We'll Always Be Losers, No Matter What (IT Rewrite)

Eddie Faces A Sick Homeless

Eddie!" shouted Sonia Kaspbrak, from downstairs. "Yeah, mommy?" asked Eddie. "I need you to run down to the pharmacy and grab a couple of descriptions for me, I can't move," said Sonia. "Are you alright, mama?" asked Eddie. "Of course, Eddie Bear, but the doctor says I can't move until next week, so I'm counting on you to run those errands," said Sonia, placing a kiss on Eddie's forehead. "Yes, mommy," said Eddie.Eddie cautiously ascended the wooden stairs, making sure not to rush in order to avoid any potential injuries. He reached the landing and carefully retrieved his fanny pack, a durable accessory that would securely hold all of his mother's essential pills and medicine. As he prepared to venture outside, his mother's stern yet concerned voice echoed in his mind: "Remember, don't go anywhere near Neibolt Street!". "Got it!" said Eddie.

Mr Keene was a compassionate man who had previously worked as a doctor before retiring under mysterious circumstances. He was known to be a source of comfort and support for the kids in the neighborhood, often taking on the role of a therapist. Whenever any of Eddie's friends had a problem, they would seek Mr Keene's advice. Whether it was Stanley venting about the pressure he felt from his father or Will complaining about his hostile stepmother, Mr Keene was always there to offer guidance and wisdom. However, there was one issue that the kids knew Mr Keene would never entertain: Bill's theory concerning the disappearance of Georgie. "Hello, Mr Keene!" exclaimed Eddie. "Hello, Eddie, how's your mother?" asked Mr Keene. "She's sick, but alright," mused Eddie. "Whatcha need this time, Eddie?" asked Mr Keene. "Medicine for my mama," said Eddie, handing a note that had descriptions of different medications. "Alright, I'll see if I have these," said Mr Keene, disappearing into the medication storage. Eddie leaned his back against the desk, feeling bored, and absentmindedly played with the zipper on his fanny pack. Suddenly, he noticed Will running away from Henry Bowers. Initially, Eddie considered checking what was happening, but then he remembered his mom's advice: "Don't go poking your nose into other people's business. It's best to avoid causing more problems than becoming the problem." Reluctantly, Eddie pretended not to see Will being assaulted by The Bowers Gang. "Here's the medications, Eddie," said Mr Keene, handing Eddie his mom's medicine and pills. "Thank you, Mr Keene," said Eddie, politely. Eddie meticulously placed all of his mom's essential medications into his lightweight fanny pack before setting out for a leisurely walk around town. The gentle exercise was not only beneficial, but it also provided a welcome alternative to being cooped up indoors. As he ambled along, taking in the sights and sounds of the town, he eventually turned to make his way back home. However, to his dismay, he encountered a "road closed" sign and yellow tape blocking his usual shortcut. Frustrated, Eddie racked his brain for an alternative route, ultimately recalling that his house was situated at the rear of Neibolt Street. He reluctantly decided to take this detour, secretly hoping to avoid running into anyone he knew.

As he approached Neibolt Street, a sense of unease began to creep over Eddie. The dilapidated and neglected appearance of the house sent shivers down his spine, especially considering that it had become a regular target for Will and Richie's mischievous graffiti. Despite Bill's reprimands, Richie had insisted that they were simply trying to give the house a more comical, less menacing appearance.

Eddie attempted to push the unsettling thoughts from his mind, but the sight of the decaying house triggered an anxiety-induced asthma attack. Quickly unzipping his fanny pack, he retrieved his inhaler and anxiously began taking deep, measured breaths, hoping to restore calm to his overwrought lungs. The anxiety had taken its toll on Eddie, causing him to fumble and drop his inhaler. In his haste, he had forgotten to zip up his fanny pack, resulting in all of his and his mom's medications spilling out. "Great," grumbled Eddie in frustration. As he hurriedly stooped to retrieve everything, his heart sank as he reached for the last pills. His horror peaked when he found himself face-to-face with a grotesque, elderly man with a white eye, who chuckled and taunted, "Will this cure me, Eds?". "Holy crap!" screamed Eddie. Eddie stumbled over a crack in the pavement, sending him sprawling and scraping his knee. He winced as the sting of pain shot through him but knew he had no time to stop and tend to it. Ignoring the discomfort, he pushed himself up and started to run as fast as he could, his injured knee protesting with every step. "What's wrong? Cat got your toughness?" taunted the man behind him, his mocking laughter ringing in Eddie's ears. "Stay back!" Eddie yelled, his heart pounding in his chest as he frantically searched for something to defend himself with. His eyes fell on a forgotten, withered metal golf club lying nearby, and he lunged for it, gripping it tightly, ready to protect himself at all costs. "I just wanna get cured, Eds," mused the man. "Well, get a job and clean up yourself!" screamed Eddie. Eddie suddenly became aware of a fence looming behind him. Desperate to escape, he tried to climb over it, but found it securely shut. In a moment of recklessness, he wielded the golf club in a futile attempt to cut through the fence. As he turned around, his heart skipped a beat at the sight of a clown, a sinister grin on its face, clutching a bunch of bright red balloons. "Hello, Eddie, want a balloon? They float!" The clown giggled. "Leave. Me. Alone!" shouted Eddie. "You'll float, Eddie, You'll float too!" shrieked the clown, in a high pitched little girl voice. Eddie's body tensed up as he reacted to the terrifying sight by letting out a piercing scream. His trembling hands fumbled with the latch of the fence until it finally budged, allowing him to crawl underneath. Heart pounding, Eddie turned around, but the clown had vanished, leaving behind only a rainbow flag with a knife through it. Eddie sprinted with all his might through the front door and let it slam behind him, causing the house to reverberate with the loud bang. In a rush, he carelessly tossed his mom's array of medications onto the cluttered kitchen table before dashing up the creaky staircase, tears streaming down his face. Once inside the sanctuary of his room, he forcefully shut the door, muffling the sounds of distress that erupted from his trembling lips. With a heavy heart, he sought solace by burying his face deep into the familiar softness of his pillow. As he lay there, he made sure to draw the blinds tight, shutting out the unsettling sight of the ominous Neibolt House that loomed in the distance, its mere presence sending shivers down Eddie's spine. As Eddie sat in his room, immersed in his thoughts, the distant sound of the doorbell pulled him back to reality. He heard his mom's familiar voice as she conversed with none other than Richie and Will at the door. "Is Eds home?" inquired Richie eagerly. "He is, but he is not to be disturbed," Sonia replied firmly. "We just want to give him something," Will chimed in. After a moment of silence, Sonia reluctantly relented, muttering, "Fine, but you have five minutes." Eddie listened as Richie and Will raced up the stairs, their laughter and playful banter filling the house. Richie burst into the room, leapt onto Eddie's bed, and teased, "How you're doing, Eddie Baby?" before playfully pinching Eddie's cheek. "Not well, Rich," mused Eddie, slapping Richie's hand off his cheek. "Why? What's going on?" asked Will, quietly sitting on Eddie's desk chair. "Nothing, it's nothing," said Eddie, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at his faded blue carpet. "Eddie Spaghetti, we know when something's wrong with you, you're not subtle at hiding it," said Richie, taking out a Winston Cigarette and lighting it, and handing Will a Cigarette. "Can you not smoke in here?" groaned Eddie. "What? We can't smoke our problems out?" scoffed Richie. "No," mused Eddie. "We're ready, Eddie. To hear what the fuck is bothering you," said Will. Eddie hesitated to tell them what happened, but finally spilled everything. When he was finished, Richie looked at Eddie like he didn't believe what he was saying and Will was horrified, dropping the coors seltzer that he was about to drink. "Shocking? I know," mused Eddie. "Sorry that we weren't there to defend you," muttered Will. "You wouldn't have known," said Eddie. "Want a sip?" asked Richie. "No, my mom would kill me," said Eddie. "C'mon, she'll never know," said Richie. Eddie gave up on temptation and drank a bit of rum, spitting it out. "Gross!" Eddie yelled. "Disagree," said Richie, taking a huge sip from the bottle. "Fuck you, Rich," mused Eddie. "I love you too, Eddie Spaghetti," snickered Richie. "That's enough, Trashmouth... But, Eddie, if you go through something like that again, come and talk to us, or me, if Rich isn't mature enough to understand," said Will, "Hey, I can u'derstand enough, g'vnor!" said Richie, in a British accent.