Eli opened his eyes when the radio started playing.
He needed a moment to figure out where he stood. Above, the ceiling fan turned slow, making a soft click each time around - like it was hiding a wobble. Light from outside slipped past flimsy curtains, washed-out and dim, giving the room a half-done feel.
That's when the words on the radio started making sense.
"…search efforts will continue today as volunteers join local law enforcement - "
He flipped to his side, eyes on the wall, just listening. Nothing new - same drill from yesterday. Spot anything? Report it. Tiny place. Everyone's watching everyone else. Eli buried his face in the pillow for a sec, took a slow breath.
It wasn't fear now - more like weight. Not sharp, just slow pressure.
He stood up, tugged his hoodie over his head, then ran through what Hopper showed him last night - feet a little apart, knees loose, fists raised, face tucked low. Didn't need to focus now. Movements came by themselves.
Three slow breaths.
Reset.
Downstairs, Marcy was up, tossing stuff in a skillet. It smelled nice - could've been eggs or some bacon. Everyday scents. He didn't mind them.
"Mornin'," she called out, still facing away.
"Morning."
She looked his way. "How'd you rest?"
"Yeah."
He kept saying that - it'd turned into his go-to reply. Not false. Just... missing pieces.
They shared a meal side by side, the radio humming faintly nearby. A moment passed - she lowered the volume.
"School today," she said. "Hopper called last night. Asked me to keep an eye on you after."
Eli nodded. "I'm meeting some kids."
She lifted one brow - curious, yet calm. "Hmm?"
"From school," he added quickly. "They're… looking for their friend."
Marley stared at him a moment more before letting out a breath. "Don't get into trouble, got it?"
"I will."
She never forced things. That's what Eli liked most. She had a feel for when to speak up - also when to stay quiet.
The trip to school seemed odd now.
It wasn't any quieter - actually, seemed like even more folks around. Some parents tagging along with their kids, just partway to the school. Teachers hanging by the entrances, not tucked indoors. Couple police cruisers close by, no flashing lights, still noticeable.
Eli moved past everything, eyes low, pack barely weighing him down.
Mike saw the guy before anyone else.
He stood near the bike rack with Lucas plus Dustin, debating stuff about flashlights along with power cells. Spotting Eli, his expression brightened as if he'd stumbled on a solution outta nowhere.
You showed up, Mike said - his voice full of relief.
"I said I would."
Lucas crossed his arms. "You don't even have a bike."
"I can walk."
Dustin grinned. "Walking is underrated."
Lucas rolled his eyes, though he tried not to show it.
They barely spoke before class started. Just hung around, fidgeting like kids do when things feel awkward or tense. As soon as the bell went off, they went their separate ways - said they'd hook up later that afternoon.
Eli made it to evening okay - no trouble at all.
Teachers got sidetracked. Classes moved fast, one after another. No one paid attention when he was done - or just zoning out. At lunch, he stayed near the group of kids - never right in the middle, though. Dustin kept talking without pause. Mike nodded along quietly. Lucas took it all in from the edges.
For a moment, Dustin pushed a box of chocolate milk his way. "Drink it or what?" he said
Eli hesitated. "Yeah."
"Good. Because I already touched it."
Mike let out a scoff, then - despite himself - Eli cracked a half-smile.
It seemed… easier. Not joyful. Simply not so hard.
Later on, they ran into each other near the bikes once more - same spot, right after class let out.
Mike explained things like someone giving directions - only he used hand waves instead of streets, pointing off toward some vague spot beyond the trees.
"We're checking near the quarry trail," he said. "Not going down. Just around it."
Lucas frowned. "That's still not great."
"I know," Mike said. "That's why we're not going far."
Dustin turned toward Eli. "Cool with it?"
Eli stared into the trees, thinking back on that noise from the day before. Not quite a scream - more like rustling, maybe footsteps. His skin prickled just remembering it. He'd flinched first, questioned later.
"I'm okay," he replied.
They started down the path side by side, wheels bumping along as they strolled. Sun climbed above them - brighter now, a little kinder on their skin. Warmth wasn't the only thing keeping spirits up though. Dustin kept talking nonstop, jumping from swamp critters to sketchy stories about shady vans owned by faceless agencies.
"You ever think about how weird it is that Hawkins has, like, no traffic but way too many government buildings?" Dustin asked.
Lucas snorted. "You think everything is a conspiracy."
"That's because everything is."
Eli kept silent - yet paid attention. His eyes followed the trees, then the dark shapes between them, how the trail got tighter while they walked away from town. No words came from the System. Didn't matter. He was still sharp, always on edge.
They halted just ahead of the stone pit's edge.
Mike peered out, teeth clenched. "Maybe he slipped."
"He didn't," Lucas stated, voice steady.
"You don't know that."
"I know Will."
That stopped Mike.
Eli glanced from one to the other. "Better not hang around too long," he said
All three looked his way - eyes locking on him at once.
"Why?" Dustin asked.
Eli shrugged. "People will start looking for you if you're gone too long."
It made sense. No showy stuff. Yet got results.
They stayed a bit longer, after that they headed off.
As they left, a pickup eased up alongside the pavement. Each one stiffened without thinking. Out leaned the driver.
"You boys see anything?" the man called.
"No way," Mike shot back right away.
The vehicle kept moving forward.
They only relaxed once it disappeared.
When they got near the edge of town, Lucas looked over at Eli. "You're... not like before." He paused a bit before speaking again. Not quite sure how to say it right
Eli braced.
"Not bad," Lucas added. "Just… you don't freak out."
Eli thought about that. "I do. I just don't show it."
Lucas gave a nod - like he got it now.
They broke apart close to the Byers' road. Then Mike stayed behind for a moment.
"Cheers," he muttered under his breath.
"For what?"
"For coming."
Eli nodded. "Yeah."
He headed back by himself once more - yet tonight, the silence felt lighter.
Later that evening, Hopper came around.
He tapped lightly - only one time - as if trying not to startle someone.
"How was school?" he asked.
"Okay."
"Meet the kids?"
Eli paused... before giving a small nod.
Hopper let out a breath, scrubbing at his forehead. "Been keeping clear of messes?"
"Yes."
Hopper looked at him briefly before giving a small nod. "Alright."
Before he left, Hopper paused. "We'll keep working on the basics," he said. "Nothing fancy. Just… being ready."
Eli nodded. "I like it."
That pulled a faint grin from his lips.
Later on, inside his room, Eli rested on the bed, eyes stuck to the spinning fan above. While time passed slow, he didn't move a bit - just watched each turn go by like it meant something.
He didn't plan on getting involved.
He just wasn't into it yet.
Yet now, after reaching Hawkins, the thought of sharing it suddenly seemed safe - no longer something to fear.
It felt like something worth holding onto.