Daughter of Pennywise

Rock Girl

Once I was a good distance away from the Denbrough house I all but collapsed in the curb.

I laid my forehead on my knees and crossed my arms over my head. Wishing that had gone better. Wishing that Bill's lit- that Georgie was okay. Wishing that Dad wasn't so damn confusing. Almost wishing that I'd never come to Derry.

Pushing myself back to my feet I started towards the market that Tessa liked to get groceries at. It wasn't a long walk and soon I had walked in, and bought a Pepsi and a couple candy bars.

I breathed a sigh as I headed towards the door. This was simple and natural, nothing like the strangeness that had wrapped its thorny vines around my life.

Enjoying being inside I paused and gulped down the Pepsi and shoved the bars in my pocket. I was nearly halfway down the steps of the store before I realized that I'd made a huge mistake. 

The Bowers gang had been lounging on the hood of Belch's all too familiar blue, trans am. Almost simultaneously the four of them looked up from where they were pooling money and locked their eyes on me.

I swallowed hard as evil smirks came over a Henry and Patrick's faces. I turned to run for but Patrick grabbed me and yanked my sweatshirt over my head, blinding me. God how is someone with such noodle arms so strong?

Acting on instinct I swung my foot back  and kicked his shin just hard enough for him to let go. I stumbled as he jerked away from me and tried to flee again, but Vic shoved me hard in the chest. The wind whooshed out of me as I hit the gravel. I yelped and tried to wiggle away as Henry sat on me, his legs pinning my arms.

Feeling bold I looked up at Henry's triumphant face and said "You know you are being kind of rude."

Henry grabbed my jaw and a dull ache of protest shot through the bone as he pulled my head a bit of the ground. "Guess what else is rude? Huh? Spying."

Patrick giggled and flicked his lighter, enthusiastically. Henry's dirty fingers tightened on my jaw, making me wince. "Victor saw you that day. Cheering on your little friends." He spat and I felt spittle hit my face.

I heard him grab a handful of gravel. "I just thought I'd be a pal and give you your share of rocks." Patrick clapped his hands excitedly. Freak.

I squeezed my eyes and tried to shove Henry off me even as he smashed the gravel into my face. Him and his  friends took up the chant of "Rock Girl" as Henry scrubbed my face with dirt and gravel.

I struggled more violently as he pried my mouth open and slammed the rocks in my mouth. They lacerated my gums and ground between my teeth. I screamed slightly and spit out the bloody gravel.

Suddenly Henry was hauled off me and I tried to scramble to my feet, but it felt as if my scrambler was temporarily broken. The owner of the market, Mr.Gedreau, faced down the boys with an air of superiority.

I didn't stick around to see what was about to unfold. As soon as I gained my feet I took off running. After a moment I heard them pounding after me, Mr.Gedreau yelling after them.

I forced my legs faster, but I knew they were gaining. Some kid had left an abandoned trike on the sidewalk. I went to leap over it, but miscalculated and went sprawling. Erasing the skin from my hands and knees.

Henry's grip on my wrist was bruising as he yanked me up. My arm was twisted so that Henry could easily break it, if he wanted to. His breath was hot and rancid against my sore skin as he leaned close.

Blood was pounding in my ears as I opened my mouth to say something... but it wasn't words that came out.

It felt as if my entire face was splitting in half and many rows of teeth I didn't know I had slid through my gums. I heard the boys' startled yells and my arm fell to my side. I snarled and they ran for it.

I closed mouth and fell hard on my ass. I looked around the peaceful and unassuming neighborhood, dazed. What the fuck?

If you're curious about my inspiration to this chapter look in the novel. Chapter sixteen: Eddie's bad break. Subsection 3 pg. 790. Later loves 🖤🤟🏻