Chapter 4 Don't look back.

Hawkins, Indiana. Mike's House Sunday May, 31, 1987

The next day came and the two of them were up, getting ready to head back over to Tom's farm. Mike was supposed to be working today but Tom had told him to take his time, let the craziness from the day settle down, albeit only slightly before showing up. They were still up with the sun, neither really sleeping much that night just content to hold each other through the night. His parents were downstairs making breakfast but food wasn't really on their minds. They both came down the stairs, walking into the kitchen to see his parents eating at the table but in silence. He told them he was heading over to Tom's, his father said nothing while staring at his newspaper while his mom told him to be safe but nothing more. Together they picked up their bikes making their way toward their destination.

The two teens arrived at the farm to see Tom shoveling the same pile of shit from the day before. Tom looked up at them approaching, setting his shovel aside. He walked up to them taking his gloves off. "You make a decision?" was his first question. "Yes, sir." was the reply. "You leaving?" was the second.

"...Yes sir."

"You know what that means don't you?" he asked, letting a sigh out.

"Yes sir. I'll always be there for her." pulling El closer to him with his arm around her shoulder which she leaned into.

He stepped up to El asking softly "You doing alright darlin."

El nodded her head separating herself from Mike to give the older man a strong embrace, barely coming up to his chest. Anytime she came to see Mike, Tom had always been kind to her, almost like a grandpa. "Yes, I've got Mike." she said to him. The older man let a chuckle out at that. They separated and he gestured to the barn behind him. They all sat at the same table from before, Tom pulling a stool over so El could sit in the chair and him with his back to the car. He let them get comfortable before speaking. "So what's your plan?" The soon to be parents glanced at each other before they started telling Tom of the plans they had discussed over night. It took over an hour and when they were done Tom sat for a minute going over what they had told him.

"It's a good plan. You too have good heads on your shoulders, minus the slip-up of your current situation. No, I don't want to know the details, things like this just happen. But I may be able to offer some...assistance to your situation." The teens looked at him in confusion at his offer.

Tom just pressed on looking at Mike "Have you got your license yet, son?"

"Uh..yes sir got it a few days after my birthday." still not understanding where Tom was going.

Tom glanced over his shoulder at the car behind him before turning back around. "I ever tell you about this car?" he questioned Mike.

"No sir."

"It was my sons, Michael. He died in the war. He volunteered, wanted to save lives as a medic but his helicopter went down. His mother followed not too long after, a broken heart I'm sure. He loved this car, told em I'd look after it. I never had the heart to get rid of it. But you remind me of him. You're a good kid. And I think my Michael would want you to have it." He got up walking over to the wall, neither of them saying anything, not knowing about his son.

They watched him take something off the wall and reach up to the top shelf taking 2 boxes down, one much bigger than the other. He put the boxes on the table and after sitting he handed Mike what he pulled off the wall. Mike just stared down at the keys in his hand before looking back at Tom, confusion clearly on his face. "I was gonna wait until you graduated, we never got her painted but she runs great and it's better than a bus. Although she's not great on gas, she'll get the job done. You did a good job fixing her up, kid. I put new brakes on her last night and the tires are worn but still good, she's yours."

There was silence before surprisingly it was El who spoke "Why, Why help us?" in a quiet voice.

"Because...when Mike started comin around to help and you visited him on occasion, you two put a little life back in this old man. And for that I'm grateful and I see the two of you as my grandkids. And I agree with Mike that the uncertainty of staying could very well hurt the two of you. I want the two of you to thrive and Hawkins isn't where it's going to happen. Maybe in a few years but not now." he said with honesty.

El jumped up giving the man another hug while Mike just sat with a tear going down his face and a smile. "Thank you grandpa." Eleven said, putting a smile on his face at that. "Your welcome sweetheart."

Once the touching moment had calmed down Mike asked a question that was on his mind "What's in the boxes?".

"Well most would call me irresponsible but it would be so if i let you go without protection. You've got your girl and she's carrying your child so you'll need to be her shield...and sword." he answered. Tom opened the bigger one first pulling out something familiar to Mike. It was a M1903 Springfield with offset scope. Mike recognized it as the gun Tom took him hunting with. Showing how to use and maintain it along with how to hunt. The second smaller box was something he also recognized, a Colt M1911. Tom showed him how to hold, shoot and maintain it. Along with proper training in using it. He was uneasy at the beginning but had taken to it quickly and enjoyed it ,although he never asked why and Tom never said. Mike looked shocked more than he was about the car.

"Why are you giving us these!?" he asked. El gave a confused and apprehensive look also. Her history with guns not being the best.

"Like I said. You need to protect her, which includes making sure she's fed. On the road you might have to camp and hunt to survive and save money till you find a place to settle. These along with what I've taught you will make that easier. And the two of you are strong and smart, these were my service weapons in the marines and I know they'll be in safe hands. Along with you being discreet in their use." giving them a look at the end. El looked more anxious about the guns but she understood their usefulness. Mike just let out a sign but nodded his head knowing he was right and thought best not to tell him that El didn't really need his protection.

He looked in the boxes carrying the guns, seeing the loading clips and 2 boxes of 30-06 ammo for the Springfield, the other had a few extra clips and a few boxes of ammo for the 45 along with a back holster for it. Mike got up giving Tom a hug "Thank you, for everything. This will help more than you know.". They sat back down, grabbing El's hand as he did. They started talking about news plans after everything that had happened. Now that they have a car they'd be able to pack more than if they didn't. It was agreed they would leave the car and guns here till the day before they would leave and after their parents had left. They would grab all the essentials to make it as far as they needed, sleeping in the car or camping would be the way they kept their footprint small while traveling. Only staying in motels every few days to shower and wash their clothes. They made a few more changes before deciding it was time to go. Without a word on the way out Tom handed Mike something out of view of El. Mike glanced at it in shock before looking back, giving a determined and strong nod before heading after El. They both stopped, giving Tom one more hug before heading out on their bikes.

Hawkins, Indiana. Mike's House ,Saturday, June 13 1987

2 weeks later (let's say school got out Later or something in the 80s)

The last two weeks had been hectic. Full of panic and fear. Having to keep the image up around their friend and family had been hard for Mike but more so for El. Many times he would console El in tears after they got to his house from school or their friends left after hanging out. The pain of not telling anyone hurt but their secrecy was necessary even if it did. One of the first things she had learned, from him no less, and taken to heart was 'friends don't lie' and to not tell them went against it. Before when they were younger he had to explain that she didn't have to tell everything to her friends or even family, especially about their personal relationship. It made people uncomfortable. And that everyone one was entitled to their secrets. The best way he could explain it was like her powers, the less people that knew the less chance of anyone finding out. She took a little to get the hang of it but started getting it quickly after a while. He was glad he helped with that then as it helped now. He explained to her that when they left the first people to be questioned when they left would be their friends.

Her symptoms were thankfully mild, she didn't get morning sickness yet mostly just nausea, her emotions and hormones were all over the place some days mostly a lot of random tears but they managed. Her cravings were a little weird at first but he got her whatever she wanted. She hadn't started showing yet but in typically baggy clothes most wouldn't notice if she had. And while that wasn't happening, he and El spent time collecting supplies for the trip and hiding them at the house. She had brought her clothes and other things over in the bag he gave her. Lots of Food, water and a full gas can( he had Tom get it) no one would question a farmer getting gas. He had bought maps, got all the camping supplies from the basement unpacked but hidden for when it was time to pack. He had started selling some of his older toys and other things off that wouldn't be missed or noticed for a little extra money but slowly making sure nobody asked questions. He had his savings from his jobs stashed ready to go. Over the years working for Tom and the electronic store in town along with some odd jobs like cutting grass, chopping wood and a few other things, plus what he got selling his stuff, he managed to save himself up quite a lot. It would last the three of them for more than a year if not more, as long as they were smart. But by then they should be settled down at least. One thing they agreed about was sentimental items.

They wanted their child to know where they came from and the people in their life. They took every picture they could without anyone noticing, even sneaking a few new ones with a polaroid. They had managed the two hardest parts of their plan beside not telling anyone. The first was sneaking into the school and making copies of school records. Both of them were top students in school. Mike being number one in their grade and El was number eight, she hated English. When they got wherever they ended up, they would study to get their GED's so they could hopefully attend college or at the very least get a decent job in the future. The second and definitely harder of the two, which would have gotten them caught in an instant if they had failed, was tricking their parents to sign emancipation forms (I'm taking some liberties in this) they printed off at the library.

His parents were easy enough, his dad barely gave it a glance when he asked for a signature sighting it was for school. His mom had been on the phone and just signed without a second thought. Which honestly made him sad wondering how hard it would have been if they knew what it was for. El had a much harder time. Thankfully as she was adopted she only needed Hoppers. But that didn't make it easier and she had barely gotten it a few days ago. Hopper had had a long day at work and came home more tired than usual. She asked for his signature then telling him it was for extra classes the next year but she needed his permission for them. He had signed the folded paper with a tired sigh before kissing her on the forehead telling her she would do great at it. Mike had spent the rest of the night consoling her as she sobbed herself asleep about lying to him. Mike had all but been ready to cancel everything and handle the consequences of telling everyone. Seeing her like that broke his heart. But she had been adamant about sticking to the plan.

Hopper and Joyce had left the day before on their camping trip. Eleven had barely kept it together when he said he'd see her when he got back. She just hugged him and told him she would see him soon. It wasn't something Jim had even questioned, as she hated when he was gone. They hugged for a moment before she watched them get in and drive away. She walked back inside pulling a letter out of her pocket. She put it inside the pocket of her dad's uniform which was hanging in his room, knowing he would find it eventually. It didn't say much, but she couldn't leave without saying goodbye. She looked around the house that had pretty much started it all so long ago with Will going missing, her escaping and meeting everyone, along with the Demogorgon. But now it had become her home for the last three years and she didn't know when she'd see it again. All the memories of all them having dinner together, watching movies, or just hanging around laughing, were here and she would miss it. She turned around with sadness and tears in her eyes walking out, locking the door behind her for the last time, for a long time. She grabbed her bike making her way to Mike's house and their future.

Mike didn't stay to say goodbye to his parents, it was Saturday. He kept to his normal schedule. He was at Tom's working, distracting himself from the life changing choice that would be made tonight. His parents had already left by now. His mom told him they would get an early start in the morning to get Nancy. Huh Nancy. If there was anyone he was going to miss as much as his friends it was going to be Nancy and Holly. Although Holly was still a little too young to understand, he'd miss her. Him and Nancy had grown closer over the years again. Even with her at college he still talked to her on the phone at least once a week. In time whenever he had a question or problem he couldn't figure out, he'd call her and she'd help him through as best she could. So not telling her about this and just disappearing was going to be devastating for her. But he knew she'd be ok. He had left her something where he knew she'd find it. So yeah here he was fixing a fence for Tom biding his time. When night fell, he would take the car and other items Tom gave them and meet up with El at his house to pack it. They had already told their friends that they were going to spend some time to themselves that night. The Party understood they wanted time together now that school was out. Although they didn't know why, they probably thought they were going to sit in the basement and make out or something.

Finishing the fence he made his way to the house, seeing Tom sitting on the porch, as he watched the sun get lower to the horizon. He sat down in the chair next to him.

"You sure about this son?"

"No, but this is what we're gonna do. It is for the best. For now at least. We'll be back. One day. And when we get wherever it is we're going I'll send you a letter letting you know we're safe. It's the least I can do for everything you've done for us."

"That'll do, take care kid." Tom gazed at the sky, the sun was down and night was here. "About time you head out ain't it?"

"Yeah." Mike said standing. Tom follows suit. They gave a quiet hug. Before Mike turned and headed to the barn. He sat in the front seat for a moment, his head resting on the steering wheel. He leaned back in the seat, steeling himself before putting the key in and turning her over. It gave a loud roar before settling into a low growl as the 350 horsepower Turbo-Jet 396 Big-Block V8 came to life. Mike closed his and took a deep breath before they snapped open and he threw the car in drive and hit the gas. The car giving a roar as he peeled out onto the dirt road towards the main street.

Mike slowed down as he approached his neighborhood, the headlights illuminating the road ahead. He wanted to make sure his parents really had left before getting too close. As he came down his street he gave a sigh of relief as he saw his driveway empty. He carefully backed the car up into the driveway, it was late and he didn't want to wake any of his neighbors. He stepped out of the car making his way inside. As he came in the first thing he saw was all their stuff in front of the door. He walked past everything into the living room where he found El. El was sitting on the couch staring at a blank tv. Mike quietly approached her, kneeling down in front of her.

"Eleven." she turned her gaze to him. "Mike." it wasn't a question, more of a statement but he still answered. "Yes, I'm here. Are you ready?" grabbing her hand.

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

This time he saw that fire in her eyes. The one that drew him in.

"Yes."

"Okay, let's get the car packed up. When we're done, we'll come back here. I have something for you." he spoke in a soft tone full of love.

"Something for me? A gift?" she questioned with a childlike (well she still one but still) interest. She always got excited when he got her something, even if it was just Eggos. He chuckled at that. Glad to know she still had that side of her, even in this situation. "Yes. it's kind of a gift but different, okay." "Okay!" she said back, getting up with a big smile. The biggest he has seen in days. Mike had missed seeing it. He promised himself then that he'd make sure she'd have plenty more chances to let them out.

They packed up the car quickly and efficiently. Their food ,mostly non perishables along with a cooler of stuff for sandwiches, water and gas cans along with extra clothes, camping supplies and a few extra sentimental items went in the trunk along with the soft case containing Tom's rifle and ammo, which they hid behind the trunk lining and the back seat. (it sounds right and I know you shouldn't put gas cans in the trunk but it's the 80s so I don't know ,go with it.). All their personal items, clothes, pictures, documents( emancipation papers, school, birth certificate, social etc etc that they uh borrowed)and anything else they wanted on hand they kept in the back seat in military rucksacks he got from a surplus store. The 45 was kept in the glove box and all the papers for the car were clipped on the visor. They breathed a sigh of relief as they sat back down in the living room, cuddled together. It was a moment later that Mike got up and sat on the coffee table facing El. He sat there holding her hands as gazed deep into her eyes that always got him lost, trying to collect his thoughts. Before starting..

"Uh El...i..uh." he was fumbling on how to say what he wanted when he felt her squeeze his hands. "It's okay." and with just those words he was calm. He squeezed her hands back "El with everything that has been happening, I know it's been hard especially for you. We've had to do so much for this…" as he said that he put his hands on her stomach "all of it for this. And I know that I broke promises and you had to too, and I'm sorry you had to do that because they mean so much to you. But I want to make you a promise. The biggest promise I can make to you." Mike got up pushing the table back as he got on one knee in front of El. El's eyes widened, her hands going to her face as tears sprang up in her eyes. He removed from his pocket the last thing Tom had given, a little black box. Mike had an idea where it was from but hadn't brought it up with Tom, just accepted it. He put it in front of him and opened it. Sitting inside the box was a half carat diamond sitting on a thin silver band. It was simple but elegant. To El it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"I love you. With everything I have. I probably did the day we met, in the pouring rain I just didn't know it or understand it. But I do now. I had planned to do this when we graduated. It's why I worked so much but now is just fine. And I'm not doing this just because we're having a baby. I'm doing what I had planned too just earlier and because I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life showing you. It'll be tough, they'll be good days and bad but I'm not going anywhere. I'll always come home to you. This is my promise to you. So will you Jane 'Eleven' Hopper, when we're a little older and a little wiser, marry me?" He finished speaking in what felt like one go, waiting. He didn't have to wait long.

"YES yes yes. I love you, I love you so much. Yes." he put the ring on her finger as they cried together. But for one of the few times in weeks, they were tears of joy. Mike looked her in the eye pulling something else out his pocket. "El i know you want to wear it but it wouldn't be too safe while on the road, so i got you this." as he showed her a simple silver chain necklace. He took the ring off, pulling the chain through. El understood and leaned forward as he clipped the necklace around her neck. The ring sat just above her chest. She held it in her hands as the tears came back.

"I'm sorry." she said trying to wipe them away "stupid hormones." but Mike just helped wipe them away, saying it was completely natural.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence. El broke it.

"We should head out before someone notices the car."

"Yeah you're right, you ready?"

"Yes."

They stepped out of the house, locking the door. Mike stood in the driveway next to the car, staring at the house he grew up in, all the good and the bad. He'd miss it. But he had her and that's all he needed right now. He patted the hood of the car before getting in the driver seat. El just looked at him, giving him a loving smile as he turned the car over. She gave a wide eyed stare as the sound. He just gave her a smirk as he pulled out of the driveway, heading down the road. Where it ended, they didn't know but they'd find it together.


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