Raining Hellfire 3

Chapter 15: This Is Just The Beginning

The pain didn't go away in three months.

Day in and day out, you had to hear the gossip of the mall fire from people who had no idea what really happened. Everyone that died had been become victims of an accident instead of the deadly creature you all fought.

It was national news that the Starcourt Mall had burned down. Hopper was decorated as a hero, at least, something he most definitely deserved. It even made El feel a little better to hear that.

Jack was never mentioned.

And you had to spend every day in a house that no longer felt like home.

"Hey, where do you want this to go?"

You turn your head away from the box you were packing, glancing at the Walkman in Nancy's hands. You give a small smile.

"In the box labelled 'Madmax'." You gesture to the cardboard that held all your tapes, plus some money you had saved up three years ago.

Nancy flashes a smile as she nods, delicately placing it amongst the other items before walking over to you, sitting cross-legged on the carpet beside you.

"Are you sure you really wanna do this?" She asks, searching your eyes.

You sigh, placing a photo frame of you and Jack into the box in front of you.

"I need to." You respond quietly and she slowly nods her head, smiling down at the picture of you, her and Barb.

After graduation, you had received an important letter from a college you never thought you'd get into. You had ignored it at first, knowing that Hawkins was your home. Everyone you loved was here. You didn't want to just move.

But now that was exactly what you were doing. The reasons you had to stay had suddenly become the reasons for you to go.

"You will be their end"

Leaving Hawkins was the only play you had left to ensure your friends were safe.

"So, when are the others giving their grand goodbyes?" Nancy chuckles, sealing up a box and adding it to the pile by the front door.

You clear your throat, never meeting her eyes. "Uh... you know. Later."

When she doesn't respond, you whip your head up to see her wide-eyed stare, movements paused as she looks to you with an exasperated expression.

"You didn't tell them." Nancy concludes, shaking her head wildly when you tighten your lips. "Y/n! This is important, you need to-"

"No." You set down another box, wiping down your jeans. "No, I can't. Goodbyes only make things harder."

Nancy opens her mouth before closing it again, sighing. "They're not gonna be happy when they find you gone."

She was right. Leaving without saying goodbye was going to cause an outrage. Nancy was the only one that found out you were moving away. She had come to check on you and found you sorting clothes. You didn't have the heart to lie to her.

"Don't worry, just pretend you werent helping me with all this and I think you'll be safe from their wrath." You laugh sadly, sealing up the very last box and standing back with a sigh.

"That's not what I'm worried about." Nancy moves to hug you tight, taking you by surprise. "You really don't have to do this. We can figure it out. Maybe, maybe you can move in with us and-"

"Nance." You say softly, hugging her back, and she slumps into you with defeat.

When you finally pull away, you look to eachother with matching tears, laughing.