First of all, thank you to those people who followed, faved and left reviews in this story. It is taking me longer than I have wanted to update this story. And for that, I apologize. I must say, this story is more on the serious side so I am trying to make the story and the characters as interesting as possible. I am very much excited about the part where the kids come in again but I find it very vital to introduce and develop some of the characters who would play a big part in the story first. We do not have an idea who would play Billy yet, but I am a big fan of Ezra Miller so I was thinking about him the whole time I was writing this. His aura and acting also perfectly matches Billy's demeanor in the story. Please give your honest feedback, I will take any criticism as this is the first time ever in my life sharing what I have written. For the love of Stranger Things!

Chapter 2: Anything?

Hopper

I quickly went to my house and grabbed as many stuff as I can- some clothes, food, medicine, money…. and what else? Phone call. I have to make a phone call.

"Hello, Flo?"- I said as soon as someone picked up the call, "Jim?", "Sorry to bother you but I just want to tell you that I don't think I can make it to work tomorrow, I mean, later. I'm sure all of you can handle everything at the station right?"

"Yes, sure! You deserve a rest Hop, and besides Powell and Callahan would be there they could be in charge tomorrow."

"Ok thank you, bye!"

"Jim wait!"… "Yes?"

"Someone called earlier looking for you and…"

I immediately interrupt her, "Yeah well about that… if anybody calls for me you know what to do Flo just tell them I'll call them back or I'm out on the field… please Flo you gotta figure it out…"

Just when I was about to put back the receiver I hear Flo shout.

"Hopper! It's family… It's Billy."

"Billy?"… "Jim?"…

"Jesus Christ, since when have you been there?"… "Just last night… Look, I wasn't stealing anything I was just… I was just looking for food in this leftover crate outside this diner and apparently they thought I was some homeless dude, much less a thief, so they called the cops and they found some weed in my jacket but I swear those weren't mine I wouldn't do that Jim you know me…."

"Yes I know you but what I don't know is what the fuck you're doing in Paxton?'… "I'm trying to get to you, then these guys who gave me a hitch promised to bring me to Hawkins then dropped me off two towns far and took everything I had and just gave me that jacket instead so I had to fucking walk for fucking two weeks and well I guess that's how I got here."

"Then why didn't you call me since two weeks ago? And wait, why are you trying to go to Hawkins?"

…

"Mom died. She OD'd on heroin."

"What the... Are you fucking with me boy?!"

"Why would I lie about that? Is that how messed up you think I am? Unbelievable… There's no life for me in that city Jim. I need your help, so please could you just fucking get me out of here?"

"Not with that language Billy."

"Well you must have forgotten I've pretty much learned everything that comes out of my mouth from you right? I think my language should be the least of our worries now. "

OUR worries…

"Ok, then, goodbye Billy have fun in there"… "Wait, wait, WAIT! Jim… Uncle Jim, I'm sorry. Please… I'd do ANYTHING."

Anything? Anything. This is exactly what I need now. Someone who can do that. Someone who would do anything.

And just like that I came up with a not so brilliant idea. I might not have to flee Hawkins after all. If I can leave her in the hands of someone I trust... Someone who's got nothing to lose… Then I might be able to protect her AND Hawkins. As of now no one else seems to fit the bill but this kid. This has got to work.

"Hello Jim? Hey, are you still there?"

"Yes… You said you'd do anything?"… "Well I don't have much of a choice do I?"

"Wait for me there. Now let me talk to the chief."

Time check: 1:15 AM. I still got plenty of time 'til sunrise. I carefully crossed the living room being especially vigilant of the killing machine sleeping on my couch. She makes a low hum every now and then but other than that, she's completely passed out. I lay the back of my hand on her forehead slowly. The fever's gone.

Now we need to get to Paxton.

Billy

"Ok now what?"... "You are to wait here for Chief Hopper… Here are some change for the vendo in the lobby, get yourself some food to eat."

I stand up and drag myself along the hall for a mere two meters before turning right to the lobby. I didn't seem to notice when I was brought here earlier but there are some Christmas lights surrounding the frame of the machine. I hate Christmas lights, overall I just hate Christmas. It makes me sad. It fucks me up inside and it gives me a feeling of loss over something I never even have or had, that is… It reminds me of the happiness of others. So it reminds me of my own grief, like, the gifts I couldn't have, stale bread and mushroom soup on a Christmas Eve, and most of all, an estranged mother whom I used to share it with. In my entire life I've only had one merry Christmas. That was six years ago, and I was with Jim.

The blinking of the lights brought me back to my senses, and for a quick moment I almost admired them and my thoughts feel a little betrayed by my sentiment. Then, my stomach growls.

Well let's see… Oh why am I not surprised there's no actual food here? I glance at the officer who gave me the change earlier and give him a smirk. Grab something to eat my ass. He whispered something to the other officer in duty and they religiously laughed in chorus. I roll my eyes and slid the coin to the dispenser. Well then, soda it is.

There's a bench in front of the vending machine and I slowly eased into it while drinking my Coke. Not much of a comfort but at least it provides me a view of what's outside. I look to my left side and marvel at another reminder of why I hate this time of the year... Snow. A nasty precipitate. White, but nasty. I slowly turn my whole body to the side facing the main door now. I put my legs up on the bench and lean my head on the wall. And the last thing I remember is seeing a blur.

"Hey, kid. Hey, wake up, Billy!"… I quickly bolt upright at the sound of my name and I see Jim towering over me. The Paxton chief of police then struts to the lobby with a wide grin on his face.

"Chief Hopper, the famous Chief Jim Hopper… It's good to see you again, how are you doing?

"Getting by… Huh…Famous? Well, I guess you can call me a one hit wonder. No one in Hawkins really gives a damn about me anymore. I've stopped receiving cheese cakes and apple pies for a couple of weeks now…"

"Well at least you've got a taste of it, man. I mean, you were on TV and stuff… And the boy who lived. How'd you do that?"

"It's called CPR. Believe me, you wouldn't want to have gone through what I had just to get that child. Just be thankful this town isn't as creepy as it looks."

"Yeah… but how's the boy? You know a lot of rumors have been reaching this town. They say someone kidnapped the kid and drugged the hell out of him which is why he keeps going in and out of the hospital. Some even say he's gone crazy and shit."

"Well it seems to me you haven't got tons of shit to do around here since you've got plenty of time gossiping around"

"Jeez hopper, I'm just saying something must have happened…"

"Nothing happened. Last time I checked- which was about two days ago, the boy is alive and healthy and that's the fact. Maybe its 'bout time you get shit done around this town, I don't know, maybe fixing some road signs and the lights down the bend? It took me more time to get here than I should have because the road on the way here looks like a freaking ghost town."

"Look we got your point hot shot, after what happened to Hawkins we figured we ought to fix those. I mean you can't be too careful right?"

Jim just nods at that last remark obviously feeling bored with this little exchange of pleasantries. I nod every now and then pretending not to feel invisible.

"Huh… well go ahead and be on your way then, just make sure this lad here won't come back round these parts tearing down other people's shit. People have become sensitive nowadays you know, after…"

"Yeah I know... Let's go kid."

….

After signing some papers, we FINALLY set off to wherever it is Jim intends to be. Back to Hawkins probably. As we head outside I didn't notice (I notice I haven't been noticing things lately) that Jim isn't wearing his uniform, and that he isn't driving a patrol car. I quickly braved the cold, thanks to the coat Jim handed to me earlier which smells like dust and cigar and quite surprisingly, it was homely.

He led me into a black Chevy pick-up with some kind of a bulky package at the back. He must have caught me looking so before we go inside he begins to give me the lecture. Yes, right there, in the middle of the cold night. We could have gotten inside the vehicle first, but you know, this is Jim.

"Ok so we've got to lay out some rules. First, watch your language, I'm the only one allowed to cuss here. Second, don't talk about… HER, and third, don't ask questions."

"I am allowed to talk though right?"… "Yes but you are to shut the hell up if I told you to. Now go inside… And don't look at the back."

"Yeah, about that…What's-"… "I said no questions. GET… INSIDE…"- He says this with full authority and with clenched teeth. I can only muster a loud sigh as I go inside trying hard not to look at the mysterious package behind me. I can't figure out what it is but I know that if I ask another question and if he catches me checking it out again I will be kicked out in an instant so I start to build up all the patience and tried to push out all the curiosity out of me for my own survival.

Twenty minutes of silence have gone by and we passed through an old sign that says "Thank you for coming to Paxton" and on the opposite side there's another one that says, "Welcome to Hawkins".

I knew it. I begin to emotionally prepare myself for what's coming. New town, new life, maybe new friends, maybe Jim can even find a job for me to do. As I delude myself in this reverie, Jim suddenly blurts out-"You are not staying here in Hawkins."

Ok… I slowly nod to convey fake approval. So much for daydreaming. I wholeheartedly accepted that, much too quick for my own comfort. At this point in my life, I can just easily accept what the world throws at me. Or maybe, it's just because I trust Jim.

He must have sensed the impending depression of the young man on his passenger seat, so he decides to open his mouth again.

"You've changed… You're not the awkward and timid lad that I used to know. That's good. But what's up with the long curly hair?"... Ok I'm not allowed to ask questions but he's allowed to somehow insult my personal anatomical preferences like how I groom my hair?!

"Well I guess a lot has changed especially since…." SHIT.

Ever since my cousin Sarah died, Jim has completely shut his world off anything that connects him to her, including me. So, whatever the reason why he's with me now is definitely something of monumental significance. I can see the mortified look on his face so I decide to project the suffering to myself. It always works.

"I saw you on TV you know, that's actually one of the reasons why I decided to go here, I thought maybe you were doing fine now and you know… oh never mind, it's just that ever since Mom died, I don't know. The funny thing is, when she was still alive I've always wanted her to just die, so I can start living my own life, but then she did and I didn't realize that I got so used to my dark, wasted life, and I don't even know how to start."

"Billy, look man… I'm sorry about your mom."- He says sympathetically. Ok I can't believe that actually worked.

"I saw it coming, so don't be sorry. So where…" I am about to ask where we'd go but thankfully I was able to restrain myself. "I'm sorry. Rule number 3: No questions." I put up my thumb and index finger on my lips closing up the imaginary zipper of my big, insensitive mouth.

Thank you for reading. So what do you think of Billy?

I might be able to publish Chapter 3 tomorrow and I promise the kids will finally be there. Thanks again!