summery: after Beverly's return, pennywise works to gain her trust as "Robert Grey" while also avoiding the cold rains of April. when unintentionally Beverly convinces him to question his very existence. what has lead him to become the monster so many children fear was below their beds? what will he do when he no longer wants to be that monster? can a monster truly become a human?
status: complete and on A03
rated: M - fowl language and gore
next chap: Horrors below Ch 2
_____________________________________
Rain fell hard upon the bedroom window darkening its once clear view. the bright flash of lightning across the stormy skies blaring down through water streaked glass. Inside the sheltered bedroom was Beverly, sleeping peacefully on her bed. Far too exhausted from her recent travels from LA back to home town of Derry. She had no chance to notice the lingering horror hiding below her bed. Unaware of how vulnerable her hand hanged limply over the edge.
Fiery glowing eyes intently staring toward the delicious treat. Belonging to a clown all dressed in silver grinning widely with inhuman, slim, jagged teeth. Twisted unnaturally in the small under space of the girls cozy bed. Drops of drool splattering onto the bare wood floors to collect in puddles. The creature not worrying a bit of the dripping noise he was causing. The heavy rain draining all the sounds away under its deep rumble in the night.
He waited so long to get back at all those children, but one by one they moved right after their high school graduation. The clown Pennywise, known as IT, having assumed he would never see them again. That changed now that Beverly marsh, the girl who caused him pain by an iron rod shoved through his eye, had returned. He HAD to wake early to take his chance of revenge. Risking his weakened state of a body to joyfully terrorize her in the night. Planning to yank her under the dark cramped space to maul right into her horrified face. Enjoying her dying screams let out between his crushing jaws of death.
Excitedly stretching out his white gloved hand toward the hanging arm. Licking the drool dripping off his many rows of fangs. A flash of light tensing him by the sudden touch of Beverly grasping his hand. taking a gentle hold of the threat ready to pull her under as a live meal. He froze at first thinking she had awakened early from her deep slumber. Untensing at seeing no other movement that would suggest so.
The clown growled at the touch, pulling his hand back in attempt of breaking free. Finding it difficult without using more aggressive force without waking her. He did not want her to wake by him freeing himself of her stupid hand. Didn't want to give her spare time to become aware that something was wrong. Give her the time to fight like he mistakenly allowed before. He wasn't going to make the same mistake like last time!
She woke in his lair, tried to run, he had all the power over her, but in the end she wasn't afraid. Her flesh in his mouth wouldn't be as satisfying if he ate her right then and there. He had to break her in his lights. Twist her into a delicious meal before his long hibernation. Then it all fell apart when those boys jumped to her rescue. Somehow pulling her from the twisted environment he assumed trapped her like all his other victims. Ending on them all beating him back despite all his powers to cause fear.
“Pfft, I'll wait.” he growled to himself. “she'll let go and I can try again. Simple.” resting himself to the ground without much else to do.
Beginning to stare around the room that hadn't changed since the day she left. A small vanity desk across from her bed covered in pink frilly sheets. A dresser so old the paint was peeling off at the corners. A tall full form mirror coated in so much dust it couldn't be used unless scrubbed. Books covered in dust piled around the room next to old dusty toy figures. Old posters faded from the sun pouring in after many years. A faded wall spot would surely be under them if moved.
It had been 7 years since she left Derry to live with her aunt. On account of her father going mad that same day. A failed attempt at scaring her to be more of a meal. From her aunt's place she moved on to college someplace in California for fashion. Hard times forcing her to return back to her dads door step. At least that's the summary he got from spying on the conversation between her and her dad. Her aunt seeming to have kicked the bucket leaving no other choices of living space. Her dad happily accepting her back into the home at 3 in the morning.
Meanwhile her dad being less of a threat now that he was crippled. That porcelain block to the head didn't only leave a little bump, after all. To this day he still has trouble walking for more than a minute. Remembering things or keeping a firm grip on a simple coffee cup. Trapped in this puny apartment on disability checks for a depressing income. His old job as a janitor long gone after he could no longer mop the floors. Having his daughter back to care for him must have been a loving sight in his eyes.
“how long will this take?” grumbling at the hand still holding his. “biting it may give the same effect. Gnaw off the hand like a trapped dog would. Only it wouldn't be mine.” clacking his teeth together in temptation. “no, still not as fun.” staring to her hand when she gave his a light squeeze. Through his gloves he could still feel the softness of her skin. The warmth surrounding his cold hand off hers. It interested him somehow that she was holding on so long. He'd seen humans holding hands affectionately that he felt was stupid.
lightly squeezing her hand back. “why do it? Such an unnecessary thing unless its to keep them from running away.” Begrudgingly enjoying the heat she was transferring to him.
He lived in dark cold tunnels underground, but that didn't mean he hated heat. He worked quite a bit to make his nest warm under a pile of hoarded toys. Stuffed animals forming most the piles hollowed out core. Naturally he was cold blooded until he focused energy to create his own heat. An exhausting task when done 24/7 that ultimately wasn't worth it. He wouldn't die from the cold, but would if all his energy was spent for comforting warmth. Relying on that skylight above allowing natural warm sunlight to heat his nest. Something that thundering storms like this ruined by their gloomy cloud cover. He honestly hated storms that infested the month of April.
All the humans would lock themselves inside buildings, no warmth of the sun on his nest, lucky to find one human out doing tasks. It was an annoying time to push through before the hot summer kicked in a month later. Summer time was the best hunting season with the fairgrounds returning his favorite none meat treats. Unfortunately there were still 4 weeks of stormy April to deal with first. Even the winter storms weren't nearly as bad as the rains. At least children would be out making snowmen, igloos, and having snowball fights.
Grumbling over noticing that the thunderstorm had ended. “this night has been ruined.” The blue morning light invading the room to wake the girl for her new classes.
Beverly slipping her hand away in turning over in bed. The clown below glaring at his empty hand as if insulted by it. Agitated that the warmth he was leeching off her was stolen from him. unmoving to from his spot underneath to consider his options of the situation.
“tomorrow.” thinking to himself. “Being startled by me now wouldn't season her much. I should enjoy this, after all.” crossing his arms underneath his chin. Having nothing else to do to leave for or anything more entertaining he didn't bother to move. Hearing her alarm eventually go off on her bed stand. Watching her get up to freshly redress for the day. Scenting the moments of fear sparking off as she glanced at the bedroom door. Stuffing things into a backpack to then stand frozen in front of the door. Curiosity over her actions catching ITs full attention. Absorbed into how she took a deep breath to gather the energy to simply open the door. When she left, the clown followed out into the living room. Spying hidden within an old family photo of the fair hanging on the wall. Catching the wave of fear flowing off her when he heard her talking with her father.
The man sitting in a comfy armchair in front of a large box TV. While she stayed a distance away in the small hall off to the side leading to the front door. Her father looking over twice his age with graying hair. A noticeable scar marking the side of his head being a forever reminder literally marking the day Beverly stood up for herself. Even though she could physically see that moment she still acted small under her father's gaze. The look he gave her being that of a hungry wolf hunting its prey.
His voice rough when speaking to her so early in the morning. “not going to give your old man a hug?” voice oozing sweetness in a poor attempt at hiding his real intentions.
she hurried the discussion along. “I have to go or I'll be late.” Practically flying out the door to get away from his presence.
“interesting.” Pennywise taking note of the situation. “still afraid of her father. Waiting a little longer wouldn't be too bad in that case. Maybe another day of this fear will have her ready.” drooling at the lovely thought of her soaked in fear. His body fading to the blackness on the intention of returning later.
Between his stalking rounds, throughout the day, he would spy on her. Watching her attend the community college of Derry that offered many courses there. Working at a bench using a sewing machine on dresses in the long fashion classes. Talking between a few classmates she was friendly with as the day went on. Lots of topics he didn't care for on fabric or color that, that her teachers spoke on and on about. The only moment of entertainment he caught was the meeting with her college counselor. Discussing her sudden transfer after questionable attendance in her other college. The show was short lived after Beverly explained her aunts death that required her to uproot her life. Returning back to dull lectures IT couldn't stand to sit through for another moment.
When she returned home he was soon to follow. Spying out from under the bed in the hopes she would have more fear. Finding that to not be the case as she began work on a sewing machine she brought home. Spending far longer on it into the night over a reasonable bedtime. The work internally calming her from the harmful environment she was trapped in.
“go to bed already.” he grumbled in thought. Going on the hopes that she would at least suffer some nightmares. A knock on her door startling her into bumping the machine, letting out a hard buzzing noise. The room oddly silent afterwards as if making a noise would kill her. Not answering right away to take a deep breath.
Her voice overly soft when answering the knock. “yes?” she asked toward the closed door. Lovely fear building up all over again creating a grin on the clowns face.
her father shouted on the other side of the door. “turn that damn machine off! I am trying to fucking sleep!”
“okay.” waiting for him to leave before looking back down to her fabric. Untangling it from the machine to hold it up. Sighing at her beautiful sowing work suddenly skewing off in a jagged mess. She grabbed a pair of nearby scissors to carefully snip the unfortunate line away. Tending to it carefully in making sure the mistake made wasn't noticeable.
IT watching her use flimsy needle and thread to finish the rest of the work. Spending the next few hours this way. “I could do better.” he judged in thought over the threaded weaving. Looking to her alarm clock reading 4:31AM. She was meant to wake in only 2 more hours.
“another day wasted.” attention turned back to her setting everything away. Sluggishly walking to bed in settling down for the remaining night. As soon as she switched off her bedside light she was out like a rock. Her arm limply hanging over the edge In front of the clown feeling as if he was being mocked.
“this girl is testing me. The little fear she felt here and there still isn't enough. I'll have to keep being patient.” gaze locked on the tempting arm. His patients tested further at the sound of rain freshly tapping the window. Grumbling at the same freezing cold that would surely fill his nesting area. At least staying here provided some warmth from Beverly being so near.
“not much.” feeling the weak warmth hitting his back. Focusing forward back to her hand in front of his face. Thinking back on the warmth he was able to take the last time. Hesitantly he reached out his hand to wrap around hers. Being gently held back by her warm soft hand had him easing to settle down. Tolerating the cold for the rest of the morning before she had to wake.
He watched her do the morning routine of getting dressed, grabbing her bags, and that long wait in front of the door. The oozing of fear the entire time she rushed to keep the conversation short with her dad. IT going his separate way to find another meal. Visiting the Derry college to momentarily spy on her again. Her work sluggish from lack of sleep. Hiding it when talking to her new friends she had recently made. When she returned home he was sure she would immediately head to bed.
Excitedly following her more closely into the house. Noticing before she did that her father was waiting to ambush her in the kitchen for a talk. Excited for the show, Pennywise spied from his high point hidden in the fair family photo. Drooling from the wonderful smell of fear as she passed her father. Grin twisting upwards on his face when her father called her back down the hall.
“so close.” the clown mocked at the sight of Beverly's hopes of sanctuary being crushed. Enjoying the show of her hesitantly returning to the kitchen.
“yes?” her voice soft around her father.
“we need to talk.” her father's tone grimly serious. “how long do you plan to live here?”
“ … only a semester. ...hopefully.” the last part barely hear able.
“thaaats quite a few months then, right?”
her answer souring. “ … yes. 3 months.” obviously hating how long she would be stuck in the apartment.
“you understand it's hard paying for two, right? I can't work like I used to since my skull cracked. You remember that accident in the bathroom.” his tone heavy on the last bit. “something needs to be worked out. Don't you agree?” taking an unwanted hold of her hand. She flinched away from the touch.
her soft tone twisting to something more defiant. “i remember. That accident would have got you in jail, but we agreed on something else.”
“yes, that you move and keep your mouth shut. That was a while ago. Things are different now that you're back home under my roof.” a smirk easing onto his face.
boldly speaking back to him. “I'll find a job. Paying rent should be enough, right?” The mans smirk dropping, but not his hard glare.
sounding disappointed.“i guess.” It wasn't the answer the man wanted, he was aiming for something more. “I forget how grown my little girl is.” voice disgustingly sweet. “You look so much like your mother. Soft hair, smooth skin, all looking so lovely. I am sure you won't mind helping a crippled old man in the house either, will you?” approaching her. She swallowed a lump of disgust building in her throat.
“if I am free of class work.” holding back all her disgusted rage. “which I need to get started on.” leaving to go hide in her room. Inside the small space the clown watched from his spot under the bed. Her locking the door first before stumbling to her vanity dresser. Wheezing through each breath to prevent herself from crying.
All the wonderful fear built up replaced by useless anger. The clown slumping under her bed ready to rip his hair out. When Beverly pulled herself together she started on her work. Sowing a new dress through the night. Another storm raging outside flashing lightning across the sky. Hours later into the black night the room flickered. having Beverly stop to stare wide eyed at her ceiling light in panic.
“no!” she exclaimed at the mass flickering light before the power shut off. She growled at the ceiling, defeated, machine unable to work now. Forced into bringing out the classic thread and needle to once again sow overnight the long way. Under the narrow cone of light from a flashlight held in her mouth to even see.
IT waiting slumped over himself under the bed. He was going to get something out of this situation. Coming up with the idea of completely waiting for the end of April. Surely by then she would be full of enough fear and in the meantime he would have something warm throughout the cold stormy nights.
“now if she'd only sleep.” checking the time of the clock. 1:00AM. “how long was it humans could go without sleep?” trying to recall a humans limits.
A few more hours passed before she started setting stuff away. Falling into bed without bothering to switch her bedside lamp off before knocking out. When the clown was sure of her being asleep he took her hand, her grip tighter than usual. Holding on to him as if he was a badly needed comfort in her sleep. He tolerated it as long as it gave him warmth.
From that day on, he fell into a routine. The morning came, she left for classes he practically attended himself to spy on her. Her returns home interrupted by looking for a job. Then making it home for fearful talks with her father over the job situation. home work almost through the entire night and finally bed. This was the routine for the next 3 days. On the fourth day he stopped following her as she went job hunting. Taking time to find a few meals caught out in the rain. A couple of men having the worst luck today of their truck caught in the thick mud. They didn't last long enough to call anyone for a tow.
The now abandoned trucks insides coated in blood. The clown happily tearing chunks of meat off a severed arm. Sitting in the seat next to him were two body's stripped to the bone in a gory pile. Finishing off the last scraps of meat from the bone he tossed it away. The bloody bone clinking off the exposed rib cage down to the trucks floor. Licking up the blood coating his hands. Cleaning off the last of it using a bit of manipulation to the liquids existence.
“Beverly should be home by now doing work.” gazing over his arm for possibly any blood left behind. Dubbing himself officially clean he headed back to her home. Scurrying low to the ground in the form of a rat. Avoiding any attention along the way up to her apartment door.
He didn't even make it inside yet when the scent of blood hit him. Shrugging it off at first as the smell being stuck to him from the meal not too long ago. sneaking under the house doors however, had him learning it was definitely not. Head turning upwards to the source finding it to be Beverly's father holding a bag of frozen peas over one black eye. Spitting blood into the nearby kitchen sink already covered in red. Having been leaning over the sink for a bit of time now since his injury's. Looking more thoroughly, Pennywise could see the man covered in more bruises. Lined by scrapes all over any exposed skin past his short sleeved shirt.
“Fuckin brat.” the man poured a shot of whiskey. Taking care to hold it close over the counter in case it slipped through his weak hand. Another aggressively red mark shown covering the same hand swollen to a large size. Fingers stiff from obvious pain while a few others now had homemade splints.
IT laughed at the man's misery. “the dumb fool doesn't learn.” scurrying off down the hall to check on Beverly. He wanted to see how scuffed up she was compared to her dad. A little surprised to see her room dark as she already was in bed asleep. Normally shed be working for quite a while after returning home. He twisted his body from being a small rat to his full clown height to loom over her. Examining her injuries closely off his morbid curiosity.
Bruises covering her arm in the form of distinct hand prints. A cut lip under her, now dry, bloody nose that left a speckle of blood on her pillow. The collar of her shirt stained as well in the dried blood splotches. Obvious marks of her being in a scuff, but nothing serious like the ones she gave her father. He snickered at the thought of her still being here and sleeping at that. It was so stupid of her to continue living here next to a threat that could come for her another time.
Joking with himself by that. “oh, look who's talking. What extraordinary predator sleeps by prey for some warmth?” about to back away from her when she grabbed him into a hug. Locking up in reaction to her holding onto him like a teddy bear. Her arms wrapped around his neck while her face buried into his ruffled collar. By how tight she was holding him he couldn't slip away without waking her. Forced to stick by her until her grip loosened.
His grumbling over being trapped stopped by one of her hands gently petting him. Smoothing her hand back and forth in a short space. He so badly wanted to snap off the very hand out of retaliation. How dare some weak human treat him like a household pet. Even worse was he enjoyed the soothing treatment. Holding back from letting out a deep content purr that could wake her.
“i am not being petted. I don't get petted. I am worshiped as a god. This is a way of being worshiped that I am allowing.” working to twist it into something he can tolerate better. Shutting his eyes to the warm hand he eventually allowed himself to purred along to. Relaxing his on guard body into nesting down a little more against her. Chest laying against hers his tall length making it easy to sit down without pulling away.
“At least this close contact is giving far more warmth then hand holding under the bed.” hearing fresh rain coat the window over her bed. Being so close to her he eventually caught the light scent of sunflowers on her. Questioning if that was her real scent or a made up one in those disgusting bottles humans loved spraying so much. Either way he quite liked the scent on her. Enjoying the closeness all the more through the night.
At one point she started to wake early in the night. Loosening her grip enough for Pennywise to slip free back under the bed. Watching from his low view how she sluggishly rose off the bed to head out of her room. Hearing her walk down the hall to take some time in the bathroom before returning. Looking cleaner of blood then when she left with her once bloody collar a bit damp. She sat on her bed in silence where he couldn't see her expression. She got back up to pull an unfinished dress from her bag to set up on her vanity desk. Starting work with her needle and thread to finish a long pinned together seem.
he judged from under the bed. “ugh, that dumb threading.” Missing the warm attention he was getting a few minutes ago. “why would she have to wake now? When it's the coldest hours of the night.” unintentionally clawing into the wood floor boards beneath him.
She worked the entire time up to her alarm going off. Packing things carefully into her bag for the school day. Pennywise was sluggish on going out into the rainy weather. Going back and forth on staying below the bed all day or attempting to hunt in the storm. Without any heat left in the room from Beverly he went out. Stalking the flooded streets around the most populated areas for an unsuspecting meal.
Lurking in the drains as humans walked between stores. Waiting for one to make a fatal mistake of breaking away from the crowd. Attention hooked by a can of food falling through a ruined paper bag soaked by the water falling. The poor human determined to get their simple food back driven closer to the storm drain. Closer and closer as they rushed in a reach down to stop the can disappearing down. They didn't notice the bright glowing predatory eyes of hunger. All the more making an easy meal as the clown lunged out. A clawed hand hooking into the human to yank them right down into the dark tunnels. Not a soul around to see the disappearance taking place nor hear the screams under the thundering storm. Another human added to the mass list of those gone missing in the small town of Derry.
Pennywise grimaced at the cardboard tasting meat he worked to chew through. “can't wait for the fair to come. Some good meat walking around seasoned perfectly by the high rides.” Taking his time to work around the awful taste unsuccessfully. Slowing down his devouring of the fresh prey on each bite tasting worse than the last. Reaching the point where he couldn't eat anymore of the disgusting meal. Snarling at the meat he was going to waste while meals were already difficult to snag.
Trying to get through the day was a chore for him. Hunting for a better meal failing miserably with the storms thrashing powerful winds forcing the rains sideways. Down into a painful sting that made all things rush to the safety of warm indoors. Giving up on it all as soon as he knew Beverly would be home to warm the room. Slipping under the front door as a rat loving that the whole house was darkened for him to easily slip by.
Pausing at noticing Beverly's father sitting in the living room chair. Appearing more beat up then when he last saw the man. “did the fool really fight again? That short memory really comes in handy.” mocking along his way to Beverly's room.
Starring toward the door he approached slowing to a stop. Listening to the crying sobs on the other side of the door. He smelled the air at the doors base for what Beverly's condition could be. How injured was she made this time? The air had no fresh scent of blood or any fear. Slipping under the door now to check on her physical state more closely. Noticing her roughed up again, but nothing that caught his attention as serious. Observing her cry into her arms at the vanity desk when a ringing sounded from her pocket. Beverly wiping away her tears in preparation of answering her flip phone. Clearing her throat as she flipped it open in a quick snap.
“yes?” speaking as calmly as she could. “... yeah I'll definitely make it …. no, I don't need a ride ... yeah, I am sure … okay, meet you there. Bye.” snapping her cellphone shut. Taking a deep breath with a shove of her phone back into her pocket.
The hidden rats whiskers twitched at the conversation. “hmm, going where? Must not be far if she needs no transportation. Some stupid school trip I missed during the thrilling lectures?” sarcastic thoughts filling his head around the matter. “what could they possibly be doing? Touring the fabric factory's? Hope some poor thing doesn't die of excitement from it all.”
the rat scurrying to hide under her desk before he was seen as Beverly rose up. She walked straight to bed where she buried her face in the pillows. Switching off her light without a glance up toward it. The room so quiet that he didn't dare move. Concerned that she would hear his small steps tapping across the wooden floor. He waited until he was sure of her being fully asleep. Moving along the wall to slip underneath her bed where his body twisted out into his more regular form. Outreaching his hand toward hers to hold for that pleasing warmth. Hand left hovering by at the thought of simple hand holding not being enough, he wanted more.
He enjoyed being pett- … worshiped with affection. Crawling out from under the bed to glance over her sleeping form. Now how was he exactly to do this? Looming over her in thought at what he should do. Gently settling his chin on her shoulder to bring up some reaction from her. It worked, her arms wrapping around to hug him closer. Burying her face again in his ruffled collar like she wanted to hide in it from the world. He purred at the embrace warming him thinking this so easy a thing to do. The dreary rains of April will fly by if he kept this up.
So wrapped up in the idea that he didn't pay any attention to the red flags that morning. Beverly woke and packed all her things away on top of what was already in her bags. Going further to shove in a few things from around the room. Pennywise assumed it was a human thing to bring comforts on a trip. They were all sheep too afraid to leave the herd for long without some sort of comfort. For good reason they should be afraid to be alone in Derry. Especially for her unknowing to the mark looming over her head.
She left then he left to hunt the day away. Annoyingly fighting with the stormy rains while searching for one small meal to snatch. The rains going on longer throughout the day meant even less prey going out. Soon he'd have to hold on the hunting altogether as rain turned to hail and finally a bit of snow. He returned back to her home assuming shed be back by now. Remembering then that she was off on a trip.
“oh well. May as well stay here where its dry. She'll return soon.” settling himself under her bed. The next day seemed no different. Hunting to later return home, but Beverly was still not yet back. “still on her trip? What is she doing? How much fabric factory do they need a tour of?” settling under her bed. The third day of her not being around becoming a nuisance. Then the 4th day came and he had enough of this waiting. Searching everywhere for her along the usual path she took to school. Even on campus she was not around in her classes.
“where is she?!” He growled inside her empty room. Even her father seemed to have no idea where she went or even cared. an idea hit him of where she went causing A pain to seize his chest of realizing he may have failed his ultimate hunt. “did she leave Derry?” After searching frantically the remaining daylight away he managed to unintentionally find her. The night sky revealing a bright glow of a campfire far off into the woods.
“what moron is camping in the woods as it rains so heavily?” he thought when first spotting the camp. Taking a momentary detour of his search to scope out the spot. “i could snag a dumb meal before continuing my search.” stalking up to the campfire. Discovering Beverly speaking among a group of friends. Giggling around the fire between 3 other girls roasting food on sticks.
The clown tapped his fingers against the bark of a tree. Clawing into it to mark rows across it. “so this is where she has been. Spending all this time in wet woods for what?” leaving another claw mark. Spying on the group from far off between the dark damp trees.
One of the girls checking over a half roasted hot dog before continuing to roast it. Turning her attention to Beverly in the meantime. “see, told you camping was a great stress killer. Even if it is raining cats and dogs.”
“yeah, you were right.” Beverly nodded, checking on a burnt marshmallow she was roasting. “feels great to escape … it all.” the smile on her face faltering for just a moment. Hiding it by eating the marshmallow off her stick.
another girl chuckling as she started eating as well. “sucks we gotta get back to school tomorrow. You got everything packed right? Aside from your tent. Need help packing it tomorrow?” taking another bite of food.
“no, I got everything. Honestly I am gonna leave everything here and grab it on the way back home.”
the third girl speaking up. “you sure about that? What if somebody steals your stuff?”
“ha, nothing of mine is worth taking.” stabbing another marshmallow on the roasting stick. The first girl standing up into a wide stretch of her arms.
“welp, I am going to bed, night girls.” throwing her stick into the fire. The other girls sitting nearby letting out yawns of agreement.
“same here, night guys.” Beverly stretched to her feet with a wave goodnight on the way to her tent.
The clown slumped against the nearby tree grumbling to himself. “At least she'll be returning tomorrow and I'll get my warmth back.” forced to return back to his nesting pile for now.
The morning came and went, finishing his spying as she went off to school. Another poor hunt of a human caught in the rain. Returning early to wait for Beverly under the bed. He waited and waited, but no sign of her came.
“ugh, where is this girl?” coming out from under the bed. It was far too late for her to be at school, or anywhere for that matter. Reading the clock he saw the flashing time of 10:56 PM. “still camping?” he wondered. Heading off into the woods at the campsite she stayed. For some reason she was still there and all her belongings left unpacked. Even more curious was her working on a dress by the campfire.
“why doesn't she go home to bed? Wouldn't it be better to sow there?” posting up against a tree with a cross of his arms. She sowed for hours to finish the dress. Cooking a small meal of instant noodles on the fire before bed. A boring show that kept him waiting for her to pack. “she said all her things were packed. Why aren't they? Is she not planning to return home?” fingers tapping rhythmically across his arms in thinking. “this won't do, no place to hide inside the tent, I'll have to sneak in some other way to leech her warmth.” standing away from the trees. “humans held hands all the time during that … dating time. I'll just turn human and request her to date. Heh, this will be far easier than sneaking around as she slumbers.” smiling to himself at his clever thinking.
“see you for our date tomorrow Beverly.” Walking off into the night to perfectly plan for tomorrow's meeting.
________________________________________________________
A storm thundered across Derry blotting out the sun. The college campus suffering the most under the storm. puddles creeping under the doors to flood the lower classrooms. Needing to be relocated to higher ground for them to continue. One affected class being Beverlys as they all scrambled to save the electric sewing machines. highly valuable fabrics also needing protection from the rising water. Requesting aid of the main office to help with transportation of heavy materials.
Pennywise, freshly disguised, hid away in the new fabrics closet location. The students dropping things off were separated from each other in large gaps. he saw his chance to approach Beverly in the rush back and forth. Being separated from all the others allowing a private chat in the dark storage. A flash of lightning as Beverly entered hid his presence from her in the moment.
Approaching from the darkened corner to gleefully greet her. “hello Beverly.” his sudden appearance having her jump. She wasn't expecting any body to be hanging out in the darkened fabrics closet.
The presence of the stranger putting her on guard. “hello?” answering out of politeness, but not wanting to stay and talk. Aside from being all around intimidating, to her, something wasn't right about him. Staring down unblinking with blue steel grey eyes. Watching her every movement through them on a deadpan expression. Knowing her name yet she'd never seen him before on campus. All of that convincing her to keep holding onto the large fabric roll in her arms. Something to keep them separated if he tried anything.
He had massive muscles on his towering height of 7 feet. bright red hair in a neatly slicked back look contrasting against his perfect pale skin. Clothes far too out of place on the young man, as if they were from over a century old. Wearing a tight dark vest over a white shirt mostly hidden under a dark brown leather duster coat. Dark pants leading down to black heavy boots.
His expression changed to a wide smile making her even more uncomfortable. It was the exact reason why he was smiling. Enjoying the fact he was scaring her without need of a complicated form. He could read her like a book on all her feelings. The twitches, the side glances, and all the scents flowing off her to make easier judgments on what to do.
She swallowed nervously before speaking to break the tense air forming. “do I know you?” asking to figure out the stranger. A name to give campus security, or police, would be nice to have as well.
“mm.” he hummed in glancing to the side. Thinking of what to answer with. “ ...once … we've met. Many years ago.” speaking boldly in knowing she would never guess it was him.
“oh, uh, sorry. I don't really remember you.” seeing in her eyes she was searching for an escape from him.
“I didn't think you would. Our meeting was quite brief.” chuckling on the old memories. Having to hold back more laughter as she fidgeted in front of him.
“was nice seeing you again. ... I uh, have to finish moving some stuff-” her wrapping up of the meeting ended by him interrupting.
“will you go on a date with me?” he outright asked.
he didn't expect her to answer that. “no?!” he questioned a little too aggressively. “why no?!” insulted at being rejected.
“already dating.” answer blurting out quickly. He thought at first she was lying, but her eyes said it was the truth.
“who?!” he snapped. The two separated by other students walking in together holding a huge roll of fabric. Carrying the long roll at its each ends. Beverly stuffed her fabric onto the nearest shelf before bolting away to freedom out into the storm. He let out a long hiss of displeasure following out into the rain. “already taken? I'll fix that!” thinking that he needed to find the damn male she was dating to drag them off into the sewers. Wouldn't be too hard if he kept up with her around campus. Between here and her tent she didn't stop anywhere else. Watching her from the sidelines as she went through her classes. Then he saw the male blocking his plans. Labeling him the one at seeing how Beverly greeted him by Hugging with disgusting kisses. Using the form of a rat he approached closer to listen in on their conversation.
“you coming to the party tonight?” the male asked.
“David, I said I cant. I got so much work to catch on after that camping trip.”
“come on, we've barely hung out together. You said so yourself we should have another date soon. Since our last date was cut short because your dad called throwing a fit. Then the other one we skipped due to school. We can hang out at the party. Really get to talk about what we like and stuff.”
“... okay, for a couple hours.” her tone not sounding the most thrilled. The rat hiding by sure was however. A crowded party in the night having all the goers too drunk to notice somebody going missing. A perfect time to make a competitor vanish out of sight.
The rat smirked. “a date for tonight then.” spending the rest of the day waiting. When the night came he followed Beverly from her new “home” to join up with the male at a diner nearby. Picked up in a rusted rickety old car to drive barely 10 minutes down the streets. Stopping in front of a rich kids mini mansion covered in flashing lights swarming with drunk college students. Pennywise had only been here a second after Beverly and her boyfriend's arrival and already he despised the place. Hating how idiotic drunks kept acting like fools. The loud annoying music blasting around from screeching stereos. Needing to tune them out for the hunt he was actively on.
Walking through the crowds so easily without anyone giving him attention. As if the stranger no one knew didn't exist at all. Staring intently above the rest to stalk the annoying male hanging around Beverly. Ready to pluck him off as soon as a mistake was made. Going off alone for a drink or possibly separated by the dancing drunkard crowds. The clown saw his chance to approach when the male left to grab another drink.
“hello there.” he greeted in the same disguise he approached Beverly in.
“hey there.” the boy listlessly replied.
“not having any fun?” smiling down on him.
“ugh, no. my girlfriend keeps wanting to leave and we've only been here for 10 minutes.”
“aww, such a shame.” playing along to the males discontent. “I know a place to gather for a bit of fun not far from here.”
“oh yeah? Doing what exactly?”
“a bit of betting in a group.”
“it's super simple really. A challenge to see who will enter the dark drainage pipe connected down the stream. I've seen a couple do it for an easy $50.” tempting the poor sap on false promises of money.
“hmph, is that all? You know i've heard something that eats people lives down there. Like a massive crocodile that was flushed down the toilet once.”
“you don't say?” not caring for whatever the male was rambling about. “does that mean you're too scared for the dare?”
“naw, i'll take the stupid dare for 50 bucks, but you have to show me the money first.” this male really annoying him. The waiting was grinding his patients down apparently the same for how Beverly was feeling. Spotting her approach he disappeared back into the crowd.
“David I really have to go home now! Its late, I have work to do before class tomorrow!” she begged the boy around the snack bar.
“can you stop being a Debby downer? Ever since we got here you've been wanting to leave. You still hadn't talked to me despite anything I ask. I ask if I can drive you home after class, no answer. I ask if I can meet your dad, no answer. I ask if we'll ever get a proper date, but you don't seem to want that either. Do you really want to date me?” sounding done after her constantly asking to leave. The crowd surrounding them not noticing the argument except for a pair of blue eyes.
“i do! I have a lot going on and it's hard to focus right now. Please David, take me home. I'll make it up later, okay.” watching her boyfriend sigh.
“fine.” tossing his half empty cup onto the lawn as Beverly followed behind on the way back to the car. Unknowingly being followed by someone else on their drive. Curiosity peeking when the car stopped in the middle of town. Muffled arguing heard from the car then Beverly stepping out. The male shouting from inside. “you can fucking walk home! I am tired of you keeping secrets, its over!”
“asshole!” she shouted back as he slammed his car door. Making a fast U turn back toward the party. Beverly left walking alone through the deserted town under the clouded night sky. Flashes of lightning warning of an oncoming pour down.
The disguised creature grinning from the shadows across the street. “looks like my job was made much easier.” following not too far behind as Beverly walked down her street side. The fresh falling rain drowning out his precise steps when approaching.
Eyes locking onto two other new following figures. “what?” he stopped midway between the street to glare at two other male figures catching up with her. “friends of hers?” annoyed at his approach being complicated again. He didn't want others around to interfere.
They managed to stop her by asking a question. “you got a phone?” one asked.
“we've gotten stuck out here in the rain. Did you get stuck out here to?” the other questioned. Beverly gave no answer to the two. Both men being far too eager to learn she was out with no ride or a phone.
making up a story as best she could. “I have a friend waiting for me. If I am late, she'll be upset.” Against the fresh rain he could smell the fear coming off her. They weren't any friends of hers like he first thought. She didn't like these men, which made him not like them either. Taking a slightly different approach to step into the situation. He appeared out of nowhere in a flash of lightning. draping an arm around Beverly in a dominating claim over her.
Greeting her again. “hello Beverly.” Having himself give off the sweet scent of cinnamon rolls to fake a comforting aura about him. Calming her body that flinched at his touch at first when he hugged her to his side. Letting him do so at least only for protection against these other males. Looking over her expressions he could see she was still far too afraid.
thinking off her reaction. “thinks I am with them?” he challenged the males in a cold stare down. “who are these two?” Knowing full well they were as terrified of him as Beverly was of them.
“I don't know.” hearing her answer quietly. The two males shrinking away under his unbroken stare. Smart enough to know they weren't getting their prey now.
“let's go home.” directing her along without giving her the chance to argue against it. The two men left behind to disappear from their sight. Once they were gone she started to speak up for herself.
“thanks, I uh, can walk the rest of the way.” pulling away from the side hug, which he allowed. Beverly walking further ahead of him to create some distance. Another thing he didn't push to keep her from getting scared off.
Yet still insisted on walking her. “oh no, you shouldn't be out so late while alone. Don't you remember the curfew? Bad things happen in Derry and I couldn't take the guilt if you disappeared.” hiding his displeasure of losing the warmth he had so close.
“what are you doing out so late then?” tone leaking suspicion.
“cant sleep is all while that loud party plays looking like a rave. I've also forgot to mention my name.” going down in a halfway bow of showing off. “I am Robert grey, simply grey is fine.” his unusually wide smile not easing her worry.
Not recognizing his name she brought up what he mentioned last time. “where exactly did we meet before?”
“around Derry, in a few places, actually. I've been gone for quite a while only now coming back.”
“heh, I recently came back too.” giving off a nervous chuckle.
“so I've heard. I had to see you again after so long once I found out.”
“y-yeah …. did I see you in school?”
“heh heh, no … I was homeschooled, strictly.” making up a cover. Laughing mainly on the inside at her attempts at guessing.
“maybe in glimpses, but never a meeting. Same for a lot of places around here.”
“tell me where we've met then.”
“oohhhh.” he smiled at her getting frustrated. “it's really not that important.”
“... kinda strange.” she muttered. “can't make conversation when you barely know someone.”
“you're one to talk. I heard you don't like sharing things about yourself either.”
he saw her tense up at the claim striking a nerve. “do I have to?” Shooting him an offended glare.
still smiling he shook his head. “no, I don't mind secrets. What's one more in little ole Derry, Right?” knowing how her ex demanded answers he knew not to question her. Neither did he need to, anyway, when he saw all and knew all that happened in Derry. The many secrets this small town hid from the world that it didn't matter what else was added to its closet of skeletons.
her body relaxing off his answer. “yeah … my home is not too far now. I should make it from here, without you.” subtly trying to hint she didn't want him to follow.
knowing how close her tent was he didn't argue. “if you're sure.” stopping his steps at a curbs end.
She fidgeted her sleeves in her hands as she stood a few steps ahead. Turning back to look at him. “... thanks, for helping me back there. I'll try to return the favor somehow.” giving her best shot of a not so nervous smile.
“go on a date with me?” he asked without any hesitation. Enjoying her squirming reaction by the uncomfortable question.
“I can, go on one.” answering hesitantly. “ a small one, after class.”
“small one after class is fine.” which it was as long as he got into her good graces. Opening up for easier physical contact for warmth. “wish to meet at a diner? I'll be happy to get you something.” aiming for something she really wanted, food. Having watched her eat instant noodles for the past few days, she would surely want something else.
“that's fine.” sounding a lot more excited for the date. “I'll see you there after my classes. Somewhere around 5:00pm.”
“see you there.” waving goodbye on there separation. Going only far enough to leave her view. Coming back around to hide by her place of rest. Watching her eat another pot of instant noodles. Then spend hours on sowing fabrics before bedtime in almost the sunny morning hours.
Waiting through the day to immediately pounce her for the anticipated meeting. Walking across flooded grass lawns of the college campus. The sky darkened black that It was a surprise to everyone in Derry that the rain had not rushed down yet. Coming up to her last class exiting, straight to Beverly, as she walked beside her classmates. Almost jumping out of her skin when he appeared through another flash of lightning along the choppy clouds.
Rain falling hard right after his appearance as if an omen of dread.
She froze in surprise that he found her so easily. By her reaction he could read that she did not expect him. Another part hinting disappointment that he did manage to find her somehow.
Giving his unsettling smile. “ready for our date?” holding himself back from snickering at her giving a shaky breath.
her voice oozing anxiety about this situation. “ah, y-yeeeah.”
“want to hold hands on the way?” offering his hand out before she could answer. She, with another nervous breath of air, took his hand. Anyone else would see her doing this out of obligation to not be rude. Be accepting that she wasn't comfortable and retract their hand by courtesy. He didn't care, wanting to leech the warmth off her rather then contact for bonding. However he knew his handling needed to be gentle despite so badly wanting to snap her arm backwards for the thrill of it. Keeping his grip on her a soft looseness. Taking the chance however to hug her against his side within his coat. Falsely protecting her from the pouring down rain drenching them both.
Chaperoning her down the few blocks to the diner. Holding hands the entire way until they entered the diner filled with a comforting warmth. Beverly pulling away entirely to get away from all contact with him. His frustration picking up on her lack of keeping close contact. Burying his anger under knowing he needed to be patient on luring her close like any prey. Attention turning when they were greeted by staff then taken to a nearby booth.
If it weren't for the place shutting down each night he would consider this to be a greater heat source to stick by. Beverly ordering a coffee for her drink while he ordered nothing. Her relaxation of entering a public place disturbed back into anxiety over his fixated staring.
He didn't pick up the menu, like she did, seeing no reason to bother. Choosing to stare at her from across the small table in promoting her fear to stem further. Still choosing to be polite she didn't outright call him rude. “are you going to order something?” trying to hint that he should stare at something else.
“no … my diets a little limited.” realizing that him not eating wasn't appearing normal. Making up another lie on the spot to cover his odd behavior.
Unfortunately this brought up further questions to her. “limited how? Like allergies or choice?”
“ both. My body doesn't handle certain things.” almost retching at the thought of anything leafy green. Cooked animals getting the same reaction of revulsion over the ruined meats. “I heard you were in LA for a while.” changing the subject.
“I was.” suspicious of how he knew so much about her. “where have you been hearing this stuff exactly?”
being honest this time. “all over town.” having heard through the literal pipe work of Derry the talks about her. Aside from his own spying right under her nose on conversations. Some of the newer towns folk, unknowing of the rumors, were quite nice to Beverly. The old folks, not so much, still spreading rumors of supposed looseness with men. The news of her return was the talk of the town in such a small place where nothing happened.
“what else have you heard?”
“you were going to a fashion school there.” she was getting too suspicious now. May have not helped he mentioned hearing about her all over Derry. Nasty rumors about her being a good reason that she hated being talked about. To ease her worries he kept to the basics surrounding her success. “impressively high grades, many scholarships earned, but you were forced to come here on short notice. Your dads been really sick as of late. Is that why?” pointing toward the topic of her father that would surely cause her to retract from further talking.
the mention of her dad on top of why she returned having her shy away. “no, its other reasons. I don't want to talk about it.” her turn to try moving the conversation away. “where have you been all this time?”
“far off lands.” farther than she could imagine. “visiting my original home for a while to do work. Yet, this place always felt more natural for me to embrace. Much smaller, less complex, easy to keep secrets that nobody bothers to care about.” proudly talking about his private hunting preserve.
“that's Derry, keeping secrets to spreading false rumors.” slouching back in her chair. “sorry, I must sound like such a downer.” sitting straight again to show a small smile.
“it happens to everyone in this cold weather. I love the warm summer times far more then the rain.” reading off her body language of relaxing the longer their talking went on. Bringing out the fresh scent of cinnamon rolls around him to speed the process quicker.
“it really is. Have to avoid the flooded roads everywhere. So much mud that I swear my boots will get a permanent layer of it.”
“I don't like the cold. It's a nuisance to keep away and makes Derry a ghost town. Hard to find someone running about during the storms.”
“now that you mention it, it can be pretty lonely. I've been so busy I haven't had the time to really notice. All my friends must think I am a workaholic or something that needs to get out more. That's the price of education I guess, can't afford to let my grades slip now. Do you go to the college?”
“yeees. I work in the office.” answering in the most general way. He kept hearing students mention work in the office. Though he didn't know exactly what that meant aside from those students were very busy. alongside rarely seen unless called down for help by a professor.
“ahhh, an office boy.” something he didn't know clicking for her. “Should have known when I saw you in the fabrics room. I don't think I could do the office job involving that boring paperwork and running errands all day for teachers. Do you have to go in the rain a lot? I assume no since it's just a bunch of office desk work inside.”
dipping his head side to side. “ so-so.” Thinking how often he spied indoors vs hunting out in the rain.
“must be brutal against your class schedule. What are you taking?”
trying to avoid the question. “ it's not very interesting.”
“aw come on. If any class is uninteresting, it's mine. Spending hours staring at fabrics to sow together for the next day.”
he heard students talking most about one subject. “engineering?” Beverly not noticing his almost questioning answer.
“wow, and you're taking an office job too?” sounding impressed on his choice. “which engineering branch are you studying in?”
fuck, he didn't know that. “uhh-” saved from answering by the waiter coming to take their order. Not wanting anything while Beverly got hot bowl of clam chowder sided with fresh sourdough bread. When the waiter left he was expected to answer.
It bought him enough time to think something up. “I don't want to talk about work.”
“I get it. You probably deal enough with it as is. I am not too fond of fabric conversation either after so long.”
“yes.” he nodded. “want to hold hands?” he brought up. Having craved the warm touch this entire time, but didn't want to scare Beverly too much on his forwardness. She awkwardly agreed, holding out her hand for him to take. The talking dying down once he took hold. Fidgeting under his silent intent stare locked on her. The tension broken somewhat by the arrival of food to focus on. Needing to separate they're hand holding so that she could eat. A hot clam chowder was perfect to warm her up in the freezing rain and to all the more spread the heat over to him while touching.
When the meal was finished, he looked at the bill. Having a hard time deciphering what the proper amount of bills were. It was never an issue for him up until now to figure out human money. He knew one particular bill that seemed to usually cover any meal. Setting a $100 bill on the order paper without a further thought over it.
“shit, grey.” Beverly commented on the massive tip he left on a $15 meal.
“what? Is it not enough?” unsure of if it was. Her surprised reaction telling him that something he did was highly noticeable.
“uh, no its fine.” chuckling at his lack of money concern to be giving that much away.
“would you like me to walk you home?” holding out his hand for her to take as they left.
Her nervously taking his offered hand. “sure.”
“having a wonderful time?” enjoying the large amount of warmth transferred over. Keeping up her relaxation around him as long as possible to promote this dating forward.
“yeah. Really nice to get out of the house for a while.”
“where are you living exactly? I know your father continues to live in those apartments and that's not where I dropped you off.” his aim was to be taken to her home eventually. Staying inside someplace filled with warmth without need to hide away the entire time in a darkened corner.
“one of the boring houses on the block.” generalizing her location in that area.
“maybe I should come visit?”
“uh, no. very busy with a mess of school work all over the place.” chuckling on the excuses she made to keep him from coming over. “which I really need to get to work on for tomorrow's classes.”
“mm, well since we cant hang out any longer today how about another date tomorrow?”
“alright, we'll meet for some coffee.” smiling up as they walked together holding hands.
