Bloody Noses & Crack'd Crowns

Chapter 24

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

n Wednesday afternoon, Bill was sitting in his bed writing in a notebook Arlene had bought for him. The headaches had gotten better, and breathing didn't hurt so much. Doctor Cho assured him he would be released soon. However, he still couldn't hear out of his left ear, and that scared him more than he wanted to admit. So he turned to writing. Telling stories helped to distract him from the lopsided world in which he was living, but it didn't stop him from worrying about Georgie.

Nothing could keep him from worrying about his baby brother. Bill was anxious to be released, not that he wanted to return to that hell house on Neibolt Street, but he needed to look out for Georgie. He missed his little brother desperately, and felt bad for ignoring him on Saturday so that he could sneak off with Bradley. It had been selfish. He knew that now. But however much he wished he could take back his actions, he didn't regret saving Stan and Richie. He just hoped Georgie would understand, and not listen to whatever lies Robert might try and feed him. Robert. Bill shuddered just thinking about the man. His pen stilled.

Robert, who had come Monday during school hours so that Bill wouldn't be able to see Mike, Eddie or Georgie. Bill was sure that that had been intentional. Robert, who had whispered instructions between his teeth while offering simple platitudes in the guise of love. The visit had been for show, as Bill was pretty sure that Doctor Cho was suspicious of Robert, and so that Robert could coach him for when the police came. His hand shook as anger built within him.

However, all his thoughts disappeared when the nurse arrived with a visitor.

"Mr. Epping?"

Jake Epping nodded. "Hello, Mr. Denbrough."

"What are you d-doing here?"

"Stanley told me about your situation."

Bill frowned.

"I'm afraid I forced the confession out of him."

"Have you t-told anyone?" Bill asked.

Jake Epping scratched his head, "just my wife, but she understands confidentiality. It's practically in her job description."

Bill didn't laugh at the awkward attempt at humor.

"I wanted to make sure you're doing alright," Epping said. He caught sight of JimLa on the bedside table, "ahh. What do you think of it?"

Bill smiled. "It's g-good. I finished it in two days."

"Hm, I'm glad you liked it. The critics certainly didn't. They had complaints with the mechanics of time travel. What silly nonsense."

"Mr. Epping?"

"Hm?"

"W-would you consider looking at my writing? I want to know if it's any good."

Jake Epping looked surprised. "I'd be honored, Bill. How about you bring some of your stuff round to my office when you're back in school and I'll take a look."

"Thank you, sir."

"How's the healing coming, by the way?"

"Slowly. The headaches have gone away, but my body still hurts. The doctors aren't sure if I'll regain my hearing. They say there's some surgery that could correct it, but Robert will never pay for it."

"I'm sorry about that."

Bill shrugged. "The writing h-helps."

"I find writing to be a cure to most ails." Jake said without a hint of sarcasm.