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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: KNOCKING ON DEATH'S DOOR
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DANNY BUCKLEY HAD used his lock-picking skills to break into numerous places, including a drug store, a gas station, his own home, and even the police station. Now, school? That was one place Danny never thought he'd find himself breaking into. When Max insisted they check out Ms. Kelly's files for information on Chrissy, Danny didn't hesitate. Out came his lock-picking supplies. With quick hands, he unlocked one of the side doors to Hawkins High just as Lucas finally got in touch with them. Before Lucas could explain where he'd been, Dustin ordered him to meet them at the school.
As the lock clicked open and Danny pushed the door, Dustin reached into his backpack and produced flashlights for everyone — a mystery in itself, given how many he seemed to have. Still, Danny never questioned anything Dustin did anymore. While Dustin passed out flashlights, Nancy and Robin contacted them, revealing that Vecna's victims dated back to 1959. The news that Eleven hadn't opened the gate until 1983 left Danny wondering: why had Vecna waited so long to start killing again, and what had triggered him to start once more?
Max unlocked Ms. Kelly's office with her stolen key. Danny thought it was pointless—he could've picked it. Max swung the door open and rushed to the filing cabinets. As she did, Dustin rambled, "It's like a mini Watergate or something. Hawkinsgate."
"Wait a second, didn't those guys get caught?" Steve asked.
"Hawkinsgate is pathetic compared to Watergate," Danny muttered..
Max gasped, "Holy shit."
"Crazy shit?" Danny asked.
"Chrissy's file is here, but so is Fred's." Max's eyes were wide. "Fred was seeing Ms. Kelly, too."
Danny furrowed his brows and looked over Max's shoulder as she shone her flashlight over the two files, Chrissy and Fred's names displayed clearly. It struck him as strange: both of Vecna's victims had seen the same counselor. Could it be a coincidence? Yet a peculiar feeling told him it wasn't.
Max took the files to Ms. Kelly's desk and sat. Dustin, Steve, and Danny aimed flashlights at the documents. Max started with Chrissy's file and signaled for Fred's. Steve handed it over, and Max compared the two, eyes narrowing as if she'd discovered something.
"Max?" Dustin asked. "What is it?"
Max didn't reply. Danny knit his brows. "Max?" he pressed. Max stared, motionless. Danny gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Max?" she sat, unresponsive. Danny leaned in to look at her face — blank, eyes glazed. "What the fuck. Max?"
