Living in Derry Maine as a Bowers wasn't exactly a fairytale. Leslie Bowers was just trying to survive since her mom left, leaving Henry and her to their dad's vices. But Patrick Hockstetter happened. And he changed everything.
#1 in Stephen King ❤️...
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I took the deepest breath of my life once I reached the door step of my mom's house, knocking softer than I meant to, my hands practically shaking. I didn't want to face this. I didn't want to face that this was my reality. That Belle was truly gone. Nightfall had hit Derry by the time I did reach their house, the events of the day scattering my brain to no end. Patrick and I parted ways in such a tense manner, that I knew it would cost me. A fight of sorts, but not one I would apologize for, no matter what he thought of me or thought I was doing.
"I'm so glad you're here Leslie. Your mom..... she's not well. She still hasn't left the room. I'm worried sick about her." Daniel Ward was the complete opposite of Butch Bowers, making me wish he was my dad instead, but life wasn't always perfect. Not at all really. Working at the same pharmacy Greta's family runs, he gave her a steady life she could live comfortably in. With no pain, no torture, only love and true happiness. If only it could last.
"I'll try and see what I can do." He closed the door behind me and that's when I knew from the dreary feeling in the air that this is cause for real concern. Her mental health has always been a factor in her life that holds her back. She felt trapped in it sometimes. This? Was enough to break anyone. I softly knocked on the door of their bedroom, not one single sound to be heard from the other side.
"Mom? It's me, Leslie. Can I come in?" A few minutes passed with absolutely no change, until the click of the door unlocking was heard and I immediately let myself in, seeing the hope in Daniel's eyes before I did. I closed the door behind me and entered into darkness before mom turned a lamp on to illuminate the room. Her blonde hair was an absolute mess, her usually cheery face was in a frown, wearing the same clothes as the night Belle went missing.
"Mom.... I'm so sorry. I...." But she simply hugged me to her in such a tight manner, her sudden sobs filling the entire room, knowing her eyes were completely blood shot from constant tears.
"I.... I'm a horrible parent Les! First I abandoned you and Henry, now I lose Belle! How could I do such a thing?!" I slowly pulled back to look her in the eyes, seeing just how much pain she was truly in. The worst kind imaginable.
"No mom! It isn't your fault. I..... I should have been watching her. I should have known she was gone. I...." But my own tears started to form and I couldn't find the words to say anymore, her hands coming to rest on either side of my face.
"No honey. This is not your fault. It's not your responsibility what so ever. You're young. And in love. You were having fun. Just as you should be." In love? Me? My emotions didn't exactly make sense anymore and I didn't know how to feel. I told myself no, that I can't ever love. He told himself no, he can't feel love because it's not possible. But what did my mom see?
