*Chapter 11: Voice of an Angel*

A few days passed, and Halloween was over. It's now November. Things have slowed down after Halloween. Belle have been watching children with their parents pass by the house. Children thought it's a haunted house for the event, but the parents talk them out of coming inside the house. Belle was grateful that Pennywise didn't even lure the children in the house, but he did go out there at night. Belle has been asked to go out with him to look for prey, but she excused herself that night to stay in. She didn't want to watch Pennywise eat children in front of her eyes. Some of the kids went out without parents, only friends. More children went "missing" a past few days, same as adults. Belle uses her Shine to check on the Denbroughs, and she giggled when she sees Georgie and Bill dress as the Ghostbusters along with their friends, Richie, Eddie, and Stan. Even Georgie got more treats after people heard about his missing arm from the attack. He deserved good respect. Good thing Bill and his friends kept the little boy close to them at all times.
Belle had been learning about using her powers besides the Shine. She can read minds, teleport, and heal wounds. What amazes her is that she is so much strength like Pennywise. She is no longer a weak woman. She had tried using shapeshifting, but nothing happens. She only has half of the abilities Pennywise had given her. At least the powers she has aren't very difficult, except her eyes turn gold whenever she is hungry for blood outside. She still sees herself as a monster on the inside.

XX

One day, Belle is wandering around the dusty living room and notice the old piano covered in dust and cobwebs. She presses the keys and the piano can still make sounds. She smiled a little. She sat on a chair and started to play a melody. Music started to fill in the quiet old house. Belle press the keys and begin to sing softly.

"There only so much,
That a heart can take,
Before it starts to break.
Please don't make me love you.
Please don't make me need you.
I've no room in my life,
For something like this."

She frowned a little when the song she is singing reminds her of the situation she is in now, but this is different. She heard this song from a musical that is underrated, but she remembers it. She continued to sing to herself, playing the piano.

"Please don't take my mornings.
Please don't steal my summers.
I know they will vanish,
The moment we kiss.
I grow weak when we talk,
I'm confused when we touch,
I should just walk away,
But that's asking too much."

Beneath the house, Pennywise comes out of the well and started to hear Belle's singing voice for a first time. He is intrigued by this. He did want to hear her sing someday, but right now, she is singing. But, she sounds sad while singing. Pennywise quietly walked up the steps to follow the voice. The clown peeked around the doorway to see his mate playing the piano, singing a song. He wouldn't interrupt her. He wanted to hear her.

"Please don't make me do this.
Please don't make me want this.
All my dreams were taken,
Until I met you.
Your the one I think of.
Soon as I awaken.
Funny how the heart tells,
The mind what to do."

Belle almost broke into tears as she sang, unaware that Pennywise was watching and listening to her. She kept going.

"I'm not sure I can go through all,
The joy and the pain,
Much better now,
To let these dreams take flight!
Please don't make me love you.
Please don't make me need you.
Simplify my life,
Just by setting me free.
Promise me you'll do this,
Only you can do this."

When her voice raises, Pennywise's ears were full of pleasure. Such a voice this woman has. She isn't kidding that she took singing classes before, and yet she sings lullabies to children. The clown wanted more. Then, Belle sings softly near the end of the song.

"Please don't make me love you.
Unless you love me..."

As soon as the music dies, she felt a presence behind her. She turned to see Pennywise standing there in awe. His eyes are blue this time. The clown slowly approached her and kneel before her.

"You sound...like an...angel." Pennywise spoke. Belle almost smiled at the last part. She dried her eyes with a sleeve. "Do more."

"Oh, I don't know if I can-"

"I want more, Belle." Pennywise said. His tone didn't sound very demanding, it sounds pleading. Did he really love her singing voice? "Sing another for me."

"Well, sure." Belle faces the piano keys again. She started to think of another song to sing for him. Maybe one of them from Phantom of the Opera she told Robert about. She started to play the piano. Pennywise stood next to the piano with a smile, waiting for her to begin. Belle took a breath and begin to sing. She had to sing alone in this one since Pennywise doesn't know any of the songs from this musical.

"No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears;
I'm here, nothing can harm you,
My words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom,
Let daylight dry your tears;
I'm here, with you, beside you,
To guard you and to guide you."

Pennywise shuts his eyes, letting his ears have the pleasure. Whenever Belle sings, he started to feel...peaceful. Even his heart was beating differently. He feels...different on the inside. Belle notices that Pennywise wasn't looking at her, but she could tell that he is listening to her. She couldn't help but to smile a little.

"Say you love me every waking moment,
Turn my head with talk of summertime.
Say you need me with you now and always;
Promise me that all you say is true,
That's all I ask of you.
Let me be your shelter,
Let me be your light;
You're safe, no one will find you,
Your fears are far behind you.
All I want is freedom,
A world with no more night;
And you, always beside me,
To hold me and to hide me.
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime;
Let me lead you from your solitude.
Say you need me with you, here beside you,
Anywhere you go, let me go too,
That's all I ask of you."

As she plays the melody on the piano, Pennywise stares at her, overwhelmed by this. This strange feeling he has inside him wouldn't go away. He never felt anything like this before. He couldn't figure out what it is. Belle sings again, making eye contact with a clown.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime;
Say the word and I will follow you.
Share each day with me,
Each night, each morning.
Say you love me!
Love me, that's all I ask of you."

She ended the song here. She looked up at Pennywise who look like he wanted to burst any minute. Belle got up from the seat, brush down her jeans to get the dust off. Pennywise finally spoke.

"That was...beautiful, my dear." He said. "Maybe...we could sing together...someday."

"Yeah, someday." Belle said, brushing her hair behind her left ear, looking away. "I'm glad you...like the song. It was sung by Christine and Raoul, admitting they love each other on the rooftop. And the Phantom's heart was broken when Christine didn't love him. But, the song is one of my favorites. Same goes with Music of the Night."

"When I am Robert, I will...sing with you in return." The clown said. "But, I must know the words. Would you write them down?"

"Sure." Belle replied. "I'll write down the lyrics for you. So, now what? Are you here to take me out to hunt as always?" Pennywise can see that Belle isn't hungry at this time. He will let this slide for now. He told her that he must go out there and feed. He left the house and won't return in a little while. Belle sat back down to face the front doors of the house. Pennywise is gentle this time since she sang. And she isn't afraid of him she usually does the past few days. Whenever he's Robert, she's more comfortable, but as Pennywise, just scared a little. Now, she isn't. She can also feel his calmness around him. And his eyes are blue instead of yellow.

'He's only new to stuff I told him about. Doesn't mean anything.' Belle thought. She got up to return to her room.

Kyle walked in the library and see the head librarian. He asks her if Belle was seen at all around town since it's been many days. Of course, the head librarian told him she hasn't seen her. Kyle began to worry for Belle. He started to think she had gone missing like the kids have.
The young man left the library to get to the police station, but he stopped when a car passes by and it is Bowers' gang. Henry rolled the window down to see Kyle.

"Let me guess. You looking for the so-called guardian?" He asked with a smirk.

"Belle could be dead." Patrick taunted as Belch started to laugh. "She could be with those missing little kiddies. Some guardian."

"When was the last time you guys seen her?" Kyle asked, ignoring their taunts. Henry scoffed.

"I don't know. And I don't care." He said. "I think this town is better off without that bookworm. Who needs her?" With that, the car took off. Kyle groaned in annoyance and walk off to get to the police station. People have been asking for Belle recently, so Kyle must have the missing posters up if anyone could find Belle. She is needed in town. The children need her. They need their guardian.

*Author's Note: I couldn't help but to put the reference from Stranger Things Season 2 where the kids dress up as the Ghostbusters. I had to put that there! LOL
Don't worry guys, this story won't be a musical. Just 3 or 4 songs in the story.*