Ryder's Story (1)

*Twelve years ago*

Miranda puts on a coat and picks up her umbrella. It’s nearly 12 AM and her duty ended at the Hawkins mansion. The weather outside seems cloudy and cold, so she pulls her coat closer and heads outside. She’s walking along the lonely pavement when a car pulls up behind her.

“Miranda!” a familiar voice calls out. Miranda turns toward the car and finds a familiar face. It’s Elle.

“Miss Elle!” She gasps. “What are you-”

“Let me drop you off,” Elle offers. “I just got my license!”

Miranda is skeptical. “Are you here to visit Master Hector?” She asks. “I think you should head back home. It’s late.”

But Elle shakes her head. “I was just in the neighborhood,” she claims.

At 12 AM? Miranda wonders. Aloud she says, “Alright. If you insist, Miss Elle.”

She gets into the car and they drive off. Elle doesn’t talk much throughout the journey and Miranda is glad. There’s something off about the girl but she can’t exactly pinpoint it.

“How’s Miss Scarlett?” Miranda asks, attempting