There was something different about the town of Derry Maine. Every 27 -30 years a horrible event would occur waking IT. IT would then feed on the children of the town. Now, IT could feed on anyone however, IT preferred children. Children you see, had a lot of fear and it was their fears that made them taste as sweet as candy. The adults of the town turned a blind eye. They knew that children were going missing. They knew that something was terribly wrong with their town. Some horrible secret long forgotten. Or perhaps not so much forgotten but rather ignored. They didn't want to admit the truth.

One day the town was holding a carnival to celebrate the town's history. IT decided to walk around and see if he could spot any potential victims. He wasn't IT right now, right now he was Pennywise the dancing clown. He smiled and waved at the families passing by. "Would you like a balloon little girl? How about you young man?" He asked a set of twins who shook their heads no and hid behind their mother.

She smiled sweetly at him and apologized. "I'm so sorry they are a little afraid of clowns."

"Awww. Your not afraid of little old me are yah?" Pennywise asked with a slight pout but his eyes sparkled in delight. He could smell their fear and it was intoxicating. The kids nodded and hid their faces in their mother's skirt. He could tell that he would never be able to get these kids alone. "Enjoy the carnival kiddies." He with a wave. Sighing as he walked away. It seemed like he was never going to lure a meal away today. He was about to give up and that's when he spotted them. Two teenagers carrying a small bundle in their arms.

Pennywise watched them intently. He could smell their fear. The fear of having to grow up too fast. The fear of getting caught. Now normally he preferred younger kids but he was hungry and at this point he's settle for anything. "Let's just drop the thing in the garbage somewhere and enjoy our date." The teenage boy said while frowning at both the girl and the small bundle she held in her arms.

"I don't know. This just doesn't seem right....
Maybe we should just forget the whole thing." The girl replied looking around nervously. It was then that she spotted Pennywise staring intently at them. She tugged on her boyfriend's sleeve.

"What?" He demanded semi angrily.

"I think that clown is following us."

Pennywise smiled and waved at the two of them as he approached them. "Hello kiddos
would yah like a balloon?"

"Get lost freak. Can't you see we are trying to have a private moment?" Her boyfriend demanded.

Pennywise giggled. "Whatcha got there?" Pennywise asked pointing at the bundle.

The girl's eyes filled with tears and she pulled the bundle closer to her causing her boyfriend to frown. "It's none of your business! Now get lost and leave us alone freak!" The boy said grabbing Pennywise by the collar holding a knife to his throat.

Pennywise put his hands up in the air in surrender. "Ok. Enjoy the carnival. Oh and if your looking for a place to dispose of that bundle without anyone finding it there is a dumpster by the animal cages. It's a rather secluded area of the carnival. People can't stand the smell." Pennywise said with a giggle.

"Thanks for the suggestion but like I said this is none of your business so get walking freak. Or do I have to cut you a new smile?" The boy replied pointing the knife at Pennywise once more. Pennywise giggled and Arthur frowned.
"Did I say something that amused you freak?"

Pennywise shrugged "you sure you don't want a balloon? No? Ok, well, I guess I'll see yah around." With that Pennywise turned the corner. "I'll see you real soon." He whispered his eyes turning a deep orange.

"Maybe this wasn't the best idea after all. That was way too close." The girl replied looking down at the bundle momentarily.

"No. We are getting rid of that mistake of yours tonight. Give me the bundle I'll dispose of it myself."

The girl pulled the bundle closer to herself once more. "Please reconsider. Please. I'll do anything you want but please don't take my baby away from me." The girl pleaded.

The boy frowned and slapped the girl across the face. "I'm getting tired of this behavior of yours. Tell me Crystal what are you?"

Crystal bit her lip. "Your girl." She replied quietly.

"What's that? I didn't quite hear you? Your my what?" He demanded raiding his hand as if slap her once more.

"I'm your Girl."

"That's right! Don't ever forget you chose to be mine to save that wretch of a father of yours from going to jail. That means you belong to me and you will do what I tell you without question or there will be consequences. I told you to get rid of this thing didn't I?" The boy demanded.

"Yes."

"Yes what?" The boy demanded slapping her once more.

"Yes my love."

"You didn't listen to me did you?" The boy demanded a frown on his face.

"No my love." Crystal whispered sadly.

"What did I tell you I would do if you had this unwanted creature?" He demanded.

"You'd punish me."

"This is your punishment well, part of it anyway. You'll soon find out what the rest is once this little mistake of yours is taken care of. Ah here we go. The perfect place for trash like this." The boy replied with a chuckle dropping the bundle in a nearby dumpster. Not wanting anyone to spot the bundle and feel sorry for it the boy slammed the dumpster lid shut and padlocked it.

Pennywise watched as the boy forced the girl to kiss him. His hands wandering to areas of her body that she obviously didn't feel comfortable with him touching. Soon they stopped for some food.

In order to get his wallet out he had to release his grasp on Crystal. She took that opportunity to breaking free from his grasp and rush down a nearby path. However, she hadn't gone to far when she was grabbed by one of the young man's thugs.

"Just where do you think your going? How's about a kiss?" One of the boys replied pulling her closer to him so that he was inches away from her mouth.

"Please just let me go." She begged as the young man forcibly kissed her.

"Yeah that's not going to happen. I'm going to teach you a lesson about running away from the boss." With that he pulled her into the alleyway which held the dumpster. "Boys keep an eye out for unwanted guests. I'm going to get to know our boss's newest toy a little better." The second in command replied and the other boys snickered.

"Sure thing." They replied laughing.

The young woman's eyes filled with fear as she realized his intent. "No. Please. Let go of me! Someone please help me!" A snarl curled Pennywise's lips. He had read the boy's thoughts and he knew what he intended.

How dare this boy have such crude thoughts and how dare he even think about committing such an act in a family atmosphere. These were sacred grounds. The girl looked up at the young man pleadingly. "Please don't do this." She begged but the boy just smiled and removed his jacket.

"Oh do shut up!" He replied slamming his mouth onto hers.

Tossing his shirt aside his smile deepened but it didn't last for long he soon found himself being thrown up against the alley wall by the leader of the group. "What the hell is going on here?" Crystal's boyfriend demanded angrily as he decked his second in command in the face.

"Nnnnothing boss. YYour girl came onto me. RRight boys?" The boy replied obviously afraid of this young man.

"What are you doing? Why are you bringing us into this?" The other boys replied backing away from their leader who glared angrily at them.

"Come on guy's back me up here." The second in command pleaded but the rest of the guys shook their heads.

"No man, you got yourself into this mess you get yourself out of if." One of the other boys replied. "We told you this was a bad idea."

The leader glared angrily over at his second in command. "I said apprehend her. I never said you could lay a hand on her!" He growled helping Crystal to her feet placing his jacket around her arms. He glared at the young man. "I will deal with you later. Right now I'm going to enjoy the rest of my date with this beautiful lady." The boy gulped and the other boys snickered.

"You should have known that he'd kill you if he found out that you touched her. She's his girl and no one touches what belongs to him." One of the boys replied shaking his head and sighing.

"How was I supposed to know that she was off limits? He usually doesn't mind sharing. I really don't see what the problem was. She's just another toy to be used and disposed of." At this Crystal's eyes filled with tears.

The next thing he knew the boy was being thrown up against the wall. His boss's eyes flashed in anger as he held a knife to the boy's throat. "If I ever hear you say anything like that about her again I'll kill you! Come my love, let us enjoy the rest of the carnival."

Crystal nodded and glanced back towards the dumpster which was still in sight tearfully and sighed. The young man frowned at her and she instantly snapped out of her thoughts. She knew he'd punish her if she didn't answer. So she placed her head on his shoulders "Yes my love. Thank you."

"Yeah well, he should have known to keep his hands off you. You belong to me and no one touches what's mine. However, let this serve as a warning to you. If you ever run away from me again, I won't stop whoever finds you from doing whatever they want to you."

Pennywise watches the group walked off. Just what was it that those teenagers had dumped in the trash to die? He shrugged it wasn't his problem. Right now what he needed to do was find a meal. He was about to walk away when whatever was inside the dumpster began to cry. Curiously he slowly undid the lock and lifted the lid revealing the small bundle which kicked and made a whining sound.

He looked at the bundle for a moment and then slowly undid the wrapping. A small infant who couldn't be older then a few days maybe a week or too at most lay inside. Pennywise smiled. How convenient now he wouldn't have to go hunting. Those good for nothing teenagers had left him a free meal.

However, as he was about to pick the infant up to eat it the small child looked up at him with big brownish orange eyes. Upon seeing Pennywise the infant giggled happily and reached up towards him. Pennywise sighed. He was getting hungry but for some reason the idea of eating the infant didn't seem to be very appetizing.

Though he knew the infant would be the sweetest thing he'd ever eaten he just couldn't do it. "Your kind of cute. You want to stay with old Pennywise?" The infant giggled again and raised its hands in a grabbing motion once more. "That settles it your going to live with me from now on. I can't promise that I won't eat you however, I can promise you that I'll make those no good for nothing parents of yours float."

"At least I'll make your father and his whole gang float." Pennywise said with a growl. "Now what should I call you?" Pennywise giggled and then shook his head as if realizing something for the first time. "I suppose I should find out what gender you are first."

The infant just giggled in response but then began to cry. "What's the matter? Why are you crying little one?" Suddenly Pennywise smelled something terrible. It shouldn't surprise him considering they were close to the animal cages and a dumpster but it was worse then anything he had ever smelled before. His eyes went wide as he realized that the smell was coming from the infant. "Phew maybe I should call you stinky." The infant made a yuck face and Pennywise chuckled.

"Don't worry little one. I was just kidding." He replied as he removed the dirty diaper. After cleaning me up he looked at me and sighed. "The problem still remains what should I call You?" After rattling off a list of names Pennywise sighed. "You know kid I'm running out of options. I know how about cotton candy?" He asked as he lead the small infant back to his lair in the sewers.

A little while later, Pennywise's stomach began to growl. He needed to eat he glanced down at the infant and licked his lips but then shook his head. No he already decided that he wasn't going to eat me. Besides, I wouldn't be tasty. I wasn't afraid him in fact, it seemed like I wasn't afraid of anything at all.

His stomach growled louder and he knew he had to feed soon or he'd loose the willpower to not make me a midnight snack. Sighing, he grabbed the basket I was in and went in search of a nearby meal. This time, he went out not as clown but a young man. His human persona Robbert (bob) Gray.

It didn't take him long to find my mother. She had a black eye and busted lip and she was crying. "Awww. Why's a beautiful young lady like you crying? Did some one hurt you?" He asked with a slight growl. Crystal nodded.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She shook her head. "I should get going. He won't be happy if he finds out that I'm gone. I was supposed to go to the restroom and come right back."

"Your boyfriend is the controlling sort isn't he?" She nodded. "I got that impression this afternoon when he wouldn't let you accept a balloon. I take it that he didn't like what was in the basket that he dropped in the dumpster earlier. You seemed heartbroken about having to leave it. Yet, from what I could tell, he didn't seem to care. You were going to do as he told you or you'd be punished. That's why you have that black eye isn't it? He punished you?"

She looked up at Pennywise in surprise. "Your the clown from earlier? The one who offered us a free balloon?" Pennywise nodded. "Wow. You look so different without your makeup on. I thought you were a lot older."

Pennywise chuckled "yeah I get that a lot. The name is Robert Gray. People call me either Rob or Bob for short. If you don't mind my asking, why are you with a guy like that? You deserve so much better. Crystal."

The young woman looked up at Pennywise in surprise. "How did you???"

"Oh I know a lot about you. I know where live, I know who your father is and what he did, I know who friends are, I know what your hopes and dreams are. I know what was in that basket that he made you toss away. And I know your deepest darkest fears."

Crystal backed away from Pennywise "you don't have to be afraid of me. At least not right now. All I want to do is help you. Help you get rid of all of your fears. Help your dreams to come true. Don't you want Your baby back?" He asked pulling the basket holding me in it out of thin air.

Crystal backed away the fear in her eyes evident. Pennywise chuckled "what's the matter? Are you afraid?" Crystal shook her head no. "Ah but you are afraid. Your afraid of what he's going to do when he finds you. Your afraid of what he's going to do when finds out that you went back for her."

At this, Crystal broke down onto sobs. "He will kill her and he will force me to watch it worse he will force me to kill her. Then after he's had time to torture me in ways beyond your imagination, he will kill me."

At this, Pennywise let out a low growl "not if he can't find you. You and your baby can live at my house. If he or any of his crew do come looking for you, they'll have met their match in me."

"You would do that for me?" Crystal asked surprised.

"No. I'll do that for her." Pennywise replied pointing to the basket. "What is her name anyway?"

"I haven't had a chance to name her. At first I was going to name her Harley. I thought that if I named her after something that he like well actually something that he loves then maybe he'd want her but he didn't. So I thought about other names like Lilith or Discord."

"Humm Lilith meaning monster of the night. Discord meaning lack of harmony. Strife or war. Humm interesting names any other ones?"

"Dabria"

"Meaning Angel of death."

"Yes Fethawit, Jerijah or Deirdre."

"I like those those mean fear." Pennywise's stomach began to growl louder and he groaned. "Well as much as I'd love to stay and chat about baby names, I really need to feed now. It's a shame really, you seem like such a nice girl. Oh well." Pennywise said with a sigh revealing rows of sharp teeth.

"What are you?" Crystal screamed in terror.

Pennywise paused maybe he didn't have to eat her. He could place her in a temporary catatonic state while he went and found food. After all, the baby needed to eat and she couldn't eat what he did at least not yet. "Would you like to see?" Pennywise asked grabbing her and holding her up to his mouth. Opening it wide he revealed the small deadlights in his mouth.

Instantly Crystal froze in mid air completely hypnotized by the lights. Once she was suspended in mid air, he turned and walked down the road. He sighed, was he getting soft? This young woman was the second victim that he found himself unable to eat. No, he would eat her just not yet. She was to be the bait for a much bigger meal.

It didn't take him long to hunt down a meal and he soon returned carrying a young man. His name was Maurice he was the outcast of Crystal's boyfriend's gang and his younger brother. Pennywise was just about to settle down to consume the young man when the infant started to cry. "Oh now what?" Pennywise demanded with a slight growl placing the young man in a secure area. He hated it when his meals were interrupted.

Maurice watched as Pennywise lifted the crying infant into the air. "I think she's hungry." The young man said and Pennywise glanced over at the him.

"What do you know about babies?"

"My friend has a baby sister. I sometimes go over to his house to help him babysit. She usually cries like that when she wants to be fed." Maurice replied.

"Fed?" Pennywise looked around what exactly was he going to feed this infant?

"Infants need their mother's milk or formula." Maurice stated as if reading Pennywise's thoughts.

"Well duh everyone knows that." Pennywise replied semi sarcastically. Yet, what was he going to do? It wasn't like my mother could feed me in her current state. So he did the only thing he could think of, he picked me up and lifted me into his mouth so that I stared into the deadlights.

"Hay! You can't eat her! She's just a baby!!!" Maurice yelled at Pennywise who just rolled his eyes.'

Pennywise placed the infant down and chuckled deeply. Maurice gulped as Pennywise turned his attention back to him. "Now who said anything about eating her?" Pennywise replied with a huge smile revealing rows and rows of sharp teeth. Just as he was about to eat the young man, the infant gave out another ear splitting cry.

"Hold on for just a moment little one. Daddy has to finish his meal." Pennywise replied but the infant only cried louder. Pennywise turned to the infant and replied sternly "little one if you don't be patient and stop that crying this instant I'll change my mind about eating you." Instantly the infant stopped crying and the only sound you could hear was sniffles and hiccups. It was as if the infant knew that he was telling the truth and he chuckled. "That's a good girl. Daddy will bring you you bottle just as soon as he finishes his meal."

Maurice now resigned to his fate no longer pleaded for his life he just sighed and replied "please just get it over with. You'll be doing me a favor."

Pennywise looked at the boy confused. He didn't seem afraid of him. "Tell me boy what is your deepest darkest fear?" Pennywise searched Maurice's mind but was coming up blank. This frustrated Pennywise to no end and he let out a deep growl. Again the infant began to whimper quietly followed by soft hiccups as if she were trying to stop herself from crying. "Shhhh little one. It's alright there's nothing to be afraid of. Daddy was just a little frustrated is all. I didn't mean to scare you."

Suddenly Pennywise let out a loud and deep laugh that echoed through the lair"now that's something I never thought that I'd say. What is wrong with you Pennywise? Get a grip it's just an inferior creature. You shouldn't care about it's welfare. So why haven't you eaten it yet?" While Pennywise was lost in thought Maurice called to him.

"Mr. Pennywise, if it's alright, I'm going to take the infant into town and get it some proper outfits and supplies." Maurice said as he grabbed the basket. Pennywise didn't even notice him leave as he was too lost in his train of thought.

Maurice made his way to the local mall which had several discount stores. Dollar store, a goodwill, a savers, a Salvation Army as well as a super Walmart. Despite the fact that Pennywise had tried to eat him he found himself wanting to help him. He started at the $1.00 store grabbing the necessities for an infant. Diapers, wipes, pacifiers, bottles, and some wash cloths.

Then he went to the consignment stores and bought several outfits including a few infant clown costumes that had been donated due to Halloween being only a few months away. He also grabbed several toys including musical stuffed animals and several animals that glowed in the dark. Lastly, he went to Walmart and purchased baby formula and milk as well as some baby food and some infant friendly face paint.

Then after preparing a bottle and ensuring that I had been properly fed and changed and my clown makeup applied, he placed everything in his backpack. After attaching the carseat he had bought on his basket, he placed the now sleeping infant in the car seat and headed back towards Pennywise's lair.

He only hopped that Pennywise would be in a good mood upon his return. Unknown to him, Pennywise watched from a distance a snarl curled across his ruby lips. How dare this boy kidnap his little girl! Yet, he had returned with her so perhaps he hadn't kidnapped her after all.

Right before he reached the intersection where he had met Pennywise he was stopped by my father's gang. He decided now was the time to use my mother as bait. Snapping his fingers she immediately awoke from her trance. Now, she was still under his control but he decided to play a mind game with her and let her think that she still had her free will.

" You know Crystal, I like you. So I'm going to do something that is completely out of my character. If you lure those boys into a trap then I'll let you live here with your baby. The two of us will raise her together."

"What are going to do to them?" Crystal asked looking up at him in both fear and worry.

"Trust me you don't want to know the answer to that." Pennywise replied with a wide smile. "Now, will you do it or will your baby grow up without a mother?" Pennywise demanded with an evil smile already knowing what her answer would be.

"I'll do it. Those boys deserve whatever you intend to do them Master." Pennywise chuckled.

Meanwhile, back on the road Maurice tried to push his way past the group of boys. "Please just let me pass. I don't want any trouble."

"Aww did you hear that boys? Maurice doesn't want any trouble." One of the bullies mocked.

As if sensing the tension I began to cry. "Hay boss, isn't that the bundle that you threw in the dumpster earlier?"

The leader of the gang walked over to the bike and let out a low growl. "I guess Crystal still hasn't learned her lesson. She must have gone back to the dumpster for this creature despite my warnings to forget about it. Then gave it to this looser in hopes that I wouldn't find out about her disobedience. Since beating her didn't seem to get the message across ,perhaps I need a more devious punishment. What do you think boys?"

"Well boss, if you don't mind us saying so your girl has quite the good looking body. Your so lucky you get to bed her. I'd give anything for a girl who has a figure like that."

The young man smiled and chuckled evilly "you boys have given me the perfect way to punish her. Congratulations boys today's your lucky day. Your dreams are going to come true. Just as soon as we find her."

"Looks like we don't have to look far here she comes." His second in command replied with a smile.

"Where have you been?" Arthur growled grabbing Crystal roughly by the arm.

"I got lost at the fairgrounds and then I was kidnapped."

"Really? Who would be stupid enough to do that?" Arthur replied clearly not believing a word she was saying.

"Some guy named Robert Gray. He was by the restrooms. He said that he would make me his and that you wouldn't stand a chance against him." Crystal replied with a giggle.
"As for Harley I swear I didn't go back for her."

"Crystal, Crystal, Crystal what am I going to do with you? You know I detest liars. You went back for this creature."

"No. I swear. I didn't... I wouldn't..."

"Alright, I believe you. However, the problem still remains as to what to do with this unwanted thing. Since leaving in the dumper didn't work, I guess I'll just have to kill it." The boy replied revealing himself to be the infant's father replied. As he grabbed the baby and headed over to the lake to drown her.

"No please don't." Crystal cried rushing after him but he shoved her back towards his group. "Boys do me a favor hold her while I take care of this."

"No." Crystal groaned trying her hardest to break free of the boys.

"Excuse me but didn't your mother ever teach you that it's rude to take what doesn't belong to you?" Pennywise asked appearing out of nowhere.

"You again? What the hell do you want? Get lost bozo."

Pennywise's eyes flashed a deep orange "Such language. Someone should really teach you to hold your tongue." With that Pennywise grabbed the boy and ripped his tongue from his mouth. The boy dropped to the ground coughing up blood. "You know your friend's
follow you blindly but do you think they will still follow you now that your dumb? How about if you weren't just dumb, but deaf and blind? Would they still think your cool? Would they still follow you? Well would you?"

Pennywise demanded turning to the other boys flashing them a smile revealing his teeth.
Pennywise chuckled as he watched the color drain from the boys faces. Their looks of fear were priceless. He wanted to make them suffer. To savor each delicious morsel of their sweet fear. "What you waiting for? I'm giving the chance to leave. To not be bound to suffer the same fate as your leader."

"However, this offer has a very limited time limit in fact, you have five seconds to make your mind so I suggest you decided quickly. Are you really willing to die for him?" He asked nodding towards the infant's father. The boy watched in shock as his friends abandoned him there. "What about Arthur?" One of them asked as they rushed to get away from the horrible scene that was playing out before them.

"Leave him! He's as good as dead!" One of the other boys replied and with that the boys all turned and ran.

As Arthur chocked on his blood Pennywise smiled and whispered "that will be the last thing you will ever see:" With that Pennywise used his claws to blind the boy. Then Pennywise turned him loose. "To show you that I'm not as cruel and evil as you are I will give you a sporting chance. You have one minute to find a place to hide or a way to escape from my home. If I find you, then you loose your life."

Pennywise replied with a chuckle. Just as the boy turned to stumble down the path he found himself being lifted into the air. "Oh there's one more thing you won't be needing this." Pennywise said with a smile as he broke the boy's nose so that he could no longer smell. "Can't have you using your other senses to find your way out now can I?" With that he put Arthur back down and pointed him in the right direction.

Needless to say, Arthur lost and Pennywise had himself a hearty meal. But before he eat him, he asked the boy "should I let your friends go free? No? Make them float now? Wow you really are a cruel young man." With that he eat the leader in one gulp. Then he turned his attention to Crystal who stood there in complete shock at what she had just witnessed. "Find them." He growled and she nodded meekly. It didn't take her long to locate the boys as they had stopped to finish what they had started before Pennywise's attack.

"Hay, who gets the title of boss and the girl now that the boss is gone?"

"I do." The boy named Maurice replied.

"Your crazy. There is no way your taking over the gang. Your just a pathetic looser." The boy who second in command replied shoving Maurice. "If anyone is taking over the gang it's me. Find the girl and if she has that infant you know what to do."

"Right." The boys replied but they found their path blocked by the leader's younger brother. "Leave Crystal alone."

"Who are you to give me orders? With Arthur gone I am now in control of this gang. You will do as I say."

"No. I challenge your leadership."

"Who do you think you are challenging me? You have no right too your not even a real
Member of this gang. Now get lost before you get you get hurt."

"My big brother was our leader and I'm going to make you pay for abandoning him." Maurice replied.

"You have a death wish Maurice? Fine. Let's do this." Within a few minutes to everyone's shock Maurice won the fight. Shoving the boy to the ground.

"Any one else dare to challenge my leadership?" The other boys shook their heads "Good. Then spread out and find Crystal."

"And if we find her with that thing?" Maurice remained silent weighing out the pros and cons of what to do with the infant. If Arthur somehow had managed to survive the attack from that creature then he wouldn't be happy to know that infant was still alive. Yet, how would he know? The creature had said that he was going to make him deaf dumb and blind. "Boss?"

"You are to do nothing. If she has the infant then she has the infant. Your job is to find her and bring her to me. I'll deal with the infant if the need arises." Maurice replied. The boys split up and one by one Pennywise feasted upon them until only Maurice was left. The one who had stolen his little girl away from him while he was meditating. Pennywise's eyes flashed in the brightest orange they had ever flashed.

Maurice was shocked when he spotted Crystal he sighed in relief she was safe. The creature hadn't killed her. Which meant that maybe the baby was still alive as well. "Crystal ppssst over here." He whispered Crystal rushed to his side. "I'm so glad your safe. Is the baby alright? Did that thing hurt you?"

At this Crystal giggled and replied "of course  Robbert didn't hurt me. Why would he?"

"I don't know, maybe because he's not human? Didn't you see what he did to those guys?"

At this Crystal giggled once more. "Of course I saw what Robbert did. My big strong hero." Crystal replied walking over to Pennywise and placing her head on his chest sighing contently.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't tear you limb from limb." Pennywise growled grabbing Maurice by the collar.

"Ppplease hear me out. I know your angry with me and I don't blame you."

"Angry oh no my dear boy, I am way beyond angry. Livid, enraged, infuriated even those don't come close to what I'm feeling right now. The closest word to what feeling would probably be murderous."

"Please let me explain." Maurice pleaded.

"You have one minute. If you thought what I'd did to that boy who called my baby ugly was bad, wait until you see what I have in-store for you." Pennywise replied with a sadistic laugh.

"Maurice gulped took a deep breath and sighed. "Earlier right before you were going to eat me you scared the baby. You apologized and then you seemed amused by the idea of what you had said. You seemed to get lost in meditation. The baby was still badly in need of nourishment and she was freezing and Crystal was no where to be found. So I took her into town to get the essentials that you would need. I was only trying to help."

Pennywise let out a low growl awakening the infant who immediately began to cry. Crystal giggle in amusement. "You call kidnapping his daughter helpful?"

"His daughter? Crystal you can't be considering allowing this monster to raise your child."

Meanwhile, Pennywise rushed over to where Harlequin was located to try and soothe her. "Shhh. It's ok little one daddy's here." Looking down at Harlequin Pennywise looked completely confused. She didn't look like the same baby that this young man had kidnapped. Not only was she wearing a clown outfit but her face had been painted to look very similar to his. Turning and glaring at the boy he growled "what have you done to her?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise. Since you've obviously decided to raise the little one as your daughter and your a clown I thought that perhaps you might like it if she were too look more like you. It would also cause less problems for you in the future."

At the mention of the future Pennywise sighed. By time his little one was three possibly even sooner it would be time for his hibernation cycle.

"I don't mean to sound rude or ungrateful but why haven't you eaten me yet?"'

"I'm not very hungry right now after such a big meal." Pennywise replied.

"So your not going to eat me?"

"I didn't say that. I said I'm not hungry right now. That doesn't mean that I won't be hungry later. I have to eat enough to sustain me for 27 years dear boy. Besides, I have possessed people. I've made people float and then used them as puppets, but I have never spared anyone. I have always eaten every child I've come across except of course that lousy Looser's club." Pennywise replied with a shudder. "They cheated."

"Master." Crystal's eyes blazed a bright orange and Pennywise smiled.

"I almost forgot about you. Come here my sweet Crystal. Let's finish your transformation." Pennywise said lifting her up to his face once more.

"No! Leave her alone you monster! Take me! But Please leave her alone!" Maurice begged.

Pennywise paused "whats this?" Instantly Pennywise began to laugh making Maurice feel very nervous. "Your in love with Crystal aren't you? Don't worry dear boy. I wasn't planning on killing her." Pennywise paused "at least not yet. She will be perfectly fine. I'm simply transferring some of my essence into her so that when Harley feeds she will receive my special milk that will slow down her aging process. After all, I don't want to miss my little Harley's childhood." Pennywise replied.

"So she will be alright?" Maurice asked sighing in relief.

"That depends on your definition of alright. She won't be the same human you fell in love with. She will exist only to serve me and when I no longer need her she will float like all the rest. As will you dear boy." Pennywise replied as he lifted Crystal to his mouth once more forcing her to stare directly into the deadlights. Once more Crystal floated in the air in a catatonic state.

"Please give her back to me." Maurice begged and Pennywise laughed.

"You humans and your sentiments. Alright, I'll give you the chance to earn her release. I will awaken her from her slumber. I will allow her to choose. You, or my counter part Bob. If she chooses you, your all free to go. I will never darken your doorstep again. If however, she chooses me, well then your my next meal. Do we have a deal?" Maurice nodded and Pennywise snapped his fingers. Crystal instantly awoke from her trance.

"What's going on? Where are we? Maurice?Where's Your brother? Where's Harlequin?" She asked her eyes filling with tears.

"She's safe."

"Robert? What are you doing here? Where are we?" She asked turning to Pennywise Who now was disguised as his non clown human counterpart Robert Gray.

"We are in my home. His brother is dead."

"How?"

"I killed him." Bob/Pennywise replied.

"Why?"

"He was hurting you and he was going to kill your baby. I did what I had to in order to stop him."

"Yes. Now I remember. He was beating me again. He was angry that I chose to keep Harlequin. You stood by and did nothing." Crystal replied accusingly to Maurice.

"I couldn't. You belonged to him. Your father sold you to him to pay his gambling debts. I tried to stop your father from signing the contract by he didn't listen. All he saw you as was a bargaining chip to be sold to the highest bidder. I never stood a chance against my brother."

"Once the contract was signed I begged him to let you free from it. I tried to make him see how cruel it was to force you to pay 💰 your father's debt but he didn't care. He like the fact that he owned you and that he could do whatever he wanted to you and you had no choice but to obey him. He also knew how much I love you and he loved the fact that the woman I loved belonged to him and was forever out of my reach."

"So you sat by and watched him hurt me. You said nothing. You knew the things he made me do and you did nothing to try and stop him." Crystal replied bitterly and Pennywise/Bob smiled.

"That's not true. Why do you think I was the outcast of the group? My brother would take his frustrations out on me every time I stepped in and stopped him from beating you."

Crystal looked downward as if ashamed. "I
didn't know."

"I didn't want you to know. My brother and I had our own contract. If I served him faithfully and did everything he asked of me then he'd release you from the contract your father had signed. However, he kept changing the requirements. He made it nearly impossible for me to meet the price of your freedom."

"Why didn't you challenge him for the right to lead the gang?" Crystal asked with a frown crossing her arms in irritation.

"I couldn't."

"Why not?" She demanded the irritation in her voice evident.

"He said he'd kill you. If I ever challenged him or thought of trying to cause a rift in the gang he'd kill you. Not before he forced me to watch him torcher you. I'm sorry. I know it was selfish, but I just couldn't risk it."

"Why? Did you really think he'd kill me?"

"I couldn't bear the thought of living without you. I love you Crystal. I always have." Maurice replied.

Turning to Bob/ Pennywise Crystal asked "you risked your life to save us. Why?"

"I wasn't about to let a jerk like that get away with abusing such a beautiful young lady like yourself. Or get away with harming such an innocent infant. When I saw that he had beat you up it made my blood boil. I hate men in authority who abuse their power."

"So I offered my protection and when he and his gang challenged me they lost. Now the time has come for you to choose who you want to have protecting your family. This scared young man who couldn't even stand up to his own brother or me."

"Please Crystal listen to me. I have always loved you and I have always been there for you. How many times did Arthur start to beat you and I stopped him? I took those beatings myself rather then see him hurt you. I couldn't stop him from having his way with you but believe me it wasn't from lack of trying."

"I know."

Pennywise/ Robert or Bob for short didn't like where this conversation was heading. "You would chose him?" He said with a hint of irritation in his voice. "If you stay with me I guarantee that No harm would ever come to you or your daughter. We could be a happy family. I'd never let my hunger come between us. You would never float, I give you my word."

"Do you really mean it Bob?"

Pennywise/ Bob smiled and chuckled slightly "my dear sweet Crystal, I never say anything that I don't mean. I can assure you, if I say that you won't float then you won't float. Think about it. You can stay here with me at the circus forever. Never having a worry or care in the world or, you can go with him."

"Crystal please don't let him fool you. He's not who you think he is. This won't go the way you think."

At this, Crystal smiled and replied "of course I know who he is. He's the man that I love." Crystal replied walking over to where Bob/ Pennywise stood and placed her head on his chest.

Pennywise smiled and a loud chuckle escaped his lips. "You loose boy." He replied leaning down and kissing Crystal on the lips who eagerly kissed back.

"I don't know what you did to her but that's not Crystal. You've brainwashed her somehow! She was never free to make her own choice! Was she?" Maurice replied with a frown.

Pennywise just chuckled in reply his eyes sparkling in amusement. "Silly boy. Crystal belongs to me of her own free will. Even if she was free to make her own choice, she'd have never chosen you."

"Let me at least say goodbye to her before I die." Maurice replied with a sigh.

"By all mean say goodbye to your beloved Crystal." Pennywise replied. "Crystal my sweet, the boy has asked to speak to you alone."

"I have nothing to say to you. I told you I love Robert. I want to stay with him. I trust him and I know that he can protect my daughter and I. I can't say the same for you. Nothing you say or do will ever change that." Crystal replied with a frown.

"Crystal please. Please let me say a proper goodbye." Maurice replied.

Crystal frowned "fine whatever! Go ahead say goodbyes to me because I will never choose you."

"I have wanted to give you this since the moment that I first laid eyes on you. I love you Crystal. I always will." Maurice replied kissing her on the lips. Unfortunately, this was no ordinary kiss. This was the kiss of true love and like in all fairytales true loves kiss breaks all spells.

Including Pennywise's hold over Crystal at least that's what Maurice thought would happen. However, this was far from what happened. Instead he found himself being slapped across the face. "What did you do that for?"

"That was for kissing me without permission."

"I was only trying too..."

"Trying to what? Change my decision? Wake up! This isn't some fairytale Maurice! This is real life. I admit, I use to have a crush on you. I use to care about you. I wished that you'd be my knight in shining armor and rescue me from my captor, but that day never came. I may have thought that I loved you, but I don't."

"How could I ever love someone who would rather give up then fight for what he wants? Your just a scared little boy pretending to be rough but your not. You are nothing but a pathetic weak little boy. Robert on the other hand is a strong man who isn't afraid of anything. I won't change my decision. We are staying with Robert. If you really do love me then you will respect my decision and leave us alone."

Pennywise chuckled. "Did you really think that I would let you go free? You humans really are niaeve" Just as Pennywise was about to eat Maurice Harlequin crawled over to him with something in her hands.

Pennywise replied looking down at the small infant slightly confused. He didn't know much about humans except how to become their greatest fears but he was fairly certain that Harlequin was ways to young to be able to crawl let alone walk. "What do did you find princess?"

Harlequin held the small creature up for him to see. Immediately he snatched the turtle out of her hands and growled at throwing the turtle as far away as possible causing Harlequin to start crying.

At this Crystal turned and faced Pennywise. "What did you do?"

"Don't you take that tone of voice with me girl!" Pennywise growled.

Harlequin started toddling towards where Pennywise had thrown the turtle. Maurice stared at Harley in shock. "Ummm Crystal when you were under that Thing's control how many times did you feed Harley?" Maurice asked in concern.

"Like you would any infant. She's hungry about every two hours or so. Sometimes she's even hungrier." Crystal replied. "Why?"

"I think he might have done something to you. Something that is changing your baby. Maybe you should start feeding her formula instead. Until you can flush whatever he did to you out of your system." Maurice replied.

At this, Crystal frowned and pushed away from Him "Don't tell me what to do. I will decide what's best for my daughter." Crystal replied angrily.

At this, Pennywise chuckles "awe isn't that cute a lovers spat." Crystal and Maurice glare at Pennywise who just smiled.

"Oh do shut up!" Maurice replied and then turned his attention back to Crystal. "I only want what's best for the both of you."

Harlequin toddled over to Crystal and pulled at her pant leg. Crystal looked down at her and sighed in frustration. "What do you want?"

"Hungwy." Harlequin replied and again Crystal and Maurice stare at her in shock. Pennywise eyes sparkled in delight and he smiled widely.

"Harlequin you just eat and it's no where near your dinner time." Crystal replied turning her attention back to Maurice.

Harlequin's eyes flashed a bright orange and then a deep red and she let out a low growl. "Hungwy! Hungwy! Hungwy!" She screamed her voice echoing throughout the sewer.

"Crystal, I've told you before that you are never to refuse to feed my little angel even if she's already been fed. She's a growing baby and she needs her milk. If you refuse to feed my little one, then I have no more need for you. Are you ready to float?" Pennywise demanded and Crystal shook her head.

"No." Crystal whispered quietly.

"I didn't think so. So say goodbye to lover-boy and return to the lair. I will be there momentarily to ensure Harley gets the food she needs." Pennywise replied and Crystal sighed and nodded.

"Thank you Maurice, I will never forget what you have done for me but I have to go now." Crystal said sadly as she  walked over to where Pennywise stood.

"You don't have to go with him." Maurice replies and Crystal sighs.

"Yes I do. I gave my word that I would do whatever he wanted me to do. In exchange he wouldn't make me float like all the rest of his prey. He spared my life and he can just as easily end it. I'm sorry." Crystal replied tearfully.

"After you my dear." Pennywise says with a wave of his hand and a huge smirk 😏 on his face.

"This isn't over. Not by a long shot! I'll be back for you Crystal. I won't rest until I can find a way to rescue you from his grasp and undo whatever he's done to Harley. I will save you. I promise."

At this, Pennywise laughs. "Don't make a promise you can't keep boy."

"I will find a way to stop you. Even if I have to die trying."

"Humm. That's distinct possibility. Trust me kid you don't want to pick a fight with me. You'll loose and then you'll float but not before you watch your precious Crystal die." Pennywise replied with an evil chuckle. "So long kiddo! See you again real soon."

Once back in the lair Pennywise turns to Crystal "alright girl back in you go."

"No. Please. Please don't make me. Please I'll do anything but please don't make me your mindless Slave again." Crystal begged but Pennywise has already lifted her up to his mouth and once again she was forced to stare deep into the deadlights. This time Pennywise pushes her closer to his mouth so that the deadlights were within inches of Crystal's face.

"This time no kiss will awaken you from my grasp. Your mine! Your mind, your body and your soul belong to me. You exist only to serve me and when I no longer need you, you will float." Pennywise says inside her mind. "Now my little angel needs to be fed." He says lowering her down and placing Harlequin in her arms.

"Yes Master Pennywise." Crystal replies in a monotone voice. Causing Pennywise to laugh gleefully. Once Harlequin was fed Crystal placed her in the cage marked Pennywise the dancing clown. "Master?"

Pennywise who had been snacking on leftovers slowly turned his head towards Crystal a look of slight agitation on his face. "How many times must I tell you never bother me while I'm eating?"

"I'm sorry Master. I didn't mean to bother you." Crystal replied sadly and Pennywise sighed.

"Tell me what is on your mind? My sweet Crystal?" Pennywise said with a smile revealing his many rows of teeth.

"Did you really mean it when you promised that you wouldn't make me float like all the rest? That we could be a family?" Crystal asked in concern. "Or did you mean it when you said that when I'm no longer useful you'll make me float?" Crystal asked tearfully. "I don't want to float. I am so confused. What are you going to do with me?"

"I told you, I never say anything that I don't mean. However, that being said, I only promised that you wouldn't float so long as you remained loyal and of use to me. I tested that loyalty and you failed. You would have chosen to go with that boy if I had let you. You'd have taken my little Harlequin with you. That is something that I cannot forgive. So yes, Crystal, you will float. Once Harlequin is ready to eat solid foods." At this Harley began to cry.

At this, Crystal fell down at Pennywise's feet. "Please Master give me another chance. I promise, I'll always be loyal to you."

"That is is a lie." Pennywise replied rolling his eyes.

"Please let me explain. I promise that I won't lie to you." Crystal replied her eyes starting to fill with tears.

"You can't lie to me." Pennywise replied with a smile his eyes sparkling in delight. "But by all means, explain to me how your actions weren't one of betrayal."

"When Maurice kissed me and told me that he loved me I realized just how much I care about him. He has always been there for me through everything. He'd give his life for Harlequin and for me. However, He can't protect us especially not from you. I know it's just a matter of time before I float. Harlequin is growing at a rapid rate. Soon she will no longer require being solely breast fed. She will have graduated to solid foods Then you won't need me anymore." Crystal replied sadly.

At this, Harlequin began to cry and Pennywise picked her up and began rocking her in an effort to comfort her. "Shhh Little one it's ok. Everything is alright. "Hush now.

However, Harlequin refuses to be comforted. It was as if she knew that her mother's life depended on her needing her. She looked up at Pennywise starting straight into his blue eyes.
He didn't need for her to talk to know what she was saying to him. "Ma ma no float." Pennywise sighed this was proving much more difficult then he thought.

"Prove to me that your loyalties lie with my daughter and I and then maybe just maybe I shall spare your miserable life." Pennywise replied. "Find and tell that group of delightfully delicious children who call themselves the losers club that I'm back. If you fail however, You will float."

Crystal nods but is completely unsure of how she is going to accomplish this task. She had no clue who the The losers club were. True, she had heard her father mentioning that he use to pick on a group of teens with that nickname when he was younger, but almost all of them were gone. Only one member of the original losers gang still lived in Derry. Ben Hanscom or was it Mike Hanlon? Crystal shrugged who cares? If she wanted to live she'd have to think of something.

Pennywise smiled as he watched her leave the sewer. He knew all too well that the losers club no longer existed. That in fact, they didn't even remember his existence except of course for Ben Hanscom and Mike Hanlon. Since they had remained in Derry they remembered everything. He chuckled evilly he knew that Crystal would not be able to fulfill the task he had set before her. "Excuse me Mr. Hanlon?"

"Can I help you young lady?"

"What can you tell me about Pennywise the dancing clown?"

Mike's eyes went wide. "I'm sorry who?" He asked desperately hoping that he had heard her wrong.

"Pennywise the dancing clown." Crystal says again.

"There's not much to tell. He's a clown and he's evil. Why do you ask?"

"I saw him. At least I think I did. I don't know what I saw anymore. I just know that someone or something is killing my friends. I want, no I need to know how to defeat it." Crystal replied.

"Go home child. Forget about ever hearing the name Pennywise the dancing clown." Mike replied.

"But I..."

"Just go home. Don't worry about it. I will take care of everything."

"You will? How?" Crystal asks curiously.

"My friends and I stopped IT before we will stop IT again. Don't worry no more of your friends are going to die by IT's hands."

Crystal smiles "thank you sir." With that she skips out of the library and down the street stopping at the Nebalt house. Without hesitation she enters the old house. "Master?"

"Yes?" Pennywise says coming out of the shadows.

"I've done as you asked. I told Mr. Hanlon that you were back. He seemed terrified." At this Pennywise smile widened and he began to laugh.

"Well done my sweet. Now the funs just begun." Pennywise says his eyes shining in delight.

Pennywise felt a tug on his pant leg and looked down to see a crying Harlequin. Instantly his face changed into one of concern. "What's wrong little one?"

"Owie." She replied pointing to her mouth.

"Here let me see. Open wide for daddy." Pennywise smiled at what he saw. A row of very sharp teeth had appeared. He knew several other rows would eventually come in. She was progressing at a rapid rate. "Hold on little one I'll be right back." Pennywise replied turning and heading towards a huge pile of old toys. "I know there's one in here somewhere."

He mumbled as he searched for a toy. After searching for s a few minutes he finally found a teething ring. It just had to be frozen first.
Harlequin whimpered and he eventually brought her the teething ring. "Here you go my little angel." Then turning his attention back to Crystal he smiled. "How to deal with you, now that remains a problem."

Crystal shifted nervously looking down at the floor. "You told me that you never say anything that you don't mean. You promised not to make me float if I did what you wanted. I am trying to do everything that you ask of me." Crystal replied sadly.

At this, Pennywise sighed "you are doing well my sweet Crystal. Please don't think that your not pleasing me. You have gone above and beyond what I have asked of you. It's just that I'm not use to allowing any of my victims to survive. That being said, I currently don't need to feast upon your flesh and make you float. Your fear of no longer being useful to me is far too intoxicating."

Meanwhile, back in town Maurice had found his way to the local library in hopes of finding some way to defeat this creature. He overheard a conversation that the librarian was making. "IT is back. You have to come right away. Stan don't you understand IT is back. "Yes I am sure I wouldn't have called you if I wasn't. Yes. A young girl came and told me that she saw Pennywise. Yes I thought we had defeated IT too but somehow IT is back. Please you have to come. Remember your promise."

"Excuse me." Mike practically jumped out of his skin when he felt someone tap his shoulder. "Did you say that you defeated Pennywise before?"

"I'm sorry that was a private conversation. As I told the young girl who told me about seeing him you need to forget ever hearing the name Pennywise." Mike replied.

"I can't. He has kidnapped my girlfriend and our baby. He's holding them hostage."

"If Pennywise has them then they are dead.
You need to forget about them and Pennywise." Mike replied with a sigh. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some very important phone calls to make. The library is now closed. Please go home."

Maurice slammed his fist down on the desk. "I am not going to give up! They are not dead! Now do you or do you not know how to defeat Pennywise?"

"Yes, but it is far too dangerous for you to attempt alone. It took all 7 of us to defeat IT last time and we had thought we had killed IT. Evidently we were wrong." Mike replied with a sigh. "Now please leave. I need to make several phone calls."

"Fine but when you go after that Thing whatever IT is I'm coming with you. I won't let IT take them from me like it did my brother." Maurice replied.

Mike sighed and nodded again. Then proceeded to call Beverly. "Hello Beverly it's Mike Hanlon."

"Who?" Beverly asked slightly confused.

"Mike Hanlon. Do you remember me?"

"Mike of course I remember you. It's been forever how are you?" Beverly asked.

"Not so good. IT's back Bev. IT has come back. Will you come?"

"Of course! I'll be there as soon as I can." Beverly replied.

"Who was that on the phone? What do you think your doing?" Her husband demanded angrily.

"Mike Hanlon. He's an old friend. I know this sounds ridiculous but  I've got to to Maine. There's an emergan..." Beverly was cut off by the force of her husband's hand across her face.

"You need to shut up! Just shut up! Just what do you think you are doing? When I get the offer of a lifetime you expect me to just sit by and let you run off to Maine to some old boyfriend? I saw this coming. You've forgotten your manors little girl. Contradicting me here, smarting off there and now this? It's been too long since last time." Her husband says grabbing a belt from the closet and snapping it.

"Put that thing down." Beverly says never taking her eyes off the belt. "I have to get to O'Hara as fast as possible. There's some trouble some very bad trouble."

"You put those clothes away." Her husband demanded pointing to the suitcase.

"No."

"Then maybe you can leave this house in two days instead of two weeks!" Her husband reply's. However, this time Beverly refuses to stand down.

"No!" She screams again throwing things from the dresser at him. "Never! Not ever! Ever again!" This time she hits him directly on the head and he falls down besides the bed. "If you ever come near me again I will kill you! Do you understand I will kill you!" She growls before rushing out of the house.

Mike proceeded to call the other members of the group and remind them of their promise. Soon the whole gang was back together. That's when he introduced them to Maurice. "This young man told me that Pennywise has what did you say he did?"

"He has....

"IT isn't a he. IT is a thing." Billy replied.

Maurice frowned "whatever. IT has kidnapped my girlfriend and our baby daughter." Maurice IT forced Crystal to stare into something and when IT put her down she seemed completely different."

"The deadlights."

"She only return to her normal self when I kissed her. When she was under that monster's power, he, I mean IT mentioned that it was time to finish her transformation. I don't know what IT did to her, but I know that whatever it was it has effected our baby. She's only a month old and somehow she's crawling and I could have sworn that the last time I saw them she talked."

"She pulled IT's pant leg IT looked down at her and I could have sworn that she spoke not only her first words but her first sentence. She looked up at IT and said da da. Then when IT was about to eat me she tugged on IT's sleeve again and repeated da da and then said me hungry."

The loser's club looked at each other in concern. Just what game was Pennywise playing now? What was he going to do with a baby? "You don't think that Pennywise somehow blackmailed or tricked the mother into willingly giving her baby to him for food do you?"

"Wwhat would mmake yyou ththink that?" Billy replied. Stuttering his words which he hadn't done in years.

"I remember reading of a mother who claimed that she saw a monster in the sewers. It's believed that IT promised the mother that if she gave IT one of her children then IT would spare the rest of her children. Supposedly IT also told the mother that if she didn't she give him one of her children he'd do terrible things to the town and to the rest of her family. The story goes that the mother horrified by the things that IT said IT would do she handed IT her baby and then turned away. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what happened to the infant."

The group shuddered at the thought. "IT eat the baby." Beverly replied horrified and Mike nodded.

"I don't think IT wants to eat my little Harlequin. I think IT's plans for her are far more sinister." Maurice replied.

"What dddo YYou mmmean?" Billy asked stuttering once again. It seems the longer they were in Derry the more he stuttered. He hadn't stuttered in years why now?

A sinister laugh erupted from the edge of the room. "It's because your scared Billy boy." Came the voice of Pennywise though he was no no where to be seen. "Come to join Georgie at last?"

"Nnno! Wwe defeattted YYou bbedfore and wwe wwill do it aagain. Wwe will kkill you and end tthis oonce and ffor all." Billy replied yelling at the darkness.

At this Pennywise laughed "ah yes it's true you've beaten me before but they was a long time ago BBilly BBoy and we were playing a whole different game. You don't stand a chance against me. Go ahead Come challenge me if you dare to. You'll all float down here with Georgie."

"Are you ok Billy? You dazed out for a moment. You were staring off in the distance and talking to the wall as if someone were there."

"Diddint YYou hear IIT? IiT was ttalking ttto me. MMMocking mme." Billy replied.

"What did IT say?" Maurice asked.

"IT tttold mme thhat the rreason II'm stuttering is bbecause II'm aafraid. Then IT llaughedd and asked mmme if III was rready to join Ggeorgie." Billy replied.

"Who is Georgie?"

"Georgie wwas mmy yyounger bbrother. IT mmurdered hhim." Billy replied still stuttering.

"I'm so sorry."

"II hhad fforggotten abbout hhhim. Hhow ccould I fforgget?" He demanded angrily.

"It's not your fault Billy. We all forgot about IT and everything to do about IT when we moved away. I think as adults we would have forgotten about IT if we had stayed too. Remember, IT usually can't be seen by adults. Unless IT wants to be. It makes people forget about the missing children. As well as about all of the violent things IT has caused to happen in this town. It's part of the power that IT holds over the town." Mike replied placing a hand on Billy's shoulder to comfort him.

"So, what are we going to do? IT seems to be as powerful now as it was back then if not stronger."

"We have to fight IT and kill IT for good. We
Can't let this monster continue IT's reign of terror. We need to break the power IT has over this town once and for all. Who's with me?" Billy replied surprising everyone by not stuttering once that entire sentence.

Maurice looked at Billy confused. First he was stuttering like crazy and the next he was speaking like giving speeches was perfectly normal for him.

Meanwhile, back at the sewer Pennywise sighed. He looked over at the infant sleeping in the cage marked Pennywise the dancing clown sadly. He knew that it was almost time for his hibernation cycle. He looked over at Crystal who was asleep beside Harlequin in the cage . Her arm wrapped around Harlequin in a protective embrace. What was he going to do with her?

If he made Crystal float, Harlequin would be alone in the world with no one to understand her while he hibernated. If he made Crystal Harlequin's first official meal, she'd be devastated when she was old enough to understand what she'd done. She might even be angry with him for not stopping her.

If he made Crystal like himself, she might not be able to control her hunger and might hurt his precious Harlequin. It seemed like whatever he chose someone would be unhappy. Why did it have to be this way? He didn't want it to be a lose lose situation but that's the way it was turning out. Unless.... Was there a way to make it so everyone could be happy?

Pennywise's thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of feet in his sewer. He smiled. Those fools had come to fight him in his own territory. This time he wasn't about to let them win. To his surprise and disappointment it wasn't the loser's club but rather a medium size turtle. "Why are you here Maturin? Don't play games with me! I know it's you old friend. Or should I say old nemesis?" Pennywise said with a frown.

The turtle didn't reply instead it walked towards the cage. Harlequin hearing the strange noise woke up her lip began to tremble and her eyes filled with tears. Pennywise picked Harlequin up and gently rocked her back to sleep. "Shhh hush little baby don't you cry daddy's going to sing you a lullaby." As he sang the turtle slowly poked its head out of its shell and looked at him in confusion. "I love you my little princess." Pennywise said kissing Harlequin on the forehead before placing her back in the crib.

"Let the girl and the baby go Pennywise. Don't make me have to take these children away from you by force." The turtle finally said after getting over his initial shock.

"You are welcome to try." Pennywise replied with a sneer.

"Aren't you tired of this fight? We've been doing this song and dance for millennia." Maturin replied with a sigh.

"Your a weak old fool Maturin. You think I'm keeping them prisoners here? I'm not. Crystal chose to be with me of her own free will. I saved both her and her daughter from death. You may not believe me, but I've come to care deeply for them. I will never let anyone hurt them or take them away from me, not even you." Pennywise replied.

Maturin sighed "If we must continue this foolish fight then so be it. I won't let you corrupt these pure souls. You are cursed to remain alone forever, I won't lift that curse."

"You won't take them from me!" Pennywise growls his eyes flashing a bright orange.
Which usually meant that he was hungry however they didn't stay orange. They turned a deep blood red.

"What's going on?" Crystal asked awakening from her sleep due to hearing the argument. Upon seeing the miniature Maturin she frowned. Grabbing the turtle she hurled him across the room causing him to smack his shell against the wall. His shell cracking slightly and causing him to sigh. Pennywise on the other hand is extremely amused and began to laugh. "Who or what are you? What do you want?"

"My name is Maturin and I'm here to help you escape Pennywise's power."

"Escape? We don't need or want your help! We are perfectly happy being here with Pennywise."

"Child..." Maturin replied.

"I am not a child! I have made my decision!"

"But it's the wrong decision. Please consider your daughter's future. You risk her safety by staying here with Him. I know him. He will tire of this game and it will mean the end of both of you. Don't you care about your daughter's safety at all?" Maturin reply's shaking his head.

"How dare You question my love for my daughter! Pennywise loves us." Crystal replied angrily.

"She is incapable of love." Maturin replies.

"First of all No one is incapable of love and everyone even a child eating clown like Pennywise has the right to be loved. Secondly, for someone who supposed to be very wise and smart you're an idiot. Pennywise is a he not a she. You stay away from Us! From all of us! My daughter, myself and Pennywise or I won't hesitate to kill you myself!"

Maturin sighed and Pennywise laughed in delight. "I told you she was mine of her own free will."

"Please listen to reason child. A leopard can not change its spots. My nemisis has always been and will always be a creature of destruction. Pennywise's as you call her/him, only goal is to is to seek out and destroy life. It's been that way since the dawn of time and its is likely to remain so long after this universe dies. You must not trust her/him. If you do your only fooling yourself and putting your child's life in danger."

"Get out!" Crystal growled her eyes flashing a deep red. Upon hearing her mother's angry voice Harlequin awoke and began to cry but smiled when she saw the turtle.

"Tuwtle?" Harlequin said starting to crawl towards the medium sized turtle. However, she didn't get very far as Crystal picked her up and held her tight. She looked up at Crystal and frowned.  "Tuwtle?" She said making grabbing motions towards the turtle.

"No honey, that turtle is bad." Crystal replied. Harlequin looked at her puzzled.

"Tuwtle bad?" Harlequin replied confusion written all over her face.

"Yes sweetheart. The turtle wants to take us away from your daddy." Crystal replied.

Harlequin looked over at the turtle in confusion and frowned. "Why?"

"Pennywise is dangerous. In time He will kill you." Maturin replied.

Harlequin's eyes filled with tears and her lower lip began to tremble. "Daddy?" She whimpered and Pennywise smiled at her.

"I would never hurt you or your mommy princess." Pennywise replied.

At this, Harlequin turned and looked up at Crystal stated "want down!" Crystal sighed and placed her down on the sewer floor. She immediately started to crawl over to where the turtle was located. Pennywise let out a low growl his eyes flashing in anger. Until he realized that she had crawled over to him. She tugged on his pant leg and he looked down at her and smiled. "Daddy?"."

"Yes little one?"

"Hungwy." Harlequin replied.

"And what does my precious little princess want for dinner tonight?"

Harlequin pointed at Maturin. "Tuwtle?" She replied. At this, Pennywise burst into laughter.

"Awww. Is my baby ready to eat solid food?" Pennywise asked with a wide smile.

"Oh no. No. No. No this can't be happening." Crystal whimpered backing away from the group.

Pennywise smiled as he watched Crystal slowly backing away towards the entrance. "Going somewhere Crystal?" He asked in amusement.

"I ummm... I was just going to go to the store to get supplies to make our little Harlequin her first meal."

"Tuwtle bye bye."