If any of you read "Darkness" I'm sorry I deleted it. It was really not going anywhere I️ felt like and I was just stuck. I hope you all like this one! -An Unknown Stranger.
Mike tapped his foot against the hard-wood floor as he sat on the couch waiting for Eleven and Hopper's return.
Everyone in the cabin noticed Mike's anxiousness. "Mike, calm down." Nancy said gently to her brother.
He stood. "They should be back by now. Steve, Max, Dustin, Lucas, and I arrived almost an hour ago." Mike argued.
"They were all the way at the lab that's-"
"Less than a half hour away." Mike cut Nancy off.
"Relax, Mike. We already know she closed the gate, the bright lights made that pretty obvious." Dustin explained.
"But we don't know if she's okay." Mike replied before sitting back down.
They all sat in silence once again. The silence was only broken when headlights lit through the window, lighting up the living room.
"They're back!" Mike said with a relief in his voice.
The headlights turned off and they heard hurried steps proceed to the door outside. The door then opened quickly before Mike could reach for the handle.
Hopper rushed through the door with Eleven clung to his side for stability. He continued to proceed quickly passed their worried faces toward the bathroom.
As soon as Eleven reached the bathroom she fell to the toilet and began to vomit. Hopper rubbed her back soothingly before stepping back to the doorframe.
"Take your time kid, I'll be right outside the door." Hopper said sincerely.
She continued to vomit and he closed the door. As soon as he looked to the front room he was met with several worried faces.
"It took a lot out of her..." He sighed.
"No kidding." Dustin mumbled. Lucas smacked Dustin's side to signal for him to keep his mouth shut.
"Should we take her to a hospital?" Joyce asked as she walked toward him.
He shook his head. "They can't know about her."
Everyone in the room knew the "they" Hopper was referring to.
"They're gone." Mike argued with anger evident in his voice.
"I wish I was sure about that." Hopper replied before setting his hat on a table.
There was another awkward silence and they could vaguely hear Eleven heaving in the bathroom.
"The gate... it's closed for good?" Will asked shakily. Jonathan wrapped an arm around his brother comfortingly.
Hopper nodded slowly. "Yeah...she closed it." He confirmed.
Will nodded with relief in his eyes.
"I'm going to go check on her, you guys are welcome to-"
"We will all stay until Nancy and I are done cleaning El up." Joyce said sternly.
Hopper nodded. "Thank you..." he said softly.
Joyce nodded before her and Nancy left to the bathroom.
Joyce knocked. "I'm coming in sweetie." Joyce informed.
She opened the door and entered with Nancy. The toilet was already flushed and Eleven was leaned against the cabinets on the floor.
She was pale as a ghost. Dried blood occupied the space under her nose and ears, and her eyes were bloodshot and tired.
Nancy and Joyce had no words at the sight. At only thirteen years old they had already never seen a stronger person.
"Help me lift her up." Joyce said gently.
Joyce grabbed one arm why Nancy grabbed the other and they helped her stand. They then slowly left the bathroom and became visible to the others.
Mike raised over to her. "El." He said with tear stained eyes.
Nancy held out her free hand. "Let us help her first, Mike. I'll let you know." She said gently.
Mike hesitantly nodded before stepping back.
They continued to Eleven's room then closed the door.
Mike walked back into the living room and kicked the table. "This is bullshit!" He shouted angrily. They all turned to him shocked.
Hopper reached for his shoulder but Mike yanked himself away. "No! She shouldn't of had to go through any of that!" Mike yelled with a cracked voice.
"We know, Mike...trust me I think about that everyday. The fact of the matter is that we don't have a choice, she's the only one who can." Hopper explained gentle as Mike paced.
He stopped pacing and stopped in front of Hopper, breathing heavy. "She doesn't deserve any of this. She deserves better. Mike said as a tear fell down his cheek.
Hopper pulled him into a hug. "I know...I know..." he said softly.
Eleven tiredly faded in and out of consciousness. She felt a damp cloth being gently wiped under her ear and saw Joyce with blurry vision.
She then saw Nancy right behind Joyce holding a new outfit. "M...Mike..." she said softly.
Joyce and Nancy shared a small smile. "He's in the other room, hun. Nancy and I are cleaning you up." Joyce explained calmly.
"W-where's...my dad...?" She asked tiredly.
Nancy and Joyce shared a confused look.
Eleven closed her eyes and mentally corrected herself. "Hopper..." she added quietly.
Joyce smiled. "He's in the other room too. He's safe, they all are." She assured.
Joyce and Nancy thought that both Eleven seeing Hopper as her father was adorable and that she was concerned for everyone else.
"Alright, lets get you changed." Nancy smiled.
Mike was back to sitting on the couch staring at his hands. His little outburst confirmed with the others how much Mike really cared for Eleven. They wouldn't say anything since he would deny it but they all already knew the truth.
Nancy and Joyce stepped out of Eleven's room. "Alright, she's really weak but cleaned up." Joyce informed Hopper.
He nodded slowly.
"Mike, do you want to bring her some water?" Nancy raised a brow.
Mike jumped off of the couch and quickly made a glass of water. He then took it to Eleven. Hopper followed with an amused smile.
Mike stopped in front of her bed. He saw her weak, pale form, under the covers and felt his heart ache. Her eyes were closed and felt bad for possibly disturbing her.
He sat the water down and she gently opened her eyes. He smiled.
"Hey..." He said softly.
Eleven gave a weak smile. "Mike..." she replied softly.
He sat beside her and looked at her with tears forming in his eyes. She gently reached over and held his hand.
"I..I thought you weren't coming back." He began to gently cry.
"I p-promised...I would." She reminded.
He nodded shakily.
"Friends...don't lie." She smiled softly.
He gave a watery smile and held her hand tighter.
Hopper smiled from outside the doorway. He then walked inside and stopped beside them. "Time for you all to go... You can see her tomorrow." He assured.
Mike nodded and gave another soft smile to Eleven.
"I'll be back tomorrow, I promise." He said before standing.
"I'm going to walk them out." Hopper said before walking to the front room.
"Call me if you need me, Hop." Joyce smiled.
He nodded with a gentle smile.
They all exited and left for the night. Hopper walked back into Eleven's room and found her already back to sleep.
"Love you, El." Hopper whispered before closing the door.