CHAPTER TWO: STEP ONE

     I sat on my bed in silence, while looking out my open window. I had somehow convinced my parents to turn the heat down, even if winter was nearing. Neither seemed to mind the cold.

     I can't remember a time where I'd felt so empty, so dull. I was beginning to dread going book shopping with Nancy later today, as I knew my mood would bring her down. I wanted to sit here in my room, and stare out the window as I watched the fall leaves go by.

     Much to my annoyance, there was a knock on my bedroom door. I didn't say anything, I only listened as the door creeped open. "Harper?" Nancy's voice echoed in my ears. "You ready to go book shopping?"

"I think I'll just stay home and rest." I said. I realized that I was still looking out the window, so I slowly turned to face her before leaning back on my bed and pulling myself under my covers. "I'm not feeling very well."

Nancy frowned in confusion, before making her way over. She placed a hand on my forehead, her eyes widening. "Harps, you're ice cold." She muttered.

I pulled her hand away and sighed, "I'm okay. I just need to rest." Was all I said.

     Nancy didn't seem convinced. There was a glint in her eye, suspicion. "Okay, I'm just gonna use your phone." She began to make her way to the door, but not without sending me a cautious glance.

     Once the door was closed, I stood to my feet and listened to the sounds of her heels echoing down the hallway. The phone was near the stairs, so she was still in earshot.

     I heard rustling, the sound of her dialling a number. After a few moments of silence, she spoke. "Steve, I think it's happening again." There was a long pause, my eyes narrowed into slits. "Like Will, but it's different this time. I don't know what, but something seems off." Her voice grew more panicked, but she remained silent. "Steve, I don't know what to do I— yes, I know that, but she's my best friend. You can't expect me to stay calm."

     I held the door handle tightly in my right hand, it seemed to grow colder under my touch. My lips pulled downward in an anger that wasn't mine, it was his. They were making him angry.

     My mind was clouded with shadow, a mist. Similar to sand but not quite. I no longer had control over my actions, only my thoughts. It was difficult to think clearly, but I was still here. I could still feel my own guilt rising up for cancelling on Nancy, but I couldn't let it show.

     The phone call ended soon after, and Nancy left. She paused at the top of the stairs for a few minutes, clearly thinking deeply about me. Then, she walked down the steps, and left the house.

     I waited around ten minutes to be sure that she was gone. It was nearing 5:00 pm now, and I knew I had to hurry or it would be too late.

     My feet carried me out the door, and I didn't bother locking it behind me. I walked down my street in a daze. Hours of walking could have passed, or maybe only minutes. It all felt the same to me.

     My feet crunched the sticks beneath me, just like the leaves and dying grass. The woods were eerie at this time of night, I glanced up once to see the moon beginning to rise through the trees, before looking straight ahead of me once again. I had only minutes to complete my task, so I began to run.

     I ran at a speed that I never had before, it wasn't inhuman, but it was unusual for me. I had never been interested in sports, or anything to do with exercise, but it felt like I had been practicing my whole life.

     Light peaked through the trees, and a cabin grew more and more visible. I stopped at the clearing, and eyed the place. There was no vehicle in the driveway. I made it just in time.

     Without Chief Hopper at home, I would be able to take the girl without a fuss.

     It occurred to me that I had no idea how I knew the girl lived here, or the chief, or even how I knew that there was a cabin here in the first place. It was the middle of nowhere.

     Then, I realized that it wasn't my knowledge, but it was his.

     I walked towards the house calmly, picking up a large rock on my way, before making my way up the wooden steps. They creaked with my weight, and a light on the inside of the house turned off. A TV, it seemed.

     I knocked on the door, and waited. There was shuffling on the other side, but no answer. I frowned in confusion, and knocked again. No answer.

     I began to grow frustrated, and with much effort, I kicked the door down with an unexpected strength. A small scream was heard, but it was hard for me to pinpoint where it came from.

     I walked through the doorway, and waited for a sign. I gripped the rock tightly in my hand, a dark look in my eyes. There was movement to my right. I snapped my head over to see what it was, but before I could get a good look, I was thrown across the cabin.

     I let out a scream as my head smashed against the floor. I groaned in annoyance before standing to my feet. The rock was still held tightly in my hand, but I made no move to go anywhere.

     My eyes landed on the girl that I came here for, Eleven.

     Her hair was cropped just above her shoulders, and curled slightly. Blood dripped from her nose, and her hands were tightening into fists at her sides. She glared at me with an anger that I'd never seen in anyone else before.

     "Go away." She sneered, but I remained still. My body was relaxed, yet my right hand was still held tightly around the rock.

     "I just wanted to talk." I frowned in fake sadness. Eleven glared in response.

There were a few moments of silence before she spoke, "get out."

I rolled my eyes, "I'm not leaving. Not without you." Eleven hid her confusion, "what kind of friend would I be if I left you behind?" She then glared once more. I chuckled softly at the girl.

I gripped the rock tightly in my hand, prepared to knock her out cold. She didn't seem to understand what I was planning to do, which was perfect for me.

Thump.

I furrowed my brows in confusion, whipping my head to face the window. I could see the chief rushing up the steps, causing me to scowl in anger. I glanced back at Eleven once more before rushing out the window.

As I ran into the woods, I could hear Eleven attempting to get to me, only to be continuously pushed back by Hopper who wanted to check his daughter over for any wounds.

The being who had taken control of my body was angry with me, but I ignored it. There was nothing I could do.

"Next time." I mumbled, as if I had to speak my mind. He was in my head, and knew perfectly well what my plan would be.

I didn't realize that I was slowly losing myself. My kindness, and warmth. I instead decided to focus on the task at hand, and the steps to complete it.

Step one: kill Eleven.

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lizzie speaks...

i don't rly like this chapter but whatever