My Number One (001/Henry Creel/Vecna x Reader)

Letting Go

I glanced back at Mike, and he looked impatient, like he was annoyed that Eleven had now stopped me from leaving.

"I just came here to make sure you were okay," I said to her. "Get some rest."

Eleven's face fell. "Wait," she said sitting up.

I was torn. Did I get out now, while I could, while I was in a mindset where I felt partially detached from my relationship with Eleven, or did I stay, and possibly be stuck with her for the rest of my life, lingering while other people around her wanted me to go, to have her to themselves?

"I can't wait," I said softly, averting my eyes. If I looked at her, I might change my mind. "Mike has to go to school, and I can't stay in his house. Goodbye."

I turned to leave, but as I approached the basement door, it slammed shut.

"No," said Eleven.

I turned back to see her with her arm extended, having used her power to shut the door.

My heart began to speed up. Had she already told Mike about her powers while I was gone? I looked at him, and he was staring at Eleven, his mouth dropped open. "Did you just shut that door?" he squeaked.

Eleven ignored him, looking at me. "Don't. Leave."

"I have to Eleven, it's not my home," I said quickly, breathing fast, and then I turned to Mike. "That was just the draft, it's windy outside."

"Yes. I'm sure it won't be windy again, as long as you stay in and keep the door shut," said Eleven sternly.

I loved Eleven to pieces, but I wasn't going to let her threaten me into staying. This was my life, and I'd had enough of people controlling it. "No...I'm sure it'll be just fine," I said slowly.

"For now..." Eleven continued, "but I can't guarantee it won't get windy again later...when you're not here."

Would Eleven really expose our secret of having powers if I left? Surely not, though, because she'd only be putting herself in danger. She wouldn't even know where I was.

Mike blinked and threw his arms up. "Okay, what is going on?! What are you two even talking about?!"

"Just the wind," I said softly.

And then I turned around to leave once and for all.

As I did so, I tensed my hand, having my power at the ready to use against hers in case she tried to slam the door again, or pull any other stunts. I'd hold it open, keep it steady so Mike wouldn't notice a thing. I walked slowly towards the door, but lo and behold, she tried nothing.

I had made it out safely.

I didn't believe Eleven really would let Mike, or anyone, know about her power, because it would give her no gain. And besides, even if she did, it wouldn't be my problem anymore. Yes, it would sadden me if I knew that she was found out and possibly sent back to the lab, but what I didn't know wouldn't hurt me. I'd never have to be aware of her suffering. I'd live assuming that she had made the smart decision, that she was safe, her secret kept by only her and myself.

I would love her from afar.

*

My next stop was the strip club.

I hadn't decided whether I was to live a double life, half in the real world, half in the Upside Down with Mr Ballard, but either way, I knew I wanted to show Walter that I was okay, that I hadn't actually disappeared into a parallel universe like it seemed...which was a lie. I laughed to myself at that thought.

I remembered the route. It took a while, because last time Walter had driven his car from the town to the strip club, but this time I had to walk the whole way. By the time I had finished the journey, the sky was bright again.

I actually enjoyed the walk, though. It was a privilege to me. Almost everything these people took for granted, wanted gone, was a privilege, and they didn't know it. Back at the laboratory, I didn't have the opportunity to walk anywhere, see anything, so as I walked through these streets, everything was of interest to me. Just a row of simple houses was more beautiful than anything I had seen during the last years of my life.

As I approached the building, I began to worry. What if Walter had called the police after my sudden disappearance? I couldn't risk the police knowing who I was. What if Papa had called them, too, and they were going to send me back?

I couldn't risk it. I'd leave, flee back to the Upside Down and never return.

But before I could turn away, a voice spoke from behind me. "Twelve?"

I swivelled round to see who it was. "...Walter," I said, my heart beating.

***

The next chapter is ALREADY PUBLISHED, thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed!