Devil's backbone (Eddie munson au)

Part 16

Over the next week Eddie's pain started to lessen and he was able to move more easily. The four walls of the room were starting to get to him. One day around dinner he asked to be taken to the living room. Instead of calling for hopper, he leaned heavily on me and we walked into the room.

"Hey guys." He said as everyone turned their head and a roar of celebration erupted. Jonathan stood up from the couch to give Eddie his spot and helps me lower him down.

"Want me to get you a plate?" I ask and he nods.
I can already tell that little bit of movement has worn him out and the pain was creeping in, but he looked determined to be with the rest of the group. While getting his plate ready I pull Will aside.

"Will do you think you could make a campaign? I
Think Eddie would really enjoy it." The boys eyes lit up.
"I would love to." I can see he was excited it nervous.

"But Eddie is their DM."
"He will love to play what ever you come up with. He likes to play too. Not just control everything."  That seemed to reassure the boy and he scurried off excited.

"Sarah, can I talk to you." Hopper says nodding his head to the door. The looks on his face makes my heart drop, but I hand Eddie his plate and follow hopper out to the porch.

When I step out onto the porch hopper is lighting up a cigarette.
"What's up?"  I say folding my arms around myself.

"Been looking into your parents like you asked."
"It's not good news. Is it?" I say tearing up. He shakes his head no.

"As you know your house was untouched. But the car lot wasn't. And since they are still missing they officials want to confirm their deaths."  He says carefully.

"With out their bodies? But that..."
"From their investigations. They are sure they were at the car lot late. I have a number for their lawyer, he wants to discuss their estate. I'm sorry kid."  Heat flooded my eyes and I turned walking back into the cabin.

Walking straight to the room I hear Eddie call out to me. Part of me wanted to acknowledge him but my heart was being ripped apart. Burying my head into a pillow I start sobbing. They can't be dead. They are my Mom and dad. We had our issues but I loved them. I feel the mattress sink I look up. Hopper was helping Eddie on to the bed, and walks back out.

"Come here baby." He says opening his arms. I slide closer to him, gently laying my head on his chest.
"It's ok baby. It will be ok." He says rubbing my back.

"We'll get threw this. All of this." He says kissing the top of my head.  He held me until my tears stopped and my breathing slowed.
"Hopper did have some good news." He says hesitantly. I rest my chin on his chest looking up at him.

"With Lucas and Erica statements they are looking to shift everything to Jason for the murders. And if Max comes out of the coma and confirms there story. My name will be cleared." I manage a small smile.
"Good."

"Like I said we'll get threw all this." He says again squeezing me tight.
"I love you."
"I love you too baby."

The next day, the whole party besides Eddie had been told they were playing a campaign and to come to the cabin for dinner. Lucas had decided to not come wanting to be by max's side. Which we all understood. Joyce on the other hand had recruited me to helping scrub the cabin from top to bottom. I was cleaning out a cabinet when I came across some vinyls and a player. I start flipping threw them till one catches my eye making my jaw drop.

"Hey Joyce who's records are these?" I say holding them up.
"Oh those must be hoppers ex-wife." An wicked idea springs to mind.
"So if it would say get destroyed he wouldn't care?"

"Not at all." I set up the player and pull the vinyl from its sleeve. With in seconds of dropping the pin ABBA's Waterloo starts to play and with out missing a beat Eddie yells from the room.
"Sarah it's not funny! Turn it off!" I laugh turning it up. A minute later the door flies open and a disheveled Eddie is leaning against the door frame. I run to him. I didn't think he would force himself up. He puts a hand up and uses furniture to hobble over to the record player, tearing off the vinyl, and hobbling to the front door. He opens the door and throws the vinyl like a frisbee  into the woods. I go to stand beside him taking some of his weight on to me.

"How dare you torture me while I'm injured." He says rolling his eyes, but kissing the top of my head letting me know he wasn't actually mad.

"What are you guys doing anyway?" He asks as I help him to the couch.
"Well it was meant to be a surprise but you might want to do some prep work. Will made a campaign and the party is coming over tonight. Thought you might like to have some fun instead of staring at the same four walls." His face lights up and he pulls me down on to the couch with him.
"That is awesome. Thanks"

Dustin was the first person to arrive. He came in like a whirlwind talking a mile a minute with an armful of snacks. Dumping them on the counter he practically ran to Eddie's room.
"He talked nonstop the whole way here." Steve sighed.
"Can't blame him he is excited. Wills been bouncing around here all day" Joyce says with a laugh, but from the couch Will protests, "have not!" Before standing up and following dustin into the room.

A few minutes later hopper came home with El and Mike in tow having picked up Mike. Nancy and Jonathan were volunteering at the school helping with the displaced town's people. Hopper looked concerned but when we asked him he waved us off saying he would tell us later.

Me and Joyce brought the snacks into the room and we started the campaign. Eddie had convinced me to play. It was my first time playing Eddie had helped me make a character.

Will was an animated DM and I could tell by the look on Eddie's face he was proud of the kid and the story he was telling.
"You come to a rickety old bridge, in the middle of the bridge stands an old man with a long white beard, welcome travelers! I have been waiting your arrival!" Will says waving his arms. He goes in to tell us the local villagers have been going missing.

Over the next hour it had become a inside joke that when I needed to good roll I would end up rolling a one. Which was completely true I was the worst when it came to rolling, to the point it was comical.

"Honey I love you but you are terrible at this." He Eddie teases me with a a laugh.
"But that's ok." He says rubbing my knee.
A knock on the door hopper walks in.
"Hey guys I just got a phone call from Lucas." We all silently stared at him. Our minds hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
"Max woke up." A sigh of relief went out from all of us.

"And Lucas caught her up on what's going on. And she is going to talk to the police. I talked to some people at the police station too. Between Lucas,Erica and max's statements, they are going to call a press conference and clear Eddie's name." I smile and look over at Eddie. He was looking down at his lap but I could tell he was holding back tears. Reaching over I hold his hand.

"Almost there baby." I say laying my head in his shoulder.
I'm
"How's max?" Dustin asks.
"Her breaks are healing and They are going to be running some test. She might be permanently blind."

"But let's focus on the good for now. Max is awake." Joyce says standing up and walks over to hopper.

No one dared to speak about the elephant in the room. Vecna and his curse. His plan. What comes next....