Look What I Found!

Ch. 23

Halloween was upon them, and Mike was getting dressed. He and his friends planned to go to the haunted fair set at the end of town. Ruby and Giselle had decided to go as a typical Angel and Demon. Jacob was going as Jason from Friday the 13th, and Mike was going as-

"What the fuck?" Richie asked, walking into his room and staring at the scene. Mike had his back turned towards him, displaying his outfit to his friends, who laughed at Richie's reaction.

Mike didn't need to turn around for Richie to know who he was going as, but Mike jumped around, all grins, wearing one of his old Hawaiian shirts, with the most random undershirt and some cheap, knock-off version of his glasses. His hair was messed up like he just got out of bed and decided not to brush it.

"I'm you!"

"I see that!" Richie looked horrified at how alike he looked to him. Bill honestly might be right for once. "Why?"

Mike shrugged, "it just seemed right. Mike and Bill sent a picture of you at my age, and I decided, why not?" He stuck his hands in his pockets, seeming to be proud of his choice.

Richie could think of a thousand reasons why he should not be proud of his choice. "Did you tell the Losers who you were going as?"

Mike shook his head, "no. I would never hear the end of it."

"Neither would I," Richie mumbled. "Hey, where are you guys going anyway?"

"To some fair that the others were telling me about." He waved his hand dismissively, but Richie tensed up.

"Fair?" He asked, his voice strained from how hard he tried to stay calm. Images of Pennywise rushed through him. The fair that Bill had rushed off to, trying to save that boy. Bill never told them the details. Only that he was too late. That's what caused him to rush off to the Neibolt House sporadically. Forcing all of them to follow after him without a plan so that he wouldn't get killed.

Anger rose quickly within Richie at the thought of Bill's erratic behavior costing them one of their friends' lives. Eddie's life.

"Yea," Mike drawled, confused by Richie's reaction.

'Hey, dork! We're reaching your place. Have your skateboard ready.' Ruby hollered through the phone before the call ended.

"Are you ok?" Mike asked, worried about Richie's silence. Maybe he should have chosen a different costume.

Richie snapped out of it, sharply looking towards Mike. "Yea, yea. I just." He sighed, "just be careful ok. Especially around clowns."

Mike snorted, "are you terrified of clowns?"

"When that clown goes around kidnapping and killing children, uh, yeah."

"Is that what-"

"Yea. So, for my old heart. Please, be careful."

Mike nodded as there was a knock at the door. Mike raced down the stairs as Richie followed at a much slower pace. Mike opened the door, and his friends piled in at the entrance.

"Man, I wish I lived here," Jacob said, voice muffled by the mask before pulling it up. Every time he came over, he would admire the place's interior. It was like he couldn't get enough of the design.

"You gonna pay the bills?" Richie asked.

"You're famous. Come on. Give a bit of charity to the ones in need."

"More like needy one."

"Alright!" Ruby called, catching everyone's attention. "Are you ready?" She addressed Mike, who looked toward Richie.