Missing
Hawkins, Indiana
1 week after they left-
Hopper (weren't expecting him huh) was driving up the driveway to the house in his truck a cigarette hanging from his lips, Joyce sitting next to him. They had an enjoyable time together. He had taken the week off for their trip with a promise of no work talk. So that's what he gave. They had gone up to Lake Michigan camping on the bank, well not really camping he had rented out a nice little cabin for them.(don't know if you can but let's go with it.) Spending time together camping out, fishing in the lake, no kids and no work, nothing but the two of them and a bottle of wine.
Before leaving he told the others if they needed him, don't, he'd be back to work Monday. Until then he was on vacation, which is why he kept his radio off. The two of them were laughing as they made their way up the driveway. As they approached the house their laughter died in an instant as they saw who was waiting for them. His deputies Callahan, Powell and even their newest deputy that started shortly after graduating Steve 'Babysitter' Harrington, were parked along the driveway standing at the front door. Hopper took a look around noticing the Wheelers car parked also. The only thing Jim could think was 'I was gone a week, the hells goin on?' as he parked his truck. As he stepped out of the truck the front door opened and people started pouring out. His deputies, the Wheelers, Nancy, Johnathan, Will and all his friends were standing on his porch. As he approached everyone started shouting at once.
"QUIET!" He shouted.
"The hells going on?!" he barked out. Everyone had decided now they didn't want to talk, not knowing where to start. Jim glanced around at all the faces, noticing the solemn looks and tear stains on most of them. As he was glancing at everyone he took notice quickly that someone, or actually two someones were missing. As he went to voice the thought he was interrupted, weirdly enough by Steve.
"Jim…" Steve started
"What?" Jim says
Steve wiped his hands through his hair looking more distraught than he'd seen in years.
"What is it?! Spit it out!" he shouted. He looked around again, voicing his previous thoughts.
"Where's El?" he said softer but still loud this time, fear taking over him. This time Steve answered.
"Jim...that's just it. El and Mike are missing." Steve says with seriousness, his own worry slipping through.
Hopper took a moment at that before his panic and fear came out.
"THE HELL YOU MEAN SHE'S MISSING?!" He shouted as stepped up into Steve's space. Steven looked him in the eyes as he answered.
"Exactly that chief. El and Mike have not been seen in almost a week. They're gone, no sign of them anywhere." he says.
Jim turned around passing back and forth on the porch trying to collect himself. 'Shit shit shit shit SHIT.' He eventually stopped in front of all of them as he turned towards them.
"Shit. Alright, will somebody fill me in on what the hells been goin on." Jim says.
"We got a call Tuesday from Will. He said El hadn't come home. Him and his friends haven't seen her or Mike since Friday." Steve spoke up again, answering.
Jim turned to Will. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?" he questioned
Will hesitated for an instant. "Well...El said she wanted to spend time with Mike. With the end of school being crazy and all they hadn't had much time together. Mike took the weekend off so they could spend it together. Date night or something like that. So I didn't really worry about it until she didn't show up Monday night, I started calling everyone and no one had seen them. Tuesday when she didn't show up was when I called Steve. He said he'd look into it." he says. Jim turned back to Steve, everyone listening in.
"Well what'd you figure out?" he asked
"Honestly, not much. I checked everywhere in town I could think of. Nothing. I called anyone who might have seen them. None of the people Mike works with in town has seen him since Friday. The few friends El has that aren't here haven't heard from her either, nor the owner of the bookstore she works at (i'm adding this in.). Although before this week quite a few people did see them, mostly Mike, hold on." Steve says digging into his pocket pulling out a pad and pen.
"Okay so after i talked to the people with the best chance i started getting worried and tried getting in touch with you or the Wheelers but you had your long range off and we didn't know exactly where you were. And the Wheelers were already on the road, they got back yesterday. When they got back I checked both houses, according to them nothing seemed to be missing that could give any clue on where they were. So I started showing their pictures around, to see if anyone had seen anything." he paused for a second looking at the pad in his hand. "The owner of the army surplus store in the mall ( someone else owns the mall no Russkies) says Mike came in a few days before maybe a week and said he bought two waterproof rucksacks, a camouflage tarp, two water canteens and a 13 inch survival knife.
When he questioned him Mike looked fine and said it was for a camping trip he was going on. A cashier at the new Food LionTM reported seeing Mike and El on a number of occasions during the last few weeks. They bought mostly water, canned food and a topographical map of the area. The last person was a Uhh small jewelry store owner that recognized him. Said he came in on Friday and bought a small silver necklace. I don't really know the significance of that. The only really weird thing besides them you know being missing was the neighbors across from the Wheelers said they heard a loud noise around 8pm but didn't see anything. And that's it. I went on the camping hunch and scoured the camping areas around the area, even those off the beaten path. Nothing. I thought they might have gone outside the city to camp so I checked the taxi stands and bus station, I even checked the damn train station at the next town over, still nothing. Nobody has seen them. It's like they just disappeared Jim." Steve says, taking a deep breath as he finishes.
"Are you kidding me, nothing!" he says, glancing at everyone. "Nobody here knows anything!?" Hopper says, rubbing his face looking at everyone shaking their heads.
"Did anyone ask Tom?" Nancy spoke up. Tears on her face.
"Tom? Tom who?." Hopper asked
"Tom Hartin, he owns a farm outside Hawkins. Mike's been working there for almost three years. Mostly on the weekends. If he took off the weekend like Will said, maybe Mike told him why." She said.
"Okay good, Harrington get on that when we're done."
"Okay now has anyone noticed anything strange in the last few weeks, anything different about them. Has your son said something about this?"
"No. Nothing like this." Karen says
"No. Everything seemed fine at school and when we hung out after. They seemed happy as usual. A little stressed maybe but we figured it was just about school." Lucas spoke up too.
"Anything. Come on! Two sixteen year olds don't just vanish. So either they walked, hitchhiked, or they're here. So unless someone took..." Hooper froze at his last thought. No, she had been safe for years. Why would they try to get her now and take Mike? No! He had to be sure. He pushed past everyone to get in the house. "I need to make a call." he says in a hurry, a worried expression on his face.
"What do you mean you need to make a call? The hell does that mean Hopper!" Karen shouted.
"It means I need to make a call!" he yelled back walking inside. He reached for the phone pulling it off the wall, as most everyone filed inside. Jim dialed the numbers he memorized. He waited as it connected, hearing the answer he hadn't heard in years.
"Pennsylvania Public Library." he heard in a monotone voice.
"Jim Hopper, message for Dr. Sam Owens. Have him call me back at 463-***-****." Jim says
"What is your identification code?"
"Antique Chariot."
"What is the message?"
"Tell him Eleven is missing and I need to know if he knows anything about it. Tell him that, he'll know what it means." Jim says
"Your message will be relaid." and the line went dead with a click.
He hung up the phone with a deep sign. He made his way to the dining room, dropping himself in a chair.
"Jim…" he held up a hand to stop Karen. He reached into his pocket pulling a pack of cigarettes. Sticking a new one in his mouth he lit it, taking a deep drag off it before letting it out.
"Ok. Go." Hopper says
"What are we gonna do?" Karen asked?
"Shit." taking a drag. His emotions were all over the place. And if he was honest with himself he was scared shitless about where El was. Even Mike. Shit, what was he gonna do?
"Alright you two." he says pointing at his older deputies. "Go back to the station and start sending pictures of El and Mike to other stations. Send them all the way to Indianapolis if you have to. Go." he says as they head out. "Harrington, get started on Tom to see if knows anything." Steve nodded his head as he left.
"As for the rest of you...go home."
"What do you mean go home?!" Karen said in shock
"Exactly that. Give me some time to go over this and I'll get back to you when I have something." Jim says
"But…"
"Mom, let's just go. If Hopper says he'll look into it. He will." Nancy says
Her mom looked at her shocked. She stood speechless before heading out the door with Holly. Everyone else followed suit, minus Joyce, Johnathan and Will since they lived there. Joyce made her way to Jim putting a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry we will find them."
"That's just it. I know El. She's a survivor. She survived for months by herself in the woods and if she doesn't want you to find her, you won't. That's not including Mike who can be a genius when he wants to be." he says seriously. They just nodded their heads.
As if trying to break the silence the phone rang. Hopper bolted out of his chair, picking it up and to his ear.
"Hello."
"Hello Jim."
"Dr. Owens."
"I got your message. Eleven's missing?"
"Yes I need to know if you know anything about it."
"No. My new post has let me keep an ear out for anything to do with her. But no nothing, that I've heard. I can dig a little but it might take a few days so I'll have to get back to you."
"Ok ok that's fine. What do you mean by a new post? You're not a Doctor anymore?"
"Nope, I'm still a Doctor but I got a promotion. Officially, I work for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, advising the President on matters." Owens says
"And unofficially?" Jim questions
"With all the forms you've signed might as well. Unofficially, I work as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Scientific Research and Control, ( AN: think a mix between the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense from Hellboy and the Federal Bureau of Control from the game Control)which isn't as bad as it sounds. It also doesn't exist and you didn't hear it from me. When not working 'for' the OSTP, I advise the President and only the President on the more...unique and unknown aspects of what's considered science fiction. Such as little girls that can break through dimensions with her mind when scared. But don't worry her actual name and picture have been stripped from all records except my own. The few that are in the 'know' simply know her as 'Eleven'." Owens says
"Seriously?"
"Very. I am more than just a physician and psychologist you know. I have my M.D license but also a PhD in Energy Science and Engineering."
"Huh. Well thank you Doc."
"Just playing my part Jim. I'll check with a few of my contacts and I'll get back to you in a few days if I hear anything. Alright?"
"Alright. Thanks." Jim says, hanging up.
Hopper leaned against the wall for a moment thinking to himself 'Shit. Where are you El?'
A week, that's how long it took for Doctor Owens to get back to him. He told Hopper that he checked with his contacts in the CIA, NSA, DOD and other alphabetical agencies that didn't exist and found nothing. Not even a whispered rumor had come up. Owens said he'd keep his ears open and let him know if anything came up. It had been his last chance really. Over the last week they had come up empty handed. Tom told Steve that Mike told him he wanted to spend time with El before summer work picked up and so gave him the weekend off. And none of the other stations had any reports on them. And they had been unable to find any trace of them.
He had taken an extra week off to focus on finding them but he couldn't stay out of work forever. He was going back to work today and he wasn't all that interested in it. He was buttoning up his shirt when he felt something in his chest pocket. He reached in and pulled out a folded envelope. Unfolding he saw what was written on it. There, in the middle written in chicken scratch writing he'd recognize anywhere was one word that gave him hope, 'Dad'.
He sat back heavy on the bed, afraid to open it. He sat there a moment collecting himself. As he got the courage he opened the envelope, dropping in on the floor. He pulled the letter out, unfolding it as he did. He started reading it. He was sobbing as he finished, clutching it to his chest. Joyce, hearing him from the kitchen, came running in.
"Jim, what's wrong?" she asks
He just passed her the letter. She looked at what it said.
Hi Dad.
If you're reading this then it means I'm gone.
I left this somewhere I knew you'd find it.
I couldn't bring myself to leave without at least telling you I'm okay.
So here it is. I'm okay. And I'm safe. I have Mike.
Yes I'm with Mike. And no Dad, he didn't make me leave. He didn't force this choice on me. It was my decision to go. He wouldn't let me do this on my own. I'm sorry Dad. I'm sorry for everything. All the pain you're feeling, all of it. I just needed you to know that it's not your fault. None of this is your fault dad. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Without you I would probably still be wandering the empty forest or dead. Without you I would never have seen Mike or my friends again, never gone to school, never have a mom or two brothers that love me. None of it. You gave me love and a home when I needed it. It was hard at first, we had our good days and bad but I wouldn't have traded it for the world. So don't go blaming yourself. Take care of yourself ,Joyce and Will. Be there for them. This isn't good-bye. I'm okay. I'll be home soon, I promise. And you how I am with promises.
I love you Dad.
Love, EL
Joyce finished reading it, laying it next to Jim. She gave him a hug as he finished his tears.
"What's wrong Jim, she said she's okay. She's gone but isn't that still a good thing?"
He took a moment to answer. "Yes it's a good thing but that's not why I'm upset."
"Then what is?"
"Soon."
"What?" she asked confused
"Soon, she said soon."
"Yeah and?"
"Well 'soon' is kind of a running joke nowadays between us." giving a wet chuckle.
"How so?"
"Well when we stayed at the cabin before the whole thing with the gate. Whenever she asked when she could see Mike or her friends or even leave, I always said 'soon'. We both came to a realization then that 'soon' pretty much meant 'no fucking clue'. So when she says she'll be home 'soon', it means she'll come back but she just doesn't know when. Could be a month. It could be years. Even she doesn't know."
"Oh"
"Yeah." she just hugged him tighter.
Same time with Nancy
Nancy was sitting in her room. The last week or so has been a nightmare. When she had decided on taking the summer off to go visit home, she thought it would've been great. She'd get to see her brother and sister along with her friends that were still around. It should've been great. Instead they got to the house to find Steve waiting. She had broken into tears when he told them that Mike and El had been missing for almost a week. They had spent the next day looking for them but had come up empty. Even after Hopper had gotten back and took over, she still looked for them. But even a week later still nothing. She looked around her room, taking it in. It was the first time she had really been in it since getting back.
She had stayed with Jonathan mostly. Everything in her room was exactly as she had left it months before. She glanced at her desk in front of her. Her due l eyebrows scrunched in confusion as she looked at it. When she had left there hadn't been anything on it, it had been clean. She got up walking over to it. She looked down, there sitting on the corner of her otherwise empty desk sat a book. She picked it up, flipping it over to look at the cover. It was Frankenstein. Her favorite book. What? She likes horror; it's not like much can get to her after what she's seen. But it wasn't hers, it was almost brand new. She walked over to her shelf, looking through the books. She pulled the one she wanted off. It was her copy of Frankenstein. She stood there wondering why there was another copy of a book she already had, sitting on her desk. Nancy noticed as she was standing there that the new one was much lighter than hers. She stuck hers back on the shelf. Flipping through the pages, it didn't take long to figure out why. Sitting in a hollowed out section of the book was a folded paper on top of a cassette tape. She took the paper and dumped the cassette in her hand. She folded paper. 'Play me' was all that's written. She dropped the book and went to her closet. Going through boxes she finally found what she was looking for. She sat back on her bed and put the tape in her cassette player and pressed play. She heard silence for a moment before a voice came through…
Hey sis. I knew you would find this. It's still your favorite book.
I'm not really all that good at writing my thoughts so I figured I'd leave you this instead. If you are listening to this it means i'm gone. Yeah I know. Where are you? I'm an idiot. I know. I know. I can't really tell you anything. All I can say is I'm okay and I'm safe. I'm with El. I'll keep her safe too. I'm sorry Nancy. I am. Do me a favor and take care of yourself and Holly. And if you wouldn't mind, look in on my crazy friends from time to time. Who knows what they'll get into if you don't.
Love you sis, take care and i'll see you soon.
Nancy sat there as the tape finished. Her brother would be the one to leave her a proverbial message in a bottle when he leaves. She just hoped he was happy wherever they were.
AN: What do think? Please Review.
