A Mate's Rebirth

*Chapter 20: Good-bye...*

A day after IT's defeat, everyone is at the Derry Cemetery to pay respects to one grave. Belle's grave. It had been around months after she went to hibernation. People who knew her believed her dead, except the Losers Club. Now, they stood around her grave. They place roses by the tombstone. Both red and white. Georgie placed a portrait of Belle in front for everyone to see. She had a beautiful smile. Georgie lowers his head as Bill wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

"She will watch over us. Like she did before." Mike spoke.

"She will never be forgotten." Beverly said, holding Ben's hand. "She was one of the best."

"She's in a better place now." Bill whispered.
After saying their last goodbye, they left the cemetery. They couldn't make a grave for Stan, Jacob, or Eddie. Their families must know what had happened. It'll be hard to tell, but Mike will be the one who will handle it. First thing tomorrow, the others will leave town.

Georgie and his wife were putting their boxes in the moving truck. Georgia sat on the front porch, watching the movers help her parents pack the boxes. They are moving out of Derry after the experience. Georgie came over to his daughter, sat next to her.

"Everything's loaded." He spoke. Georgia nodded. "It's for the best, sweetie. Everything here reminds us of bad memories. But we will remember the good times."

"Bowdoin is far." Georgia spoke, fiddling with her fingers.

"I know, but...we must be far away from here as possible." Georgie said. Valerie shuts the trunk of the car. She had to quit her job as a high school librarian to move. She will always be a new school librarian at the new town they will be living in. "Ready?" Georgie asked his daughter.

"Yeah." Georgia said with a nod. They got up to get to the car. As soon as his wife and daughter are in the car, Georgie hears a car honk in the street. He turned to see Bill pulling over and got out.

"Hey." Bill said.

"Bill? I thought you already left town." Georgie asked.

"Well...I wanted to see you all go before I do." Bill said with a smile. They hug each other one last time.

I wish I had something more to give you.
You've been feeling bad this time of year.
If I could I would drive out to see you.
Things are finally looking up for me this time.

Bill said goody-bye to his brother, Valerie, and Georgia before getting back to the car to leave town. He must go back to his wife and finish writing his novel. Maybe this time he will write a good ending. After Bill got in his car to drive away, Georgie stood and look up at his house that is now empty. He will finally start a life anew with his family. He will no longer be scarred for life. He touches his arm socket.

"George?" Valerie spoke. "Are we ready?" Georgie got in the car and smiled at his wife.

"Let's go to Bowdoin." He said. Georgia sat quietly in the backseat. The car is out of the driveway. Georgie drives down the street as the movers are following them.

Take it from me, I'd be lost without you.
I try to run away, but you're running up on me faster, and I,
I could barely breathe, I couldn't even turn around.
I only hope we make it home,
Safe & Sound.
Safe & Sound.

XX

There is a family waiting outside their house. They are moving out of Derry too, but they must wait for their new arrival. The Kramers knew Mike for a while, and when they got a call that he had a child for them to adopt, they happily accept. Better than waiting in a list. A woman with short black hair is pacing around the front lawn. Her husband and 7-year-old daughter watched her being nervous and excited at the same time.
A car pulled up. Mike got out with Nadia wrapped in a pink blanket with a smile. He looked down at her. Nadia opened her eyes. They are gold.