CHAPTER TEN
ooox.
CAUGHT UNDER PRESSURE

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SITTING ALONG THE streets curb, my hands found their way into the fur of Frankenstein. Running my fingers along the cats hair, I watched amusingly at the Band members.

With the current events from the rock war before, Mike had tagged along with the mischievous kids. I was no longer the newbie. And to a sense, it sent a breath of relief out of my way cause I was now considered one in the group. I was even more thankful as to have found Frankie alongside them in the forest.

With my feet tapping to the beat of the drums, I watched the Marching Band play along with their instruments, their sound rhythms echoing through my ears. Closing my eyes, I now only focused onto the pattern of notes.

Letting each note feel me with ease, I no longer thought about the clown, or the missing children. I didn't even think of the people around me. I only focused onto the stress relieving music.

"I could totally do that."

With my eyes snapping open, they landed on the boy who sat quite too close to me. Snickering, I shook my head. "Playing the trumpet, or by means any instrument, takes time and practice. You'd probably know that if you took the time to think for once, Richie."

Both of our attentions landed onto the man who slowly marched his way down the street, closer and closer our way. I glanced over to Richie, his eyes glued to the trumpet in the strangers hands. With a single second to spare, I had already knew what had drove in the crazy kids mind.

"Playing something so easy like that takes a maximum of two minutes to learn. Lucky for you, it'll only take one," Richie proudly states, pushing himself off the ground.

"And this brings me any meaning or luck because..." I stated, getting up to my feet as well as I stood to his side.

"Because I'm the master of anything. Trust me. With a single one of these notes, you'll be beggin' for it."

I rolled my eyes, watching him stride his way to the teen with the instrument. "Mind if I borrow this for a second?" Without another word to be muttered, Richie forcefully took the instrument into hand, blowing through the mouth piece in a appalling matter.

Although it was played horrendously, I couldn't stop the fit of laughter I was in as I watched Richie hold tight to the instrument as the older boy tried prying it away. Slightly pushing the back of my hand near my mouth, I tried stifling the bubble of laughter that erupted.

"Kid- come on I- would you please, let go."

Richie had proceeded to hold tight, the band member struggling to take a tighter grasp. With a final tug, he had successfully pulled it away, giving Richie a hard glare as he walked away. Richie held his arms out, watching him take faster steps forward. "Hey, what the fuck dude? I gotta girl over her!"

I made my way towards the heated boy, letting out a whistle as I was unable to clap my hands together. "That was some show," I giggled out. "Maybe next time you'll be marching with them," I sarcastically state, earning a smirk.

"Admit it, you found it hot." Richie put each of his hands on his hips, only earning an eye roll from me.

I looked back to where the rest of the group stood, all huddled in a circle with hushed voices. Eddie had found his way to my side, his hand outwards as he held a cone with sparkling vanilla white ice-cream. "I'd rather you have it then him."

I laughed, both Eddie and I watching Richie briskly move his arms up. "I'm right here, you know. Just saying. It's not like I have feelings." He swiftly took the cone out of Eddie's hand, taking a large bite.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Eddie questioned, the three of ours attentions now fixated on the other.

"What they've always been talking about for the past few days."

"Then I guess we should listen," I stated, walking over to the rest.

"To my extent, I actually think it'll end. At least, for a little while." Ben's words was what caught my attention, my feet walking faster as I was now amongst the group.

"What do you mean?" I stated, confused but more intrigued at what was going on.

"Back at my place, I was charting out all the data and research I had on all the big events. The Ironworks Explosion in 1908. The Bradley Gang in 1935, and The Black Spot in 1962. And now with all the kids... I realized that all this stuff seems to happen-"

"Every 27 years." My voice became low as I finished off his sentence, my heart beating faster as more puzzles came to attach in this difficult game. Everything is slowly piecing itself together, and yet I still haven't the fullest clue as to what is going on.

With a tighter hold on to Frankie, a booming voice had seem to cut through the thick air. Even everyone in the group had a made a slight jump when all of our attentions turned to the older man a few feet away. With wide eyes, I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks as I faced a rather angry father.

"Who the hell is th-"

"Shut up, Ruh-Richie," Bill whispered, Eddie hitting him against his side.

Oh, not now. Why now? Taking a deeper breath, I made my way towards my father. He held his toolbag in one hand, dropping it to the ground as his arms crossed over his chest. You did it this time, Monet. You screwed up. Smiling weakly, I could only hope for the best. But as I stared up to my father, everything was soon drawn down as he didn't smile back. No words were spoken between the two of us, just continuance silence. "Dad, I-"

"Do you mind telling me what the hell you're doing out here? I thought we talked about this back at the house. Get Frankie some food, then head home."

I nodded at my fathers comment, remembering how after the last incident, he put me under 'house arrest.' At least, thats's what I called it. Although I knew I wasn't supposed to leave home, I couldn't have left Beverly. She needed the help and I gave it.

"Yeah, I know. I just, got carried away thats all," I whispered, taking turns of giving the floor and my father attention. "I'm sorry I disobeyed you, and I know that's not like me, but-"

"Are you hanging out with the little crew over there?"

My head snapped up as I quickly took a glance behind me, everyone quickly looking away as if they weren't caught in the act. "Yeah, I've been hanging out with them recently." I took a smaller step towards my dad, my voice lowering a bit as a small smile crept on my lips.

"I-I actually found kids, Dad. People I can hang out with. I don't have to be stuck in the house all summer anymore. Aren't you proud?"

I watched the emotion on my fathers face, trying to find any remorse of happiness for me. But I wasn't able to find a single sight of proudness. "Monet... I-I don't know if thats the right crowd."

My brows scrunched in confusion, slightly taken back as to what he said. The right crowd? What the hell does that mean? "I don't understand-"

"The kids, Monet. They aren't.... Okay, how do I word this." He let out a heavy sigh, scratching the back of his neck as I only watched in confusion. "Let's start off with him. The Toizer's kid. He's not.. right in the head. He's something like his parents."

I bit the inside of my cheek, Frankie's fur the only comfort I took.

"And the Denbrough's son. His brother was found missing and- I can't take that chance of losing you. And Marsh's daughter-"

"Those rumors aren't true." My voice had slightly rose, now taking the small step back. "That doesn't m-matter, Dad. I found people I can hang out with, people that I can call friends. I'd actually thought I would get a better reaction."

My dad closed his eyes, letting out a tired sigh. Why was he the one who was tired? "Honey, I am proud, trust me. Seeing you with these kids, though. I'm not sure if I can allow-"

"No." My head was now held up, staring directly into my dads eyes as he was now the one who was confused. Carrying Frankie upright, I watched the emotion from my fathers face change.

"What did-"

"No. I will not stop hanging out with them. I-I don't care if you don't like them, or if they aren't a good influence. I'm not taking that chance, not anymore."

My father watched me bewildered, his mouth forming into a thin line as I now knew what was going to happen. "I want you home. Now. I don't want another single word muttered until we get home." His hand had reached for my arm, but I pushed myself back.

I could feel my throat tighten as fresh tears brimmed my eyes, threatening to pool. Shaking my head, I took one more step back.

"I'm not doing your games here. I want you home, now." My fathers voice was demanding, but I didn't dare give into the tone of his voice.

With another shake of my head, I held in the cry of hiccups that pleaded to come out. Pursing my lips together, I quickly turned around. Running over to the group, I placed Frankie into the basket.

"Guys, come on, lets go," I croaked, eyes darting to the ground as I didn't hesitate to jump onto my bike and ride away. Close behind was everyone else, the calls of my father fading away as the tears on my cheeks found their new home.

...

"SO WERE ALL just going to agree that IT comes out for about a year, to only feed on kids and go back into hibernation?" I crossed my arms, looking around to the seated kids next to me. With slight nods, I let out a deep chuckle. "That doesn't make sense."

"Maybe they're like those bugs, you know." Stan began to snap his fingers, a lightbulb flicking on as he now pointed. "Cicadas. They always come out every seventeen years."

My fingers fiddled along with each other, my attention downwards. My fathers yells echoed throughout my mind over and over without a stop. Constantly it played and slowly began to eat out. I couldn't get out the disappointment I heard in his voice, and I didn't know if I could ever.

Never once has he been that disappointed in me. Did I do the right thing?

"My grandfather thinks this town is cursed. He said that everything bad in this town is caused by a single thing. Something evil... that only feeds off the people of Derry."

Mike's words processed into my mind, looking up into the worried faces of the group.

"But, it can't just be one thing. I mean, we all saw something different, right?" Stan's voice came out chilled, sending goosebumps down my body as I remembered the first encounter I had. IT was in my room. Although slight memories of the old Raggedy Ann doll came into mind, that wasn't something I was horrified of.

It wasn't the talking doll, or how its voice changed. It was being alone. I couldn't imagine not having anyone on my side. My eyes traveled to the one thing that kept me sane if no one was around. Frankie had been peacefully seated into bikes basket. The one thing I couldn't live without of, was my best friend. I never felt alone with him. He had always been there for me. And I was going to do everything in my body to keep it that way.

"It could be that. But, maybe IT knows what we're scared of. And that's why we see it."

"I-I saw a leaper," Eddie stated, his voice low as his eyes traveled along the group. "He was like a walking infection. It was so.. fucking disgusting." Eddie mumbled the last part, slightly shivering under the memory he made contact with IT.

"But you didn't. Because IT isn't real. None of our images our real. Not Eddie's leaper, or Bill seeing Georgie. Or... the horrid woman I keep seeing."

"Well, I mean, is she hot?" Richie stated.

I rolled my eyes, rubbing my temple with my fingers as I tried calming myself down. With everything coming together, it now all made sense.

"No, Richie, what the hell? She is not hot. Her face is all jacked up."

"No, Stan. This can't be a bad dream, or some fucked up fantasy land. This is reality. I-I saw something too." My voice came out hoarse, Beverly nodding in agreement.

"I agree. I know the difference between a bad dream and real life. You guys know that burnt down house on Harris Avenue?" Everyone now was intrigued with Mikes words, listening intently.

"I was inside when it burnt down. Before I was rescued... both my parents were trapped. They were in the next room over from me. All they kept doing was pushing and pounding on the door, trying to get to me."

My heart began to ache as I listened to the death of Mikes mother and father. Each word he described was pinned with pain and hurt.

"But... it was just too hot for them. After the firefighters arrived, the skin on their hands had been melted off to the bone." Mike's head lay low, my hand meeting his shoulder as I gave him a reassuring squeeze.

"We're all just afraid of something," Beverly stated.

A sudden pop of a ballon was heard from behind Richie, the boy jumping at the loud noise as the clown feet behind us reached out to him. "Y-You got that right."

My eyes traveled over to Frankenstein once again, my heart skipping a beat as I only had a sheer thought of what could happen to him. Nothing. Nothing was going to happen. My fear of losing him was strong, but there was no way in hell was I going to let IT get him.

Howdy my Dudes. I'm updating really late, WOW.

I know what you may alb thinking:

"WHERE THE HELL ARE THE BILL AND MONET/MILL SCENES??"

I'm really sorry, I don't know what the hell has gotten into me. TRUST ME THOUGH, next chapter.... ;)

What did you guys think of this chapter? This was by far the most hated I made, oh my lord. But, I hoped you guys liked it anyway. Also, something's going on with Monet and her father.... UH OHH.

I just want you guys to know that next chapter, is when my cute lil' couple of kids start BLOOMING A RELATIONSHIP. I don't know if you'll be ready.

So, now you guys officially know what Monet's fear is! It's being alone, but it's mostly losing her best friend. (BABY FRANKIE) lets just hope this Pettywise lil' MF don't touch him.

Anyway, hoped you guys enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to leave a comment on what you though about it and vote!!!

Have a goodnight/day!! :)