Daughter of Pennywise

Alone with a boy

Morning came the way it always did, bringing with it the possibility of a new day. As soon as Jasper and I finished dressing, my desk bound phone rang. We glanced each other before I picked it up.

"Hello?" "L-Lucy?" It didn't take an idiot to know who it was. "George is that you? How'd you get my number?" "I as-asked J-Jake to g-get it fr-from J-Jasper." I glared at her, she shrugged with a sheepish smile.

"Why are you calling?" "I was w-wondering if you wanted to go w-walking with me. Down to the b-barrens, where d-dad used to play when he w-was my age." My eyes popped. "Yeah. Yeah I'd love to." "Gr-great, I'll be o-over in a little bit." Then he hung up, nervous no doubt.

"Well, what'd he say?" I look to Jasper. "First of all, you owe me. Second, he asked if I wanted to walk with him down to the barrens." She raised a skeptical brow. "Isn't that the place 'round the sewers? The same sewers you spend most of your time?" I rolled my eyes. "Yes, he says he'll be over in a little while." "Okay, you can go out with him if you want but all I'm saying is you better be careful. Most kids in this town avoid the sewers like the plague, if you get too close, he might get suspicious." I smiled. "I will, thanks." She smiled back. "Anytime."

~

Later, in my favorite seaweed green play dress and worn out brown sneakers, I went downstairs with Jasper and broke the news to mom over breakfast.

"It's about time you nabbed someone, I was beginning to think I'd have to throw you with someone." "Mom!" "Kidding!" I rolled my eyes as she laughed. A tender meow makes me look to see Lucifer by Jasper's feet, brushing against her leg like he's always been this tame. She rolled her eyes and stood.

"Well, great time talking to y'all but I really must bounce, if Lucifer doesn't get his breakfast soon he'll scratch me. See ya Candy, bye Mrs. Alysse. And Candy, make sure to call me if he kisses you!" I playfully flipped her off as she ran out laughing. Mom watched her go with a small smile.

"She's a nice kid. Messed up in a sense, but nice." "Well duh mom, that's why we're friends." And we both laughed.

~

After maybe three minutes, there was a knock at the door. I jumped up and ran over, pausing to look relaxed before opening it. George stood just outside, shyly clutching a single daffodil and dressed in slightly neater clothes then usual.

"H-hey Lu-Lucy." I smiled stupidly. "Hey George, ready to go?" "Just a moment!" I rolled my eyes as mom came to stand beside me.

"So you're George huh?" He nodded with a nervous gulp. "Yes ma'am." She looked him over before sticking out a hand.

"I'm Lucy's mom, it's a pleasure to meet you." A wave of relief washed over his face as he shook her hand. "Nice to Mrs...?" "Alysse. Mrs. Alysse." I rolled my eyes.

"Right. Well we best be heading off." Mom nodded. "Of course. Have fun!" I rolled my eyes again before walking off with George beside me.

~

We eventually reached the barrens, so close yet so far from the sewers. I could practically hear it calling for me with it's soft, mournful cry. Desperate, I decided to listen as hard as I could to George as he spoke.

"Have you heard the story about It?" That caught my interest. "It?" "Yeah, It. Lived in the sewers and came out ever twenty-eight years to..." pause "feed." I arched a single eyebrow.

"You said lived, is it not around anymore?" He shook his head, beginning to smile. "No. My dad and his friends killed it." My eyes popped out. "Did they now?" "Yeah. Went down to the sewers and beat it to death." I froze, suddenly aware of a particular word he had said.

"Did you say sewers?" A light nod. "Yeah. Why?" There was that cry again, from the dark place that was in a way my second home. "No reason. So, what do you know about it?" He shrugged. "What everyone else knows I suppose. That it was something horrible that...killed kids." My blood became ice, the world around me stopped short.

"Killed kids?" A sad nod. "Yeah. One was my uncle George whom I'm named after, he was six when he was murdered. Arm ripped off like the wing off a fly." He paused, suddenly realizing how far he had gone. "Darn. I'm sorry I had to tell you this." But I was thunder-struck for a much different reason.

It liked to kill kids, I like to kill kids. There must be a connection. "What else do you know?" "It feeds off children's fear by changing into them." Confirmed.

"The sewers? They're nearby aren't they?" "Somewhere around here. Why?" "I'd like to check it out." He looked at me like I've grown a second head. "I'm a fan of the mysterious and weird." "Oh. Okay then sure." He reaches for my hand but pulls back. Playfully, I take his instead and hold it tight. He refuses to look at me, cheeks flushed.

We reach the lakeside, beholding a view I'm used to, a leaf covered body of water, so still and silent. Just beyond it is a tall stone structure, old yet strong. George's afraid, I can feel it in his hand, sweet and warm, tempting me to devour him right then and there. But looking out upon that lake, at that structure, I felt nothing but easy happiness. Ever so softly a gentle chorus of voices drifted out to me, whispering sweet and gentle with a kindness only I know. "W-we sh-should head b-b-back." I let him tug me back, smiling sweetly at the voices sweet and wonderful as they sadly whisper.

"The clown girl brought us down here. We all float, like balloons, we all float down here. We all float down here, you'll float too. We all...float down here."