The pain tore through her body in waves, the effort draining her energy. Eleven didn't notice the small figures being dragged by the Demodogs, she was slipping out of consciousness, slowly but surely. She coughed to keep herself awake. It felt like hours. There was no breaks, no drinks or snacks, no one to spur her on (apart from Hopper, but he was battling the stray 'Dogs) and most importantly, no Mike. Suddenly there was a snap and a bang, and the hole was so close to being closed. She felt excitement – she could finally lead a normal life! Her hands were shaking, she concentrated every spare inch of energy into her hands and forced them to stay rigid. It slowly shuddered and quickened it's pace. After what felt like hours, the hole burned like fire and it had shut. The Demodogs shrivelled up and vanished. The long, black Demogorgon Tentacle El felt her nose, the nosebleed had come out through both nostrils. Her face was covered in blood. Hopper turned around just in time to see her fall. He caught her and as she lost consciousness, he cried tears of painful joy.
~.~
When they finally got back to Joyce's house, Hopper laid El down on Will's bed.
"Just sleep OK? I'll go find help, or everyone else, huh?" He told her.
She nodded and closed her eyes, she was still knocked out cold. Hopper walked out of the bedroom.
He called out to Joyce, but no reply came.
"Mike?" No reply. "Lucas?". Still no reply. "Dustin? Max? Will?" Hopper shouted worriedly.
His pulse quickened, then slowed. They were probably on their way back now, Will should be fine and everyone else too; they were all strong and fierce. Hopper found a chair in the living room and sat down. He then drooped his head on a pillow and slept.
~.~
After a couple of hours, he woke up to the sound of rain pattering the windows.
"Oh lord! I forgot the door!" He said whilst running to the back door and slamming it shut.
He looked around and sighed, the whole room was wet and cold. Multiple sighs and groans later, the room was dry, but still cold. Despairingly, he walked back to Will's bedroom and checked on Eleven. She had opened her eyes and was looking out of the window
"Why were you sighing..?" Eleven looked at him sleepily.
"Oh, I stupidly left the door open, and now It's raining!" Hopper replied rolling his eyes.
El snickered and Hopper looked at her pouting. Eleven secretly worried about Mike. She couldn't connect to him through their minds. She wondered whether a stray Demodog had found them. She shivered.
"Are you cold? Do you want me to shut the windows; It's still raining y'know?" Hopper was still so protective of her, after all that had happened.
El loved him, but sometimes his love got a bit too much.
"I'm fine, don't worry Dad!" She laughed.
"What do you want to do tomorrow?" Hopper asked.
"I dunno, maybe go shopping with Mike or Max?" She chewed her lip and thought of where they could be. Hopper looked down at the floor and twiddled his thumbs. He rubbed his arm where he had hit it on the banister. El sneaked a glance at him, and was surprised to see he looked depressed. She suddenly felt bad for not including him in her plans.
"Are you ok? Look, we can do something together if you want." She said hurriedly
He looked up quickly and gave her a reassuring smile,
"What? No I'm fine. I just… hurt my arm." She nodded and hugged him.
"I love you, Dad!" She said happily.
She stood up and shooed him from her room whilst she changed into the unicorn nightgown Mike had bought her. She told him he could come back in again, and as she pulled the covers up, he opened the door. El smiled sleepily at him.
Hopper sat down on the bed, stroking her hair. She closed her eyes and swatted him away, she needed to sleep! He laughed and kissed her goodnight. He turned out the lights and wandered down the corridor to Joyce's bedroom where he got undressed. He then hesitantly got into her bed and tried to sleep. As hard as they tried, it was a sleepless night for both of them.