There She Goes / Steve Harrington

Prelude. Look at what has happened

Prelude.               Look at what has happened,  in this damned place.

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Look at the stars, the blaze of glory. They speak in terms of light, burn brighter for happiness and die out with hatred.

Here she was, walking down the street quietly. Hand gripping the stick that scurried her candied apple from the Hawkins Octoberfest just a mile away. So how did she end up here — far away from the celebration ... from the fun ... from her parents?

In truth, she didn't know. Her feet carried her away from the carousel, off into the night. She had no destination, not that she could remember. The last memory she had was smiling innocently on the back of the horse statue — up and down ... up and down.

That night her parents were off on a date with some friends, in their minds their daughter was having the time of her life with the other small town children under the care of their (temporary) babysitter. But, the teenage girl had appeared distracted by the passing group of guys. She giggled behind her hand with her friends, cheeks blushing in the spooky atmosphere of the 'frightful festival.'

📽️                         October 17th, 1972 10:24 pm.

"And troubling news tonight, a report has just been released on a possible abduction. A four year old girl was reported missing just last night when her parents got home. They said their daughter was with her babysitter when they left to go have dinner. The babysitter claims to have planned on taking the girl to the Octoberfest. But witnesses say that they saw the babysitter all alone. No warrant has been approved yet to arrest the babysitter but as of right now she is the number one suspect in this case. Stay tuned to here more on how to help."

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The cool drip of the wind.

The little girl stood outside, daring to question the frightening future. The brave one stared into the silver lining of the cold pressed fence, her head tilted a fraction to the side. Brow scrunching in her confusion. Waiting for something. A sign. One she was tempted to see in the darkness. She knew she wasn't crazy, even for a child.

Her small hand, delicate and gentle, gradually extended towards the shimmering fence; the rain had just subsided, leaving a light chill in the air. She remained fixated, her gaze unwavering. She was resolute in her belief that something lay beyond this obstruction. She was certain of it. Her hand traced the outline of the fence, her fingers connecting with the cold metal. Yet, she paused, retracting her hand and bringing it close to her heart. Secure and warm.

turning left and right, following the wide line separating the two worlds. She noticed that it didn't seem to end, disappearing into the distance, lighting crashed from above, bright if the sky to see it continued further. She didn't jump, not a flicker of fright prickled her eye. Instead her eyes focused back forward, through the loophole and into the black.

She let her hand go, gracing it towards the fence. And finally her fingers grazed the freezing metal. Bone chilling, a shiver ran down her being. Her eyes widened slightly, she tore her hand away and replaced it at her side. She backed away a step, still staring at the fence, the beyond dark, a tingling sensation not leaving her fingertips. Alas from the cold and the horrifying feeling of fright that illuminated from whatever was beyond the reach.

Her feet keep backing up, and then stopped. Her back hitting something, permitting her from going anywhere. Her breath caught in her throat. She turned swiftly, eyes wide open. But, to her surprise and relief —it was only a tree. She exhaled shakily glancing back at the fence, crack of thunder and lightning highlighting the defying wall. The rain had started to fall thicker.

Her chest rose swiftly. She needed to get back, she wanted her mother. Her father could protect her. She was their brave girl. Adventurous. But tonight ... tonight she felt something off in the wind. The atmosphere it ... seemed dark. The fence seemed dark ... and whatever it was shielding — was not for the public.

Her feet carried her away from the fence, the tree, the creepy unknown. She was curious, yes, but this ... this should stay a mystery. Her heart pattered her chest, it radiated warmth through her body, the sensation flooding her ears.

Go home.

Her feet ached, her rain boots slipped on the loose mud, her body falling on the ground. Brown mush caked her clothes, smudged under her eye. She let out a quiet groan, her hands moving to push off the ground. But suddenly, she froze. The hairs on her body raised, her flesh running cold. Her head turned slowly and ... nothing.

But then a hand touched her shoulder, and a scream tore through her chest. The same hand shoved over her move, eyes squeezing shut. Her mind yelled at her, in her mothers voice.

📽️                         October 17th, 1972 10:30 pm.

"And with good news tonight, little four year old Melanie Sterling has been found,"

"The little girl has been missing for three days having been reported missing on October 13th, the first day of the annual Octoberfest downtown. Just hours ago she was found walking alongside St. Paul Road still holding the candied apple she had when she was reported missing—,"

The camera zooms in on the little girls face, void with wide eyes. She held the candied apple with unseen strength, desperate not to let go. She was in her fathers arms, her mother stood by And she her side, brushing the hair back from her face silent tears rolling down her peached cheeks.

"The babysitter claims to have no idea what happened to the little girl and that she just vanished. There has been no leads so far as to where Melanie has been for the past few days. No one sighted the little girl leaving of October 13th and unfortunately there has been no witnesses in anything. It appears Melanie has no injuries and is in good health. So we can all take a big breath of relief tonight.

But the question still remains — what happened to this little girl? "

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Soooooo short little introduction. Not giving away to much but still foreshadowing so in the future stuff. But little Melanie had quite the interesting life. As the images look, she was at the Hawkins lab