Not Just Another Number

GoodBye

Three Months Later

Sarah's POV

I stand in my barren room. It looks smaller... I spin in a small circle, taking the emptiness in. Today's the day.

I sigh and sit down on the carpet, crossing my legs. I gently grab a few strands of hair, which have turned gray. They've been gray since the Mall. Must be from overexertion.

I close my eyes and spread my hands wide in the carpet, breathing deeply. I try to summon all my heat, but nothing happens. I scowl and try again, but again, no heat.

I groan and try again and again, but still no difference. Where did it go? I try searching my body for my fire, but it's gone. Ever since the Mind Flayer was killed, it's like it took my fire with it.

I slowly open my eyes, grabbing at the carpet in frustration. I stand up, wanting to leave the suffocating emptiness. I quietly leave the room and walk down the hall, passing by more empty rooms.

I stop at the last door on the right, opening the door. Inside the room, my bed and dresser lie, looking the same except for the more space.

I wrap my arms around myself, looking at the new room.

"Are you sure you want to stay?" Johnathan's voice cuts through the silence. I turn around and find him standing in the doorway.

I nod a little, not looking at him. "I'm sure. Someone needs to take over for Dad, I mean Hopper, around here." I tell him, trying to sound indifferent, but inside I'm broken.

He sighs and walks into the room. "It's not your responsibility to do that, you know that, right?"

"I know, but it just feels right." I reason. "Plus, I already have a job at the precinct. I'll be fine here."

"That's not what I'm worried about." Johnathan stops me. He takes a step closer. "You should be coming with us, with your family."

I finally look back up at him, tears dipping down my cheeks. "Johnathan, you think I don't know that? I want to go with you guys, but..." I breathe deeply, trying to keep my composure. I wipe my tears. "My place is here, with Marissa, Dad, and everyone else. They're gonna need me."

Johnathan sighs, knowing that he can't change my mind. "But we need you too."

"I know, but you guys have each other, they have you. The kids here don't."

Suddenly, I'm being pull into a hug. Johnathan holds me tightly and I feel him shake a little. I hug him just as tightly. We say nothing, not really needing to.

Slowly, I pull away, meeting his red eyes. "But hey, I won't be gone forever. I'll visit as much as I can and I'll call everyday. It'll be like I never left." I reassure him.

He nods and lets me go, walking over to the door. He pulls himself together and clears his throat. "We're about to go, you should say goodbye to everyone." And with that, he leaves.

I wipe a few stray tears, trying to keep a brave face. For them. I take a deep breathe and walk out of my room, after Johnathan.

I walk through the quiet house, and it's not a calm quiet. It's an empty quiet, like something's missing, more like some people.

I walk out of the front door, meeting everyone else out there. The entire party's there to say goodbye.

I walk over to them and immediately hug Will and El. They shake with tears, sobbing quietly. I smooth out their hair, kissing the tops of their heads gently.

"P-please come with us." Will cries into my chest. El nods along with him. I pull away from them and make them face me.

"Hey, c'mon, there's no need to cry. It's not like you guys won't ever see me." I joke with a watery voice. "I'll call everyday and visit all the damn time. I promise."

El cries quietly while Will fully sobs. "And hey," I say, putting on a kind smile, trying to reassure them. "When you guys come to visit, it'll be like you never left. I'll keep everything just the same, for you guys."

They nod and hug me tighter, burying their heads into my shoulders. I hug them even tighter, not wanting to ever let go. I few tears escape my eyes, falling onto their heads silently.

I sniff lightly and jostle their shoulders. "C'mon, you wouldn't want to waste all your goodbyes on me, now would you? The others are waiting." The nod and slowly let go of me, moving over to the others.

I wipe my eyes and cross my arms, watching them say goodbye.

I hear a sniffle behind me, making me turn around. I'm met by Mom's red and tearstained face.

My façade cracks as soon as she reaches her arms out for a hug. I accept the hug and hold her the tightest. She doesn't cry, but she lets me cry.

She pets my hair, comforting me. I cry into her shoulder, finally breaking. "I-I'm so sorry, Mom."

She pulls away, a confused look on her face. "Why are you sorry?"

"I couldn't save everyone."

She tsks, petting my hair again. "It's okay, It's not your fault. Your father decided to sacrifice himself for us, and he saved us."

"Guess self sacrifice runs in the family, huh?" I joke with a watery laugh.

She laughs as well, a few tears falling from her eyes. We hug one more time, but we sadly can't hug for long.

Soon, too soon, they have to leave, saying their final goodbyes and climbing into their cars.

The party and I wave them off, standing quietly in front of the house, or my house now. I don't stop waving until they turn down the street and disappear.

Goodbye guys...for now.

A/N

Aaaand that's it! A real tear jerker. Obviously, you have now reached the end of the story. Thank you for reading, voting, and commenting, it has made this story what it is! Hope you loved this journey as much as I did. Stay Curious~ Lunar

so, hope I didn't scare y'all too much with that, but this isn't the end for Sarah and her family. I will continue this story as soon as Season 4 comes out, so you don't have to worry about this truly being the end. Also, there's a reason I'm making Sarah stay in Hawkins, but it shall be revealed as soon as Season 4 arrives. And like Sarah said, goodbye for now. So, for real this time, Stay Curious~Lunar