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Gareth looked up from his drums, glaring out the opened garage door as Jeff and Josh stood in silence just outside.
He wasn’t playing. The drum sticks sat untouched on the floor at his feet, one of his extra ones laying on the floor near Jeff’s amp from when he threw it. It was a moment of blinding rage. Jeff and Josh had been talking about the news, how Chrissy was found dead and Eddie was wanted for her murder. Something about him being a cult leader and even more lies that Gareth stopped listening too.
It made him full of rage. He knew how Eddie was. Eddie Munson was kind and cared so much about others. His theatrical personality was mostly a mask sometimes at school. Eddie himself was quiet and stuck to his group. He would rather hang out in the garage making music instead of partying or… whatever other things people their age do.
Gareth thought Jeff and Josh thought the same thing. There’s no way Eddie killed Chrissy in such a way that the police aren’t even giving details. Eddie hated killing bugs and the sight of blood made him queasy. Gareth knew that, and he figured Jeff and Josh did too.
Until they started talking at least.
“I can’t believe Eddie killed Chrissy,” Jeff said out of nowhere, guitar resting next to him.
Josh had nodded, eyes wide as he plucked at his bass, “I did… I didn’t even know he had that in him, y’know? He was always so…”
“Kind?” Jeff finished.
“Yeah.”
Gareth froze, not believing what he was hearing. He swallowed, looking between his friends, “You can’t be serious.”
Jeff looked startled. He had the nerve to scoff. “What, you don’t think he did it?”
“She was found in his trailer,” Josh said. “He didn’t even tell us that they were hanging out!”
“He doesn’t have to tell us everything, asshole,” Gareth said. “And no, Jeff, I don’t think he did it. You really think Eddie could kill someone? Eddie, who gets upset when he has to kill any type of bug? Who gets squeamish at the sight of blood?”
Jeff at least looked guilty at that but Josh didn’t. The other boy just shook his head, bass forgotten about. It sat back in its holder. Gareth looked over at the empty spot where Eddie would usually be standing. A pang filled his chest at the empty stand, the mic standing untouched.
“It adds up. Eddie did it. He’s always taunting the popular kids. Jason and him are always at each other's throats. This would be just the final fuck you to him and his friends.” Josh said.
Gareth glared, knowing that it lost its effect due to his black eye thanks to Jason. He had come looking for Eddie a few days ago, not believing him when he said he didn’t know where he was. Even if he did, Gareth wouldn’t have told him anyway. He looked at Jeff and Josh, who didn’t help in any way when Jason threw him into his drums. Sure, the idiots with him were holding his friends back but their holds weren’t tight at all. His lip was busted too, making it hard to sing in Eddie’s place at practice.
They shouldn’t bother anymore it seems. Eddie’s nowhere to be found and there’s no way the Hideout will let them in without him. If they don’t have a lead singer, they’re done for.
“Eddie usually sells at the bench, not at his trailer, so why was she even there? I hate to think it but we can’t rule it out,” Jeff said. “We’re gonna be the first ones people come for when it gets more out there.”
“You mean people besides Jason,” Gareth said. “People who'll beat the shit outta me while I defend our friend and you two just stand there.”
Jeff scoffed, “We did try to help. The douches were holding us back.”
Gareth shook his head. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing and he didn’t want to believe it. It made his chest hurt. He felt his heart breaking in his chest. Jeff and Josh were still talking, all their reasoning on why they think Eddie is guilty falling on deaf ears.
“Get out,” Gareth said.
“What?” Jeff asked.
“Get. Out.”
“Dude, it’s not a big deal. We have practice--”
“Not a big deal? You’re accusing our best friend, our brother , of murder. You don’t even want to hear any other side of things.”
“‘Other sides’? You mean Chrissy’s? She’s dead, man!” Jeff said.
“I mean Eddie, you fucking idiot!” Gareth yelled.
“He’s been MIA since it happened!” Josh shot back. “We couldn’t ask him if we wanted to!”
Gareth shook his head, “Get the fuck out.”
“Dude-!”
“ Get out! ” Gareth yelled, his throat burning from the volume. He threw his drumstick in Jeff’s direction, the other boy able to dodge it.
Gareth collapsed back onto his seat, watching as Jeff and Josh silently put their instruments down and headed out of the garage. Gareth glared at them, watching as they stood there before heading for Jeff’s car. They didn’t even look back or say anything.
He sat there until the low rumbling of Jeff’s car couldn’t be heard anymore. His leg shook, his fists opening and closing as his eyes burned. He couldn’t believe Jeff and Josh. Gareth really thought that they would be on his side, on Eddie ’ s side. Sure they’ve only known him since freshman year, and Gareth had known him since middle school, but they’re a party. Eddie’s their trusted Dungeon Master and brother in arms.
He sighed, getting up from his place behind his drums and getting his emotions in check. He wiped the few tears that did fall away before grabbing his bike. There is still time before his parents will be home and he’s needed for dinner. Meaning, there was time to look for Eddie.
Dustin Henderson had called asking around for Eddie, even asking him if any friends would know where he was. Gareth didn’t have much to offer besides Riffer Rick being a usual place of escape. There’s no way he’s there still, if he was there at all. Gareth isn’t sure where exactly Dustin lives but he does know where Mike Wheeler lives. They’ve been there a few times for Hellfire meetings during the weekends.
He also knows that Mike is back from California. Gareth had run into Mike’s mom at the store yesterday, her greeting him with a smile and letting it slip that Mike and his friends from Cali ended up coming to Hawkins. She seemed a little confused on the matter but something didn’t sit right with Gareth. He had a gut feeling that something was way wrong and Mike’s sudden return had something to do with it.
Gareth biked as fast as he could to Mike’s house. Luckily the younger boy didn’t live too far away from him, maybe about five minutes with how fast he’s petaling. He’s honestly worried for Eddie. He doesn’t react well to high pressure situations and often runs when he can. It’s something he beats himself over all the time and Gareth is sure Chrissy’s death is one of them.
He hasn’t been able to talk to his best friend in almost a week. He needs answers about why the whole town is hunting him. Well. He knows why but something isn’t adding up. He knew it was only a matter of time until he himself became a target. Same for Jeff and Josh.
The neighborhood flew by in blurs of colors. His hair was whipping back, his vest flying out behind him. Biking in boots wasn’t the best thing, sneakers were more biking gear but it was very spur of the moment outing. He wasn’t even sure why he was wearing boots. He never wears them. What the hell.
He slows down as he rounds the corner to the Wheeler’s house. He could see the familiar car of Steve Harrington in the driveway and where Harrington is, Henderson is. Bingo. Upon getting closer, there were familiar bikes in the front yard, the same bikes he’s seen Dustin, Mike and Lucas ride to and from school daily. He frowned, coming to a complete stop in the street outfront of the house. Last time he saw Lucas he was getting the crap beat out of him by Jason. And he just stood there.
Sure, he got a weird vibe from Lucas. Like the younger boy didn’t want to be with the group but didn’t seem to have a choice. Gareth decided then, sitting on his bike, to give Lucas the benefit of the doubt. He really liked the kid during Hellfire and he didn’t blame him for missing the end of the campinage. Gareth just felt bad they couldn’t be there to cheer him on at the basketball game. Though, Eddie would rather be caught dead than in the gym. Gareth would’ve gone though. He enjoyed Dustin and Mike’s company.
He climbed off his bike, lifting it over the slight curb and walking it across the lawn. There was only one other car in the driveway besides Steve’s. Gareth honestly didn’t know who was gonna answer the door as he knocked, adding his bike to the pile, but he did know his heart was in his throat. He felt nauseous at the thought of Eddie being hurt or being in even more danger than the whole town hunting him.
The door swung open, the wide eye gaze of Dustin Henderson meeting his. The younger boy looked surprised, and a little tired, as it registered who was standing in front of him. There was dirt under his fingernails but besides that, he looked unscathed.
“Gareth?” Dustin asked. “What are you doing here?”
“Where’s Eddie, Henderson?”
Dustin switched his weight back-and-forth as he obviously tried to come up with an answer. Gareth glared at the younger boy. Why was he trying to hide his friend from him? His best friend? Gareth would never do that to Dustin.
“Look,” Gareth started, “I know he didn’t kill Chrissy. Eddie’s my best friend and I know him better than anyone. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”
Dustin seemed to relax at that. He looked behind Gareth, as if looking for two other people.
“Jeff and Josh?”
Gareth shook his head, his eyes burning again, “They don’t agree with me.”
Dustin frowned but nodded, moving out of the way to let Gareth in. The door closed behind him, dousing the house in semi darkness again. He didn’t know why it was so dark, though he could see light coming from what he knows is the kitchen. Everyone must be downstairs. Gareth suddenly longs for the simple times of two weeks ago when his only problem was making sure he got to Hellfire on time for Vecna’s Curse.
Wordlessly, he followed Dustin downstairs but he hesitated at the top of the steps. His palms were sweating and he didn’t know what state he was going to find Eddie in. Dustin didn’t seem too worried, and he didn’t give him any warnings, so surely he must be in one piece. It’s just… he hasn’t seen his best friend in days. They never go that long without seeing each other.
“You coming?” Dustin called from the bottom of the steps, the sounds of talking stopping.
It just made his anxiety worse. It’s gonna be all eyes on him now. Fucking great.
“Henderson, who did you let in?” Came the familiar voice of Steve Harrington. Gareth never knew him in high school but he knew of him. A few taunts were thrown his way by Harrington before so he knew the voice all too well. Dustin always talks high praise of Harrington so much he is Lucas, he’s gonna give the dude the benefit of the doubt.
“Don’t worry,” Dustin said as Gareth started down the stairs. “He’s cool.”
“Cool? Do you forget we’re harboring a wanted man?” Mike’s voice said.
Dustin rolled his eyes with his whole body, making Gareth chuckle as he reached the bottom of the steps. He stood next to Dustin, looking at his shoes before finding the nerve and looking up. Mike, Lucas, Nancy and some other kid with a bowl cut were sitting on one of the couches. On the floor was Max, who he knows from the trailer park. A girl with a sick buzzcut was next to her. Robin Buckley, of all people, was on the second couch, with two stoned looking dudes next to her.
His eyes moved to the recliner. Steve Harrington was sitting in it, Eddie Munsin sitting in between his spread legs, leaning back against Steve’s chest. Gareth frowned, not because of his friend cuddling with Steve Harrington, who was practically pressing kisses to the top of his head, but because Eddie had a cut across his cheek and he could see a bandage on his side from where his shirt was riding up. He swallowed hard. Gareth wasn’t sure if he wanted to know what happened.
“I’m sorry, who is this?” The kid with the bowl cut asked.
“This is Gareth,” Dustin said. “He’s a member of Hellfire and in Corroded Coffin.”
“Corroded Coffin?”
“It’s, um, a band I’m in,” Gareth filled in.
“And,” Eddie said, his voice sounding more tired than Gareth had ever heard it. “My right hand man.”
Eddie’s arms wrapped around him in the tight hug that he returned without a second thought. He hugged his best friend tighter than he ever had. Relief flooding him that Eddie was okay. That he had a cut on his side but he was fine enough to walk over without help, to lift his arms for hugs. Gareth was still careful though. He didn’t want to cause his friend even more pain.
He wasn’t aware he was crying until was shushing him quietly. All the worry, pain and uneasiness left as soon as he saw his friend. He was mad at himself for not looking sooner. He was mad at Jeff and Josh for thinking that Eddie, big teddy bear Eddie, could ever kill someone.
Eddie pulled back but kept him at arm's length, cupping Gareth’s face in his hands. Gareth was happy to see he wasn't the only one who’s been crying. Eddie’s eyes were red rimmed, tear tracks covered his cheeks. The pad of his friend's thumb brushed right under his swollen eye, a frown appearing on his face.
“What happened?” Eddie asked.
“Jason Carver,” Gareth answered, trying to sound nonchalant. “He showed up at my house a few days ago asking where you were.”
He saw Lucas shift in his seat out of the corner of his eye. At some point he’ll have to tell the freshman that it’s okay but right now all his attention is on his best friend. Eddie had dark bruises under his eyes but the same mischievous sparkle was still there along with the matching grin.
“So, what, he beat the shit out of you when you didn’t answer?” Eddie joked.
“Pretty much,” Gareth shrugged. “Punched me when I said I didn’t know, threw me into my drum kit and then almost broke my hand. Ya know, the usual.”
Eddie’s smile slipped off his face, “Where were Jeff and Josh?”
Gareth tried to keep the sour look of his face, he did , “They didn’t really try to stop him? I mean, they were being held back but,” A shrug. “I dunno. They didn’t do or say much to help.”
“Jesus H. Christ man,” Eddie sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Gareth said. He glanced around at the other people in the room, all obviously listening to the conversation. He looked back at Steve, who was watching Eddie like the older boy was gonna fall over any minute. Weird.
Not like, weird in a mean way. Gareth knew Eddie liked boys. He was actually the first person Eddie ever told. Gareth just didn’t think King Steve Harrington would swing that way. From what he had heard, the older boy had countless girlfriends and was known for hooking up at parties. He never thought Eddie the Freak and King Steve would be interested in each other, let alone friends but here they are. Yet again, Gareth never thought his best friend would be on the run and wanted for murder so.
Life works in funny ways, huh?
“Eds, what’s going on? I know you didn’t hurt Chrissy but, man, what the hell happened?” Gareth asked. “Jeff and John, they were so quick to jump on the Munson Murder wagon that it made me sick. We never fought before, ya know? I just couldn’t stomach that they actually believed what the fucking cops were saying.”
“Rambling when upset,” Steve leaned over to Robin, “Seems like we’re getting another one.”
Robin snorted, pushing Steve away by his face, “Shut up. You can’t blame him.”
Eddie went back to his seat in between Harrington’s legs. He grabbed the other boys hand, almost subconsciously it looked, and started playing with his fingers. Harrington’s lips were back against Eddie’s head. Gareth couldn’t bite back the smile at the sight, it grew impossible when Eddie grinned at him.
“Henderson explains it better than me,” Eddie said.
Gareth looked over at Dustin, who was now sitting on the floor next to the buzzcut girl. Gareth remembers when he had a buzzcut. It wasn’t a good look on him. He couldn’t remember why he did it in the first place.
Dustin looked unsure, looking round the room to see if anyone would interject. Everyone seemed to be waiting for Dustin to speak. Gareth joined him on the floor when waved over, feeling Eddie’s socked foot nudging its way between his thigh and the floor.
“What I’m gonna tell you will be hard to grasp, well, maybe,” Dustin started. “When people say Hawkins is cursed, they aren’t completely wrong.”
Gareth frowned. He wasn’t sure where this was going.
"There’s a world under Hawkins and sometimes it bleeds into ours,” Dustin said, completely serious. He had Gareth’s full attention.
He learned of the Upside Down and all the monsters that hail there. He learned the truth behind Chrissy’s death and that the buzzcut girl, El, had powers. He had snorted in disbelief but watched with wide eyes as the Millennium Falcon model across the room started floating as blood dripped from her nose.
“Wicked,” Gareth grinned at her, which she returned.
Eddie’s foot was still under his thigh as Dustin’s tail just got crazier. Mike, Max and Lucas all added on to the story, adding little details that Dustin may have missed. Without even meaning too, Gareth had joined a new party. And damn it all to Hell, he was going to help save his dumbass town.
Even if they don’t deserve it.