February 25th, 1986
High school, a place where teenagers could restart, but for Cassidy Sinclair, things were different with her powers. One month into the new school year, as Christmas break approached, tensions rose. Max found herself trying to avoid Cassidy, feeling the weight of the strained relationships. At her locker, Mike approached, discussing Theodore and El with her, highlighting the growing complexities in their lives.
As Cassidy stood by her locker, she turned to her best friend, Mike. "So, have you heard from El and Theodore lately?" she inquired, a genuine curiosity in her eyes. Their friendship had evolved since the challenging events surrounding the Flayed, and Cassidy felt a lingering sense of remorse for a past prank she had played on Mike.
However, he had discovered the truth during the Flayed incident, and surprisingly, he accepted her apology, solidifying their bond. Now, they navigated high school together, facing the complexities of their relationships with El and Theodore.
"Yeah, El sent me a letter a few days ago. She sounds pretty excited that we're gonna see her on Spring Break in a month and a half. She said she has a lot of friends..." Mike trailed off with a frown, sensing the change in dynamics. Cassidy smiled sadly, reflecting Mike's concern. "Yikes... Do you really think she has a lot of new friends?" she questioned, acknowledging the potential shifts in El's life.
Mike shook his head in response to Cassidy's question about Theodore. "What 'bout Theodore?" she asked curiously. Mike furrowed his eyebrows, "Haven't they sent you letters?" Cassidy shook her head, a hint of disappointment in her expression. "Not that much," she admitted, feeling a sense of distance in her connection with Theodore.
Mike frowned, leaning against the locker. "How are you and Max? El's been asking," he questioned, sensing the tension in Cassidy's expression. Cassidy's face shifted, revealing a mix of emotions. "Not great at all. She's... she hasn't talked to me since Christmas," she admitted, the strain in her relationship with Max evident in her words.
Mike's eyes widened in surprise as Cassidy scratched her neck. "Huh? That was two months ago, Cassie!" he exclaimed, expressing astonishment at the length of time. Cassidy nodded, her gaze meeting Mike's. "I know, I know. I've been trying to give her some space since Billy died," she explained, revealing the complexities of their relationship following the recent hardships.
Mike sighed, a palpable sadness in the air as he folded his arms. "Cassie," he spoke with empathy, catching Cassidy's attention. She looked up at him, awaiting his words. "She's been hurting. I know it's hard for her, but I really think you need to talk to her," he urged, emphasizing the importance of communication in navigating the challenges that had strained their friendship.
Cassidy, nonchalant and unyielding, responded to Mike's curious inquiry with a dismissive shrug. "Where do you think Mildred is?" he asked, his curiosity evident. In reply, Cassidy scoffed, rolling her eyes to underscore her indifference. "Like I care. She betrayed me," she declared, her tone edged with lingering resentment. Folding her arms defiantly, Cassidy emphasized her disdain, provoking a raised eyebrow from the surprised Mike.
Mike addressed Cassidy empathetically, acknowledging the pain of her shattered friendship with Mildred. "Cassie, I know it's hard for you too. She broke your heart by betraying you, but let's not forget she also betrayed her own brother, Dustin," he pointed out, trying to find common ground in their shared experience of betrayal.
Cassidy sighed, her gaze lingering on the determined Dustin in the lunchroom, fervently brainstorming ways to rescue his sister. Frowning, she turned back to Mike. "He's really determined to get her back and save her," he commented with a tinge of sadness, prompting Cassidy to look down with a heavy sense of guilt.
Cassidy, picking at her nails, revealed a burdened conscience. "It's my fault. If I never put that classroom on fire, none of that would have happened to her," she confessed, the weight of regret evident in her voice and expression.
Mike responded earnestly, shaking his head in disagreement. "Do not blame yourself, Cassie. It's not your fault, okay? Their dad is a bad person and just got into her head," he said, attempting to offer comfort and shift the blame away from Cassidy.
Cassidy, wearing a sad expression, shrugged in response to Mike's question. He bit his lip, clearly concerned. "How about you and Lucas?" Mike inquired. Cassidy grimaced, her discomfort palpable. "Yeah... about that," she nervously chuckled. "Since he got popular, or whatever, we've been fighting a lot. I mean a lot, to the point we cannot be in the same room as each other," she confessed, highlighting the strain in her relationship with Lucas.
As Mike sighed, a sense of melancholy lingered in the air, emphasizing the profound changes high school had brought. "How 'bout cheerleading?" he gently redirected. "I heard your last game was pretty good." Seeking a positive angle, he touched upon a moment of success, attempting to draw Cassidy's attention away from the challenges they were discussing.
"Ah, it's okay, I guess. I'm gaining some popularity, especially with people remembering the whole burning down the classroom thing and my past pranks. Strangely, some folks even asked me to do a prank for them, but I declined because it could end up hurting someone," Cassidy admitted. Mike nodded, his frown returning as he spotted Max walking out of the lunchroom.
"You're gonna go talk to her!" Mike's enthusiasm surged as he seized Cassidy's shoulders, expertly turning her around and giving her a gentle push toward Max. Cassidy stumbled a bit, colliding into Max, who deftly caught her by the waist, holding her up. In that moment, as Cassidy gazed into Max's captivating blue eyes, it felt like a rediscovery of their connection, as if time had folded, bringing them back to that initial meeting.
Entering the room, the secretary glanced up. "I'm guessing, Cassidy Sinclair?" she inquired. "Yep," Cassidy replied, her hands slipping nonchalantly into her pants pockets. The secretary directed her, "Okay, sit down next to Miss Mayfield. You have to wait for the principal." Cassidy nodded, acknowledging the instructions as she settled into the chair, preparing for the anticipated meeting with the school principal.
Cassidy settled into the seat beside Max, initiating a friendly introduction. "Hey, I'm Cassidy, or people call me Cassie," she said, extending her hand for a shake. Max accepted, introducing herself, "Maxine. I hate it, so I like Max better," she added with a slight grin.
Cassidy responded with a warm smile, "I like Maxine, but Max is cool too." The softness in Cassidy's voice seemed to catch Max by surprise, her usual retort momentarily forgotten. A faint blush adorned Max's cheeks, a reaction she'd typically scoff at, but this time, she didn't seem to mind. There was something about Cassidy that resonated with Max.
The two girls exchanged glances, a subtle connection forming in that simple moment of introduction, setting the tone for a potential friendship.
Cassidy couldn't help but notice Max stealing glances at her. Turning to meet Max's gaze, Cassidy caught her looking, but Max quickly averted her eyes, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. Max internally grappled with conflicting thoughts, reminding herself of the expectations and norms she was taught.
As they waited, Max found Cassidy lingering in her thoughts, an unexpected distraction. The principal's emergence disrupted her contemplation. "Miss Mayfield, Miss Sinclair. Follow me," he directed, prompting the two girls to follow him to his office.
Cassidy walked past Max, and their hands brushed in the brief exchange. The touch was fleeting, yet it left Max with a mix of warmth and confusion. As they followed the principal, Max couldn't shake the sense of intrigue and uncertainty that Cassidy had ignited within her.
Cassidy, feeling a mix of nervousness and determination, cleared her throat, stood up straight, and directed a sad but sincere smile towards the Mayfield girl. Max, sensing Cassidy's approach, lowered her head, creating a barrier between them, and wore a visible frown, reluctant to make eye contact.
"How are you doing, Maxine?" Cassidy's voice carried a gentle concern, deliberately using Max's full name. A subtle smile played on Max's lips, her attempt to resist breaking into a more genuine expression as she continued to avoid looking directly at Cassidy.
"Max?" Cassidy repeated, a gentle prodding in her tone. She noticed Max's effort to maintain distance. "What do you want?" Max's response carried an unexpected undercurrent of anger as she finally looked up, catching Cassidy off guard. Her eyebrows rose in surprise, the intensity of Max's gaze leaving an unexpected impression on Cassidy.
"What—? Max, you haven't talked to me since Christmas. I'm worried. I was trying to give you space, but it's gotten to the point where this is bad," Cassidy's voice carried a mix of confusion and genuine concern. Max, however, responded with a dismissive eye roll.
"I don't need your pity comfort," Max spat out, her words laced with a hint of bitterness. Cassidy, caught off guard by the sharpness of Max's retort, felt a twinge of hurt, her concern met with unexpected resistance.
Mike observed, realizing that the situation wasn't unfolding as he hoped. He had anticipated a resolution, perhaps an apology, but things took a different turn. Cassidy's eyes shifted, turning cold and orange, her fists clenched in anger by her side. The Sinclair girl's body seemed to pulse with frustration as she laughed sarcastically.
"My pity comfort?! Max, I'm your fucking girlfriend," Cassidy asserted, her words cutting through the tension, revealing the deeper emotions at play.
Max's eye roll and folded arms conveyed a mix of exasperation and detachment. "I thought me not speaking to you for two months would tell you that we're over," she snapped, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air.
Despite her outward bravado, guilt crept into Max's expression, betraying the emotional turmoil within. Cassidy huffed, frustration and hurt escalating into something more volatile.
Max, perceptive to Cassidy's struggle, observed the battle between her girlfriend's anger and the attempt to control it through this unique ability. "Fine! Fuck you, Maxine Mayfield!" Cassidy's words, laced with hurt and frustration, reverberated through the tense air. A heavy wave of guilt washed over Cassidy as she uttered them.
In response, tears welled up in Max's eyes, a mixture of pain and regret. The emotional turmoil between them reached its peak. Cassidy, unable to bear the weight, turned around in anger and stormed off, leaving Max behind. Mike's calls fell on deaf ears as Cassidy headed outside, seeking refuge in the woods. There, surrounded by nature, she could release the pent-up steam of her emotions in a private struggle against the turmoil within.
As Max stepped into Ms. Kelly's office, the teacher greeted her with a smile that quickly faded when she noticed Max's distress. "Max! Nice to see yo—" Ms. Kelly's words were abruptly cut off by the audible sobs escaping Max's mouth. Without hesitation, Ms. Kelly motioned for the girl to take a seat.
"I messed up, Ms. Kelly. I— I just broke up with Cassidy," Max confessed, her voice choked with emotion. The weight of her decision hung heavily in the air as tears streamed down Max's face. Ms. Kelly, her usual warm expression replaced with concern, furrowed her eyebrows, ready to offer support in the face of this unexpected revelation.
"Why would you break up with her? You told me you were gonna talk to her in our last session," Ms. Kelly questioned, folding her hands together. Max whimpered, tears shedding from her eyes as she looked up at Ms. Kelly.
"I kept holding—holding myself back. We got into a fight, she tried to talk to me, and I— I got mad and broke up with her. She told me 'fuck you,' and she—she stormed off," Max explained, the weight of her decision evident in her tearful confession.
Ms. Kelly frowned, taking her glasses off and adopting a compassionate expression. "Max, she didn't mean it, I promise. She said it out of anger as well, I promise," she reassured, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the emotional turmoil.
Max cried, shaking her head in despair. "I keep messing everything up! I just lost the only person who ever cared about me!" she sobbed, the weight of her words echoing through the room. Ms. Kelly frowned, her heart going out to Max in this moment of intense emotional turmoil.
Cassidy unleashed fireballs at trees, a fiery display of her pent-up anger. Gradually, the flames subsided, her eyes returning to their usual state. Tears welled in her eyes as she yearned for Max's presence. With a determined fist, a rift manifested. Jumping through it, Cassidy emerged in the cabin, greeted by the remnants of destruction and memories etched into every corner.
Her gaze lingered on the once familiar couch, now in ruins, triggering a flood of memories. The cabin, once a sanctuary for shared moments, now echoed with the haunting absence of what was lost. Cassidy stood amidst the echoes of the past, grappling with the weight of the present.
Abruptly transported into Eleven's presence, Cassidy barely had time to grasp her surroundings before finding herself forcefully pinned against a wall. With closed eyes, she instinctively activated her powers, teleporting into the relative safety of the kitchen.
Regaining composure, Cassidy addressed Eleven, who now stood before her with palpable intensity. "Calm down. I'm like you; I'm not a threat," she implored, raising her hands in a gesture of surrender. The air in the room crackled with tension as Cassidy attempted to convey a shared understanding, hoping to bridge the gap between them and dispel any notion of hostility.
"Who are you?" Eleven's firm inquiry resonated in the room as her hands instinctively positioned for caution.
"I'm Five, but my real name is Cassidy. Cassidy Sinclair. I'm Lucas' twin, I'm a friend of Mike's," Cassidy explained, her voice calm yet carrying the weight of sincerity. The air hung heavy with the need for understanding, as Cassidy sought to bridge the gap, offering her connection to familiar names in an attempt to convey that she came in peace. The room held a palpable tension, awaiting Eleven's response.
Eleven's eyes widened in a mix of surprise and recognition. Slowly, she lowered her hand, and a soft, "Mike?" escaped her lips.
"Yes. This is why I'm here... I came back after being released from the lab," Cassidy began to elaborate, the weight of her words hanging in the air. However, before she could delve into the details, Eleven cut her off. The room hung in a suspended moment, tension building as Eleven processed the revelation, leaving an unspoken connection between them.
"You were released?" Eleven's question came swift, and Cassidy nodded, meeting Eleven's searching gaze. The room was charged with the weight of untold stories.
Eleven's frown deepened, and Cassidy, reading the unspoken troubles, asked gently, "I'm guessing they're still after you?" A shared understanding passed between them as Eleven nodded, confirming the looming threat that persisted.
"Is this why you haven't seen Mike yet? And haven't told him you're alive?" Cassidy probed further, her concern evident. Eleven's response was a somber "Yes," revealing the complex web of emotions and circumstances that kept her hidden.
"Who are you living with?" Cassidy inquired, seeking to unravel more layers. Eleven's brief but significant reply, "Hopper," conveyed not just a living arrangement but a connection to someone who offered protection and support in the face of ongoing challenges.
"Hopper? As in the chief of police?" Cassidy's eyes widened in shock, seeking confirmation in Eleven's nod. The revelation of Eleven's connection to the local chief of police added an unexpected layer to the unfolding narrative.
"Oh my god. I can't tell Mike you're here. You're probably here for safety, and can't be shown to anyone! And I literally looked for you with my own powers! I shouldn't have done that!" Cassidy's self-recrimination echoed in the room as she slapped her head with her palms, grappling with the consequences of her impulsive actions.
"It's okay. I'm glad I'm finally talking to someone other than Hop," Eleven reassured, a faint smile playing on her lips. Cassidy chuckled, realizing the shared weight of their circumstances had forged a unique bond. In that moment, she sensed the potential for a deep and understanding friendship between them, grounded in the challenges they both navigated in their quest for safety and connection.
A persistent knock echoed through the room, jolting both girls into alertness. Eleven turned to Cassidy with urgency, her eyes conveying the gravity of the situation. "Hide!" she whispered-shouted, prompting Cassidy to form fists and vanish into a portal, reappearing in the confines of Eleven's closet.
—
As they reappeared in Eleven's cabin, the aftermath of the teleportation left Cassidy with blood dripping from her nose. Panic surged as Nine, disoriented and alarmed, yelled, "Where am I?" Meanwhile, Eleven, visibly concerned, sought answers about the unfamiliar figure with Cassidy.
Amid the confusion, Cassidy urgently shouted for calm. She unveiled herself by removing the blanket, and as it dropped, Nine's eyes widened in recognition. It was 'Five.' Memories flooded back; they hadn't seen each other since Eleven's escape. "Five?" Nine questioned, disbelief coloring his tone.
With a reassuring smile, Cassidy corrected, "It's not Five anymore. It's Cassidy, or you can call me Cassie." The cabin's atmosphere shifted from chaos to curiosity, as the trio grappled with the unexpected reunion and the evolution of identities over time.
"Who is this?" Eleven persisted in her questioning. "Oh, sorry. Eleven, meet Nine. Nine, meet Eleven," Cassidy introduced them with a sense of urgency, recognizing the need for a swift connection.
"Did you do the prank?" Eleven's curiosity echoed in the room. "No," Cassidy responded, her eyes reflecting the recent events. "I ran into the wrong room and found Nine being tested. I couldn't just leave him there; he needed to escape."
"I'm guessing they're going to be trying to find you now, so you're gonna have to be in hiding with Eleven," Cassidy directed her words at Nine. "Didn't you escape too?" Nine questioned, a mix of confusion and realization dawning upon him as the pieces of the unfolding situation fell into place.
"No, I was released. I'm guessing because my family knew I was alive, and I was only taken for three years, not my whole life? And they didn't sign any contracts to give me up," Cassidy explained, the weight of her past experiences evident in her voice.
The rhythmic knock on the door, following the secret code, triggered a simultaneous realization for both Eleven and Cassidy. "Hopper," they said in unison, their voices carrying a mixture of surprise and acknowledgment.
"Well, we can't have him being hidden twice the amount!" Cassidy declared, her quick thinking kicking in as she considered the implications of the unexpected visit. The urgency of the situation compelled them to navigate the complexities of secrecy and revelation.
Eleven let out a heavy sigh, closing her eyes briefly as the locks on the door began to unlock. Hopper's voice rang through the cabin, calling for Eleven. "Stay here," Cassidy whispered to Nine, who nodded in understanding. Together, the two girls left the room, stepping into the presence of Hopper.
—
"You want to do what!?" Cassidy exclaimed in disbelief. "Yes. We need to let her know we are alive," Theodore declared. Cassidy sighed, contemplating the implications. "Okay, well how are we gonna find her?" she asked, crossing her arms. "You. You have shadow jumping, void, and finding people quickly," Eleven pointed out. Cassidy bit her lip, grappling with the weight of the responsibility.
Cassidy sighed again and, with a resigned determination, held her hand out, acknowledging the necessity of using her unique abilities for the task at hand. The trio faced a daunting challenge as they prepared to venture into the unknown void to connect with someone whose sanity hung in the balance.
Eleven handed Cassidy the blindfold, and she took a seat on the floor. Holding the photo of Terry Ives in her lap, Cassidy carefully wrapped the blindfold around her head. As the fabric secured her vision, Cassidy felt the pull into the enigmatic void.
In the void, Cassidy navigated the surreal landscape, her surroundings shrouded in an otherworldly atmosphere. "What do you see?" Theodore's voice reached her, breaking the silence of the void. As Cassidy observed her surroundings, blood trickled down her nose, signaling her presence in the mysterious realm of her mind. The visual and physical cues marked her connection to the void, and the trio awaited with bated breath for the insights Cassidy would bring back from this ethereal journey.
"I don't know. There's nothing," Cassidy conveyed to Theodore, the raven-curly haired boy. Despite her efforts, the void seemed devoid of any meaningful cues or insights. Undeterred, she continued walking and looking around, the enigmatic realm offering no clear direction or information.
Eleven and Theodore frowned, their anticipation turning into concern as Cassidy persisted through the void. The trio faced an uncertain journey, grappling with the challenge of finding meaning in a place that seemed to resist easy interpretation.
She spotted a mailbox in the distance and walked towards it. "I found a mailbox," Cassidy informed Eleven and Theodore. The revelation sparked a shared look and grins between the twins.
Cassidy focused on the mailbox. "Five-One-Five Larrabee," she relayed to them. The significance of the address hung in the air, opening up new possibilities in their quest to understand and connect with Terry Ives in the void.
Theodore swiftly grabbed paper and pen, noting down the address Cassidy discovered. Cassidy, sensing the task was complete, took off the blindfold, revealing a smile on Eleven's face. Cassidy wiped her bloody nose with her sleeve, acknowledging the toll the void journey took on her.
"I'm guessing you want me to teleport you two to your mom's house," Cassidy chuckled. Taking the initiative, she grabbed their wrists, and in an instant, the trio was teleported to the house.
Cassidy's sobs echoed through the memories that played in her mind—Theodore and Eleven helping her navigate her feelings for Max. With a resolute fist, she teleported to her room, the familiar surroundings providing little comfort. Collapsing onto her bed, she buried her face in the pillow, tears staining the fabric.
Amidst the emotional turmoil, Cassidy made a solemn promise. From that day forward, she decided to reclaim her identity as the Sour Prankster. A newfound determination surged within her, fueled by the pain of loss. Cassidy Sinclair embraced the decision, knowing that no one could stand in the way of her reclaiming control over her life.
—
ash speaks !
i'm sorry... but i'll be back this weekend to start writing season 4!! i'm so happy that season 4 is finally gonna be out tomorrow. i'll be starting off with this book then brutal then the promise then enough for you!!
i'm so happy to be writing cassidy again!! i missed her sm. she helped me through so much and i'm going to be putting alot of me into her this season. i got broken up with and honestly myself, i've seen myself change. i easily get mad and thats gonna happen with cassidy.
anyways see you guys soon!! <33