STRANGER THINGS S4/ "ONE MORE TIME"

Chapter 24.- "The last 10 seconds"

hi everyone!, this is for me, one of the most intense and emotional chapters in this story, I was excited to get to this point, I hope you enjoy the anguish, we are near the end of this story, 1 or 2 more chapters and it's over...

Joyce's lips could only whisper his name before throwing herself in his arms, he corresponded the hug immediately squeezing it tightly while bending down to be at her height, looked at her lips and then her eyes, received the consent he sought and kissed her, that kiss that had taken so long, two stubborn people surrendering to their feelings, had missed her so much and it seemed ironic that now more than ever he understood Mike, life put him in the same situation, now he understood the boy, love someone, lose her, recover her, see her at risk again, that would drive anyone crazy, in that hug he could be aware of everything he had to fight for, he knew more than never that he had to get out of there alive, everyone had to do it in order to have the life they deserved.

"I'm glad to see you too". Murray interrupted the heated moment, while Hopper slowly separated from Joyce and offered his hand. "I know you might want to thank me on your knees for being on a suicide mission to rescue you when I don't even like you but ..." "Rescue him?" Lucas interrupted offended. "Man, I think we already take care of that and I think ...".

"STOP!". Khali interrupted.

"My God we have to keep moving forward, Mike and Jane are in danger, we have to go south and get to that stupid laboratory!" . Khali was a little upset, hated the signs of affection and at that moment everything was a waste of time.

"South? ... we also headed there, extremely important information was released, all of Brenner's hidden plans, the information was shared satellite from that point, if the guys are there I guess it was ..."

"Mike...". Will replied.

"That's our fucking president of AV CLUB !!". Dustin sounded really proud of his friend.

"We do not know what we will find in that place, if Brenner achieved phase 2 of his plan at this time subject 3 and the mind flyer must have merged, it is too much power and too dangerous ... all the guys must be left behind and as for you Hopper ... " Dr. Owens handed Hopper a gun. "It's all I could get".

"Enough". They just continued on their way south, there were only a few meters left, they were close to the door, they took a look of complicity and with a hard knock at the door Hopper was the first to enter freezing instantly when he saw Mike and Eleven in 2 chairs, both tied and Brenner had a gun aimed at both of their heads , for some reason that they still didn't understand he didn't look surprised.

"I think your years as a police have made you believe that you live in a fucking action movie... Did you really think it would be a surprise entry?". Brenner pointed to a large monitor where security cameras could be seen and then pointed to Eleven's head. "Now, you're going to throw your gun at me if you don't want to blow her head."

"Dad...I'm sorry ". Then it happened, that word came out of Eleven's mouth, collapsing all the walls of Hopper, the first time he called him Dad, Hopper fell on his knees resigned, he was determined not to risk the guys.

"Hopp, don't do it, he won't kill El , he need her and ..." A heavy blow silenced Mike by dizzy and clouding his sight, he tried his best to look back at Hopper, his eyes met after all this time, for Hopper, everything went by in slow motion, there was Mike Wheeler, that boy who caused him so many headaches, so many arguments, there he was, the same face that bothered him so much to see the cabin every day, but now he couldn't see his stupid freckles, now he saw bruises and blood, despite that there was that boy, being brave and protecting his most valuable treasure.

"I'm sorry kid ... I'm not going to risk you two". With a slow movement Hopper began to lower the weapon, taking a second to look at Khali pleading for support, by now Khali had already tried to use her powers and she had realized that Brenner was immune, just like the soldiers.