afterlife ➳ stranger things [2]

Chapter 10: Homecoming

"Are you guys packed?" Kali walked into the hotel room as Cassidy was stuffing a dufflebag.

"Almost." Cassidy said, grabbing a shirt from the bed and stuffing it into the bag.

"Didn't have much to pack." Sarah shrugged, putting the backpack on the table.

"Nancy is coming soon with train tickets, and as soon as she does, we're out of here." Kali explained.

The door opened as Kali moved away from it, Nancy walked through. She had a panicked face on, looking directly at Cassidy.

"What is it?" Cassidy asked, narrowing her eyes.

"It's Erin," Nancy paused. "She's sick."

"What do you mean she's sick?" Cassidy demanded to know.

"We don't know, Joyce just called and we're heading to Hawkins right now. Hopper is flying back while Steve and I drive the truck home." Nancy explained.

"We have to go back." Kali stated.

"You guys cannot go back," Nancy shook her head. "Erin wouldn't be able to see you at all, and not to mention it's horrible timing."

"So when, Nancy?" Cassidy crossed her arms. "When can I see my sister and it won't be horrible timing?"

"Not now," Nancy paused, collecting her thoughts. "Soon."

"When is soon?" Cassidy stepped forward, her expression changed to worried.

"Soon is when she's not deathly ill, Casssidy," Nancy stepped forward. "Soon is when everyone is worried like hell about Erin, especially Dustin!"

"Why would Dustin be more worried then everyone?" Cassidy hissed.

"Shit." Kali said under her breath.

"What are you guys not telling me?" Cassidy demanded to know.

"Erin and Dustin are in a relationship, that's why he would be more worried," Kali paused. "We didn't tell you because we knew you liked him, and it would change your mind about going back."

"Of course it would change my mind about coming back, I would go home only to find out my other half desperately made a move on my known crush." Cassidy said with anger in her voice.

"You know that's not how it happened." Now Nancy had fire in her eyes.

"How do I know that, Nancy?" Cassidy threw her arms out. "How do I know that Erin went after him when I died, as if I was only a roadblock."

"Because he was there for her when you weren't." Nancy muttered, making Cassidy soften. "In fact, we were all there for her when you were too much of a coward to be."

Nancy then opened the door, walked out, and slammed it behind her. Kali, Cassidy, and Sarah stood there in shock, just watching her leave. Cassidy was now crying, realizing that Nancy was right. No matter how much it hurt to admit it, she did.

"Cassidy..." Kali said with a soft tone.

"She's right you know?" Cassidy bit her lip. "I wasn't there. Now she's sick and there's nothing I can do."

"There's always something you can do," Sarah sighed, looking up at Cassidy. "Whether it's a good decision or not."

Nancy slammed the car door to the truck while Steve was in the driver's seat. He had a hand on the wheel, flinching when she slammed the door.

"Is she coming?" Steve turned to her.

"I don't know if it worked or not." Nancy shrugged.

"I hope it did," Steve paused. "Erin needs her sister."

--

Erin woke up for the second time in the hospital, the bright lights making her wince. She opened her eyes, looking around. Hopper sat in the chair across the room, looking stressed. He ran his hands through his hair, before placing his hat back down on the chair next to him.

"Well you look like shit." Erin smiled, Hopper looking up at her, relieved.

"We all thought you were gonna die." Hopper stated, making Erin chuckle.

"Where's we?" Erin raised her eyebrows.

"Dustin, Will, Mike, and Lucas are getting you candy, Eleven and Max headed home with Joyce to get you some clothes." Hopper explained.

"Oh," Erin smiled at the thought of her friends caring so much. "What did the doctor say?"

"PTSD. Like we heard about Will, about a year ago." Hopper sighed.

"It's not PTSD is it?" Erin sighed.

"Probably not," Hopper nodded. "They put an IV in you since you were asleep for hours," Hopper paused, looking at the needle in her arm. "Wanna tell me what's up with you, kiddo?"

"I didn't want to you to worry." Erin shrugged.

"You have me worried just looking at you," Hopper paused. "You also indeed look like shit."

"Hey, language." Erin joked.

"Have you even seen yourself yet?" Hopper asked.

"Yeah I did when I saw a Demagorgan in the bathroom." Erin explained. Hopper chuckled, making Erin smile.

The door burst open with Dustin, Will, Mike, and Lucas coming through. Dustin smiled at the sight of Erin awake, he quickly rushed to her to hug her. He put the bag full of full-sized candy bars on the table next to her, smiling as he took out the get well card.

"You passed out a couple hours before Hopper came home, then we took you to the hospital." Dustin explained, Erin smiling and looking up at him.

"Eleven and Max should be back soon with some clothes." Will added on.

"I know, Hopper told me." Erin smiled at Will.

The room went quiet as the clock ticked away, then the door opened revealing a tall male in a lab coat, holding Erin's folders.

"Erin, right?" He approached, getting on the chair and wheeling up to Erin's bed. "And guests."

"Yeah, and there's more coming." Erin joked.

"Glad to see you have a sense of humor," He paused. "I'm Doctor Davis, how are you feeling today?"

"I'm doing okay now that I actually got some rest," Erin nodded. "When can I go home?"

"Hold on Erin, we don't even know what is wrong with you just yet. We have to run some more tests soon, so I'll have a nurse come in and draw some blood. Also," He placed a cup on the table in front of her bed. "You need to pee in a cup."

"I know the drill, run every test possible yet finding nothing wrong with me. Next you'll use expensive machines, so let's cut to it and just send me home." Erin nodded.

"Can't do that yet, Erin," Doctor Davis sighed. "You've been tested on by Doctor Martin Brenner?" He looked up at Erin while scribbling on her file. "I'll contact him to see if anything is wrong."

"You can do that?" Lucas asked, turning to Mike, who just shrugged.

"Why wouldn't we?" Dr. Davis turned to Lucas.

"Can you do Dr. Owens instead?" Hopper spoke up, crossing his arms.

"I don't see a Dr. Owens on here." Dr. Davis turned to Hopper.

"Dr. Samuel Owens. He's a friend that knows Erin's," Hopper looked over at Erin. "Medical history."

"I'll see what I can do." The doctor nodded before leaving.