STRANGER THINGS S4/ "ONE MORE TIME"

Chapter 21.- "Chief Hopper"

The road to the cabin was not very long but it felt eternal for everyone, not only were they tired of the trip and the attack they suffered, but also that they were carrying the concern of their friends, they didn't know anything about Mike and Eleven, they could do nothing to help them, they were helpless while those soldiers took them away, now all they could do was move on with the goal of that trip that was to rescue Hopper.

When they finally saw that gloomy place before them they hesitated a little before entering, the place was in ruins and just through the door they could feel the smell of dampness and dirt.

"It smells like shit here". Dustin said in disgust.

They pointed their lamps everywhere but there was no one.

"Are you sure he is here?". Max asked confused as she watched Khali nod with great confidence.

"He's here redhead, Jane saw him, even Wheleer could see him, he must be around, it's just a matter of ..."

"Holy shit !!" "SHIT !! SHIT !! ". A huge net caught everyone, suspending them in the air, the boys screamed in fright, the light of their lamps pointed in all directions until Khali managed to fix the direct light to a silhouette that appeared in front of them, with an ax in his hand.

"Who's there? Who are you??... Identify yourself or are dead". The weak figure of a man appeared in front of them, tired, dark circles under his eyes and a long beard.

"Shief ... Shief are you? ... Holy shit really are you?". Lucas was the first to speak.

"... Sinclair? ... Henderson? ... Max ... guys are you ... are you real?". Hopper's voice was full of fear and doubt, he looked like a scared child, just a shadow of the great imposing man he was.

"Chief Hopper, it's us ... could you please get out of here". Dustin asked cautiously.

Hopper seemed to doubt but slowly loosened the rope by lowering them to the ground, he slowly lowered his guard but raised his ax again when he saw Khali.

"Who the hell are you?".

"I'm Khali, you don't know me but you've heard from me, surely Jane told you about me". Without thinking, she showed her wrist to him, showing the tattoo number 08, watching Hopper's eyes widen with surprise.

"You are her sister... but how? , how did you get here, what do you do with them and most importantly... ". Hopper's eyes filled with tears as he slowly collapsed, falling to the floor.

"What happened to El, if she hasn't come looking for me, it means that my suspicions are real, she, she's dead, right?" . He began to sob loudly, it was unbearable to see what he had become. The guys quickly approached him hugging him and clarifying his greatest doubt.

"Hopp, things are not like that, look at me". Max took his face in her hands. "Eleven survived that night, you saved us, if she hasn't looked for you it's because... something happened, we don't know what but she lost her powers, that night they disappeared, all this time she has been... a normal girl? , she moved with Joyce away from Hawkins, she was fine". Max's mood fell a little, when she said those last words.

"She was? Why do you speak in the past? Where is she?!". Hopper now sounded desperate.

"She came here with us, she recovered her powers recently, she did it to help you, we made a plan and we came to rescue you, in fact Mike also came, they are together... or so we hope, we were ambushed by some soldiers and they kidnapped them, attacked us and took them both, we don't know who they are, Hopp".