Freak {Will Byers}

Chapter Seven: Part Two

Steve kept Mari on his back even as soldiers with guns came in. They instinctively tensed up, expecting it to be something even more dangerous.

But they were American soldiers. They helped them get out of the mall and fixed their wounds. Despite doctors protest, Steve and Will wouldn't leave Mari's side as they helped fix her wounds the best they could at the moment. They stayed by her side while they properly cleaned and bandages her stomach wound and diagnosed her concussion as mild.

At the end, Will and Mari huddled under a blanket together in the back of an ambulance van. Mari's head rested on Will's shoulder until he abruptly got up and ran.

The younger girl looked to where he ran and saw Joyce. She was sobbing as Will hugged her and Mari was confused about this. She began to approach the pair, joined by El, but stopped when Joyce made eye contact with them.

One look was all they needed.

Hopper was dead.

Mari could barely register her thoughts as El already began denying it. She shook her head and started to cry, falling as she did so. Mari caught her mid fall and carefully lowered her to her knees, kneeling with her.

Mari let out her own tears as she held closely onto El's shaking body.

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Three Months Later

Mari could faintly hear Max and Lucas singing their rendition of Dustin's performance over the radio a few months ago. She smiled softly and continued packing more books into boxes alongside Will.

"What about these?" she asked, holding his D&D rulebooks.

"Donation. Time to part with them." he decided.

She gave him a smile and handed it over. He left the room to drop the books in a different box as Mari continued packing. She stumbled across a cd of a few of her favorite bands.

"I was hoping to give it to you as a surprise."

She looked at the doorway and saw Will had returned. He stepped in next to her, so close she could feel his breath trail down her arm.

"Max told me some of your favorite bands and I decided to put it together. Just a little parting gift."

"I love it. Thank you, Will. For everything."

"For dragging you into a mess?" he asked jokingly.

She chuckled, "No...for being a really great friend."

His lips turned up into a smile.

She could smell his cologne as he got slightly closer. His hand went from the cd, to lightly touching her waist. Mari put her left hand on his cheek and her right in his chest.

"I'm really gonna miss you." she whispered.

"I'll be around."

He closed the gap between them and pressed his lips gently to hers. However brief the kiss may have been, it was a moment they would both live in forever.

But sadly, they didn't have forever.

They pulled apart, smiled at each other, and brought the last of the boxes to the truck.

Everyone started to cry as they said their goodbyes. Mari went to hug Johnathon first.

He sniffled in her shoulder and held her tightly, "Take care."

"You too."

They gave each other sad smiles and pulled apart.

She next went to Joyce, who gave her another right hug, "Thank you, Marissa. For taking care of my son."

"It was your son who took care of me."

The next person to receive a hug was El. They both cried into each other's arms, both understanding the pain of losing the only father figure in their life.

"Come visit." El said.

"I'll try my hardest. And I'll bring some Eggos too."

El laughed and released her to give a final hug.

Will turned and embraced her the tightest of all.

"Mike's gonna steal the radio from Dustin but you steal it from Mike after. We'll talk as much as possible." he said.

"Of course."

They held on to each other a little longer until Mari kissed his cheek and reluctantly let go. She sniffles and gave him a sad smile, a symbol to help him keep moving forward.

The family of four got into their vehicles and drove off.

The kids watched as they drove down the road, past their view. They all hopped on their bikes and pedaled off.

Mari rode on the back of Max's bike as Max dropped her off on the edge of town. She left as Mari went to the biggest open brick space she could find and stared at it.

She dropped her bag from her shoulders and took out a can of spray paint. She didn't need inspiration, she knew exactly what she would paint.

Two hours later, a colorful and serene picture of Chief Jim Hopper was plastered on the wall.