𝙷𝙾𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚁 𝙵𝙸𝙻𝙼𝚂 sᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴛʜɪɴɢs ꜰᴀɴꜰɪᴄ

episode nine

distant cousin with powers

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

   AFTER LEAVING THE QUARRY, THE GROUP STOPPED BY MIKE'S. Unfortunately for the Wheeler boy, it was really the only place Eleven could go.
So, after dropping the girl off, Sam made sure Lucas got inside before wandering back home with Dustin. Once inside, the two flopped down on the sofa.
"I can't believe he's gone." Dustin sniffed. Sam pulled him to her side and held him close.
Soon after, he fell asleep, tears staining his puffy cheeks.
"We'll be okay, buddy. We'll be okay." She carried him to his room and tucked him in. Pulling the sleeping bag from the closet, flipping it out on the floor. She changed quickly and laid down. She didn't want to leave her brother alone, not now.

-

   THE NEXT DAY, SAM CALLS THE BYERS RESISTANCE. She's relived to hear Johnathan's voice on the other side of the line.
"Hello?" His voice ripples through the phone.
"Hey, Johnny." Sam speaks softly. "It's Sam. I thought I could go with to the, uh, you know. Uhm, I just thought you might want the comfort."
"Yeah, that'd be great." He nodded, even if she couldn't see it. "Let me wake up mom, I'll meet you there?"
"Definitely." Sam hung up with phone and tossed on a simple outfit of jeans, a long sleeved, slightly baggy crew neck sweater and her jacket. Writing Dustin a note, she stuck it on his forehead so he wouldn't miss it and left.

When she arrived at the coroner's office, Sam realized she was early. Walking in, she was greeted by the sight of Hopper.
"Morning, Chief." She says next to him in the waiting area.
"Why are you here?" He glanced at the girl.
"For Johnny and Joy. They need the support." She rubbed her face. The bags under her eyes prominent despite putting on makeup.
"You kids get any sleep?" Hopper asked.
"Yeah, the boys did. I guess crying really does make you sleepy." She chuckled dryly. "Anyway, I didn't get much. I just wanted to make sure I could be there for Dust if he needed it."
Hopper nodded. "Got a call about you hitting that Harrington boy with your skateboard. Wanna explain?"
"He was being an ass." Sam shrugged plainly.
"Language." The lady at the front desk piped in.
"Sorry." Sam held her hand up lazily.
"Anyway, what's taking so long?" Hopper looked at the woman.
"Well, everything's been a bit chaotic around here without Gary." She explained. Sam furrowed her eyebrows.
"Without Gary?" Hopper repeated. "Where's Gary?"
"Well, I thought you knew." The woman shook her head slightly. "Those men from State, they...they sent Gary home last night."
"So, who did the autopsy?" Sam sat forward.
"Someone from State." The lady shrugged. Hopper and Sam shared a glance.

Once the Byers made it to the office, Sam stayed by their side the whole time. That is, until the man from State pulled back the cloth. Then, both Sam and Jonathan rushed out in fear of tossing up their breakfast. They gathered their breaths in the lobby with Hopper.
"How's your mom?" The chief asked the eldest Byers boy.
"I don't know." Johnathan shook his head lightly.
"How long's this stuff been going on?" Hop questioned next. "With the lights and, uh...Will and the thing in the wall?"
Johnathan shrugged lightly, glancing to the ground. "Since the first phone call, I guess." There was an uncomfortable pause. "You know, she's had anxiety problems...in the past." The boy then gulped his spit. "But this...I don't know." He took a deep breath. "I'm worried it could be...ugh, I don't know." He dropped his head down. Sam immediately grabbed for his hand and squeezed it tightly.
"She'll be okay." The eldest Byers boy nodded softly to Hopper. He knew that his mother and the police chief had been friends for a long time. "We'll be okay. My mom...she's tough." He chuckled sadly.
"Yeah, she is." Jim smiled softly. He reached over and gripped the boys shoulder reassuringly. "Hey, she is."
Sam was about to say something, but was cut off when the coroner from State yelled out.
"Ma'am! Ma'am, I need you to sign!" He rushed after the distraught Byers woman.
"I don't-I don't know what you think that thing is in there, but that is not my son!" Joyce yelled. Sam and Johnathan jumped from their seats.
"Joyce, wait a second." Jim tried to calm the tension.
"No!" She seethed before storming out.
"Mom." Johnathan sighed, following after her.
"Ma'am, I-Ma'am!" The coroner tried again. Sam grabbed her coat and ran after her second family.