What We Carry In The Dark: A Stranger Things Fanfic by Ashley

Summary

Hawkins, Indiana has always had a way of holding its breath. April Henderson has spent years pretending she doesn't notice the flickering lights, the pressure in the air before a storm, the way silence sometimes feels like it's listening back. She tells herself she's here for her brother. That keeping Dustin safe is enough. That if she stands still and steady, nothing will break. But when the grandfather clock starts appearing in the corners of her mind - when the shadows stretch too long and the past begins whispering her name - April realizes something in Hawkins is no longer content to linger at the edges. It wants her. As the line between memory and nightmare begins to splinter, April is forced to confront the guilt she's buried and the truth she's been outrunning. Because in a town already cracking at the seams, survival isn't just about fighting monsters. It's about facing what's been ticking inside you all along.

Genre: Scifi

Author: Ashley_Pines

Status: Ongoing

Chapters: 8

Rating: n/a

Age Rating: 18+

A Note from the Author:

Welcome, fellow Stranger Things fans. A few things before we dive into this adventure together:

First of all - thank you for being here. For taking the time to read this in the first place.

Second - MASSIVE SPOILER ALERTS AHEAD.

Like... forreal. If you haven't watched Season 4 or Season 5 and don't want it ruined for you - please proceed at your own risk.

Third - If this had a rating, I'd guess it around Age 16+

I marked it 18+ due to ONE Graphic death scene. Otherwise, there's nothing overly descriptive. There are mentions of drugs, sex, and violence.

So. Let's all keep in mind that this is a fanfic. Not all events are canon; not all characters are the same; and not everything that took place in the show takes place in this story.

Some examples of this Hawkins:

The prologue takes place the Fall/Winter before the start of Season 4 (Chapter One is basically Season 4 Episode 1 - not events; just timeline-wise)
It's still Hawkins; there's still the Upside Down; and Vecna and all of his minions are still a thing.
One OC Character is going to be introduced and woven into the story as Dustin Henderson's older sister, April.
Eleven doesn't lose her powers/doesn't have to go away to do the NINA project (Please read - you'll see)
All members of the gang have been around since at least Season 2

And then here are the real big ones - and probably the ones that might get more of you to stick around:

There is NO fugitive storyline

and...

Eddie Munson... does. Not. Die.

Yes, you read that correctly. And I was just excited as you are right now to write it.

I know that was the big storyline of Season 4, but I was very upset by Eddie's death - considering absolutely no one really "died" in Season 5. (Don't come at me for Eleven. We didn't SEE HER die. So... I believe)

But Like... are you kidding me? Why did Eddie have to die? So I figured... Why not invent an alternate universe where he lives?

If you've made it this far and you're still interested, thank you again - seriously.

Because I've been away from writing for so long, and this story made me find the joy again.

It's not perfect, but I loved every minute of it.

So please... enjoy.