To Eddie Munson: My Knight in Shining Leather

Back to you

Dustin and Lucas started on a plan immediately, muttering and cursing about what idiots they were for going in unprepared.

"So, it's that bad in there? I mean," you said, catching Lucas and Dustin's questionable gaze. "I know Vecna is in there, and the Mind Flayer, and the Demo... something-"

"Demogorgon," Lucas said.

"Yeah, that." You sighed. "I'm just... worried."

"Yeah, well," Dustin raised his eyebrows, absentmindedly watching the youngest Wheeler child as she played with her Light Brite. "You should be." Dustin's eyes brightened, and he suddenly called out: "Listen, if you can hear me, go into Nancy's room. I have an idea." Then, Lucas followed Dustin's stare and walked swiftly into the living room. After unplugging the cord, Dustin lurched forward and ran toward the child. Erica followed them, and you trailed behind. Dustin snatched it from her, saying, "Sorry!" Lucas stole her pegs, also apologizing profusely. Erica dropped a bag of Skittles in its place, muttering a quick:

"For your understanding." The child whined, but reluctantly accepted the offer. You followed the trio upstairs to Nancy's room. They set the Light Brite on her bed before they each took a handful of pegs and started shoving them into holes, filling the board with colors. You held the toy in place as they pushed into the spaces forcefully, nearly knocking it out of your hands several times. After a minute or two, when the board was full, Dustin said:

"Okay, that's it. Go, go, go."

"Yeah," sighed Lucas, "okay." Lucas threw himself off of the bed and crawled across the floor to a nearby outlet. The Light Brite lit up, glowing a rainbow of colors. Dustin yelled a little louder than he did before:

"Okay, are you guys seeing this?" The pegs glowed brighter after Dustin spoke, and Dustin and Erica screamed in celebration. Dustin absentmindedly wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into an embrace before quickly letting go. Then, Dustin cleared his throat and yelled again. "We're not moving it, but we're gonna unplug it. Stand by." He nodded to Lucas, and told him to yank it. Lucas pulled the cord, and you returned your attention to the now black board. "Okay, try it now!"

Slowly, a letter appeared in a slow, brush-like motion. H.... I.... "Hi!" you exclaimed. You all anxiously awaited to see what else appeared. S... T... U...

"Stupid?" Dustin asked. "Stupid?" You just sighed, wishing Dustin had the patience to wait until whoever was done writing.

C... K.

"Stuck?" Lucas was at your side now, watching as closely as you were. "Okay, so they're stuck in the Upside Down."

"Okay," said Dustin. "Uh, you can't get back through Watergate?"

G... U... A... R...

"Guar?" Dustin asked. You slapped your hand against your forehead. If he noticed, he didn't say.

D... E... D.

"Guarded," you all said simultaneously.

"Uh, okay," said Dustin, sounding tired, "Watergate is guarded. Uh, okay. We think we have a theory that can help with that! We think Watergate isn't the only gate, that there's a gate at every murder site!" A question mark appeared in the black board. "Okay," Dustin muttered, "seriously?! How many times do I have to be right on the money before you just trust me?!" After a moments pause, and a deep breath from Dustin, he tried again. "Meet us at Eddie's trailer. We'll be waiting there for you." Again, you waited for a response. Instead of getting one, you heard a door open downstairs. You assumed it was Max and Chief Powell exiting the room they were interrogating in, and that Chief went to find a grown up to speak to. Dustin ran downstairs to grab Max. As soon as she was upstairs, Dustin explained the theory, then told Max: "We're meeting them at Eddie's trailer."