Pennywise's Neverland

Chapter twenty eight: Favourite.

The next morning, Georgie woke with a renewed sense of purpose. The previous night’s encounter with Pennywise had left him shaken, but he couldn’t deny the opportunity it presented. If he was getting close enough to know these pieces of Pennywise’s mind—to glimpse his bitterness and buried loneliness—then maybe he could use that connection to help the others. Today, he’d focus on them, catch up, and find out what they truly needed to make things even slightly easier.

He found Finn and Sofia sitting together in the pink playroom, their faces tired,  subtle signs of wear showing through despite their young ages. They looked up when he walked in, relief flickering in their eyes. It had been days since he’d had more than a quick moment with them, and he realised just how much he’d missed them, how much they probably missed the time he’d spent just with them.

“Hey, guys,” Georgie greeted, managing a small smile as he sat down beside them. “Sorry it’s been… a lot lately.”

Finn shrugged, his expression softening, though there was a hint of frustration in his eyes. “We get it. You’re doing what you have to. It’s just…” He paused, glancing at Sofia. “It’s lonely, you know? Waiting, not knowing what he’s up to, not knowing if you’re… okay.”

Sofia nodded, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, which was now worn thin from weeks of use. “I keep thinking something will go wrong. Like, what if he figures out we’re… planning stuff?”

Georgie’s stomach twisted with guilt, but he reached out, giving Sofia’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m being careful, I promise. He’s not suspicious… at least, not yet.” He let out a breath, glancing at both of them, taking in their worn clothes, the faint grime on their hands, the hollowness in their faces. “What do you guys need? Anything?”

Sofia’s eyes lit up slightly at the question, though she hesitated, as if afraid to ask. “Do you think you could… get us real food?” She looked down, almost embarrassed. “I’m just… tired of stale bread. And… maybe soap? Fresh clothes?”

Georgie nodded slowly, noting the tension in both of their faces, the way Finn’s eyes lingered on the ground as if afraid to meet his gaze. “Yeah. I’ll ask for it. I think… I think he’ll do it.” He paused, steeling himself. “I’m getting closer to him, learning more. He’s… different when it’s just us. It’s like he’s letting his guard down a little.”

Finn gave him a sceptical look, crossing his arms. “Are you sure he’s not playing you?” he muttered, though there was a trace of worry beneath his tough expression. “He’s good at pretending to be nice. That’s what he does.”

Georgie shook his head. “I know what you mean. But it’s… it’s strange. He’s told me things. Things I don’t think he’d share with anyone else. I think he really does… trust me, in some weird way.”

Sofia’s eyes narrowed, a glimmer of suspicion flickering there. “What kind of things?” She asked, nervously tugging at the fraying fabric of her dress. “You’re not...”

Georgie gave her a reassuring pat, a spark of determination filling him. “No, I'm not, don't worry. I know what he is. I’ll ask him about those things. He’s been more open to stuff like this lately so if I’m careful, I think he’ll listen.”

Finn let out a breath, his gaze softening, though there was a faint wariness in his eyes. “Just… don’t lose yourself, Georgie. Don’t forget what we’re trying to do.”

Georgie nodded, his smile reassuring, though a faint worry lingered beneath it. “I won’t. I’m doing this for all of us. We’re still in this together.” He reached out, giving each of them a quick, firm hug, feeling the tension ease just slightly in their shoulders.