Chapter 64
Jim and the others walked over and marveled at the spot that was still flaming on the ground. Realizing that the fire might spread, I cursed and quickly handed the crossbow over to Robin who'd gotten close enough before darting over and kicking dirt on the flaming ground.
Cheeks flushed I looked over at the group, "Ok..so it's a bit potent..I won't shoot it at trees and stuff that could cause a forest fire..but still it should work on the demobats at least, and without summoning an entire fucking army of them."
Jim and the others nodded as he spoke up pride clear in his voice "No you're right that's a solid idea, how'd you make it?"
Shrugging nervously my eyes darted back and forth hearing the rebuke that might come from just idly playing with chemicals "eh..just had the idea and thought it might work? Can hear my old chemistry teacher screaming from here.. but its a 2 to 1 ratio of gunpowder to gasoline."
Dustin's mouth gaped sputtering at as he ran through the mental math "and you just tried this..on an hunch? Don't know if I'm terrified or impressed.."
I nodded tilting my head back and forth "yea..that's fair" as I made my way back over to Eddie's side stopping as I walked past Robin to grab my crossbow "thanks for holding that for me" she nodded still baffled at the situation.
Scooping up the Tupperware off the ground I snuggled back up to Eddie sighing as his arm came around my waist. Remembering that the others might get hit hard when our group left I called out to Jim. "..Hop pretty sure you know this but when we leave, shit might start hitting here, now the barriers strong for now but if it gets ugly enough on the road I may have to split my focus.."
He shook his head his resolve clear as he gestured to the group "Don't worry about it, you focus on your mission we've got this. Between all the traps and training we can handle it."
I nodded grateful when Eddie's hand that was around my waist took took my hand and squeezed it tight. My eyes met with Dustin, Mike and my other adopted kids saying what I couldn't put into words grateful when they smiled "go kick some ass dungeon Mama, and come back safe" nodding once more you locked eyes with Lucas "we're gonna get Erica and bring her back safe, don't you worry."
The trust that showed in his eyes as he nodded in agreement meant everything and I grinned suddenly feeling more confidence than I felt I had any right to have.
Turning to my side I saw Eddie nodding at Uncle Wayne who sat on a crate looking very at home with a rifle across his lap, the welding gear still nearby. "incredible work Uncle Wayne, couldn't have done it better myself...gonna have to bond over metalworking later cause I really wanted to help you with this.."
His brows arched clearly surprised and impressed "we definitely will darlin, you and my son be safe. Can't go losing my daughter-in-law..niece in law..hell..you know what I mean.."
Grinning through tears that gathered unbidden in my eyes at hearing my title I nodded and nudged Eddie's side with my own, smirking as he did the same
"Alright, let's do this before it gets too dark out. Murray you ready?" Looking around I giggled and pointed for Eddie to see that Murray definitely was ready, he'd already gotten into his box on the roof of the car and had a heavy duty jacket with hood that must be made of Kevlar on as well as what looked like a helmet with a headset visible, his flamethrower in hand. He waved at the two of us clearly eager to get this over with, not that either of us could blame him.
Both Eddie and I opened our respective doors gingerly, he slid into the drivers seat as I went to do the same in the passengers my eyes widened, clearly Uncle Wayne had taken the spikes idea to a whole new level, they covered the doors and the other sides of the car.
Heart racing I focused on arranging my Tupperware of explosives carefully on the seat between us, I both adjusted our machetes as I sat, locking eyes with Eddie, reaching over I squeezed his hand remembering that Eddie hadn't driven since Chrissy's death "ok, lets go kick some ass my love. You alright to drive?"
He nodded trying not to think back to the last time he'd driven, and instead focused on the fact that driving was the least of his worries. Taking Red's hand in his own he kissed it and glanced down at his necklace with a smile before starting the car and looking over his shoulder to back the car out of the makeshift driveway.
I was happy to see him taking comfort from the pendant I'd given him as I spared a look at the guitar pick that looked utterly at home amongst my other charms.
As long as we were together we'd be fine. I chanted those words in my mind, the engine starting up made me jump slightly and I busied myself getting the crossbow ready on my lap clearly aimed out through the open area where the windshield had been and making sure the radio that had been left in the car during the last mission was within reach.
I couldn't help the intrusive thoughts that had me glancing out the remaining side windows before my brows rose impressed, the same awning of sorts had been installed over the sides of the car should keep them from breaking the windows easily.
As we neared the edge of the barrier the atmosphere change was palpable, and I closed my eyes preparing to summon a barrier over the vehicle when I remembered the last time I'd done just that. Barriers didn't help then and they cost valuable energy.
Thinking back to how the mindflayers control works I knew as long as we didn't get close to the particles we should be safe, and he can't take over everyone...his focus is not infinite.
Plus we each had enchanted articles on us, Murray with his glasses and both Eddie and I with my jewelry. My heart pounded in my ears as my thoughts ran rampant, I almost didn't hear Eddie calling out to me. "..shit..what was that baby?"
I glanced around and while I saw the vines had spread throughout the woods and could hear the echoing cries of demobats and demodogs I didn't see anything attacking yet.
Eddie glanced over at me worry clear on his face "you got kinda lost in thought there, wanted to make sure you were ok." I nodded "yea..I'm alright just anxiety.." my words faded off as I remembered our third group member and grabbed the radio and switched to the secondary channel and pressed the button.
"Ground control to Major Tom, you doing alright up there Major Tom?" The resulting laugh that sputtered through was everything "yea, doing just fine Ground Control, been singing Eye Of The Tiger to myself..just in case."
The both of us nodded impressed with his choice as I replied "glad to hear it, keep us posted Major Tom."
Switching to the main channel I pressed the button once more and called out "Ground Control to Homecoming, doing alright over there Homecoming?"
Dustin's laugh was clear and filled with relief as he replied "all good for now, careful you don't have the radios too loud don't want you to have any party crashers. Be careful Ground Control" smiling I nodded even knowing they couldn't see me "we will be, see you soon Homecoming Party, Ground Control over and out"
Still grinning I glanced over at Eddie and remembered my earlier conversation, "speaking of favorite songs..I know mine is Animate by Rush..should probably sing it so you know it..since it's not out yet. But what's yours? Just in case..."
His brows crinkled as he thought..he knew it used to be Master of Puppets but now he wasn't so sure, it still had too much darkness attached. Intrigued by Red's choice especially with as much as they had in common, "don't really know anymore..there's plenty that I like if my vest is any indication..just not one that I know would pull me back..aside from maybe the one I sang for you.."
Thinking back I remembered the songs he sang for me and the one that was most out of character "do you mean 'I Want To Know What Love Is'?" He flushed and I grinned knowing it was no small achievement for a metalhead like him to declare a soft rock love song as his favorite, especially since I knew it was for me.
"How about this, I'll sing my favorite for you and if you like it you can have it too. It's a bit more metal." He nodded chuckling as he returned his focus to the road, his other hand laced with my own as he waited for me to sing knowing full well it was something exceedingly special for me to share with him.
I would have closed my eyes and allowed myself to soak in the music but that would make me a horrible copilot and archer so I instead focused on the idle swivel of my eyes watching carefully for any movement as I sang my fingers and feet keeping the rhythm only I could hear.
"Polarize me, sensitize me
Criticize me, civilize me
Compensate me, animate me
Complicate me, elevate me"
"Goddess in my garden
Sister in my soul
Angel in my armor
Actress in my role"
"Daughter of a demon lover
Empress of the hidden face
Priestess of the pagan mother
Ancient queen of inner space"
"Polarize me, sensitize me
Criticize me, civilize me
Compensate me, animate me
Complicate me, elevate me"
"Spirit in my psyche
Double in my role
Alter in my image
Struggle for control"
"Mistress of the dark unconscious
Mermaid of the lunar sea
Daughter of the great enchantress
Sister to the boy inside of me"
"Polarize me, sensitize me
Criticize me, civilize me
Compensate me, animate me
Complicate me, elevate me"
"My counterpart, my foolish heart
A man must learn to rule his tender part
A warming trend, a gentle friend
A man must build a fortress to defend"
"A secret face, a touch of grace
A man must learn to give a little space
A peaceful state, a submissive trait
A man must learn to gently dominate"
"Polarize me, sensitize me
Criticize me, civilize me
Compensate me, animate me
Complicate me, elevate me
Complicate me, elevate me"
Memories of wishes I'd had as a child that were now fulfilled flashed behind my eyes. I always wanted someone like what they'd described in this song, I'd found it with Jin and yet again another layer of myself that I hadn't realized was missing when I'd found Eddie.
Tears flowed down my cheeks at the emotions but the warmth of the song, the memories that it left me with were completely worth it. Sparing a glance over at Eddie I flushed seeing his dark eyes filled with emotion. "So..what did you think..?"
Shaking his head he chuckled warmly "I think Rush waited too damn long to release that song..incredible choice Red..I mean it, and once again you sang it beautifully. Might have to claim that as my favorite as well, what year does that come out?"
I gave a dramatic sigh "not til 1993, after I'm even born. It's one of the first songs I ever remember learning. Hell I did most of my reading in lyric booklets as a kid I was always frantic to learn every word."
Eddie smirked at that marveling, "you really do love music don't you? Damn it's rare to find someone who sees it the way I do."
I nodded before grinning "Oh just you wait til you meet Jin, most of the groups she loves have 12 or more members and she can tell who's singing just by listening and knows all of their names, and they're singing either in Korean or Mandarin. So yea.. we're both music obsessed."