"Hey, you remember what I said last year, right? We're Zombie Boy and Ghost Boy. I'm not ever gonna leave you."
"Promise?"
"One hundred percent."
***
In which Alistair fights the monster that possessed his friend alongside his friends, while trying...
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Chapter Forty-Nine: Something Else Killed Her
(Vecna's Curse, Pt. 2)
***
Lucas wasn't home.
When Alistair and Max had arrived and were greeted by Erica, she helpfully informed them her brother hadn't been home since yesterday and that she had no idea where he was, but she was currently covering for him. Knowing that it would be unlikely if Lucas was with either Dustin or Mike, they went to the Wheeler place for Nancy and Mike, but Nancy wasn't there and it was then the pair realised Mike was probably already in California by now, blissfully aware of the murder in Hawkins that may or may not be a sign of the Upside Down—and given his past experiences with the hell-dimension and how he firmly wanted to believe in Eddie's innocence, Alistair was willing to bet it could be that.
Fortunately, they had more luck with the Martinéz residence, where Cami opened up the door, eyes wide as she wilted in relief and said, "Oh thank God, you're okay! I heard someone was murdered in the trailer park and I was worried it was you guys!"
"Yeah, it wasn't us. But... but there's something you need to know. Is Valerie here?" Alistair asked.
"No, she left for work a little bit ago. Why? What's going on?" Cami questioned.
Alistair opened his mouth to explain, but Max cut in, "Not right now. We need to head to Dustin's. We'll tell you everything there."
At hearing that, Cami nodded, understanding. "Okay. Give me a sec."
She closed the door, and when she came back, she was wearing a rainbow-block shirt, pale blue denim jeans with appliquéd and embroidered flowers, a pink scrunchie tying her mass of curls back, and mint-green Converse, a backpack on her shoulders. She closed the door and followed after them, hopping on her bike as they headed to Dustin's house.
When they arrived, Max rang the doorbell and they waited anxiously until Dustin opened the door, wearing actual clothes instead of pyjamas. They stared at each other before Dustin ushered them inside and shepherded them into his room, but not before Alistair caught a glimpse of the news talking about Chrissy's murder, and grief churned in him again.
But he shoved it away the minute Dustin closed his door, which had Alistair let out Hugin, the undead corvid quiet as he flew onto his shoulder, and Dustin turned to them and asked, "What's going on?"
"I'd like to know as well," Cami said from where she was sitting on Dustin's bed. "You said you and Al were gonna tell me everything when we got to Dustin's, Max. And, well, we're here."
