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chap 22: super Mike

Eddie

I was late to meet up with Richie because my mom had held me back and asked millions of questions on where I was going so late and why I was never home anymore, which I blew off by giving her a peck on the cheek. She was still my mom, and I still loved her.

Mike had agreed to meet up with me because he was closest to Richies work and I hated walking in the dark alone. I knew that summer had passed. But sometimes I would see something in the shadows and think it was that thing... it.

I knew I wasn't the only one still scares. Mike and Bill had started carrying switchblades on them after that incident. Bev was more flinchy, but I didn't think that was all because of that thing. I knew something unspoken had happened to her. Richie had stopped cracking so many jokes. Stan had seemed to be more frightened but a lot more caring. He knew what it had felt like when we all thought we were going to lose each other.

And me? So so so many whispers and shadows. I knew it was my imagination and never said anything to anyone for fear they would worry.

"So what's going on with you and Richie?" Mike had asked as leaves crunched under our feet. I eyed him, trying to read if he knew anything but it was just my paranoia.

"Whatta mean?"

"One minute you guys are arguing and the next you're best buds again. I feel like everyone knows whats going on except me. I feel left out of the loop." He shrugged. I felt instantly bad. Mike was a good friend, a loyal friend, and I felt like he deserved to know as much as anyone else.

"Okay. I'm gay and I kissed Richie at prom and I really like him and nobody knows this and you can't tell anyone this or I'll lose my shit." I spat. He stopped in his tracks and for a second I thought he was going to yell at me but he squinted his eyes past me before a look of horror crossed his face and he took off sprinting down the alleyway. I followed on his heels and only then did I see Richie's unconscious body on the concrete, bloody, so bloody I almost didn't recognise him.

Buddy Freemorn. I felt like crying, like screaming. I was going to kill Buddy, and I would've but Mike stood in front of me and pulled out his switchblade.

"Back off." He walked toward Buddy.

"Look at midnight here, being a big man." Buddy laughed but him and his friends were backing up. I glanced around and spotted a brick by a trash can. Filled with rage. Rage. Fucking rage.

I grabbed it and screamed, chucking it at them, which whizzed just past Buddy's head as he screamed "shit!"

"I'll fucking kill you!" I grabbed another uncemented brick and chucked it, this time it hit the redheaded boys arm and they yelled "You physio faggot!" and took off. I breathed heavily. In that moment I forgot I even owned an inhaler.

I instantly pushed past Mike and ran to Richie, grabbing his bloodied face in my hands and my eyes swelled up with tears just looking at him. I would've passed out from all that blood normally but I didn't even care.

"Richie! Richie! Rich!" I said and his eyes fluttered open a bit and I felt relief wash over me.

He's not dead. Thank god he's not dead.

"Hey! Hey Rich!" I laughed, tears now staining my face. Richie's head rolled away from me and he coughed up blood onto the cement, now that I knew he was breathing I cringed a bit.

On the ground beside him was a tooth and that made me want to vomit. Mike rushed over and wrapped one of Richie's arms around his broad shoulders.

"You grab the other side." He directed and with a heave we picked him up. Between the too of Richie was still very tall and very hard to be dragging down the street.

"We'll take him back to the apartment. Stan will know what to do." Mike grunted, trying to keep Richie up. Richie wasn't much help but he was trying to stumble along. I supposed it was hard for him to even see without his glasses.

"I know what to do." I was offended Mike didn't know this by now.

"I know this, but Stan will have what you need."

"Stan's not good with blood."

"You're not either but look at you."

"Its different."

"How?"

I looked over at Richie. Blood was running from his mouth down his chin. His entire mouth and chin were covered in blood from his nose and the bridge of his nose had a huge gash in it. He had a deep cut on his eyebrow and I could already see a black eye forming. I hated to think about what the rest of him looked like.

It's different cause its Richie. My Richie. And he's hurt and I never want him hurt. Ever.

"It just is." I replied and turned my gaze straight ahead.