✓ Wake Up, Mike ⇔ Mileven {1st - "Wake Up, Mike" Trilogy}

Nine

Hopper.
•Takes place at the end of Season One, right before he puts the food in the box•

I know they're lying to me. There's no way the girl is dead, she can't be. They'd blame me, probably have me killed.

I've been thinking about this for a solid month now. If she's alive, she's either trapped at Hawkins Lab, or she's in that place. The Upside Down, or whatever it's called.

My best bet is the Upside Down. Although, there's no telling if she's still alive. It's been almost a month, she might be dead by now. Although, as far as we know, that monster is gone. She's most likely just battling hunger and hygiene.

I've been wracking my brain for hours. Is there any way to get her food? If she's down there, she needs to be fed until I can get her out.

I'm about to leave my house to go to work, but I just can't stop thinking about the girl. I still have no idea what to call her, might I add. Jane? Eleven? Not that it really matters, I don't think she'd answer to Jane.

I'm sitting on my couch just thinking nonstop. There has to be a way to at least talk to her.

I eventually made up my mind and went out to buy a small, wooden box.

The cashier gave me the weirdest look when I got to the counter with a box and a bunch of food. She rang me up quickly, though, which is good. I don't have much time, I'm already insanely late for work.

I drove out and found a secluded part of the woods. If I'm gonna do this, I can't have it be obvious. Barely anyone comes back this far in the woods, so I think I'll be ok.

I set the box down and pressed it hard into the ground. I didn't even think to bring some kind of nails or something. Nonetheless, it seemed sturdy enough.

I opened the lid and slowly placed some food in it. Mostly small things like a pack of crackers and some fruit snacks. I could just barely fit a small water bottle in, as well.

I closed the box lightly and stepped back, inhaling the crisp air deeply. Here goes nothing.

"Eleven," I started, talking loudly, but making sure not to yell, just in case. "Eleven, if you can hear me, I need you to come to the woods. Look for a small wooden box. If it's there, open it. There's food and water in it. It's for you," I continued, taking a pause. "Again, if you can hear me, find a small box in the woods. I'll come back every day to give you food and water."

I waited around for another twenty minutes before slowly approaching the box again. I was nervous, for some reason. What if it worked? What if the box somehow transferred over into the Upside Down and she found it?

I knelt down and touched the lid, taking in another deep breath.

I tipped it open, and it was empty.

-

-five days later-

I sighed deeply as I pulled up to the same spot as always. I have a new idea today, I'm taking it a step further.

If I can transfer food, I can transfer other things, right? I'm going to send her a note with a pen attached to it. I can only hope she knows how to write. And read, for that matter.

I put my car in park and pulled the note out of my pocket. I read over it once more before digging a pen out of my glove box.

I slammed my car door when I left my car. I'm not in the best mood today, Flo has been on my ass constantly about being late. It's not like I can tell her why I'm late, which makes her even more mad.

I reached the box quickly, kneeling down and placing the food in. Then, I spoke out loud to her.

"I'm back, Eleven. Here's your food, but don't go away just yet. I'm gonna give you something else," I spoke loudly, waiting about five minutes before opening the box back up. It was empty, as usual. I laid the folded paper down and placed the pen on top of it. "I left you a note. I want you to write back to me as best as you can. It's ok if you don't know how to spell something, just try your best."
(A/N: Hop is best dad)

I'm getting used to talking out loud by now. It's not as weird as it was at first. I don't feel alone anymore, considering I know she's there. I just can't see her or hear her.

I waited longer his time, I gave her about fifteen minutes. When I opened the box again, the paper was still folded but not as neatly and the pen was in a different place.

I picked it up and read it.

Hello, Eleven. There's only two things I'm going to ask you.
1. Is there any way to get you out?
2. What food would you like me to bring you?

Then, in messy handwriting, below my paragraph, say the words:

No
Eggos

-

I WANTED TO EXPLAIN THE BOX IN MY OWN WAY!!
This is my interpretation and I hope you like it.
I also wanted to explain how he knew to bring her Eggos at Christmas, because I didn't understand that in the show. No one told him that she likes them??
Idk this is just my idea, I hope you enjoyed😊
-Marlie💝

edit, 12-15-18: I actually like this idea so yay past me