An Inhaler Isn't Needed

Chapter 13

As soon as his feet crossed the barrier from his room to the hallway outside it, Eddie felt an intensely warm joy erupt in his chest. It spread like disease to every part of his body, racing up to his face, and bursting through his eyes in the form of fresh tears that rolled down his cheeks, excitedly.

He turned on his heels to share his excitement with his friends, who’s expressions differed from stunned that it worked to concern.

Richie held a somewhat proud, and yet soft smile. He was about to say something positive, when Bill spoke, “Y-You realize wh-what this m-muh-means now, right?”

The Losers turned to look at him, quizzically.

Bill’s words, though confident, were contradicted with the nervous look in his eyes, “We h-have s-seven, now.” He licked his lips, (Richie thought this was a nervous habit, as Bill’s lips weren’t chapped, and he tended to do it often), “We c-can defeat It now.”

Stan’s posture immediately slacked. He clenched and unclenched his fist, probably to calm the tension that Richie could see was racking through his body. Mike put an arm around his shoulders, attempting to comfort Stanley, (the attempt was a good one, so it seemed, as the corner of Stan’s mouth stopped its irritated twitching, and his fist was loose).

Bill saw this, and took his friend’s feelings into account. Of course, Big Bill Denbrough’s priority is to make sure his friends are safe. His first priority has always been Georgie and his friends.

Richie saw the conflict in Bill’s eyes. Bill set a calm hand on Stan’s shoulder, but his focus was still on the plan that he was formulating in his mind. “St-Stan, I kn-know it’s h-hard to f-fuh-face, but I-I’ve said it b-before: We have to.”

Richie admired the determination in Bill’s eyes, “I-It’s u-up to us.” Bill’s gaze flickered to meet Beverly’s, who nodded once.

Mike ruffled Stanley’s hair, giving him a gentle smile, “I believe in you, man.” Stan snorted, “Thanks, Mike.”

Bill looked at them both, a proud smile directed toward Stan. Richie thought he was like a mom who’s son just passed a hard test in math.

Bill gave Stan a pat on the back, then addressed the group again, “Now, w-we need a pl-plan. W-We can t-touch on everyone’s a-abilities, and-Eddie?”

Eddie, who poked his head in through the doorway, replied, “Yeah, Bill?”

Bill, who was gaining confidence by the second, gave him a half-grin that filled the room and everyone in it with a feeling of security, “I-I think I kn-know how t-to use our gh-ghost against a cl-clown.”
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Boop. There's only a few more chapters left of this, thank god.