Stranger things | Reader Insert | Season - 1

30

The Body - 2

"I don't know, but it's not normal. It's not something you can easily explain"

Y/N POV:

Nancy and I immediately turned to each other with dread. With everything happening, this had to be about Barb. We hurriedly gathered our things under the curious stares of classmates and followed the secretary out.

We walked in tense silence to the canteen. As we entered, I spotted my mom and Mrs. Wheeler sitting at one of the tables along with two uniformed police officers.

My heart sank at the sight. Nancy inhaled sharply next to me. We slowly approached the table, clutching our book bags tightly.

"Have a seat, girls," One officer said gently. We sat next to our moms who gave us worried, sympathetic looks.

"This argument you and Barbara had? What exactly was it about?" Powell inquired.

Nancy sighed, her eyes momentarily avoiding Powell's gaze before meeting it again. "It wasn't really an argument," she responded. "Barb just wanted to leave. And I didn't, so, I... I told her to just go home."

Continuing his line of inquiry, Powell tilted his head slightly, awaiting Nancy's next revelation. "Then what?" he pressed.

"Then I went upstairs to put on some dry clothes," Nancy explained.

Callahan interjected, "And the next day, you and Y/n went back and... saw a bear, you're thinking?"

"We don't know what it was," I added, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. "But... I think... We think maybe it took Barb."

"You need to check behind Steve's house—" I started, but Callahan shrugged.

"We did. There's nothing there. There's no sign of a bear."

Powell chimed in, "And no car."

Confused, I spoke up, "What?."

"Look. We figured that Barb came back last night and then she took off, went somewhere else," Callahan said, looking between us.

The officers then turned their attention to me. "Has she talked to either of you about running off? Leaving town, maybe?"

"No. No, Barb wouldn't do that, ever," I protested with Nancy.

Powell pressed further, looking at Nancy, "She wasn't maybe upset about the fact that you were spending so much time with this boy? Uh, Steve Harrington?"

"What?" Nancy denied, furrowing her eyebrows. "No!"

Callahan suggested, "Maybe she was jealous because she saw you go up to Steve's room?" I looked away for a moment, then turned back to the officers, noticing my mom's glance.

"It wasn't like that," Nancy insisted firmly. "Steve and I, we're... we're just friends. We... just talked."

Powell raised an eyebrow, adding, "Now was this before or after you changed out of your clothes?"

Nancy remained silent, staring down at the table, and I shifted in my seat, anxiously awaiting the conclusion of the questioning.

As I came back to my house with my mom, I entered, feeling a mix of exhaustion and emotional turbulence. My mom followed, offering a reassuring presence. We settled in the living room, and I couldn't help but hug her tightly, finding solace in her warmth.

"I'll always be with you, sweetheart," she whispered, gently stroking my hair. "No matter what happens, you're not alone."

I nodded, appreciating her silent support. Eventually, the heavy silence prompted her to speak. "You know, Y/n, relationships can be complicated. People change, and feelings evolve. It's important to remember that you're a wonderful person with so much to offer."

I glanced at her, unsure of where this conversation was headed. "Yeah, Mom, I know."

She continued, choosing her words carefully. "Sometimes, the people we care about find happiness with others. And, well, that's a part of life. It doesn't diminish your worth or the connections you share."

I furrowed my brows, sensing an underlying message. "What are you trying to say, Mom?"

She smiled, a mixture of understanding and empathy in her eyes. "I've noticed that Steve and Nancy are together now. It's okay to feel a little hurt, but it's crucial to focus on yourself, your friends, and your own happiness. Life has a way of surprising us."

"He may have someone in his life now, but that doesn't mean the story is over," my mom added, her gaze filled with reassuring warmth. "True connections have a way of finding their way back to each other when the time is right. You're a wonderful person, and if it's meant to be, things will work out."

I sighed, absorbing her advice without revealing the depth of my emotions. "Thanks, Mom. I'll keep that in mind."

She hugged me again, a silent gesture of maternal comfort. After a moment, I headed to my room, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity.

I settled into my room and began flipping through the photos Jonathan had taken. I scanned through them, and my eyes widened when I stumbled upon a particular photo. There, frozen in the frame, was a creature that bore a striking resemblance to the mysterious figure I had encountered in the forest.

My heart skipped a beat as I studied the image, the details of the creature sending a shiver down my spine.

I quickly ran to the phone and dialed Wheeler's number. When the other side answered, I said, "Nancy." Before I could say anything, I heard Nancy's panicking voice.

"Y/n, I'm about to call you," her voice trembled. "We have to meet. Pick me up," she said, confirming what I was already thinking.

"Okay," I said, hanging up and then taking the keys to my car. I informed my mom that I was going to meet Nancy.

Nancy carefully handed me the torn picture, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. As I took it from her, my eyes widened in recognition. The tear in the photograph revealed the same otherworldly creature that we had encountered during our visit to Steve's house. It sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't help but feel a knot of unease tightening in my stomach.

Wordlessly, I reached into my backpack and pulled out the picture. It was then that we both noticed the striking similarity — the same eerie, otherworldly figure was present in both photographs.

Nancy and I exchanged a glance, our shared unease growing. The creature, whatever it was, seemed to be more than just a chance encounter.

"What is that thing?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Nancy shook her head, equally puzzled and disturbed.

"I don't know, but it's not normal. It's not something you can easily explain," she replied.

"We should discuss this with Jonathan," I suggested, starting the engine.