Once More, With Strangeness

Chapter 29

 Becca, Eddie, Robin, and Ivy made their way through the woods toward the gate. Steve had let them borrow his car and Eddie drove. Under the cover of night, they hadn't worried about a mask or people seeing him. It was one in the morning. Most people were fast asleep in bed and they had headed away from town anyway.

"Okay, you two need to stay back, well hidden," Becca told Robin and Ivy. "I don't want Spike to spot you. I can't focus on killing him if you two are in danger. The minute he comes through that gate, you run like hell as far from here as you can and tell them they can move forward with the rest of the plan. Hopefully it works, we stake Spike, and then we all get the hell out of here."

Eddie grabbed her hand, "And then you and I get the hell out of Hawkins altogether and start over in Toledo."

"Yeah," Becca said softly, nodding and swallowing hard against the lump that had been threatening to choke since their conversation earlier.

Eddie's eyes narrowed in concern, and she knew he could sense her hesitation but there was no time to discuss it right now. Hopefully, everything would go as planned and they would be able to talk it all out later. For now, all of that had to take a backseat to the matter at hand.

"Alright, stop here," she said when they could see the gate just ahead of them. "You two stay back here. Stay quiet. The minute you see him..."

"Yeah, we know," Robin said with a smile, "we run like hell out of here. Don't worry. We'll be quiet as mice."

"You won't even know we exist," Ivy assured her. "It will be like we're not even here. You do the ass kicking. We'll do the running and notifying."

"Okay," Becca nodded, still feeling uneasy about this. She hadn't wanted them to come, preferring them to stay back at the house with everyone else, miles away, where they were safe. But they also needed someone to notify the others. If they started too soon, Spike might realize something was up. If they started too late, well, Becca and Eddie might not walk away from this. The two of them couldn't notify everyone without Spike hearing them and then he would abandon them and go for the real threat. They couldn't risk that. So, in the end, she'd had no choice but to agree to let them tag along.

She approached the gate, feeling Eddie right behind her. She had to get Spike's attention, make a scene, antagonize him until he couldn't take it anymore and took the bait. Turning her head, she glanced to make sure she couldn't see Ivy and Robin. They were well hidden. She just had to hope they were hidden enough from Spike. They had no idea what kind of powers he'd been bestowed with from the Upside Down.

"Hey! Billy Idol wannabe! I've come to finish this once and for all!" she screamed as loud as she could, trying to make sure he could hear her. "I know you want me! Well, I'm right here waiting! Come and get me!"

"Is that really necessary?" Eddie whispered next to her.

"I have to get him to come out," she snapped.

"Yeah, but do you have to taunt him so much?"

"Yes. His ego is huge. He can't handle it being bruised. I have to make it worth his while." She faced the gate. "What are you waiting for Blondie!? I'm right here, ripe for the taking! I thought you wanted to add another notch to your belt! Slayer number three for your trophy room! What? Are you scared of little old me? I thought you were the big bad! I thought you were going to show me a good time!"

"My, my, pet...someone's eager," Spike crooned as he stepped through the gate. "You don't have to beg, but I have to admit, I kind of like it." His eyes fell on Eddie and he clicked his tongue. "Oh, you brought the boy toy? Did you want him to watch? Is that what gets you off?" He paused, looking directly at Eddie. "Or is that what gets you off?"