𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 | Eddie Munson

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ғɪᴠᴇ

It happened so fast. I couldn't even run before Steve wrapped his hands around Eddie's neck and started choking him. Eddie fights back, but he's not a match. It's horrific to watch.

I feel frozen in time. Unable to breathe or speak. I don't run. I don't help. I don't do anything but watch with horror in my eyes. I am as useless as the day he died. I spent the week after Eddie died replaying what I could have done differently, and here I am again. My body is paralyzed by fear. I'm pathetic and weak.

My face is wet from my tears because it's not Steve. My hope withers away as I see Steve morph into Vecna within a blink of an eye. He drags Eddie over to me and smiles.

"Finish the job, Eddie."

I step back, but my legs don't move. I look down and see my feet hovering an inch off the ground. I'm completely under the control of Vecna and I've never been more scared in my life.

Eddie coughs and spits blood out on the ground. He breathes heavily, "Fuck you,"

Vecna sighs, "Wouldn't it taste better warm? I mean, it's either warm or I kill her myself and you can drink her cold. Doesn't sound very appetizing, does it?"

"No, please," I beg

Vecna shoots me a look and I look away, toward Eddie. Eddie is shoved forward and into my body. I stumble back as I'm back on my feet and Eddie grabs me. "I got you," He whispers. He pushes me behind his body and stares at Vecna. "Let her go and you can have me. Whatever you want. Just let her go."

My heart sinks. I grab his shoulder and try to force him to look at me. "No. No, you're not doing that." I grab his face. "Eddie, stop. Look at me."

But he doesn't. He stains against my hold on his face and stares directly at Vecna. "Take me. I'm ready,"

"No! I said no, Goddammit." I shake his shoulders but he refuses to face me. "Don't you dare do this."

Vecna laughs, "That's not how this works."

"Tell me how it will work. I'll do whatever you want if she is set free." Eddie steps forward toward Vecna and out of my grasp.

"You need to feed on a human. I picked her just for you, and you're so ungrateful." Vecna says with a voice like death.

Eddie shakes his head, "I already did. I took her blood."

"But you didn't take her life."

Eddie freezes. He stares at Vecna, speechless. Unable to figure out what to do next. Vecna smiles with delight as he watches Eddie tense up. He grabs Eddie's chin. "Oh, my boy. What a shame it is that not even love can save her." Vecna shoves Eddie to his knees. "But what's worse is dying at the hands of those that love you."

A gasp escapes my mouth as I suddenly become out of control of my own body and end up in Eddie's arms. I feel paralyzed and panic starts to set in.

"Now, feed," Vecna says to Eddie with venom in his voice. With one quick movement, Vecna slices a small part of my neck. I scream, but I can't move. Blood starts pouring out and the urge to cover my neck is overwhelming. I need help. I need to stop the bleeding. I'm screaming for help in my head, but only tears leaving my eyes express my pain.

Eddie stares down at me as his arms are wrapped around me. He's in shock. His tears fall on my face and mix with mine. He's scared and angry. I can see it in his eyes. He's holding back from the building urge overcoming him from the smell and sight of my blood. I don't need to hear him say that. His face says it all. The dark veins break out under his eyes, his eyes that are frosting over. His mouth opens, exposing his fangs.