The Freaks - Eddie Munson

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Wheeler

I stayed with Max again that night. Nancy and Robin wanted to stay up and do more research, but the rest of us who were still tired from the days events chose to get some rest. But as I laid in the blow up bed next to Max, I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was the danger she was in. I wanted to clear my head. I wanted to-

I pushed away the covers and quietly left the room, stepping into the nearby bathroom. I reached into a cabinet and took a towel, closing the door quietly. I left the trailer, making sure the door was locked behind me, and as I walked down the steps and toward the trees, I noticed Eddie sitting in a chair by his trailer, smoking. I stopped in my tracks, mesmerized by the way he smoked. His eyebrows furrowing as he took it in, and tilting his head back to blow it up into the air, revealing his jawline.

Holy shit.

I began to walk slower, hoping he wouldn't see me.

"Wheeler." I turned and he had already caught up to me, standing just a few feet away from me. "Where do you think you're going?" he looked at the towel in my arms, then back up at me. Was it just me, or did he not seem flirtatious? I don't know how I could tell, but he didn't seem to care what I was doing or where I was going. His tone was annoyed, and when I looked up at him he took another puff of his cigarette and released it to the side.

"Swimming." I replied with a shrug. I began to continue walking towards the lake, but I stopped when Eddie grabbed my arm. His rings were cold against my skin, and his grip was firm.

"Let go." I said, looking back up at him. He had tossed his cigarette, his other hand free. When I spoke, he looked at me like I had nerve telling him what to do.

"I don't think you should be going by yourself." he complied and let go of me as I shook my head.

"I just need some time alone. To clear my head." he shook his head in return.

"No."

Why was him demanding things of me making me blush? 

"Not alone." he continued.

"I'm not going skinny dipping with you, Eddie."

"No one said anything about skinny dipping." he rolled his eyes, "Just-" he broke off in a sigh. "I don't like it anymore than you do, Wheeler. But Steve would have my head if I let you go to Lover's Lake by yourself. People are dying." I stood for a moment, thinking if I should even try to argue.

I turned and began walking towards the lake. And something in me hoped he was following.

*

Once I reached the beach, I tossed my towel down into the sand. I took off my sweatshirt, leaving my white t-shirt and shorts. When I turned I saw Eddie had followed me, and he'd sat down in the sand, leaning back on his elbows. He was wearing his normal clothes. Hellfire t-shirt, leather jacket and jeans.

"Don't stop on my account." he said, his tone once again annoyed.

"You're not here to babysit me, you know." I told him. He shrugged, continuing to watch, and I assumed hoping I would strip completely. I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction.

Kicking off my shoes, I waded into the water, the cold stinging my feet. Before I went in further I watched as the moon reflected off the water. I walked forward a few more feet before diving into the cold waves. As I reached the surface, I took a deep breath, brushing the hair out of my face.

"Are you coming?" I called out to the freak watching me on the beach. Even in the distance, I could see him smirk before standing up.

"Yes ma'am." he stood up and kicked off his shoes, then to my great pleasure, (what?) he took off his shirt with one hand, tossing it to the side.

Oh.

His stomach was perfectly toned and his chest and arms covered in tattoos. He reached down and pulled down his pants, revealing nothing but his black boxers. I bit by lip as he waded into the water and swam toward me.