𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬, 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑣𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑡𝑜𝑛

09 | the shire is burning

Chapter Nine
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The Shire Is Burning

𓆩♡𓆪

Olivia was lounging in the back of Nancy's station wagon, sitting in between Steve and Dustin while munching on some Lay's chips. The chips have never tasted so good in her life, having not realized how starving she was. They were on there way back to Reefer Rick's cabin to inform Eddie on what they've discovered.

            "Not to be a wimp, but can I maybe sit in the car for this visit? 'Cause this is gonna totally and royally suck," Robin complained.

            "It will be fine," Nancy assured.

            "I just can't see those dull eyes of Eddie break again. I really, really can't," Robin sighed.

            "At least he can drink himself into feeling better," Steve piped up with a mouthful of Lay's chips.

            "You know, drinking doesn't solve problems, Steve," Olivia said matter-of-factly.

            "That's what my mom does," Max shrugged, her tone deflated.

            "Why don't we just give it a trial run?" Robin suggest. "Hey Eddie, uh, good news first this time. We got you some Henderson siblings-approved junk food and that six-pack that you requested. Oh yeah, and we found Vecna. Only the bad news is that he's in that other darker, much scarier dimension that we told you about. And the gates closed, so we have no way of getting to him like he's entirely shut off to us so you're basically screwed. And no, no, I know that you're already screwed but now you're like doubly, triply screwed-"

            "Hey Robin, I love you but I don't think we don't have to phrase it exactly like that," Olivia interrupted her friend, peeking her head over the seat. "How about, we're one step closer to Vecna. That's what we say, that's what important." Olivia was scared out of her mind despite seeming calm on the outside, but she had faith that they were going to find Vecna and that's what kept her going. After all, they were pros at this sort of thing now. Everyone just had to believe that they could do it and not give up.

            "See Robin? Positive spin can make all the difference," Steve agreed with his girlfriend.

            "Uh-huh," Robin muttered under her breath.

            When they pulled up to Reefer Rick's house, Olivia felt a jumble of nerves when there was what looked to be another crime scene and an unexpected sea of people ahead of them. Olivia recognized Officer Powell reporting to some cameraman. He was announcing the murder of Patrick McKinney. Hearing the familiar name, Olivia covered her mouth with her hands, not believing that another teen has been murdered. Her eyes saddened and she gave a sympathetic look towards Lucas, knowing that those two were friends.

            The crowd was gossiping in hushed tones about Eddie, making Olivia furious. More than anything, she wanted to walk up to Officer Powell and Officer Callaghan and prove Eddie's innocence, but she knew that now was not the time. The gang exchanged glances of worry for Eddie, hoping that he was okay. 

            "Poor Eddie. This is not good," Olivia whispered to her friends. "He's innocent! Why does no one believe that?" She asked rhetorically.