Against all odds || Stranger Things 4 | Hellcheer

Chapter 3

Chrissy looks around to find where the music comes from. Maybe it can bring her back to Eddie. Even if his trailer isn't the best place she's ever been, it still beats this twisted version of her house! Besides, focusing on the guitar makes her feel slightly better as it brings to her mind some nice and warm memories...

Until the monster growls her name again while slowly walking toward her. It has a human form but its skin is covered in dark slithering vines and one of his hands is unnaturally large and clawy. She backs against the door, whimpering. She calls out for Eddie through her sobs and suddenly he's here.

She can see him through the kitchen door, behind an eerie mist. He's playing his guitar, his head bent over it as he sits on his couch. She can see herself too, sitting next to him, stiff and tensed, her rolled back eyes blinking rapidly.

The monster snarls her name again, but at the same moment, Eddie starts singing. His voice seems to be coming from far away, but it's pulling her toward the kitchen. She thinks about their conversation in the van and his improvised song about those triumphant bards. If she runs, she might get there before the creature can catch her. And then she'll be on the other side with Eddie. Then she'll be safe.

She takes a deep breath, clenches her fists, forces her mind not to think about the rotten food or that creepy hand ready to grasp her and hurtles toward the kitchen.

*

Chrissy jerks with a gasp as if she just jumped back on the couch. Eddie looks up at her and his heart drops. She's crying! Not just crying, she's whimpering and breathing heavily. Without thinking he puts his guitar down, slides closer to her and puts his hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, you okay?"

She lets out a loud sob and throws herself in his arms, gripping his clothes like her life depended on it. He's too dumbfounded to say anything so he just holds her. Not too tight because he's not sure that would be appropriate, but enough to hopefully make her feel safe.

Once again, he wonders what could cause such distress. She said she was losing her mind earlier in the forest, how close to the truth was it? It must be serious, because she won't calm down.

Tentatively, he rubs his hand up and down her back. She doesn't push him away or tense, so he keeps doing it until she finally stops crying. He lets her go the second he feels her pulling back and looks down at his knees while she wipes her face.

"I'm sorry," she mumbles.

"No problem. You, uh... want some water?"

He meets her eyes, red and puffy, a remnant of terror shining in them. He wants to hug her again until it's gone, but she nods and he just gets up to fetch a glass. "I've gotta say, it's the first time my terrible singing actually makes somebody cry," he jokes from the kitchen in an attempt to loosen the heavy atmosphere.

When he comes back with her water, she's standing in the middle of the room, looking down and twisting her fingers. He feels stupid. "Uh... Maybe we should go outside, get some fresh air? Or I can drive you home if you'd rather – "

"I don't want to go home," she replies abruptly.

Eddie frowns as he hands her the glass of water. "Okay, uh... you can stay as long as you want."

Watching her sipping her drink like a lost child, he feels as concerned as he's helpless.

*

Chrissy lets the cold night air fill her lungs and numb her body in hope it will cast away the memory of what just happened. She starts, feeling something brushing against her. Eddie wraps a cover around her shoulders with one of his sweet smiles before sitting next to her on the outdoor sofa. "Better?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Her voice is still trembling. She pulls the cover tighter around her. Eddie stares at her, he must think she's completely crazy.

"Look, I know we, uh... don't know each other very well, but if you want to talk... I mean, uh, you know, about what's troubling you."

She avoids his eyes.

"And by the way," he adds, "I won't tell a soul about anything that happened tonight. You were never there." He pauses then says in a goofier voice, "It's not like anyone would believe me anyway!"

She glances at him. He smiles, scratching the back of his neck.

"I can also start to teach you how to play DnD, or just shut the fuck up and leave you alone. I mean, it's your call, really."

The second scariest prospect, right after going home, is to find herself alone. She shivers. She could ask Eddie to drive her to the party and seek comfort with Jason – who's waiting for her and maybe starting to think she stood him up since she told him she would join them later – , but then she would have to put on her cheerful face...

"You said you have pretty dice," she says tentatively.

She thinks she sees a flash of disappointment in his eyes but she might have imagined it. He's already storming to his van to get his stuff. She can't remember the last time she craved someone's presence so badly.