All emotions have been locked up in the back of her mind, leaving her on autopilot mode. She can think, she can move, but it's like someone else took over the control. Someone strong and fearless, who just does what needs to be done.

She feels bad for not being able to empathize with Dustin's worries, but on the other hand, she might have lost it if she did. She'd rather be heartless but useful. Her priority is to make sure Eddie gets to a hospital as soon as possible.