Raising Hel | a Stranger Things fanfiction

Chapter 3

Timeline check: sets on Saturday 22nd of March 1986 - at the beginning of ST4 episode 2

*

Hellen takes a deep breath as a deputy approaches her. He looks pale and agitated, his voice is a bit too loud when he speaks to her.

– So, Mr. Munson says he found you this morning and that you're looking for his nephew.

She nods. He frowns.

– I'm gonna need you to be a little more talkative, young lady.

A voice in her head snaps that she can't answer questions he doesn't ask. She forces a smile.

– Let's start with your name, shall we?

– Hellen Norton. I have my ID in the car.

The deputy turns to look where she's pointing.

– Those are Georgia plates, right?

– Yes, I live there.

– That's a long way from here. What brings you to Hawkins?

– I wanted to visit an old school friend.

– Eddie Munson?

– Right.

He gets the same dubious face Wayne did earlier today.

– We met in high school, she adds.

– You said you live in Georgia.

– I do now. I moved during the summer of 81. Before that my mom and I used to live here, on Washington Street.

The deputy scribbles on his notepad.

– So, you decided to pay a visit to your ol' buddy Eddie. Today.

Hellen glares at him. She's not a fan of his cocky attitude.

– It's spring break, so yes, I figured it was a good time to visit him.

– When did you arrive?

– Around midnight, maybe 1 in the morning.

– And did you see him?

– No.

– Did you see anything ... strange?

She fights the urge to roll her eyes.

– Nothing. Everybody seemed to be sleeping and Eddie's van wasn't there.

– But you stayed anyway, right?

– I didn't mean to. I fell asleep in my car.

He pouts and scribbles again.

– And until M. Munson invited you in, you never saw the victim.

– No.

– You were right here, in your car, between 1 and 6 and you didn't see anyone walking inside that trailer.

– I fell asleep, she repeats.

– Uh-huh.

He asks her a few more questions before the sheriff calls after him. Two policemen exit the trailer holding a body bag. Hellen looks away until the deputy comes back to her to inform her she's not to leave town for a while. The cortege of police cars drives away, leaving only a yellow tape on the trailer's door. It doesn't stop the neighbors to come out and see.

– Come on, says Wayne Munson, I'll buy you breakfast.

Before she knows, he's driving her to a dinner on the outskirt of the city and they sit in front of a coffee. She spots him staring at her a few times before he asks:

– You're that girl Eddie's writing to all the time, right?

Hellen feels a sudden urge to cry. She wants to know where her friend is, how he is... She nods, staring at her cup. He doesn't say anything else until the waitress comes back to ask if they're ready to order food.