Disclaimer: As previously stated, I don't own anything associated with the book, nor film adaptations of IT. I merely own my imagination and Original Character.


Chapter One: Blood Promise.

X. "I am the devil, and I'll eat you whole." X.


He was watching her again—the childish aura surrounding her nothing but a beacon beckoning him forward, a small temptation that hindered him from doing what instinct demanded.

It irked him at how absorbed she was in her own little world—unaware of the darkness lurking about her. His mouth once more salivated at the thought of sinking his teeth into her flesh, to feed of her fear—to devour her whole, and yet the thought of harm coming upon this sudden obsession of his made him bristle in anger.

These emotions, unwarranted and unneeded, it confused him, and he was not one to allow such hinderance to befall him. "Would you like a balloon?"

Perhaps it was the absence of fear within her round, doe eyes that had drawn him to her in the first place, for the moment she gazed up at him, eyes filled with such intense curiosity, how could he even fathom of ever harming a hair on her head?

"Penny..." His little lamb murmured in delight, her pudgy fingers twitching in silent anticipation as she gazed longingly at the red balloon clutched in his grasp. "I thought you'd forgotten about me."

For a six year old, he found himself rather surprised at how profound her vocabulary was—another aspect which made his obsession grow larger with each passing moment he found himself within her presence.

Naïve you are, my little lamb. He giggled at the pout she made, little lips puckered and sticking out, he knew that she couldn't stay mad at him—not with the promise of gifts and sweets.

Because after all, all children loved the sweet smell of cotton candy and melting chocolate.

His little lamb was no different. He giggled at the thought once more, the gleeful look shimmering behind her doe eyes nothing but a reminder that patience was the key.

"Oh," he murmured in delight, his voice going off in a high pitch before a frown formed on his face, "—Penny would never forget you. No, impossible for Penny to forget you. It is you who'd forget me."

He despised himself for speaking in such a tone, to a impudent child no less—one of which he found himself infatuated with, no less.

But as his words finally settled in, a horror unlike any other flashed across her face and he was rewarded for the sheer patience he had executed in the past three months—for nothing pleased him more at the knowledge of what she was about to utter.

"I would never forget you," she protested in a meek, little voice, arms flailing as she stumbled off the wooden swing she had occupied moments before. "I'd never do such a thing. You're my friend, Penny."

Yes, yes. Such a naïve little lamb. On your way to the slaughtering house.

And yet the mere knowledge that she regarded him as a friend made him falter—even if it was for the briefest of seconds. Ignorant to the true danger standing before her, one of whom could rip the very flesh from her bones, he found himself flabbergasted at the truth shimmering beneath her gaze, her fingers deftly tightening on the furls of his sleeve.

"A friend?" He murmured in a fake, astonished tone, eyebrows drawn together in thought. He found himself wondering whether she'd rethink that simple statement, had she known what he truly was.

He who fed on those unfortunate enough to fall within his grasp. How had the tables turned? "You don't believe me," she sniffled, the sudden promise of tears brimming at the corner of her eyes—for a deep silence formed between the child and IT.

What had drawn him to this impudent little thing? He had never cared for the well being of anyone, let alone anything, other than himself and yet what were these emotions brewing within him?

But before he could even mull on the unwarranted thoughts shifting through his mind, his unnatural golden gaze caught the sudden flash of determination settling across her face.

He continued to watch her, even as she stumbled away from him, and for a moment, he had thought she'd finally realized the truth behind it all.

Dumbfounded —the sudden appearance of such an emotion wracking trough him was something he highly despised, despite being intrigued at the same time— his senses burst at the sudden copper tang permeating the air; for her blood filled his lungs and burnt his throat.

His little lamb had not the tiniest of clues of what she had just done—of what this entitled. It made the beast within him growl in pleasure at the stubborn naivety she possessed.

"Let's make a promise." And she beamed up at him, despite the brief flash of pain shimmering within her eyes. His gaze traveled towards the precious droplets of blood oozing from the cut on her palm.

He could feel his hunger spike, his mouth salivate, and his fingers twitch. It stung—for he had dug the sharp rock deep into his own flesh. He barely thought about the repercussions of what this encounter would bring him later in life, but the knowledge that she would be his, forever, well it was a rather pleasing thought.

For as the two intertwined their bloodied hands in a silent promise, he knew that life was about to take on a whole new meaning.

For she had just sold her soul to the devil himself—for as he recited his own promise in return, he vowed to himself that he'd never let his little lamb go.

For the entertainment of a clown comes with a high price—a debt he'd be collecting sooner, rather than later.

I am the devil, and I'll eat you whole.


Author Note: I have absolutely no idea how I should feel about this chapter, as it is an introduction to the severity of what would soon be an unbreakable bond between an naïve, innocent child and IT.

A blood pact is not for the faint of heart, which made it rather appealing to use in this case.

This will be a slow burn, as I wish to delve into detail at how their bond forms over the years, including that of which where IT is absent. I really hope that this chapter wasn't at all disappointing, as I would like to thank everyone who has read this so far.

I'll include their first encounter in the next chapter and how their friendship grew from then. This is a simple teaser as to what should be expected. For the acts of such an innocent promise had changed the course of her life; for better or worse, it shall remain to be seen.

I would also like to thank the following people for adding this story to their alerts, as well as those who favorited this story, despite it being a meager start.

Thank you for the support:

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Cannot wait to hear what you lot think of this. Also on the side note; if there are any grammar mistakes or incorrect information within each chapter, please inform me and I'll do all I can to correct it. Once more, thanks for the support.

Much love,

Elizabeth Stryder.