Prologue
December 13, 1984
Her last moment with the Party had been simple. They had all gotten together to play D&D in the basement of Mike's house, just like they normally did. Everything about that night felt simple and easy and happy. She sat with Max and talked while the boys played their games, occasionally being interrupted by the teasing tone of Mike asking what they thought was so funny. She hugged Lucas and Max goodbye when his mom came to pick them up, squeezing them a little tighter than normal. They didn't notice. Dustin was the next to go, claiming his mom wanted him home by nine, but they assumed he was just bummed that he was losing. El pulled him into a tight squeeze, letting her fingers curl into the material of his hoodie. Will was the last to go, Jonathan coming down the stairs of the basement and telling the young boy it was time to go. She hugged both of them, telling Will she'd see him tomorrow. She knew she wouldn't.
It was down to her and Mike. Usually, the fourteen years olds loved nothing more than to be alone, but that night, being alone made El sick to her stomach. He walked over to her once Will and Jonathan were gone and pulled her into a comforting embrace, much like he usually did when they found time to just be with each other. She had let him hold her, desperately trying to remember the small things about him; how he smelled, how his body felt against hers, the sound of his voice and his breathing, she didn't want to forget a thing. She pulled away wordlessly, and their eyes met, and she did something she had never done before. She leaned forward and she kissed him. It was longer than the other two they had shared, their lips pressing deeply into each other's, hands roaming, bodies touching, but she pulled away, knowing that all good things must come to an end.
She gave him one last hug, breathing in his calming scent of pine, and then walked upstairs towards the front door, where she knew Hopper was waiting. She had uttered a goodbye to the Wheeler household, smiling at Nancy as she walked by and then she and Hopper were heading to his car. They drove quietly, listening to music and humming along until they reached the cabin. She could tell he was tired when they got home so she made sure to hug him before he could pass out on her. She hugged him tightly, her arms wrapped snugly around his middle. He pressed a kiss to the top of her forehead and rubbed her back, not expecting the sudden burst of affection, but not denying it. He would never deny it.
They both readied themselves for bed quickly, Hopper disappearing behind his door and El disappearing behind her own. She laid in bed for a few hours, admiring the moonlight that shone through her window. She could hear Hopper snoring from the room over, a smile breaking out on her face. She lifted herself from bed cautiously, making sure the floorboards weren't creaking too loud underneath her and she headed towards the living room. She would miss this room. She would miss these people. She would miss this life. It was her or them. She chose to save them.
So she wrote a note. She told them not to look for her, that she couldn't be herself locked up in this small town full oldies. She told them they wouldn't hear from her and that she didn't want to hear from them, and then she signed her name, smudging the two simple letters as she attempted to stop her tears.
Her time here was up. She reluctantly walked towards the cabin door, turning the handle and walking outside.
She stared into his eyes, so dark they looked black and she felt her stomach drop. She was going to be sick.
"I come back January 1, 1987," she had stated, reciting their contract.
"Not a day later. You're making a great decision Eleven. We're just going to give to a slight sedative to make this drive more pleasant," Brenner spoke.
She went to protest, not knowing what the word had meant, but it was too late and she felt a prick on the back of her neck before falling into eternal darkness.