Strange Things Are Happening. (Jonathan Byers x OC) Wattys 2017

10.

What the two teens didn't know, was that as they were both entering into new waters with each other, Chief Hopper received a call about a body having been found at the Quarry.

Jim wanted so hard to believe that it wasn't that of the youngest Byers.

But it was.

Samantha didn't find out until the next morning, when her mother came into the room as she was getting ready for school.

"You can take the day off if you'd like," Caroline said quietly, patting her leg gently, "I know that you'll want to go see Mike."

Samantha nodded, "Thanks mom."

Once her mom had left the room, she moved to her window, falling onto the seat with a sigh as she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She was never going to see Will again. Never hear his enthusiastic explanations of all things Dungeons and Dragons that she never got. Never see his bright smile again. And that was a lot to take in.

Joyce, god. She couldn't imagine what that poor woman was going through and Jonathan, she knew how close the two of them were.

Letting out another shuddering breath, Samantha wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her cardigan and got up.

She'd grab a slice of toast and then head over to see Mike.

"Give Mike our love," her mom said as she waited for the bread to pop up, "I'll get you at their house in ten minutes. Then we'll go to the store, yeah?"

"I will," she promised, kissing both her and her father before heading towards the door.

Both her aunt and uncle's cars were gone from the driveway so after knocking a couple of times, Samantha let herself in, calling Mike and Nancy's names just to let them know she was there.

Mike came rushing up from the basement, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"He's gone," he mumbled and then said something else but due to the fact his face was pressed against her neck, she didn't understand it so she just hugged him tighter but pulled away when she heard movement from their basement.

"Is that Nancy?" she asked, "I know that your parents aren't home."

"No," Mike said quickly, "I-it's Dustin."

"Mike," Samantha said softly but sternly, "Don't lie to me."

"It's better if I just show you." he mumbled, turning to the basement stairs.

She wordlessly followed him downstairs. As soon as she reached the bottom, her eyes were drawn to the kid that was sitting in a blanket fort messing with Mike's radio.

"Mike," she said slowly, "Who is this?"

The boy turned to her with a sheepish smile, "Eleven."

"Eleven?" she echoed.

"El for short." he explained, "She ran into us one night when we were out looking for...for Will."

Eleven watched the two cousins share a quiet conversation. The girl who had come down with Mike, she was pretty and she had blonde hair, just like the wig the boys had given her.

Mike sat down on the sofa while Samantha moved to sit down in front of her.

"Hi," she said, giving her a friendly smile, "I'm Samantha. Mike's cousin. He said that you're in trouble."

Eleven nodded timidly, looking at the boy, desperate for him to talk to her but he didn't even look at her.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, making her jump and Samantha quickly put her hand on her knee to try and comfort her.