CHAPTER 15
May 4th, 1989
Eleven finished applying her last coat of mascara and put on her pearl earrings, studying herself in the mirror. She was wearing a dark grey blazer and pencil skirt with black heels, and had to admit she looked quite professional.
A knock at the door. ''El, we have to go.''
She walked out of the courthouse bathroom. Mike was waiting for her in the hallway, looking as handsome as ever in his blue long-sleeve shirt and formal black pants and shoes.
''Ready?'' he asked, fastening the buttons around his wrists. ''We have to get inside the courtroom. They said 5 more minutes.''
''Okay,'' she sighed. ''You look great.''
''And you look stunning, as always,'' he replied, placing his hands on her waist and leaned down to kiss her. ''Nervous?''
''Very. I think I might puke or pass out. I'm not sure which one it's going to be.''
Mike laughed. ''Me too.''
''Guys, we gotta go. Now,'' ordered Hopper from down the hall.
El took Mike's hand as they made their way inside the courtroom. It was packed with people they knew, and some El had never seen before in her life. To their left, she spotted Karen, Holly, and Ted sitting behind Will, Jonathan, and Joyce. The rest of her friends were there, too - Kali, Max, Lucas, Dustin and his new girlfriend - and all of them offering her encouraging looks and gestures as she walked by. Max gave her a quick double thumbs up. Kali nodded her head firmly, mouthing something to her that she couldn't quite make out.
To her right were the representatives and support committee for the Lab. They looked at her with varying degrees of indifference and annoyance. El decided to ignore them and look straight ahead as she made her way to her seat up front. The walk down the courtroom aisle seemed to take forever, but eventually they reached Hopper and their attorney, Benjamin Murphy, an old friend of Hopper's who had agreed to take on their case shortly after El had recovered from her brain surgery almost two years ago.
''All rise to welcome the honorable judge Catherine McKenzie,'' instructed the court registrar, and everyone rose from their seat immediately. A middle-aged blonde woman emerged from the double doors. El studied her carefully. Her facial expression was neutral, but not overly stern, which was encouraging. She wasn't very tall, nor beautiful, but walked through the courtroom with the confidence of a supermodel.
She took a seat behind her stand. ''Be seated. Court is now in session in the case of Jane Ives-Hopper vs. Hawkins National Laboratory.''
''The Court calls Ms. Jane Ives-Hopper to the witness stand,'' stated the court registrar. El rose from her seat, letting go of Mike's hand, which was almost as sweaty as her own.
''You got this, baby,'' murmured Hopper as she walked by him. ''Do what you have to do.''
El made her way to the witness stand, the clicking of her heels echoing loudly across the room. The registrar presented her with a bible, and she placed her hand on top of it.
''Miss Hopper, do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God under pains and penalties of perjury?''
''I do,'' she replied, looking straight at Dr. Owens, who was seated directly in front of her.
''State your full name and date of birth.''
''Jane Ives-Hopper. February 19, 1971.''
''The court calls the defending attorney, Jeffrey Holloway, for questioning,'' bellowed the registrar.
The attorney representing the Lab looked just like she'd imagined he would. A tall, skeletal, older man with greying hair and a very severe looking face. A walking caricature of almost every member of their staff. El wanted to laugh.
''Ms. Hopper, you were born and raised at Hawkins National Laboratory, is that correct?'' demanded Skeletor.
''Yes,'' she stated.
''Your mother was part of the MkUltra Lab testing back in the early 70's?''
''Yes.''
''A program she signed up for of her own accord. After your birth, your mother's mental state rapidly declined, and she quickly fell into a state of catatonia. You do understand the word catatonia, don't you Miss Hopper?''
El tried not to take offence at his condescending tone. ''Yes, I do know what catatonia means. She became... unresponsive. Trapped in her own mind.''
''That's right. Then Martin Brenner adopted you, and raised you in the lab, as per your own mother's will when she signed her papers resigning all legal rights to you," said Skeletor, waving some papers at her. "I understand you were a highly intelligent, skilled young person, and Dr. Brenner saw your potential.''
''I was. I still am,'' replied El.
Skeletor smiled. ''Right. Forgive me. Have you ever been mistreated by Dr. Brenner, Ms. Hopper?''
''Yes, multiple times. When I'd refuse to collaborate, specifically for testing, he would send me to isolation. Or his people would electrocute me. Under his orders, of course.''
''Electrocute you?'' asked the attorney. ''Using what?''
''I'm not sure. But I'd feel the shocks hit me full force right on my skull. Perhaps they used the device they implanted onto my brain when I was child,'' said Eleven. ''The same one that caused me to develop a brain tumour. The one I had to have surgically removed, two years ago.''
''Do we have any evidence of that?'' demanded the judge. The registrar brought on the tiny, two-pronged device and handed it to Skeletor.
He studied it briefly, a mocking expression plastered across his face. ''This is a micro device used to stimulate brain activity, Ms. Hopper. It couldn't have been used to shock you. There are no electrical receptors on this. It works by nuclear force.''
''So it's better to implant a radioactive apparatus onto a child's brain, then?'' she retorted, not being able to help herself. ''Sir, with all due respect, this device could have given me cancer, electrical receptors or no. My doctor, Richard Epstein, says it's a medical miracle that my brain tumour was benign.''
''But it couldn't have shocked you, as you claimed it had.''
El ground her teeth together. ''Probably not, I guess. No.''
He produced more papers from his briefcase. ''These are drawings you made featuring yourself and Dr. Brenner, am I correct?'' he asked, showing them off to her.
''Correct. I drew these when I was very little.''
''It says 'Papa and Me' on four of them. Hearts, hugs, and everything… I understand you were close with Martin Brenner as a child?''
''I was,'' said El. ''At least, I thought I was. That's the thing with mental abuse, Mr. Holloway. You don't know it's really happening until you're out of it., especially when you're a child. I thought it was normal for me to live in constant isolation, have no human interaction other than with doctors, and be forced to spend my days doing tests to hone my mental abilities, because I never knew anything else. Until I escaped, and built a life for myself.''
Skeletor paced in front of her. ''Now, these mental abilities you just mentioned. I understand you claim to have supernatural powers, Ms. Hopper. Or rather, used to have supernatural powers. You claim they were made possible by this device?'' He motioned to the apparatus.
El turned to look at Hopper and Mike. They both nodded.
''Actually, Mr. Holloway, I still do have my powers,'' replied El. Skeleton's face fell. This was their secret weapon, and it was working!
As it turned out, they'd been wrong about the theory that El would lose her powers entirely once the device would be removed. What it did, really, was enhance them. El could still perform telekinesis, but she could no longer, say, close an all-consuming gate to the underworld. But El had pretended that her reported the false news to the Lab, claiming she had lost her powers after the surgery, hoping they would build their case accordingly. And by the looks on the Lab representatives' faces, El knew they hadn't expected this. Their plan had worked!
''Would you like a demonstration, your honor?'' demanded El sweetly, turning to the judge.
''Please,'' she replied. ''By all means.''
She focused on Skeletor's briefcase, and it levitated into the air. The jurors gasped. The color drained from Catherine McKenzie's face. The defense attorney checked for strings under and above the file holder. El made his papers fly out and dance around in the room, then neatly tucked them back into his file holder.
''My legal name may be Jane, Mr. Holloway,'' said El. ''But my real name is Eleven. As in test subject number 11.'' She hiked up her sleeve to reveal her ''011'' tattoo on her forearm. ''As branded at the tender age of two by Dr. Martin Brenner himself.'' The jurors murmured between themselves.
Catherine McKenzie looked over at El, stunned. ''I've never seen anything like that before in my life,'' she declared. ''Truly. Is there anything else you can do?''
''Anything that involves telekinesis. You know, moving objects with my mind,'' replied El. ''When Dr. Epstein discovered the radioactive device in my brain, we thought my… supernatural abilities were powered by it. The only thing it did, really, was enhance them. My friend, Kali Prasad, who was raised in the Lab as well, has her own set of abilities. You should see them for yourself, your honor. I'm sure she'd be happy to demonstrate.'' The chorus of jurors grew so loud, Catherine McKenzie had to slam her mallet down to silence them.
''Silence, please,'' she demanded. She turned to Skeletor. ''Is there anything else you'd like to ask the defendant, Mr. Holloway?''
Skeletor turned briefly towards Dr. Owens, who was slumped down in his chair, hand over his mouth. He shook his head.
''No further questions for the moment, your Honor,'' he replied.
Catherine McKenzie turned to Eleven. ''Your friend is in the audience, Ms. Hopper?''
El pointed her out. ''She's right there, your Honor.'' Every single person in the audience turned towards Kali.
''I'd love to see what she can do,'' said the judge. ''Mr. Murphy, would you care to question the witness?''
Benjamin Murphy rose from his seat immediately, seizing the occasion. ''I would love to, your honor.''
Catherine McKenzie turned to El. ''You're dismissed for now, Ms. Hopper.'' She turned to the audience. ''The court calls the prosecuting attorney, Benjamin Murphy, to the stand.''
El caught a glimpse at the jurors as she walked past them. Most of them were staring at with sheer fascination. Some, however, looked at her with a hint of fear in their eyes. Her attorney gave her a nod and a fraction of a smile as they crossed paths. Mike was beaming proudly at her as she took her seat beside him.
''You should have seen the look on the jurors' faces when you made his papers fly,'' whispered Mike excitedly. ''And the reps for the Lab! It was amazing! I'm so proud of you!''
''The court calls Kali Prasad to the witness stand,'' called the registrar. Kali rose from her seat in the audience and made her way to the witness stand, trying to ignore the growing chorus of hush whispers as best as she could.
''Ms. Prasad,'' said Benjamin Murphy. ''You grew up at Hawkins National Laboratory, just like Ms. Hopper, am I correct?''
''Yes,'' confirmed Kali. ''Jane is my earliest friend.''
''Were you also branded with a tattoo as a young child, corresponding to your subject number, as per Dr. Brenner's request?''
Kali flashed her ''008'' tattoo to the audience. ''I do. As did everyone else who was born at the Lab, I presume. I never knew how many of us there were. They kept us separate - Jane is the only person around my age that I was ever allowed to interact with. I'm not sure why.''
''And have you ever suffered any emotional or physical abuse at the hands of Martin Brenner, or any other member of his staff?''
Kali scoffed. ''More than I can count. I was a bit more of a rebel than Jane. I would often refuse to cooperate. Brenner's associates would often hit me, spank me. Shock me. Among other things.''
The jurors whispered furiously amongst themselves. Catherine McKenzie slammed her hammer down.
''Objection,'' cried Skeletor. ''Prosecution has no concrete evidence of that.''
''Actually, I believe we do, your honor,'' countered Benjamin Murphy. He produced papers from his file holder. ''I have a copy of Ms. Prasad's medical file right here. It would appear that she was once plunged in water so cold that her heart stopped, and had to be shocked back to life with defibrillator paddles at the Lab's medical wing.'' The audience gasped and murmured. Mike looked around, pleased with their discontent.
''May I see that, Mr. Murphy?'' demanded Catherine McKenzie. Benjamin handed her the paper, and she studied it in silence for a few seconds.
''Quite disturbing, indeed,'' mused the judge. ''Please go on, Mr. Murphy.''
Benjamin Murphy looked over at Skeletor with a cocky expression on his face. ''Ms. Prasad, I believe you ran away from the Lab at the age of 10?''
''Correct. I used my own special abilities to help me distract the security,'' admitted Kali.
''And just like Ms. Hopper, you had your own cranial device removed under the instructions of Dr. Richard Epstein at Hawkins General?''
''Correct.''
''May you demonstrate your abilities to the jurors, Ms. Prasad?'' asked the judge.
''Of course,'' said Kali. She closed her eyes. A small dragon barged through the double doors of the courtroom. Everyone gasped loudly, and a few people screamed, including one of the Lab employees. The dragon circled around the courtroom ceiling, breathing purple flames. It made a fast dive towards Dr. Owens, and disappeared just as it was about to crash into him. Everyone in the audience - including the jurors - began to clap. Mike laughed. This was way too easy.
''What on Earth was that?'' murmured Catherine McKenzie, completely awe-struck.
''I create illusions, your Honor. I can make you see whatever you wish to see.''
The audience's hushed whispers rose to a low hum. Catherine McKenzie slammed her mallet down again.
''Truly amazing, Ms. Prasad,'' she admitted.
''Thank you, your Honor.''
''Your Honor, I would like to call Dr. Richard Epstein to the stand for questioning,'' said Benjamin Murphy.
''Certainly,'' allowed the judge. ''Ms. Prasad, you're dismissed for now.''
Kali rose from the witness stand to return to her seat in the audience. The jurors stared at her in total amazement as she walked past them.
''The court calls Dr. Richard Epstein to the stand,'' called the registrar.
Benjamin Murphy proceeded to question Dr. Epstein, mainly about the effects of nuclear substances on the human body. Dr. Epstein confirmed that they were linked directly to the development of cancers and physical anomalies - on humans and animals alike - and provided evidence from the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster. Animals with six to eight legs, goats with two heads, and humans with varying degrees of physical disproportionalities.
''The Chernobyl victim count continues to rise,'' continued Dr. Epstein. ''So many people have been diagnosed with cancer since the disaster. Some are developing tumours just now, years later. Nuclear technology can be powerful and efficient, but it's also incredibly dangerous, if used in the wrong hands.'' He glared at the Lab representatives sitting before him.
''And as a health practitioner, would you ever consider implanting one of these devices on the brain of a child, no less?''
''Never. The risks are way too high. Especially with long-term exposure, such as in the cases of Kali and Jane. As Jane said earlier, it truly is a medical miracle that her tumour turned out to be benign. Brain cancers are often fatal." He paused, turning to smile fondly at El. "However, I've never had patients with superhuman abilities such as theirs. Maybe Jane and Kali's… mutations have helped their bodies heal with time. I have to admit that their abilities are beyond my comprehension, your Honor.''
''I think they're beyond anyone's comprehension, doctor,'' conceded the judge. ''I guess there are some things even logic can't explain.''
''No further questions for the witness, your Honor,'' said El's attorney, satisfied with Dr. Epstein's testimony.
''I'm calling a recess,'' declared Catherine McKenzie. ''30 minute break is now in session.''
Most of jurors looked back at the Lab representatives with facial expressions ranging from disdain to downright hatred before disappearing in the back of the courtroom to discuss the trial. El thought she saw Catherine McKenzie offer her a glimpse of a smile and nod before disappearing into her own back room.
Mike turned to El and Hopper, looking like a kid on Christmas morning. ''Could this be going any better?''
''Owens hasn't spoken yet, but I doubt he's got anything on us. We're nailing them,'' said Hopper.
El was hopeful as well. ''I think we've already got most of the jurors in our back pocket.''
As they exited the courtroom, they spotted Holly playing with what appeared to be a baby unicorn. It danced around Holly as she tried to pet it, causing her to burst into a fit of giggles every time the creature dipped its head away from her. Kali was sitting nearby, looking like she was having just as much fun as Holly was. People stood around them watching in awe, some even taking pictures.
''Mike, look!'' exclaimed Holly excitedly when she spotted her older brother. The unicorn licked her cheek and Holly burst out laughing. Mike smiled at his little sister affectionately. It was one of the sweetest things he'd ever seen.
When Karen spotted El and Mike, she gave Ted a quick elbow jab, and the two came forward.
''Jane, I… I don't know what to say. I didn't know you could… I didn't know your friend could…'' she trailed off, glancing back at her youngest daughter interacting with a mythological creature come to life. ''I mean, I wasn't aware of any of it.''
''It was kind of top-secret," said El. "But we had to risk the exposure to help us with the case. Our attorney figured the more witnesses, the better.''
''Well yes, your… abilities are one thing, but I didn't know about your past, sweetie. The abuse. Michael never told us anything,'' Karen said, casting an accusing look at Mike.
Mike opened his mouth to say something, but Eleven cut him off to avoid a potential confrontation.
''It's not his fault, Karen. I asked him to not say anything. It's… it's kind of personal.''
''Well, you turned out to be a wonderful young lady, my dear,'' interjected Ted. ''And we're very proud to have you in our family.''
Mike and Karen turned to look at Ted, their jaws down to the floor. Even El had to make an considerable effort to conceal her utter shock at the statement. Her father-in-law had spoken maybe ten words to her in six years.
''Uh… thank you Mr. Wheeler,'' she replied. ''I feel blessed to be a part of your son's life.''
Karen beamed at El. ''We ought to make an effort to spend more time together, sweetheart. We've known each other for so long, yet I feel like I barely know you. Mike likes to keep you all to himself.''
Mike shot his mother a look. "Mom -"
El felt the need to interrupt him again. ''I would love that, Karen."
30 minutes later, court was back in session, and everyone returned to their seats.
"The court calls Dr. Samuel Owens to the witness stand," announced the registrar. Dr. Owens took his place. Skeletor rose from his seat at the defendants' table to question his client.
"Alright, here goes nothing," murmured Hopper. Mike and Eleven exchanged nervous glances. El grabbed Mike's hand, and let out a shaky breath.
"It's gonna be okay," whispered Mike. "I love you."
"I love you too," she whispered back, giving his hand a squeeze.
"Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God under pains and penalties of perjury?" demanded the registrar while holding out the bible to him.
"Actually, that's what I came up here to do," replied Dr. Owens. "I wish to confess."
Mike and El glanced at each other.
"Confess?" repeated Skeletor nervously.
"That's right," continued Dr. Owens. "Your Honor, I've never physically harmed Jane Hopper. But I can't sit here with my mouth shut, and stand by this institution after everything it's done to her. And to Ms. Prasad," he declared, nodding respectfully at Kali. "And I certainly won't stand by that demented old fool, Brenner. May Satan have his soul."
The jurors murmured furiously amongst each other once again. Skeletor looked down at Dr. Owens, dumbfounded.
"Everything that Ms. Hopper has said is true," declared Owens. "We specialize in nuclear technology at Hawkins National Laboratory, but Martin Brenner was obsessed with the paranormal, and experimented with it quite frequently. He used the tools that were available to him at the Lab, as well as our government funding, to lead his sadistic experiments, and took things way too far."
"As current director at Hawkins National Laboratory,'' he continued, ''I can honestly say I've never led any kind of experiment involving the paranormal. I've never mistreated any of my patients. We no longer conduct cruel, sadistic experiments. Not under my watch. But it's a part of our past. And I won't try to hide it anymore. Even if it means losing my job."
The noise in the courtroom grew unacceptably loud again, but the judge was too stunned to silence them. Mike, Hopper, and El glanced at each other anxiously. Was this really happening?
"Silence," finally ordered Catherine McKenzie. She turned to Dr. Owens. "Dr. Owens, I appreciate your honesty. I think you made the right choice, considering the undeniable - and quite frankly, sickening - evidence against your institution. All jurors in favor of Jane Ives-Hopper, raise your hand," she demanded. All twelve jurors' hands shot up immediately.
She turned to Dr. Owens with raised eyebrows. "Not that the jury's vote was necessary, given your confession, Dr. Owens. I was just curious."
Scattered laughter in the crowd. El thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest, and Mike was gripping her hand so hard it almost hurt.
"In the matter of Jane Hopper vs. Hawkins National Laboratory, I pronounce the defendants guilty on all accounts. Hawkins National Laboratory will pay a 10% fine of its net worth, or 1.2 million dollars, to the victim to cover for all mental and physical damages, past medical expenses, as well as any further medical retribution in the event of a possible health relapse.'' Catherine McKenzie slammed her hammer down for the final time.
Mike, El, and Hopper all looked at each other, stunned. The audience exploded into applause. Her friends stood up, hooting and cheering. Even Dr. Owens was clapping. The jurors rose to a standing ovation, as did the rest of the crowd. Except the Lab representatives, of course.
Mike shot up from his seat, and helped El to her feet, throwing his arms around her waist as soon as she'd steadied herself. El wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him back tightly.
He pulled her away and placed both hands on the sides of her face. ''You did it, El! You did it!'' he practically shouted over the deafening roar of the crowd, and leaned down to kiss her. ''I love you so much! I'm so proud of you!'' he told her, wrapping his arms around her once again.
Suddenly, her dad grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a giant bear hug. She squeezed back as hard as she could.
''I'm so proud of you, baby! I'm so proud of you!'' He told her over and over. When she pulled away, he kissed the top of her head.
Her friends and family appeared at her side, yanking her in all directions to have their turn at hugging and congratulating her.
And El knew it was the best moment of her life.