"I didn't need a hero, Billy." Darian sneers, dusting off his coat, eyes glaring.
Billy only smirks, reaching over and untangling one of Darians dark curls, quickly catching himself, pulling his hand back. "It didn't seem like that a minute ago." B...
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Hawkins, Indiana
July 1985
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California beach
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The sky is dark and ominous with the wind blowing fiercely. In the distance, red and blue lightning illuminates the dark clouds and highlights an eerie red glow. El walks along the shoreline, into the storm. White particles and spores flow past causing her to stop and look up.
A voice catches her attention. "Hey! Billy, stop!" In the distance, a memory. It's Young Billy, in his little league baseball uniform. The voice belonged to Neil, Billy's father. Neil grabs Young Billy by the arm and angrily pulls him closer.
"What the hell is wrong with you? What did we talk about, huh? You gotta slide!" Neil yells in poor Billy's stammering face. "I know." Billy whimpers "Wait. Afraid you're gonna get hurt, is that it?" Neil sneers
Billy shakes his head. "No." Billy stammers "Well, what then? What? What did I raise, a pussy for a son?" Neil asks with a growl. Billy rips his arm from Neil's grip. "Leave me alone!" Billy yells and he throws down his baseball glove, taking off...seemingly into the storm.
Neil starts to walk towards where he disappeared. "That's right, run! Like you always do!" Neil yells, turning and smashing something in the distance. The break of glass echoes. El runs after Young Billy, glaring at Neil as she runs past.
She chases Young Billy into the storm. Dark fog and particles obscure the view. Young Billy disappears. "Where were you last night? Where were you?" El stops and turns toward the yelling. In the distance, Young Billy is sitting at the kitchen table with his parents arguing nearby. "I told you, I was with Wendy." Neil forcefully grabs her by the arm. "Stop lying to me!" Neil yells
"I'm not lying to you!' She yells "You saw him again, didn't you? Didn't you Sarah?!" Neil yells "Get away from me! I said, get away!" Sarah yells and breaks free from his grip. Sarah grabs something and throws a plate at him. Neil dodges the plate, watching as it shatters on the ground. "You-- You whore!" Neil yells and raises his fist at her but Billy rushes over and stands between the two. "Stop it!" Billy yells "Bitch." Neil growls "Don't hurt her!" Billy yells and tries to hold his father back, but Neil tosses him aside like he is nothing. Sarah gasps. "You bastard!" Sarah yells
Neil rushes his wife and strikes a heavy blow to her face. She falls to the ground. "Mom!" Billy yells and stands over his unconscious mother.
The storm is getting stronger; the lightning is more intense. El loses sight of Young Billy.
"I don't understand. Why not?" El turns to the sound. Young Billy is in his bedroom on the phone with his mother. "Please, Mom, don't do this. Please come home. No. How long? How long?!" Billy asks, tears streaming down his face. Billy begins to sob. "I miss you."