Billy's gone.
Ruby Buckley's world ended with him.
But Hawkins isn't done with her yet.
When strange deaths begin again, Ruby is pulled into the heart of the storm. Between shadowy nightmares, the town's newest outcast, and someone she was never s...
( songs for the chapter ) rhiannon // fleetwood mac lovers rock // tv girl
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It took a moment for her vision to steady.
The world was still spinning, but the figure in front of her slowly began to take shape, tall, broad-shouldered, a mess of dark curls tumbling over his forehead.
A joint hung between his lips, the faint smell of burnt paper and something earthy clinging to the air. He pulled it free with two ringed fingers, exhaling smoke through a small grin.
"Didn't mean to scare you," he said softly.
Her eyes adjusted enough to recognize the face.
Eddie Munson.
Of course.
The notorious "Freak" of Hawkins High, standing there in his faded denim vest and torn jeans, looking exactly as everyone described him and yet... not.
"You okay?" His voice had lost its teasing edge, replaced by something genuinely concerned. Ruby blinked up at him, finally catching her breath.
He knew her too. Everyone did. Ruby Buckley, the girl people called "the Queen," though she looked nothing like royalty now.
Eddie remembered her long before that title stuck.
Once, when they were kids, he'd been cornered on the playground by a couple of older boys. Freak, they'd called him.
Freak, freak, freak.
Before he could even think to fight back, a tiny brunette had marched over and socked one of them square in the jaw. The kid went home with a bloody nose.
Ruby Buckley, seven years old, fire in her eyes, had gotten suspended for it.
He never forgot that.
Even now, ten years later, that image still lived somewhere in the back of his mind, her small fist, her wild courage, the way she'd stood there shaking but unafraid.
And here she was again. Shaking, but trying so damn hard to stay upright.
The lie didn't make it past her lips. Her knees buckled, and before she could catch herself, she hit the ground.
"Okay, my ass," Eddie muttered under his breath.
He crouched down in front of her, uncertain, wanting to help but not sure how. After a hesitant pause, he rested a hand lightly on her thigh, skimming against the edge of the rips of her jeans, his rings cold against the exposed skin.
She flinched, sliding down until she sat flat against the wall, back pressed to the brick, tears still running freely.
"Please," she stammered, her voice barely audible. "Just... give me a second to breathe. Please."
