Season 1

The moon shined at its brightest over the night's sky, guiding the shadows and creatures of darkness through their paths.  Brown eyes looked up at the Mother Moon, her reflection shining deep in the honey color.  A smile grins in the dark as the figure continues her drive through the leafy roads, not stopping till she reached her destination.

With a sigh, the figure picks up the map and unfolds it to see where her path takes her.  Completely ignoring the roads as her wheel seems to turn on its own.  Driving for her as she searches where she must go to reach her destination.  

A worried meow erupts in the air, taking her eyes off the map for one second to smile at her companion.  A sleek black cat sat on a velvet red pillow in the passenger's side, looking up at its friend with a worry tone.  The figure chuckles and scratches the cat's neck, making him purr as she sooths his worried soul.  

"Now, now, don't get your tail in a twist.  You know I wouldn't let anything happen to you." Her black nails shined in the moonlight at every stroke of her pets.  

The cat meows again, as if he was asking her a question.  

"You'll love Hawkins, Theodore.  I have a strong feeling that is where we are needed most.  And it's perfect for our little shop." The woman says.

Theodore, the cat, meows again, seemingly unsure. 

"Don't worry.  Nothing bad will happen." The woman places her map down, pushing her dark hair over her ears as she grips the steering wheel to continue her path.  Watching the Welcome to Hawkins sign fly by as she passes it.  "Trust me." The woman adds with a smile as the feeling of the universe rushes through her.  Excitement at every turn. 

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September 11, 1983
Hawkins, Indianna

Morning rose once again for the sleepy town Hawkins.  The residents all welcomed the sunlight with a smile and a hearty breakfast.  Well...all except a certain Sheriff.  Sheriff James 'Jim' Hopper grumbles as he walks into then station with a raging hangover, but slowly, very slowly feeling the high affect him from the pills he downed as he woke up.  

"Morning, everyone." His voice slurs out as he walks towards the snack table for donuts and coffee.  

"Morning, Chief." "Morning, Jim." His deputies greeted him. 

One exclaims, "You alright there, Chief?" Deputy Powell frowns at him. 

"Fit as a fiddle.  Didn't your wife tell you after I left her?" Jim remarks, making Callahan, his tall, skinny nerdish deputy chuckle.  

Flo, the receptionist, scorns at Jim for being late...again.

"While you sober yourself up, Pastor Charles called to remind us all about donations needed for the church.  Mr. Scott Clark called about a stray dog that is messing with his yard.  Mrs. Driscol complained again about her neighbors.  Oh, and the mayor called about the new bakery that's opening next month.  The owner should be arriving today."

Jim rubs his aching head, barely paying attention to the list of complaints the town was laying on him...again.  

"What new bakery?" Powell speaks up. 

Flo skims through her magazine, briefly pointing the other side of the station, "Just down the street, someone bought that eyesore that's been sitting in that corner.  They're turning it into a bakery or cafe or something." She scoffs.  

"Who's the owner?" Callahan asks.

Flo hums as she thinks, "A...I know it starts with an A.  A...something Holloway." She shrugs.

Callahan perks up, "Ooh, just what this town needs. A mysterious stranger dropping in.  Is it a man or a woman? Please say it's a woman." He practically begs.

"For God's sake, man.  You that desperate?" Powell frowns at him.

"Callahan would sleep with a donut if he could." Jim scoffs and heads for his office, hearing laughter erupt from the two men. 

At first, he wasn't paying attention, but something in his mind was stirring in curiosity when he caught the fact that they'll be a new person in town.  He wonders who could it be and hopes that they'll be on good terms.  No trouble from whoever it is. 

Oh, how wrong he is. 

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Yanking off the dusty tarps from the tables and equipment that was left behind in the small shop, Amelia Holloway smiles big at the sight of the filthy, dusty rundown store.  Littered with spiderwebs and nests of visiting creatures that inhabited the store for her.  She giggles in delight. 

Taking a deep breath, she sighs and looks down at her furry companion.

"Ahhhh. Beautiful, isn't it, Theo?  And it's all ours.  How about we make it look more... presentable?" She smirks. 

Theodore meows and turns to hop on the counter where a tape player sat.  He climbs on the buttons and managed to hit the play.

'Once Bitten, Twice Shy' plays in the air.

"Thank you, Theo." She smiles and walks to grab cleaning buckets and supplies.  She spies a tarantula climbing one of the buckets.

"Oh, hello." She smiles and reaches to pick it up.  She eyes the spider as it crawls on her hand.  "Nice to meet you as well.  Thank you for watching over my store, but I'm afraid you can't stay.  I apologize.  I don't think people would like it if you hanged around.  Last thing I ever want to is for you to get hurt.  Come on." She walks towards the back door and heads towards the wooded area. 

Gently placing the spider on a tree, she watches it climb, "There you go.  Be safe.  And thank you again for the welcome. Bye."

Amelia smiles and turns to head back inside.  She sighs and looks at the work that is needed. 

"Hmm." She scans and sees a broom hiding in the corner. With a wiggle of her finger, she beckons it come to her.  The broom flies from the corner and lands gently in her hands. 

It took her weeks, but she finally cleans the shop, gives it a new paint job, inside and out, and finally...she gives it a name.

"Sweet Talk".

Amelia lightly brushes the final touch of paint on the side and uses a finger to fix the smear of color. 

She sighs in accomplishment and looks down from the step ladder at Theo who sat at the bottom.

"Looks good?"

Theo meows and licks his lips.

"Thanks!" She smiles and begins to climb down. She grunts softly and stands before her shop.

"Well! The hard part is finally done. Now, let's get to cooking." She says and heads inside to start on her famous recipes. Theo trails behind her and meows in glee. Excited for food.  

(Sweet Talk)

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October 5, 1983

"I'm telling you; she's freaking hot!" Dustin exclaims as he and his friends hide in the bushes that sat across the street from 'Sweet Talk'. Dustin grips on to his binoculars as he keeps his eyes on the shop.  Sadly, he couldn't see the beautiful owner of 'Sweet Talk'. Lucas Sinclair, Mike Wheeler, and Will Byers' joined him to get a glimpse of the woman he was talking about but they knew that sometimes Dustin tends to overexaggerate.

"This feels like stalking.  Maybe we should just go back to my place." Mike suggests, not liking the feeling of snooping around. He grunts when Dustin waves him off.

"She should be opening the doors soon.  You guys got to see her to believe it when I say she's a goddess!" Dustin exclaims as he recalls meeting the beauty with his mom. 

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September 30, 1983

Ms. Henderson, Dustin's mom, dragged him around town a couple of days ago to get a cake for some lady his mom knows.  He wanted to stay at Mike's or Lucas' than shop with his mother.  Dragging his feet, he was bored to death with riding around town to find a place that met his mother's needs.  After many failures, his mother was starting to lose hope and he was losing his patience.  

"Hmm, this place looks decent." Ms. Henderson says in wonder as they pull up to the new bakery.  

Dustin looks up and sees the small shop with fancy writing that said 'Sweet Talk'. 

As soon as his mother opens the shop door, they were both hit hard with a wonderful aroma of cookies, cakes, and all sorts of sweets.  It was so weird, Dustin could separate each smell that was in the air.  

"Oh, my goodness!  That smells so amazing!" His mother exclaims in shock.  

A woman stood at the counter, her back facing the small family.  Amelia smiles and turns to face the woman and her son.  

"Welcome to Sweet Talk." She greets them with a warm smile.  

(Amilea Holloway ^^^)

Dustin was hit hard by the gods of love as he gazes at the beautiful woman before him, "Wow." He whispers.

"Hello." Ms. Henderson smiles, returning the warm smile.  "Um, I'm in desperate need.  You see..."

Ameila chuckles and gets her book of cakes and places it down on the counter, "I can sense a trouble soul a mile away.  You are in need of a cake for...a family friend?" She guesses.

Ms. Henderson's jaw drops in shock, "How did you...?"

Amelia gives her a knowing look, "I have seen that look several times in my previous shop and with holidays coming closer, those worried eyes are a sure sign.  If you like, you can pick out pictures from my recipe book and if any substitutions are needed, feel free to let me know." 

Ms. Henderson looks at the young woman in wonder and moves to flip through the book, exclaiming in shock, "Oh, my, these all look so good." She gasps as she skims over the pictures and spies the ingredients included.  "And they seem so delicious.  Aren't you afraid of people stealing your recipes?"

Amelia smirks, "Even if someone does, they never can make it with love.  You can easily tell the real from the fake when it's smothered in emotion." 

Ms. Henderson laughs, "How true!" She continues to go through the recipe book. 

Amelia smiles and frowns at the young boy who stood next to his mother with wide eyes, as if he was frozen in shock by her presence.

"Hello." She smiles at him. 

Dustin gives her a toothless smile, "Hi."

She studies the young man and grins with a knowing look, "You look like you could use something that fits for your benefit." She turns and opens a counter door.  When she turns, she presents him with a small plate of cookies.  But not just any cookies.  They were decorated like Captain America shields.  

"Holy shit!" Dustin exclaims.

"Dustin Henderson!" His mother scorns him. 

"Sorry, Mom.  Sorry, Ma'am." Dustin apologizes.

Amiela simply laughs, "That's alright.  I'll take it as a compliment." She smiles and offers him a cookie.  

Dustin takes it with a grin and munches on it.  He freezes in shock as he tastes the cookie.  The sweetness of the icing, the crunch of its perfection, the way everything just comes together in harmony and melts in his mouth. 

"Holy...!" Dustin exclaims and stops himself.  "...Cow!  Holy cow!" He corrects himself as his mother gives him a disproval look but laughs at her son as he gives her an innocent smile.  Dustin turns back towards Amelia and drops to his knees, "Will you marry me?"

Both Amelia and his mother burst into laughter.  Amelia covers her mouth as she giggles, "Um, I think I'm a little old for you." She titters. 

"Hey, age is just a number." Dustin shrugs.

Ms. Henderson laughs and shakes her head at her son, "I apologize for my son.  He sometimes does not know when to control his mouth." She gives him an embarrassed glare and smiles at the woman as she yanks him to get to his feet. 

Amelia shakes her head, waving off her apology, "It's quite all right." 

Soon, Theo makes his way towards Ms. Henderson and begins to rub around her ankles.

"Oh!" Ms. Henderson jumps and gasps as she looks down at the gorgeous cat that was greeting her with soft meows.  "Oh, my goodness me!  Ohhh, you are precious!" She reaches down and picks up the purring creature.  "Aw, is she yours?" She smiles big and pets the cat gently in her arms.

Amelia smiles and chuckles when Theo grunts in annoyance, "He is.  His name is Theodore.  Or Theo, as he prefers." 

"Aw, that's a handsome name for a handsome cat.  Hello, Theo." She coos.  "Aren't you worried that he might shed over your food?" Ms. Henderson frowns, wondering why she would have an animal in a bakery.

"Oh, Theo doesn't shed.  I keep his fur nice and brushed to prevent that.  And he's a wonderful guardian." Amelia states. 

"Oh!  I'll need to do that with Mews.  She sheds all over the place." Ms. Henderson shares a laugh with her.  

"I recommend a hearty diet for Mews.  On occasions, I feed Theo a meal made from scratch.  It's nothing fancy.  I fix him plain chicken with vegetables to keep his coat nice and silky smooth." Amelia says. 

Ms. Henderson frowns, "Isn't that dangerous for cats?" 

"Oh, no.  Ask any veterinarian.  Just as long as you choose the right vegetables and fruits.  Nothing harmful for their digestive system.  Animals are just like humans, just a little different." Amelia says with a smile.  

Ms. Henderson looks at the woman in wonder. Where on Earth did she come from?  She seemed like a gift from the heavens.  She was certainly different from other women she has met in Hawkins.  It was quite refreshing to talk to someone who seemed like they knew he stuff and spoke her mind with no shame.  

After finding the perfect cake and purchasing some more cookies for Dustin, Amelia sent the small family on their way.  

"Thank you for your purchase and I can't wait to see you again.  You, too, Dustin." Amelia says as she bids goodbye to them.  

Dustin blushes and waves goodbye with a cookie in his mouth, "Bye, Amelia." His words were muffled by the food in his mouth.  

Ms. Henderson sighs, "Oh, Dusty.  It was lovely meeting you, Amilea.  I'll be sure to come back and pick up the cake.  Thank you again.  You are a lifesaver." 

"My pleasure.  Bye." Ameila waves them goodbye and watches them drive away.  

Amelia chuckles and watches Theo jump on the counter, "They were nice, weren't they?" She scratches Theo's neck, making him meow in agreement.  "Yeah, that Dustin is silly, but a good laugh to have.  Definitely won't be boring here." 

Theo meows and purrs as he lies down and grooms himself.  

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Present day

"She's an awesome cook, too!  So much better than my mom's." Dustin exclaims to his friends.

"Everyone is better than your mom." Lucas remarks, making Mike and Will laugh.  

"Shut up!" Dustin frowns at him, then jumps as he sees the curtains in the shop opening.  "Look, look, look, look!  There she is!" 

All five boys look in awe at the woman who opens the curtains wide as a sign to the world that her shop was open for business.  She walks out the door with a broom and begins to sweep her sidewalk.  

"Woah!" 

"Wow!" 

The boys exclaim in wonder as they watch the woman, dressed in jeans and a black sweater with a loose turtleneck that draped over her shoulder, exposing her milky, white skin.  Her small neck and tiny shoulder blade.

"Who is she?" Mike says as he was frozen where he stood.

"Amelia Holloway." Dustin grins big.  "I overheard my mom talking to the librarian.  She said she heard from the realtor that Amelia is from Massachusetts.  Single, no kids." He sighs, completely smitten with the sight.  "She's a goddess." 

"Who is way too old for you." Will snorts. 

"Age is just a number." Dustin scoffs and waves him off. 

"There's no way she would date you." Mike rolls his eyes. 

"You never know!" Dustin frowns at him.

Amelia continues to sweep the pavement, hearing the bickering of young boys from across the street.  She noticed them as soon as she opened the bakery.  It was cute that she had admires.  Even if they were children.  She giggles as the bickering grows louder.  She turns and sees the boys in a pile up as they argue.   

"Oh, boys!" She calls out to them, watching them freeze where they stood.  Dustin was in a headlock by Lucas and Mike and Will were struggling to get them to break apart.  "If you are done with the stalking, how about you all come in for cookies and milk." She chuckles. 

Soon, the group breaks apart and stumble as they rush over towards her.

Amelia opens the door for the four of them to walk inside.  

"Hi, Amelia." Dustin smiles big at her as he waves. 

"Hello, Dustin.  This must be your friends.  Let me guess..." She says as she shuts the door and stands in front of them.  She points at them one at a time, "Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, and Will Byers." She smirks at their shocked faces.  "Your reputations speak for themselves." 

The boys look at themselves in shock, "We have a reputation?" Mike exclaims in shock.

Amelia chuckles and walks around the counter, "It's a small town, boys.  And you're not hard to miss.  Several times, I've seen you ride your bikes in front of my store.  You don't have to be afraid to come in once in a while for snacks.  I can see you are all growing men." She turns and opens the counter.

Dustin nudges Mike and Lucas with his elbows, "Hear that?  Men.  She called us men." He snorts.

Mike rolls his eyes and Lucas scoffs at him.  Will watches with curiosity as Ameila bends down to remove a plate.  

"You boys are in luck.  I just pulled these babies out of the oven this morning.  They should still be warm." Ameila says as she turns and presents them a plate of Halloween cookies that were very realistic.  Instead of cute ghosts and black cats and witch hats like most grownups do for Halloween, she created zombie cookies with powered cocoa to resemble dirt and red food coloring to resemble blood.  There were even vampire fangs with red icing and berry cream to give it a more real blood drip.  

"Woah!  That's so cool!" The boys exclaim.

"Happy Halloween, boys." She smiles as them as they each take a cookie.  

"I never seen a grownup make Halloween cookies like these." Mike says and makes sounds as he bites into his zombie cookie.  

"That's the problem with most grownups.  They march the same line, always trying to follow the same rule.  But you know what I say?  Screw 'em." She smirks.  "Normal is overrated." She places the plate down and grabs 4 glasses in the shape of pumpkins.  From her fridge, she grabs a glass full of milk and fills them all up.

'Where did you learn to cook?" Mike asks as they feast on cookies and milk.  

"My grandmother taught me till the day she passed when I was 20." Amelia says as she sits behind the counter, answering their curious minds. 

"What about your mom?" Will asks. 

"My mom passed after I was born.  I never really knew her." 

Will gives her a sad look as Lucas speaks up, "Why did you move to Hawkins?"

Amelia smiles and gives a soft laugh, "Just had a good feeling about this place.  And I always follow good feelings.  They never failed me before." 

"I know what you mean.  Following feelings." Dustin chuckles awkwardly and munches on another cookie as the boys look at him weirdly.  

Amelia chuckles, "Never be afraid to follow your feelings, boys.  If you put fear in front of you, it stops you from your adventure." She says with a knowing look.  

"How old are you?" Dustin asks and grunts as Lucas smacks him in disbelief, "Ow!" 

Amelia giggles, "A little older than you boys are." 

"You don't ask a girl their age, Jackass." Lucas scoffs at him. 

"I'm curious." Dustin shrugs.

"'Oh, I'm curious '." Lucas mocks him.  

Theo, suddenly, jumps on the counter, startling the boys with yelps.  Theo simply meows at them all, breaking up the fight.

Amelia tsks at her cat, "Theodore!  That's no way to greet new people." She scorns at him, but he simply purrs as she scratches his ears. "Pay no mind to Theo.  He likes to play tricks at times." 

The boys laugh uneasily at the animal, but Dustin reaches out and pets him gently.  Theo looks over towards the boys, but eyes Will more.  He growls softly and looks back at Amelia with a concerned meow.  Amelia frowns and looks at Will as a dark cloud begins to cover the shop and a horrible feeling fills her heart.  Something was going to happen to the little boy.  Something bad.  

Mike looks up as he hears rumbling, "Sounds like a storm is coming.  We should get home before it starts." 

Suddenly, the door opens and Joyce Byers walks in.  Will perks up as his mom shows up.  

"Mom?" 

Joyce was shocked to see her son in the bakery, "Will, what are you boys doing here?" She asks as she walks over towards them, giving Will a hug and holds him close.  She looks up at the baker and gives her a small smile.  "I hope they're not giving you trouble?"

Amelia shakes her head with a smile, "Oh, no, they've been angels." 

Joyce laughs, "Oh, you don't have to be nice, I know how these boys can be." She scoffs. 

Amelia chuckles as she sees the boys embarrassed looks.  

"You boys give me a second, I'll give you a ride home.  It's about to rain." Joyce says and let's go of Will to face Amelia completely.  "I have gone to almost every deli, bakery, and grocery store in town, and that's not saying much." She laughs with Amelia, "But I really need some help with..." 

"Birthday cakes?" Amelia speaks up.

Joyce stutters in shock, "How did you know?"

"Only a mother would search the world for her children's happiness." Amelia gives her a warm smile.  "Let me guess...oldest...son?" 

Joyce exclaims in shock, "You must be psychic." 

"You could say I have a sixth sense." Amelia winks and turns to grab her book, flipping through to find her decorative birthday cakes.

"Normally, I make the cake.  It seems cheaper but..." Joyce sighs.  "This is my son's 16th and I want him to have the best." 

Amelia smiles at Joyce, "I understand, Joyce.  Don't worry.  I'll help."

Joyce frowns at her, "I never told you my name." She stutters out.  

Amelia grins knowingly but points at Joyce's shirt that carried her name tag.

Joyce looks down and laughs at how silly she must have sounded.  How paranoid she can be, she touches her head and feels herself flush in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry." Joyce laughs, dropping her hand. 

"It's fine.  I'm Amelia." Amelia holds her hand out. 

Joyce shakes her hand, "It's very nice to meet you.  Welcome to Hawkins." 

"Thank you." Amelia says and helps Joyce pick out a birthday cake for Jonathan. 

Joyce sighs as she takes her receipt, "I cannot thank you enough.  And can't believe you charge so cheap for something so...amazing!" She exclaims as she looks at the picture again of the realistic camera.  Joyce knew that Johnathan was obsessed with cameras, but she never truly knew how gifted he was with one.  

"It's no trouble at all.  Your cake will be ready in time for his birthday." Amelia says. 

Joyce smiles big, excited to see Johanthan's face when he sees the cake.  She turns towards the boys. 

"Ok, boys, in the car.  It's about the pour." She says as she sees that the rain was starting.  "Thanks again, Amelia." Joyce says as she waves a quick goodbye. 

"Anytime, Joyce.  Bye.  Bye boys.  See you later." She waves.  "Bye Will.  Be safe." She says, sending him a soft look.

Will looks at her with a confused frown, feeling his heart squeeze in fear from the tone in her voice.  Theo meows softly with concern, growling lowly as they lock eyes.  His growls slowly turned distorted as the dark cloud grows, casting a shadow over his body. 

"Will!" 

Will jumps in fright when his mother's voice calls out to him.  He pants as he sees the cloud was gone, but it began to pour outside.

"Come on!  Let's go home." Joyce calls out. 

Will stutters his step and looks back at Amelia, "Uh...bye." He says softly and runs through the rain to get to the station wagon.

Amelia sighs softly as she watches them drive away in the storm.  Theo meows softly and lies down on his belly.

"Yeah.  I feel it too.  Something wicked is about to happen." She frowns and gives Theo a scratch on his head and neck. 

*Became a little impatient with publishing this book.  Thought you all deserve at least a taste of it.  Please let me know what you think so far of my start.  Float me comments and votes.  Lots of love ~Song~*