Bloody Noses & Crack'd Crowns

Chapter 22

I DO NOT OWN THIS STORY. All credit goes to TheWeaverofWorlds on ao3

Before class on Monday, Stan knocked on Jake Epping's office door.

"Come in!" The voice rung out, surprisingly cheery for so early at the start of the week, but that was Epping's way.

Stan shuffled in.

"Good morning, Mr. Epping. Do you have a moment?"

Jake Epping took one look at Stan and decided that even if he hadn't, he would give Stan as much time as he needed. "Of course, Stan. Please have a seat. Don't mind the books."

Stan carefully placed the haphazard stack of books on the floor before sitting in the chair opposite his teacher.

"I'm sure you heard what happened this weekend," Stan said in a fragile tone.

"Yes."

The teachers had all received an email about what had occurred at the gravel pit on Saturday morning, and while it didn't look like the law was doing much about it, Principal Johns had suspended the tormentors: Marcia, Greta, and Peter for the week; Henry, Vic, Belch, and Patrick for two. As the extent of Bradley Donovan's involvement was as of yet unclear, Principal Johns could do nothing about it without inciting his parents' fury. And since Tommy Rogan was not from Derry he received no punishment at all.

It wasn't much, especially in the light of the police so blatantly ignoring the issue, but it was something. The lack of police involvement was all Sadie had wanted to talk about on Sunday, and Epping had happily indulged her.

"I was wondering if you could give me some of Bill's assignments, I want to take them to the hospital. So he doesn't get behind."

"Stan, Bill should focus on healing –"

"No!"

It was clear that Mr. Epping was taken aback by Stan's tone.

He tried again. "Please, I need a reason to go visit."

"I'm sure –"

"You don't understand." Stan stood about to leave.

"Then explain it to me," Jake Epping said with patience. "Tell me what's wrong."

Stan looked at his teacher, the kind concern on his face was not just for Bill but for him. He sat, glancing at the clock on the wall before beginning to explain.

"Bill's adoptive father, Mr. Gray, doesn't know that Bill and the others have friends. I need a reason to go to the hospital. In case anyone asks I'd just be another student delivering work. But I have to go. I have to apologize."

"Apologize for what?" Mr. Epping asked, it was clear that he was struggling to keep up with everything Stan was saying.

"It's my fault that Henry knew that Bill and Richie could be so easily pitted against one another. He saw them fighting last week, because Bill was angry."

"Angry?"

"I told our parents the real reason Bill and the others are here. Bill thought it was Richie, and he felt betrayed so he attacked. Henry must have seen the whole thing."

"Stan, what did you tell your parents?" Jake Epping had a sinking feeling in his gut.

This was the moment where Stan had to make a decision. Did he trust his English teacher? His eyes searched Jake's before he pressed forward. "Mr. Gray enters Bill and Mike into illegal fights out on Sheriff Bowers' farm. Most of the town goes out to watch. They take bets on children fighting one another.