Starting Over

Chapter 1 (The Calm Before The Storm)

It was never happily ever after; it was more like a wishful thought.

My life wasn't great, and it only got worse with time. I grew up with parents who were constantly fighting and not getting along. The mornings were always the toughest; an uproar was already happening downstairs as soon as the sun shone through my window. I never wanted to get involved, so I reached for my headphones to block out the yelling and put on my most played songs. I let the first song ring out in my ears to distract myself from the downstairs chaos. This only happened on certain days, and the weekends were never the best days to look forward to as it was primarily doors slamming and plates shattering. I have never had a chance to attend a proper school or meet new people since I moved to Hawkins. I was isolated, not allowed to leave the house or let people know I existed so that I would remain a mystery to the outside world. Being stuck in the house was never fun, and I had to find new ways to distract myself, like reading books and solving puzzles.

On a Friday afternoon, I found myself alone at home and decided to walk. To avoid drawing attention, I put on a sweatshirt and a beanie. Before leaving, I grabbed my headphones and stepped out to explore the quiet town of Hawkins. Though it was risky, I was eager to get to know the place I now called home. I missed many things, especially attending school and interacting with others. As I walked, I realized that my path was unfamiliar, and the fear of getting lost began to set in. If I did get lost, I wouldn't know how to explain my absence from the house, as I wasn't supposed to leave in the first place.

I found myself at a fork in the road, unsure which way to go. Then, I spotted a person in the distance to my far right. I didn't want them to see me, so I hid behind the nearest tree. As the person approached, I stayed quiet and held my breath. They called out, "Hello, is someone there?" but I couldn't respond for fear of being seen. The person continued to come closer, and just as they were about to discover me, they turned and said, "I know you're out there; I will find you."

I glanced backward to ensure no one followed me and ran as fast as possible towards the nearest street. I hoped to find something to help me find my way back home. At that moment, I realized I had misplaced my music and left it behind.

POV

Steve and Dustin walk on the railroad tracks while tracking down an unknown creature with buckets of raw meat to capture it. (Scene from Season 2 of Stranger Things)

Steve: All right, so let me get this straight. You kept something you knew was probably dangerous in order to impress a girl whom you just met.

Dustin: All right, that's grossly oversimplifying things.

Steve: I mean, why would a girl like some nasty slug anyway?

Dustin: An interdimensional slug? Because it's awesome.

Steve: Well, even if she thought it was cool, which she didn't, I, I don't know. I feel like you're trying way too hard.

Dustin: Well, not everyone can have your perfect hair, all right?

Steve: It's not about the hair, man. The key with girls is just acting like you don't care.

Dustin: Even if you do?

Steve: Yeah, exactly. It drives them nuts.

Dustin: Then what?

Steve: You wait until, uh, until you feel it.

Dustin: Feel what?

Steve: It's like before it's going to storm, you know? You can't see it, but you can feel it, like this, uh electricity, you know?

Dustin: Oh, like in the electromagnetic field when the clouds in the atmosphere-

(As Dustin recalled his answer, Steve heard a rustle of leaves on his left side and went to investigate.)

Steve: Hold that thought, Dustin! I heard something in the trees; I will check it out. Don't move!

Dustin: Steve, Be careful!

As Steve walked around the area, Linda tried to remain quiet while hiding behind a tree, hoping he wouldn't spot her. However, as Steve approached her hiding spot, Linda felt a sense of panic building up within her. With every step he took, she knew she was getting closer to being found, and she started to wonder what she could do to escape from him before it was too late.

Dustin was calling out, "Steve! Did you find anything?" She soon realized that this gentleman was not alone and that he had a child with him, two faces that would ruin her cover from being seen. From what the little boy said while calling out for him, his name was Steve. A moment where she could meet this man, but didn't want to risk any chance of ruining it. Now wasn't the right time to meet anyone. Things were far too complicated.

After calling Dustin back, Steve quickly scanned the area around him to ensure his safety. He then informed Dustin that it was a false alarm. As he was making his way out, he noticed Linda trying to sneak away quietly. Steve was determined not to let whoever was hiding slip away so quickly. In a stern and assertive tone, he called out, "I know you're out there, and I will find you." With determination, Steve walked towards the spot where Linda was hiding. He didn't hesitate to reveal a Walkman hidden under a pile of leaves. The Walkman had a mixtape of favorite songs inside, and Steve knew that whoever was hiding was just looking for a private spot to listen to music. Steve followed the tracks by the tree to see that whoever was hiding had left, but not before hearing his firm warning.

Upon reuniting with Dustin, Steve casually held the Walkman and examined it for any indication of its owner's identity.

Dustin noticed that Steve had become quiet after returning from his search. Once they were back on the tracks, Dustin asked him if everything was okay. "Steve, is everything fine? What did you find back there?" Steve was lost in his thoughts and didn't hear Dustin's question. "Sorry, Dustin, I didn't hear you. I was looking for that slug, and I think I almost bumped into someone, but I found this instead." Steve then showed him the Walkman he had found.

As they walked along the tracks, Dustin asked Steve, "Who do you think owns it?" Steve held onto their Walkman tightly and replied, "I'm not entirely sure, but I'll make sure to find out."