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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 9 days ago

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CHAPTER 6: THE MONSTER

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: We have the long awaited alley scene! (P.S. This is the outfit I picture Diana wearing except her hair is out, big and curly like Diana Ross)

Warnings: Homophobic and sexual slurs. Violence.

Word Count: 4245

Masterlist

PART I || PART II || PART III || PART IV

HUNTING & CAMPING

The Hunting & Camping store smells like wet wood, dust and metal. I examine the watermark stains on the ceiling and the thin layer of dust coating almost everything as I stroll down an aisle with different types of lights and lanterns. Different styles of fishing rods line the right side of the wall while taxidermies of beavers and bears line the left side. I peer behind a set of glass lanterns at the clerk standing behind the front counter. The bored expression on his face makes me wonder how many customers have come in since opening because Nancy, Jonathan, and I are the only people here on a Saturday morning.

I continue down the aisle avoiding the creepy taxidermies. It’s all bizarre. Not once did I ever think I’d be shopping at this store for weapons and traps for a monster I never knew existed in efforts to find my best friend who went missing four days ago. I hum along to the old country song playing in the store approaching a new aisle with hardware items where Nancy stands at the other end skimming through different sledge hammers. A set of nails catch my eye. They’re about five-inches in length and three-centimeters thick. I grab the set making my way toward Nancy just as she assess a sledge hammer in her hands. Upon sensing my presence, she turns toward me holding it up.

“What do you think of this?” she muses.

“Take it.” I reply, putting the nails in the shopping basket in the crook of her arm. Nancy nods her head adding the sledge hammer.

“Anything else you think we need?” Nancy asks, eyes darting between rows.

I turn toward the creepy taxidermies at the end of the row and squint at the set of items alongside the wall. I motion for Nancy to follow me as I walk toward a small section filled with various bear traps. A large steel trap catches my eye. It’s a perfect size to capture the thing and strong enough to at least cause some damage assuming it doesn’t have impenetrable skin. I’m not sure how much the creature can endure, but this should do. Jonathan approaches us holding a small gas tank and lighter fluid. I tilt my head to the side and turn to look at him. He makes a noise nodding his head. Nancy and I shrug. Sounds like a yes to us. I take the bear trap.

After a few minutes of grabbing a couple more things, Jonathan, Nancy and I approach the front counter, setting everything down. The clerk looks over the nails, lighter fluid, gas tank, steel bear trap, sledge hammer, matches, and flashlight, arching his brow in suspicion.

“And I’ll have four boxes of the .38s.” Jonathan adds. The clerk picks up four boxes adding it to the pile of items. He looks at the three of us, down at the counter and back at us. Three teenagers buying weapons on a Saturday morning is definitely a cause for caution. I try my best to look as innocent and unassuming as possible and put on my best smile, tucking a curl behind my ear.

“What you kids doin’ with all this?” The clerk asks. I look at Jonathan and Nancy not sure of what to tell him.

“Monster hunting.” Nancy answers.

The clerk scoffs ringing up the bill. I snort, covering my mouth with my hand. It wasn’t a lie, but I never expected her to say it. From the corner of my eye, Jonathan is trying to hold his laughter.

“Monster Hunting?” Jonathan says, as we all walk to his car carrying the items we bought.

“I can’t believe you said that, Nance!”

I help Jonathan hold the box while he opens the trunk of his car. Nancy smiles shaking her head, lifting the gas tank into the trunk. Jonathan and I carefully place the cardboard box in the trunk too.

“Last week I was shopping for a new top I thought Steve might like.” Nancy says. I remember listening to her gush to me on the phone about the shopping trip and the top she bought to wear to school. I had an impromptu rehearsal so I couldn’t go. “It took me and Barb all weekend. It seemed like life of death, you know? And now—”

“You’re shopping for bear traps with Jonathan Byers.” Jonathan teases, slamming the trunk closed.

Nancy looks at him and nods her head. “Yeah.”

“What’s the weirdest part? Me or bear trap?”

“You. Definitely, you.”

“We do enjoy your company though.” I tease, grinning up at him.

Jonathan nudges my arm and we all laugh. For a moment, it all feels normal. Like we are just a couple of friends hanging out on a Saturday morning. Not monster hunting or solving mysterious disappearances in our town. Normal. But I know this isn’t normal. Nothing that has happened the past four days is. Will this be my new normal? A car honks popping our bubble. I turn around to find out who is honking and what is going on. A maroon-coloured Mustang turns the corner and a boy who I don’t know smiles at us hanging out window.

“Hey, Nance, can’t wait to see your movie.” He laughs as his friend speeds off down the road.

“What the hell was that?”

Jonathan takes the words right out of my mouth. That boy was definitely someone who went to Hawkins High. How else would he know who Nancy is. How does he know who Nancy is? I frown, tucking a curl behind my ear. Hawkins High wasn’t a big school; it was the only high school in town, but it isn’t small enough for that guy to know who Nancy is unless…I rub my lips together feeling a sense of dread crash over me. Something is wrong. Nancy looks frantic, blue eyes darting in every direction. She stops, standing straight. I watch her eyes widen in realization and reach out to her.

“What’s wrong?”

Nancy whips around staring down the road. I turn around too trying to see what has her on edge. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary, only townsfolk walking to and from their destinations. Suddenly Nancy is sprinting down the road.

“Nancy? Where are you going?” I shout, running after her. “Nancy! What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

“Nancy!” Jonathan shouts behind me. “Nancy, wait!”

I see it before I slow down to a jog, stopping beside her. It feels like a trapdoor is inside my stomach, opening wide enough for me to fall through. My hands fly to my mouth, muffling my gasp. There up on the marquee at Hawkins Cinema, is a big and bold sign premiering the new Tom Cruise movie, All The Right Moves, but spray painted in bright red letters it says “STARRING NANCY THE SLUT WHEELER”.

HAWKINS CINEMA

I’m trying to process the unbelievable sight in front of me, but my mind is struggling to reconcile reality. Nancy looks at me, eyes brimming with tears. I feel helpless and I don’t know what to do. Her eyes search for confirmation, seeking reassurance that what she had witnessed was not a figment of her imagination. All I do is stare back at her.

“Shit.” Jonathan gasps, staring up at the sign in disbelief.

Nancy’s breathing becomes shallow and I fear she is going to have an emotional breakdown. I rush to hug her squeezing her in my arms. Nancy squeezes back. I hear her sniffle and instantly my eyes start to burn as I fight back tears. I can’t believe someone would do this to her. Rage bubbles deep in my stomach. I am so angry; I can’t even think straight. From the corner of my eye, I notice a small crowd forming around us. Strangers stare at Nancy and I, some whispering in disgust to each other, others show more compassion, sending us questioning looks instead of repulsion. I stare up at the marquee again, reading the words over and over again until they are etched into my brain. Who would do such a disgusting thing like this?

A faint sound of laughter perks my interest. Nancy tears herself away from my grasp, frowning. She turns toward the sound and marches down the road to an alleyway.

"Nance?” I shout, scurrying behind. She continues down the alley her hands balled into tight fists.

I turn the corner and find Carol, Nicole, Tommy H and Steve Harrington, all laughing, watching Tommy spray paint on the side of a building. Red spray paint. Nancy stomps toward the group and Carol is the first one to notice her.

“Hey there, princess!” Carol sneers, smiling.

“Uh-oh, she looks upset.” Tommy teases. A lit cigarette hangs from his lips as he shakes the aluminum can.

Steve glares at Nancy. I don’t like the way he’s looking at her and walk behind in case something happens. What I don’t expect to see is Nancy’s hand connecting with Steve’s cheek. The slap is so loud, I can hear it from down the alley.

“Damn!” Tommy exclaims, taking the cigarette out from between his lips. He couldn’t contain the grin on his face even if he tried. He’s so disgusting.

Everyone gasps from the initial shock but soon Tommy, Carol and Nicole are laughing. I scoff in disgust. This is all some game to them. Steve clenches his jaw, giving Nancy the dirtiest look I’ve ever seen him give.

“What is wrong with you?” Nancy shouts.

“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you?” Steve shouts back. “I was worried about you,” he scoffs shaking his head, laughing bitterly. “I can’t believe I was actually I worried about you.”

Worried? About Nancy? Why?

Nancy shakes her head. “What are you talking about?”

“I wouldn’t lie if I were you,” Carol chimes in, smiling condescendingly. “You don’t want to be known as the lying slut now, do you?”

“Don’t call her that!” I snap, approaching the crowd. I stand protectively behind Nancy, glaring at Carol.

“Why am I not surprised to see you, Sinclair?” Tommy jumps down from the ledge, smirking as he takes a drag of his cigarette. He intentionally blows the smoke in my face and I back away repulsed. Tommy’s lips spread to a grin. “Freaks, perverts, now sluts. Always associating yourself with such garbage.”

My eyes narrow as I try to decipher the cryptic message. This is the second time this week Tommy has said something like that to me. Once before in the parking lot at school and now here in the alley. Who’s the freak? What is he talking about? I think back to Wednesday. Jonathan got caught with those disgusting photos in his backpack, Steve broke his camera. But Tommy mentioned freaks and perverts before all that happened. Who is he talking about? I am distracted by the wall behind Tommy. Written in large red letters is “BYERS IS A PERV”. I scoff in distaste. Carol notices where my gaze is and grins at me like the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland.

“Maybe we should add ‘DIANA SINCLAIR LOVES ANAL’” she boasts. Nicole cackles beside her.

“Leave me alone!”

“Leave me alone!” Nicole mimics, pouting dramatically.

“Aw, sounds like Anal Princess is growing a backbone.” Carol taunts.

“Stop calling me that!” I snap, growing angrier by the second.

Carol arches a plucked eyebrow at me and tilts her head to the side smiling, clearly enjoying my reactions. “Or what?” she challenges.

“Speak of the Devil.” Tommy says flicking his cigarette against the wall. “Hi,” he waves at Jonathan. I have a strong feeling they were all waiting for Jonathan to arrive to start their antics.

“You came by last night?”

“Ding! Ding! Ding! Does she get a prize?” Carol mocks Nancy, but Steve doesn’t flinch staring down at her with such…resentment. What did he see to have such a vitriol reaction like this?

“Look, I don’t know what you think you saw, but it wasn’t like that.”

“What, you just let him into your room to…study?” I wince. I know enough to know that studying doesn’t truly mean reviewing school work.

Tommy steps in front of me and Jonathan. “Or for another pervy photo session?” He laughs as if that's something to laugh about.

I run my fingers through my hair trying to make sense of what the problem was here. Judging by Jonathan’s clothing it is obvious he stayed over at Nancy’s last night after our brief albeit traumatizing encounter with the monster. I know how much Nancy likes Steve; she wouldn’t jeopardize her relationship. But why was Steve at Nancy’s house late at night in the first place?

"I went to check on my girlfriend!" Steve shouts. I didn't realize I voiced my thoughts out loud.

"But what happened?" Nancy wouldn't do anything compromising.

Steve’s dark brown eyes grow icy and dark. If looks could kill, I’d be dead. “As if you didn’t know from the start, Sinclair!” He motions between Jonathan and I, scowling. “It would explain why you’re always protecting the pervert.”

“Excuse me? I’m not protecting anyone. I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!”

Nancy shakes her head furiously. “We were just—”

“You were just what?” Steve whips his head back. “Finish the sentence.” He demands, stepping closer to her. I prepare myself to step between them. Nancy doesn’t say anything. I mean what could she say? Steve isn’t going to believe her. There’s so much he doesn’t know or understand yet he’s jumping to such harmful conclusions at the expense of her. The silence is loud between everyone. I watch the anger in Steve’s eyes slip to a look of disappointment. The wall is back up in a flash, but I saw it.

“Go to hell, Nancy.”

“Hey!” I shout, stomping toward him. “You don’t talk to her like that!” I feel someone pulling my arm away but I shake them off standing my ground. Steve has a lot of nerve embarrassing Nancy like this and I’ve had enough of it. I point up at him, the way my mom points at Erica or Lucas when they get in trouble.

“You don’t talk to her like that.” I repeat. Steve’s nostrils flare.

“You gonna let Sinclair talk to you like that, Steve?” Tommy interjects. Steve doesn’t respond, but I can see in his eyes, the wall he built crack and I catch a glimpse of hurt he feels inside. I blink putting my hand down. Steve’s hurt. Genuinely hurt by all of this.

“Diana, come on.” Jonathan says, pulling me away. “Let’s just leave—”

“You know what, Byers?” Steve speaks. “I’m actually kind of impressed. I always took you for a queer.” I try to turn around but Jonathan’s grasp on my arm is almost iron clad as he guides me and Nancy away from the situation. I can’t believe Steve would say that, knowing the implications of that word especially in a small town like this. Steve pushes Jonathan. “I guess you’re just a little screw-up like your father. That house is full of screw-ups. I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised.”

Jonathan stops walking. I can hear him panting angrily behind me, his grip on me tightens and I wince. Jonathan immediately removes his hand on me and I turn grabbing his arm, looking into his eyes. Anger radiates off him, I can feel it. I don’t want him to stoop down to their level. He’s better than that.

“Don’t listen to him, Jonathan.” I plead, tugging on his arm. “Let’s go.”

“This is rich!” Tommy shouts. “First, I seen you talking to that freak of nature and now you’re back defending this pervert.”

My eyes widen slightly and my heartbeat picks up speed. Eddie. Tommy is talking about Eddie. I was talking to him by my lockers and we ate lunch together in his van…was Tommy watching us the entire time? How did I not notice? I press my lips together feeling the rage inside my stomach bubble and rise. Eddie is not a freak. Tommy doesn’t even know him the way I do. He has no right to call him that especially when Eddie hasn’t done anything to warrant such a name. Between Tommy and Officer Callahan, even Principal Higgins, I don’t understand why they think so badly about him.

“You get off on weirdos, Sinclair? Is that your thing?”

“You’re disgusting!” I yell.

Nancy tugs my arm. “Diana, let’s go. He’s an idiot.”

“Your mom!” Steve continues, pushing Jonathan again. He stumbles into me. “I’m not even surprised what happened to your brother. I’m sorry I have to be the one to say it—”

“Steve, shut up!” Nancy yells.

“That’s right, keep walking away, Sinclair!”

“But the Byers? Their family, it’s a disgrace to the entire—”

Jonathan swings punching Steve in the face. Everyone is stunned to silence, even Tommy. I shriek, jumping out the way when Steve tackles Jonathan onto the car. They tussle until Steve grabs Jonathan by the jacket throwing him to the ground. The sound of Jonathan’s head knocking against the asphalt makes me sick to my stomach.

“Steve!” Nancy shouts. “Steve, stop it!”

“Knock it off!” Carol adds.

“Tommy! Get in there and make them stop!” Nicole shouts.

“C’mon, Steve!” Tommy encourages. “Kick his ass man!”

My hands tremble with repressed fury and I curl my fingers into tight fists. I’m so sick of Tommy and his stupid male bravado. Steve climbs on top of Jonathan and starts to punch him in the face delivering heavy blows. No one is doing anything to stop it so I rush over to try to get him off Jonathan. Steve pulls his arm back narrowly missing my face and I scream, stumbling backward.

“Diana!” Nancy screams.

Steve looks back at me and it’s enough for Jonathan to get the upper hand. He punches Steve knocking him to the ground. The sound of skin hitting skin is too much for me to handle. I feel someone grab my waist, hoisting me away.

“Are you crazy, Sinclair?” Tommy exclaims. “Trying to break up a fight between two men.” He unfortunately has a point but I’m too angry to care. I struggle against him, pushing him away.

Jonathan and Steve are both standing, faces bloody and bruised. Jonathan swings landing a vicious punch that has Steve stumbling backward. I have never seen Jonathan like this before. So full of rage. Each punch is heavy and forceful, like he’s finally allowing himself to feel all the emotions he tried so hard to hide. His father coming back to town, Will's funeral, having to take care of Miss Byers. Steve ignited a rage so deep; I know he doesn’t have the stamina or skills to hold up on his own. Tommy must have noticed it too because he charges at Jonathan pushing him away. He raises his fist to attack Jonathan but Steve pushes him away.

“Get out! Get out of here!”

Tommy reluctantly moves out of the way and Jonathan swings again, but this time Steve sees it coming and ducks, sucker punching Jonathan in the nose.

“Stop it!” I shout.

Neither boy listen. Jonathan lands a punch so loud I scream. Steve stumbles backward dazed and confused. He trips over his foot falling to the pavement. I watch Jonathan climb on top of Steve and start beating his face in. A sickening wave of terror wells up from my stomach. Jonathan is going to kill Steve if he doesn’t stop. Frightened tears spill from my eyes.

“Jonathan! Stop it! You’re gonna kill him!”

I rush toward the boys again reaching out to grab Jonathan’s shirt. Tommy grabs me so fast I trip on my foot falling rather ungracefully into him.

“Jesus Christ, Sinclair! Stop doing that!”

“Let go of me!”

“Shit! The cops!” Tommy exclaims. He pushes me aside charging toward Jonathan and Steve to pry them apart. “He’s had enough! Goddammit! I said he’s had enough!”

Carol and Nicole flee just as Officer Callahan and Officer Powell jump out the car. Officer Callahan reaches out to grab Jonathan just as his arm recoils back hitting him. He curses falling back against the car, holding his nose. Tommy pulls Steve up, dragging him past me and down the alley. Officer Powell pulls Jonathan away slamming him on top the car. He is in handcuffs before I can blink. Officer Callahan runs after Steve and Tommy as Officer Powell shoves Jonathan in the back of the car.

“Diana! Are you okay?” Nancy rushes to me, holding my shoulders.

I tremble watching the specks of blood on the pavement, Jonathan bloody and bruised in the car, and lastly at Nancy. Tears brim my eyes. How did it get to this?

HAWKINS POLICE STATION

“Are you going to call our parents?” I ask Officer Powell as we reverse out of the alley.

Encountering police officers twice in one week is an all-time record. After Officer Callahan ran back with blood dripping from his nose. He told Officer Powell that Steve and Tommy got away in a BMW before he can catch them. Nancy and I had to squeeze ourselves into the back seat of the car with Jonathan and accompany him back to the police station for questioning.

“Do I need a reason to call your parents?” he responds, eying me through the rear-view mirror. I shake my head. “Then I’m not going to call your parents.”

I let out a breath. Officer Powell and Callahan I can handle. The wrath of Charles and Susan Sinclair are another story. The drive to the station is short since it is down the street from the cinema. I’m annoyed, Tommy, Carol, Nicole, and Steve escape, but Jonathan, Nancy and I are in the back of a cop car to be questioned. This whole mess started because of them.

Officer Powell and Officer Callahan escort the three of us inside. The police station is much more homely than I thought it would be. It smells strongly of coffee, donuts and paper. Several desks are pushed together in rows, with typewriters, a cup full of stationary, old cups of coffee and name tags. Two police officers stare at us from the far corner as we enter. A small, elder lady jumps up from her chair at her desk rushing toward Officer Callahan. I scrunch my nose in disgust at the dry blood between his fingers. Jonathan must have got him really good. The elder lady mumbles to herself about the dangers of working in the field, tending to Officer Callahan.

Officer Powell plops Jonathan onto a chair before radioing in Chief Hopper. My eyes widen. Chief Hopper? I don’t think he needs to know about all of this. Miss Byers has been through enough already this week.

“Wait here.” He instructs, walking away. Nancy and I share a look. How did it get to this?

I glance at the damage done to Jonathan. It’s not that bad considering. His lip is cut and there’s a horrific bruise darkening on his cheekbone. I pan down to his fists. They’re bloody, bruised and swelling. I can only imagine how Steve looks. The sound of skin hitting skin makes my skin crawl. I can’t sit here.

“I’m gonna get you some ice.” I mutter, walking away.

“I’m coming with you,” Nancy says.

The elder lady I quickly find out is the secretary named Florence “Flo” for short. She helps me with ice for Jonathan. Flo grabs a dish towel and scoops two handfuls of ice onto it.

“Do you think we’ll be out of here soon?” Nancy asks.

“You two, yes. Him? No. He assaulted a police officer.”

“It wasn’t on purpose.” I mumble. Flo gives me a stern look.

“Well, how long are you gonna keep him?”

“You and your boyfriend have big plans, do you?” I make a face. Boyfriend? Jonathan and Nancy?

“He’s not my boyfriend.” Nancy crosses her arms across her chest, laughing uncomfortably. Flo doesn’t look convinced.

“I think you better tell him that.”

“What?” Nancy and I say at the same time. Flo gives us both a look as if we were smart enough to tell.

“Only love makes you that crazy, sweetheart. And that damn stupid.”

Flo hands me the dishtowel and walks back to her desk. Nancy and I stand there for a moment processing. I scoff. Jonathan didn’t get into a fight with Steve because he loves Nancy. He got into a fight because Steve talked bad about his family, especially Miss Byers and Will. Nancy had nothing to do with that. Unless…I look at Jonathan again. Why else would he take photos of Nancy? Or even try to help us find Barb? No. It doesn’t make any sense. I shake my head scoffing again. Flo doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Yet, a small part of me in the back of my mind thinks different.

I look around the room, at the police officers, at Flo, at Jonathan and Nancy. A fleeting headache pulses at my temples and I’m about to ask Flo for ice for myself, but that would mean I have to stay in this stuffy room and I can’t stay longer. I need fresh air and space.

“I’m going for a walk.” I mutter, putting the dishtowel of ice in Nancy’s hand.

CHAPTER 7: THE BATHTUB

Taglist 🤍: @tinydramatist

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 9 days ago

Text

CHAPTER 6: THE MONSTER

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: We have another Lucas/Diana scene with complex emotions! I kinda feel bad for Diana. She's going through so much personally on her own but she's putting on a brave face while also trying to fix everything by trying to find Barb. It's a lot for a 15-year old to deal with.

Warnings: Swearing.

Word Count: 3082

Masterlist

PART I || PART II || PART III || PART IV

SINCLAIR RESIDENCE

“Diana.”

I snap open my eyes lurching forward in panic only to smack my head against something hard.

“Ow!”

“Son of a bitch!”

Lucas curses stumbling backward. My head hurts so much it’s developing a pulse.

“What the heck, Diana!” Lucas snaps, holding his head.

“Why were you hovering over me like that?” I grumble, rubbing my forehead tenderly. I’m too tired to scold Lucas for swearing.

“Mom told me to wake you. Everyone is downstairs eating breakfast.” I groan flopping back onto my pillow. I don’t know what time I fell asleep or even when I did. But looking down I see I slept on my sheets with no blanket. All I remember is figuring out—I lurch forward again and Lucas flinches. “What’s the matter with you!?”

I ignore him crawling to the foot of my bed and sure enough, files and papers are scattered across my room. I push my tangled curls out my face, climbing off my bed and crouch in front of my papers. Everything came rushing back. The monster is a true predator and attacks based on primal instinct. We need to lure it to us with blood.

“Diana?”

“Hm?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, of course.” I reply, organizing my notes. “Why do you ask?” I need to call Nancy and then we can get Jonathan to help us find the thing.

“You’re mumbling to yourself like Sméagol.”

I scrunch my nose, putting a small stack of papers in its respective file. “Sméagol?”

“Gollum.” Lucas sighs.

I stop what I’m doing and squint at him. “Gollum?”

Lucas rolls his eyes, waving his hand. “Never mind.”

I shrug, returning back to my task. Where can we lure the monster? It can’t be in the forest, that’s where it lives, at least that’s where it lives where it came from. To have the upper hand, we need to trap it in an enclosed space where it can’t attack us. But where? Hawkins is a small town, there’s nowhere to put this thing without drawing attention to ourselves—

“What’s with the flowers?”

I snap my head to the side not expecting Lucas to still be in my room, especially after our collision. I blink. Flowers? Oh. I close the filing bin stumbling toward the dresser. The flowers Eddie got me are in a small jar of water. I was so spooked out last night I didn’t notice them. That also means Mom was in my room yesterday. I trace a finger along a petal and the butterflies flutter in my stomach. Suddenly the petals of the flowers turn to teeth and I recoil snapping my hand back.

“Seriously, Diana. What the heck is wrong with you?”

I open my eyes and the flowers are just flowers. No teeth. Just flowers. “Nothing. I’m fine.” I back away rubbing my head. The throbbing pain has turned to a dull ache.

“Are you sure?” Lucas asks. “You seem…” I arch my brow waiting for him to finish the sentence. A momentary look of discomfort crossed his face and he decides against saying what he really wants to say. “Chipper.”

“Ha. Ha.” I deadpan. “I didn’t get much sleep last night, if that’s what you’re referring to.”

“I can tell.” Lucas mumbles under his breath. I ignore his comment going into my closet to find clothes to wear for the day.

From the corner of my eye, I see the trash bag with my soiled clothes in the corner and my heart begins to beat slow and heavy in my chest. I need to figure out how to get rid of that without being questioned. I lick my lips and clear my throat sifting through my clothes. “Tell mom, I’ll be down soon. I’m just freshening up.”

Today we are going kill the thing and find Will and Barb. Then everything will be okay and life can return to normal. I can go back to dance and be the best damned Lead Marzipan Hawkins has ever seen. However, I need to find an outfit to start this chain of events. I find a pair of old denim overalls Mom gave to me from when she was a teenager. They’re a little big but comfy. I pull a plaid button up shirt and rummage through my shelf where I keep my long sleeve tops and pick out a white long-sleeved shirt. Throwing my clothes over my shoulder, I crouch down to my knees looking for a pair of sneakers. After all that running I did last night in boots, I need to be prepared today. Classic black and white converse it is.

I am surprised to still see Lucas in my room when I drop my clothes on my bed. He’s staring at the flowers on my dresser and I hope he doesn’t ask about them again. I’ve already been interrogated by Erica. I pass him to get to my dresser finding a pair of socks to put on. It is not uncommon for Lucas to be in my room while I’m doing something. Usually, he’s lying down on my bed reading a comic book explaining what’s happening to me even though we both know I have no idea what he’s talking about or I’m practising a variation asking him for his opinion on what looks better. But right now, my room feels the same way his room felt on Monday. Cold. Lucas is right beside me yet, I feel miles away from him.

I tilt my head to the side, studying my brother. Though intensely calm, his dark brown eyes held the smallest hints of concern. When he rubs the back of his head wincing in discomfort, my big sister alarm immediately goes off.

“What’s wrong?” Lucas stiffens at the question and my eyes go wide. I march to him reaching out to touch his head. Lucas leans back, frowning up at me.

“What are you doing?” He grunts, nostrils flaring.

“What happened to your head?”

Lucas presses his lips together as though holding back what he really wanted to say. I tuck a curl behind my ear and sigh, leaning beside him.

“If something happened to you at the Wheeler’s—”

“Nothing happened.” Lucas grumbles, stubbornly.

“Okay, well, something did happen or else you wouldn’t be here still. I’m awake now.”

“Fine. I’ll go then.” He grumbles, marching to my door. My jaw drops and I rush after him blocking his path.

“Lucas!”

I’m so confused and after my near-death experience, lack of sleep, and head trauma, my patience is running thin. I clasp my hands together closing my eyes and count down from five in my head. “I’m just trying to help,” I say as calmly as possible, opening my eyes. “You know you can tell me anything.” Lucas doesn’t say anything, but the line between his forehead disappears. “Is it about Will? I know the past few days have been hard and I am so sorry if I haven’t been there for you as much. But I’m here for you, you know that right?”

Lucas looks down, twisting his mouth. “I know,” he mumbles. “It’s just…”

“What?”

I can see the cogs turning in his head. It’s like he’s fighting within himself about something and it worries me. Usually, I am in tune and hyper aware of his emotions and what’s happening in his life, but with everything that’s going on with Barb and what happened in the woods, I feel like I’ve fallen off in being there for him.

“I can’t believe he’s gone.” He whispered.

I swallow down the lump forming in my throat and pull him in my arms. On instant, Lucas hugs me back and I inhale his boyish scent of coconut and the outdoors. We’re going to find Will and bring him back, I promise.

“You’ve always been there for me.” Lucas mumbles. “I don’t want you to feel like you haven’t. You’re always worried about me and how I’m doing, but Barb is missing too, I heard mom and dad talking about it. I’m here for you too, you know.” I bite my lower lip and squeeze him tighter.

As a big sister, my biggest fear is not being there for Erica and Lucas when they need me, especially if something is wrong. There is this pressure to be perfect and put together; to be a role model to them. I don’t want to disappoint anyone. To hear Lucas say that, makes me want to tell him what happened to me last night, but I decide against it. I need to keep him and everyone in this house safe.

Lucas went downstairs after and I freshened up in the bathroom. When I made my way down to the kitchen with the trash bag and backpack in hand. I discreetly place it at the corner by the staircase behind the island, out of sight before making my presence known.

“Good morning,” I greet, pulling my flannel shirt up on my shoulder. I must’ve taken longer than I realized because everyone was cleaning up. Erica stood beside Mom on a stool helping her pack the dishwasher while Lucas and Dad cleared the table.

“Morning.”

“Morning, sweetheart.”

“What’s up with your hair?” Erica comments, scrunching her nose.

Leave it to Erica to point out every small detail. I was in a rush and didn’t have time to do my hair like I usually do, wetting my hands and combing my curls through with my fingers. I didn’t think I looked that bad. I frown patting my hair down. It did feel a little more voluminous than usual.

“She looks fine.” Mom assures, giving Erica a look. My sister makes a face that says “if you say so”, dunking a plate in soapy water.

“I made you a plate,” Dad says, pushing a bowl of yogurt and berries, on a plate with bacon and toast. I glance at the bacon on my plate, cringing and pick up the toast instead.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I sit down scooping my spoon in my yogurt. My stomach gurgles. I can’t remember the last time I’ve eaten. It’s been a whirlwind of chaos that keeps getting more and more deep. Lucas scrapes leftover food into the trash handing Erica the plate to douse in soapy water to give to Mom who is packing the dishwasher. My eyes wander back and forth between everyone; at their normalcy. I miss when things were normal and I was going to rehearsals and hanging out with Nancy and Barb. Not figuring out where she went, what took her and how to kill it.

I glance at Dad as he wipes down the table. I haven’t seen him since yesterday afternoon when he drove Lucas to the Wheeler’s house after the funeral. Since the funeral I am positive Mom has filled Dad in with what has been happening in the house the past couple of days. Hopefully not about Steve nor Eddie. Although, I don’t think so or else Dad would’ve said something or at least alluded to it. He is less confrontational than Mom. I can tell he’s being cautious and giving Lucas and I the space to process our losses, but I know he has questions. Dad looks at Mom and she nods her head. Dad sighs, wiping his hands in a dish towel.

“Lucas and Erica can you excuse us? Your mom and I would like to talk to Diana alone.”

“You can talk to Diana, Dad. I promise you won’t even know I’m here.” Erica smiles, scooping up suds. Lucas rolls his eyes.

Dad doesn’t say anything, waiting for Erica to leave the kitchen. Erica drops the act stepping down from the stool, not without grumbling to herself and Dad softly hits her head with the dishtowel before handing it to her to wipe her hands. Lucas looks at me wondering what’s going on following Erica into the living room. I shrug. Mom and Dad have never both wanted to talk to me about something and the yogurt in my mouth feels like lead. I chew slowly on a piece of strawberry eying my parents. Mom sits down beside Dad, both of them share a glance.

“What’s wrong?” My stomach is in knots. Dad clears his throat.

“We got a call last night from Officer Callahan,” he begins, looking me in my eyes so I know it’s serious and important. I stop eating. “He said they found Barb’s car at a bus station a few miles away.” I swallow staring at my Dad repeating what he said over and over again. Each time makes my blood boil.

It doesn’t make sense. Barb’s car cannot be at a bus station miles away because Nancy and I saw it three blocks away from Steve’s house the day after we found out she was missing. A car does not magically disappear like that. Something’s wrong. I shake my head dropping my fork on my plate.

“No.”

“Sweetheart, I know this is difficult to hear.” Mom starts.

“No.” I slam my hands on the table. I don’t miss the way Mom flinches or the way Dad’s eye grow wide at my sudden outburst.

“Diana.” Dad warns.

“No, you don’t understand. Nancy and I saw her car the next day. It was in the exact same spot we parked the night before we went to Steve’s house!”

Dad looks at me as if I’ve grown two heads. “Who is Steve and why were you in his house?” I clench my hands into fists grinding my teeth so hard they might crack.

“It doesn’t matter who Steve is!” I shout. “What matters is that something is wrong. Barb didn’t run away. You know her. She’s not like that and she wouldn’t do that without telling Nancy and I!”

Mom gives me a look that says I’m going to be calm and patient, but don’t push it. “Diana there’s no need to yell. We understand—”

“No, you don’t! Nobody understands! Nobody cares!” My voice is shaky and I swallow the lump forming in my throat. I have never been so frustrated in my life. Barb is missing and everyone is acting like she left on her own. No. She was taken by that thing in the woods, but I can’t tell anyone because I’m still trying to wrap my head around what I saw and where I was. “Where are the search parties for Barb? The whole town was looking for Will, but what about Barb?” I cry. “What about Barb?”

The doorbell rings and I wipe my eyes suddenly feeling hyper aware of where I am and what I said. Mom and Dad stare at me, bewildered into silence.

“I got it!” Lucas shouts. I hear grumbles between he and Erica probably fighting over who can get to the door first.

“Diana!” Erica won the fight. “It’s Nancy!”

I push my chair back, rushing to the corner by the staircase where I hid my backpack and the trash bag. Quickly wiping my tears with the back of my hand, I hoist my backpack over my shoulder, snatch the trash bag and march to the front door. I can hear chairs scraping against the floor and two sets of footsteps following after me.

“Where are you going?” Mom asks.

I excuse myself passing Lucas and Erica avoiding eye contact. Shame eats away at me for my outburst, but I ignore it pulling my shoulders back and standing tall. My whole family is gathered by the door watching me.

“To hang out with Jonathan and Nancy again.” I sniff. “I’ll be home later.” I open the front door and Nancy is waiting patiently. Her lips spread to a smile, but it falters upon seeing my face and my family behind me.

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair.”

I stomp down the steps down my long driveway where Jonathan is parked on the street. I hear Nancy jogging to catch up with me.

“Are you okay—what’s that?”

“My clothes and shoes from last night.”

“Oh.” I open the lid to the trash bin at the end of my driveway and drop the bag inside albeit a little rough. “Are you okay?”

I let out a sigh, running my fingers through my hair. “My parents just told me that Officer Callahan called. They found Barb’s car at a bus station.”

“What? How is that possible? We saw her car!”

“I know,” I huff, marching to Jonathan’s car. “It doesn’t make any sense and no one is listening to us. Nobody cares! We’re truly on our own and I’m so…frustrated.”

“We are alone and it sucks, but it’s better off with just us knowing what’s happening.” Nancy explains, opening the car door. “I have a theory on how we can kill that thing.” I open the back seat door climbing into the car. I return the half-smile Jonathan shows me before realizing he’s in the same clothes he wore last night. “I was looking through my biology textbook,” Nancy continues, before I can question him. “And this thing is a true predator and hunts alone like a bear. I also has a strong sense for blood like a shark. We can lure it to us with—”

“Blood.” I finish, getting myself comfortable. “I was thinking about how it hunts too.” I push forward leaning on the centre console. “When we were in the forest, it didn’t notice us behind it when it was eating that deer which means it hunts based off pure instinct. It’s vicious in its hunting style. It waits for prey to draw near before it overwhelms it by ambushing. In order to catch it we need to think like it. Use its foraging behaviour against it.” Jonathan and Nancy stare at me processing my small rant. Jonathan looks thoroughly impressed and Nancy looks concerned. I rub my lips together, shrugging my shoulders. “I didn’t sleep either.”

“It’s strongest in the woods, where it lives. We’ll have to draw it to us.” Nancy finishes.

“Trap it. Kill it.” I confirm.

“We know what to do, but how do we do it?” Jonathan asks, looking between us. The car is quiet for a minute while we all think. A baseball bat, a gun and a mallet isn’t enough to lure the thing to us. We need equipment and a contained space to trap it. I lean back grabbing my backpack.

“How much cash do we all have?”

NEXT -> PART IV

Taglist 🤍: @tinydramatist

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 9 days ago

Text

CHAPTER 6: THE MONSTER

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: Thank you for your patience! I know it's been almost a month since I last updated. Life has been busy for me lately and I wrote this with a sinus infection :( This part is very much internal dialogue and Diana trying to make sense of everything and figure out what's going on.

Warnings: Panic attacks. Blood.

Word Count: 2449

Masterlist

PART I || PART II || PART III ||

Saturday, November 12, 1983 - THE WOODS

The drive back was quiet. Nancy and I held hands the entire way. I stared out the window but couldn’t make out what I was seeing. The houses, trees and cars all morphed into one big blur. My mind races thinking about the other place? I don’t know. The woods looked exactly like the one I crawled out of, but felt…cold and…dead. As if nothing else lived there apart from that thing. No wonder it snatched the deer from our side to eat. I know one thing for certain; I will not be eating meat for a long time after that experience. I cringe thinking about the sound of its teeth tearing into warm flesh, rivulets of blood pouring down its body onto the dead grass below. The way it twisted its body around opening its mouth like petals of a blooming flower. All its sharp teeth lined its mouth spiralling to the centre. I inhale feeling the same pressure in my chest build and expand. I squeeze my eyes shut feeling my tears fall down my cheeks.

Breathe, Diana. Breathe. It’s going to be okay. You’re okay.

Nancy squeezes my hand and I look at her. She blinks, blue eyes filled with worry. The balloon in my chest deflates little by little. I don’t notice I am trembling until I stop. I sniff, leaning my head on her shoulder squeezing her hand back. From the rear-view mirror, I notice Jonathan looking at us to make sure we are okay. I look back at him in silence thanks. The argument in the woods is far behind us; it doesn’t matter anymore after what happened. The reality is Nancy and I almost died. I was close to being trapped inside that weird place with that thing. The thought unsettles me to say the least and my mind thinks of all the worse-case scenarios all ending in my death and never being found. I think about Barb and Will. How are they surviving?

SINCLAIR RESIDENCE

“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay, Diana?”

I don’t know when I asked Jonathan to drive me home or if I even did. I feel mechanic stepping outside the car, closing the door behind me. My body doesn’t feel like mine anymore.

“Yes.” I mumble. My voice sounds unfamiliar to my own ears. I walk toward my house feeling like I am a puppet being controlled by a ventriloquist.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and whip my body around, arms flailing as I stumble onto my front lawn. The hand grabs me, pulling me back roughly and I collide into something hard. I immediately close my eyes, feeling fresh tears fall down my cheeks. My body trembles violently as the high-pitched screeching sound of the monster echoes in my ears.

“Diana!” I hear a voice say, it sounds distant yet close. “It’s just me, Jonathan. It’s just me.” I blink my eyes open staring into his dark brown eyes. They are wide, darting back and forth with worry. “Breathe. It’s going to be okay. You’re okay.”

Jonathan breathes in and out nodding his head, urging me to follow. I breathe in and out feeling the balloon in my chest slowly deflate. When my body stops trembling, Jonathan eases his grip on my arms.

“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?”

I lick my dry lips, nodding my head. I want to be alone even though I don’t want to be alone. But I just needed to be alone. Jonathan squeezes my arms when I pull away, still unsure and worried about me. The corners of my lips pull up as I force myself to smile.

“I’m fine—I’ll be fine.” I correct myself, though I’m not so sure.

Jonathan stares at me. I can tell he’s debating on leaving me alone or not. Finally, he releases my arms. “I’ll walk you to your door, okay.”

I don’t respond walking toward my front door. I fidget for my keys surprised to find they are still in my denim jacket pocket. Taking them out to put in the keyhole, my hands begin to tremble and I pause breathing in and out. Jonathan takes the keys out my hand and pushes it through the keyhole, opening my front door.

I take a step inside feeling an overwhelming urge. I quickly turn around, reaching up to wrap my arms around Jonathan’s neck. The force of my action causes him to stumble back, but he immediately embraces me.

“Thank you.” I whimper, feeling a knot form in my throat. If Jonathan didn’t pull me out the tree, I’d be stuck on the other side. He saved me from my death and I’ll forever be grateful. Jonathan doesn’t say anything. Only squeezes me tighter. We both pull away and I wipe my tears with the back of my hand.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Jonathan nods his head before turning back to his car. I don’t close the door until he is safe inside with Nancy. I am thankful my house is dark and quiet. I’d hate to have to walk past anyone in my family in this state and succumb to all the questions and concerns they’ll have. I take off my shoes in the mud room holding them in my hands and shuffle down the foyer, past the living room to the kitchen grabbing a garbage bag from the cupboard.

I creep up the stairs, bolting straight to the bathroom. I am about to close the door when I hear my name. I freeze, clenching my eyes shut. Shoot.

“Diana?” Mom says.

I flick on the light, pulling the elastic out my hair and shake my head letting it fall down my shoulders before peering around the door careful not to expose the state of unrest I’m in.

“Yes, mom?” I blink innocently at her.

“Where have you been?” she frowns, fixing her bathrobe.

“I was out with Nancy and Jonathan.”

Mom's frown deepens as she gives me a once over. With my hair down and the door covering my body she can’t see how filthy I am. Though sometimes I think her stare can see through anything.

“Doing what? Do you know what time it is?”

“Nancy and I were at the Byers house, keeping Jonathan company. I completely lost track of time.” I surprise myself with how easy the lies flow from my lips. I can’t very well tell her what I’ve been up to and what I’ve seen. Mom wouldn’t believe me or worse, she would and then what?

Mom’s stare almost penetrates my wall of lies. Almost. The lines between her eyebrows smoothen and I try not to visibly relax in case she grows suspicious.

“That’s so kind of you, Diana. I worry about him a lot. It’s nice to know he has you and Nancy around.” I agree, nodding my head. Mom tilts her head to the side touching the door. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” I press my hand firmly against the door.

“Yes, I’m fine!” I respond quickly. “Tired is all. It’s been a very emotionally challenging day.”

“Yes, it has. I worry about your brother—I worry about all of you kids.” Sadness lingers in her eyes. Mom sighs gathering herself together. “I’ll leave you to it. Next time please leave a note so I know where you’re going. There are too many people disappearing in Hawkins.”

“I will. I promise.” I try my best to smile without it looking forced. It’s enough to pacify my Mom as she smiles back before walking back to her room.

I close the door behind me, leaning heavily against it, using it as a crutch to support my fatigued body. My muscles ache with a deep persistent soreness, every fibre protesting against the demand of continued exertion. My mind is clouded with fog and it’s thick and heavy. I shiver feeling a chill take over my body. Fluffy spores fall silently like snow upon the decaying forest. I hear a sickening crunch followed by aggressive chewing and turn around to see the monster eating the deer. It stops, perking up from its spot hunched over the animal. Suddenly it snaps around opening its petal-like mouth wide in bloom and lets out a bone-chilling screech lunging forward toward me.

I gasp clinging to the counter for support. My eyes snap open and I am startled by my reflection in the mirror. I look as terrible as I feel. My hair is matted with dry slime and goop. My clothes are filthy and covered in the same slime with the addition of dirt and mud. Underneath my eyes are puffy and swollen from crying. My skin looks dry and my lips are chapped.

I immediately take off my backpack and clothes shoving the soiled clothing in the trash bag. I don’t know if the residue on my clothes are infectious or not or if the scent of the other dimension will attract the monster, so in order to not put myself and my family in danger, everything is going in the trash. If I could burn them, I would. Anything to erase what happened.

My skin feels raw as I scrub my body for the third time. Anytime I think I’m done in the shower I see another speck of spore or slime and I am back to scrubbing my body and washing my hair. Flashes of my time in the other dimension, penetrate my mind. I felt the way the vines moved under me and wince, squeezing my eyes shut. Breathe, Diana. Breathe. You’re okay. You’re going to be okay. I’m safe at home in my shower. Nothing can get me here. How could you be so sure? The voice in my head asks. I shiver, scrubbing my body harder. I’m not sure at all.

The makeshift towel turban concealing my damp hair loosens dropping onto my shoulders as I cautiously approach my room. I flick on my bedroom light, my eyes darting around every corner for anything out of the ordinary. It’s comical how uneasy I feel in the safest place. Shoving the trash bag at the farthest corner of my room, along with my backpack, I pad across my plushy carpet toward my window to lock it, triple checking the lock for peace in mind and draw my curtains.

I feel jittery pacing back and forth in my room. I am hyper aware of my surroundings. The lights are too bright, but I refuse to be in the dark. My pyjamas brush against my skin and I feel like I’m chafing, but I know it’s because I scrubbed my skin raw. The silence is too loud, but I can’t put on music or else I won’t be able to hear any suspicious activity.

I fight against a wave of drowsiness that threatens to engulf me, my eyelids fluttering in a constant battle to stay awake. I can’t sleep knowing that the monster, that thing, is out there. The way it grabbed the wounded deer from the other side to eat. I wring out my hands as nausea begins to creep up my throat at the thought of the monster tearing into the deer’s flesh. It was so easy for the monster to grab the deer from the other side. Hawkins is a small town outside Indianapolis surrounded by forests and many people walk in and out it. Mom said too many people have been disappearing…how many people have been reported missing in the past week excluding Will and Barb?

After my near-death experience, I can firmly deduce the monster took Barb and Will and in Will’s case he was on his way home, but for Barb…she was at Steve’s house. I shiver. We all were. Running my fingers through my hair, I sit down on my bed frowning. There has to be a common denominator. I know the attacks are in close radius of each other: the Byers and the Harringtons. Over the train tracks the area is mostly dense forests. Will was on his way home riding through the shortcut Lucas called…what did he call it? Mirkwood! Where Cornwallis and Kerley meet. Steve also lives on Cornwallis and Kerley.

But why would the monster attack Barb?

In the photos Jonathan took, Barb was sitting on the diving board by herself. I think back to last year in biology class when I learned about Predation. Predators form a foraging cycle when pursuing prey: Search. Assess. Capture. Handling. There are different ways predators can capture a prey, by ambushing, pursuit and ballistic interception. In the photo Jonathan developed back at school, the monster was standing behind Barb…assessing.

I rub my temples tiredly. Something had to draw the monster to Barb. I look at my hands, examining my nails to assess if I missed any dirt or slime under them and it came at me all at once. Blood. Barb’s finger was bleeding. The deer in the forest was bleeding out.

I perk up rushing to my closet. On the top shelf I kept all my old school papers and notes in a filing bin. After a few minutes of struggle, the bin is down on my carpet and I am shuffling through files. The monster must have a strong sense of smell for blood and it would explain how easy it was for it to grab the deer. It would also explain how Barb vanished into thin air.

I squeal in excitement when I find what I’m looking for. My notes on Predation. I wrote, animals forage in solidarity or in groups. When resources are abundant, animals may choose to forage on their own. This can occur when the habitat is rich or number of foragers are few. I skim down further and read the following:

To understand Solitary Foraging scientists use the theory called: Optimal Foraging Theory. The theory was proposed in 1966. It argues that because an individual’s survival is determined by success of foraging, one can predict foraging behaviour by using decision theory to determine the behaviour that an “optimal forager” would exhibit.

I sit with this information for a moment. I don’t know how many people have been reported missing but it’s fair to guess it’s more than five people including Will and Barb. Which means the monster has been successful in its hunt and will hunt again. It’s a question of when it will hunt...and how can we make it hunt us.

Blood.

The predator will become the prey. Jonathan, Nancy and I will need to lure the monster to us, trap it and then we’ll kill it once and for all.

NEXT -> PART III

Taglist 🤍: @tinydramatist

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 9 days ago

Text

CHAPTER 6: THE MONSTER

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: I would actually faint if I were in the Upside Down for the first time like that.

Warnings: The Upside Down

Word Count: 1819

Masterlist

PART I || PART II ||

Friday, November 11, 1983 - THE UPSIDE DOWN

It was like crawling through one of those plastic tunnels in a playground but instead of seeing sand and sunlight on the other side, I see darkness and decay. I wrinkle my nose at the mucus-like substance coating my hair and clothes. What is this?

“Nancy?” I whisper.

“Diana! Are you okay?” she breathes, helping me up.

“Yeah, just,” I wipe my hands on my jeans. “What is this stuff?”

“I don’t know,” she answers, looking around.

I follow her gaze and realize we’re in a forest, similar to the one we crawled out of? I feel discombobulated like Alice falling down the hole chasing the white rabbit. The forest is covered in fog and I squint taking in my surroundings. There are weird flakes falling from the sky, but they rarely land on the ground. It’s like they’re floating, taunting me. I remove a flake stuck on my jacket and it disintegrates between my fingers like ash. This place…I don’t understand—where are we? It looks like the forest we were just in but colder, darker and more unsettling.

Nancy motions for me to follow and I oblige stepping over a weird vine thing with mucus all over it. I then step through a splitting tree, cringing at the mucus covered vines spiralling all over. The flashlight begins to flicker and Nancy hits the tin box trying to fix it. I squint, looking around the forest. A sudden movement from the corner of my eye makes my skin tingle. Nancy gasps shining the light to the right of us.

I am utterly frozen. My body cut all communication with my mind, and no matter how much my brain screamed for me to run. I am immobilized in terror. In the far corner by a tree was the animal I saw in the photograph. I remember its long, lithe figure. What I couldn’t see in the photo that I see now is it’s long sharp claws and slimy skin. I hear it tearing into the deer we saw earlier; the wounded one Jonathan was about to put out of its misery. It disappeared here. That thing—that animal dragged it here. The animal was vicious and brutal, gnawing at tissue and bones. Blood…so much blood dripped down its body. It didn’t notice Nancy’s flashlight shining on it or us staring wide-eyed while it ate. Nancy grabs my hand and we begin to back away slowly. I follow her cautious movements, neither of us taking our eyes off the animal.

Breathe. Breathe, Diana. Just one step at a time.

I feel the crunch beneath my boot before I hear it. The animal whips around roaring a terrifying screech that I’m sure will haunt me for the rest of my life. Its mouth opens wide like petals of a flower and I see several jagged, pointy teeth, covered in blood and gore. A guttural scream erupts from my throat and I sprint through the forest not daring to look back. I don’t know when or where or how I lost Nancy. The animal’s fierce growls replaying over and over in head. I run and run and run until I can’t anymore and hide behind a tree.

“Jonathan!” I hear Nancy shouting from the distance. “Jonathan! Jonathan! I’m right here!”

“Nancy!” I shout, running towards her voice. I can’t see through much through the fog. “Nancy!”

“Diana!”

A terrifying growl followed by her scream echoes through the forest. I dash to the nearest tree huddling behind it, wrapping my arms tightly around myself. I’m trembling so much I feel the tree is moving with me. I press my hand to my mouth to stifle my uncontrollable sobs. I can’t—think. I don’t know what’s happening. All I can hear is my heart beating so fast in my chest I fear it might explode. Black spots cloud my vision. I’m going to faint. No! I pinch myself hard. No. You cannot faint, Diana. Not here.

My mind feels like it’s been tossed in a blender, filled with fragmented thoughts of my life and worse-case scenarios. I don’t know how long I stay crouched behind the tree. I don’t know if I’m even alive right now. Something tickles my ankles and I jump up, covering my mouth to stifle my scream. I back away watching the vines move and slither along the tree. The small hairs across my body stand up. The vines…they’re alive. I wring out my hands, letting my tears fall freely.

I can’t. I can’t.

My eyes trail down and around at all the vines wrapped and draped over the forest. They seem to be moving…breathing, actually. I look up and around trying to understand this…place. I hear a low growl in the distance and have no choice but to hide behind the tree covered in breathing vines. I clench my muscles so tight they ache.

“Diana!” I hear a voice shout. I flinch, eyes wide in horror. “Diana!” It’s muffled like it’s coming from the other side of a door. “Diana! Hurry!” The voice says. “Find the tree! Find the tree!”

Nancy. It’s Nancy! She’s alive! She’s alive and with Jonathan. How? Wait. Find the tree. What tree? There are so many. I peer around the web-like tendrils looking for the animal, but I can’t see through the stupid fog. I press my trembling hands against my temples, trying to still the frantic thoughts that raced through my mind, each one a taunting reminder of my mounting panic. Find the tree. The tree! The tree we crawled out of. Okay. Okay. I can do this. I can find it. I didn’t run that far, did I?

“Diana!” Jonathan shouts. “Listen to the sound of my voice.”

I whip my head to the side. Left. Go Left. I hold my breath trying to make myself as small as possible and scurry to the next nearby tree, trying my best not to press against the vines. I want to shout to them but I’m frightened it would give my hideout away. My eyes dart around the forest, searching for an escape route. If I run from tree to tree toward the sound of Nancy and Jonathan’s voices, I’ll be able to find the tree. I grit my teeth in determination. I am not going to die.

My entire being is on high alert as I quiet the sound of my panting to open my senses to any small sound. I don’t know where that thing is, but I know I need to get to the nearest tree. I take off to the left, light and delicate on my feet. Who knew ballet would come in handy when escaping impending death. I run from tree to tree keeping my eyes peeled for anything strange.

“Diana!” I hear Nancy more clearly.

I cling to the vine, fingers digging into the soft surface. It moves beneath my fingers and I jump back stifling a scream. To the right I notice the tree. It’s gaping hole was growing…smaller, as if it were closing. The surge of panic consumes me. I am not getting stuck here. I am not going to die. I sprint straight to the tree refusing to take my eyes off it. I drop heavily onto my knees and begin to squeeze my body through. I clench my jaw fighting to fit my hips through. I can’t see anything tucking my chin into my chest refusing to get any of that slime on my face. I push the rest of my body inside, but I feel stuck. Like the walls are closing in on me. I open my mouth, breathing in jagged uneven gasps. I taste mould in my mouth and I cough, my lungs struggling to draw in air.

“Nancy!” I cry, my voice quivers, words stumbling out in disjointed fragments. “Jonathan!”

THE WOODS

I push my body through the damp tunnel desperately clawing my way out to the other side. The muffled voices of Jonathan and Nancy shouting my name grow more and more clear as I crawl. The space in the tunnel becomes narrow and I find it difficult to squeeze my shoulders through. I grit my teeth pushing my arm through the sticky webbing as far as I can reach. My hand oozes past the gummy surface until I feel a pop breaking free of the goop.

Someone grabs my hand and pulls my body through with so much force I pop out of the hole landing on my side. I draw in my first breath filling my lungs with cool, clean air and immediately begin to cough inhaling too much for my lungs to filter. The violent blood-chilling screech of that thing with no face replays over and over in my mind like a broken record. The image of its big, sharp teeth eating the poor deer will be engraved in my head forever. I can smell the old mouldy scent of the decaying trees. All that blood. My breathing is shallow as I claw the damp earth with my fingers. My pulse is loud in my ears and my mouth is dry. The darkness. The ash-like spores falling down from the sky like fluffy snowflakes. The gooey, slimy gunk clinging to the trees. I look down at my hands. It was all over me.

I sit up. My entire body trembling violently yet, I feel like I can’t move. Pressure builds in my chest like a balloon filled with helium. The pressure is so heavy in my chest, I can barely breathe. I look down at my clothes and all the grey goop slathered all over me. I feel sticky and dirty. I wipe the mysterious substance off my body but it only smears it across my jacket creating a stain. Tears brim my eyes clouding my vision.

“I-It’s not coming off,” I whimper, adding more pressure. “It’s not coming off!” I cry out growing more and more frantic. “I-I can’t get it off me!” I shout. “I-I can’t. I can’t!”

“Diana!” Jonathan shouts. “Hey!” I shiver against the cold hands holding my face. Jonathan wipes my tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “It’s gonna come off, okay? It’s gonna come off.” I nod my head in a daze. “Breathe, Diana. Breathe. It’s going to be okay. You’re okay.”

All the adrenaline I had in that forest drains out of me and I am faced with the reality of the situation. I almost died. A sob shakes my body and I cling to Jonathan burying my face in the crook of his neck. My mind can’t process what I witnessed. It all felt like a crazy fever dream I couldn’t wake up from. But it was all real and I can’t stop crying.

“You’re safe,” Jonathan whispers in my ear. “You’re safe.”

NEXT -> PART II

Taglist 🤍: @tinydramatist

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 9 days ago

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There’s something wrong with my computer and I can’t open some of my files with my written work (work that I’m really proud of) and I’m 😣

#she speaks

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 10 days ago

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CHAPTER 6: THE MONSTER

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: I would actually faint if I were in the Upside Down for the first time like that.

Warnings: The Upside Down

Word Count: 1819

Masterlist

PART I || PART II ||

Friday, November 11, 1983 - THE UPSIDE DOWN

“Nancy?” I whisper.

“Diana! Are you okay?” she breathes, helping me up.

“Yeah, just,” I wipe my hands on my jeans. “What is this stuff?”

“I don’t know,” she answers, looking around.

Breathe. Breathe, Diana. Just one step at a time.

“Jonathan!” I hear Nancy shouting from the distance. “Jonathan! Jonathan! I’m right here!”

“Nancy!” I shout, running towards her voice. I can’t see through much through the fog. “Nancy!”

“Diana!”

I can’t. I can’t.

“Diana!” Jonathan shouts. “Listen to the sound of my voice.”

“Diana!” I hear Nancy more clearly.

“Nancy!” I cry, my voice quivers, words stumbling out in disjointed fragments. “Jonathan!”

THE WOODS

“You’re safe,” Jonathan whispers in my ear. “You’re safe.”

NEXT -> PART II

Taglist 🤍: @tinydramatist

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 10 days ago

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CHAPTER 5: THE FLEA AND THE ACROBAT

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: This is a long one and based off certain scenes in Lucas on the Line. As a black person, I never realized I was other until it was pointed out to me and once I internalized it, I had questions I couldn't ask my parent(s) because it's not something discussed at length in the black community because trying to survive is hard enough. I honestly urge y'all to read Lucas on the Line because it's such a well written story about the Black Experience and how nuanced and difficult it is to navigate especially black kids who grew up in white neighbourhoods.

I hope y'all enjoy. Let me know what you guys think and if you'd like to be added to the tag list, let me know too! 🤎

Warnings: Swearing.

Word Count: 4587

Masterlist

PART I || PART II || PART III || PART IV

THE WOODS

I squeal dropping the mallet on the ground at the sound of a gunshot. Nancy giggles waiting for me as I pick up my weapon in the shrubbery. I never thought I would be on my way to meet up with Jonathan Byers on the opposite side of town to learn how to shoot a gun. But then again, a lot more bizarre things have happened this week so I shouldn’t be surprised. Nancy and I trek up the small hill as Jonathan shoots repeatedly at the target of empty tin cans or at least attempts to.

“You’re supposed to hit the cans, right?”

Jonathan looks over his shoulder smiling sheepishly. “No, actually you see the spaces in between the cans? I’m aiming for those.”

“Sure.” Nancy answers, titling her head in amusement. She drops her backpack and baseball bat on the ground ready for practice.

I don’t take off my backpack right away, taking in my surroundings. The wide-open space of dry leaves, weeds and shrubs. The tall pine trees encircling the space. The winter chill started to come in and I wish I wore a hat today to cover my ears, maybe even a heavier coat instead of a denim jacket. Jonathan opens the revolver to check how many bullets are in the cylinder before reaching in his pockets for more.

“You ever shot a gun before?”

“Absolutely not.” I answer.

“Didn’t your dad fight in the Vietnam War?” I nod my head, shifting from side to side on my feet. My Dad would never let any of us touch a gun. There was no reason for us to. Jonathan shrugs. “I’m surprised he hasn’t taught you how to shoot a gun,” he commented, directing his gaze to Nancy. “You?”

Nancy scoffs. “Have you met my parents?”

“Yeah, I haven’t shot one since I was nine. My dad took me hunting on my birthday.” I see the spark in his eyes dwindle to a low flame. “He made me kill a rabbit.”

“A rabbit?” Nancy and I say at the same time.

“Yeah. I guess he thought it would make me into more of a man or something.”

“Yes, because the world needs more men shooting guns.” I deadpan.

Jonathan smirks, adding bullets to the cylinder. “I cried for a week.”

“Jesus.” Nancy whispers.

“I’m sorry.” I say to him.

Jonathan didn’t say anything as he tried to drag emotion back under where he didn’t need to feel it. He snaps the revolver in place, the corners of his lips rise to a smirk again. “What? I’m a fan of Thumper.”

“I meant your dad.” Nancy says.

The detachment in his tone makes me uncomfortable. In seeing Jonathan’s dad for the first time today, the way he dressed and carried himself. There was something arrogant and insincere about him. When Will first went missing, I never heard Jonathan mention his dad, when Nancy and I found Jonathan at the funeral home, he was by himself picking caskets. Ms. Byers was at home grieving, but the whole town knew how adamant she was on finding Will, but where was his dad? The audacity to show up to the funeral of his youngest son, he did nothing to plan, to shake hands with the people who did care to find Will. Now with this story, it completed the picture. He was never in Jonathan and Will’s life and didn’t care to be. Only wanted to insert his toxic male dominance and masculinity onto the boys.

“I guess he and my mother loved each other at some point...but I wasn’t around for that part.”

Nancy gestures for the gun and Jonathan hands it to her. “Just point and shoot.”

I walk behind Nancy to stand beside Jonathan, refusing to be anywhere near that sound. Nancy takes a deep breath aiming the gun at the can a few yards in front of her.

“I don’t think my parents ever loved each other.”

My eyebrows raise at the bold statement. “Nancy, you shouldn’t say that.”

“I mean it.” she answers.

“They must’ve married for some reason.” Jonathan states.

“My mom was young. My dad was older but he had a cushy job, money, came from a good family. So, they bought a nice house at the end of the cul-de-sac and started their nuclear family.”

“Screw that.” Jonathan says.

“Yeah. Screw that.”

Nancy closes one eye aiming for the beer can. I put my fingers in in ears just as Nancy pulls the trigger hitting the beer can. I chuckle in disbelief. From shot gunning to shooting them, anything involving beer cans, Nancy is a natural. I shrug off my backpack, placing the mallet on top. Despite the awe, I am uncomfortable with what Nancy said about her parents. Sure, Mr. Wheeler was a bit…impartial. I was around the family many times to know that, but to say her parents never loved each other? I don’t know.

“Are you sure you don’t want to try, Diana?” Jonathan asks, offering me the gun. I don’t move contemplating. “It’s not gonna bite.” He jokes. I make a face at Jonathan and he laughs as I cautiously take it from him with my gloved hand.

“Just point and shoot?”

“Just point and shoot.”

I standing in front of a can, widening my stance so I don’t fall over. “There’s nothing wrong with starting a nuclear family.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” Nancy voices. “Your family is perfect.”

I narrow my eyes at her, shaking my head. The contempt in her tone is shocking. “That’s not true.”

“Diana,” Nancy chides, shoving her hands in her pockets. “You never argue with your parents and your parents never argue with each other. You are perfect. Your siblings are perfect. Everyone in your family is perfect.”

I don’t miss Jonathan’s eyes darting back and forth between us. Having never seen us go back and forth with each other, I can tell he is surprised by this. What he doesn’t know is this topic of conversation isn’t new. Throughout our years of friendship, Nancy and Barb always made fun of me for being “perfect”; how I never make mistakes; I am always put together. I need at least eight-hours of “beauty” sleep. From the nickname “Lady Diana”, to my mom making me lunches because I refuse to each cafeteria food. At first it used to bother me, but I moved passed it until Tommy H and Carol picked up on it and started calling me “Anal Princess”.

This may not be a new conversation, but the undertone certainly is and it’s why I am thrown off by it. It doesn’t sound like a joke anymore and there’s something deeper going on. I never thought Nancy envied me. I know I certainly envied Nancy for being strong enough to stand up for herself and say no. For being able to be defiant without feeling like its wrong. I lift my head high lifting the gun eye level.

“I’m not perfect and my parents do argue, just not in front of us and there’s nothing wrong with that.” I begin. “You want to know why my dad never taught me how to fire a gun?” I refer to Jonathan’s comment earlier. “Because he never talks about the War unless it’s to teach us a lesson. I don’t know any stories of his time there. My family is seemingly perfect because we don’t talk about things, we don’t have difficult conversations. We just keep our heads down and try to live without feeling more of an outsider than we already are.” I pull the trigger and the bullet hits the can knocking it off the tree stub.

None of us react. The heaviness of what I said laying on thick. My family isn’t perfect. We are far from it. We are compliant and conforming because it’s the only way to not be seen as more of an outsider than we already are. I understand it to a certain extent, but sometimes I wish my parents would talk more about it. About being black in an all-white religious town. About their past and how they came to Hawkins. I know nothing and it’s something I push down to be the “perfect” daughter when deep down it bothers me. This is not something I can discuss with Lucas and Erica because they are happy in their bubble and I want to keep it that way for them.

“What do you mean?” Nancy asks with a frown. “You’re not an outsider, Di.”

“Never mind.” I say, handing Jonathan the gun, feeling more uncomfortable than before.

Nancy didn’t question me again and after shooting practice we decided to head through the forest looking for the mysterious animal. Dried leaves crunch under my boots as we all walked in silence. Jonathan and Nancy walked together giving me space to be alone for a while which I am grateful for because I didn’t feel like talking. My mind feels like it’s been jostled back and forth, buzzing with many thoughts. I can’t believe I said that out loud. I’ve never talked about it because who do I talk about this with? Uncle Jack only comes to Hawkins once a year and when he does the environment is uncomfortable and stuffy because Dad doesn’t like Uncle Jack and doesn’t hide it. Long distance calls are expensive and I have no money to pay for it and if Dad finds out I’ve been talking to Uncle Jack he’d be furious. Maybe I should start journaling or writing letters I’ll never send.

“You never said what I was saying?” Nancy speaks after a long period of silence.

“What?” Jonathan says.

The conversation about the photos began in the darkroom yesterday, but I interrupted when I saw the final development of the photo of the thing that took Will and Barb. It’s definitely been the great elephant in the room between the three of us and though the conversation in the darkroom was light in nature, it is a serious situation.

“Yesterday, you said, I was saying something and that’s why you took my picture.” I glance around not focusing on anything, while keeping my ears perked.

“Oh, I don’t know. My guess…I saw this girl; you know trying to be someone else. But for that moment…it was like you were alone or you thought you were,” I cautiously peer at Nancy. She looks like she’s about to explode. “And, you know you could just be yourself.”

I ground my teeth. Jonathan just opened up a huge can of worms. A few days ago, I would’ve agreed but after talking to Nancy, I don’t think she is trying to be someone else. She’s a young woman exploring and there’s nothing wrong with that. Also, Jonathan isn’t close to Nancy to know who she is and who she isn’t. Nancy doesn’t respond right away, processing the soft insult. She stops clenching her hands into fists.

“That is such bullshit.” Nancy fumes, glaring at Jonathan. “I am not trying to be someone else. Just because I’m dating Steve and you don’t like him—”

“You know what? Forget it. I just thought it was a good picture.”

My head retracts back. “So, you were intentional in taking those photos.”

Jonathan’s head whips back. His brows shoot up in disbelief. “What?”

“You said you thought it was a good picture which means you were intentional about taking it.” My voice hardens. “Taking all of it.”

“Don’t put words in my mouth, Diana.” Jonathan mutters furiously under his breath, walking away. I march behind him trying to keep up with his long legs and quick strides.

“I’m not putting words in your mouth! Nancy asked you a question and your answer quite frankly, was bullshit. Because really? That’s what you were thinking when she was taking off her shirt?” It’s a cop out. A poor excuse to deflect from what he did. Jonathan scoffs. “Unbelievable.” I hiss, catching myself before I trip over a branch. “What about how Steve feels?”

“Oh my god!” Jonathan throws his hands up in exasperation and I am filled with so much adrenaline I’m starting to shake.

“I told you his privacy was violated too!” I snap. “As was mine, Tommy, Carol, and Barb!”

Jonathan spins around, eyes bulging out of his sockets. “And I said I was sorry for taking the photos!” He shouts. I blink repeatedly taken aback by this attitude. No one has ever yelled at me like that and Jonathan was the last person I thought would. Nancy steps in scowling at him.

“Don’t yell at her!” she shouts, pointing at him. Jonathan glares at her and keeps his mouth shut. I look down at my boots, done with the conversation. “Steve is actually a good guy. The whole camera situation. He’s not like that at all. He was just being protective.”

“Yeah.” Jonathan scoffs, walking away. “That’s one word for it.”

“And what you did was okay?” Nancy barks, following after him. I stalk behind her keeping my distance.

“I never said that.”

“He had every right to be pissed—”

“Okay, all right.” Jonathan says, rolling his eyes, coming to a halt. “Does that mean I have to like him?”

“No.”

“Listen, don’t take it so personally, okay? I don’t like most people. He’s in the vast majority.”

This is why he’s being like this. Because he doesn’t like Steve and has some sort of animosity towards him. I never thought I would stick up for Steve, but after my encounter with him in my garage, I think he’s a good person and deserves a chance to be seen and heard outside his bubble.

“You know, I was actually starting to think that you were okay.” Nancy rages.

“Yeah?” Jonathan challenges, eyes glowing with savage fire.

“Yeah, I was thinking, ‘Jonathan Byers, maybe he’s not the pretentious creep everyone says he is.’”

“Well, I was just starting to think you were okay. I was thinking, ‘Nancy Wheeler, she’s not just another suburban girl who thinks she’s rebelling by doing exactly what every other suburban girl does, until that phase passes and they marry some boring one-time jock who now works sales, and they live out a perfectly boring little life at the end of a cul-de-sac.’” His voice was stern with no vestige of sympathy in its hardness. “’Exactly like their parents, who they thought were so depressing, but now, hey, they get it.’”

Nancy and I watch Jonathan march away. We look at each other absolutely gobsmacked at what just happened. Nancy’s face is so red, the veins in her neck pulsates with pent-up fury as she clenches her fists. I wrap my arm around her shoulders guiding her along the path.

I admire the colours of the sky as we trek through the forest. Shades of pink, orange, and yellow blending and oozing together. The sun was setting and we would soon need to use our flashlights to navigate through the forest. My back aches from carrying my backpack for so long and I want to tell Jonathan to stop so we can take a break but he was far ahead keeping his distance. All of us have been quiet since the argument though Nancy walked beside me, we haven’t spoken focusing on our surroundings, deep in thought.

A lot of truth has been said today and it felt like it was shoved down all our throats. I’m not mad at Jonathan for yelling at me and I hope he’s not mad at me for calling him out. What he did was stupid and I know he knows that, but picking a fight with Nancy was something completely different. It felt more personal and I can’t quite put my finger on why it would be since Jonathan and Nancy aren’t close. If anything, they may be farther apart now after what he said to her. I doubt Jonathan wants that especially because of how far we’ve come.

“Are you okay?” Nancy asks quietly enough so Jonathan doesn’t hear.

“Yes.” I respond automatically. Nancy looks at me and I drop the act. “No.”

“Me neither.” she agrees, glaring at the back of Jonathan’s head. “I’m so sick of him and his holier than thou attitude.”

“I can’t believe he yelled at me.”

“I can’t believe that either!” she whispers hastily. “I didn’t like that.”

“I know. Thank you for sticking up for me.”

“Thank you for sticking up for me and Steve.”

“You’re welcome.”

I debate on whether I should tell her he came to my house today, but decide it doesn’t matter and she probably already knew about it since he was in his way to see her anyways.

“I can’t believe Princess Diana swore.” she teases, touching her chest in shock.

“Oh, shut up.” I giggle, pushing her away.

“Ou, again!” I roll my eyes.

“I was just trying to understand why he took the photos.”

“I honestly don’t even think he knows.” she says, looking at Jonathan again. There was no anger in her eyes, just curiosity.

“After that conversation, I think so too.”

Nancy hums in response, tucking a stray wisp of hair behind her ears. “I was going to bring it up later but, what you did earlier today about being an outsider. What did you mean?”

A ripple of anxiety went up my back while my stomach fell to my feet. I shrug my shoulders shaking me head. “I don’t know.” I deflect.

“Diana, we’ve been friends for so long, you can talk to me about anything. You know that right?”

I do know that, but this conversation was not about a boy or anything menial like that. It was much deeper and something I’ve been pushing down for years. I didn’t mean to say it out loud, but when Nancy went on about my perfect day family, I snapped. This past week I feel like I’ve gone through the most significant changes which in turn has brought up subconscious thoughts, emotions and insecurities. I feel like I’m being pulled in every direction, perfect daughter, perfect friend, Juilliard, Blackness, otherness. But who am I? Where do I want to go? Who do I want to be?

“Diana.” Worry etched Nancy’s features. My silence makes her more anxious. I sigh, stepping over a branch.

“Have you ever noticed there is no one who looks like me in our neighbourhood?” I mumble, uncomfortably.

“No? What do you mean?” An expected answer. I close my eyes counting down from five. How do I go about this?

“I mean, black.” I say, pushing down the lump forming in my throat. “My family…” I clear my throat. “My family is the only black family in the neighbourhood.” When Nancy doesn’t say anything, I continue. “I don’t remember when I noticed, but once I did, it’s hard not to. Even at school, I can count how many black people are there and majority are on the basketball team. Did you know that?” Nancy shakes her head. “I am the only black person in our classes, at dance. No matter where I go or what I do, who I am. I will always be the black one. Even in our friendship. That’s what I mean by outsider.”

“My mom and dad don’t talk about our blackness and I’m left to figure it out on my own. I don’t have anyone to talk to about it. That’s what I mean when I said we don’t have difficult conversations. We just keep our heads down and conform, but sometimes I don’t want to conform. Sometimes…” I sigh feeling exhausted. Mentally. “Sometimes, I want to ask those questions but then I’ll feel like I’m not…”

“The perfect daughter.” Nancy finishes.

“Yeah.” I twirl the mallet in my hand. There’s so much to say but this conversation is exhausting enough. Nancy looks at the ground, kicking a rock.

“I-I don’t know what to say…” she says lowly. “I’m sorry for not paying attention.”

“You know now and that’s the first step.”

“Of course, but please don’t be afraid to tell me these things. You’re my best friend and I don’t want you to feel like an outsider when you’re with me. What you said is something I need to know in order to change.”

I nod my head and Nancy visibly relaxes, reaching to squeeze my hand. I rest my head on her shoulder feeling more relaxed than I did before the beginning of the conversation. It’s a conversation that could’ve easily gone south and I wouldn’t be prepared to handle it, especially after what happened hours before. Darkness quickly engulfs the sky and I am instantly aware of all the sounds in the forest. The wind slipping through leaves, the cracking undergrowth with each step Nancy and I make, the bugs crawling on trees. We all take out our flashlights to see and I notice Jonathan slows down to remain close, though still keeping his distance. I jerk at every unfamiliar sound making Nancy laugh again.

“Do you remember Mei Wong?” I mutter, swatting away a fly.

“Yes. She auditioned for Juilliard!”

“Well on Sunday at rehearsals, she told me…” I swallow to soothe the dryness in my throat. “She told me I should think about auditioning for Juilliard.”

“Really? Wow!”

I scrunch my nose. “I know.”

“You definitely should. I meant what I said at Steve’s house. You’re such a beautiful dancer and you’re gonna go pro. I feel it.” I shake my head. Somehow Nancy sees it.

“You are. I need you to be more confident in yourself.”

“I know, I know. It’s just…what if I audition and I don’t get in—”

“We’re only in 10th grade, you have time to worry about the auditions.” Nancy assures me. “Maybe Juilliard has a summer intensive you can take beforehand to give you an extra boost.”

“My dad will never allow that.”

“Have you talked to your mom about it?”

I shake my head. “Not yet.”

“I say after all this is done and we find Barb, we will both help you research and come up with a plan for you to go to Juilliard. Because you’re going to Juilliard.”

We find Barb. That’s the most important thing. It’s why we’re here now. The sound of her laughter echoed through my mind. The last time I saw her; felt her at Steve’s house. I don’t want to believe that was the last time I saw her. I shiver, crossing my arms above my chest. It’s so cold I can barely feel my ears and nose. Jonathan keeps pace with Nancy and I. There is still tension between the three of us, but now is not the time to dwell on it, not when we were outside in the forest on our own looking for God knows what. At random, Nancy slows down looking back and forth, her expression tight with strain. I keep myself composed despite the fact my heart is racing. Did she see something? Hear anything? Was it here? I tighten my grip on the mallet, my eyes darting from tree to tree.

“What are you tired?” Jonathan asks.

“Shut up.” Nancy hisses, looking around. “I heard something.”

I follow closely beside Jonathan as we follow Nancy through the forest. I don’t know what we’re looking for or what she’s heard until I hear something faint…a whining sound. I gasp at the sight of a deer whimpering in front of underbrush. We all rush to the deer dropping to our knees. My stomach is in knots at the blood dampening its fawn-coloured coat. It looked like it’s been punctured multiple times. It’s ragged breathing and slow movements indicated it was in pain and about to die. I’ve never seen a deer this close before and I’m sad it has to be like this. Images of Bambi flash through my mind and I cover my mouth muffling my sobs.

“Oh, God. It’s been hit by a car.” Nancy whimpers, tears brimming her eyes. She looks at the gun in her hand and holds it up. “We can’t just leave it.”

“Wait!” I exclaim, grabbing her arm. “There must be something else we can do!”

“It’s in too much pain. We have to.”

“I’ll do it.” Jonathan says, taking the gun. Nancy and I look at him with wide eyes. “I’m not nine anymore.” Jonathan assures us.

I stagger up on my feet grabbing Nancy’s hand. Jonathan points the gun at the deer. Time slows down and I feel like the forest is closing in on me. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up just as Jonathan is about to pull the trigger when suddenly, the deer disappears into the underbrush. I jump back startled, mouth opening in a silent scream.

“What was that? What was that?” Nancy shouts.

I wring my hands jumping up and down. “Oh, my god. Oh my, god. I can’t. I can’t.” Panic shoots up my spine and I hold my chest struggling to catch my breath.

“There’s so much blood.”

“Where did it go?”

“I don’t know.”

I quickly pick up the flashlight and mallet I dropped in my state of panic. My skin tingles and I shake my head trying to focus, aiming the light on the ground. Blood smears all over leaves and twigs. I proceed around with caution, shining my light on anything and everything in the forest, being cautious of not stepping on any gore. From the far distance I notice something dripping from a hollow tree stump. It looked like…sap. No, it’s too thick for it to be sap. I am vigilant taking calculated steps and kneel in front of the tree inspecting the foliage. It looked like the tree was creating mucus. Thick, slimy, runny mucus. There was no smell to it, but it was weird. I paid attention in biology last semester to know that this wasn’t right.

“Nancy.” I whisper. “This tree…there’s weird stuff falling.”

Nancy joins me on my knees shining her light. She touches the tree stump, looking up. “Jonathan?” she shouts, looking around. I search as well thinking he was with us, but he’s nowhere to be seen. It would be unwise to leave Nancy here alone to look for him. We were better sticking together. When I turn back however, Nancy is taking off her backpack placing it beside her bat. My eyes widen. “You’re not seriously going in there!”

“Watch my stuff.”

“Are you crazy?” I snap.

That mucus could be toxic or worse. There was no need to go inside the clearly rotting tree. Nancy ignores me crawling inside. I am lost for words because not only can she fit inside; her body completely disappears as if there was an opening on the other side. I blink, shaking my head, feeling disembodied.

“Nancy?”

Adrenaline bursts through my veins to prepare myself to fight or flee. I feel like I am back in Steve’s backyard keeping watch while Nancy does something completely foolish like walk into the forest on her own or like now, crawling into a slime coated hollow stump. I curse colourful words under my breath that would shock my Dad. I can’t leave her alone. So, I take off my backpack and put the mallet on top; count down from five in my head and crawl through the hole holding my breath hopefully awaiting Nancy on the other side.

CHAPTER 6: THE MONSTER

Taglist 🤍: @tinydramatist

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 10 days ago

Text

CHAPTER 5: THE FLEA AND THE ACROBAT

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: I picture Eddie not being able to express himself through his words so he uses song lyrics. In my head he always had a strong connection to music because of his mother (this was before I read FOI). Finally an Erica/Diana scene! What do y'all think of Steve and Diana?

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 2433

Masterlist

PART I || PART II || PART III || PART IV

SINCLAIR RESIDENCE

It’s mid-afternoon when we arrive back home from the funeral. Dad stops the car in front of our house to let Mom, Erica and I out before he drives over to the Wheeler’s house to drop Lucas off to hang out with the boys. I follow behind Mom and Erica thinking about what to wear later today for when Nancy and I meet up with Jonathan. I bump into Erica, who frowns at me for stepping on her, and I immediately apologize for not watching where I was going. I look ahead wondering why we stopped when Mom picks up a bouquet of wildflowers and a note laying in front the door.

“Candy Girl? Who’s Candy Girl?”

Erica grunts in annoyance as I push pass her to snatch the flowers and note from Mom. Sure, enough the note said Candy Girl. My face burns and I bite my lip trying my best to hide my smile. Mom’s brows shoot up in surprise at my hastiness and I smile sheepishly at her, apologizing for my behaviour. Her gaze sweeps over me.

“Hm.” She grunts, pursing her lips and guides Erica in front of me to not get trampled on again.

As soon as I step inside the house, I take off my jacket and heels, pushing my sunglasses over my head and rush upstairs to my room. My heart is hammering against my ribcage as I close the door behind me. I admire the array of blue, purple, pink, and white wildflowers tied together with a piece of string. Some petals of the flowers are flat and squished but I think they’re pretty nonetheless. Taking a deep breath, I put the bouquet on my dresser to give my full attention to the note. My hands are practically shaking as I open it.

If the sky that we look upon, should tumble and fall.

Or the mountains should crumble to the sea.

I won’t cry, I won’t cry. No, I won’t shed a tear

Just as long as you stand by me. – Ben E. King

I reread the words three times before flopping down on my bed. A smile lingers on my lips at the gesture. Will’s funeral is of public knowledge, shaking up the entire town. I haven’t seen or spoken to Eddie since we had lunch together two days ago and I know he wouldn’t attend the funeral because despite it being of public knowledge, it was still an intimate event, but I never thought he would do this. Something so simple and thoughtful for me. This doesn’t help my case with Mom and I’m sure this raised more suspicion about Eddie, but I can’t stop smiling. I wonder if I should write a note back. What would I say? How will I even give it to him? We don’t have school tomorrow and I don’t know where he lived to even thank him for being so kind. My thoughts are so scrambled I have to force myself back to earth and the task at hand.

I hide the note in my desk drawer and change into more comfortable clothing settling on a pair of jeans, t-shirt and zip up sweater. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and fixed my bangs in the mirror satisfied with my appearance. Back at the wake, Nancy, Jonathan and I agreed to meet at 5pm and it was now, 2:00pm. Nancy would be here in fifteen minutes and I needed to find a weapon. I can’t go out in the woods to find a wild animal without one. Even though Jonathan had a gun, I’m not sure if he knows how to use it.

I open my door and sneak across the hall to Lucas’s room. Surely, he wouldn’t mind if I borrowed his wrist-rocket for a few hours. I try to be as discreet as I can going through his drawers, closet, even checking under his pillow and I can’t find anything, not even his headband. I frown, pursing my lips in thought. Where could he have put it? Then it hit me. Under his bed. I drop to my knees pushing my arm under his bed to feel for anything. All I find are dirty socks and comic books. I blow my bangs away from my face to get a better look and—

“What are you doing?”

I jump hitting my shoulder against the top of the bedframe. “Ow!” I whimper, holding my arm in pain, praying I don’t develop a bruise. I stand up feeling my lower back seize. Erica is standing on the other side of the bed arching her brow in suspicion. I ignore the pain in my arm, feigning nonchalance.

“I’m just cleaning, Lucas’s room.”

Erica frowns. “His room is always clean.”

“Well, it doesn’t hurt to be cleaner now does it?”

Erica shrugs, not caring about my poor excuse for why I’m in Lucas’s room even though I know she doesn’t believe me. She’s always been a skeptic. Her first word was “no”. She lingers, tilting her head to the side, toying with a loose thread on the duvet.

“Who sent you the flowers?”

“A friend of mine.” I respond simply, though my heart picks up speed. Erica smiles slowly and now I feel uneasy. It’s one of the many different smiles she has. This one isn’t as…devious. That smile is only reserved for Lucas. No, this smile is like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.

“An admirer.” It’s not a question.

“A friend, Erica.” I repeat, albeit tense.

Erica lies down on the bed, holding her chin with her hands. Any other moment she would’ve looked cute in her bubbles and pigtails, but again, this smile held a hint of mischief.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

I shift from side to side. “No…” I squint. “What makes you say that?”

Tired of the innocent act, Erica’s smile vanishes. “No boy just leaves a bouquet of flowers on your front step with a note unless its an admirer or a boyfriend.”

“That’s not true.” I disagree, sitting on the bed.

Erica gives me a pointed look, pursing her lips just like Mom. “Oh yeah? Prove it.”

My body grows tense under her fierce stare. There are times I wonder if I’m related to Erica. Our personalities are so different. Erica is outspoken and bulldozes her way through life while I’m quiet, awkward and shy.

“I—” I start, then close my mouth. I have no experience with boys to even know where to start about relationships.

“Exactly.” Erica confirms, kicking her feet. The conspicuous grin returns as she continues. “You have a boyfriend.”

“No, I don’t” I reply quickly, my face is burning.

“Well, you sure were eager to take the bouquet of flowers and note away from mom. You nearly knocked me into the bushes to get it which means…” she wiggles her eyebrows.

“Erica.” I plead. I do not want to talk to my little sister about boys, especially Eddie. I don’t know what to think when it comes to him. I just know how I feel and I was definitely not going to try to explain to an intrusive eight-year-old girl like my sister, plus Nancy will be here soon and I needed to get Erica away so I can leave without another interrogation. Erica sighs, rolling her eyes and sits up tucking her knees under her.

“I won’t tell mom or dad if you have a boyfriend,” she says, leaning forward putting her hands on my shoulders. “By the looks of it, mom is already suspicious of you, but she won’t say anything unless you bring it up. Your just lucky dad had to drive Lucas to the Wheelers because if he saw those flowers and note on the doorstep,” Erica eyes widen slightly. “He’d lock you in your room forever and hunt all over town for this boy.” Erica isn’t wrong. Dad is extremely protective. It’s why I’m glad Mom hasn’t told him about Steve’s house.

I stand up, combing my fingers through my thick hair in its ponytail. “You don’t have to tell mom and dad anything, okay. Eddie is just a friend.” Any close friend of Eddie’s is a close friend of mine. That’s what Ronnie said. Erica lights up.

“Eddie, huh?” She grins, satisfied that she at least got a name.

“I don’t have an admirer or a boyfriend.”

Erica ignores the sharpness in my voice. “But you like him.” I glare at her, a warning to stop pushing. “Fine,” she sighs, rolling her eyes again. She rolls off the bed strolling to the door. “I’ll leave you alone to clean.” There’s a cheeky little grin on her face as she lingers and it tells me all I needed to know. Erica isn’t going to drop this. She found something new and shiny to play with and will until she gets bored.

“Candy Girl.”

My jaw drops. Erica runs to her room, closing the door behind her before I can gather up my thoughts.

Oddly enough, I didn’t find anything in Lucas’s room which is why I am scrounging around Dad’s tools in the garage. Screwdriver? No. Wrench. Maybe. I pull out a rubber mallet from one of the toolboxes. It’s thick and has a bit of weight to it. It’s no gun but it’s the best I can do right now. I take a few steps back and practice swings trying to get a feel of the weapon. Part of me cannot believe I’m doing this right now; risk going into the forest to find some animal I have never seen before nor, understand to find Barb and Will. I lift the mallet way over my head not calculating my strength because I lose my balance stumbling back on my feet.

“Whoa! What the—” I drop the mallet and the person behind me yelps. I’m ready to bolt into my house when I hear my name. I whip around, my heart beating a mile a minute. There he was, hair and all his glory standing in front of me. He’s the last person I’d expect to be at my house. The last time I’ve seen him was in the parking lot at school confronting Jonathan about the photos in front of Tommy H and Carol ending with smashing his camera on the ground.

“Steve?”

“Hi,” he waves, sheepishly.

I blink, shaking my head. “How do you know where I live?”

Steve stiffens at the question. “Uh,” he stammers, combing his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t—I don’t,” he corrects, clearing his throat. I raise my eyebrows expectantly eying the pink in his cheeks. Was Steve “The Hair” Harrington blushing? “I was driving to Nancy’s and saw you and just…” he takes a deep breath. “Wanted to say hi.”

I squint. “To me?”

“Yeah,” he chuckles dryly, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Why wouldn’t I?” Because we’re not friends. I want to say. When I don't respond Steve swallows, rubbing his lips together. "I actually wanted to...apologize."

I pick up the mallet holding it over my shoulder. “For?” His gaze flickers to the mallet then me and I rub my lips together trying to hide my smile. He deserves to squirm a little. Now he knows how it feels when his friends make me feel uncomfortable.

“Being an asshole.”

“Oh.”

“I’m sure Nancy told you about our last conversation,” Steve continues, looking down at his New Balance sneakers. “And you both deserve an apology for the way I acted.”

I blinked in confusion for a moment and then remembered when Nancy came into my room to show me the photos and I mentioned what Steve thought about everything. A momentary look of discomfort crosses Steve’s face when he finally looks at me. Part of me believes the apology wasn’t only for his talk with Nancy or about Barb, but for the way he handled things in the parking lot. I remember the look of sorrow in his eyes before he stormed away. I meant it when I told Jonathan I don’t think Steve needed to break his camera but it was justified. Steve’s privacy was invaded too. What I picked up on that day in the parking lot is that Steve isn’t this aggressive, mean, bully like Tommy H and Carol are. It’s not in him to be that kind of person and it pained him to break Jonathan’s camera. He knows I noticed his shift in demeanour. I oddly notice a lot about Steve. His contradictions, his mannerisms. What he doesn’t do. Steve tilts his head waiting for a response.

“Um…” My brows twitch. “Apology accepted.” I say softly, taking a step back. Steve doesn’t respond and I don’t think anything of it. Thank you seems awkward to say right now.

“Um,” he scratches his nose. “Have you heard from Barb?”

“No, the police think she ran away, but I know that’s not true. Barb wouldn’t do that.” Steve nods his head shoving his hands in his pockets.

“I haven’t known Barb for long, but she definitely doesn’t seem like the type to do that.” Another comment that doesn’t need much of a response.

I fiddle with the mallet letting the awkwardness settle in. Surprisingly it’s not from me, but Steve. Steve, the most popular boy in school who exudes such confidence walking down the hallway, who turns every head without trying…is being awkward. It’s hard to wrap my head around it. Steve takes a step towards me but decides against it. I tilt my head, wondering what was going on in his head. Maybe he’s having a mental breakdown.

“I heard about the funeral. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” I answer, taken aback by his sincerity. “He was my little brother’s best friend.”

“Give your little brother a hug for me.” He winced, regretting his words. I smile. Steve laughs and combs his fingers through his hair. His face is bright red now. “I’ll uh, leave you to…” he gestures to the mallet. “Whatever you’re doing.” I nod my head, grinning. “Bye.” He says, waving awkwardly. I wave back amused by his mannerisms.

I watch Steve walk out my garage his brown hair flopping lusciously through the wind. “Steve?” I call out. He turns around startled. “Thank you.” I see his gaze soften, instantly knowing I’m thanking him for apologizing and he smiles nodding his head before walking to his car. When Steve drives down the street towards Nancy’s I swing the mallet again chuckling softly to myself.

“What a dork.”

NEXT -> PART IV

Taglist 🤍: @tinydramatist

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 10 days ago

Text

CHAPTER 5: THE FLEA AND THE ACROBAT

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: I try to include Erica as much as I can.

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 2053

Masterlist

PART I || PART II || PART III

ROANE CEMETERY

Dad didn’t say anything to me when I came downstairs wearing lipstick, but I didn’t miss the look he gave Mom or the warning look Mom gave him back. Me wearing lipstick was the least of our troubles when we have a funeral to attend. The drive to the cemetery was quiet once again. Lucas hadn’t uttered much of a word since we left the house and Erica was unusually quiet as well. It must be difficult to navigate how to move when your two older siblings both lost their best friends at the same time. I reach for Erica’s hand kissing her knuckles before entwining our fingers to show that I’m here, even when my world is crumbling beneath my feet. I’m here. Erica leans on me in acceptance and I sigh contently knowing she doesn’t feel like I’ve neglected her. Erica, Lucas and I are all hyperaware of each other’s feelings without having to ask. Call it sibling telepathy or what not, but our relationship though sometimes rough around the edges, especially between Lucas and Erica, but when it comes down to it, we are always there for each other, no matter what.

When we get to the cemetery, I am surprised at how many people are already there in support of the Byers. There had to be 40 people here at maximum. Most of them I assume are fellow classmates showing their regards to the loss. I’m warmed by the outpour of support from everyone who showed up today to pay their respects. Over the past few days, the town has come together to find Will, even though the search came to a tragic end, the love still showed. I follow closely behind Lucas who still hasn’t spoken much of a word. All of us are still following Dad’s rule of leaving Lucas alone to grieve and process. He’ll come to us when he wants to.

The air is brisk yet refreshing and the sun shines weakly in the sky. Brown leaves rustle in the wind, swirling around us in haste. I brush my hair away from my face and look down at the uneven ground under my black sunglasses in effort not to trip and fall in the damp grass. We approach the group, sending small smiles. I immediately notice Nancy standing beside Mrs. Wheeler. She is dressed similar to me in a black dress, nylons and kitten heels. Her black trench coat is open despite the mild winter chill. I wave at her before I am handed a white rose and walk down the row towards her and the Wheeler and Henderson Family. Mike and Dustin look at me; Mike sending a small wave in my direction. Dustin smiles a toothless grin at me but it quickly fades to a scowl when Lucas elbows him in the side. I scrunch my nose to hide my smile, happy to know my brother isn’t completely gone.

Only a few minutes pass before the Byers approach the cemetery. Jonathan guides Ms. Byers to her seat and is followed by a man I haven’t seen in a while and who I can only assume is Jonathan’s dad. He looks done up in what looks to be an expensive suit meanwhile, Jonathan and Ms. Byers look plain. I notice Jonathan’s dad has a tie on but Jonathan doesn’t and I think about Dad teaching Lucas how to tie a tie in the mirror. I am aware of Jonathan and Will’s home life. Living with a single mom proved itself to be difficult especially in a religious town like Hawkins. I purse my lips thinking about everything and it occurs to me that Jonathan has not once mentioned his dad in any of this which makes me wonder if his dad cared at all about Will and if so, why did it take so long for him to care about his own child.

I stare at Ms. Byers. When I briefly saw her yesterday at her home when Nancy and I were looking for Jonathan, she looked how I expect any parent who has a child missing; worse for wear. I didn’t pry or stare at all the Christmas lights strung up on the ceilings and walls or even the alphabet written across the far end of the wall. If I learned anything at all this week is that people grieve in their own way. She looks more presentable today, though she moved slowly, barely aware of her own movements. Ms. Byers didn’t look at anyone or even smiled. Just sat down on the chair in front of the casket. Jonathan told us yesterday that she didn’t believe Will’s body was real and now she has to sit through a funeral she deems unnecessary.

Pastor Charles approaches the front of the casket and begins his sermon. Not too long after the ceremony is filled with silent tears, muffled nose blowing and soft sniffles. My hand is on Lucas’s shoulder for the entire time. He doesn’t cry which surprises me a little bit because he was bawling his eyes out when news about Will’s body being found in the Quarry broke out. Maybe he was numb to everything now.

“Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God.” Pastor Charles says. “I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous hand. It’s times like these that our faith is challenged. How, if he is truly benevolent could God take from us someone so young, so innocent? It would be easy to turn away from God but we must remember than nothing, not even tragedy, can separate us from His love.”

The sermon ends and it’s time for everyone to throw their flowers onto the grave site. One by one we all let go of our flowers. Mom and Dad approach Jonathan’s dad who is nothing but smiles and charm thanking us for coming. I send him a tight-lipped smile, feeling slightly put off by him and his mannerisms. I look over her shoulder and see Ms. Byers frowning and shaking her head. I want to pay my respects to her, but she doesn’t look like she’s in the mood for any interaction. Her eyes were empty, lacking any hint of emotion, though with just enough focus to know she was still there.

Nancy is waiting for me outside the crowd. I excuse myself and I hug her tight hooking my arm with hers.

“You look like a movie star with your sunglasses,” she teases. I lay my head on her shoulder as we walk to a more secluded area. “Also, I can’t believe you’re wearing lipstick right now.”

“I know I can’t believe it either. My mom gave me one of hers to wear today.”

“Have you told her anything? Y’know about…”

I lift my head, shaking it. “No, I haven’t. Have you told your mom?”

“Definitely not. Things have been…” she exhales. “Tense between us since the whole Steve thing. She still brings him up. Even after our talk with the cops, she never once asked about Barb.” Nancy scoffs rolling her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “If it makes you feel any better, things between my mom and I were…different to say the least yesterday too.” Nancy’s eyebrows raise to her forehead. I nod my head rubbing my lips together. “Yeah, the lies caught up with me, I guess. From going to Steve’s to getting a ride home—”

“You got a ride home?” Nancy interrupts. “By whom?”

I wince forgetting I haven’t told Nancy about Eddie yet. I open my mouth to speak but thankfully, I am distracted by Jonathan standing on the far end of the cemetery. He raises his hand to let me know he wants to talk to us about something. I wave back and glance at Nancy who looks at me pupils twinkling under the bleak sun and pat her hand. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

The three of us sit on the ground behind a wrought iron fence in the cemetery. Jonathan holds out a makeshift map with red x’s making a triangle. I lean in close pushing my sunglasses over my bangs to see clearly. Jonathan points to the map. “This is where we know for sure it’s been.”

Nancy furrows her brows, pointing an x the farthest to the left. “So, that’s…”

“Steve’s house.” Jonathan confirms. He moves his finger to an open space on the paper. “And that’s the woods where they found Will’s bike and…that’s my house.”

“It’s all so close.” I say, hugging my jacket closer to my body.

“Exactly. I mean, it’s all within a mile or something. Whatever this thing is, it’s not traveling far.”

I study Jonathan, squinting against the sun. His newfound eagerness was suspicious especially because of what was happening right now. He buried his little brother today and his family dynamic seemed way more intense than usual. I sit up straighter twisting my body. “You want to go out there.”

Jonathan perks up as if he’s been caught doing something he isn’t supposed to be doing. “We may not find anything.”

“We found something.” Nancy chimes in. “And if we do see it…then what?”

“We kill it.”

My eyes pop out of my head. “Kill it? How are we going to do that?”

Jonathan stands up dusting dead grass off his pants. He looks determined and a little crazed. I blinked with incredulity. “Follow me.” He says marching to the parking lot. I look at Nancy wondering what’s going on. He leads us to an expensive looking sports car. He opens the door not before telling us to keep look out. I cross my arms above my chest shifting from side to side on my feet. My eyes dart back and forth around the cemetery. Everyone was walking back to the church for the reception. Mine and Nancy’s parents are talking to each other while Mike, Dustin and Lucas huddled in a circle. I tilt my head to the side wondering what they were talking about.

“Just give me a second.” Jonathan says, pulling out a pocket knife from his jacket pocket. My eyes again pop out of my head.

“Are you serious?” Nancy exclaims.

“No, absolutely not!” I shout, watching him wiggle the end of his knife into the lock of the glove compartment. I can only hope and assume this car is his dad’s and even though his dad gave me bad vibes, I still do not approve of stealing. I am already on the police’s radar for Barb, I don’t need to add theft to my list.

“What?” Jonathan snaps, opening the glove compartment. He sifts through taking out a gun. My mouth falls open. “You want to find this thing and take another photo? Yell at it?”

“No, but…”

“This is a terrible idea.” Nancy intercepts.

“Yeah, well, it’s the best we’ve got.” Jonathan tucks the gun in his back pocket before closing the car door. “What? You can tell someone but they’re not going to believe you. You know that.”

That was true and I wasn’t going to tell my parents anything, but Ms. Byers believed something was happening before Nancy and I knew Barb was missing. Hell, she doesn’t think Will’s body is real. It made sense to tell her about what was happening. Maybe she can help us somehow.

“Your mom would.” I point out.

Jonathan takes a deep breath. I see how tired he looks, the bags under his eyes deepening in colour. There’s a hint a sadness in his eyes that disappears as soon as I see it. “She’s been through enough.”

“She deserves to know.” Nancy adds.

“Yeah, and I’ll tell her when this thing is dead.” He says with finality. It’s enough for me and Nancy not to push anymore.

I think about Barb and the looks on Officer Callahan and Powell’s faces when I told them about what I saw in Steve’s backyard. I pull my sunglasses down tucking my hair behind my ear. Determination bubbles in my body. If Jonathan is certain about this, I’m in through and through. Like I said. My brother and I deserve to have our best friend’s back.

“When do we start?”

NEXT -> PART III

Taglist 🤍: @tinydramatist

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 10 days ago

Text

CHAPTER 5: THE FLEA AND THE ACROBAT

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: Chapter 4 is such a filler episode and I didn't like how I wrote it after I posted, but in rereading it after Chapter 3, it really does flow together and I can tweak loose ends in this present chapter! (See? Glass half full). Enjoy another mother-daughter moment between Diana and Sue!

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 1021

Masterlist

PART I || PART II

Friday, November 11, 1983 - SINCLAIR RESIDENCE

The house is quiet this morning as everyone gets dressed for Will’s funeral. I stand in front of my full-length mirror staring at my reflection. After finding evidence of the thing that took Barb, neither Jonathan, Nancy and I had any idea on what to do with the information. How are we going to find it? Are we going to find it? As a group we decided not to tell the police because they already believe Nancy, Ms. Byers and I are crazy for suggesting that Barb and Will were taken by an animal with no face. This is something we would have to handle ourselves. If my parents found out about anything, they would probably move us out of town, far away from this insidious madness. Part of me wouldn’t blame them but, if there was even an inkling of hope in finding and bringing back Will and Barb, I was going to take that chance. The glimmer of hope in finding them burned deep in my gut. Lucas and I deserve to have our best friends back.

I run my fingers through my hair. I couldn’t sleep and woke up early to take a hot comb to it in the kitchen. It took two hours and my arms burned from the arduous task, but the ease in repetition calmed the spiralling thoughts in my head. I even trimmed my ends a little. With my natural curls, my hair was at my waist, but after straightening it and trimming the ends, it fell past my bottom. Way too long for my liking and heavy. My neck aches. I lean forward making sure the lack of sleep didn’t show on my face. I can’t attend the funeral looking like I am half dead myself. I clear my throat smoothening out any wrinkles in my modest black dress. It seems like everyday something new happens in Hawkins and none of it has been good. Today my little brother was burying his best friend. Despite the glimmer of hope inside me, it is going to be a tough day to get through.

“Diana, are you ready?” I hear Mom from the other side of my door.

“Come in,” I say.

Mom enters my room. She’s wearing a simple black dress, her freshly styled hair combed neatly in a bob cut. She looks very pretty. Mom smiles softly eying me from head to toe. I shift side to side on my feet, wiggling my toes against my nylons.

“You look pretty.” Mom says, walking to me. She stands behind me, combing her fingers through my hair through the mirror. “I knew I smelled hair product in the kitchen this morning.”

Heat creeps up the back of my neck. “I couldn’t sleep.” I admit.

Mom sighs, parting pieces of my hair to lay over my shoulder. She gently places her hands on my arms swiping away any lint on the long sleeves of my dress before squeezing them. Her eyes soften as she looks at me through the mirror. The voice in my head screams for me to tell Mom about the photo, but I ignore it leaning into her touch.

“I know the past couple of days have been hard on you and I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

“It’s okay,” I shrug, flaring my nostrils to satiate the burn in them. I don’t want to cry, not now.

Mom looks at me, shaking her head. “No, it’s not.”

Tears immediately swim in my eyes and quickly wipe them away with my fingers before they fall down my cheeks. It’s too early to cry. I clear my throat, sniffing and fix my dress again. “Can you help me pick a shoe? Should I wear flats or heels?”

Mom stares at me for a moment and I know she wants to talk about everything, but decided against it, thankfully. I’m not sure I have the words to express how I’m feeling at the moment or have been the past couple of days.

“Heels.” she responds.

“Okay.”

“Okay, put on your heels and I’ll be right back.”

I nod my head and go to my closet rummaging around until I found my only pair of black kitten heels. I’ve only worn them for special occasions like Dad’s company dinners. Never for a funeral. I slide my feet into the shoes and walk out my closet just in time for Mom to walk back into my room. She’s holding a little black tube between her manicured fingers. A tube of lipstick. I blink in awe, feeling a jolt of surprise. Mom and Dad had a strict rule about not being able to wear makeup until I was 16. It was the one rule, I hated and begrudgingly followed. Yet here Mom was holding a tube of lipstick for me. I only ever worn lipstick for performances. Mom smiles at my reaction.

“I think this will complete your look today.”

I take the lipstick out of her hand, cherishing it like a delicate flower. I open the tube and stare at the wine-coloured lipstick. This was different than the colour I used for performances, darker and more elegant. I walk to my mirror and neatly apply the lipstick on my lips, opening my mouth to get the sides. I rub my lips together melting the wax between them and clean the edges of my mouth with my finger. I take a step back to look at my work. I already look more mature and womanlier, like Mom. Short stature and flat chest be damned. I smile, genuine and true. I smile so much my eyes disappear into my cheeks. Mom chuckles softly behind me and I can’t help but giggle at my reaction.

“Thank you, mommy.” I gush, turning to give the lipstick back to her. Mom shakes her head, closing my fingers. Her gold wedding band twinkles.

“Keep it.”

My eyes widen. “Really?”

“Of course, sweetheart. You’re almost 16.”

I squeal happily thrusting my body onto hers and hug her tight around her neck. Mom laughs, her rumbles vibrating against my stomach.

NEXT -> PART II

Taglist 🤍: @tinydramatist

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 11 days ago

Text

CHAPTER 4: THE BODY

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: Enjoy!

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 1189

Masterlist

PART I || PART II || PART III

ROANE FUNERAL HOME

The funeral home smells like fresh flowers, wood and astringent cleaning product. It is impeccably clean yet stuffy like an old age home. The lights are dimly lit and the walls are painted in muted tones. A shiver runs down my back thinking about dead bodies as Nancy and I walk down the hall to the main room. The thick funky coloured carpet muffles our loud thumping. Nancy and I approach the opening and find Jonathan, right where Joyce said he would be, choosing caskets for Will.

Jonathan looks at us, eyes slightly wide. I’m immediately uncomfortable for overstepping boundaries. Nancy and I were so determined to find out about Barb that we didn’t take in that Will’s body was found last night. Mom literally told me an hour ago that the funeral was tomorrow. I touch Nancy’s arm.

“Maybe this was a bad idea,” I whisper, smiling kindly at the funeral director.

“A little…” Nancy agrees, lingering by the entryway. “But we have to try.” I open my mouth to protest against it but Jonathan is walking over to us with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

I haven’t seen Jonathan since yesterday in the parking lot and we didn’t necessarily end on good terms. I am honestly still a little miffed by the photos, but the photos are why Nancy and I are here. I shift behind Nancy, playing with the ends of my hair. Nancy and Jonathan haven’t had a conversation about the photos and the admission makes me uncomfortable. The photos were extremely intimate and private; to think Nicole, Steve, Carol and Tommy H were all privy to them, makes me annoyed all over again.

“Your mom…” Nancy starts, looking as uncomfortable as I feel. “She said you’d be here. I just…” Nancy looks at me for help.

“Can we talk for a second?” I ask, sheepishly.

I am surprised Jonathan agrees to talk to us and we all walk to the hallway and sit on the bench against the wall. Nancy hands Jonathan the photo and he inspects it closely. I point out the figure behind Barb and he nods his head.

“Does it look like anything to you?”

“It looks like it could be some kind of perspective distortion, but I wasn’t using the wide angle.” The irony of the situation is almost comical. I tuck a loose curl behind my ear, chewing on my bottom lip. Jonathan shifts uncomfortably on the bench. “I don’t know. It’s weird.” He gives me back the photo.

“And you’re sure you didn’t see anyone else out there?” Nancy presses.

Jonathan looks pensive, though I can tell he’s uncomfortable with having to relieve a moment of poor judgement. He sighs shaking his head “No, and she was there one second and then she was gone. I figured she bolted.”

“The cops think she ran away. But they don’t know Barb.”

The way the cops were treating this investigation…they weren’t taking it seriously. Brushing it under the rug or throwing it away like yesterday’s paper. Questioning me as if I were crazy for what I knew I saw. What I can’t get over is the disappearance of Barb’s car. It doesn’t just vanish into thin air. This whole situation is deeply unsettling and Barb deserves better. The silence suddenly became awkward. I was sitting here with Jonathan at a funeral home. Disturbed him as he was picking a casket for his brother whose body was found last night in the Quarry, to talk to him about my missing best friend. As if reading each other’s minds, Nancy and I both stand up.

“I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have come here, today of all days.” Nancy apologizes, reaching for me. I walk to her, taking her hand in mine, squeezing it tight.

“What did he look like?”

Nancy and I look at each other before looking at Jonathan.

“This man you saw in the woods,” Jonathan urged. “What did it look like?”

Something told me he knew what we were talking about. But how?

“I don’t know…” Nancy stammers, a line appears between her brows. “It was like he—”

“Didn’t have a face?” Jonathan finishes.

A chill froze me to the spot. “How did you know?”

HAWKINS HIGH

I’ve never been in the darkroom at school before. I observe the painted black walls and the equipment propped against it along with the stacks of photography paper. I wrinkle my nose, at the strong smells of chemicals wafting in the air. I squint under the red-light watching Jonathan put a slide under this large microscope-like machine. He looks through the magnifier, fiddling with a knob above his head. I lean against the counter, fascinated by all the equipment in here and what it all does.

“Did your mom say anything else? Like where it might have gone to or…”

“No, just that it came out of the wall.”

The machine dings and Jonathan turns off the switch before grabbing a piece of photography paper. Nancy and I crowd around him as he puts the paper in a tub of what looks like water but smells faintly of gasoline.

“How long does this take?” Nancy mumbles.

“Not long.” Jonathan answers, shifting the tub back and forth until the paper is fully saturated.

“Have you been doing this a while?”

“What?”

“Photography.”

Jonathan shrugs. “Yeah. I guess I’d rather observe people than you know…”

“Talk to them.” Nancy says with a small smile.

Even though our brothers are all best friends, this is the first time Nancy, Jonathan, and I are together. Growing up we weren’t very close, Jonathan often lingered in the sidelines. He’s always been quiet and a little shy. As we got older, we grew farther apart, Nancy and I growing close with Barb and Jonathan seeing the world through a camera lens.

“I know. It’s weird.”

“No, it’s not,” I assure.

“No, it is. It’s just that people don’t always say what they’re thinking. But you capture the right moment, it says more.”

“What was I saying?” Nancy asks.

“What?”

"When you took my picture.”

Suddenly, the black walls become more interesting. I shift uncomfortably on my feet. The elephant in the room was bound to be talked about. I didn’t think it would be now, in a pungent, red lit darkroom at school, but nonetheless the conversation needed to be had.

“I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry. It’s just—”

“That’s it!” I exclaim, looking at the photo. “That’s what we saw!” The photo develops clear showing some weird looking animal? Thing? Whatever it is, it’s tall and grotesque looking and doesn’t have a face.

“My mom,” Jonathan shakes his head in disbelief. “I thought she was crazy cause she said that’s not Will’s body. That he’s alive.”

“And if he’s alive.”

“Then Barbara.”

Nancy and I look at each other. Barb’s alive. She has to be. We can save her and Will from this thing and the cops won’t think we’re crazy.

“Okay so what do we do now?” I ask, licking my lips in anticipation. “We have evidence but no proof.”

CHAPTER 5: THE FLEA AND THE ACROBAT

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 11 days ago

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CHAPTER 4: THE BODY

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: It's getting real. Nancy and Diana are putting the pieces together.

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 2037

Masterlist

PART I || PART II || PART III

SINCLAIR RESIDENCE

The drive back home from school was quiet and the tension in the car was uncomfortable to sit in for fifteen minutes. I know Mom is not happy to be called in to my school especially coming from the salon and to speak to police officers. All to find out, I have been lying about not only my whereabouts, but how I got home too. I cower behind Mom, walking inside the house after her. We take off our jacket and shoes in silence and part of me is glad Dad isn’t home because he can sense tension from a mile away and I don’t want him to know about what has been happening other than, Barb is missing and Will’s body was found in the Quarry. Last night saved me from having to talk about what really happened on Tuesday at the Wheelers. Dad was so freaked out by mine and Lucas’s breakdown; he didn’t have time to question Mom about our whereabouts.

“When I asked you how you got home yesterday morning,” Mom walks to the living room. I shudder behind her knowing what’s about to happen. Mom turns around to face me propping her arm on the back of the couch to lean against it. She puts her other hand on her hip; a stance meaning you’re not getting out of this one. “You told me you walked—”

“I did walk home.” I mutter.

“—From Nancy’s house.” she finishes, eyes widening slightly in warning at my interruption. I cross my arms above my chest, looking at the centre table. “At Mrs. Wheeler’s house you told me you walked home from Steve’s house.” I wince at her emphasis on certain words. The lies. “Now, you just told those officers you got driven home.”

What makes this all worse is that Mom isn’t yelling at me, not like she’s ever had to. I’ve heard her yell and scold Erica and Lucas plenty of times. The yelling isn’t scary, it’s when she’s calm and collected as she is now. That’s scary.

“I know.”

“Which is it, Diana? What is the truth?”

I bite my lip staring at the pillows feeling like crap for lying to Mom, not once, but three times. I’ve never lied to Mom before or even Dad. I had a very healthy and close relationship with them and believed I wouldn’t jeopardize it for anything…and then Steve Harrington came along. I found myself getting caught up in the whirlwind of popularity and it’s done nothing but left me stranded across town and a best friend missing. I sigh running my fingers through my hair.

“I did start walking home from Steve’s but then Eddie drove me the rest of the way home.”

Mom looks at me and I feel naked and exposed under her stare. Her look alone tells me she doesn’t fully believe me and that breaks my heart to know I caused that because of my lying.

“I swear to you, mom.” I plead, eyes burning with tears. “I’m not lying. I left because I didn’t want to be there anymore.”

“And this Eddie boy.” Mom pressed.

I’m taken off guard by the question. “What about Eddie?”

“Do I need to know anything?”

I understand she’s asking because of the comments Officer Powell and Callahan made about him. Mom defended me in the moment, but deep down I figured she’d ask me about him eventually. Still for her to insinuate anything more than just a kind gesture surprises me.

“No,” I shake my head. “No. Eddie is wonderful and kind.” I explain. “Nothing happened. He just drove me home.”

“Diana.” Mom sighs deeply walking to the kitchen. She still thinks I’m lying. Tears fall down my eyes as I scurry behind her. Desperation etched its way into every crevice of my body.

“I promise nothing happened!” I shout. Mom turns around, eyes wide in shock. I squeeze my eyes shut wincing at my slip up. “God!” I exclaim in frustration, balling my hands into fists in front of my face. Everything is falling apart and I don’t know how to or what to feel. I open my eyes wiping my tears away and take a deep breath. “I didn’t know leaving would cause all of this. I didn’t know it would be the last time—” I can’t finish the sentence. I swallow thickly. “I’m sorry for lying to you. I’m so sorry, mom. I shouldn’t have done it, but I wanted to be a supportive friend to Nancy and now Barb…” Is gone. I hold my head in my hands, sobbing.

I feel Mom hold me in her arms. I press my body into hers, crying into her shoulder. “It’s okay, sweetheart.” She soothes, rubbing my back. “I’m just worried about you, about your brother. Even Erica. There is so much happening and I need you to be honest with me, okay?” I sniff, nodding my head. Mom pulls back removing my hands from my face. She gently wipes my tears from my face and fixes my hair. “I want you to be able to tell me what’s going on.”

“Okay.” I whimper, sniffing again.

Mom kisses my forehead. “Go upstairs. I’ll make you some tea.”

I nod my head feeling exhausted. I’ve only been through half of the day and I am already over it.

“Mom?” I turn around, halfway up the stairs. Mom already has my favourite tea cup in her hands. The one with my name on it with a princess crown over the “D” and little black girl ballerinas dancing around the cup.

“Yes?”

I bite my lip. “Are you going to tell, Dad?”

Mom looks at me for a moment, deep in thought. She sighs shaking her head. “No,” she says and I feel a little bit of weight ease off my shoulders. If Dad found out about anything that has happened over the last few days he would freak out and that would cause more trouble that no one in the house needed right now. I think I’ve suffered enough. “I don’t want him to blow this out of proportion.”

I nod my head again, gracious yet surprised that Mom isn’t going to tell Dad about what happened. At least not yet. She will have to tell him eventually, maybe after everything with Will dies down.

“Diana?” Mom calls.

“Yes, mom.”

“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

Beneath her calm exterior I know Mom is still worried about me. A lot of information has been thrown on top of her and so suddenly. Will’s body being found, talking to the police about Barb’s disappearance. I know I can tell Mom anything, she’s never made me feel like I couldn’t, neither has Dad but he’s hard to talk to sometimes. I feel bad for hiding everything from her, but I didn’t know how to say anything because I was still trying to figure everything out myself. I still am.

I smile, albeit a small one. “I know.”

“Oh,” Mom says, placing the kettle on the burner. “Since they found Will,” she winces at the revelation. “Classes resume. I know it’s been hard for you these past few days, so I told Madame Petrovna you won’t be at rehearsal for the rest of the week. Will’s funeral is tomorrow and I believe it’s better if we stick together, for Lucas.”

The peppermint tea is long forgotten on my night table. I stare at the ceiling thinking about what’s transpired over the past few days trying to make sense of it all. I can’t stop thinking about Barb and the animal Nancy and I saw at Steve’s house yesterday. Officer Powell and Callahan said they didn’t find anything. I find that strange because Nancy and I saw something. It was huge and unlike any animal I’ve ever seen. It didn’t have a face. A person will never forget witnessing something without a face, no matter how traumatized. Nancy and I are not crazy. When Officer Powell and Callahan said they didn’t see Barb’s car…that was the most bizarre. I didn’t like the way they were looking at me, especially Callahan, like I was lying or making everything up. Why would I lie about finding my best friend’s car? And to insinuate she would ever leave town? Barb wasn’t like that. She liked living in Hawkins and she wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye. But you did say goodbye to Barb. I shake my head. No. Barb is alive. She has to be.

Then there was Eddie. The judgement behind their eyes when I mentioned him…it reminded me of the way Principal Higgins looked at Eddie in the hallway on Tuesday. I don’t like it and frankly, it is all unwarranted. Eddie was gentle and kind. Regardless of who is father and what he has done, to judge Eddie based on him is horrible and completely unfair. Spasms of irritation go through my body. No one deserves to be treated like that. My ears perk up as I hear my room door open, I quickly sit up feeling woozy with a headrush. I steady myself, running my fingers through my hair, frowning.

“Diana, are you okay?”

Nancy closes my room door carefully before rushing to my bedside. I blink, shaking my head.

“Nancy? What are you doing here?”

“Your mom let me in.” she responds, sitting on my bed. “I need to show you something.” She urges, reaching inside her bag. Not sure what was going on, I blinked rapidly but cross my legs nonetheless, tucking a curl behind my ear.

“What is it?”

“This.” Nancy answers, showing me a photo. It was one of Jonathan’s from yesterday, though not ripped into tiny pieces. It must have been the pieces she gathered on the ground. It was taped back together, jagged edges making the photo look like a montage of time. I take the photo out of her hands eyes darting at all ends of the photo. It was Barb sitting on the edge of the diving board looking down at the water. “What do you see?”

I graze my finger over her, feeling sad. “Barb.”

“Yes,” Nancy confirms, shuffling closer to me. “But what else?”

I narrow my eyes looking at the photo closer. Then I see it. There’s a shadowy figure behind Barb, but it’s too blurry for me to see.

“Something’s behind her.”

“Exactly!” Nancy says eagerly. I bring the photo up to my face.

“Wait. Is that—”

“The thing we saw in Steve’s backyard.” Nancy finishes.

I drop my arms, twisting my lips. “Do you think…”

“It took Barb? Yes.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know.” Nancy answers, taking the photo from me to look at.

A knot of uncertainty tightened in my chest, constricting my breath and making it hard to think clearly. “This is freaking me out.” I protest, pushing myself off my bed. “I spoke to the cops this morning and they said they didn’t find anything at Steve’s house.”

“They told me the same too,” Nancy said, watching me carefully. “Did they tell you about Barb’s car?”

“Yes, and that doesn’t make any sense because we just saw the car yesterday.” I share, pacing back and forth in my room. I stop and look at Nancy. “You don’t think this…thing took her car too, do you?”

“No, it doesn’t make sense.” Nancy shakes her head, frowning.

“So where did Barb’s car go?” I ask. “It doesn’t make sense for anyone to steal it.”

“I don’t know Di. All I know is that thing took her.”

I huff, plopping myself down on my bed. “Has Steve said anything?”

Nancy rolls her eyes. “He’s too busy worrying about getting in trouble by his parents.”

“Wow.” Just when I thought he was getting better.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

I nod my head in understanding and take the photo from her to inspect. “This picture is too blurry to make out what it is. We need to blow this picture up to see this thing clearly.” I look at her feeling determined to get to the bottom of this. “We need to find Jonathan.”

NEXT -> PART III

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 11 days ago

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CHAPTER 4: THE BODY

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: Enjoy!

Warnings: Officer Callahan tbh.

Word Count: 2062

Masterlist

PART I || PART II

Thursday, November 10, 1983 - HAWKINS HIGH

“Now, the three main reasons for The Civil War were one, disagreements over slavery, two, state vs. federal rights…”

I stare outside the window watching the trees ripple in the wind, drowning out the history lesson. It’s been hard to concentrate and I can’t think about how heavy yesterday was. From finding Barb’s car, the thing with no face in Steve’s backyard, running to Lucas in the front yard after finding out about Will. The events following after Mom and Erica found Lucas and I on the front lawn feels like a fever dream. I remember being led to the front door, Erica calling out to Dad, Dad questioning Mom about what happened. I don’t know how or who took a shower first, but I know Mom was talking to me but I couldn’t hear anything.

The shock of something happening to Barb and the police finding Will in the Quarry didn’t sink in until I lay in bed. I couldn’t stop crying. I woke up this morning squished between Lucas and Erica. Lucas lying almost horizontal and practically hanging off my bed while Erica snuggles into my back like a baby koala basking in my body heat. It’s been a few years since Erica and Lucas slept in my bed and I’m sure Mom has taken multiple photos of us all sleeping together. She loves taking photos and videos of us.

The news of Will spread across the entire town like wildfire. Whispers of fear, concern and condolences echo in the hallways. I don’t see Jonathan which makes sense considering. I saw Nancy this morning in first period. Neither of us talk, both too wrapped up in our own thoughts to say anything. Mom dropped me and Erica at school this morning. Lucas stayed home. He hasn’t said much since last night and the family has given him space to grieve. For all of us to grieve. We knew Will too.

“Diana Sinclair?”

I blink out of my stupor, perking up in my seat. Principal Higgins stands at the door looking at me.

“Y-yes?”

“If you’ll come with me, please.”

Everyone’s eyes are on me and I quickly stand up avoiding their stare as I pack up my books. Principal Higgins escorts me down the hall and I wonder what’s happening. I am led to his office. Janice, the secretary is scribbling on yellow legal pad, her plum-coloured outfit matching her eggplant-coloured nails. She smiles at me, magnified eyeballs warm and kind.

“Hello, dear,” she greets.

“Hi, Janice.”

Principal Higgins nods his head respectfully in greeting and guides me to his office where two officers stand. My eyes widen in alarm and I linger outside the office not wanting to go inside. The two officers look at me through the window and I feel my knees tremble. I don’t know what to expect. I mean who does when it comes to being escorted out of class to speak to police officers. I immediately fear the worse. Barb. Principal Higgins opens his office door.

“Officer Powell, Callahan. This is Diana Sinclair.” Officer Powell and Callahan peer out the door. Principal Higgins looks behind him and notices I’m not behind and smiles patiently. “It’s okay, Miss Sinclair, you’re not in trouble. Officer Powell and Officer Callahan just want to ask you a few questions.” My heart races. That doesn’t make me feel any better.

I wave half-heartedly with a closed lip smile. “H-Hello.”

“Good Morning.”

“Hi.”

They answer at the same time.

I don’t move from my spot in the middle of the office and the officers don’t move from where they stand. The whole encounter is awkward and I really want to run back to class and forget this ever happened. I shift side to side on my feet, playing with a loose thread on my skirt wondering what we’re waiting for. If they wanted to ask me questions, wouldn’t Principal Higgins have ushered me into his office to talk? Everyone was just standing here like they were waiting for something or someone. My ears immediately perk up when I hear soft clacking of heels walk into the office and I turn my head to see who it could be. My eyes widen and my jaw drops. Mom stands by the entrance wearing a sleek black trench coat with small kitten heels. Her hair is styled in a nice bob and looks freshly done, meaning she just got back from the salon. Principal Higgins walks past me to greet her, shaking her hand firmly and mom smiles her classic southern belle smile at him.

My heart is beating so loud, I can hear it in my ears. I clutch my pendant tightly in my hands fearing I may pass out from overstimulation. Principal Higgins nods to the officers and they walk out his office excusing themselves past me. I blink realizing I’m still standing in the middle of the room like a deer stuck in headlights. The men walk out the door while Mom lingers waiting for me. She extends her arm and on instinct I walk towards her in a trance. Mom wraps her arm around my shoulder and without a word, we walk out the office.

Principal Higgins brought us to the cafeteria. It was empty, but I know the lunch ladies were in the kitchen preparing the food for lunch. He leaves us to parade the hallways and Mom and I are sitting across Officer Powell and Callahan. They introduce themselves to Mom and tell us both, that they are here to talk to me about Barb. It turns out Mr. and Mrs. Holland went to the station this morning to file a missing person report and told them mine and Nancy’s name as the last people who saw her. I guess they are going to talk to Nancy next which meant, Mrs. Wheeler was going to come to the school too. I wish I could’ve warned Nancy about what was happening, but I can’t. I tell the officers what happened Tuesday night.

“So, after this argument—” Officer Powell continued.

“It wasn’t an argument,” I correct, shaking my head. “It was a…disagreement.” I’ve been talking to Officer Powell and Officer Callahan for the past fifteen minutes answering their questions. Mom sits quietly beside me, listening intently to the conversation.

“Okay.” Officer Powell said. “After the disagreement, what happened?”

“I walked home.”

“You walked all the way home in the middle of the night.” It wasn’t a question. Officer Powell and Officer Callahan both looked skeptical about the thought. It takes almost two hours or more to walk uptown.

“Well, no. I-I got a ride.”

I can feel Mom looking at me now. At the Wheelers with Barb’s parents, I didn’t get the chance to answer Mrs. Wheeler’s question before Mike stormed inside the house. To be honest, I was hoping I would never have to. Part of me wants to keep Eddie a secret. Not because I was embarrassed of him, the complete opposite. He seemingly was the only good in my life right now and I don’t want it all to be too good to be true. Officer Powell and Officer Callahan glanced at each other, my answer perking newfound interest in my story.

“From who?”

“His name is Eddie.”

“Eddie what?” Officer Powell asks, writing in his notepad.

“I’m not sure,” I respond, frowning. It never occurred to ask him his full name. The specifics didn’t matter. “He goes to this school and he was on his way home…” I don’t want to say Eddie was on his way from work because he is technically working illegally at a bar downtown and I don’t want to get him in trouble. “He saw me walking past Benny’s Burgers and offered to drive me home.”

“She must be talking about Munson.” Officer Callahan said to Officer Powell. “Wayne’s nephew.”

Officer Powell made a face. “Al’s kid?” He shakes his head.

My eyes dart back and forth between the officers. I may have been born and raised in Hawkins but it didn’t mean I knew everyone in town. Mom and Dad moved to Hawkins from Virginia and we were one of the few families in our neighbourhood who didn’t have grandparents who grew up knowing each other. We didn’t come from generations and generations of Hawkins natives. We are the first in our family to uproot here.

“You seem like a nice girl, Diana.” Officer Callahan says. “I would keep my distance from Eddie Munson.”

I frown. “Why?”

“With a father like Al Munson, take my word for it. He’s trouble.”

My frown deepens and I clench my hands into tight fists. I don’t like how they’re talking about Eddie especially when the information provided doesn’t have anything to do with what matters. Barb’s disappearance.

“I don’t think this is an appropriate conversation to be having with my daughter when her best friend is missing.” Mom reminded, her tone hard.

“Eddie has been nothing but kind to me.” I counter, nostrils flaring. “He drove me all the way across town to make sure I got home safe. That’s more than anybody here has ever done for me.”

“Do you have any more questions for my daughter about her whereabouts?” Mom asks in her parental voice.

Officer Callahan sits back in his chair while Officer Powell cleared his throat.

“What happened yesterday?” he asked.

“Nancy and I went back to Steve’s house to look for Barb and on the way, we saw her car parked in the exact same spot we left it the night before.”

“When you went back, what did you see?”

“I don’t know how to explain it, but it was huge, like some sort of animal or something, but,” I pause, licking my bottom lip. “It didn’t have a face.”

Judgement shoots across Officer Powell’s face. “An animal with no face.”

“I know it sounds ridiculous but that’s what I saw.” I swallow down the lump forming in my throat and touch my gold pendant on my chest. “I think it took Barb.”

“We checked the house and there were no signs of any animals.”

“Did you check the woods?”

“Check the woods for an animal?” Officer Callahan deadpans. I don’t respond, fixing my chin up. It wasn’t the brightest question to ask, but it was still valid in my opinion.

“There was no car either.” Officer Powell adds.

I sit up straight, eyes darting to his. “What? Where did it go?”

“That’s what we’d like to know, Diana.” He responds, patiently.

“Nancy and I saw Barb’s car yesterday. I swear to you.”

“Here’s what we think. We figure that Barb came back last night and then took off somewhere. Has she ever talked to you about running away?”

I shake my head. “No. Barb wouldn’t do that.”

“Maybe she was upset, like you, about the fact that Nancy was spending time with Steve.” Officer Callahan surmises.

I squint at him and his ridiculous deduction. Barb wasn’t like that. I wasn’t like that. Barb and I may have had our worries about Nancy’s relationship with Steve but it wasn’t because of her. It was because of him.

“I wasn’t upset about that.” I protest.

“Jealous, perhaps?”

The subtle tilt of his head conveyed an air of disdainful curiousity as if he were assessing me from a lofty perch. The laugh that comes out my lips is uncharacteristic. The tinge of bitterness and condescension charges the air. I can feel my Mom’s disapproving stare. My manners were unbecoming, I know. But for Officer Callahan to insinuate I am jealous of my best friend for spending time with a boy she likes is comical and proves he clearly wasn’t listening to anything I was saying. There was no motive for Barb to randomly disappear. There was nothing. The only thing that I know is that she is missing and something bad happened to her.

“No one was jealous of Nancy,” I shoot back, trying to be mindful of my tone. “Not me. Not Barb. No one. I don’t care about Steve. I care about Barb and she’s missing.”

The officers both watch me slightly taken aback by my firmness. Mom shifts in her seat waiting. Officer Powell closes his notepad, clicking his pen.

“That’s all the questions we have for you Diana.”

NEXT -> PART II

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 12 days ago

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BEYONCÉ | BEYWATCH (HALLOWEEN 2024)

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stranger-fanfiction-n-things · 13 days ago

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CHAPTER 3: HOLLY, JOLLY

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: This scene makes me cry. Even more when I listened to Heroes by Peter Gabriel.

Warnings: Sadness.

Word Count: 1307

Masterlist

PART I || PART II || PART III || PART IV || PART V

SINCLAIR RESIDENCE

Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I run down Maple. Nancy is close beside me and once my house comes into view, we slow down to a light jog and eventually to a stop. I bend over placing my hands on my knees gasping for air. My legs ache and my chest burns from overexertion. Nancy and I linger on my front lawn until we can catch our breaths to speak.

“What—” I cough into my arm. “What was that?” I wheeze.

“I don’t know.” Nancy pants. She stands up, holding her side.

“Do you think—” I draw a sharp breath blinking back tears. I can’t bring myself to finish the sentence.

Nancy doesn’t respond. Both of us think the same thing. Something happened to Barb. Something bad. Her car still at the same spot we left it last night. She wasn’t at school today and there was something or someone in Steve’s backyard.

“We need to tell our parents.” Nancy says, her face flush with pink. I nod my head in agreement. Our parents will know what to do. “Meet at my house in twenty, okay?” Her voice sounds thick with emotion.

“Y-yes,” I croak. A tear falls down my face.

Nancy’s chin trembles as she wraps her arms around me. I choke on a sob, holding her tight in my arms. We stand there for a moment, crying in each other’s arms and in that moment, what happened last night at Steve’s party doesn’t matter anymore. Any anger or resent I had in my heart disappears. What matters is Barb and that we need to find her.

I approach my door with heavy feet and unlock it. My body feels like it has been drained of everything in it. I feel like a hollow cavern, floating around. I close the door behind me and walk towards the kitchen. I don’t see anything around me. I don’t hear anything. I just feel exhausted.

“Mom!” I shout, my chest feels tight. “Mom!”

Mom comes rushing down the stairs with Erica trailing behind. Her face is etched with worry and fear. Erica lingers by the stairs watching me carefully. I hold my chest in my hands, feeling my tears trickle down my face.

“Diana! Honey, what’s wrong?”

“S-something happened to Barb.” I whimper. “Something bad happened to her!”

“What do you mean something happened to her? Didn’t she sleep over at Nancy’s?”

I look up at the ceiling. I forgot. How could something bad happen to Barb if she was with us the whole time. I open my mouth to speak but the words don’t come. I hiccup, choking on a sob. This is what I get for lying to her. I drop my bag on the floor and hold my head in my hands. I can’t stop crying at how my life has turned upside down in the span of 24-hours.

“Diana?” Mom says, her voice thick with worry. I smell her expensive perfume before I feel her arms wrap around me. “What happened last night?”

I lift my head from my hands, looking up at her. Nancy and I had a plan. I needed to stick to the plan. “We have to go to Mrs. Wheeler’s house.” I say, taking a step back. “Right, now.”

“Diana, what’s going on?”

I don’t answer, marching to the front door. I hear Mom’s footsteps behind me. “Diana!”

I turn around, eyes fresh with tears. Mom is standing in front of me, eyes darting back and forth, waiting for an answer. Erica is close behind watching me with a glint of fear in hers.

“We can’t find her, mom.” I whimper. “We can’t find Barb.”

WHEELER RESIDENCE

Thirty-five minutes later and me, Mom, Mrs. Wheeler, Nancy and Mr. and Mrs. Holland are sitting in the sitting room. Mrs. Wheeler set Erica in the living room with snacks and the television making sure she was far away from the commotion, but close enough to keep an eye one. Nancy and I are sitting beside each other. Neither of us look at the adults. I’m bouncing my leg up and down trying to calm my nerves. I feel like pacing back and forth. Going for a run. Just anything to keep from having a mental breakdown. I expect Mrs. Wheeler and Mom to be angry with us, but they aren’t. Only concerned. As they should be when Nancy and I walk into our respective households crying. Still I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Tell us what happened from the very beginning.” Mrs. Wheeler says, calmly.

I feel like I have been asked to take the stand. Thankfully, it’s Nancy who responds.

“Barb, Diana and I were invited to a party last night.” She says, looking at her hands. I quickly glance at Mom. Her expression is neutral.

“Who’s party?”

Nancy doesn’t answer right away.

“Is it Steve’s?” Mrs. Wheeler asks.

“Yes.” Nancy mumbles. “I told Barb and Diana to lie and say we were going to Will’s assembly on the field. Instead, Barb drove us to Steve’s house across town.” Nancy looks up at Mrs. Wheeler and swallows. “We were all hanging out at his house and then…” she looks at me to speak.

“I wanted to go home.” I finish.

“I didn’t.” Nancy adds.

“I asked Barb if she wanted to come with me, but she decided to stay with Nancy.”

“You walked home from across town.” Mom voiced. I can hear the shock in her tone. “In the middle of the night.”

I look at her, biting my lip. I want to tell her about Eddie driving me home, but what then I would be caught in another lie. “Well—”

The front door opens and slams shut. All of us turn to the door. Mike is halfway across the foyer when Mrs. Wheeler calls out his name rushing to him. Mike stops and turns to face us. Tears glisten on his cheeks and more run down his face. I stand up, feeling my stomach drop to my feet and share a worried glance at Nancy. Mike’s face puckers as he fights to hold everything in, but as soon as Mrs. Wheeler hugs him, he lets go.

“What happened, honey?” I hear Mrs. Wheeler say between Mike’s sobs.

“W-Will.” It’s all Mike is able to say before he breaks down.

I stumble back, losing my footing for a brief moment, my body rocked by the sheer force of the unexpected revelation. I stagger out of the sitting room to the front door, yanking it open.

“Diana!” I hear Mom shout, but I don’t turn around, my feet guiding me back home.

I can’t hear anything but the violent whooshing of wind hitting my face as I run down the street. Tears leak from my eyes, trickling into my hairline. My heart is pounding so hard I feel like it’ll burst out of my chest. I run. I keep running until I see my lawn. From the other side of the street, I see a small flash of light. His legs are pushing against the pedals of his bike.

“Lucas!” I shout. My throat burns. “Lucas!”

Lucas climbs off his bike dropping it in the middle of our lawn. He runs, slamming his body into mine. All the air rushes out my lungs but I don’t care. I wrap my arms around my brother holding him tight. I hear his sobs. I feel his shudders. Lucas clings to me like if he let’s go, I’ll disappear too. I don’t say anything. I just hold him letting my tears fall silently. I don’t know how long it takes for Mom to pull into the driveway or how Lucas and I got back inside the house. All I know is, we need each other more than anything.

CHAPTER 4: THE BODY

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