Eddie The Banished

Hawkins

She made it to Hawkins, Indiana in just under 14 hours. She was exhausted and cried a few more times causing her to speed even faster.. She knew the town was small, but she didn't realize how small. This was the town where everyone knows everything about your momma's cousin. And in this case, her momma was from this town, so she was sure there are people here that knew her. She pulled into the driveway of the two story home and gathered her bags from the back seat. She zipped the letter into a side pocket of her bag and headed up the stairs to the front door. The keys her grandmother left her were old, but that was to be expected. She couldn't get the door to open and kept jiggling it, causing a lot of noise. "Excuse me! Ma'am! Hello! Excuse me!!" Yelled someone behind her. She turned to see a heavier set lady walking across the street. She had kind eyes but she could tell she was on alert. Annie walked down the stairs of the porch to meet the lady in the front yard. "What do you think you're doing?" Said the lady, clearly angry. "I'm trying to get into the house.." she did not seem amused at all. "Yeah I see that! I'm calling the cops, and don't you dare think about running! I have your license plate memorized!" Annie held up the keys to show her she was not a burglar. "I'm not breaking in, I can't get these keys to work." The lady squinted her eyes, still suspicious. "And where, might I ask, did you get those keys?" She glared at her.. "My grandmother left me the house in her will. She died this morning.." The ladies face grew pale, and Annie was afraid she might faint. "Are you ok?" She asked the woman. "Who was your grandmother?" Said the woman. "Lady you don't look good, are you sure you're ok?" Said Annie. "Who was your grandmother!?" She raised her voice at Annie making her jump. "Pearl Henderson! Damn.. there's no need to yell." She looked as if she was going to start crying. "Seriously lady you are starting to freak me out" With a shaky voice the lady asked her "What is your name, dear?" Now Annie was the one who was suspicious. "Um, it's Annie Johnson.." the woman softly shook her head and let out a breathy laugh "That woman.. Pearl left you the house??" Annie looked around to see if this was a practical joke being played by someone. "I'm sorry dear you must be so confused. This is going to come as a shock, I know, I'm sure your mom never told you about us, because why would she. We had a falling out so many years ago, and we all went our own way. Sweetie, I am your Aunt Claudia." Annie had zoned out halfway through the woman talking. This was becoming too much for her and she could feel another panic attack rising in her chest. The woman placed a gentle hand on Annie's back and guided her up the the stairs of the house. She took the keys from Annie's shaking hands and unlocked the door without hesitation. "How did you..?" Said Annie. "This was my home for many years. The old door is a trickster, it never locks right. This place gets broken into all the time by potheads and crazy kids, so when I saw you I immediately thought the same thing. I'm sorry if I scared you." Annie shook her head, "You didn't scare me, this is just a lot to take in." Her Aunt Claudia took in a deep breath, "It's a lot for me too sweetie. Look why don't you come stay with us until you can get some furniture and new locks on the doors." Annie just realized the place was completely empty. The last thing she wanted was to stay with a strange family whom she didn't even know.. but they were family. And as of that morning, she thought she lost the only family she had. "I don't want to impose, I'll be fine in here I promise.." Her aunt shook her head "Don't you be ridiculous! Come on, we will go shopping for furniture tomorrow!" Annie guessed it could be worse. Staying in this dark house alone after the day she's had didn't sound like something she wanted, so she followed her Aunt out of the house and into to their home across the street.

"I'm sorry for the mess, Dustin never picks up his mess.." said Claudia as she gathered an empty bag of chips and a glass from the living room table. Since it was already almost 9pm everyone was asleep, except Claudia's son Dustin. Annie could hear him talking behind the closed door of his bedroom as she followed her Aunt down the hall. "You can stay in our guest bedroom. John and I are right across the hall if you need anything at all." Annie smiled "Thank you.." Annie sat on the twin size bed and fell into the pillows. She was truly exhausted after the day, and sleep welcomed her with open arms.