𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 • 𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧

Chapter One: Welcome To Hawkins

1 YEAR AGO:

June 1985.

Golden evening beams flickered over the Californian hills as a blue Chevrolet Camero rumbled down an empty road. Music boomed through the open windows, masking the sound of the roaring engine. Warm air flowed between your fingers as you stuck your arm out the window, twirling and flicking your hand against the push of the wind. You squinted against the setting sun as your eyes landed on a bright blue sign that stood out from the sandy hillside.

LEAVING CALIFORNIA: COME BACK SOON

"Been ages since I left this place," You said, glancing at your brother, who was tapping his ring clad fingers on the steering wheel. "Been ages since I last saw you."

The memory of an uncomfortable reunion at a local Pizzeria two summers prior flashed across your mind. You and your mother had arranged to meet your brother for a meal, but your dad, his new girlfriend and her daughter tagged along, against your mother's wishes. Needless to say, your mum bailed out and you had to endure the awkward dinner on your own. How long ago had that been? Two years?

"Yeah, you can thank dad for that." Billy's jaw clenched. "Wouldn't let me leave that shit-hole of a town to visit you."

"Is Hawkins really that bad?" You raised an eyebrow. Billy had mentioned his dislike of Hawkins over the infrequent phone calls you shared, but he had never said why.

"Oh yeah. It stinks of shit, for starters. It's filled with old people, there is absolutely nothing to do and it's always fucking raining." Billy probably could have listed dozens more reasons as to why he hated Hawkins, but he restrained himself.

"Jeez," You shook your head and laughed. "Don't make me regret saying yes to visiting you guys for the summer or I might have to ask you to turn the car around."

"Please, I'd prefer to spend the summer in Cali with you and mum." Billy let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped on the gas. "But she didn't even bother to say 'hi' when I picked you up."

"She wanted to see you. She really did, but I think she was scared that you wouldn't want to talk to her and...she was really sick this morning. Probably didn't want to infect you too." You guessed she just felt too overwhelmed - it has been years since she had last seen him after all. You could hear Billy mumble something, but it was drowned out by Ozzy Osbourne's (in your opinion) horrendous singing. "How's dad? Does he still...you know... is he any better?"

"Worse."

"Oh." Your brows knitted together as you fiddled with the miniature yellow polaroid camera in your lap."Is that how you got that bruise?" You said, referring to the yellowish-purple bruise that graced Billy's cheekbone.

Billy nodded but stayed silent. Throughout their relationship, your mum and dad would get into bad verbal fights, but it was only at the end of their marriage when they got physical. Each night would end the exact same way: you and Billy huddled in your shared room, trying to distract each other by whatever means necessary from the screaming and crashing downstairs.

When your mum wasn't home, your dad would instead take his anger out on Billy, to make him into 'more of a man' or some other bullshit excuse he used to make himself feel better about beating his kid. You were the lucky one - he never hit you. You never understood why Billy chose to live with your dad after the divorce, though you never dared to ask.

"I'm sorry, Billy." You whispered as a pit of guilt began to burrow in your stomach. "I really thought that he would have sto-"

"Doesn't matter." Billy cut you off. "Just under a year left of school and then I can leave for good."