Escape ~ S.Harrington

54} Stairway to Heaven

"Murray, you all set down there?" Hopper was checking everything over to make sure everything went smoothly and as planned.
"All set," Murray said, "but I've got some company which I'd love you to obliterate."
"Will do. Hang tight."
Joyce and Hopper got the keys in place to turn the machine off.
"Jenna, you're up to bat, kid," Hopper looked over at her.
Jenna nodded, but before going out, she turned around and ran into Hop's arms.
"Don't die, Hop," She told him, "I can't lose you."
"I won't. I promise. Now, you promise me you won't die. You're like my kid. Plus, I need you to help me properly plan that date I have planned. I'm bad at that stuff."
"I- I promise, Hop."

Jenna pulled back and smiled up at her only father figure.
"I'm going up to bat. Oh, wait, do you have my Walkman? I want some music to help me focus."
Hopper reached in his pocket and pulled it out.
"Close that fucker up," Joyce smiled at Jenna.
"Will do."
Jenna put her headphones on and walked out onto the platform. She made her way to the spot right beneath the electrical beam and hit play.

(Start playing Stairway to Heaven. Out of all the musical scenes I've written, this one is the most important to actually have music playing. I'll have lyrics scattered throughout to keep you on track, but this is highly driven by the song. This scene will take up the full 8+ minute song, so buckle up and let the music encapsulate your senses like it's doing for Jenna.)

Jenna started to levitate herself into the air, right into the path of the light beam. The only thing keeping her calm was the luscious intro sending her to her happy place within her mind. The combination of the guitar and flute sent her to a meadow deep in her mind where she was surrounded by her friends and family. Nothing but happiness engulfed her. It was all she ever hoped for and what she dreamed of happening if she closed the gate. They'd all be safe from harm's way for good.

[There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold, and she's buying a stairway to heaven]
Jenna's body had risen up into the electrical beam.
An intense surge overtook her body and mind. This was the most current she'd ever had running through her body at once. She felt unworthy of the amount of power she'd just been given.

[When she gets there she knows if the stores are all closed, with a word she can get what she came for]
With her eyes closed, she lifted her arms out in front of her and started to use the power to close the portal to another world. As she did so, images of Alice, Nancy, Jonathan, Eddie, and Robin flashed through her mind. Boy, would she miss them if this went wrong. Then, pictures of Hopper, Joyce, and Murray followed. She didn't want to let down the adults in her life. Next, her children; Max, Lucas, Mike, Will, and El. She loved them like her own family. She never wanted to leave them or let them go. Finally, Dustin and Steve flooded out from her memories. She wanted to have more time to watch her brother grow up, to meet Suzie, to be there through all of his hardships. And Steve, poor Steve. He had no one left in his life except for her and a few others. She didn't want to miss that date with him or any other memories that she would be there with him to make.

[Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven]
For the first time since she started closing the gate, she opened her eyes to see her progress.

[There's a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure]
Just a bit longer, she thought, and I can make it back to my family, to my kids, to my brother, and to my wife. To the person I love more than anything else in my life.
I'll survive this. I'll make it back to them.
['Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings]

The intense amount of electricity was starting to burn through her veins, it made her feel like she was a powerline ready to explode and crackle at any given moment. She closed her eyes once more, trying to get back to the beloved happy world she'd built in her mind.
[In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings. Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven]