Fates Intertwined

Chapter 1

Hawkins, 5/28/1988

Eleanor Hopper enjoyed going to her group's cabin in the woods. It was built by her dad, Jim Hopper, a few years ago for a little girl as her play house. Due to some life changing events, though, the wooden cabin was instead used as the hangout of El and her small group of friends. The teens went there when they wanted a break from everything going on in their town. El, for one, was there whenever she could. She thought of the place as an escape from her troubles.

However, during one late spring day, the cabin brought anything but peace to the young girl.

"Why can't you just stay with me?" one of her friends, Max, argued stubbornly.

El, sighed in annoyance as she continued to pack some Eggo boxes in her bag. These complaints have been going on for the past ten minutes, and not just from her female best friend either. Her whole group was upset that El had to move, but for some reason they decided to talk about it the day before she left.

"I don't have a choice, Max," El stated for the tenth time. "I'm the only family my dad has left."

"What about Joyce?" Lucas suggested. "Those two have gotten close these past few years."

"Can you please not talk about my mom like that?" Will pleaded, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. El assumed his mood was influenced by what happened with his dad.

"It's true, though," Dustin commented, fiddling with the cap on his head.

"That doesn't mean it should be taken into consideration," Will grumbled, turning away from them.

"I agree with Will," El said, closing the fridge. She pulled her bag onto her shoulders and turned to the rest of the group. "Besides," she continued, "the decision's been finalized since last month. No backing out now."

"There has to be something!" Max countered, walking up to her. "What if...what if you tell him your secret?"

El squinted her eyes and frowned. "You're kidding, right?"

"It wouldn't be the worst idea," Dustin mumbled. For the better or worse, El heard him.

"Yes, it would," she said sharply. "It could end with us all killed."

"Do you actually think your dad would kill us?" Will asked, seemingly curious about how she came up with that conclusion.

El began to open her mouth to say no, but instead stared at the floor and pondered on the idea. She and Hopper have been getting closer during the past few years. She felt like she could confide in him with anything and he'd help her no matter what. Telling him her secret means he could be there for her. Plus, it would stop eating her inside every time she sees him.

Nonetheless, she wasn't normal, and what she could do was the reason she was locked up and trained to be a pawn for the government since birth. Even though the lab she was experimented in was exposed and the scientists were locked up, El was sure that their allies were still running about; that those outside associates were coming after her and all of the other kids they imprisoned.

And everyone who tried to keep them safe.

"Maybe not," the brunette finally answered, looking up at the group. "But we still have to be careful."

Dustin furrowed his eyebrows. "So that means-"

"No telling," she finished firmly. "No, and that's final."

Max shook her head. "Think about it," she continued, desperation showing in her tone.

"I have," El replied nonchalantly.

The ginger began to argue some more when Lucas cut her off.

"Max," he began in a warning tone, "give it up. She's not gonna budge."

Despite his best wishes, Max proved that she was as stubborn as her female friend. "Oh come on! If he knew about El's powers-"

The whole group immediately shushed her while the said girl began to look around the room.

The cabin they were in was clean and tidy with the exception of a few jackets lying on the chairs nearby. Light green curtains covered the windows; only through the small gaps in between them could you see the clear sky and green grass. There was a worn-out couch in the middle of the room, where the boys were either sitting on or leaning against. Right behind that couch, a small television was backed up against the wall. It was turned off, unlike the radio right next to it. On the other side of the room was the tiny kitchen, where El and Max stood. There was the usual kitchen furniture lined up against the walls. A table for two sat next to the wall near the wooden front door.

When El saw that no one else was listening to the group's conversation, she closed her eyes and sighed in relief.

Max rolled her eyes. "See, no one's even here!" she said, gesturing around the room.

"Maybe," Lucas started, "but what if Hopper was on the radio calling El? He could've heard us."

"Then we could've used the opportunity to tell him the truth!" Max said. Steam appeared to be coming out of her ears.

El placed her hand on her furious friend's shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Max, I know you're trying to help, but you know why that's a bad idea."

"But-"

"Max!"

The redhead gave her friend a look of annoyance, but she gave in. "Yeah, I know," she mumbled. "I just wish you didn't have to go."

"None of us do," Dustin added as he, Will, and Lucas walked to the girls.

El gave a small grin. "I understand, and I'm so happy to have friends like you all. Ever since I've lived in Hawkins, you've always been there for me..."

"And you with us," Will stated, smiling sadly. El returned the look.

"I'm really going to miss you guys."

Lucas nodded. "Same here. Make sure you still call us."

El let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, every night. And I'll make sure to visit as soon as possible."

"You better, Hopper, or we'll hunt you down ourselves," Dustin grinned widely, showing off his new set of pearls.

"Yes, sir," El chuckled. Even if it was something small, the curly haired boy never failed to put a smile on her face.

The upbeat atmosphere died down as group exchanged sad smiles. Only the outside wind could be heard.

This silence was soon interrupted when Max began to tap her foot repeatedly. "Okay, can we just stop it with the sad looks and hug or something?" she groaned dramatically.

Lucas playfully hit her on the shoulder. "Oh shut up!" The whole group laughed and gave each other one big hug.

El stepped back and wiped her eyes. "God, I hope I can make friends as great as you guys."

"As if," Dustin smirked, "we're irreplaceable!"

"Do you mean in a good way?" El joked.

Dustin placed a hand on his chest and dropped his jaw. "How rude, Eleanor!"

El let out another huge laugh after that, followed by the rest of the group. She was relieved to make one last good memory with her friends before she left. They were all like family to her, and she hoped to never lose them no matter how far away she went.

a/n - Hey, guys! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I'm glad I was finally able to complete it. It wasn't as long as I wanted, but I didn't want to drag along the conversation. I'll try to make the next chapter a little longer. Anyways, thank you for reading!