Fates Intertwined

Chapter 4

Derry, 5/29/1988

It was late afternoon for the citizens of Derry. The sun hung high in the serene sky. Not one cloud lingered in the blue sky. Only a light wind blew across the town. Barely any cars filled the street since it was a Sunday, also known as the lazy day in Derry. People already didn't do much throughout the whole week, but this was the only time they could get away with it. Adults slept in their homes or met up at bars to converse and catch up. Kids ran around Derry park, playing and laughing to their hearts' content. Teenagers went out of the house to meet up with friends, go shopping, and take advantage of the good weather on their day off of school. 

Richie agreed that they should all take the opportunity the idyllic day gave them. That was why he was at the cinema playing in the arcade as usual. He heard of a new horror movie that was supposed to show that day and ran to the theater immediately. After the movie ended, Richie decided to pass the time by trying to beat his high score in StreetFighter for the eighth time. 

Richie's eyes never looked away from the game's screen. His hands moved as if they had minds of their own. His smile increased in size as he took down his opponents one by one. From his attacks to his always-high health bar, he was unstoppable. 

A laugh escaped him once the hour passed by. Richie's screen said he was defeated, but all that mattered to him was his score. "Yes!" he beamed, dancing next to the arcade game. "317! Whoo!" He ended up raising his score by one point. Some gamers might not think that would be an accomplishment, but not to Richie. To him, whatever it takes for him to reign supreme was worth it.

Now, Richie thought, a victorious smile plastered on his face. How about some ice cream as a reward? He then began marching towards the exit. His smirk added to the pride radiated from him. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, entertaining himself only with thoughts of his victory. He felt like there was nothing in his way.

Suddenly, he bumped into someone. Richie's thoughts stopped abruptly and his eyes flew open. His legs stumbled back, and he looked down while trying to regain his balance. 

Richie's head shot up. "Hey!" he exclaimed, annoyance in his tone. "Watch where you're-" His mouth immediately went dry.

In front of him was a teen in the same grade despite being a couple of years older. His dirty blond mullet complemented his raging blue eyes. Eyes that could've killed Richie if they were able to. Behind the blond were three other boys around his age. They all gave pissed looks at the younger boy. Richie's legs trembled at the sight of them. 

"What were you going to say?" asked the blond. His question seemed more like a demand than a request. Bowers. Richie's hands balled into fists. I just had to bump into Henry fucking Bowers.

Richie's teeth clenched. "I...I, um..." What are you waiting for? Say something! Anything! 

Henry bent down, his face right in front of Richie's. "You...you, um, what?" he mocked, his head rocking side to side as he said it. The three boys behind him laughed. It wasn't a surprise to Richie. Henry Bowers, Patrick Hockstetter, Belch Huggins, and Victor Criss were the four members of the Bowers Gang, the head bullies of Derry. They terrorized all the kids in town, their main target being the Losers Club. 

Richie glanced over to the side. The kids were either too distracted by what was going on or pretending to be too distracted, not that he'd blame them. His anger instead went towards the adults, who briefly looked at the five boys before returning to what the were doing. 

"Hey!" Henry yelled, startling Richie. He looked back to see smoke coming out of his tormentor's ears. "I asked you a question, Four Eyes!"

"I just..." Those adults aren't even going to do anything?