~ Chapter Nine ~

WARNINGS: Language, Blood

Word count: 3135

Italics - memory
Underlined - You don't know it's happened (if that makes sense). It won't all be underlined, but all space in between two underlined sentances signify ALL of it being stuff you didn't witness.

***

The inflatable air mattress you ended up sleeping on as part of the agreement for Eddie being able to sleep over was not comfortable. It deflated slightly in the night leaving you stuck in the middle, Your blanket trapping you in a heat pod and making it a struggle to move around.

Eddie didn't think it was necessary, He felt horrible sleeping in your bed while you slept on an air mattress on the floor. You agreed to his mother's wishes after begging her to let Eddie stay over the night. Her wish being let him sleep on a mattress as to not "harm his spinal growth" (and a few other small requests of course, something about oat milk for his tea and having the windows closed to eliminate bad air circulation). He thought it was ridiculous and as a matter of fact you did too, But if it meant he could stay? You were going to agree to anything.

The curtains in your house weren't enough to block out the sun starting to peek through. As you watched the shadows cast upon them move slowly with the breeze you gave yourself some time to rest. Hardly having slept even more than 2 hours, Too busy watching over Eddie and calming him from his own nightmares every time his breathing became too rapid or he began talking in his sleep. You didn't want to pry, trying to block out the words falling from his mouth as he talked about the terrors he was facing in his own imaginary world.

Then again you were both facing terrors in this world, It didn't matter whether it was in your dreams or not. The events of the last few days were weighing on you. You didn't blame Eddie for your restless night, in fact you were grateful about not having to sleep here alone another night. Your sleep was continuously disturbed by your own dreams anyway, unable to escape your fear even when you were far away from this world.

***

It was a tradition throughout all of summer, group get togethers at the ice creamery. It was easier than organising the hangouts with all the phone calls, Just knowing where to go and when. The ice creamery, 11 sharp.   You never knew who was going to be there. With the occasional day that you were left alone. It was never on purpose, no-one would do that to harm one another, it's sacred. Everyone would always try to make it and they'd always have a very good reason if they couldn't.

Today so far (with the hour only ticking 6 minutes and 45 seconds past 11), It was you, Eddie and Richie. Seeing as you and Eddie had come together, it wasn't saying a lot. Richie hardly ever bailed, with no other commitments and a hardcore sweet tooth, how could he?

"That can't be normal?"

But Richie's mind had other commitments today, He wasn't focused on ice cream and was preoccupied with Ben's spiel yesterday about Derry's history.

"What?

Not even 2 seconds after he said hello his opinions started spilling out (which was a common occurrence), sharing all his thoughts that have been piling up over the night.

"There's no way anything Ben said yesterday has that much truth to it. I mean he must be nuts or completely loo-"

"Richie."

One stern glance from you (letting him know he was going too far with his words) was enough to get him to reconsider how he was sharing those thoughts.

"I'm just saying and I can't be the only one thinking it?"

Even with you rolling your eyes and Eddie scoughing at every sentence he couldn't let it go. Which when you put yourself in his shoes made sense, Maybe he hadn't been seeing the things you had. Maybe you were going crazy, Maybe you and Eddie both were.

"I mean all the kid does is read books, maybe he's got a crazy imagination?"

"And all the proof to go with it... Give the newbie a break Rich"

You could tell Eddie wasn't too happy about all the crazy talk. Richie, on the other hand could not.

"Proof? The only proof I'm seeing is stupid beaver camps and talk about mysteries and all this buzz being unsolved-"

"Morning!"

Finally deciding to end this conversation for the time being by ordering, hoping that giving Richie, his daily dose of sugar would be enough to keep him happy for now.

The bigger blonde lady at the register smiled down at you, The smile was sweeter than the ice cream itself. She was from Texas, So she told you weeks ago when the rest of the losers failed to join you for ice cream. It was a slow day and she gave up some of her time to sit and talk with you. That's what made coming here even more special, No one judged you here.

"Morning Y'all, Isn't it a little early for ice-cream?"

Having been here one too many times you were all more than regulars, You could call this place your second home if you wanted to. Half the staff knew you and the losers by name and you could swear the amount of ice cream you bought was enough to pay the bills of this place.

"You know us Miss. Walthers, is it ever too early?"

"Alright, alright"

She laughed loudly, It rang through the restaurant and you could see people's faces light out just by the sound of it.

"Usuals or are we finally deciding to branch out?"

All three of you nodding, knowing full well not one of you had changed your order in over a month (No matter how hard Miss. Walthers tried to sell the newer flavours to you).

"I best ask again next time then, I'm wai'ing for one of y'all to break and try our new flavours"

You nodded, Looking at some of the flavours sitting at the front of the freezers in a fake attempt to show you might be interested

"Next time?"

"Keep telling yourself that"

Smiling slightly, Miss. Walthers saw right through your lies. Taking your notes and handing back the change, half of which you all put in the tips jar.

"Won't be just a minute darlings"

Smiling and all saying your thank yous before sitting down at the table closest.

Just as Ms. Walters had finished making your ice cream calling you over to come and collect it. You heard the jingle of the front door to the shop opening, turning around to see none another then

"Bill!"

Waving him over to you and giving him a hug to greet him. His back was all sweaty and he was out of breath. You knew he was late but you didn't expect him to have rushed all the way here just for ice cream.

"H-hey, Beverly needs to talk to us..."

"Is she coming for ice-cream?"

Taking the ice cream from Miss Walters and thanking her, telling her you'll see her same time next week before walking back to the table you were sitting at.

"No sh-she said it's important... Her house.

Bill didn't sit down, He walked pass the table and towards the door. Turning back to look at you guys letting you know he wanted you to follow.

"Oh..."

You, Eddie and Richie all looked at each other. You and Eddie immediately getting up from the table, Richie holding on tight to his ice cream.

"Can I at least finish my ice-cream I paid good money for thi- HEY!"

Watching the you both scuff down your ice creams before walking out the door and towards your bikes.

"Awe fuck."

***

The group of you had picked Stanley and Ben up along the way, with a quick explanation as none of you really knew what was going on. Not even Bill.

The group of you let your bikes down out the back of Beverly's house, Not going through the front for Beverlys sake. You could see her running down the fire escape, obvious that she had been waiting for your arrival. She didn't look Ill, But something looked wrong with her. The panic of whatever situation she was in was written all over her face.

"I-I need to show you something."

Already turning back towards the fire escape. Hoping that everyone would just follow. The curiousness of the situation kept a few planted where they were.

"What is it?"

"More than we saw at the quarry?"

You elbowed Richie in the stomach while Eddie berated him, already fed up with him from this mornings antics.

"Shut up! Just shut up, Richie."

Clearly unphrased by Richie's comment, Beverly continued. Her mind was occupied with something far worse.

"My dad will kill me if he finds out that I had boys in the apartment."

"W-w-w-w-we'll leave a lookout."

Bill started following Beverly up the stairs, not keen to be the lookout he had suggested. Stanley already had an idea, in a situation like this, sometimes it helps to not have Richies out of pocket comments.

"Now Richie, just stay here."

Richie of course was not too happy with this suggestion.

"Woah, woah, woah, what if her dad comes back?"

"Do what you always do. Start talking."

The surprise on Richie's face could tell you he wasn't used to Stanley's quick whit, meaning he knew he would be the one staying here this time.

"It is a gift..."

You smiled softly and patted him on the back, thanking him for his service.  He still had a frown plastered on his face.

"I'm sorry Rich but girls have to help girls out

"Well hand me some lipstick then!"

Laughing slightly to yourself as you ran to follow the rest of the losers up the fire escape and to look at the mystery of what Beverly was talking about.

"Or a dress?!"

***

You all stood together in Beverly's house. Waiting in anticipation to be told what had happened that meant you all had to meet here. She had the intention of showing you.

"In there..."

She pointed towards a doorway at the end of the corridor. Taking a step back and waiting for someone else to show the way.

Bill took the first step forward. He was always the most curious of the group.

"What is it?"

"You'll see."

She couldn't explain what she had seen last night. She wanted you to see it for yourselves. She also didn't want you to take off running, leaving her to deal with it on her own.

"Great, bringing us to the bathroom. You know that 89% of the worse accidents occur in the bathroom and kitchen."

The walk to the bathroom wasn't long, It was slower than intended with everyone taking short steps to avoid reaching the end of the corridor. You were glad Eddie was talking. No one wanted to hear more about the percentages and statistics of bacteria in bathrooms but it filled the silence.

"And that's where all the bacteria and fungi are... and it is not a hygienic place..."

His his sentence faded off and was replaced with a horrified look as Bill pushed open the door. The scene in the bathroom had taken you all by surprise. Abruptly stopping in your tracks to take a look at the white bathroom that had now been doused in red.

Beverly was scanning all of your faces, trying to make out your thoughts before anyone could say anything.

"Do you see it?"

"Yes."

How could you not. Blood had painted the wall and been drawn across the floor, It was covering every inch of the bathroom. The whole room had been turned into the elevators from the overlook hotel.

"What happened in here?"

Beverly's eyes looked elsewhere, avoiding Stanleys question and changing the subject.

"My dad couldn't see it, I thought that I might be crazy."

"Well if you're crazy, then we're all crazy."

And there it was again. Crazy. You were sick of the word. You were sick of being crazy.

"We c-c-c-can't leave it like this."

Bill was right. All of you spent about 30 minutes scrubbing the floor, scraping the walls and cleansing the shower curtains. It was a lot easier with all hands on deck, Even with Eddie gagging at least twice every minute.

***

The bathroom was spotless now. Bringing the last few things back into the bathroom just as Bill walked out leaving just you and Beverly. Bills departure gave you a chance to talk to Beverly by yourself. Something you had meant to do much earlier.

"Beverly?"

"Hmm?"

Turning around even though she already knew who it was. She took a seat on the edge of the bathtub, waiting for you to do the same. You sat next to each other in silence for a few moments. You didn't know how to start the conversation, let alone what conversation you wanted to have.

"Are you... Are you okay?"

"Yeah... Monthly flow you know.."

You laughed, It was a soft laugh but not a real one. Not one that meant you found her joke funny, You were concerned not only for her but yourself as well. The constant talk about being crazy, All the things that you had seen that kept replaying in your mind. You assumed Beverly had been feeling the same as you after what happened last night. Beverly wasn't crazy.

"You're not crazy."

And if she wasn't crazy, neither were you.

"Neither are you."

And now you both knew that. You didn't want to go crazy together. You didn't want to go crazy.

You have been friends for so long that you both knew that without having to say much more. You don't talk to her as much as you should during school, but you were glad you could have the chance too now.

"I've meant to talk to you... I'm really sorry I haven't, I- I thought if we stayed away from each other at school there'd be less.. less talk"

She smiled back at you. She wasn't the type of person to hold grudges and she wasn't mad in the first place. The rumours at school were inevitable, the lies that Henry had spread about Beverly over the years. The same lies that ended up being spread about you. Beverly would do anything to protect people from feeling how she felt. So she understood.

"I know... Henry still on your case?"

You nodded. Scrunching up your face, cringing at his name.

"Daily... He still on yours?"

"Frequently."

It felt good to talk to Beverly. It feel good to have a break from the boys for a change.

"I hope you hangout with us more, I do genuinely think it'd be nice with another girl around"

"I hope so too.."

---

Richie was currently occupying himself by riding circles around the group of losers, sharing his thoughts on how he was left outside by himself for over 45 minutes to sit and watch Beverly's house to make sure her dad wasn't coming back.

"No, I love being your personal doorman. Really could you idiots have taken any longer?"

Almost everyone in the group was still processing what had happened just before.

"Shut up, Richie."

"Yeah, shut up, Richie."

And then there was Eddie and Stanley, who had the heart (or lack there of) to tell him to shut up.

"Oh okay, trash the trash-mouth, I get it."

"Rich that's not what-"

Trying to stop him from his verbal spiral before he said anything to upset someone. You knew he wouldn't have meant it, but it's better to stop it at the start.

"Hey I wasn't the one scrubbing the bathroom floor imagining that her sink went all Eddie's mom's vagina on halloween."

The blood in the bathroom didn't make any sense. Beverly had half explained that it had come out of the sink, That she had heard voices in the drain and that strands of hair had held her down. Richie, who hadn't seen the blood or let alone heard the full story, had every right (in your opinion) to not believe it.

Bill stopped walking his bike and turned back to the group.

"She didn't imagine. I also saw something too."

"You saw blood, too?"

All of you stood in the middle of the road. You knew where the conversation was going, looking over to Eddie to see if he was listening as Bill continued.

"Not blood, I saw G-g-Georgie. It seemed so real, I mean it seemed like him but there was this..."

"A clown."

Everyone's face fell. Seemingly all knowing the experience Bill was talking about and the clown Eddie mentioned.

"Yeah, I saw him too."

"Add me to the count."

You felt safe to share that you had the same experiences that everyone else had. You didn't have to share what it was. You weren't going to.

"Wait, can only virgins see this stuff? Is that why I'm not seeing this shit?"

Richie hadn't had the same visions as everybody else. It was hard to tell if he thought everyone was delusional or if he was jealous to be left out. You didn't have time to figure it out as the name of somebody who made your skin crawl was spoken into the wind and through your ears.

"Oh shit, that's Belch Huggins car."

"We- we should probably get outta here."

As much as you hated talking about clowns and the weird things that you had all been seeing you would rather be talking about clowns and shit than hearing that Henry Bowers could be in your vicinity.

"Yes."

"Please."

You were already on your bike as you begged to leave. Ready to start peddling away at the speed of light before bill pointed out a crucial bit of information your optical nerve had failed to pick up.

"Wait isn't that the home schooled kids bike?"

"Yeah, that's Mikes."

This made things more difficult. It was almost inevitable to avoid conflict now, Beverly catching your eye as she spoke.

"We have to help him."

You nodded. You knew it was the right thing to do, Beverly and you were not the kind of people to leave someone to deal with Henry Bowers by themselves. The rest of the losers were not too keen.

"We should?"

"Yes."

You and Beverly were the first to take off following the small path down to the riverside as the rest of the losers followed.

A/N

It's been a while... I keep promising that I'll be consistent but we never know. Hoping I'll be a bit more consistent this time.

If there's any discrepancies between this chapter and ones before it, I'm really sorry because I cannot remember what happened in the book and was too lazy to read it :P