Before

Chapter 21

Chapter 21:

A/N: sorry for it being so late. Today was so long and stressful that I had zero time. That being said It's short only 500 words and not proof read for editing..Sorry for any mistakes. Enjoy.

Joyce opened the door slowly to see a woman wearing a suit. She found him a bit suspicious to be showing up at the Chief’s house looking so professional. Instantly her guard went up. She hoped Eleven was hiding well.

“Can I help you?”, Joyce said clearing her throat.

“Yes, I heard you have a child, who was reported to social service. We've come to take her off your hands.”

Joyce watched the blonde knowing immediately that these were the people Hopper warned her about.

“I'm sorry. I don't live here. I'm just house sitting for the Chief. Have to water his plants and feed the dog. Man works way too much.”

The lies seemed to work for a minute until the woman looked darkly at her with a smirk.

“I know the girl is here. Give her up now before something bad just happens to happen.”

Joyce didn't flinch. She was a strong woman dealing with Lonnie's shit for so long and raising two boys alone. One thing she knew was don't let anyone bully you down.

“Listen lady. There's no girl here. Now, I'd like for you to leave. If you want to talk to the Chief. Call the station.”

“You've been warn.”

That was the last thing said before the blonde lady walked away. Joyce knew this wouldn't be the last she heard from the “social workers”.

The brunette lady sighed against the door, all these kids were going to give her grey hair before she was forty with all this stress. Joyce paused her thoughts, was she already protective over this girl she met all of three hours ago? Joyce knew she felt strongly for the girl.

Joyce opened Hopper's room, slowly, knocking softly, “Eleven, you can come out now. They are gone.”

Eleven crawled out from under the bed slowly and she stood up. She knew it was Papa's men. She didn't have to question it. They wanted her dead and it didn't take a genius to know they wouldn't give up until they had her in there grasp.

“Gone. Bad. Men?”

Her small voice was very spacy and broken. She knew she looked stupid to Joyce. Eleven was waiting for Joyce to slap her and tell her so. But the slap never came. Instead a thunder if claps.

“Good girl! You've said three words. Very good. Hopper will be proud.”

Joyce held a bright smile for the girl, which made Eleven beam with pride. All she needed was love and encouragement. Something she'll get with Joyce and Hopper's help.

“Alright, baby, why don't we color and you can make Hopper a picture. My boys should be here soon. You'll get to meet then. I have two of them. Jonathan is 17 and Will is 12. You'll get along with them just fine. They are good kids.”

Joyce led Eleven to the table with crayons and paper. She set Eleven up and let her go to town and that's just what Eleven did.