Hatchetfield.

I cant lose you again.

The last thing Pete wanted to do was think about those things again.

But of course the universe would never allow that, probably because it was run by those freaks.

There were a lot of things strange about that night, but something stuck out to him. Something one of the Lords in Black said.

"Oh! A Spankoffski! I'm going to have the whole set in my toybox!"

Pete didn't have time to think about it then, but now he did. And the more he thought the more it bothered him.

He had questions,too many. Why him? Why his family? What had they done? How could something beyond mortal comprehension notice him of all people.

What did he want?

Maybe he was just messing with him. Trying to get under his skin. But that didn't make sense.

Pete could never shoot Steph. Pete could never sacrifice someone he cared about, especially Steph. They knew that.

He stared down hard at his lap. The book sat there, taunting him with answers.

"Why did you even keep it?"

Grace shrugged. "You can't let that power fall into the wrong hands! Imagine what the dirty minded would do if they got it! It's much safer under my care!"

Pete turned the book over in his hands carefully, as if the Lords in Black would explode out again at any moment.

He heard laughter echoing in the wind and saw a flurry of color at the edges of his vision.

"Why do you want it anyway?" Grace asked.

Pete sighed "I have... questions... I want to ask them on my own"

Pete didn't want to drag either of them into this, he didn't want to risk one of them getting hurt, or killed, over his stupid curiosity.

Grace's eyebrows furrowed, but she just nodded. "Fine, give it back to me tomorrow."

Pete tucked the book into his bag. "I will"

If I make it that long.

That was hours ago. Pete didn't know why Grace was his first option, but it made sense she had it. Kinda.

If I make it that long.

He shook those thoughts away. No, he was going to be fine. Everything was going to be fine. It would be in and out. Ask his questions, maybe get answers, leave.

He would be lying to himself if he thought that, but that's better than dealing with the alternative.

He stood up from his bed. He grabbed his phone, the screen turned on. His home screen was a photo of Him, Richie, and Ruth. He took it a while ago and was planning on changing it for a while.

But that was before they died.

The time was displayed near the top.

2:17 am

He shoved his phone into his pocket and grabbed his backpack. He gently placed the book in and zipped it up. He took a deep breath and opened his bedroom door.

Ted's door was closed, like always. He was a heavy sleeper and hated it when people woke him up. Ted barely noticed Pete if he did decide to leave his room in the night. He knew Pete would never sneak out.

But here he was, sneaking out.

He quietly walked out into the living room.