"Hey, kiddo."
"Hey, Uncle Wayne." Eddie wraps his arms around him and doesn't let go— like Wayne's the only thing holding him together.
Wayne doesn't need words to understand what his nephew's saying.
He feels it in the way Eddie clings to him, the tremor in his shoulders.
In truth, Wayne's heart twists.
The trailer doesn't feel like home anymore— not to him, not to either of them.
He regrets not being around more.
If he had been, maybe Eddie wouldn't be standing here looking so broken.
"So..." Eddie sniffs, pulling back, eyes red. "What should we do first?"
"Well, you said she went south on the highway, didn't you?"
"Yeah. As far as I know."
"Then that's where we'll start. You got any maps?"
Eddie shakes his head. "No. But there's some at the library."
"Alright then." Wayne grabs his coat. "Let's move. We'll take my truck."
--
"Welcome to Birdare County," Angie mutters, reading the faded sign as she pedals past.
The town looks deserted— half its buildings boarded up, half still standing out of stubbornness. She parks her bike beside a cracked sidewalk and sighs.
Since leaving Hawkins, she's decided she'll call it a road trip— one that lasts until it feels safe to go home again.
It's easier to pretend it's an adventure than an escape.
Her stomach growls loud enough to echo.
She hasn't eaten all day.
Judging by the sinking sun, it's probably late afternoon.
She walks until she spots a tiny diner— Mama Dines.
Weird name, but at this point, she'll take anything.
A bell jingles as she pushes open the door.
The place smells like burnt coffee and grease.
There are people inside, but no one's laughing.
It's quiet in that way that makes her feel like an intruder.
"What can I do for you, hun?" asks the heavyset woman behind the counter.
She doesn't sound mean, just tired— like Angie's the thousandth problem she's had to deal with today.
"Do you have a menu I can look at?"
Without a word, the woman slides one across the counter.
Angie scans it— not much to choose from, but that's fine.
"Uh... can I just have a pancake?"
The woman quirks a brow. "A flapjack?"
"Yeah." Angie forces a small laugh. "That."
"Sure thing, hun. Find a seat."
Angie walks to the back where there are fewer people and slides into a booth.
The vinyl seat squeaks under her.
A few minutes later, the woman sets a plate in front of her. "Here you go, hun."
"Thanks."
It's a simple pancake, but it tastes like heaven.
After she eats, she pays what little she has left and steps outside again, the chill air biting her face.
YOU ARE READING
Angelica "Freak Two" Munson
Fanfiction"Hey, Harrington!" she reverses against her heel, flipping him the bird, "The names Freak Two, actually. If you're gonna insult me, you might as well do it right." ---------- Angelica Beatrice Munson, aka "Freak Two" is Eddie Munson's younger sister...
