[ Less than twenty-four hours have passed since they met in the woods and Chrissy Cunningham's completely flipped his world upside down. Eddie's not sure he's cried this hard since he was a little kid, and he's definitely never been this goddamn scared in his entire life. And still, the thought of leaving her is the worst part. Chrissy's already gotten a horrible injury, seen horrors she couldn't escape. If they get separated, it could kill her, too. ]

And go where? Your parents are gonna want to find you.

[ He chokes out another sob. They're both doomed either way, he just knows it. It's all happening so fast, and Eddie doesn't know what to do anymore. But Chrissy wants to be with him, and that part makes his heart ache. Sniffling, he gives her shoulder a gentle squeeze, nodding and blinking away more tears. ]

I'm with you no matter what. I promise. I'm just - so - fucking scared.

[ Everything hurts and Eddie's so fucking tired of it all. They still can't hear any sirens or cars pulling up to the house - it feels like a miracle, but he also isn't even a little bit convinced they're safe. The exhaustion is clear in his voice, and he shudders as he tries to steady it to speak. ]

I really wish we'd been friends a long time ago, Chrissy.