The Mutants (Stranger Things Fanfic)

57

Where am I, El thought as her eyes fluttered open to see she was in a strange, crowded room full of strange writing on the wall. El tried to remember what happened to her. All she remembered was how she was roaming down the streets of a strange city when a flood of white light entered her eyes. So how did she come here? 

"Good morning." 

El pushed herself onto her elbows as she peered behind her. A woman a bit older than she was, sitting in a chair a foot away from the bed El was on. She was nothing like the people she hung around wtih. From her darker clothes to her half-shaved purple hair, El knew this woman was not from Hawkins. Though she was sure Eddie would like her style. El shifted herself across the bed. 

"Who are you?" El asked. The woman leaned forward with her arms crossed out in front of her. 

"Kali... and I'm like you... Jane..." the woman told her. El shook her head. 

"My name's not Jane... it's El... I need to get back to my friends." El stated to her while pushing herself out of the bed. She paused for a moment when she realized something, "uh-- exactly where am I?"  

"Chicago." 

"Where's that?" 

"Illinois." 

"How far is that from Hawkins?" El asked. 

"That depends. Where's Hawkins?" Kali asked her. El opened her mouth when she realized she didn't even know where Hawkins was located. 

"I need to find my friends." El mumbled. 

"Friends... like yourselves?" Kali asked. El narrowed her eyes as Kali tilted her head, "friends... able to do things others cannot explain? Friends who have been locked up in a horrible lab and marked up with numbers as your names been removed." 

El flinched when Kali took El's hand and pulled up her sleeve where her 11 once had been. 

"You know even though you had someone or yourself make the tattoo vanish from eyesight, the tattoos left markings so they can still find you." Kali told her. El pulled her arm from Kali as she brushed her fingers over where her 11 was. Was it possible that what Kali was telling her true? But how would she know so much about this? 

"Who are you?" El asked. 

"I was once like you, Jane. Taken away from my family and locked up in that horrible lab and had the key thrown away because we are different." 

"Why do you keep calling me Jane?" El asked her while Kali sat down beside El.  

"That's what the woman at the lab called you before the guards took her away. You don't remember me." Kali stated, "I was able to escape a long time ago. Of course, I couldn't really do anything since... who would believe a young kid, who is basically having to run from the government that will do anything to get their weapon back." 

"My friends had to go on the run too. But we found friends, who were willing to risk everything to make sure we didn't go back." El said. Kali snorted. 

"Or people, who are just wanting to use and abuse you. I bet you that you were all told not to use your powers." 

"We weren't supposed to use our powers except for the woods behind Hopper's house. It is far away from town so no one would ever notice." El mentioned. 

"And let me guess? He thinks he can talk to these people to try and get you and your friends' your freedoms?" 

"Actually he and his friends attempted to keep us under the radar so we can live normal lives." El explained. Kali chuckled. 

"He and his friends are naive. We'll always be monsters to them. Monsters to hunt down and locked away to be used for whatever they want to use us for. They will not rest until they capture you all again." Kali stated, "How many friends did you escape with?" 

"12." El told her. Kali burst out laughing. 

"That is impressive. I am assuming they have different powers." 

"Yes... do you have powers?" El asked. Kali held out her closed hand before slowly opening, revealing a butterfly that was glowing brightly. 

"I can make people see or not see whatever I choose." Kali explained, "This butterfly isn't real, but I have convince your mind that it is. Think of it as a kind of magic." 

"Now that you are here... I feel... whole... like a missing piece finally being put back together. It nice to not be the only one like you, you know?" Kali explained. 

"How did you know I was like you?" El asked. 

"You damaged our car with only a flick of your arm. When we were getting out, you passed out. I think you used a little too much of your powers." Kali explained before pushing herself off the bed, "I suggest you sleep a little more. You are going to need your strength." 

El laid down as Kali tucked her in underneath the blanket. She watched as  Kali turned and left the room, leaving El wondering what was happening with her friends right now.