What We Seek

Part 4

Chapter Four

"Well, this is goodbye. I love you guys. Thanks for the car, Richie."

"Anytime, Ben. Remember that you really owe me when you get married. I wanna be the best man."

He laughed as our hug parted, me moving on to hug Beverly.
"We will always make sure to call too. If Ben has someone else as his best man, you can be my maid of honor, Rich. Behave and treat Eddie right! Love ya, you damned trashmouth."

Ben and Bev got into my car after their parting words were done, driving away towards the boathouse that Ben had bought online for them to enjoy as they decided when and where to get married. Eddie and I said that we would come to see the wedding as long as they waited for a little bit so we could handle business in New York. They agreed and the four remaining Losers watched them disappear into the distance. Then it was our turn to leave. Eddie had called Myra to let her know he would be home that day, so we had plenty of driving to do in just a few short hours.

"Alright, you two. I guess this is Eduardo and I's final moments with ya. Promise you'll write me into your next big hit, Bill. Just make the ending a really fucking good one."

"Sure thing, Richie. You just promise to actually read it this time if I do. I'll expect a perfect review if I call you about it."

"Of course, Bill, love you."

"Love you too, Rich."

Eddie and Mike hugged and spoke words between each other too.

"So, Mike, where will you go after this? Richie's apartment in California will be open for a bit if you want to stay there, even if it might have germs?"

"Hey now, Eds! Don't give out my keys until they are our keys. Also I have no serious germs!"

"Beep beep, Richie."

"Don't worry, guys, I am going to follow Bill back to Hollywood. I think he's got some stuff to work out with his wife, but then we are both going to Florida. Fun in the sun and time away from books for a while, right Bill?"

"Yes sir, two bachelors prowling the beaches. I need some new inspiration and he needs more...fuck, some more life."

"Ouch, Bill. I thought you said the sun was what I needed!"

We all laughed, me and Eddie sharing a knowing glance that without a wife in Bill's life, Mike might end up with Bill based on the way they are behaving.

"Well, anyways, we have to go. We will let you know once we make it to my place safely."

"Love you guys!"

They waved us away, their bodies standing side-by-side with one arm slung over each other's. Eddie moved the car along towards the northern exit to Derry. I took in the final moments I would ever spend in that place, trying to remember all the good places while ignoring the bad. I made sure to get Eddie's opinion on Bill and Mike though.

"Ha, I think they are gonna end up together."

"Just because we are gay, well, you are, doesn't mean they are too!"

"Wait, what was that, Eds? Did you start with us but switch to only me?"

If I can't have all of him and he is not interested in me, then what is happening with the 'I love you too' from him?!

"Oh, sorry, I'm bisexual. I do enjoy being with women too, but you're just the best human I've ever met, so you've convinced me to go halfway gay."

"Ohhh, man, Eds! You really scared me there for a second. I thought you'd just kidnapped me to feed me to your wife instead of running away with me!"
"Richie! Don't make fun of her! I'm about to bring you straight to her as proof of my unfaithfulness. At least have some dignity to know that she isn't a bad woman!"

"Okay, Eddie, I won't tease about it anymore. I know a comedian promising not to joke is hard to believe, but if you don't like it, I'll change. My drinking, poor sleep habits, and nicknames for you will not change though."

He pouted a little, but I knew he wasn't really angry with me. I found a nice radio station and we sang along to plenty of music we both loved. New Kids on the Block played and we both laughed; Ben would've known every last word. Everything was going really smoothly as we took many interstates and routes to get closer to New York until I started to feel a little carsick. We had stopped for lunch, so I figured that I was just eating too much after going a few days without proper meals and lots of alcohol. I leaned over to the car window, cracking it slightly while still trying to focus on what Eddie was saying to me.

"I think that I can come with you to California after a few days in New York so do you have enough room for me in your place?"

"Uh-huh."

Everything is really disorienting and I need to take some painkillers and Tums. Wait...did he say something important?

"Richie? Woah, you don't look good, do I need to pull over?"

I suddenly felt my entire head spinning, just like it had when I was seeing the other reality. Except it was much more powerful this time. A few spots crowded over my eyes, leaving me completely woozy and feverish.

"Eds...something's wrong."

"Richie, hold on for a minute, I see a rest area and I am going to pull over, okay?"

I managed to nod a little, but the entire field of vision before me was gone. It was replaced with a massive emptiness, a small area of green as the only shape I saw. It came closer and focused as Eddie's concerned voice disappeared from my mind. I felt worried that I was dying, but somehow, there was so much knowledge extruding from the green to where I figured I couldn't even die in this place. It finally reached a distance to me where I could see it was a turtle. I thought I could speak, but my voice did nothing. The turtle slowly grew larger and larger as it neared me.

Boy, I see you are here in my home, but I know not how you came here. I do want to let you know that you've done a service to your universe. I cannot promise it was a completely wise and noble cause, but I see you are satisfied with your ability to save the man you loved. I created this world by accident, but It's only purpose was to tear apart what I had never wanted to make. Now, you have not only stopped evil but used It's evil to find salvation for him. I hope you find peace now; you've given me one without It's existence. I have to remove the evil from you now, so that these experiences will end. Fret not, you will not lose any memory of what you've done and who you are. You will most likely feel sick and a few organs may unsettled, but you will live a long life after recovering today. Thank you, child, goodbye.

Then I was back, throwing up the nice lunch Eddie and I had about an hour earlier. He was right there next to me, so he received a little splash from my vomit. I expected him to get really upset and fuss at me because he hated puke and bile, based on him being a minor hypochondriac. Instead, his hands wrapped my face and I felt they were damp.

"Richie, are you okay?! I was just about to call 911. Do you need to be sick again?"

"No, I think I'm okay. That was the last time I'll worry you about me for a while, Eds. Oh man, don't cry! I'm not dead or in pain, I just got some outpatient surgery from a turtle."
Eddie looked at me with only confusion and worry as he weeped violently. He was basically standing in my throw up and he was crouched where he could hold my face. I put my hand up and rubbed his, trying to soothe his chaotic thoughts for my health.

Poor Eds, I must really worry him. I got deadlight syndrome for a bit, so he never knew if I was safe. I told him I loved him and then he must have thought he almost lost me...how on Earth is he so resilient and caring for me?

"Richie, I don't have to know about the turtle, because I've got a feeling I won't understand, but can I get you to pass me some new clothes? I think the puke is gonna get to me soon so I have to change. You can go change later and get out of your ragged clothes, but not now. I'll get some water for you while I'm out, so just lay here and rest, okay?"

"Okay..."

I handed him his bag, he kissed my forehead and walked off towards the rest building. He got plenty of stares from people, their eyes trailing back to me. I waved at one older couple who just gave me daggers. I leaned back into my seat, letting sleep take me while Eddie was busy.