Lost ❄️ Reddie

Letter 3

Bill, Ben, Mike, Bev, and Stan,

I know this probably isn't surprising, but I'm running away. I'm not sure when you'll read or see this or how far away I'll be, but I can't stay here. It's all too painful.

I've been keeping a secret to myself that I couldn't come to terms with until we lost Eddie.

Turns out Bowers has been right for years.

I like guys and I was in love with Eddie. I planned on telling him after we escaped the clown, but that never happened. I miss him too much and I can't go on living in Derry without him. I don't know where I'm going or where I'll end up, but I don't want you guys to worry. I'll be okay.

You guys were the family I needed, the ones who cared so much and kept me around despite my flaws. I really wish I could stay and be with you guys, but I can't. It hurts too much.

So, I guess this is goodbye. I love you all and I hope you can forgive me for running off.

Love,
Richie

Bev finished reading the letter aloud and looked up to the other losers, who were all stunned to silence.

"He's gone?" Stan asked, looking worried and upset. "He actually ran off?"

Bill nodded solemnly. "I g-guess he d-did," he said quietly, tears gathering in his eyes.

"We can't be surprised. He's probably been planning it for the two months we've been without Eddie?" Mike said, taking the letter and reading over it, hoping for any sign of where Richie could be.

"We have to go after him," Bev said, standing up and putting on her jacket.

They had been given the letter by Mrs Denbrough when they all woke up the morning after Richie had left it. When he hadn't showed up, no one was super worried. They figured Richie must've been hurting so he decided not to show up.

"Bev, we don't even know where he went," Stan said, taking the letter from Mike. "He said not to come looking for him."

"He's our friend, Stan! I'm not fucking letting him run away to get himself killed somewhere," Bev hissed, making Stan raise his hands in surrender.

"We should go to his house. We all know Richie well enough to know that he sometimes makes plans then ends up bailing. Maybe he went home?" Ben asked, standing up and following Bev up the stairs to the main floor of the house.

Everyone agreed that was the best course of action so they all got on their bikes and rode over to the Tozier household and knocked on the door.

Maggie answered, eyebrows raised and confused. "Hi?" she asked, wondering where her son was.

"Mrs Tozier, is Richie home?" Bev asked, trying to look through the door.

"No? He said he was with you. Is everything alright?" Maggie asked, worried for her son and where he could be.

"H-he's probably at th-the quarry," Bill said with a fake smile. "W-we were playing ultimate h-h-hide and seek, and Richie's th-the last one we need to f-find."

"Oh, well he's not here," Maggie said, smiling softly. "I hope you can find him!"

"Thanks Mrs Tozier," Ben said, smiling as they all turned away from the door.

"We need to find him," Bev said as soon as the door closed. "I don't care if he wants to be alone. We need to find him."

"Is th-there anyone who may-maybe would know where Richie w-went?" Bill asked as they all walked back to their bikes and began to ride back into town.

"He always went to see Sonia Kaspbrack on weekends," Stan said.

No one wanted to bother Eddie's mom, knowing she still was struggling with the loss of her son, but they also knew she had grown somewhat fond of Richie. She may be able to help.

Soon enough, they were all standing at Mrs Kaspbrack's doorstep, with Bill knocking on the door hesitantly.

Sonia opened the door, eyeing the teenagers suspiciously. "What's going on?" she asked, noticing Richie wasn't with the group.

"R-Richie ran away. W-we thought you might know wh-wh-where he went, Mrs K," Bill said, looking at Sonia hopefully.

"How do you know he ran off?" Sonia asked, concerned for Richie.

Bev handed Sonia the letter, knowing that Sonia may be pissed that Richie had a crush on her son, but it didn't matter. They needed to find Richie no matter what.

Sonia sighed once she finished the letter. She didn't know how to react to the written statement that Richie was gay and did like her son. Yet, she knew it didn't matter. Richie had been there when Eddie died, and she knew that he was a good kid.

"I'm not sure where he went, exactly, but he did mention running off at one point. He said he'd get as far away as possible and never look back," she said, handing Bev the letter.

"Thanks, Mrs K," Bev said, turning to leave.

"Maybe check near the town exit and the bridge," Sonia called as the losers walked back to their bikes. "He'd have to leave that way. Maybe there's something there."

The losers thanked her once again and began to ride their bikes toward the kissing bridge. When they got there, they didn't see anything at first.

"Guys, can we go?" Ben asked, still uncomfortable being around the bridge where he had an 'H' carved into his stomach. "There's nothing here."

They all nodded and were about to leave when Stan stopped them.

"Wait, look!" he called, pointing at the middle of the road.

They all ran over and saw bloodstains on the ground. It had rained a couple of days ago, so the blood had to be new.

"What if... what if IT's..." Bev said, eyes wide in fear.

"No, there's not enough of it. I'd guess it was Bowers if anything. There's not much blood, so Rich must've gotten away," Mike said, looking at the blood that had dried.

"You're right, that fucking bitch doesn't seem to know when to fucking stop," a voice called out from behind the losers.

They all whipped around and saw Patrick Hockstetter, glaring at the group. He was alone and looked exhausted. There was a knife in his hand, making Ben back away fearfully.

"Don't worry, fatass. I'm not here to kill you. Where's Tozier?" he snarled.

"We came looking for him. Why are you coming after him?" Bev asked, stepping forward and glaring daggers at Patrick. She wasn't afraid of Henry or his gang members.

"That asshole attacked Henry last night and knocked him out. I hoped he'd come back."

"He le-left town?" Bill asked, standing beside Bev.

"I figure he did. We don't really know since we were too busy worrying about Henry."

Bev scoffed, turning and walking toward the tunnel.

"Where are you going?" Patrick asked, glaring at Bev's back as she walked away.

"To find my friend. You guys don't have to come but I'm going," she said to the losers who were also watching her walk off.

The losers took another look at Patrick before following Bev, knowing she was right. Their parents may panic, but they needed to find Richie.

Patrick watched them leave before turning around and heading back toward the town. He wanted revenge, but he wasn't going to follow the losers out side of Derry's town line.