A/N: So here's Chapter 1. We are now really gonna start tugging on some strings. So I'm planning that each chapter will focus on one of my OCs and an established character just so I can also play with character dynamics in ST. In the chapters I've written so far, though, I haven't really focused too much on established characters because those are about people I don't really care much about. Here you go with chapter 1. As I said, I look forward to your comments.

NOVEMBER 6, 1983

It was not long after they arrived in 1983. It was in moments like these that Michelle remembered just how annoying her cousin, CJ could be. Ever since they arrived in 1983 an hour ago, CJ began listing her complaints about being dragged unexpectedly to 1983. They managed to steal some clothes off a clothesline just outside Hawkins town.

"I had tickets to see Hamilton during the weekend, Mitch. Do you know how hard those were to get?" CJ griped, as though the touring cast could've possibly survived the horde of demodogs that was thrashing Chicago back in 2033;

" I have no Hamilton; I have no cell signal;. no Instagram no Netflix; and these clothes we stole are tacky! IT'S A DAMNED NIGHTMARE!" CJ just wouldn't stop.

It was at this point that Mitch, not a paragon for levelheadedness to begin with, finally lost her patience for her cousin's whining. "OH SOMEONE'S GOD, CEEJ. CAN YOU JUST BE QUIET FOR A MINUTE?"

"Guess what, Michelle! The world doesn't revolve around you! You can't trick somebody into a one-way trip fifty years away from everything they know; and expect things to be all peachy! Isn't "FRIENDS DON'T LIE" kind of your family thing?

As mean-spirited as that last part was, there was a lot of truth to it. Mitch decided to defuse the rising tensions by shutting her trap, not exactly the easiest thing to do. The mission was just too important; and CJ was far too critical to it; to risk endangering over a dumb argument.

CJ, apparently, reached the same conclusion too; because the next thing to come out from her was actually a very important point. "Ok, boss lady. Now that we're in 1983, what's our next order of business?"

"We need to get to the corner of Maple and Cornwallis. There's one thing that absolutely has to happen tonight near that place." Mitch replied.

"Ok, I don't know where hat is; but I have a pretty good idea where we can ask." CJ said while pointing to the one establishment that was open along the street they were currently on.

MEDVALD'S's GENERAL STORE

Joyce Byers was used to working the night shift; and working this late usually meant entertaining a bizarre cast of clientele. It was usually town drunks like her infamously unrestrained ex-husband; but tonight, it as a pleasant, if curious, pair of young pre-teen girls. One had shoulder-length brown hair with light-colored eyes, while the other had jet-black hair framing her round, freckled face that was adorned with a pair of deep brown eyes. They were both wearing clothes that clearly did not see the back of a flatiron before between being taken from a clothesline; and being worn.

The girls hurried in front of her. The one with brown hair elected to speak first. "Good evening, Ma'am! we're sorry to bother you; but we are kind of lost. Would you happen to know where Maple Street meets Cornwallis?"

This was a curious question as the place in question was, of course, empty wilderness; but years of working as a store clerk have taught Joyce not to ask questions she might not want the answers to.

Discretion being the better part of valor, Joyce set aside any misgivings she might've had and decided to be helpful; but not before selling the two girls a pair of flashlights with the necessary batteries.

"Come to think of it…. I've never seen you two around here before." Joyce said.

Both girls appeared to scramble for an answer; but the raven-haired girl finally managed to stammer out a reply that Joyce could believe. "Oh, we're not from here. My sister and I are from Indianapolis; and our family is having a camping trip in the woods."

"Joyce repeated the directions she gave the girls and added a long list of precautions.

The brown-haired girl did not appear to appreciate this as she remarked. "Geez lady, alright… you sound like our grandmother." The raven-haired girl appeared to throw her a glare for this before adding. "I'm sorry. Thank you so much for being helpful; I believe what she meant to say was that may your sons bear you many beautiful grandchildren who do not grow up to disappoint you."

This prompted the other girl to gently nudge the back of her head. Joyce laughed at the apparent sibling bickering. Will and Jonathan engaged in this kind of bickering after all, once upon a time. Kids grow up so fast. She went back to work without even noticing her two customers quietly hurry out of the store.

" SERIOUSLY?" Mitch screamed at CJ incredulously. "You couldn't have been more subtle?"

"I could ask you the same thing." CJ replied. "Besides, aren't we supposed to be preventing an apocalypse instead of trading barbs?"

Mitch accepted CJ's fair point and they continued their hurried rush toward destiny at the critical intersection of Maple and Cornwallis.

"Who are we supposed to be protecting there anyway?" CJ asked.

"the Demogorgon." Mitch replied.

"Wait. What?" CJ said.

"If we want to arrange the meet-cutes we came here to ensure, Will Byers is going to need to vanish tonight.

"The quartermaster compared records inside the facility's time shield with those from servers outside the time shield. Evidence points that the 'Timequake' was caused by Will Byers not vanishing." Mitch explained.

"Wait, so you want us to watch the Demogorgon attack Will Byers; and do… nothing?" CJ asked.
"Our instructions are actually to protect it while it does that." Mitch sheepishly replied.

They both arrived at the street corner to find… well…. nothing. There were no low, growling noises; no blinking lights; no monster. They just saw Will Byers speed his way past them without anything really happening to him.

Mitch, and CJ blinked in disbelief.

"Well, it looks ;like we're gonna have to take matters in our own hands." Mitch quipped, darkly.

CJ just put her palm on her face and sighed. It was going to be a long night.

A/N: Ok. I don't think I'm being subtle about who Mitch and CJ are at this point. To those who've already figured it out, please avoid spoiling in the comments. I ca probably upload on a once-a-week schedule. I promise chapters will be at least 1000 words EACH. I'm a Masters students so , full disclosure, I probably won't be able to continue after February. Happy Reading!