IT 2017 - Blonde Hair, Black Lungs.

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I get out of the cruiser and numbly walk up the trail with the cop behind me, I felt uncomfortable. The twang of blood and the feel of it drying on my skin. The memory of Henry being taken fresh in my head.

I look up as the cop knocks on the door to the house. It opens and shows Mikes grandad. His eyes fall to me in confusion. "Yes?"

The officer clears his throat, "Are you able to take care of Ms. Baeley Bowers, for a day or two so we can contact lasting relatives of her." The cop says, in a not so nice way.

Leroy looks at him skeptically, "May I ask why?"

The cop nods and places a hand on my shoulder, all I do is stare ahead. "Baye's father was murdered today by Henry Bowers. Having both gone. She has no legal guardian." My eyes drift up and I glare at him.

Leroy nods rubbing his chin "Alright. Three days max. Come inside, little lady." I nod and walk inside.

—The Next Day—

I sit next to Mike on his bed, my legs over his thighs as I lay back listening to him talk. "School starts again in 2 months." I nod and frown knowing I won't be here. "Hey, what's wrong?" He looks down at me giving me a soft smile.

"I'm leaving tomorrow." I confess, he pauses in confusion. Leroy refused to let me tell him and he didn't tell him either. I sit up and lean into his shoulder. "Henry and dad are gone. I have no one here to watch me. I'm leaving for my mom's brothers tomorrow."

His arm wraps around my midsection tightly as he side-hugs me. "How far?" He asks quietly, looking down at my hands.

I bit my lip with a small sigh. "Pennsylvania." I mumble, he breathes through his teeth and lays his head on top of mine.

"I'll be here when you get back." He replies softly, his hand rubbing my side.

I smile but it turns to a frown, "But you wanted to go to Florida."

He shrugs like it's nothing, just a stupid dream or something. "I'd rather wait for you then go to some boring place." He says smiling, like it was no big deal waiting.

I let out a quiet laugh and wrap my arms around his torso hugging him tightly "I'll miss you. Just know that." I mumble quietly, he nods.

I place my hand on his resting on my side and give him a smile, "When I come back, we'll go to Florida together, we'll see the ocean, we'll buy a house and be together. I promise, okay?" I say, not looking away from his eyes, he gives me another sad smile and gives me a small nod.

—Day of departure—

I grip my bag tightly, my knuckles turning white. I stare at the mustang in front of me as my uncle gets out. I haven't seen him since mom died. It felt weird. Wrong.

I set my bag down and turn to Mike, giving him a tight smile. "I'll see you soon, okay? I promise." He nods and pulls me to him to bring me into a tight hug. I bite my lip to stop from crying, latching onto him tightly, my hands balling up his shirt.

"I love you, don't forget that."

"Never."

I sniffled and couldn't help but release a cry. I didn't want to go; I wanted to stay. Stay here with him and Leroy, learn what a real family is. Work, help them. I didn't wanna leave Richie, Eddie, Bill, Bev, or Ben. I didn't even want to leave Henry. But I had to.

But I had no choice, I'm just a kid, right? Yet I've done more than any adult ever has.

Mike pulls away and places his hands on each side of my face, I look at him giving a soft smile. My hands resting on the wrists of his. He pulls me in and kisses me once, quick, before I could even register what happened.