afterlife ➳ stranger things [2]

Chapter 8: I Spy

Hopper walked into the large brick building, taking his hat off and looking at the secretary. He approached the desk.

"You're a long way from home, Sheriff," She paused. "What are you here for?"

"I'm looking to adopt." Hopper spoke.

"Got a name, Sheriff?" She asked, walking over to the doors.

"I know a birth name," He paused. "Sarah."

"I'll ask, but uh no promises," The secretary walked through the doors, disappearing for a couple of minutes. She came back. "The Sarah you're looking for ran away this morning. Nothing I can do."

"Did a girl with a half shaved head come in here?" Hopper asked.

"As I recall, yes," She paused as Hopper started leaving. "Can I help you with anything else?"

"No, I'm good." He smiled, put his hat back on, and left.

"Any luck?" Steve bounced off the wall, crossing his arms. Nancy walked towards Hopper.

"Kali was here." Hoper stated, leaving a shocked look on Steve and Nancy's face.

"Wait what?" Steve asked.

"Why would Kali be there?" Nancy looked over at Steve, then back at Hopper.

"She is doing something," Hopper paused. "Something two steps ahead of us."

"I can call her and find her," Nancy nodded. "And see what she's up to."

"I'll come with." Steve offered.

"I'd rather go alone." Nancy sighed.

"Stay safe." Hopper nodded, before Nancy started walking away.

Steve and Hopper continued walking down the street, while Nancy speed walked to Kali's hotel. She knew where Kali was, it was a short distance. She turned right, then left, being careful about not being followed. She walked into the hotel, rushing into the elevator. She clicked the two button, clutching her bag and anxiously looking upwards.

As soon as she got to level two, she rushed to Kali's room. She frantically knocked onto the door, Kali answering after she figured it out it was Nancy.

"He knows," Nancy came in, pushing past Kali and facing Cassidy and Sarah. "He thinks I'm here to question you. He came to the adoption center right after you, you could have been seen!"

"She knows?" Cassidy narrowed her eyebrows.

"She figured it out a long time ago." Kali sighed.

"Yeah hi Cass, glad to see your not dead." Nancy smiled.

"You're Nancy?" Sarah questioned, raising her eyebrows.

"Oh Nancy this is Sarah." Kali nodded.

"This is not my point," Nancy paused. "Hopper knows, the kids suspect, and Steve is helping the kids."

"Wait does Erin know?" Cassidy asked.

"No, she's the only one who has no idea. Dustin and Max are leading the entire thing, dragging Jonathan, Steve, and I all into this." Nancy sighed.

"So what do we do?" Sarah looked around.

"You guys have to go back to Boston," Nancy paused. "Like now."

"We can't, I- we still have to do stuff here," Kali paused. "Some of us think Brenner is back in Hawkins-"

"Brenner is in Hawkins?" Cassidy turned to Kali.

"There's been rumors, but I can't get Mick to confirm." Kali answered.

"If he's in Hawkins," Nancy paused. "You guys need to go back."

"What?" Sarah asked.

Kali shook her head. "Cassidy can't reveal she's alive, it's not time-"

"It's time because we're running out of it." Nancy sighed.

--

"Erin," Dustin hissed during biology, trying to bring Erin out of her zone. "Erin." He sternly said, snapping her out of it.

"Yeah?" Erin turned to look at him with caring eyes.

"We're supposed to partner up for our project." Dustin nodded.

"Oh, are we partnering?" Erin softy asked. Dustin nodded, before moving to the desk next to her.

"What did you see?" He softly asked.

"I don't know." Erin sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"It was dark, and cold. I tried reaching for something to grab, but I couldn't find anything. There was someone calling my name, and I turned around and saw the shadow monster." Erin explained.

"Who do you think called your name?" Dustin asked.

"It sounded like," Erin's expression fell. "Cassidy."

"Does that mean she's alive?" Dustin asked.

"No, why the hell would you think that?" Erin dismissed his question.

"I don't know, it's just if she called your name that must make her alive-"

"Not all of my visions come true. The arguing one? Kali isn't here, Brenner is on the run, and Cassidy is dead." Erin explained.

"True. Maybe it's an alternative reality?" Dustin shrugged. Erin smiled, blushing.

"Possibly." Erin nodded.

"Erin and Dustin, did you determine a team name yet?" The teacher asked. The two turned to face her, exchanging looks.

"Team defenders," Dustin whispered. Erin looked at him, raising her eyebrows. "What? I like Marvel." He shrugged.

"The Defenders." Erin answered the teacher.