Rushed footsteps thumped onto the ground, foot after foot, breath taken away before it was taken in. A shrieking of a monster not far behind, hunting. The girl's heart was pounding, though she didn't feel fear, she didn't feel anything. She just needed to survive. She focused on getting out, finding a new world, friends a family. Blood poured out from her eyes and nose, though she ignored it, working harder and harder to survive, running faster and faster. Her head split, she felt a thousand knives stab into her temples, but she powered through. Only one thing caused her to keep going, she needed her family. Then she saw it, her way out. Not looking back she jumped through the goop, pushing her way through, thin strands of the sticky web-like structure stuck to her body, covering her in a liquid with the thickness of mucus. It was thick, really thick, she wasn't sure if she would make it through, but the monster was behind her. She needed to get out, now. With one last push, she fell out the other side. She was out, she was safe, she was free. She knew she should be crying, she should be happy, but she didn't feel it. All she felt was cold and empty.

It didn't matter, she got out, it had been eight years. Eight years she'd been stuck alone. Eight years since she had taken a shower. Eight years since she'd eaten a real cooked meal. Eight years since she had had a family. Wiping the mucus off her as best she could, she evaluated her surroundings. It looked like she was in a forest, huge tall trees, and they were colors. Not just the deep blackish blue she was used to, but brown and the tops were green.

A bird chirps.

She whips around, expecting to see the monster she was running from, but instead found an owl. Perched on a branch, it's wise eyes looking into her soul. She didn't like the way it looked at her.

Go away.

The owl lifted its wings and flew away from her, she eased up. Looking down she found that she was standing on a path. All paths lead to civilization eventually. So she followed the path, keeping her eyes on the path and everywhere else, she had to be ready for anything. Soon she found herself in front of a house, it was a big house, it had a pool in the backyard. But more importantly, there was a road. Roads meant civilization and she now knew where she was. She had walked this road before, not this road exactly, but another version of it. Then something struck her, she knew where he was. She couldn't walk anymore, weak as she was she had to get to him. So she ran , as fast as she possible could. Straight down this street, then she turned right, then left and then straight until she was at the police station.

People were staring at her, it was a small town. Everyone knew everyone and no one knew her. She was dirty, her dirty blonde hair was caked in mucus, dirt and anything else she had picked up in the last eight years. It was a tangled mess and it reached passed her ankles. She hadn't cut it in eight years, so naturally it grew to a horribly long length. Even worse she was wearing the same outfit for eight years. A hospital gown, no longer white with blue flowers, it was ripped in strange places and short, coming to the middle of her thigh. Caked in the same things as her hair and barely covering herself. The worst thing about her, she was thin. Not a normal thin, a dangerous thin, her cheek bones and collar bones protruded from her skin. Her legs were strong and muscly, but thin. She looked as if she were starving herself while working out all at the same time. Not to mention the dried blood coming from her nose and eyes.

Mother hid their children from her, covering their eyes and whispering to other adults. She ignored them, they were unimportant, she needed to get to him.

You're unfazed, it's another normal day. You don't notice the girl running down the street.

She didn't know how many people she affected, but soon most of the people on the street lost interest in her. In fact they didn't even notice her, except for one boy. She didn't get a good look at him. All she saw was wild brown hair and then he was gone-or she was gone. She was in front of the station. It was happening, she would see him , she would be with him. Eight years since he had hugged her. Eight years since he had read her a story, sang her a song, brought her to the playground….given her her stuffed tiger. She was sure she would be crying if she could feel anymore.

Taking in a deep breath, she pushed open the station door and walked in. Wide eyed she took everything in. The old faded yellow on the walls, the smell of coffee and cigarettes.

"Can I help you, dear?" An older women with wide rimmed glasses and smelled of mildew asked her. She had heard that the women was named Flo and took care of him. After a long pause Flo turned to the chief, "Hop I think you need to take this one."

She turned to see where Flo was talking, sitting at a desk was a balding middle aged man, he wore a wide rimmed hat and had a chief's uniform. He sighed and rolled his eyes when Flo called him, but got up.

"Flo what is it this time? And I don't want to be hearing about-whoa." Hop's mouth dropped when he saw her, his eyes nearly popping out of her head. "Excuse me, are you ok kid? Who are you?"

She just looked up at Hop, evaluating him, deciding if it really was him even though she knew it was. "Who are you?" She asked in such a monotone, apathetic tone.

Hopper was taken aback, surprised by her tone, "I'm the chief, Jim Hopper. Who are you?"

She looked up at him, straight in the eyes, "Sarah Hopper."