The Break (An Eddie Munson Story)

Chapter 46: Middle Of A Break Up

A/N: I had someone recently message me, asking that now I'm writing for, Tender Was The Dark, will I be neglecting The Break/no updating regularly? To just clarify, I have not forgotten this book.

Unlike my Sandman Fanfiction, this book takes longer to write. There are a lot plot points running simultaneously, that need conclusions, which means I am taking more time to consider what content I do decide to publish.

The average chapter word count for Tender Was The Dark is 1K-1.5K. This book runs at 2K-3K. So, while The Break might be a bit slower to update but I haven't forgotten about it. I'll keep writing until there is no one left to read it.

*****

At the sound of raised voices, that echoed through the stilled night air, in the vast, open clearing of the Trailer Park, had the auburn-haired girl reaching for her walkie talkie. It had been so long since she had used to contraption, that she had to wipe away the thick layer of dust, which had accumulated upon the surface. With fumbling, clumsy fingers, she finally managed to press the talk button and her message of Code Red, was the domino effect, that jump started a chain of events, which led to the eventual gathering of Hawkins's bravest.

As Max's frantic call for help sounded over the airwaves, the firey argument, caused by weeks of accumulated stress and lies, was finally beginning to taper off inside the trailer, as you and Eddie both ran out of accusatory words and unshed tears.

For so long you had been strong but that night, you had finally snapped, falling from grace and into a state of endless silence and stone-cold stares. The eyes that had once held such a spark of adoration for the curly-haired metal head, were now devoid of any light. dull. Could it be that, you had finally reached your limit and tipped over the edge, only to tumble into a permanent state of dispair?

You continued to sit on the edge of the bed, staring continuously at the smooth, plain wall. Your facial expression was set in a permanent scowl, marring your features.

Eddie sat motionlessly beside you but not close enough for you both to be touching. Just near enough in case you needed him to comfort or hold you. Though he greatly suspected that, this was it. The end of all things. He was certain that he had lost you forever, that you would want to grab you bag and finally leave for good- not that he could blame you for hating him. Yet still, he waited patiently for you to break the suffocating quiet, mistaking your silence for anger, for sorrow, for undeniable pain.

But he was wrong on all accounts, what you internally felt was none of these emotions. In fact, you felt nothing. There was not a single drop of emotional to be located within your hollow bones. You were completely broken on the inside. Silenced reigned for there was no more to be said, no more tears to be spilt.

The deafening quiet felt suffocating to the brunet and he hated himself for not noticing your path to self-destruction earlier- how could he have missed the way you were slowly dying inside? All caused by his refusal to talk about the information he had gained from Nancy and Steve. He thought he had been protecting you and yet, all he had achieved was causing you more pain and betrayal.

Analysing your appearance more closely, your boyfriend tentatively reached out for your hand, hoping to pull you out of your own hellish and tormented mind. As his skin came into contact with your ice cold and trembling hand, you flinched away, not wanting him to contract the darkness within you. The warmth of his skin sent a streak of fire throughout your body, igniting your nerves with pain and yearning. Shuffling further away from him, you hoped the added space would halt any further attempts of contact. Though you yearned for his warmth, for his loving arms to be wrapped around you, Eddie needed to be protected at all costs. You were bad news. You would be his ruining. He needed to remain untainted by your oozing self-loathing. The truth of the Upside Down had already plagued his mind, pulling him into the dark abyss, where you often dwelled. His trajectory was now in tandem with you, soon he too would be an empty shell. A shadow of his former self, soon transformed into an equally pitiful being. He was desperate to say something encouraging and you, just dying inside.

Eventually, the bed creaked as Eddie stood up, the mattress only had to bow to your weight now. This was it, you thought despondently, he had finally seen the light and was going to leave you to suffer alone. Before you could process what occured next, your hands were clasped in his, as the brunet pulled you up to stand before him. Unsteady on your feet, he held you close to him, body warmth overwhelming your frozen senses. You struggled in his tender grasp, in attempt to break away from the one you did not want to further hurt. Wounded whines escaped your lips but still, he continued to keep you close, knowing that if he let go, he'd lose you forever. "Don't," he begged, his hoarse voice filled with worry, fear and pleading. "Don't... don't push me away."

A broken sob escaped from your lips, a mangled, broken sound. You ceased your struggling and remained slumped hopelessly in his arms.

"I should have stopped this from getting so out of hand." he began to cry, placing a gentle kiss on your temple. "Please," Eddie's tone was no louder than a whisper, a desperate and anxious plea. "I..." his body shook as he tried to regain some composure. "I can't lose you."

"Eds..." you pulled back slightly. There was so much you needed to say, needed to explain but it was all so overwhelming to process. He had lied to you and your friends...well, they betrayed your trust and traumatised the great love of your life. It had not been their place to tell Eddie about the horrors you had faced and yet, they had gone behind your back and done just that. While you were livid at Eddie for not talking to you about the cause of his nightmares, they had committed the unthinkable and created a rift between you and the brunet. A break in your relationship, that felt broken beyond repair. "I can't do this right now." you finally whispered, your stomach churning as you said the words, that you knew would be the final nail in the coffin of your relationship. "It's all too much." you scrunched your eyes closed, not wanting to witness his expression. "I can't...I don't think I can love you right now."

"Y/N..." holding you at arm's length, his piercing brown eyes bore into yours, making you squirm at the sheer intensity of his glare. "you can't mean that?" when you failed to reply, he gripped your shoulders slightly and gave you a slight shake. "Y/N, please. Don't leave me, not like this."