Demon 🔥 Reddie

16

The group discussed how they met Eddie with Mike, though Eddie wasn't paying any attention. He was too busy playing with Richie's hair and sitting in the taller boy's lap. No one seemed to mind, since he was snarling at them or getting annoyed that they were talking about him.

"What's the deal with Bowers?" Richie asked as Eddie settled further into his lap, closing his eyes and humming lazily.

"He came to school with his dad and said that there's dangerous creatures lurking around our town. They were looking for you, so at least that means they don't know about Eddie yet," Bev explained.

"What about Sonia?"

"We haven't heard anything of her. I don't think she wants to turn Eddie in, Rich," Stan said, watching as Eddie glared at the mention of his mother.

"She's waiting until I'm not expecting it," Eddie growled. "She hates me and wishes I was dead."

"Eds, if that was the case, wouldn't she have given you to Bowers when you were little and found out you were part demon?" Richie asked, burying his nose in Eddie's hair, leaving small kisses to calm Eddie down.

Ever since he had met Eddie and gotten closer with him, Richie felt connected with him. He could sense when Eddie was feeling certain ways if the emotion was strong enough. At the moment, Richie could feel a strong, angry emotion from Eddie, who obviously didn't want to talk about his mother.

"I can't explain why she's insane," Eddie hissed, his eyes flashing red.

"M-maybe we sh-should visit her," Bill said quietly, scooting away when he saw Eddie turn to him, his eyes bright red.

"He's right," Ben added. "If we send a few people to ask her questions, then-"

"The she'll know you're all involved and we'll all be at risk!" Eddie snarled, Richie holding him in place and trying to keep him calm.

"It's worth a shot, Eds," Richie whispered into his ear and Eddie stopped fighting. "Three of us will go, okay. You and I can stay here since we're both on the demon radar right now."

Eddie growled but didn't fight back. He pulled out of Richie's grasp and spread his wings, flying up to the rafters and facing away from everyone.

Bev, Bill, and Stan volunteered to visit Sonia, while Ben and Mike stayed behind with Richie and Eddie to make sure Eddie didn't make any stupid choices. Thankfully, Eddie seemed too pissed off to care and stayed in the rafters, ignoring everyone.

•••

"Hi, we're here to see Sonia Kaspbrack," Bev said sweetly in the voice she used on adults often.

The receptionist smiled and nodded. "Room 35," she said, pointing down a hallway.

Bill and Stan followed Bev to the door. They knocked and heard Sonia call them in. The three walked inside, shutting the door behind them.

Sonia looked exhausted and stressed. There was a large bandage on her head and she looked disoriented and worried.

"Can I help you three?" she asked, not understanding why three teenagers she'd never met were in her hospital room.

"Yes, ma'am. I know this is going to sound like an invasion of privacy, but we need to know everything you know about demons. Especially about your son, Eddie," Bev said, getting right to business.

"He's okay?" Sonia asked, looking relieved. "Oh, thank god. When I woke up here I was terrified he'd ended up in some kind of trouble. He's a smart boy, but his emotions get the best of him a lot."

Bill and Stan shared a confused look while Bev listened to Sonia, nodding despite her confusion.

"M-Mrs Kaspbrack?"

"Yes?"

"E-Eddie said y-you hate him. Wh-why did you c-care what happened t-to him?" Bill asked, not trusting the woman who kept Eddie locking in a room for sixteen years.

Sonia sighed. "I don't hate him. He's my son. I love that boy, but he's part demon. Demons are different than us. You have to be tough with them or they can manipulate you. When I got pregnant with Eddie, I learned that his father was a demon not long after. I didn't judge. I wanted to help and make sure that Eddie could have a whole family. Unfortunately, that was the same year that demons were chased out of Derry.

"I gave birth and immediately could tell Eddie was a demon. I stayed alone when he was born, knowing that his wings would be visible if he was one, and sure enough, he was. I kept him locked up because I knew if I was soft that he'd figure out a way to escape and he'd accidentally hurt someone. He's a good boy, and I do love him, but he doesn't understand love. He never has. All he knows is anger, sadness, and happiness. Very shallow emotions. I tried to protect him, but he's out now and I know he won't come home."

Bill and Bev saw how upset Sonia was, and they couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She had to mask her love for her son to protect him.

"What about the pills? And the only eating once a day?" Stan asked, not entirely convinced.

"The pills were to keep his powers under control. The pharmacist knows about demons and he's tried to help as much as possible. They keep Eddie from using too much power. As for the eating once a day, demons don't need to eat more than that. It can impact their systems, since most never ate more than that. Eddie's a little different because he's part human, but when I gave him more when he was a baby, he got sick. I was worried so I kept it to once a day."

Stan seemed convinced and dropped his questioning.

"What are we supposed to do? We can't keep Eddie in hiding forever and there's people after him," Bev said, sitting in the chair next to Sonia's bed.

Sonia sighed and handed Bev a golden key on a red string. "This is to my house. In my room, under my bed, there's a box. Inside is the only thing Eddie's father left behind, and he said Eddie would need it someday," she said as Bev put the key around her neck.

"Th-thank you for y-your help," Bill said with a smile, walking toward the door.

"Of course. And, Miss Marsh?"

"Yes?"

"Tell the Tozier boy that I'm sorry for what I said to him. And please take care of my son."

Bev smiled and gave Sonia a nod, before closing the door behind her.