Eyes Outshine the Horizon Line

Chapter 12 - Nancy and Eddie

Eddie was more than confused as he stood on the wooden ship. That was when he noticed Hopper. He honestly felt sick. Eddie assumed it was his nerves getting the better of him. He felt the same when he tried to kiss-. Tried to kiss, who? "Oh that's right, it was Nancy." he struggled to remember. His body wanted to carry him to the other woman but yet he made his way to Hopper. He wanted to ask so many things but only one thought came out.

"Where's Nancy? I can't seem to find her. I wanted her here." Eddie said quickly. "Nancy left earlier today and honestly I don't blame her." Hopper said. "This isn't like you. You can be rash sometimes but not like this." "I don't get it either." Eddie mumbled as he saw his uncle wave him over. Wayne handed him a small box with a gold ring and a aquamarine stone. It reminded him of Nancy's eyes. "This belonged to your mother and my mother before her. And I'd like you to have it. Your happiness means everything to me, my boy. You deserve this for the one you love." Wayne explained, setting the box in his hand. Eddie stared at it and nodded in appreciation. The King walked off to attend to other guests as Barb walked up to him. She looked at the setting sun in a victory. "Nancy doesn't even have a chance in this." Vecna thought. "Wearing the skin of her dead best friend paid off."

"Oh Eddie." He said in Barb's voice. "It's beautiful." They curled their fingers into his arm. Eddie winced in pain at her grip. Then a blur from above tackled him, the ring falling from the box. "Where's the ring?" Eddie shouted as she let go of him. "I lost it. Has anyone seen the ring?" Barb seethed beside him as everyone was sent into chaos finding the glint of gold. Robin spotted it and handed it to Hopper, who placed it in his coat pocket. The kids used the commotion to their advantage, grabbing rope and telling the older boys everything they knew.

...

Nancy swam, Lucas and Erica helped her keep her head above the deeper water. Then she made it to the ship, suddenly wondering how she would even get on board. There wasn't a lifeboat located where she wouldn't have been seen. The siblings pushed her up further but she wasn't even halfway up. Then a rope dangled in her face. Nancy looked up to see the kids dangling a rope over the side. Nancy took it, waving goodbye to them as she climbed. Once she got to the top, Jonathan and Steve pushed past the kids as they helped her over the side.

"They told us. What can we do?" Jonathan asked. Nancy didn't know. All she knew was that seeing Barb made her vision go red. She didn't care that Vecna was disguised as Barb now. She would have been more disturbed if she didn't know. Nancy shook her head at them and stood. With that Nancy took a running start and lunged herself at Barb/Vecna. "Nancy is that you?" she heard Eddie shout over the commotion. Nancy ignored him, she had to. Even if she never kissed him, she needed her voice. It was the only way to save herself. At least that way she could tell him the truth.

Nancy straddled Barb's waist, trying to grab the necklace as her attacks were fended off. A good punch to Nancy's jaw forced her to the ground. Barb straddled her now. "You keep getting in the way, my niece." they gritted out. Barb's and Vecna's voices blending together. Then hands were at Nancy's throat. Barb's eyes were wild, intent on killing her right here in front of them. She heard Eddie thrashing for someone, probably Hopper or Jonathan, to let him go. Then the necklace dangled right in front of her face. Nancy grabbed the shell, ripping it from Barb's neck. The pure adrenaline let her push Barb away. Will, Dustin, Max, and El attempted to hold them back. Nancy stood on her own 2 feet as she raised the shell above her head and smashed it to the ground.

The yellow orb broke free. The golden light seemed to lift in the air, swirling around and making its way towards Nancy. The song sang loudly. Eddie blinked as the enchantment over him seemed to fade.

Ah ah ah. Ah Ah ah ha ha.

Ah ah ah.

The orb then got even closer, slipping past her lips and down her throat. Nancy was forced to finish the melody as her voice reentered.

Ah Ah ah ha ha.

Nancy's hands flew to her neck. She felt as if she was glowing inside out as she caught her breath. "Nancy?" Eddie asked. His mind was still in a fog. He then looked at Barb/Vecna thrashing against the kids and then back to Nancy. "Yes, Eddie?" Nancy said, not being able to help the smile tugging at her lips. He moved from Jonathan and Hopper who were holding him back. "It was you all along. I should've known." he said, almost breathless and making his way to her. Nancy finally took time to admire him. He wore a white shirt with black pants and boots. His vest was blue and the coat over it all was black. His long hair tied back loosely He looked far more princely than she had ever seen, complete with a dull sword at his hip. Nancy ran her fingers along the collar of his coat.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." he apologized. "He bewitched you." Nancy simply said before realizing how stupid it all sounded. "He?" Eddie asked, looking briefly at Barb/Vecna. "Eddie!" Vecna's voice came out this time. "Get away from her!" Eddie ignored them. "I'm sorry." Nancy began. "There is so much I want to tell you. I just want you to know that I'm a-" Eddie turned back to her and stopped her by running his hand across her cheek. "Nothing matters now." he said. Then Nancy noticed the sun beginning to kiss the horizon. "Kiss me!" she exclaimed. "Please." she said softer. Eddie answered her by leaning in. Nancy did as well. They both ignored Vecna's screams of protest. Nancy had only begun to feel his hot breath over her lips before a snap of bone coming together rang out. She couldn't help but cry out in pain as Eddie immediately felt her slip in his grasp. He put his hand on the small of her back to help keep her upright but that was futile. He felt her spine elongate under his hand as he kept a firm grasp on her as they both fell to the ground. Nancy buried her face in his shoulder as her legs fused together and a shimmery pink tail protruded from her dress.