The Scholar & The Bard [Sequel to Bookworm & Toothless] (Stranger Things AU)

[39]

A few hours earlier...

"Gabby, you can't just leave!"

"Oh yeah? Watch me!"

The gang was watching as the two girls were yelling at each other, Kali trying to prevent Gabby from leaving, and Gabby packing everything she owned (including a couple hundred dollars), into a rather large bag.

"We need you!"

"Oh, really?"

Gabby sends a death glare that punctured through Kali's soul, making her flinch.

"NAME ONE TRIP TO KILL A MAN OR WOMAN OR WHOEVER WAS INVOLVED IN WHAT HAPPENED TO US WHERE I WENT THROUGH WITH IT!!"

Kali opened her mouth.

Closed it.

And opened it again.

"I WAS NEVER MADE FOR THIS LIFE!! I NEVER FUCKING WAS!!" Gabby screamed, making everyone flinch.

"Gabby, please. I'm your sister."

Gabby stares at Kali.

And BURSTS out LAUGHING.

She's being cruel and mean, she knows.

But...do sisters that care about each other push them on the floor, and don't apologize later?

"This BRUISE begs to differ!" Gabby snaps, gritting her teeth as she zips up her bag.

"I'm going back to Hawkins to Jane, Jessie and our 'group of nerds' back home." She says, air quoting and glaring directly at the gang, and they shrink back, familiar with the fear they actually had of the Colombian.

A Latina with powers and is hot-tempered?

Yeah, they try not to piss her off.

"AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!" She yelled at Kali before storming off.

"I'LL KILL THEM!!"

Gabby stops, as the threat crackled through her eardrums.

She's not sure if the threat is empty or not...

But she stares back at Kali, and the woman visibly shrinks back at the expression she throws at her, as does the gang.

....And at the growing vines that sprout from the earthy ground, illuminating her and making her scary as fuck.

"I DARE you to pull through with that threat and AVOID the consequences of it, EIGHT. I DARE YOU."

And she turns, leaving from the toxic environment she's known for years...

And returning back to her TRUE HOME.

Present...

Gabby doesn't fight back the tears as she looks at the 13-year-old in across the hallway of the Byers' house.

Jessie has bandages and scars around her arms and one on her cheeks...

But...she has a lot more freckles, and is taller than she thought she was...

...And looks like she's been sad and tired and...beat down for most of her life.

But, she can't help but smile at the sight because this is her sister.