Angelica "Freak Two" Munson

Chapter 85

"Couldn't we have tried a road," Robin grumbles, "Or something just slightly less creepy?"

"I think we're getting close," Nancy assures her, "We're almost out of here. Don't worry."

Angie follows closely, letting Steve walk on his own.

Him and Eddie seem to fall back, becoming engrossed in their own conversation.

"Listen," Steve mutters, "I just, uh... I just want to say thanks. For saving my ass back there."

Eddie waves him off, "Shit. You saved your own ass, man. I mean, that was a real Ozzy move you pulled back there."

"Ozzy?"

"When you took a bite out of that bat to protect Angie," he explains.

Steve slows, still perplexed.

He chuckles softly.

"Ozzy Osborne? Black Sabbath?" Eddie pauses in disbelief, "He bit a bat's head off onstage."

"I don't--"

"Angie never shared that with you?" He exclaims, crossing his arms over his chest, "Man, you're uncultured."

Steve flashes him a warning look, so he backs off.

"It's very metal, what you did," Eddie corrects himself, "That's all I'm saying."

He hesitates, unsure of the proper response.

"Thanks," he mumbles.

There's a beat of silence before he continues with a shrug.

"Ever since I caught you in Angie's bedroom that night a few years ago, I was dead set on the idea that you were a simp-- Just a jock that was crazy about my sister," he chuckles, watching his step, "But, uh, Henderson told me that you were a badass. Insisted on the matter, in fact."

Steve pauses, "Wait? Henderson said that?"

"Oh yeah," he emphasizes, "The kid worships you dude-- like, you have no idea. It's kinda annoying, to be honest."

A grin creeps its way onto Steve's face, but he doesn't dare interrupt.

"...I don't even know why I care what that little shrimp thinks, but, uh, guess I got a little jealous, Steve," he admits, his voice low, "I mean, rich parents, popular, chicks dig him-- one absolutely magnificent chick in particular... it seemed like you had it all."

He shrugs, accepting the compliment, "Well, my parents are douches that cut me off. So, no riches. Sure, I was popular, but I hated all of my friends. And, I crumbled under the pressure everyday. The chick part... was, uh, actually kind of nice-- at least, after I found Angie."

"Well, still super jealous as hell, by the way," he jests, nudging Steve's side, "Which is why I would never have jumped in that lake to save your ass. Not under any, uh... normal circumstances."

They stop in their tracks, listening to the shrieking in the distance.

When it turns out to be nothing, they continue.

"... Outside of D&D, I am no hero. It seems like Angie got all of those genes," he whispers, trying to keep his tone light, "I mean, I see danger and I just turn heel and run. Or, at least that's what I've learned about myself in the last week."

"Give yourself a break, man," Steve insists.

"But, you see... the only reason I came in here was because those ladies came in straight after you," Eddie points, watching them trek ahead, "Now, I was too ashamed to be the one who stayed behind. But, those three... they didn't waste a second. Not one second. They just dove right in... Now, if I were you, I wouldn't let that go to waste. That's as unambiguous a sign of true love as these cynical eyes have ever seen."