✓ | FLOW ( eddie munson )

twenty-six. lover's lake

veda henderson

          The sky is dim and no longer provides light by the time we make it across town to Lover's Lake. Dustin is practically skipping in front of us, something he has kept up the whole journey. He quickly rips through the bushes with me hot on his tail. 

    We both pause as the compass needle goes crazy, whipping around in every direction. Dustin looks up at me, a grin on his face. "Something's happening!"

    We push on, both of us practically pushing the other aside out of excitement over who can get to the lake first and find something. 

    "Veda? Can you slow down? Dustin?" Eddie calls behind us, fear evident in his tone. 

    "I think we're getting close," Dustin calls, turning his head over his shoulder to look at Eddie.

    Eddie almost jumps forward, grabbing Dustin in time to stop him in his tracks. I take this as a sign to stop as well. I turn to face in front of me, noticing the tips of my shoes almost falling off the edge of the lake. "Watch your step, big guy,"

    "Oh man, you gotta be shitting me," Steve sighs in disbelief.

   "There's a gate in Lovers Lake?" Max whispers in disbelief. 

    "Whenever the demogorgons attacked, it always left an opening. Maybe Vecnas the same way," Nancy brainstorms, looking around the group for confirmation. Her theory makes sense, but I was in the upside down before Patrick died. 

    As everyone looks around the lake, talking amongst themselves, I can't help but wonder what is going on. So far, every time I have entered into Vecna's world I've been unwanted or kicked out. I've been under the impression Vecna was bringing me into these states with him because it's the only thing that makes sense. But, it doesn't make sense anymore. I've been getting closer to him than he'd like. He doesn't pull me into these things, he pushes me out once I've seen what he wants me to see. 

    Then, how am I entering these visions?

    Every time I mention portals, Dustin's face drains of colour as if it's something horrific and telling. Even Eddie had the same reaction. The portals mean something, something important. 

    "Vey?" I hear a soft voice call out to me. I zone back into the group, my eyes meeting Eddie's as he stares at me with concern. I look over his shoulder, spying Steve holding a boat still as Robin climbs into it. "C'mon,"

    "Lovely. Let's go back onto the little lake of horrors," I mumble sarcastically, pushing past Eddie as he laughs. Nancy climbs in before me followed by Eddie who turns to me and holds his hand out, helping me step into the boat without falling. 

    I stand behind Eddie, turning to look over his shoulder as Dustin steps closer to the boat, about to step in. Eddie pushes his hand out, stopping my brother in his tracks. "Hey, Hey, Hey, you trying to sink us? This thing holds three maybe four people tops, okay?" 

    "Yeah, Dusty. You should stay with Max. Keep an eye out," I reason.

    "You keep an eye out," Dustin squeals like a little girl. I roll my eyes at him. 

    "You keep an eye out," I mock Dustin in a high-pitched voice. 

    "It was my theory!" Dustin defended himself. 

    "Who cares? I'm older, you're staying here," I dead-pan, stepping forward and in front of Eddie to see my brother clearer. He looks at me in annoyance, his mouth gaped open.