Not Sure If You're A Boy or A Girl~ Reddie

Search Party of Four

AUTHORS NOTE: I had kind of come to a weird spot with this story where I didn't think I'd finish it but then I recently logged in and saw the overwhelming support. Thank you everyone who commented and liked! I'm going to try and tie this up in a few more chapters. I'm also going back through and editing and adding more TWs as requested. Thanks again❤️

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"Mr. Hanscom?"
Ben could vaguely hear someone calling his name. In all honesty, he'd heard it a few times before he could rip his attention away from Beverly's empty desk. She always came to school.. whether or not she stayed depended on the day, but she was always here for first period. It had been the reason Ben got out of bed every morning. To see her sparkling blue eyes and freckled cheeks scrunched upward in an inviting smile.
"Mr. Hanscom!"
The teacher demanded this time instead of asking. He finally looked at the raggedy old woman's way.
"Uh, sorry, Ms.Houlihan. Did you ask me something?"
The creases in Ms.Houlihan's face dug deeper as she frowned, arms crossed around her sagging bosom. She stuck out one lone finger motioning for him to come closer. As he got up from his seat the rest of the class erupted in whispers.
  Isn't his girlfriend missing?
No way they're dating. Beverleys a dyke, just look at her hair.
Heard Richie the Rapist and that weird Emily girl are gone too.
Bet ol' Trashmouth kidnapped both of em.
Yeah, he's probably making suits outta their skin right now...
Ben ignored the rumors swirling around the school trying his best to keep his own suspicions at bay.
He'd known Rich for years. He was a goofball with a mouth that wouldn't quit, but he wasn't a creep.
Bill, Stan and Mike hadn't really been able to figure out what was going on either. It'd almost been a week since the others went missing and they had no idea why or where they'd gone off to.
Had Pennywise been real? No one had said it because no one was sure they believed it themselves let alone had the confidence to ask the others but there was an underlying fear. Ben had all but blocked out that summer, but with the drama of the past days events he began to recall the story behind the scars on his once chubby stomach.
Mrs.Houlihan waited for him by her desk at the front of the class.
"Benjamin.."
Ben let a weak smile cross his lips too caught up in his head to really respond.
"Benjamin, you've failed to turn in three of the last five assignments for our time together in History. That's very out of character. Care to explain why."
The love of his life was missing.. possibly eaten by a shapeshifting clown. He knew the explanation wouldn't fly. Instead, he gave a halfhearted shrug of his broad shoulders.
With a twist of her lips and cocked brow, Ms.Houlihan gave a nod.
"Have them in by Friday or I'll have to significantly drop your grade."
"Yes ma'am.Thank you ma'am."
•••
The remnants of the Losers club gathered at the barrens. It happened to be Friday, late evening, just like the bonfires they used to have. This meeting had a significantly different vibe though.
Once everyone arrived and Mike constructed a small fire the discussion began.
"So what the fuck is going on with Richie, Bev and Emily?"
Ben said trying to break the silence.
"E-Eddie." Bill corrected, Stan nodded in agreement.
"Right.."
"I was following everything pretty well until the night of the dance." Mike interjected.
"I didn't even notice she was wrapping.. herself.. up like that. I just figured she was wearing baggier shirts."
"He, Ben, his name is Eddie now. Get in the habit before they come back and you embarrass yourself." Stan pressed.
"I-if they co-come b-b-ba-back.."
"They're coming back."
"W-what about Bev? W-why is she gone too?"
The group fell silent. It made sense, Richie and Eddie getting out of town what with the lifestyle they wanted to live and Eddie's over bearing mother. What didn't make sense was Beverly's disappearance.
"All I know is we were in homeroom together last week when she flipped out on me about Richie and Eddie not picking up their phones. Before I could even say anything she ran out of the room," Ben's eyes fell to the floor, "I should have gone after her.."
"Th-there's no pppoint in 'should haves' now. W-we need-d a ppplan."
"Like what? The police are no use. Just like last time kids were disappearing. Should we break into their houses? Try to find clues to where they went like the fucking mystery gang?"
Ben was being facetious. No one really wanted to acknowledge that though. Instead, they went with his idea. Stan suggested they split up into groups, but Mike was quick to point out if caught things would be a lot worse for him alone. So they stuck together just like when they hunted down Pennywise.
First was Eddie's house. On the way there they argued on whether or not they should ask his Mother if she knew where he'd disappeared to.
"That is the dumbest idea I ever heard! Eddie's Mom is crazy and possessive if she knew where he was- he'd be dragged back home."
Ben exclaimed, trying the patience of everyone else as they biked down the road. Stan felt silly, still convinced bikes were for little kids, but they were pretty efficient and there was little time to waste.
Once they reached Eddie's house everyone's hopes were sliced in half by Sonia's beat up car in the driveway.
"W-well fuh-fuh-fuck.."
"So, who wants to shimmy up to his window?"
Ben let out a sigh, "I can give everyone a boost up."
It took some time and a lot of aggravated expletives but eventually the group sans Ben made it into the room.
No Eddie.
His room looked like it'd been untouched for a while. The kids separated, going through the small area for any sign of their friend.
Nothing.
The group took off, heading down Richie's street next. The rows of houses to the right and left of the group were all the same. Cookie cutter homes. White with black trim, all in the colonial style. Some bigger than others. Toward the end stood Richie's residence.
It was the same colour as the others but the paint was peeling. Some windows were missing shutters and the house itself seemed to sag. The depressing contents inside too much for it to stay erect.
As the group grew closer, they were able to register the ambulance parked in the driveway. Outside the home, a tall slender man dressed in a suit rubbed the pack of his neck. He ran a hand through salt and pepper hair.
"Is that Richie's Dad?"
Stan inquired as the kids pulled up to the sidewalk in front of the house. They dropped their bikes in unison. None of them had ever met him, but his resemblance to Richie was strong enough.
Bill led the way as they trotted up to the man.
"M-mr T-Tozier?"
Wentworth tore his eyes away from the gurney that was being loaded onto the ambulance. A white sheet resting on top of whatever or whoever was in there.
"Can I help you kids?"
He looked distraught, absent mindedly spinning the gold band on his left ring finger.
"We were wondering if you'd seen Richie. He hasn't been to school in a few days."
"Sure, Richie," Mike couldn't help the anger that came over his body. His Father had said his name like he was an acquaintance and not his own blood, "I think Maggie had said something about him going to his Grandfathers cabin. A school trip maybe? With the Kaspbrak girl and another kid," Mr Tozier stared off into the distance, eyes becoming ready, "oh god, Maggie."
He clasped his hand over his hand stifling a cry.
"Where is Mrs. Tozier?"
The answer was clear, but no one could be sure.
"She's passed," he spoke to no one in particular, eyes fixed in the ambulance that pulled away slowly. There being no point in rushing to the hospital, "she went peacefully. In her sleep."
The boys stood quietly for a moment. The reality of the situation sinking in. Richie's Mom was dead.