Running Up That Hill (Stranger Things)

𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚

Seven years ago

"Mommy, please don't leave." Charlotte cried, gripping her mothers arm.

Sandy Hargrove choked back tears of her own, a bruise around her eye that was the same blue her children had.

Charlotte was hysterical, trying to keep her mother with her. She didn't fully understand what was happened, as she was only six.

"Honey, shh!" Sandy crouched to her. "It's okay, baby. We can't wake your father or Billy, okay?"

Charlotte quieted down, panicked at the thought of her father. She was terrified of him. But luckily he never hurt her. Only Sandy and Billy if he got in the way.

"I have to go." Sandy continued. "Your father is a horrible man. I can't be with him anymore."

"What about me and Billy?" Charlotte's little voice asked.

The mother sighed, brushing her daughters hair back. It was very blonde like her, while Billy had dirty blonde hair. She was happy the two looked more like her then her monster of a husband.

"I love you both very much. You guys are my whole world." Sandy let a tear fall.

"Then take us with you. Please mommy, don't leave us. We need you." Charlotte frowned. "Why won't you?"

Sandy pulled the young girl to her. "He would look for us, no matter what and I can't let that happen. Hiding two kids would be to hard, Charlie. I'm so sorry."

Charlotte cried harder at her words. How could her mom be so willing to leave them?

Sandy pulled away. "Watch out for Billy, okay? He will need you. You both take care of each other against your father. You guys only have each other now. Remember that. And remember that I love you and I love Billy."

Charlotte shook her head as her mother grabbed her bag, getting ready to run off in the middle of the night. "Don't leave us with him. Please!"

Sandy sobbed, leaving behind her daughter and son. The people who mattered the most to her. But she had to.

Charlotte fell to the ground, crying.

"Char, what's wrong?" A tired ten year old Billy came out of his room.

His face fell in concern as he saw that his little sister was crying. He hurried to her.

"She's gone. She's gone." Is all Charlotte could muttered.

"Who, Char?" Billy whimpered.

"Mommy." Charlotte sobbed. "She's gone."

Neil had woken up at the crying of his children. He grew angry at the fact his wife wasn't in bed.

He stormed out to see the sight of his children hugging and crying. "Where is she?"

The two siblings jumped at the booming sound of his voice. Charlotte grew fearful and Billy pulled her behind him protectively.