Chapter 1

1959

"I was 12 years old going onto 13 when I met the boys for the first time. I didn't know it then, but they would change my life forever."

Allie Haines. Or just Allie around castle rock. She was twelve years old when she met the boys. They were bruised and beat up sitting on the curb of the Blue Point Diner. Allie stopped to ask them if they were okay and became instant friends with them.

Vern and Teddy were Allie's least favorite of the group. Vern turned out to be a complainer and what Allie called a "pussy." He was chubby and the most clueless of the group. Teddy always hit on Allie making comments about her body and looks. He was the craziest of them all.

Gordie was Allie's best friend. He was the skinniest and smallest of the group, but Allie knew he would grow up good looking and have all the girls after him. His brother died a few months before Allie met him, but she could tell a piece of him died when Denny passed. He was Allie's neighbor but never seem to notice her until that summer of 1959. Chris was also Allie's best friend. He was caring, gentle and just an all around good person. Chris was the bad boy of the group but Allie never thought so. Sure he came from a bad family but that meant nothing to Allie.

Allie came from a bad family but that didn't define her. Her brother Jonathan was a member of the Cobras. The Cobras. They never left Allie alone. It was always something. Allie climbed the ladder of the tree house and did the secret knock. Chris opened the door and helped Allie inside. The boys were still playing cards.

"I knock," Teddy said holding up his cards so no one could see them.

"You lie," Chris said.

"He is bluffing," Allie said.

"Shut up Allie," Teddy yelled at her. "No I am not." Chris showed his hand to Teddy who threw his cards down in frustration. Chris had a higher hand.

"Thanks a lot Allie," Teddy said to her. "Gordie did u see Amber's tits when we were at the lake?"

"They are getting bigger and bigger" Gordie said laughing.

"Yeah" Vern said acting like he knew what they were talking about.

"Guys we have a lady present" Chris said pointing to Allie.

"A lady? I don't see a lady" Teddy laughed.

"Thanks Teddy" Allie said throwing cards at him.

"Come on Allie your one of the guys not a lady," Vern said.

"I knock," Chris says taking a drag of his cigarette.

"I am to a girl," Allie cried folding her arms in front of her chest.

"Relax Allie it was a joke," Chris said "You are a girl. Our girl."

Our girl. That was true. The boys looked out for Allie especially when Eyeball and Ace were around.

Allie walked down the street with her arms folded around her chest. Chris was next to her walking her home. It was getting dark and the nights would be getting longer.

"Don't let Teddy bother you," Chris said shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Teddy is an ass," Allie said.

"Yeah that's why you shouldn't let him bother you," Chris said stopping in front of Allie's house. "Hey you still coming to the diner tomorrow?"

"Yea I will be there," Allie said. "I'll cya Chris."

"Not if I see you first."

Allie made her way out of her house and down the dirt road. Gordie had already left and decided not to stop at Allie's house first to pick her up. Allie hated walking alone. Especially since she knew the Cobras were out looking for trouble. Allie could see the diner and could see the four boys inside eating already.

"Look boys," Allie heard a familiar voice say. "It is Allie." The Cobras stepped from an alley and surrounded her.

"Not again," Allie whispered to herself. This was not the first time Allie had been corned by the Cobras and it probably would not be the last. Her brother Jonathan came into view. He didn't even act like her brother.

"Where are you going Allie," her brother asked.

"None of your damn business," she yelled at him. "Leave me alone, don't you have other people you can torment."

"No Allie you're the only person today. Unless your hanging out with Chris and Gordie. We can pick on them to." Jonathan said walking closer to her.

"Go fuck yourselves," Allie yelled. That was probably not the best thing to say but the only thing Allie could think of. Allie could see the anger in Ace's eyes. He grabbed her and pushed her against the wall. He didn't like being spoken to like that. Especially from a 12 year old.

"Take it back," Ace said holding her against the wall.

"No," Allie yelled. Ace hit her across the face. Allie would have fallen to the ground from the force if it wasn't for Ace holding her up.

"Take it back" Ace said again.

"Hitting her wont help, she is use to being hit by our father," Jonathan said laughing.

"Come on man lets go," Eyeball said. He pulled Ace by the arm and dropped Allie to the ground. The Cobras left Allie sitting on the sidewalk. Her back against the wall. Tears started to build up in her eyes. She knew she would have a bruise.

"Allie?" a voice asked. Allie looked up to see Chris and Gordie standing in front of her.

"What happened" Chris asked kneeling in front of her.

"The Cobras," was all Allie said before she started crying.

"Where are they," Chris said standing up.

"Gone," Allie said.

"Here" Chris said offering his hand to her. Allie took it and Chris pulled her up.

"Come on we will walk you home." Chris said sliding his arm around her shoulders.

The walk wasn't far to Allie's house. The trio said nothing to each other. What should they say?

"I am sorry I didn't walk with you," Gordie said facing Allie.

"It is okay," Allie said.

"We could have been their," Chris said touching the bruise lightly.

"It is okay really, nothing I am not use to," Allie joked but received no laughs.

"We will see you tomorrow. First day of junior high."

"Yeah I'll cya tomorrow."

"Allie…." Chris called, but Allie didn't turn around, just kept walking to her house. Alone.