Once More, With Strangeness

Chapter 26

 "And we had to drive two hours to get all the stuff you need for this ritual? Hawkins really didn't have any of this stuff?" Becca asked from the backseat.

Malcolm's eyes met hers in the rearview mirror, the familiar annoyance at her questioning him showing in his eyes, "Hawkins does not have a magic shop. Though, you would think after everything that town has experienced, that they would. If any place could use some basic protection spells or charm bags to banish bad energy and ward off evil, it's that town."

"I don't think any amount of magic is stopping the Upside Down," Jax muttered from the passenger seat.

"Well, it better," commented Ivy. "Isn't that the whole point of this trip to the magic shop? We're getting ingredients to do a spell to help close any possible gate that could be open anywhere in the world, right? We need magic to stop it."

"That is the plan," Malcolm agreed. "Will and Eleven are the actual plan, but this ritual should help enhance their powers enough that they can reach all the gates. We don't want them to run out of energy before they can finish the job. We cannot leave any possibility of Spike finding his way back into that place. He already knows about the possible gate in California."

"Yeah, but it would take him a while to get there, wouldn't it?" asked Jax. "I mean, he would have to hide every time the sun comes up and California isn't exactly known for its overcast days."

"No, but even if it took him three months, we can't let him anywhere near another gate," Becca answered. "He's already shown that he has every plan to create havoc and chaos, death and destruction." She paused, looking out the window for a moment. "I don't know. I've been wondering if I do need to go back in there before we close it for good."

"Why in the hell would you want to do that?" asked Jax, spinning to face her. "We're going to close the gate so he can't get back in and hopefully loses the power that place gives him. What would you need to go in there for?"

"Vecna is still in there," she explained. "If I go back in and grind him into dust, then there's nothing to be brought back."

"Yeah, but if we close all the gates, there's no way to bring him back," Ivy rationalized. "If no one can get in there, no one can resurrect him."

"Maybe, but maybe not," argued Becca. "We have no way of knowing if all the gates are truly closed. We can't travel to every possible end of the earth, check every single nook and cranny, to ensure there is no gate anywhere. But if I smash him to bits, then we at least know that threat is taken care of."

Malcolm pulled up to the magic shop, shutting off the car. He sat silent for a moment, staring out the window at the building. It was a small, unassuming building, something no one would pay much attention to unless they were looking for it specifically. It was probably safer that way with all the ignorant, judgmental people of the world. The Satanic Panic wasn't simply for fantasy games. Any word of magic or witchcraft would send people over the edge and Becca had seen that people could be capable of far worse atrocities than even demons.

"You know, I believe that is probably the best plan," he finally said. "I truly hate the idea of sending you back in there, but if you can destroy Vecna first, then there will be no chance of Spike carrying through his plan. We must think positively but also be realistic. There is always the chance that closing the gates will not work. If it doesn't, Spike will be even more motivated to complete his plan sooner." He turned in his seat. "Becca, if you're going to do this, then we should take you to the gate after we gather the ingredients we need. I hate to say this, but we should not give your boyfriend a chance to stop you."

Damn it. She knew he was right. Becca did not want Eddie entering the Upside Down again. They had already risked it once and he'd made it out, but she wasn't willing to do it a second time. He was going to be pissed. He was going to feel betrayed, but there was no other way. If she told him she was going, he would either try to stop her or he would insist on coming along and she couldn't allow either of those things.