-???? - ???????? ??????

❝So overdue, I owe them.❞

-skyfall, adele

NICOLE CUNNINGHAM GRIEVED HER SISTER'S DEATH WHILE LILA HARGROVE AND THE OTHERS ARRIVED AT THE OMINOUS-LOOKING HOUSE. It was bordered up from the highest windows to the front door, untouched grass growing around it for what had to be twenty years. The rich house seemed as if it could have once been full of liveliness, but its value had gone from high to unwanted since the story of Victor Creel.

Lila stood by Robin while Steve and Nancy attempted to un-border the door. "What exactly are we supposed to be looking for in this shithole?"

"We're not sure," Nancy replied. "We just know that this house is important to Vecna."

"Because Max saw it in Vecna's red soup mind world?" They'd passed around the drawings of what was supposed to be what Max saw while in Vecna's trance. She couldn't imagine what it could have been like herself. Max had drawn these people hung up, wrapped in vines, who were supposed to be dead. Apparently one of them were Chrissy. Max stated herself that she was exactly like Eddie described: jaw broken, eyes gone. "Great."

The realisation that she was an inch away from being in the same state brought new feelings and thoughts to Lila's mind.

Dustin conspired once again, like he always did. "Maybe it holds a clue to where Vecna is. Why he's back. Why he killed the Creels. And how to stop him before he comes back for Max."

"We don't think he's in here, do we?" Lucas questioned.

"It'd be lovely if he was," Lila randomly commented. As a joke, of course. To lighten up the already dark situation. Instead of the reactions she'd hoped to get, she only got a couple of weird glances from Lucas and Robin.

"Guess we'll find out," Max said.

Steve and Nancy made sure each other were ready before letting the wood panel blocking the door down. It thudded as it hit the ground, causing her to take a small step. However, when Lila looked at the stained glass window with a rose embedded, something felt off. She couldn't tell what it was, or why she felt sick to her stomach. There was nothing better to do than keep her mouth shut. Saying something would bring more problems than they needed.

Obviously, when Steve attempted to open the door, it wouldn't budge. "It's locked. Should I knock, see if anybody's home?"

"No need," said Robin. She held up a fairly large brick she'd found, twice the size of her hand. "I found a key."

Of course, it worked. The door was closed after she entered, glancing around the dark place. They were more than likely the only ones to enter the home in God-knew how long. "Looks like someone forgot to pay their electric bill." A lamp covered in spider webs had failed to turn on — it would probably be creepier if it did turn on.