Eli stared back as the police building shrank behind them - his only real shelter in this odd new life. Underneath, Hopper's pickup rumbled along, blowing heated air tinged with dry grit. Outside chill made the panes tremble slightly while dawn light cut across the interior in narrow slices.
Hopper gripped the wheel tight, one hand beside the other. Silence inside - no music playing. Not a word spoken out loud. Only the rumble from under the hood mixed with the scrape of rubber biting into icy spots on the asphalt.
Eli shoved his hands deep into the cuffs of the oversized hoodie he'd been given. The fabric hung loose, almost drowning his frame, yet somehow that brought comfort. As if staying tucked away like this kept things at bay.
Valerie's car moved up front, swinging by the worn "Welcome to Hawkins" board. While that happened, they followed behind without delay.
Hopper spoke up after a while.
"You okay back there?"
Eli paused - then gave a small nod. "…Sure."
"You're lying," Hopper said, not harsh, just blunt. "You've been squeezing that seatbelt for the last ten minutes."
Eli glanced at his hands. The skin on his fingers was pale.
He let go a bit. "My bad."
"Nothing to be sorry for." Hopper shifted his eyes toward him for a second, then back to the road. "Being scared doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."
Eli took a breath. Those words hit hard.
Ahead, Valerie's car eased up for a curve. Instead of tagging along right away, Hopper pulled the truck over. He jammed it into park - then exhaled slow, like he'd sucked that breath in back at the station and never let go.
Eli tensed. "Did… did something happen?"
"No, kid. I just…" Hopper rubbed his forehead. "I wanna talk to you before we keep going."
The System buzzed low in Eli's ribs - not loud, just steady, kind of holding him together before things fell apart.
Not a notification.
Not a quest.
Just quiet support.
Hopper rested his elbow on the wheel and turned toward him. "Listen. Foster families - they're not bad people. They try. Some are good, some not so much. But the one Valerie's picking? They're decent. You'll be safe."
"…But not with you," Eli whispered.
Hopper didn't flinch, but his eyes softened. "I can't keep you, kid. Not right now. Doesn't mean I'm disappearing." His voice lowered. "If they give you trouble - anything - you tell me. Understand?"
Eli nodded slowly.
"Not good enough. Say it."
"I'll tell you."
"Good."
A truck sped past on the other side, loud, making Hopper's mirror rattle. Eli flinched. But Hopper kept quiet instead of laughing.
"So," Hopper said, calmer now. "You scared of them? The new place?"
"A little."
"Just a tiny bit?" he said, smirking slightly.
"…A lot."
"Yeah," Hopper said. "That sounds about right."
The truck got silent once more. Eli turned his gaze to the glass. The town zipped by - tiny homes, faded green weeds, dark lines from power poles dragging over the road.
"This place…" Eli said quietly. "It looks peaceful."
"It is," Hopper muttered. "Most days."
Eli stayed quiet. Sometimes peace isn't safety. It might just be calm before trouble arrives.
The System hummed once more - soft, steady, like something solid underfoot. Kinda like someone gently touching his back.
Not a voice.
Not a message.
But something.
You're trembling, man," Hopper muttered.
"I'm fine."
"You're allowed to not be fine."
Eli glanced off, his eyes fixed on his knees.
"Why're you being nice to me?" he asked, barely audible.
Hopper blinked. "What kind of question is that?"
"People don't… usually."
Hopper's jaw tensed. "Well, I'm not 'people.' I'm Hopper."
Then softer: "And you're a kid who needs someone in your corner. I can do that much."
Eli let go of his breath, kind of unsteady.
Valerie's car sat further down the block. Hopper tapped the signal light, then eased back into traffic.
"We'll get through today," Hopper said. "One minute at a time."
Eli nodded.
"Say the word," Hopper added, "and I'm there."
The system heated up once more.
A quiet acknowledgment.
A promise reinforced.
When they neared the bend leading to the group house, Eli sat up a bit - no more fearless, no more set, yet somehow… less isolated.
Hopper clutched the steering wheel harder.
"Alright, kid," he said. "Let's go meet the folks."
The truck moved ahead, heading toward what came after.