Manipulation |byler|

Chapter 2

Hawkins
2023.09.16
5:00 AM.

Will is standing in the middle of the road. Dark, empty. Again. And there is the same guy from the last nightmare. The guy is standing facing Will. This time Will could see him a little clear. The guy was wearing black. Will looked to his left. When he looked back at the guy, he was standing one step closer to him. Will started shaking and sweating again. He couldn't speak or move. So he just stood there scared.

Will woke up from his nightmare. He was panting and sweating. He sat on his bed and tried to calm down. Will checked the time, it was 5 in the morning. He lay on his bed, but he couldn't sleep so he just lay there looking at the ceiling.

8:15 AM.

"I'm gonna miss you so much," Joyce said hugging Will.
"me too" Will smiled into her shoulder.
"go to a therapist in your free time, and do what she says okay?" Joyce said pulling away from the hug.
"Don't worry Mom. I will" Will smiled back.
"bye Will, see you tomorrow," El said hugging him.
"bye" will hugged back.
"When Jonathan comes back from work, say "hi" for me," Will said.
"Okay," Joyce smiled.
Will got in his car and started driving to the airport.

He arrived at the airport at 9:50. His flight was in 2 hours. After 2 hours, he got on the plane. He couldn't sleep last night due to his nightmare, so he just slept all way.

When Will arrived in California, he got in his car and started driving home. When he was home, it was 5:30 PM. He has been in Hawkins for a month.
Will unlocked his house and entered. He was so tired. So he unpacked, and after that, he went to an art store and bought some stuff so he can work on his art tomorrow. Then he went to the store near his house and bought groceries.

On the way to his home, he noticed the house next to his own house was already sold. He remembers a month ago the house was on sale. 'guess I'll have a new neighbor' he thought.

It was 8:00 PM now. He entered his home put his stuff on the table and went to the kitchen and made dinner for himself. After eating his dinner it was 10:00 PM. He took a shower and wore his pajamas.
Will went to his bed and fall asleep.

________________
California
2023.09.17.
8:14 AM

Will woke up from the same nightmare.
He tried to calm himself down. He's almost used to it. After about 10 minutes he got up from his bed, went to the kitchen, and drank some water. When he was standing leaning at the counter his phone started ringing from his bedroom. He walked to his room and pick up the phone, it was El

~On the phone~

Will: Hey El
El: Hey, good morning
Will: morning
El: how are you today?
Will: I'm fine. You?
El: I'm good. I'll leave the house in about 2 hours
Will: Okay, that's great. I'll wait for you.
Ell: okay. What are you doing?
Will: oh nothing, just woke up.
El: you okay? You still sound a little tired.
Will: I'm fine.
El: Okay then, I gotta go. see you soon
Will: bye, see ya

He hung up the phone. Will brushed his teeth and ate his breakfast. After eating his breakfast he decided to start working on his art. He has only 5 days to finish his painting. He went to the room where he always works and started painting.

4:30 PM

Will spend his hull day drawing. He loved his job so much. He never overthinks or feels sad when he's drawing. It made him feel calm and peaceful.

While Will was working he heard a car stop. He immediately understood who it was. He left his painting for later and exited his room. He opened the front door and saw El getting out of the taxi.
"heyyy" Will smiled walking toward her and hugging.
"hey Will" El hugged back.
"how was your flight?" Will asked pulling away from the hug
"It was good," El said. "will you help me bring my stuff to the house?" El asked smiling.
"Sure"

"I still can't believe you came here instead of going somewhere else and spend your great time there," Will said chuckling.
"at first, I thought about going to Crater Lake in Oregon, but it won't be the best vacation if I'm alone" El smiled.
When she was saying that the black car stopped near Will's house.

They both looked at the car.
"Why did he stop his car here?" El asked seeing a guy from his car window.
" I think he's my new neighbor, that house was on sale, I guess he bought it," Will said pointing to the house.
El nodded.
When the guy got out of his car Will's expression went shocked. The guy was wearing a black sweater, black pants, and a brown coat. He has curly black hair, and he was tall.

El noticed Will was staring at the guy in shock.
"what's wrong? She asked looking at the guy.
"he's...." Will didn't finish his sentence.
"you know him?" El asked.
The guy turned to look at Will and El.
Will can tell that the guy was also shocked when he saw him, but he just smiled.

"Hey Will"

920 words.