Alright, this is my new story! This is an idea I've been playing with for a while so I hope you guys like it. :) I really appreciate the love on my last stories and I hope this one receives the same. That's all I have to say so enjoy! -An Unknown Stranger.
He knew the day would come. He dreaded it and it didn't take long for it to become his greatest fear.
Hopper had just answered a call from Dr. Owen's. The call was anything but pleasant. Long story short, they had gotten to Owen's and he spilled everything, including the cabins location.
Hopper wondered to himself why he would ever tell Owen's where the cabin was, but that was one sacrifice he had to take to give Eleven a step toward an identity and real life.
Although Owens spoke with a panic and jumbled sentences, all Hopper had to hear were the words, "They are coming." He knew who who "they" were and he knew he didn't have much time.
Since the beginning of his year with Eleven, he had made a plan for the potential threat of the bad men's return.
He hurried to his closet and pulled out a red backpack. The backpack contained clothes, a flashlight, money, her identification, and basic necessities, all for Eleven.
He then hurried to Eleven's room and tossed the bag onto her bed. "Change into something concealing. They're coming." He frowned.
Eleven felt her world stop. Hearing the phrase "they're coming" was a simple sentence that would change her world.
It had been two years since the gates close. Since then she had formed a stronger bond with her friends and had begun to have a somewhat normal life. Although, her and Mike had not been granted permission to date it was obvious that the two were infatuated with each other. The two years only proved that they didn't need a title to show that they were in love.
Now it was time to disappear again, something she hoped she would never have to do. She did not know how to react.
"Hopper!" Her call came out more as a cry for help.
He walked back to the doorway and looked at her with sorrow. "I'm sorry kid..." his voice cracked.
A tear fell down her cheek as she looked to her father.
"We have to hurry, they will be here any minute." He continued before going back to the living room.
Hopper walked to his radio and lifted up the walkie. He then quickly switched it to channel seven. "Mike, are you there?" He asked sternly.
Static.
"Mike...are you there? Over." He said again.
"I'm here, over." Mike replied.
"They're coming..." Hopper spike quietly into the speaker.
Static.
Hopper rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand impatiently.
"I'm on my way, over." Mike replied.
Hopper placed the walkie down and then proceeded to walk back to his closet. He then pulled down a blue backpack which held the same contents as Eleven's, except with male clothing.
Hopper held the backpack and walked back into the living room. Eleven stood in the center with the backpack on her shoulders.
Hopper tossed the backpack onto the couch and approached her. She furrowed her brows in confusion. "Aren't we going?" She raised a brow.
Hopper tried to hold back his tears but failed miserably. He gripped Eleven and pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, El..." he cried softly.
"It's not your fault..." she sniffled.
He pulled away and held her hands.
"Okay, we need to go now..." Eleven urged.
He realized that she was still not understanding. "I'm not going..." he confessed.
She furrowed her brows and looked at him with a sudden panic in her eyes.
"What- what do mean your not going?" She asked quickly.
"If I go then you will never be able to come back here. Back home. I am the only one with any power to stop them." Hopper explained quickly.
She struggled to form a reply. "I am the one with the power to stop them. Let me-"
"We can't use that kind of power..." he replied. "Please...trust me. I am doing this so that you can come back home." He explained softly.
Tears began running down her cheeks and she shook her head stubbornly. He held her by her shoulders and looked at her firmly.
"I already prepared Mike. Trust me he wasn't my first choice, I don't know how his parents will react but apparently he knows how to handle them." Hopper frowned. "Mike knows what to do and where to go. Trust me." Hopper placed a hand on her cheek.
She shook her head. "No, I can't ruin Mike's life he-"
"He chose this Eleven. I told you he wasn't my first choice but he was my only good option. I know he will take care of you, El..." Hopper explained gently.
She continued to struggle to find words before burying her face back into his stomach. "I'm sorry I ruined your life." She cried.
His throat closed and tears dripped down his chin. "You did not ruin my life, you are the best thing that has happened to it in a long long time. You're my daughter...I love you." He explained sincerely.
Their moment was broken when they heard a knock at door. Hopper warned her to step away while he checked to make sure it was Mike. Once he knew it was, he opened the door and closed it quickly behind him.
Hopper placed a hand on Mike's shoulder. "Alright, kid. Remember everything I taught and told you." He said sternly.
Mike nodded.
"The gun is in the backpack. Only use it if it's absolutely needed. You should be safe once you guys get to the location I set up. It's just to be safe though." Hopper explained quickly.
"How will I contact you if anything-"
"You can't. Under no circumstances do you contact anyone in Hawkins, including me. They use the phone." Hopper explained quietly.
Mike nodded in understanding before pulling the backpack onto his shoulders.
"Do I need to do anything with your parents and Nancy?" Hopper asked.
"I wrote a note that I ran away. They will probably ask you to look for me but I trust that you can do a shitty job." Mike informed.
Hopper rolled his eyes then focused back on him sternly. "You take care of my daughter...I know your both too young for this but sometimes you just have to grow up sooner than expected. You need to protect her Mike." He said firmly.
Mike nodded. "Always."
Hopper nodded and pulled Mike into a tight embrace. "Alright, it's time to go..." Hopper turned back to Eleven and pulled her backpack up so it was secure on her shoulders.
He then kissed her forehead and held her in another tight hug. "I promise I will see you soon. I love you." He promised.
"I love you too, dad." She sniffled.
He pulled her hood over her head and then lead them to the door. He watched them leave hand-in-hand until they disappeared into the darkness.
Hopper closed the door, walked to the couch, and broke down into sobs.
He knew the plan was absolutely insane. They were just teenagers and still hadno clue about the world. Even with the several horrible possible scenarios in his head, Hopper knew that they had proven they could take care of themselves and each other. He knew they would survive because they had each other.
He was only broken out of his sorrow when headlights flashed into the cabin.
The door crashed open and he quickly drew his pistol. A dozen soldiers entered quickly and surrounded him, guns drawn.
The figure that entered his house next, made his anger rise, and emotions flood.
Brenner stepped into the cabin and closed the door gently behind him. "Nice home Mr. Hopper." He smiled warmly.
"It's Chief Hopper you son of a bitch." Hopper scowled.
"There is no need for that kind of language...Chief...I'm just looking for the girl." He explained as he stepped forward. His hands remained clasped behind his back.
"Then I have every reason to use that kind of language." Hopper retaliated.
Brenner stopped and smirked. "Tell me where she is and no one gets hurt." He said softly.
"She's gone...she left about a week ago. She wasn't too fond of going back into hiding." Hopper holstered his gun and walked passed the soldiers to his fridge.
Brenner ordered his men to lower their weapons before he sat at the table. Hopper grabbed a beer before sitting across from Brenner.
"You expect me to believe that?" Brenner raised a brow.
"Yeah...I do. I'll even tell you where I think she went." Hopper sat back in his seat. Brenner listened intently.
"What is your guess?" Brenner asked unenthusiastically.
"She probably headed east to Columbus, Ohio." Hopper informed.
"Why would you think that?" Brenner questioned.
"During the year she was with me I took her on one trip. That was to Ohio for a weekend. We stayed in another cabin there. I'd check around there." Hopper continued to sip at his beer.
Brenner nodded and stood. "Thank you for your compliance Chief. I hope you enjoyed your time with her." He smirked. Hopper looked to him unamused.
"Brenner." Hopper said gruffly. Brenner turned back to him. "When you find her...lock her up better." Hopper scowled.
Brenner nodded before exiting with his men.
As soon as the door closed, Hopper relaxed in his seat he sniffled and rested his head on his hands.
Mike and Eleven took their seats on a bus headed to Chicago, Illinois. Mike grasped Eleven's hand and kissed her forehead as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"They won't find us El..." he said softly.
"It's not us I'm worried about right now..." she replied quietly.
She turned her head to the window and watched as Hawkins disappeared in the darkness.