TWO,     Back to normalcy

November 8th, 1983

     The ride to Hawkins High was quiet at first. The radio from the car hummed softly in the background, but neither of them paid much attention to it. Hana stared out the passenger window, her fingers nervously tapping against the worn fabric of the seat. Everything felt different— the town, the air, even her dad. It had only been a year, but it was like she had stepped into a world she no longer fit into. Her hospital visit hadn't even lasted as long as she expected it to. She was prepared to stay there maybe a week or two. However, they said she was fine— that nothing was wrong with her and that she could go as long as she came back for some evaluations. She had agreed, despite not really wanting to.

She was back home by night. Everything was how she left it. Her room, the clothes in her laundry basket, the cigarettes. Nothing was touched.

She knew her dad had probably been a wreck when she didn't come home that night. He must've been so worried for her and she wished she could tell him everything but it didn't seem like a good idea. She didn't want him to think she was completely out of her mind.

She wasn't sure if telling would do anything. That it would help. She just wanted to forget it all. The monsters, the voice, the cold. Everything. She didn't want to dwell on it or think about how the place made her feel even when she had escaped.

Joni Park gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white as they rounded a bend in the road. He glanced over at her, his eyes soft with worry, guilt, and something else he hadn't quite found words for. His daughter— his missing daughter— was sitting next to him, alive and whole. But, call it father's intuition, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was still broken.

"Hana," he started, his voice low, tentative. He cleared his throat. "You sure about this? I mean, about going to school. You've only been out the hospital a day. A day. We don't have to rush this. School can wait."

"I'm sure," Hana didn't look at him. Her gaze fixated on the trees flying past the window. "I just want to get it over with."

"I get that," He nodded slowly, not really convinced. "It's just... A lot has happened, Hana. And maybe we should— maybe you should take more time."

"I'm going to have to go eventually." She finally turned to look at him, her eyes tired.

Joni's grip on the wheel tightened. He wanted to argue, to tell her she didn't have to do anything right now, that it could wait. But she seemed resolute, and he wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. He hadn't been able to protect her— hadn't been able to find her. He'd given up, even if he didn't want to admit it.

"Alright," he muttered after a long pause. "But if it gets too much... I mean it, Hana. You call me right away. I'll come pick you up. No questions asked."

She nodded, but didn't respond. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. She hated how fragile her dad was making her out to be. She just needed to move forward, even if it meant ignoring that part of her that still felt trapped down there.

They pulled up to the school, the building looming ahead. Hana's stomach twisted. Her hands clenched into fists as she stared at the familiar 'Hawkins High School' sign, the kids pouring in through the doors, laughing and talking like it was just another day.

It was for them. Not her.

Joni didn't shut off the engine right away. He sat there for a moment, his eyes on the windshield, but his mind was somewhere else. "I don't know if you've heard..." He began, his voice quieter now, like he was hesitant to bring it up. "But... another kid went missing. Will Byers. A day ago."

Byers? Why did that name sound familiar?

Hana stiffened, another kid? The same day she was found.

"That's... part of why I'm so worried about you going back. It's... like after what happened with you, now this. It's hard not to think about it, you know?" He ran a hand through his hair.

Hana's heart thudded in her chest. She wondered if the boy went missing the same way she did. If he was stuck in that place alone like she was.

"Do they... think he's dead?" She asked, her voice low, almost afraid of the answer.

"They don't know," Joni said. "But they're looking. Hopefully, since they started the investigation early, the little boy can be found."

Hana hated that part of her wanted to know more about Will. About what might have happened to him. But at the same time, it scared her. She couldn't go through that again.

He cleared his throat, trying to pull himself together. "I don't want you worrying about that. I just... I don't want anything to happen to you again, okay?"

"I'll be fine," She said, though she wasn't sure if she believed it.

"Alright. Go on, then. But remember what I said. Tell the school to call me if you need anything. Anything at all. I'm serious."

Hana nodded, giving him a small, tight-lipped smile before grabbing her bag and opening the door. She stepped out into the cool morning air, feeling the worried stare of her father as she made her way toward the school. Her nerves were slowly building, but she kept walking forward. She knew being back this soon would spark questions, still, she didn't care.

It felt like everyone's eyes were on her, she despised the feeling of being exposed and vulnerable. She hoped that maybe it was all in her head, that maybe they didn't care as much as she thought they did.

As soon as she opened the front doors and approached her locker, a familiar voice rang out.

"Hana!?"

She turned to see Rosemary approaching, her face a mixture of surprise and relief. The redhead, true to her form, rushed forward and practically tackled in a hug.

"You're back already? I mean, I know Carmen and I saw you at the hospital, but I didn't think you'd be back so soon!" Rosemary blurted out, her words tumbling over each other out of excitement.

"Yeah, I just... wanted to come back and be with you guys. Didn't want to stay cooped up at home." Hana gave a small shrug, trying to act nonchalant.

Rosemary pulled back, her expression softening, her eyes flickering with concern that made Hana's stomach churn. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine," Hana said quickly, wanting to change the subject. "Where's Carmen?"

"Behind you." The redhead replied, a mischievous smirk creeping onto her lips. "She's talking to Jonathan."

"Byers?" Hana asked hesitantly.

"Yup!" Rosemary nodded, "You haven't been here, so I'll catch you up— last year they got paired up in Ms. Terry's class, and ever since then, they've been close. I think Carmen really likes him." 

Hana's mind barely registered Rosemary's words. Her eyes wandered to where Carmen stood a few feet away, quietly chatting with Jonathan. But it wasn't Carmen's potential crush on him that occupied Hana's thoughts. Her mind snagged one word— Byers. "He's Will Byer's brother, right? The little boy who went missing." She asked.

"Yeah, he is. I think that's why Carmen's talking to him, to make sure he's doing alright. I mean, he was there for her when you—" Rosemary immediately cut herself off, hating how her mouth moved before thinking. 

When you disappeared. Hana didn't need the reminder, not from Rosemary, not from anyone.

Hana looked away, her gaze drifting back to Carmen and Jonathan. There was something about his slouched posture, the way his hands were stuffed into his pockets, that mirrored her own unease. Will Byers was missing, and yet Hana was here. It felt wrong like she had cheated some cosmic balance.

"He was there for her, huh?" Hana's voice came out quieter than she intended. She could feel her friend's eyes on her, but she didn't turn back. She couldn't.

"Yeah..." Rosemary's voice was soft, careful now. "Jonathan was really good to her. I think... they get each other."

Hana nodded absently, though her thoughts were already spiraling elsewhere. Will Byers. Disappeared without a trace. Just like she had. What if whatever had taken her, whatever pulled her into that dark place, had Will too?

And what if he didn't make it out alive?

Hana watched Carmen say goodbye to Jonathan, and then make her way over to them.

"How is he?" Rosemary asked worried.

"He says he's fine... but I know that's not true." Carmen crossed her arms, sighing.

"Have the police found anything?"

"No, they're still looking."

Hana could tell Carmen was concerned for Jonathan and his well-being— how this might affect him if his brother wasn't found. A part of Hana wanted to help search for the little boy, or even go to the police and share her experience. But would they believe her?

Unfortunately, it was a risk she wasn't willing to take.

"You're back," Carmen pointed out, looking at Hana. "Why so soon? Don't you wanna rest?"

"Resting won't help much— I can't sleep so I thought I'd just get this day over with... besides the doctors let me out early," Hana explained, shrugging.

"Well, it's good to have you back." Carmen said warmly, wrapping an arm around her in a half-embrace. "We missed you."

Hana leaned into the hug, trying to find comfort in it, but her eyes wandered. The loud sounds of lockers slamming shut, inaudible chatter, and the occasional laughter. And just when she thought she might be able to disappear into the noise, her gaze froze.

Across the hallway, near the far end by the lockers, she saw Nancy.

Her breath caught in her throat.

But it wasn't just seeing her that stopped Hana in her tracks— it was what Nancy was wearing.

A jacket.

Her jacket.

The one she had lent Nancy the week before she disappeared, back when everything between still made sense. It was a faded blue denim jacket, the cuffs worn from years of use, a jacket that had carried Hana through countless school days, nights with friends, and late-night conversations with Nancy. And now, there it was, hanging loosely around Nancy's shoulders like it had always belonged there.

Nancy was standing with Steve— his arm slung around casually around her shoulder. Next to them were Carol and Tommy, laughing about something Hana couldn't hear.

Nancy had always been more private, more reserved, but now there she was, standing beside Steve like they'd been together forever. Hana's heart pounded louder than the noise surrounding her. For a moment, she couldn't look away even if she wanted to. It was the strangest mix of emotions—relief that Nancy was here, safe and alive, but also a sharp sting, a reminder of just how much she had missed. How much she might've lost.

Hana knew feeling this way was wrong when she had pushed Nancy away yesterday.

"Hey, you okay?" Carmen asked, her voice soft, her arm still loosely around Hana.

Hana blinked, forcing herself to tear her gaze away from Nancy. "Yeah," she said quickly. "I'm fine."

Fine was the last thing she felt.

"I... I need to go to the bathroom," Hana mumbled, her voice shaky as she stepped away from Carmen's comforting arm.

"Wait, are you sure you're—" Carmen began, concern lacing her voice, but Hana didn't wait for her to finish.

She was good at that. Running away.

Hana hurried down the hall, her footsteps echoing loudly in her ears as she made a beeline for the bathroom, desperate to escape, to breathe. Pushing the door open, she stepped inside the quiet space. She was thankful no one else was in there with her. Her hands gripped the sink as she leaned over, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her own eyes stared back at her, wide and panicked— though they also seemed hollow, lifeless in a way. Her breaths were shallow and rapid. She tried to squeeze her eyes shut, trying to calm herself down, but it only made everything worse.

Seeing Nancy with Steve did hurt. A lot. But knowing there was a kid out there probably suffering like she was once and she couldn't do anything to help was overwhelming.

Then, suddenly, it felt like the air shifted around her.

The bright lights overhead flickered once, twice, before going out completely. A strange chill consumed the room, and when Hana opened her eyes, the bathroom wasn't the same.

Her reflection was gone. The mirror, streaked with grime and dust, showed only a black void where her face should be. The walls cracked and crumbled, vines slithering up from the corners of the room, pulsing with an eerie energy. The air had become thick and oppressive, like breathing through water.

She was back. In that dark place.

Hana's heart raced as panic surged through her veins. No. Not here. Not again.

She stumbled backward, her back hitting the stall door behind her. Her breaths came out short and unsteady as a familiar sense of dread washed over her, the world around her shifting into that dark, twisted version of reality she had escaped from.

And then, from somewhere in the distance, she heard it.

A growl.

Low, guttural, and too close for comfort.

Hana's pulse skyrocketed as she turned around frantically, her eyes darting across the room for an exit, but the bathroom door was gone, replaced by a solid, pulsating wall of vines. She was trapped.

Her legs felt weak, her whole body trembling as the growling grew louder, closer. She backed herself into a corner, her hands pressed against the cold tile, her mind screaming for a way out. She couldn't go back there— she couldn't survive it again.

I've found someone else to replace you, Hana.

She felt tears building up at the corners of her eyes at the sound of its voice.

Just when she thought the darkness would swallow her whole, she heard another voice— faint, but familiar.

"Hana?"

It was distant at first, muffled as if coming from underwater, but it was there. A beacon.

"Hana? Are you in there?"

The voice was closer now, cutting through the thick, suffocating air. Her name again, insistent. And then, the growling stopped.

Suddenly, the flickering lights above came back on, harsh and glaring. The bathroom snapped back to normal. The vines were gone. The cracks in the walls vanished, replaced by clean white tiles. The mirror once again reflected her wide-eyed, terrified face.

"Hana!"

Nancy's voice.

Hana turned sharply, her breath still uneven, and saw Nancy standing in the doorway, her eyes filled with concern. She took a hesitant step inside, her voice soft but urgent.

"Hana, are you okay?"

Hana blinked, disoriented, the adrenaline still coursing through her body as she tried to ground herself in the present moment. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Nancy moved closer, her brows furrowed with worry. "You looked really pale when you ran off. What's going on?"

Hana wanted to tell her about what she had just seen. But the words wouldn't form. Instead, she shook her head, her hands trembling as she pushed past Nancy's worried gaze.

"I'm fine," she said, even though she knew that wasn't true.

Nancy didn't buy it. "Hana's something's wrong. Talk to me."

Nancy recognized the avoidance of eye contact, and her best friend's trembling hands. Something was wrong and Hana was keeping it from her for some reason. Maybe it had to do with their conversation and how Nancy didn't say anything when Hana confessed to her.

Hana closed her eyes, wishing she could open up to her like Nancy was asking her to. It should be easy. She's confided in her before. That shouldn't have changed. But it did. It wasn't that simple anymore.

"I just... needed some air," Hana said, forcing the words out. "It's... been a lot."

"I'm here, okay?" Nancy reached out, her hand lightly touching Hana's arm, the warmth of it breaking through the cold fear still gripping Hana's heart. "You don't have to pull back from me. Whatever's going on... you don't have to do this alone."

Hana's throat tightened at the kindness in her voice, but she couldn't bring herself to look at her.

"I know," Hans whispered, but the truth was, she didn't know how to let Nancy in again.

Nancy's hand lingered for a moment before she let it drop, stepping back to give Hana space. She shifted, her fingers playing with the hem of Hana's jacket as she glanced toward the floor as if something were weighing on her mind. She hesitated but then looked back up, her eyes softening as she spoke.

"Hey, um... I know it's probably not the best time, but there's a small thing tonight," Nancy started, sounding a bit unsure. "Steve's having a little get-together at his house. Nothing huge, just some friends. I thought maybe... you'd want to come?"

Hana blinked. A party? With Steve Harrington and his dumb parade? That sounded like the last place she wanted to be tonight. The idea of being in the same place as Steve and Nancy, watching them together, felt like stepping into a storm she wasn't ready for.

But Nancy was looking at her with those expectant eyes, that subtle hope that Hana would say yes, and suddenly, it was hard to say no.

"Uh, I don't know, Nance," Hana murmured, her voice still unsteady.

Nancy couldn't help the way her face warmed up at the familiar nickname.

"A party might not be the best thing for me right now, especially if you're just going to be with Steve the whole night." Hana sounded bitter, jealous even, and Nancy caught this.

It confused the girl because yesterday she pushed Nancy away. It was a mistake. Those were Hana's exact words.

Nancy bit her lip, nodding as though she understood, but her expression tightened with something Hana couldn't read. "Yeah, I get it. I just thought... you know, it might help. You don't have to stay long. Just come, and hang out for a while. Steve's cool with it."

It wasn't really about Steve. Hana knew that. Nancy was extending a hand, trying to rebuild whatever had crumbled between them like yesterday at the hospital. A part of Hana wanted to grab onto the lifeline, to fall back into that ease she felt around Nancy, but it seemed more difficult than she anticipated. Something pulled her back— the fear, her uncertainty.

Still, the thought of staying home, alone with her thoughts, was even worse.

"Maybe," Hana said finally. She met Nancy's gaze briefly before looking away. "I'll think about it."

Nancy's lip curled into a small, hopeful smile, though there was a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. "Okay. If you decide to come, I'll be there. It could be fun."

Hana nodded, the word fun felt so distant. The thought of stepping back into any kind of normalcy felt impossible.

Nancy gave Hana a lingering look as if searching for something unspoken in her face. Then, after a moment, she stepped back, releasing some of the tension between them. "I'll see you later, maybe?"

"Maybe," Hana echoed, offering a weak smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Nancy nodded, and before she could slip out through the bathroom door, Hana's voice stopped her.

"Nice jacket by the way."

Nancy turned back, a bit surprised. "Oh, right... it's yours."

"Yeah," Hana said, trying to make her voice sound casual. "I totally forgot you had it. Looks good on you, though."

Nancy glanced down at the worn fabric of the jacket, which was a little big on her, her fingers brushing against the collar. "Thanks. I guess... I never got a chance to give it back."

"Guess not." Hana chuckled softly, though it was strained.

There a was moment where Nancy's face softened, the tension in her shoulders easing just a bit. She looked almost relieved like they had managed to pull themselves out of the awkwardness, even if only for a second.

Nancy's lips curled into a smile, a small, grateful one. "Well, I'll give it back... eventually. If you want it."

"No, keep it, don't worry," Hana shook her head. "It suits you."

Nancy's smile lingered as she glanced down at the jacket again, then back at Hana. "Well, I should go," She said. "But, um... think about the party, okay? I'd like it if you came."

Hana just nodded, her throat tight, unsure what to say. "Yeah... I'll think about it."

Nancy hesitated for a beat longer, then gave a small, almost hopeful smile before turning and slipping out of the door, leaving Hana standing there alone, the cold air rushing back in as soon as the door clicked shut. The brief lightless from their conversation about the jacket vanished instantly.

Hana stared at her reflection in the mirror, her breath fogging up the glass slightly. The bathroom was normal again, sterile and still. But deep inside her, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Something was coming.

And she wasn't ready for it.