Against all odds || Stranger Things 4 | Hellcheer

Chapter 32

Chrissy can feel someone pulling at her sleeve but she stands her ground. There's something very strange in the Demodog's behavior that reminds her of her uncle's dog when it's tempted to snatch some food from the table but knows it will owe him a kick in the flanks. Could it be possible that something is preventing that creature to attack?

The tug on her sleeve gets more urgent and Steve steps in front of Chrissy, his nailed bat held out at arms length.

"Let's all slowly step back toward the door," he instructs.

He barely has time to finish his sentence that the beast lurches itself at him. So much for fearing the kick...This time Steve can't hold onto his bat hard enough and the Demodog sends it scattering further in the hallway. It gives them just enough time to hurry back behind the fire door and shut it close. The creature crashes into it, they all press themselves against it to keep it close.

At the second hit, Chrissy's foot slips. With Robin holding herself on Chrissy, it's hard to keep her balance and the third hit sends them both flying back as the door leaf they were trying to keep shut flings open.

Chrissy feels more than she sees the Demodog zooming past her, taken by its momentum. She lost the wrench and she's back on the first line...

She hastily stands up, desperately looking for a way to defend herself, but once again the attack never comes. When she hears what she guesses to be Steve coming near her, she stretches out her arm to prevent him for stepping forward.

It's crazy. Worse, if she's wrong about it, she might be bead in a minute! But there's something about that creature's behavior.

"I think it can't hurt me," she says through gritted teeth.

"Are you insane," he hisses, tugging at her sleeve.

"Wait Steve," says Robin, "I think she might be right. Look!"

The Demodog keeps skipping back and forth, growling, baring its teeth, but it never comes closer. Chrissy clenches her fists, counts like she's about to start a cheer routine and make one step forward. The Demodog steps back.

"Holly... How do you do that," asks Robin.

She makes another step, the creature backs up and roars. Chrissy has no idea how, but it works. She can feel the three others bundled behind her, Steve's hand still on her arm, ready to pull her back. Eddie's voice echoes in her head," Wonder fucking Woman". If only she knew what to do with her new party trick...!

*

Chrissy barely blinks an eye while she faces the Demodog fidgeting in front of her. Now that they've agreed it might follow them if they just back to the gate, Nancy wants to force it outside this alternate version of their high school. But outside is behind them and she's been arguing with Steve and Robin over the details of how to proceed for too long.

Chrissy struggles to follow the conversation. She's getting edgy. She fears the creature might get tired of restraining itself, that it might figure the perspective of eating four prays is better than whatever sanction its attack will get him. And what if its purpose is only to guard them until Vecna arrives?

Nancy offers to go make sure the path is clear to the nearest exit and all doors are open. Steve goes so vehemently against the idea he lets go of Chrissy's arm. The Demodog roars. She steps back, bumps into someone and two hands grasp on the back of her top.

"I've got you," says Robin and even though it's not much, it gives Chrissy a little confidence. At least she's not alone to face this. When the Demodog tries another leap forward, she stands her ground and it steps back.