Second Chances (ON HOLD)

Chapter Sixteen

Steve narrowed his eyes at Billy, not liking what he had said. "Explain, Hargrove."

"Well, as you all probably know, Eddie here is developing powers which is why Vecna wants him."

"So we were right about Vecna calling to me?" Eddie asked, obviously starting to freak out a little.

"Yes, Munson. He chose you to join him, just as he chose me but he is still too weak to do anything which gives me plenty of time to train you." Billy said calmly.

"Wait, you want to train him to join Vecna?!" Mike asked, looking slightly confused.

Billy pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "You Wheelers need to listen before talking. No, train him so he can help me take Vecna down. The part you won't like is that he would have to trick Vecna into believing he is joining him."

As soon as the words left his mouth the silent cabin was filled with protests from everyone. Everyone except Joyce, Hopper and El. The two older adults seemed to be having a conversation with just their eyes.

"No way! You expect me to face him? No!" Eddie shouted, getting up from the floor and backing into the wall as if he thought he could escape through it. Robin quickly got up and went to his side, trying to calm him down.

"Billy, there must be another way." Steve murmured close to Billy's ear, having left his spot by the door to stand directly next to the man. He wanted to go straight to Eddie but he knew it would raise suspicion. "You see how scared he is. Please."

Billy tore his eyes away from the frantic group and looked Steve in the eye. "Trust me, Steve. This is the only way. Vecna won't see it coming."

"How do you know that? He can get into peoples minds!" Lucas piped up, having just about heard their conversation.

"You're right, Sinclair. He can. But you know what? He can't get into mine, he can't get into Eleven's and once I've helped Eddie he won't be able to get into his either."

Hopper and Joyce stopped their silent conversation and Hopper got up, walking over to where Billy and Steve were. "How long do we have before Vecna is back to full health?"

"At most? A month."

"And you think you can get Eddie to where you are in that time?"

"Yes, sir." Billy nodded.

Hopper returned the nod before focusing his attention on Eddie who seemed to have calmed down a bit thanks to Robin. "Eddie, we will only do this if you want to. No one is going to force you, son."

"Are you insane?! Eddie can't do this! It's not safe!" Dustin yelled, remembering how Eddie had died in his arms before. He couldn't go through that again.

Steve looked over to where Robin and Eddie were. He knew Eddie was scared but he could tell the noise everyone was making wasn't helping. He needed to get Eddie outside where it was quiet. Steve glanced at Billy before making his way over to the corner, putting a hand on Eddie's shoulder. "Hey, lets go outside, yeah?"

As soon as Eddie felt Steve's hand on his shoulder he instantly relaxed, enjoying the warm feeling it gave him. "Yes please."

"Do you want me to come out or stay in here and calm everyone down?" Robin asked.

"I think Hopper can handle this. Come out with us." Steve said, gesturing to the older man who was already trying to shut everyone up. So far he wasn't succeeding and Hopper seemed to be getting more irritated by the minute.

"Okay, that's enough!" Joyce bellowed, stunning everyone into silence. Steve smirked as he looked at the shock on everyones faces. "If you don't stop I'm going to bang all of your heads together!"