This was one of my favorite chapters to write so I'm excited to share it. I love stories about Hopper and Eleven having a father-daughter relationship so hopefully I did a good job writing one. Let me know if you guys like it! Thanks! -An Unknown Stranger.
-1 year later-
He walked deep into the woods toward the cabin and knocked three times. "It's Hopper, kid." He called.
The door opened to reveal Eleven's happy smiled and she allowed him inside, she then proceeded to sit at a small wood table and continue a drawing with various crayons. He walked from the kitchen carrying a plate and sat across from her. He then slid her a plate of leftovers and gently pulled the page away. "Time to eat Picasso." He teased.
"Picasso?" She furrowed her brows.
"He was an artist." Hopper clarified. She gave an amused smile then looked down at her plate.
"I know what you are going to ask. I don't know how long I have to keep you here. It's just not safe yet. You know why." Hopper sighed.
She quietly kept eating as she listened. "Mike?" She asked quietly.
"He's still looking for you. He won't give up and it's both frustrating and...cute." Hopper smirked.
El gave a smile and had that sparkle in her eyes. Hopper called it her "puppy" face because she looked like she was in love whenever he mentioned Mike.
"Did you read the books I left for you?" Hopper asked as he leaned back in his seat.
She nodded the furrowed her brows at him. "You never eat with me. I mean you did once but then you stopped. Why?" She asked.
He shrugged. "Not sure, I can start if it really means that much to you." He smiled.
"It does." She smiled.
As she ate he looked at a few of the books he had been bringing her. He had brought her books ranging from children books to poems. He wanted her to further strengthen her vocabulary and knowledge on things since the day he found her. The books had been helping and she spoke surprisingly well but most of the things she said she did not fully understand the meaning.
Once he saw that she was finished he sighed. "Alright, go get the flash cards." He said as he took her plate to the kitchen.
She happily got up and grabbed the flash cards. She came back and gave them to Hopper, who was just sitting back down at the table.
"Alright first one." He held up a card that read "cat."
"Cat." She replied.
He held up another that read "dog."
"Dog." She answered. "I know what those are already." She said with agitation.
He chuckled. "Alright, smarty."
He held up one with a picture of a guinea pig. "Hamster." She answered confidently.
"Nope, that's a guinea pig." He chuckled.
She rolled her eyes. "What's the difference?" She asked with annoyance.
He chuckled. "See you don't know it all." He teased and continued till they got to the last card of the animal category.
"Okay it's time for bed kid." He smiled and stood.
She quickly grabbed pjs that Hopper had bought for her, changed in the bathroom and ran back out. "Did you brush?" Hopper asked.
She rolled her eyes and went back in the bathroom, brushed her teeth and came back out.
She hopped into bed and Hopper tucked her in. He sat at the edge of the bed and smiled down at her. "Your hair is growing fast." He smirked.
She smiled.
Her hair had grown almost to her shoulders but appeared shorter due to her wavy curls. She said it made her feel "pretty" but Hopper assured her she already was.
He was about to get up but she stopped him. "Story?" She asked.
In the lab she had never had stories read or told to her until Hopper introduced it to her. Now she wanted to hear one every night.
He sighed. "Only one tonight." He smiled and she nodded.
"What should this one be about?" He asked as he pondered.
"Princesses." She smiled.
"Again?" He chuckled and she nodded.
"Okay, so once upon a time..." he started.
He told her the story and then stood when she saw her sleeping. He smiled down at her and then kissed her on the forehead. "Night El..." he said before leaving.
She fell asleep peacefully every night knowing that Hopper was there to protect her. The nights that she had nightmares she would use the walkie-talkie he left her and he would be back at the cabin in mere minuets. She could count on him just like a daughter to a father.
One night, however, she awoke to something more than a nightmare. She awoke to the knob of the door being shook. She quickly got out of bed and kneeled down behind the bed to hide herself. She nearly screamed when the door was kicked open and two bad men with guns stepped in.
They both had flashlights scanning the cabin. She heard the wood creek beneath their steps, each one getting closer. She pressed herself to the side of the bed and breathed heavily through her nose, panicked. One of the men rounded the corner and aimed the light of his flashlight at Eleven. He held up his gun and yelled, "Don't move!"
She gently raised her hands and squeezed her eyes shut overcome with fear. He motioned for her to stand and kept his gun aimed. She did as he asked and saw the other join his side. She knew she couldn't let herself be caught so she did what she had to.
She screamed and threw her hands forward. The men flew back into the walls and then hit the floor. She then stepped forward as they tried to reach for their guns.
She quickly snapped ones neck and then turned to the other. He held his hands up in surrender. "Please." He begged.
With rage and fear overcoming her she looked to her right and saw his gun on the floor. She raised her hand causing the gun to levitate and aim itself at the man. His eyes widened as soon as he heard the click and then a loud bang. He slouched forward and she knew he was dead.
When her heart rate calmed her eyes widened at the realization of what she had done. She stumbled to a corner and placed her knees to her chest and began to sob.
Hopper came back just before the sun rose and discovered the cabin door to be ripped off the hinges. His eyes widened and he ran inside with a gun raised. He quickly scanned and saw two men dead and Eleven in a corner crying.
He placed his gun in his holster and ran to her. He kneeled down and was about to embrace her but she stopped him. "Don't touch! I'm a monster..." she cried.
"No, Eleven they are...you were protecting yourself." He assured her.
"I killed them..." she sobbed.
"They deserved it El..." he said coldly as he looked at the agents with clear rage in his eyes.
"They found me..." she cried and looked up at him with tears running down her cheeks.
He pulled out a cloth and gently wiped the blood off her nose. "I know kid...we will find a better place." He gave an assuring smile.
"Mike..." she asked innocently.
He shook his head. "We can't put Mike in danger. You know that." Hopper said gently.
She nodded.
"I will find another place today. Those guys weren't followed so no one should show up." He assured her.
"I'm scared." She replied with a shaky voice.
He nodded. "Go lay back in bed. It doesn't look like you slept." He said softly. He helped her stand and she pulled the sheets back up to her neck in the bed.
He sat beside her bed and wiped her tears. "Want to know a secret?" He smiled.
She nodded.
"I'm scared too but I don't let the bad guys see me scared. Trust me the bad guys are more scared of you than you are of them. They won't come back again." He smiled.
"Promise?" She asked gently.
He pursed his lips. "Get some sleep." He said softly. He saw her eyes close and rested his head against the wall as he looked down at her sincerely. He grasped her hand in his and saw a small smile form on her lips. He smiled, "Love you, kid." He whispered.