The Bath || Stenbrough

1985

A/N: sigh...its time to stop procrastinating. (nvm i've procrastinated for weeks after typing that sentence)

We venture through the murky greywater of the Derry sewers. I stay close beside Bill. It has come very apparent to me now that I am weak. Everyone is scared, I mean who wouldn't be? But me? I'm absolutely terrified. I feel as though I'm still an eleven year old boy trapped in the body of a man. Still scared, and still ever so helpless.

Beverly sloshes through the water, going a few feet ahead of Bill, who has been leading us through the sewers.

"I thought I heard something." She tells us, before a giant, zombie-like creature jumps out at her.

"Bev!!" Ben shouts, as the creature grabs her.

"Time to sink!!" Its voice is menacing as it drags Bev under the water. The fiery headed woman shrieks when her head becomes fully submerged in the green-ish liquid. Ben doesn't hesitate before jumping in after her, yelling her name. Mike follows after, so does Bill. I was already holding Bill's hand, so when he jumped I was forced into the water. I didn't see Richie jump, but I presume he came after.

"Guys?" Eddies voice echoes, not having jumped. Maybe I'm not the only coward here. "Okay guys c'mon.." The short mans voice is shaking with fear.

As Bill drags me farther and farther into the disgusting water Eddies voice becomes quieter, and eventually inaudible. Ben grabs Bev under the water, pulling her up to the surface. She chokes, water spurting out of her mouth. Eddie, at the surface is nearly crying in fear. Bill rubs my soaking wet back with his palm, soothingly.

"Mike..? Where do we go from here?" Richie asks.

I freeze up, realizing the gravity of our situation. What the fuck is my life? I am in the sewers with my friends from middle school looking to do a ritual and kill a demonic clown. What. The. Fuck.

We step onto a wooden platform, with a circle carved into the middle. Mike zips open a bag, pulling out a cone shaped artifact. The circle is surrounding by pointy sort of walls.

"It can only be attacked in its true form, the ritual will show us that." Mike says, knowingly.

"What is it's true form?" Ben asks.

"I hope it's a puppy." Richie says bluntly. All I can think is; "Me too Richie, me too."

"A Pomerian or...." Richie continues, getting an assorment of looks. "I'll shut up." He sighs.

"It's light, light that must be snuffed out by darkness." Mike speaks again.

"What the fuck is he talking about?" I whisper to Bill, earning back a shrug.

Mike lights a match, the small bit of fire illuminating the dark tunnels we stand in. He sets the top of the bronze cone ablaze.

"Your artifacts...place them in the fire." He orders, as he stands back up. "The past must burn with the present"

Bill pulls out a dust covered piece of paper. "Uh...this is the boat I built with Juh-Georgie." His eyes are downcast as he tosses the folded yellowish-gray boat into the flames. I give his shoulder a gentle squeeze. He flashes me a sad smile.

Eddie speaks up next. "My inhaler." He takes a huge breath from it before setting it gently into the fire.

"Come on, dude..." Richie mumbles just before he does so.

I must say, Eddie Kaspbrak getting rid of his inhaler or all things is a sight I never thought I'd see.

"Something I wish I had held on too.." Beverly places what looks to be a greeting card type letter in the burning flames.