Daughter of Pennywise

Shots Fired

It's the beginning of the end darlings 😭😭😭😭 this isn't my last update but the end of this book is getting too close.

The dull ache in my chest (Jim) was more a suggestion than a demand, but I followed it anyways. I trotted along, question my decision with every step.

Without the urgency I always felt I'd taken the time to grab my "Christmas" present. The wrapped box was the only thing in the small drawstring bag bouncing on my back. I'm not sure why.

As I got closer to the outskirts of town, I saw one of the few houses out this far. It was a large ranch I'd never seen before, but I knew it was Henry Bowers'.  The driveway was empty.  "Jim" didn't drag me to house, but led me to a large tree. On impulse I clambered up into the high branches.

I had barely settled on a secure limb when an all too familiar blue Trans Am sped up the driveway, kicking up dust.
I gulped as all four boys jumped out, laughing. A joint was hanging from Patrick's lips and he crushed it out, as Henry disappeared into his house. Belch began gathering bottles from the trash as Vic grabbed an old, rusty lawn chair.

Henry came back and thudded down the porch, something in his hand. I watched through the branches as he took aim, his ego demanding attention.

I glanced down and froze. Patrick was right below me. If he looked up.... I shivered and clutched at the bark beneath me.

BANG!!!

I bit my tongue to keep from yelping and almost toppled from my perch onto Patrick's dark head. Luckily the boys cheers and whoops of admiration covered the sounds of my struggle.

More prepared, I barely flinched as the second shot fired and the bottle shattered.

After the sounds of approval died down Henry said something to Belch. I leaned forward, carful not to unbalance myself. Belch seemed reluctant, but I watched him walked towards the makeshift table and pick up a cat I hadn't noticed.

"Just hold it!" Henry yelled.

It mewed it cried as Belch held it in place. Henry lifted the gun and focused his gaze, aiming. Patrick giggled underneath me, obviously eager. I resisted the need to whimper. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid for only the cat. Even Belch didn't deserve to be shot by Henry.

"What the hells going on here?" I recognized Officer Butch Bowers as he strolled up to his son. By the looks on the boys' faces, I wasn't the only one who hadn't seen him pull up. The stink of fear radiated off Henry in waves.

Henry murmured something without raising his eyes from his shoes.

"You're  cleaning my gun?" Butch stepped a bit closer. "HEY!!!"

Both the boys I flinched, intimidated. Butch grabbed the gun from Henry and started to walk away when he turned back. I jumped as the bullets ripped into the ground, finally falling. Right before I landed onto Patrick I grabbed a thick branch. Clinging to it for dear life.

As quietly as I could, I got back onto my perch. Fortunately everyone was too focused on the scene below me. Henry had his hands up around his face, scared stiff. It didn't take a genius to figure out their father son dynamic. I gritted my teeth. Hatred for Henry Bowers turned to pity, and I wished his father dead with all the monster in my soul.

"Nothing like a bit of fear to make a paper man crumble." Butch turned and disappeared into the house, as I bared my teeth in a silent snarl. Letting my many rows of hidden fangs slide through my gums for a moment. Even Patrick was silenced by the Henry's fear, and maybe, just maybe, his own.

After the father of the year vanished Henry stumbled towards the car and sat against the bumper, arms around his knees. As he passed under the tree I could tell he had wet himself. My eyes tested up at the thought of anyone having to face a father like that, even Henry Bowers. The other three leaned against the hood of the car, clearly not wanting to get to close to their leader.

I carefully dropped to the ground, keeping to the shadows. Creeping around the car, I laid on my belly in the tall grass. I wasn't quite sure what I was waiting for, but I stayed there and watched Henry sit behind the parked trans am.

It was maybe fifteen minutes before Henry lifted his head. I heard it too. Children giggling and I knew who was doing it.

I was going to be a jerk and wait until tomorrow but I've been reading comments tonight and some of them have been beyond touching and this is the least I can do.