Chapter Text
6th December, 1987
Dear El,
I don’t know wether you’d ever receive this letter. I’m not even sure wether you are alive. I prefer believing you are alive and well. Living peacefully in Iceland with three waterfalls. Where the government won’t use you or harm you. Life has changed drastically after you left. I feel like the same Mike from middle school who spent 353 days without you. Calling for you everyday. You know, at the time, I felt your presence. Like this sixth sense where you’d listen to me rambling in the walkie-talkie everyday in the basement. You’d be glad to know that Max is making a steady recovery. Everyone is! From the hell we experienced last month. I told Mom about you. Dad still doesn’t believe in us. He thinks I’m making it all up. About us. But,
I don’t want to write anymore today. I just hope, wherever you are, you are safe and in peace. And you’re living your best life.
Love,
Mike
6th November, 1992
Faint 90’s music played in the background. As the busy restaurant rushed towards customers to customers. Serving orders, receiving orders, receiving payments what not. In the centre gathered the party. All grown up with their degrees in the subjects they are most passionate about. Dustin had received his degree in Physics as he applied for a PhD programme. Honouring Mr Clark who inspires him as much as Eddie and Steve does. Lucas received a contract in a basketball league representing Indiana. Will became an Artist. Max opened her own skateboard store. Mike became the bestselling author of the month. Again.
The flutes of champagne clinked together for the toast they made for their each success. The music felt fainter while their chats grew louder. Jokes and arguments getting passed around.
“So, you got back together with Suzie-poo?” Lucas asked blown away. The others equally shocked at the revelation.
”Yeah, we met at the PhD programme I recently applied to. A couple of drinks in and we decided to get back together. But no more long distance.” Dustin informed. With the others listening attentively. They hadn’t believed last time he mentioned his relationship, but this time was believable. After all Mike and the byer brothers, with Argyle met Suzie and her family. With Argyle being completely blinded by the presence of her sister, Eden. Who could ever forget that day? A rollercoaster.
“So, do you guys sing Never ending story every night before bed as a form of I love yous or something?” Max questioned as everyone in the table except Dustin began to loudly sing the said song. With the latter flipping the others off.
“You guys are real dipshits, you know that?” Dustin exclaimed. Pretending to be annoyed although he had an obvious smile on his face with his face reddening with embarrassment of the reminiscence of his teenage years.
“No, we are delightful.” Will joked at his statement.
“How’s Gerald doing though?” Mike asked about the brunette’s partner. Who immediately blushed at his mention.
“He’s amazing. Really amazing.” Will replied.
“I still can’t fathom the fact his name is Gerald. It sounds so 1950’s.” Lucas remarked. Yet proud of his friend’s decisions and the steps he took at a time where he didn’t feel belonged. Feared of being judged and unacceptable. He had surely moved on from the trauma he received since he was 12 up till he was 16.
“Mike you must be loaded now! Heard your story sold more than a hundred thousand copies!” Max beamed. Not bothering with the attention their group received from others. Max had noticed Mike’s sombre expression. After all, everyone seemed to move forward, except him. Haunted by the memories of the girl he loved the most, loves the most up until now.
“Eh, you can say so, I guess. The publishers take more than they say but it doesn’t really matter to me.” Mike shrugged. His stories had been science fiction. While readers theorized it as the said Author to be a science nerd, hid a deeper reason for his genre. One that could probably send the military who had been on rest, after him. After El, who had to flee for the same bastards.
And then the table went unusually silent. In a melancholic silence rather than a comforting or awkward silence. Of course the thought of El came across everyone’s mind. Suddenly the laughter and cheers felt foreign. As if they weren’t yelling and annoying others in the restaurant a while ago. Mike’s lips shook. Before he plastered a smile on his face.
“She is probably in Iceland in a place with three waterfalls where she is in peace and safe hands.” Mike said. Again. As he always has been for the past five years. He sounded deluded. But it is the only theory of his that keeps him sane and in peace of mind. Something that kept others’ minds in peace as well.
“Yeah!” Lucas rejoiced as the party went back to their old mood. With heavy hearts that ached. He raised him glass up the air, toasting for El.
“To El, who’s finally leaving the life she deserves.” Lucas called out, the others repeating after him.
“Mike? You’re really here! It’s been so long.” Karen engulfed her towering son into a tight hug. Surprised by his sudden visitation. It had been long since Mike returned to Hawkins after he left the damn town that he feels mixed emotions for.
“Oh wow, our children actually remember us!” Ted exclaimed with little to no emotion. In a robotic manner. As always. He laid against his seater with a plate of chicken over his round belly. Karen snapping at the man for his lack of affection towards his children.
“How’s Ontario been?” Karen asked about Mike’s current residence. A comforting place near the Niagara Falls. Of course a waterfall. It’s the closest he feels to El. Sometimes he dreams of her. In a cabin, isolated but safe. Visiting amusement parks, museums, any place the American government had robbed off of her.
“It’s been good. I can focus more on my writing over here.” Mike replied with a convincing smile. Out of everyone, Karen has been the most worried about him. Even up till now, 5 years after Eleven’s death, even after Mike decided to put on a fake cover of “moving” on from her. He hadn’t. And it had been only Karen who knows he truly didn’t heal from the pain of his loss.
“By the way, a letter arrived today, in your name. All the way from Iceland! My boy must’ve been worldwide now, huh?” Karen pinched Mike’s hollow cheeks. Before she head her ways to bring out the said prop.
Mike’s heart skipped a beat. This sudden surge of emotion, numerous thoughts. A country who’s name has been running on his mind for years when he found out it is where the three waterfalls is located. A place he promised to his El, that they’d run away to.
Please, let it be her.
Mike continuously prayed until his mother brought it to him. A silent hope, a signal she’d send for him. For him to locate her, to reassure she is safe and well. Living her best life where she doesn’t have to save people’s lives all the time.
“Here.” Karen pulled out the brownish paper to his face. The envelope decorated with dried flowers and a nylon thread wrapped diagonally. Snatching the envelope from Karen’s hands Mike towards his childhood bedroom. Thanking his mother on the way before he locked his door and slid down. Leaning against the wooden door. His eyes desperately searching for her name around the envelope. It was there. With her childish handwriting, bore her given name.
Dear Mike,