Look What I Found!

Ch. 9

The following days after the mall incident have been hard for Richie. The Losers tried to make the most of their stay, but Richie was only seen with a drink and at least a bit tipsy. Three days passed, and The Losers decided to stage an intervention in the middle of the night while Mikey was asleep.

Richie looked around at everyone, an annoyed and tired look on his face. "So let me get this straight. You all decided to wake me up at 3 in the fucking morning to have an intervention?"

Ben smiled gently, "we just want to talk to you, Richie."

"About what?"

"About your drinking problem-"

Richie cut Bill off, "I don't-"

"And about Mike." Finished Beverly before Richie could even finish his sentence.

He fell silent, a look of regret and sadness on his face. "What about him? Wait! Let me get a drink first."

Bill got annoyed and nodded toward Ben and Mike, who stood up and sat on either side of Richie.

Richie looked at the two of them suspiciously before looking back to Bill. "Seriously?"

Beverly decided to answer, "Richie, we would like you to be coherent-

"You mean sober?"

"Enough to have this conversation."

Richie sighed, "look, I appreciate the concern, but really! I'm fine! People grieve differently, and-and this is how I grieve."

Beverly looked at him with such sadness it hurt. "It's been a year, Richie. We know you and Stan were close-"

He snorted at her words, "we were closer than close. We grew up together. Hell! We were each other's first friend, and I wasn't-" A sob finally tore from his throat. Ben and Mike scooted closer, Ben placing an arm around his shoulder. At the same time, Mike set a gentle hand on his knee.

"He was so strong. So brave. He didn't want to go, but he did. He did because we needed him, and he knew that. And we got separated.."

"Richie, honey," Beverly started in a comforting tone, "that was all Its fault. That wasn't yours."

"I was holding his hand. I didn't even realize he let go..."

"That wasn't your fault. We were all worried about Mike. We had no idea It was going to try and separate us like that." Bill interjected forcefully. He was firm in his belief, and it made him feel a bit better. Just a bit.

He shook his head, though, Beverly placing her hand on his other knee. "It wasn't your fault."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But Eddie's was."

A solemn silence fell over the group before Mike interrupted. "And why do you say that?"

"Because I was the one that got caught in the deadlights! Me! Not Beverly! Not Bill! Or any of you. Me. And Eddie saved me, and I couldn't save him."

"Richie," Mike started, "you didn't know-"

"But I did know!" The dam finally burst, and he crumpled in on himself.

Everyone was silent before Beverly asked, "Richie, what did you see in the deadlights?"

Another sob echoed before he choked out, "Ed-Ed-Eddie's death. The- that fucking claw going through him and Pennybitch's stupid smile! I saw it all, and when it was really happening, I just layed there and watched. It should have been me. It should have..."

The others were silent before Mike made the first move and wrapped his arms around Richie. Ben was doing the same on the other side. Bill and Bev gave each other a look before joining. Letting Richie cry it all out.