Into Every Stranger Generation

Chapter 8

 Becca pulled down the dirt road and parked off to the side where Malcolm's car wouldn't be noticed. Stepping out of the car, she grabbed the small cooler from the back, trying to figure out how in the hell she had gotten here. What had she possibly been thinking? Shit. Taking a deep breath, she made her way toward the house.

Her, Ivy, Jax, and Malcolm had spent a good part of the day getting to know the rest of the Hawkins monster fighters. Eleven had been pretty damn impressive. She had shown them just some of her powers and they had been blown away. Becca was very happy she was on their side. She was not someone Becca would want to have to go up against.

Lucas had been kind and friendly to them, but he wore his sadness like a suit, for the whole world to see. Dustin and Steve had told her about Max that first night, and her heart broke for him. It was obvious his own was pretty shattered. She truly hoped that they could figure out a way to save her along with the world.

Will and Mike had been more hesitant about them, and she could understand that. They had lied to them immediately upon meeting them. She probably wouldn't trust them either. Both boys had been polite, but it appeared they may have to earn their trust first. She was okay with that. They would win them over eventually.

After they left, Steve and Dustin had been talking about going to get Eddie's blood from the butcher shop and running it to him. Becca didn't know why. She didn't remember even opening her mouth but somehow, she offered to do it for them so they could have the night off. She wanted to snatch the words back as soon as she had spoken them but she couldn't. Both guys had been happy to agree, excited at the idea of getting a full night's sleep.

So, here she was, carrying animal blood in a cooler to a vampire that is hiding out because he's wanted for murder. She was a goddamn slayer. What was she doing here? The thought of seeing Eddie again both excited and nauseated her. She couldn't be thinking the things she was thinking. She was meant to destroy his kind. It was like a rabbit deciding to have cuddly feelings for a fox. It was insanity, that's what it was. He was gorgeous, but she needed to get over it. She would just drop off the blood and go.

Becca raised her hand to knock but the door swung open before she could and there he was. Eddie's tall, lean frame filled the doorway, his head tilted, his eyes paralyzing her where she stood as they pierced her very soul. She had to remind herself to breathe before she passed out right on his porch.

"What are you doing here?" Eddie asked, his question was simply curious, not annoyed and that offered her some measure of relief.

"How did you know I was here?" Becca asked back.

"The car, your heartbeat, your breathing, I can hear it," he shrugged. "One of the many bonuses that come with being a blood-sucking monster. Lucky me, huh? Again, what are you doing here?"

Becca's brain had to work way too hard to process what he was asking. Jesus Christ, this guy was scrambling her signals. Her mind went completely blank, still lost in his gaze. She shook her head, trying to clear it. She just had to answer him, to say anything. He had to be thinking she was a psycho.

"Oh, well, I offered to bring your late night juice box," she said, forcing a laugh, but Eddie did not look amused. She cleared her throat, rocking on her heels slightly. Her nerves were getting the better of her and that did not usually happen. She was steady. She was sure. She walked into situations and handled them, but with him she was a walking disaster. "I mean, Steve and Dustin were talking about how they had to head over here. I figured I could do it and they could both get some actual sleep tonight. I don't mind."

"You don't mind having to bring me blood?" Eddie questioned, sounding suspicious.

"Well, in my line of work, blood is fairly common," Becca laughed, genuinely this time. "I mean, when your life is fighting and decapitating and staking, you get pretty used to the sight of blood. Both your own and other peoples. My mom has washed blood out of my clothes more times than she can probably count."