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 ) eclipse // pink floyd arsonist's lullaby // hozier
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The night air was heavy with damp cold as Steve's BMW crunched to a stop on the gravel drive of 2121 Holland Road. The headlights swept over a sagging mailbox, its paint cracked and flaking, but the white letters were still visible.
LIPTON.
Ruby stepped out first, gravel crunching beneath her boots. She ran her fingers over the name, the paint rough under her touch, before glancing back at the others.
"We're in the right place," she said quietly, voice tight from the chill. "You can ring the doorbell, Henderson."
Dustin nodded and trotted up the short steps. The bell echoed inside, long and hollow. No answer. He pressed it again, and again, each shrill ding-dong stabbing at the quiet.
"Okay, well, that's settled," Steve muttered. "I guess he's not here."
But Dustin ignored him, pounding on the door with his fist. "Eddie! It's Dustin!"
"Great," Steve said under his breath.
"Look, we just wanna talk, okay? No cops, I swear! We just wanna help!" Dustin shouted, the desperation in his voice echoing against the trees.
Robin lifted her flashlight and peered through a window. The glass reflected only her beam and the silhouettes of dust and stillness.
"Eddie!" Dustin banged harder.
"Shh!" Robin hissed.
He didn't stop. "Rick! Reefer Rick!"
Steve winced. "Don't scream that."
"Rick!"
"He's not there. Just-"
"Reefer Rick!"
Steve turned away, jaw tightening. "He could just be really high," Dustin muttered, soft now, almost embarrassed.
Max and Ruby had already started wandering toward the lake's edge, their flashlights flicking through the dark.
"Maxi," Ruby whisper-shouted, catching up. "Where are you going?"
"Maybe there's a shed or something, Eddie could be hiding there."
They rounded a corner, and the faint glimmer of moonlight off water revealed the outline of a small structure near the shore.
"Is that a foot?" Steve called from behind them.
"No, that's a shoe," Dustin replied flatly, exasperated.
Ruby couldn't help it, a quiet laugh slipped out, the sound strange and small in her throat.
"Hey, guys?" Max called, her voice sharp with discovery.
