Tails California

Heads Carolina

Eddie wasn't expecting to see a familiar uniform in the woods as he approached his table. There's only one reason people came out here and he wasn't expecting Chrissy to want drugs from him. As she backed into Eddie she screamed and spun around.

"Hey you ok?" He asks concerned about her before looking at the tree where she had been staring confused.

"No." She says shaking her head. "I feel like I'm going crazy."

"What's going on?" He asks motioning to the table with a soft frown on his face. "I won't say anything to anyone."

She sat down and rubbed her legs watching the table as he took off his jacket, "I'm seeing things...bad things." She says softly before explaining what she was hearing and seeing. She just knew Eddie would think she was crazy or a freak.

Eddie listened and processed before he tilts his head, "we could leave...you turned 18." He says softly. Eddie couldn't believe he was saying this, but she seemed terrified and he wanted out of this town. He was planning on leaving after high school anyway.

She laughed thinking he was making a joke, but then she realized he wasn't laughing. "What do you mean? We still have school."

"We're what, a month and a half away from graduating?" He asks shrugging. "Look you said your mom contributes to your guilt. Your dad doesn't stop her. We should just...go."

"Where would we even go?" she asks after a moment with a giggle. She couldn't believe she was entertaining this insane idea. Her parents would freak out, but she didn't oppose the idea. "I don't have family anywhere."

"Neither do I." He smiles at her and then shrugs, "it's totally up to you. You know where to find me, princess."

After all these years of a crush he finally had a shot to be honest with her.

"I think you deserve the world. You definitely deserve better than Hawkins and what it offers. Who it offers." He said quietly watching her face.

Chrissy processed it slower and then her cheek tint pink, "you know what...lets do it." She says before she stood and ran back towards the school as the bell rang.

Eddie gave her time to get back before he followed.

To say he was surprised to hear Chrissy broke up with Jason after lunch was an understatement. Apparently she had plans that didn't involve him. Jason had grabbed her arm and told her that she wasn't leaving him and Chrissy had slapped him hard enough his cheek was red until last period.

Eddie had hellfire while the game was going so he didn't see Chrissy until he got to his van and saw her standing in the shadows by the driver's door.

"Hey, Eddie." She said softly. "Can I go to your house?"

Eddie studied her before nodding and opening the driver's door. "After you."

Chrissy climbed in, set her bag on the floor by her feet, and then buckled up. She looked good sitting in his passenger seat, but he shook the thought away and climbed in buckling up.

"You may want to cover your ears the music is loud." He says softly and waits for her to do so before he turns on the van and turns the radio down.

She seems surprised by the music and Eddie clears his throat, "sorry about that."

"It's ok...all my parents listen to is gospel.' She says rubbing her legs nervously.

Eddie pulls out and heads for his trailer as he switches it to radio and Bon Jovi's  Runaway was on causing him to laugh softly. 'How fitting' he thought to himself.

Chrissy leaned over and turned it up louder on the second verse bopping her  head to it. Come the chorus she was singing along.

"Oooo she's a little Runaway daddies girl learned fast all those things she couldn't day. Oooo she's a little runaway.' The sang together and Chrissy smiled wider as Eddie started playing air guitar with the solo.

She had, honestly, never felt as happy as she did. Her parents thought she was with the team and that was fine with her. She wasn't about to correct them.

Eddie smiled as he pulled into his trailer tires sliding to a stop and he got out with her. He unlocked the door holding it open for her.

"Sorry about the mess the maid took the week off.' He says with a grin before he tosses his jacket on a chair and cleaned up a bit.

He got her a drink, put some music on and nodded, "let's plan our get away." He says grinning.

By the time Chrissy was tired they figured out how to get away, but not where they were going.

"Are you sure this is going to work, Eddie?" She asks playing with her fingers.

Eddie looks at her and nods, "You're the age of majority. Which means you can leave whenever you want. They can't drag you back either."

She nods and takes a deep breath, "I'll go home and pack tonight then hide the bag in some bushes. Tomorrow morning at 9o'clock you'll come get me." She says nodding again.

"Yes. You'll write two letters. One telling your parents whatever you want to tell them and one to the chief." He says.

"And you'll write one to your uncle." She says softly. "Are you sure Eddie...will he be alright?"

He laughs softly, "He'll be just fine. I'll call him when we get to wherever we're going." Eddie takes her hand and squeezes it gently. "We'll be ok Chrissy Cunningham."

She nods at his words, "ok Eddie Munson. I trust you.'

"I'm glad you trust me cause it's us against the world now.'He says watching her. "I'll protect you and help you fly, I promise."

She smiles at him and nods, "ok. So I guess there's only one more thing to do." She grabs a quarter. "Pick a state."

"California." Eddie says instantly.

"Ok. Heads Carolina. Tails California." She says and flips it. She catches it and slaps it down on the back of her hand before revealing it.

"We have our heading." Eddie says before driving her home.

When he gets back he sits down to write a letter.

Wayne,
I'm not going to be here when you get home tomorrow. Don't worry about me. I'm going to be ok. I just decided I needed to get away from Hawkins and we both know Higgins was never going to pass me. I love you. Thanks for everything. You were my dad when you didn't have to be. You took care of me and raised me so thank you for taking me in and giving me a chance to prove to you I wasn't junior. Please don't think I'm running away. Think of it as I'm spreading my wings. Love you~Eddie

When 9 rolled around Eddie pulled up in front of Chrissy's house and opened the door.

She ran to his van, threw her bag in the back, and got in. As her mom hit the door Eddie hit the gas peeling out.

Chrissy laughs and began digging through the tapes finding a band that sounded good. Chrissy turned and looked in the back smiling slightly at the amps and two guitars.

"Ready for California?" She asks sitting back against the seat.

Eddie laughs, "I was born ready Miss Cunningham." He says stopping in front of the police station and putting her letter in it.

By 9:15 her mother had read her letter saying they're headed for North Carolina and that she won't see her again.

By 9:20 they were hitting the Hawkins city limits while Bye-Bye by Jo dee Messina played. Chrissy felt whatever was haunting her immediately leaving when she hit the county lines.