Disclaimer: Believe it or not I don't actually own any of the characters from the film 'Stand By Me' or the novella 'The Body' by Stephen King on which it is based. Even the characters I have made up were probably subconsciously lifted from elsewhere. _

Chapter One

"Well, what do you reckon then? " Jack asked his sister.

"Seems alright to me. It's not exactly the most exciting place to live but it could be worse I suppose" Kate answered. "Besides, so long as this town ain't filled with same type of people as Riverhill was, I'll be happy."

"We might not be so lucky. Get a load of this guy up ahead." Jack recognised the swagger immediately despite never having laid eyes upon him before in his life. 'There's one in every town' Jack thought to himself. The youth was heading straight for them, flanked by a pair of hapless looking individuals who no doubt worshipped the ground he walked on. The all too familiar mixture of loathing and pity washed over Jack even before his first exchange with the delinquent that he would later learn was called Ace Merrill.

"What the fuck are you looking at?" Ace spat.

"Someone who's trying too hard" retorted Kate.

"Well boys, who would have believed it? The little girl has an attitude. What about your friend here has he got something to say too?"

"Just back off and leave us alone, okay?" Jack said through gritted teeth.

"Now why would I want to do that? It's not like anyone is going to stop me now, is it?" Ace said with a smirk, stepping forward so he was right in Jack's face; a move that was met by sniggering approval from his cronies.

"Don't you dare touch him" Kate warned causing further amusement.

There was a short silence as Jack tried to keep control of himself.

"Tell me, what's it like being a walking stereotype; where the best you can hope to see in other people's faces is fear? Your act isn't gonna work this time. We're not intimidated by you" Jack said slowly, looking into the eyes of the bully. Ace maintained his cocky grin.

"Look kid, seeing as you clearly don't know who you're talking to, I'm gonna give you a second chance and let you off lightly. You caught me in a good mood today, but you can bet your life I won't be so…generous next time." Ace had barely finished speaking before he shoved Jack to the ground. Kate tried to stop him but instantly found herself restrained by one of the other boys. Ace delivered a swift kick to Jack's ribs and then he and his gang walked away laughing.

"J, are you okay? Can you sit up?" Kate asked worriedly.

"I'm fine Katie, don't worry. It's nothing really" He lied. Despite the pain, Jack struggled to his feet, and dusted himself off. He tried to give his sister a reassuring smile but it came out as more of a grimace in truth.

"I gotta say that was pretty impressive" said a voice behind them. Jack and Kate turned round to see who was addressing them and saw that it was boy about their age with short, fair hair and a smile on his face. He was accompanied by a brown-haired boy who was a little bit shorter with a much smaller frame than his friend. Despite the friendly expressions on the strangers' faces, Jack was suspicious of their intentions. A kick in the ribs will do that to you.

"Yeah I'm sure I looked like a true hero as I lay on the pavement" he said sarcastically.

"I mean the way you stood up to Ace" the boy laughed. "There aren't many kids in Castle Rock brave enough to tell him what they really think. I'm Chris by the way." The other boy named himself as Gordie as well.

"Yeah well let's just say I've met a fair few 'Aces' in my time" Jack said smiling at Chris. "I'm Jack and this is my twin sister Kate. We've only just moved here."

"Hi" said Kate who had suddenly become a bit shy.

"If you have any trouble with Ace again, you can count on me and Gordie to stand beside you. We might not be able to stop him but one things for sure, we'll all have to be on the ground before he can walk away" Chris said with such sincerity in his eyes that Jack couldn't help grinning.

"Really?" asked a surprised Kate. "Why would you do that for two kids you've only just met?"

"Chris may not look too clever but he's smart enough to realise that anyone brave enough to speak their mind to Ace Merrill is worth getting to know" answered Gordie and all four of them laughed. Not that it stopped Chris giving Gordie a quick punch to the arm.

"Looks like it's starting to rain. Maybe we should head back home Kate" said Jack with an unmistakeable hint of disappointment.

"We have a treehouse we could all hang out in if you wanted to" suggested Chris who seemed as reluctant to part company as Jack.

Kate looked at her brother. "Sounds like a plan!"

As they set off for the treehouse Jack couldn't help but think that he and his sister might have gotten lucky in moving to Castle Rock after all.

This is my first ever fanfic so honest reviews would be greatly appreciated!