The Freaks - Eddie Munson

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Wheeler

"Who's leading the way?" Robin asked. I could hear her voice shaking. Steve started walking slowly down the street towards Crissy's trailer. Dustin followed suit, along with the others. 

Eddie, Max and I were the only ones who hesitated slightly before catching up with the rest of the group. Max had returned the headphones to her ears, walking a bit fast for my pace. I looked over to see Eddie staring at me, which I had sensed.

"I don't believe we've met." I sighed and gave him a small smile in reply.

"I know who you are, Eddie. And I assume you know who I am."

"But I think we should be properly introduced, don't you?" he outstretched his hand toward me.

"I'm Eddie Munson." I looked down at his hand, observing it for a moment. It was covered in the chunkiest silver rings, his fingernails cut short, for guitar I'm sure, and his hands were a bit dirty, but not filthy. I took it decidedly.

"Y/N Wheeler." he smirked, giving my hand a small shake.

"Pleasure."

I cleared my throat as we approached Crissy's trailer.

"So. Barbara Streisand?" his head turned sharply to me, his mouth bobbing up and down.

"Uh-"

"Forget it." I said, holding back a smile and joining Steve at the front of the group.

"Is he causing problems?" I turned to Steve, my eyebrows raised.

"Sorry?"

"The freak. Is he causing problems?" I laughed at this, hooking my arm around his.

"Eddie's harmless. C'mon." We walked inside the trailer together, but what we saw made me stop in my tracks.

"Holy shit." I whispered. It was the only thing I could say. Steve turned to me and took my shoulders. I couldn't look at him. Crissy's mangled body on the ground made me sick. I thought I was going to throw up. I realized after a few seconds Steve had been saying my name so I tore my eyes away from Crissy to look at him.

"Keep the kids outside. Okay?" I couldn't answer. I couldn't move my mouth. "Did you hear me?! I said keep them outside! Do you understand??" I rushed outside and took hold of the kids.

"Steve said not to go inside." I told them, my voice shaking. Dustin tried to break free of my grip, but I grabbed his ear and dragged him to the back of the trailer.

"Shit shit shit OW." he screamed, trying to wiggle free. The other kids didn't ask questions.

"Why the hell doesn't Steve want us inside?!"

"Shut up Henderson." I said, clutching my stomach to keep in my lunch. Eddie rounded the corner, his hands in his pockets.

"Everything okay?" he asked, ruffling Henderson's hair. I gave a small smile and nodded, saying nothing. "Woah, Wheeler are you-" I couldn't keep it in anymore. I interrupted him by vomiting in the grass, falling to my knees. Tears streamed down my face from the acidic taste as I spit out what was left in my mouth.

"Oh shit!" Dustin yelled as I hurled up my lunch. I felt a hand rest on my back, rubbing it lightly. Once I finished I looked up to see Eddie knelt next to me, rubbing my back.

"That bad?" he said, his face stricken with concern. I nodded slowly, wiping my mouth with the towel that had been around my waist. Our eyes locked together for a moment before I spoke.

"Crissy, she looked-" I broke off, feeling tears catch in my throat. It burned. I looked up at Dustin, hoping he'd know what I meant. "It was him." I whispered.

"It was who?" Eddie pitched in. We stayed silent. Lucas' face turned to concern, and Max turned and ran towards the door of the trailer.

"Max don't!" I cut off, trying to stand up.

"Don't try to get up." Eddie said, his hands on my shoulders. "Just rest for a-"

"I can take care of myself Munson." I stood up, my knees weak, and rushed after Max, slower than normal. As I rounded the corner I heard Eddie say to who I assumed was Henderson,

"Is she always so stubborn?" to which Dustin replied,

"She's a Wheeler. She's stubborn as hell."