strangerThings oneshots

The One

The One

FangirlingStrangerThings

When I'm lost in the rain, in your eyes I know I'll find the light to light my way.

When I'm scared, losing ground, when my world is going crazy you can turn it all around.

And when I'm down you're there pushing me to the top.

You're always there giving me all you've got.

For a shield from the storm, for a friend, for a love to keep me safe and warm, I turn to you.

For the strength to be strong, for the will to carry on.

For everything you do, for everything that's true I turn to you.

El's eyelids were twitching rapidly, a sheen of sweat was beading on her forehead as her usually smooth skin creased into a deep frown. Her head thrashed against her pillow as she whimpered in-comprehensive words that were lost under her breath.

She could see the lab, the steely eyes watching her through a small bullet proof glass window of her locked door and the booming sound of distant thunder. Her heart was racing, her pulse jumping against her wrist as she continued to writhe and whimper in her sleep.

The bedroom was lit up as a bolt of lightning flashed through the sky and El awoke, jolting upright gasping for breath as her sweat soaked chest heaved for oxygen.

Her room flashed with light once more and El startled, her eyes wide as she threw back the tangled blanket and stumbled out of bed. She felt disoriented as her bare feet padded out to the living room, her footsteps picking up pace as she hurried to Hopper's bedroom.

She blinked in surprise seeing the empty room, the made up bed occasionally illuminated by the approaching storm. El bit down on her quivering lower lip as she realised that Hopper wasn't here and she was alone. A rumble of thunder broke through the silence and El ran, the darkness of the cabin suddenly make her feel just as trapped at 16 years old as she had as a child. She needed air, she needed freedom.

She barely knew what she was doing or where she was going as her bare feet hit the wet grass, stumbling into the woods, her heart in her throat and her body tense with fear. With every crack of thunder came a flashback of the locked cell and the steely eyes watching her. She wanted to run from her past and never stop.

It was impossible to say how long El had been running before a sheet of rain filled the sky and downpoured over her thin body, awakening her senses and finally grounding her to the situation. She paused, blinking as she finally looked up at the illuminated sky and moved her gaze around the break in the trees, wondering where exactly she was and how she had got there.

Heavy rain drops clung to El's eyelashes as she squinted around in the darkness trying to gather her sense of direction and get herself back to safety. She walked slowly and carefully towards where she thought the road might be. Her bare feet stung as they brushed against twigs and soaken leaves.

El wrapped her arms around her body, trying to ward off the tremble that ran through her as the torrential downpour caused her pyjamas to stick to her skin, bathing her in a bitter chill. Her chest felt tight and she gasped, trying to hold in the desperate need to sob.

How could she be so stupid as to run off in a storm? Why did Hopper have to be on the night shift?

El flinched as a distant bolt of lightning caused memories to once again flash across her mind. She thought she had recovered, the years of counselling having helped with the deep wound inside of her, but never truly healing it.