Raining Hellfire 3

Chapter 13: Enemies

"I'm going to kill the Mind Flayer."

Your proclamation had caused an out-roar from your friends but El's screams had distracted them enough to run to her. Steve had tried to stay with you, but you only insisted he go to the others, that you needed to be alone to mourn.

But you had lied. You didn't need time to mourn. In fact, you were far from feeling upset. You were angry. You needed the time alone to use whatever connection you had to this thing to track it down and kill it yourself.

The others had gathered around the fountain, struggling to help El. Something had started moving in her leg, causing immeasurable pain. In the end, she had used her powers to pull it out herself and, in a turn of events, Hopper had killed the thing.

In that time, you had been sat next to Jack's lifeless body. He was covered in a sheet you had found covering a display in the mall. You knew you should have helped, should have been there for the girl you cared for like a sister. But you just couldn't do it.

"Hey, kid."

You tilt your head up to see Hopper walking to you, eyes shifting to the covered body you kneel beside. He went down on one knee, placing a hand on your shoulder.

"You're back." You try to smile, meeting his eyes. But only a twitch of your lips happened before your eyes misted with tears.

Instinctively, he pulls you in, your head buried into his shoulder as silent tears fell down. This wasn't the same raw emotion you had felt before. It was the realisation that Jack was never coming back to you.

"I'm so sorry." He soothes, pulling away as you wipe your tears on the sleeves of your jumper.

"It's my fault." You whisper and he takes a breath, shifting your body so you faced away from the painful memory.

"Look at me." Hopper instructed. When your head started moving back to the white sheet, he situated himself in front of you, "Hey, kid. Look at me."

You reluctantly meet his eyes, lips pressing tightly together.

He sighs, shaking his head, "None of this is your fault. You should never blame yourself. Jack... he loved you. I know for a fact he would do anything for you."

"It shouldn't have happened." You cry and he hugs you again.

"No. No it shouldn't have." He agrees.

The conversation comes to an end and he holds you there for a while. Hopper was always someone that cared for you, as you cared for him. It wasn't really a father-daughter relationship like he had with El, if anything he was your friend. He had realised a long time ago that you didn't need another parental figure to tell you what to do. You needed someone to listen.

"Listen, kid." Hopper finally says after you pull away, "I gotta go do something important. And..."

Once he pauses, it catches your attention and your eyes fly to his. Hopper rarely ever struggled with words when it came to you. It had to be serious.

"You'll be safe, right?" You question and he sighs before a small smile stretches onto his lips, just below his moustache.

"I'll do my best." He slowly nods, looking away and back down to where everyone else gathered, "And you're gonna be okay. You've always been the most stubborn kid I knew, and I, for one, understand just how strong you can be when you put your mind to it."

"Thank you." You smile before shaking your head, "Is El okay?"

"She's strong too." Hopper simply says with a chuckle, "I expect you two will be looking out for eachother."