Splendor//Bill Denbrough

N i n e

"So, basically this town is cursed by a clown?" Atticus sighs, trying to make sense of what he just read.

"But It only comes every 27-30 years," Jeremy replies. "And it causes a slew of disasters- explosions, massacres."

"And our parents must have been involved with It when they were kids. And that Ben dude, and obviously Mike."

"Not mom," Jeremy shakes his head.

"What are you talking about?"

"She met dad in high school, remember? On the way to history class."

"Oh, yeah! Then why... why would she come back with him?"

Jeremy shrugs.

"Well, I guess that doesn't really matter," Atticus answers himself. "Jer, we have to defeat It!"

"By ourselves? Are you crazy?"

"I don't care if I am. Like I said before, imagine what would happen if we saved the whole fucking town. We would become heroes! And then, just like that, we'll be the favorite children."

"I don't really care about that," Jeremy shrugs. "At least our parents and their friends know what they're doing."

"We do too, though!" heart pounding with excitement, Atticus begins to pace the room. "We just read Mike's testimony. We know It's patterns, and we also know that the way to defeat It is with faith. Because that's what it feeds off of. Fears and faith. If It takes our faith away, then-"

"We're vulnerable."

He nods feverishly. "We just can't let It scare us."

"Easier said than done."

The boys jump at Mike, standing in the doorway. They were so wrapped up in It that they didn't even hear him open the door.

"I'm sorry to startle you," he says kindly, "but it's time to start preparing dinner."

"Okay," Atticus shrugs, not mentioning anything that just happened. Jeremy, however, is quiet, and follows his brother out to the kitchen.

"I know you boys read my account of Derry."

They freeze.

"Don't worry, I'm not angry. Just concerned. I'm positive that your parents would never want you to know about this."

"Why not?" Atticus argues. "You guys dealt with it when you were our age."

"We did, and it was hell. No loving parent would let their child go through hell like this."

"Fine, we won't do anything!" he responds, but only to stop the conversation. They certainly will do something, but Mike doesn't need to know that.

"Okay..." Mike trails off, sounding reluctant but having no way to prove him wrong. "So, uh, let's make some chicken and-"

"Our mom's vegetarian."

"I know," he chuckles, "I was going to say chicken and broccolini and my famous mac and cheese."

Jeremy is already washing his hands diligently, and Atticus can't help but smile at the fact that Mike has a fancy menu planned out to accommodate their mama.

"What makes it famous?" he inquires, really beginning to warm up to Mike.

"It was passed down through generations, and my friends always loved it. Every single time we had a party, I was expected to provide the mac."

"I'm sorry, but did you just say the mac?" he giggles.

"Maybe I did. Now go wash your hands like your brother."