Surviving Hawkins (Stranger Things Story)

Chapter 4

AN~ I know I haven't updated this in a little bit. I got busy with school. But, I'm going to try to update more frequently. I'm also going to start incorporating flashbacks into this, starting with this chapter. This way you get more info on things and some may hint to things that may happen later. Hope you enjoy! Wordcount~ 2686

Things were finally back to normal. Or as normal as they could be in Hawkins. The upside down was gone. Everyone was happy. Elyse and Robin got a small apartment together right outside of Hawkins. The Byers moved back to Hawkins. Joyce and Hopper are officially together. However, there were still some scars of what happened.

Max was still in a coma. However, when the doctors ran more tests, it was discovered that she in fact, was not brain dead like they previously believed. And El was able to find her in the void. She was back. But not. They were one step closer to getting her back. After the stress of everything, Nancy and Johnathan decided to breakup. They still stayed close friends.

It was June 3rd, 1987. Nancy was back in Hawkins after her first year at Emerson. She wanted to do a big dinner with the whole group, celebrating over a year of normalcy. Elyse was dreading it. Mainly because her mind kept wandering back to a conversation from a year ago. With Dr. Brenner.

{Flashback to March 23rd, 1986. In the abandoned lab.}
~Elyse's POV~

Walking into the cold, empty, damaged lab, I couldn't help but have flashbacks of the tests I endured while here all those years ago. Walking down the halls, remembering them like the back of my hand, down to the basement.

I hear distinct voices. Ones that I remember well. Dr. Martin Brenner and Dr. Sam Owens. Owens was kind to me, Brenner, he was the opposite. As I approached the two men, I had an urge to turn around, runaway from them before I got dragged into something I didn't want to be apart of. But it was too late. They saw me.

"001. Good you're he-" Dr. Brenner started, but I cut him off. "My name is Elyse. Do not call me a fucking number." I said sternly, slightly jarring the man. He nodded his head, shocking me. He listened. "Elyse. He's back." He didn't need to clarify who. I knew exactly who he meant. Henry. I heard about a girl being killed right here in Hawkins, but I couldn't be sure. But now I know. Chrissy Cunningham was his first victim of this killing spree. But certainly won't be his last.

"What do you want me to do about it?" I ask, not sure why he needs me. "We made you to be stronger than him. You're the only one who can stop him." He stated, making a face that almost looked genuine. Almost. "What about Eleven? I thought she was your favorite? Cause she was the strongest, most powerful?" I question, remembering him praising her all those years ago. Me observing in a room, not being seen by the other children. I was expected to learn how to use my powers, be stronger. And I was.

But, when he attacked the children at the lab, I wanted out of there. And he was gone. So, Dr. Brenner let me go home. And I said I was done with everything he was doing. I don't care what happens, leave me out of it. And make sure Eleven is okay. That she doesn't get hurt. That someday, she gets to live a normal life. And from the look on his face, it would appear he kept that promise. "Eleven isn't an option. She isn't strong enough to kill him. You are the only person who can." He says. Now I really can see the genuine look on his face. He was telling the truth.

But I can't do this. I refuse to get involved in this shit again. I won't do it. "No." I say. Standing my ground against the man. Owens gives a sympathetic look towards me. Brenner just stares blankly at me. Or, almost with disappointment. "Elyse, we need you. The world needs you. He won't see you coming. Or even as a threat. He never knew about you. You can sneak up on him and destroy him." He says, eyes pleading for me to say yes. "No. What makes you think he doesn't know about me? Hm? He can see into peoples minds. He most likely knew about me back then when he attacked. Which is probably why I was conveniently nowhere near him when he attacked. He knew I could stop him. He knows now. I'm not getting myself killed before I even get the hell out of Hawkins."