You didn’t expect your Friday night to spiral into the kind of nightmare you’d only see in Eddie’s D&D campaigns.

The day had started so perfectly. Waking up with Eddie wrapped around you, his warm breath brushing against the back of your neck, your bare legs tangled together beneath the sheets. Spring Break was finally here, and the thought of a week with him—no school, no cheer practice, just you and him—had you glowing. You’d barely gotten out of bed before Eddie tugged you into the shower with him, his hands warm and greedy as the water poured over you both.

When you finally made it downstairs, the smell of waffles and eggs filled the air. Your mom, smiling in that knowing way she always did when Eddie was around, set two plates in front of you both. He dug in like a man starved, making your dad chuckle from across the table. The fact that both your parents adored Eddie was something you’d never take for granted. They saw past the gossip, past the “freak” label Hawkins High liked to throw at him. Sure, you knew firsthand he was a freak—in bed—but that wasn’t what they meant. People just couldn’t handle the fact he loved Dungeons & Dragons more than football.

School felt almost too normal for your last day before break. You and Eddie split up for classes, stealing quick kisses in the hallway before you met him at lunch. He was in his usual seat, surrounded by the Hellfire Club, and you didn’t hesitate to slide onto his lap, his arms wrapping possessively around your waist. The cheerleader captain and the town “freak.” Such a cliché. And yes, the bright-eyed junior with the twenty-three-year-old senior who had failed graduation three times—it was the kind of thing people whispered about. You didn’t care.

By the time the championship game rolled around, you had to tear yourself away from him to lead your squad. You hated missing the end of his big campaign, but you promised yourself you’d make it up to him later.

After the game, you found him waiting near the parking lot… with Chrissy Cunningham. Eddie explained she wanted to buy something from him, and you didn’t think much of it—Chrissy didn’t seem the type to get into trouble, but then again, Hawkins had a way of surprising you.

The three of you ended up at Eddie’s trailer. You helped him dig through the chaos of his room to find what she wanted. When you emerged, Chrissy was… off. Standing in the middle of the living room, eyes glazed, body unnaturally still.

“Chrissy?” you called, your voice echoing in the strange silence.

She didn’t move.

You tried calling the police—dead line. You tried your mom’s number—nothing. The phone wasn’t working, and an awful chill crept up your spine. Eddie’s eyes darted between you and Chrissy, panic setting in.

Then it happened.

Chrissy’s body shot into the air like a ragdoll pulled by invisible strings. Her back arched at an impossible angle. You screamed her name, rushing forward, but Eddie yanked you back, his arms locking around you.

Her bones began to snap. Loud, sickening cracks filled the trailer, each one worse than the last. Her limbs twisted, her jaw stretched far too wide, her eyes rolling back into her head. Blood trickled from her nose. You could hear yourself sobbing, begging her to stop—begging whatever was doing this to stop.

And then… silence.