86' baby

1986

Valerie :

Its been three years since that night.
I lost contact with all of my friends, my Uncle Hopper keeping me in the loop as much as he could before I grew tired of hearing about a life that was no longer mine.

The last three years have been quite the experience. I started boxing, martial arts, studying the art of knife throwing and even know my way around a gun.
I refuse to run again.
Due to all of my extra activities, I've been met with the unfortunate news of having to repeat my senior year of high school. I kind of let my studies slip away from me.

Today started off as every other day, my usual breakfast that contained a cigarette and a coffee before taking my bike for a ride along the water line and heading to the workshop.
However, it didn't end the same. No.
Instead I am met with my Uncle Hopper.
I still find it odd that he goes by our last name. Bizarre man he is.

" I want you to come home and do your senior year in Hawkins. You were meant to come back 2 years ago, Valerie. " he rambles on.

" You said it yourself, the rumours back there about me are whack. Why would I want to face that?."
" You have to face them eventually, Valerie. Besides, don't you want to meet your cousin Jane?. " uncle hopper took in a young teen recently, truely heart whelming if you think about it.
" You can bring your bike. " He sighs.
" Fine. But you're not parenting me. I've been on my own for a year, I can manage fine."

I stayed with one of our distant relatives until I turned 18. As much as I appreciated them, I always felt like I was intruding in someone else's home.
I needed a place of my own. Even if it was a shitty loft apartment above a butchers.
" Thank god, I was starting to think I moved into a bigger home for nothing. " He laughs.

The rest of the day consisted of Hopper calling home to let Jane know I was coming with him.
He had already arranged a moving truck and Trailer for my car in hopes I'd agree to go with him.
" Did you know my lease was up? " I look over at my Uncle.
" Yep. You really think I wasn't running tabs on you Val?, I've been talking to the owner since you moved in. " ofcourse he had been. Typical Hopper.
**

Hopper is leaving tonight with my belongings and I'll be following suit in the morning.
I'll be crashing on the couch supplied to me with the loft, considering my uncle took my bed.
He packed up my Stuff freakishly fast, likely to stop me from changing my mind. Besides, I don't own much. Majority of my money went into my car and bike.

I can't believe I've just agreed to go back there. To that hell hole.
The place that took my family from me.
I shake my head, reaching for a cigarette.
Weird to think a packet of these use to last me 2 months, now lucky to last 2 days.
My therapist says my way of coping is with self inflicted pain.
Makes sense.

There isn't a night where I don't think about my parents. I've grieved and I've healed, but I'll never forget.
They were my world, my best friends.
I should count myself lucky that I didn't have to witness my mothers tragic end.
I didn't even identify her body, My uncle got me out of there faster then you could say boo.

Finishing my cigarette, I make the decision to leave tonight rather then tomorrow.
I may as well get it over with and if I leave now, I will lower the risk of seeing anyone I know on the ride in. Hopefully.

*******

The ride was long, but not agonisingly long.
I only stopped the once to fill my tank and stretch my legs.
Being sure to lower the chances of cramping for tomorrow.

I pull into my Uncles driveway and head to the door, hoping he'd still be awake.
Knocking twice, I am met with a young girl who I assume is Jane.
" Dad? Are we expecting anyone?. " She yells towards what I assume is my uncle.
I hear footsteps coming towards the door, it swinging open wider to give me a full view.
" Valerie? We weren't expecting you until tomorrow. " He rubs his eyes, stepping aside to let me enter.