Scared; A Richie Tozier Story

08

We all race down the street after Bill and Beverly. I've only been in town for a short while but I already know that we're headed to the house on Neilbolt. I can't believe Bill wants to go confront the clown right after what just happened. Houses rush past me as I push myself to try and catch up with my friend. I catch up to Bill just as he comes to a slow outside of this sketchy looking house.  

"Bill!" I yell at him, dropping my bike and running to catch up to him as he walks up the house's front steps. Everything about the house is creepy from the gnarly trees on the dead lawn to the pitch black windows. I can almost feel the negative energy in the air. 

Bill turns around to look at me as the rest of our friends catch up. 

"Bill you can't go in there" Beverly says, panting a bit, "This is crazy". 

We walk over the the bottom of the steps, nervously looking at Bill. He looks scared and determined, but mostly sad. I know that he's doing this for Georgie. Sure, he wants revenge on the clown for hurting all of us, but he really wants to avenge his brother. His poor, sweet little brother who had so much to live for and so little time. As I stare into his eyes, I realize that he'll do it with or without us. 

"Look, you don't have to come in with me" he says in a tone that says "I want you to come, but if you don't I get it". None of us say anything, so Bill continues. 

"But what happens when another Georgie goes missing?", his lip trembles, "Or another Betty? Or another Ed Corcoran? Or one of us? Are you just gonna pretend it isn't happening like everyone else in this town? Because I can't." 

I look over and look at all my new friends. I haven't been here that long but I would do anything for them. These people came into my life like there was no tomorrow and made an experience I was dreading one of the most exciting yet terrifying things ever. Richie looks at me and he looks a little scared, but I know he's decided to go with Bill. We have to. If we don't he'll go alone. On top of that, we have to end this. Not only for ourselves, but for this whole town. 

"I go home, and all I see is that Georgie isn't there" Bill says, and he looks straight at me. He's crying. I don't realize that I am too until I taste the salty taste that only follows tears.

"His clothes, his toys, his stupid stuffed animals...", Bill continues, "but he isn't". I close my eyes, trying not to think about how scary this is about to be. 

"So walking into to this house...", Bill keeps going, as if we need to be further convinced, "for me, is easier than walking into my own." 

"Wow" Richie says, watching as Bill walks the rest of the way up the houses front step.

"What?" I say in a shaky voice as I try to collect myself.

"He didn't stutter once" Richie says, starting after Bill. I run up the stairs to catch him and grab his hand, steeling myself to go inside. He looks over at me and sends me fake smile, squeezing my hand. 

"Wait!" I hear Stan call behind us. We turn around to see him rubbing his hands nervously up and down his legs.

"Uh... shouldn't we have some people keep watch?" he says, obviously meaning that he still doesn't want to go in. We all look at each other. 

"You know just in case something bad happens?"

I really don't like the idea of splitting up but, alas, I don't make all the decisions. Stan looks around at us and we all look to Bill, who has taken up position as leader. 

"Who wants to stay out here?" 

Everyone raises there hand except for Beverly and I. I pull Richie's hand down and into mine. I turn to him and look into his eyes. I nod at him and turn around to face the group, squeezing his hand in mine as hard as I can.