Not Just Another Number

Marsa?

Sarah's POV

I drive down the back roads, towards the cabin. I grab my walkie from the passenger seat and radio El. "Hey El, I'm on my way right now. I'll be there in five." I say, ending the com.

Wait, didn't I promise to bring her candy? I think I still have some in the back from catering many dnd sessions. I turn down the street leading into the woods. I drive striaght for a few more minutes before turning right. I drive into a clearing, the cabin in the center.

I turn the car off and climb out. I walk over to the back seats and pull the door open. I bend over and search the entire back row. I finally spot a bag tucked under the passenger seat. I grab it and look inside.

It's full of baby ruths, sour patch kids, and three musketeers. I hope El likes these. I stand up and close the car door, swinging the bag of candy.

I step over the trip wire and walk up to the cabin's steps. I knock on the door in a pattern we came up with, so we know that it's us.

Two knocks...
One knock..
Three knocks...

I hear the El unlock the door. The door opens, revealing Eleven's hopeful gaze. "Sarah!"

"Hey El. I brought candy!" I say walking inside. I close the door behind me and hand her the bag. She opens it and grabs the first candy bar she sees. She smiles before taking a big bite out of it.

I look around, frowning slightly. Hopper's not here. "Hey kid, where's Hopper?"

"Late." She grumbles before stuffing her face again. I nod and rub her shoulder. How late is he? When did he promise to be back? I go to ask her these questions, but a searing pain going through my head stops me.

I cry out and hold my head."Sarah?" El's distant voice asks. I grit out a small answer. "'M fine." My body goes cold and I shake a little. I grab onto the closest thing to me, the dining table, and try to stay upright.

"Please run.....It knows about you.....I'm trying to help you." A voice calls out. It's the voice of the woman in my nightmare. I push on my temples and breathe deeply.

Who are you? What are you warning me about?

"I'm Mar..sa. Mthe. It......knows." She says, ut her voice cuts out. The pain in my head is leaving, but so is she. Her voice becomes faint, before fully fading out. What the hell just happened? For once, can't we have a normal year?

I groan and feel around for a chair. I finally grab it and pull it towards me, before sitting down. I put my head on the table and breathe deeply. I hear Eleven move the other chair, most likely sitting in it.

"El, sweetie, can you hand me a piece of candy?" I ask, sticking my hand out. I feel her place a chocolate bar in my hand. I thank her and lift my head.

I unwrap the candy bar and take a big bite. I notice Eleven giving me a worried look. "Something on your mind?"

"What happened?"

"Headache." She looks at me, confused. "My head hurt." I clarify.

She's silent for a few beats, watching me eat my candy bar. She grabs a box of nerds out of the bag and eats them silently. She looks like she wants to ask something. "What's on your mind?"

"Take me to Mike." She says, putting the box down. I sigh, also putting my candy down. I rub my eyes and take her hand in mine. I rub her knuckles with my thumb, trying to keep her calm.

"El, you know I can't do that. I wish I could, but I'm not allowed. But I promise, you'll see him soon." She glares at the table. Please, I really want to help, but what can I do? I can't just disobey Hopper.

Speaking of him, we hear him knock on the door, using our code. Eleven glares at the door not moving to open it. I would go and open the door, but I'm tired and I don't wanna get up. I'm being lazy, sue me.

"Hey kid, I know I'm late, just let me in. I got candy, all right? I got all the good stuff." Neither of us move. "Please, will you open the door? I'm gonna freeze to death out here." He says, slapping the door. Alright, now I feel bad.

I begrudgingly stand up and trudge over to the door. I unlock each lock, and there are a lot, and open the door. Hopper looks shocked to see me. "Sarah, how long have you been here?"

"Not long."

I hear a door slam behind me. I look over, seeing Eleven's room door closed, and probably locked. Hopper sighs and walks up to the door, lightly knocking on it. I close the front door and redo all of the locks.

"C'mon kid, open up."

No answer.

"I got, um....stuck somewhere, and lost track of time. And I'm sorry."

Still no answer.

"El, would you please open the door?" Hopper asks. He looks genuinely sorry. I sigh and sit on the couch, putting my chin in my hand. Hopper sighs, defeated, and sits down across from me on the couch.

He digs into a little plastic pumpkin bucket, grabbing a chocolate bar. Where did he get that?

"I'm just gonna be out here with Sarah, eating all this candy. I'm gonna get fat. It's very unhealthy to leave me out here. Could have a heart attack or something." He says, trying to get her to come out. But she isn't baited.

He sighs and throws the candy wrapper at the table. I lean over and grab the wrapper. I hold it up, burning the edges of the wrapper.

"No burning things in the cabin, kid." Hopper sighs. I nod and throw the wrapper back at the table. I stand up and make my way to the door. "You leaving already?"

"Yeah, no use me staying. I still have school in the morning. You know what to do if you need me." I say, opening the door.

I take a step out, but stop. "Hey Hop?"

"Mmhm?"

"Do you know anyone called Marsa? OR something like that?"

"No, the name doesn't sound familiar. Why?"

"No reason, I heard it somewhere, can't remember where." I lie, before leaving. I walk back to my car and climb in. Maybe Marsa, isn't their name, but part of it? I'll check when I get home.

A/N
Hey guys! What do you think 'Marsa's' real name is? And what is she warning Sarah about? Hope you really like the chapter! Stay Curious!~Lunar