Scars

Healing Scars: The Past

When they arrived at Steve's house the front door swung open and Max ran out to the passenger side of the truck.

Billy opened the door and got out of the truck and was greeted with a tight hug.

"How did it go," Max asked, her blue eyes staring up into his like she was searching for the answer herself.

"They lowered my medicine. I guess there was a mix-up with the orders. They said I might go through some withdrawal so I'm going to stay away from people for a week or so because I don't want to hurt any of you" Billy said, trying to keep calm.

Max put her hands on her hips and said "You're not disappearing. We trust you Billy so please trust us".

Billy took a deep breath and nodded. There was no need to argue with Max when she had that look on her face.

Eddie got out and put a hand on Max's head. "Guess what kiddo, we are going to be staying here for a while," he said with a smile.

Max looked like Christmas had come early.

They all headed inside as dark storm clouds started to cover the once-sunny sky.

The storm fully rolled in overnight.

As the storm outside started to rage war Max who was in the kitchen doing homework heard Billy raging his own war in his room.

He had been having trouble dealing with the drop in his medication.

He was seeing things. He was hearing things. He was having anger fits.

Eddie had taken it upon himself to stay with him. Steve and Robin had work while Wayne went to start shopping for Thanksgiving.

Even though no one was even thinking about a holiday feast Wayne was damn determined to start getting life back to normal for everyone.

Closing her book, Max went to the door, knocked, and asked "Is everything ok"?

"I'm fine Max" Billy growled, sounding like Billy from a year ago.

She hadn't felt that cold crawling up her spine since he went into the hospital but there it was and she hated herself for it.

The crashing of thunder made her jump while the lightning that followed made shadows that looked like they were laughing at her on the wall.

Going back to her book Max swore that they would all get through this shit storm together.

Meanwhile the tapping of rain against Billy's window grew louder even as the storm clouds moved on.

But Billy wasn't hearing the rain. He was hearing the sound of Neil's fist against his locked door.

He could hear Neil screaming about Max missing and then he could feel himself being thrown up against a cold wall.

Then darkness.

Then more screaming.

This time it was Steve and those kids.

It was Max.

He was the monster now and nothing could ever change that.

Eddie choked back the tears as Billy argued and berated himself.

Those drugs weren't helping him, they were keeping his pain locked away.

Someone either wanted Billy to overdose or be too drugged to remember something. It was no accident and Eddie swore to figure out who caused this mess.

As day turned to night Billy finally fell asleep without touching any food the entire day.

Even if he couldn't get Billy to eat, Wayne did make sure that Steve actually ate three times daily making sure at least one of those meals was a full meal and not just him poking at his food.

As the dark clouds parted and allowed the sun to peek through as it raised the next morning, Eddie was able to get Billy up and dressed.

He had a plan.

They were going to go to the trailer and gather some of their possessions.

Eddie figured getting out of the house and taking in some fresh air would be healthier for Billy than sitting in this room all day.

Guiding the growling lion was harder than he thought but Eddie got him in the truck and they headed to the Forest Hills Trailer Park.

When they pulled up to the trailer Eddie was shocked to see another car parked there. He didn't recognize it but the beast next to him did.

Growling Billy jumped out of the truck and ran into the trailer that should've been locked but wasn't.

"Fuck" was all Eddie could say as he exited his truck.

There was a sudden chill that engulfed Eddie's entire body as he approached the trailer.

Looking in he saw Billy laying on the floor, his eyes staring blankly at him.

Eddie ran over and shook him.

When he didn't get any response he checked for a pulse and when he found one he felt comfortable enough to get up and call 911.

While he was waiting Eddie went through the rest of the trailer to make sure they were alone and went back to Billy's side.

Sirens tore through the quiet Hawkins morning as they surrounded the Munson trailer.

Sheriff Hopper was the first on the scene and he froze when he saw Billy on the ground.

"What happened here, Munson?" Hopper asked as he looked around.

"I honestly don't know. We came to get some stuff and when we got here there was that car that's out front here and the trailer door was open.

Billy seemed to know who owned the car and ran in before me and when I got here this is how I found him" Eddie said, holding tightly to Billy's hand.

"That is Neil Hargrove's car out front. Is he in the trailer?" Hopper asked in an accusing tone.

Eddie just shook his head no in order not to say what he was thinking.

Hopper motioned to two officers and whispered something and they left.

The emt's finally came in and got Billy on a stretcher and letting Eddie know he could ride with them they headed to the ambulance and headed to the hospital.

Hopper groaned as he saw one thing he never hoped to see again as he headed to his car, a damn dog with a flower-like head slowly retreating into the forest.

"What's coming now?" Hopper growled and got into his cruiser and headed into town to find Wayne and talk more with Eddie.

As he drove off there was a loud screening howl.

"Billy wake up" came a voice from the shadows.