Chapter 15 - A Deal

That evening I pulled one of the kitchen chairs up to the window and sipped on a freshly brewed tea. I sat there for hours watching out the window as the sun slowly went down; the shadows on the ground lazily grew longer, creeping across the cracks and corners till they consumed the entire town.

Part of me really wanted him to come back. I wanted to look into his eyes again. NO. I wanted to challenge him again; I wanted fight through the spell he had put on me and end this sickening illness that infested Derry.

I found myself lost back in the moment when his eyes met mine before he disappeared; the fear, the confusion, the longing. For the first time, his presence was comforting, and I wanted to be there, with him. I was drawn to him like moth to a flame, and I didn't understand why. He is the monster consuming this town, how could I have let him toy with me like that?

KNOCK, knock, knock!

The sound pulled me back to reality and I jumped; spilling some of my tea down the front of my sweater. I flinched, expecting it to be hot, but it was stone cold. How long was I sitting here for? I asked myself as I looked back out the window to see that night had fallen and the streets were dark.

I placed my tea cup down on the side table and got out of my chair; I looked out the window one more time, and to my surprise, I saw nothing but the erie darkness of the streets. I sighed as I turned around to answer the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Coming!" I shouted.

I approached the door and looked through the peek hole. Shit, its Beverly. I suddenly became nervous. What would she think of me now? I decided not to tell her what happened and took in a deep breath before opening my door. "Beverly, hello." I said as naturally as possible.

Beverly walked into the door and gave me a funny look. She looked as if she was scanning me from head to toe as she crossed her arms, and then took a second glance at my shirt.

"You have something spilled all over the front of your sweater."

I quickly looked down to see the wet tea stain.

"Oh! Haha. Yea, sorry that just happened. Uh, the door made me jump, and - Uh, so stupid." I pulled the sweater off and chucked it on the couch across the room. "What brings you here?"

Beverly continued to stare at me; her nose scrunched up as if she could smell something fishy.

"I came to talk about tomorrow. I didn't hear back from you after we spoke this morning, so I figured I'd come over." She paused and looked at my forehead. "Nikita, didn't you have a scrape and a bruise on your face?" She leaned forward and tried to move my bangs out of the way, but I dodged her hand and moved them around myself.

"Oh, yea, I did - but its - in my hair line now. It sure is nice that you can't see them any more, eh?"

"Yea, I guess." She looked at the chair parked in front of the window, and slowly looked back to me. "Nikita, are you okay?"

"Yea, I'm great. Why?"

"Cuz you're acting all sketched out."

More nerves hit me like a wave; I felt them flowing down my arms and down my legs as I the temperature in the room suddenly began to increase.

"No, nothing is wrong. I'm just nervous for tomorrow." My arms slapped my hips, then crossed over my chest. Way to be natural, you idiot.

"Yea, I don't blame you." Beverly walked over to the couch and sat down. I felt a twinge of relief as she looked to be brushing my weirdness off. "So what is the plan?"

"To be honest, I don't know." I said as I moved the chair away from the window and sat beside her on the couch.

I looked out the window again, but there was no change; the same dark street remained empty.

"What did you gather today? Earlier you had mentioned needing to get something ready?"

"Oh, I bought this." I pulled out the bowie knife from my belt and handed it to her. "I carved the same markings, and performed the same ritual that Madam Moora did on this talisman," I held the talismn in my hand and lifted it up to show Beverly, "and I believe this is the only thing that has been preventing him from consuming me. That, and this." I pulled out the vanilla liquid from my pocket and handed it to her, "And now, I believe this should protect you. Mark your chest with an X, and it will protect you from him."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." I picked up her hand and held it tight for a moment. My heart sank as I bought back to Pennywise. I think I know what do to, I thought to myself. "Bev, listen. When this is all over, no matter what, I need you to leave this town. I need you to leave you dad at any cost, and I need to know that you and the rest of the Losers are going to be safe.. Even if - we - don't succeed. And even if you can't find me - afterward."

"Nikita what are you-"

"I need you to promise me Beverly."

She sat there with a concerned look on her face. She looked like she was fighting back a thought, the battle clashed deep within in her eyes, but she eventually gave in and surrendered to the inevitable.

"Alright I promise." She replied.

"Good." I pulled her in for a hug and my eyes burned with tears. I was doing my best to hold myself together so that she doesn't catch on to what I was about to do. I looked out the window and saw a balloon lightly bouncing and rolling down the street, bumping into the curb as it disappeared into the darkness of the night. My body tensioned, I have to get Beverly out of here. I cleared my throat and sat up before I continued, "Now for tonight, we both need our rest. And I think it best that we go to bed right away."

I stoop up quickly and trotted to the front door. Beverly sat there in shock, and gave me a funny look as I waved for her to leave. She stood up slowly and walked over to me suspiciously.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked.

"Yup. Goodnight Beverly."

"I don't think I should leave you alone tonight. You -"

"Thank you. Bev, for your concern." I said sharply. We both looked at each other in shock at my sudden abruptness. I cleared my throat and continued in a calmer voice. "But I do believe I am going to be fine tonight." I opened the door to the hall and stepped aside giving her space to walk by; I avoided her eye contact. Beverly crossed her arms and raised an eye brow. I looked up at her and tried my best to keep a straight face. "It's okay - I'm okay. You have a good night Beverly, and I will talk to you tomorrow morning."

She hesitated and looked deep in my eyes.

"Listen Nik, we all have to stick together; the losers and you. WE have no idea what IT is, or what IT's even capable of. Its better that we just - do this together." She walked through the door and looked back at me. "Just, be safe. Kay?"

"Okay." I smiled to her, and she smiled back. "Put on some of that vanilla liquid tonight."

"I will." She turned hesitantly to walk down the hallway. As I was about to close the door, I thought of one last thing I should say to her, and reefed it open again. "Beverly!" She turned to me as she grabbed her door handle and popped it open. "You are truly a good friend."

"You too."

We both slowly closed our doors at the same time, each a little unsure if it was a good idea to leave each other alone. I stood staring at my door for a few seconds as I processed the last look in Beverly's eyes. She looked almost sad for me. Like she knew what I was about to do, and understood that she had no power to stop me. I witnessed a drop of sad acceptance drown her eyes, as she left me to my fate.

I looked down at the salt line in front of my feet and kicked it a little; breaking the seal and leaving me vulnerable to the monster below. Come and get me. I tuned back and walked to the window as I rubbed my arms and searched for him on the street. He was there, I could feel him.

His presence was like a cold chill that lurched through the air like a mist; heavy and damp. I put on a new sweater, and grabbed my knife as I put it back in its sheath. I sure hope my plan is going to work.

"Hehhehhehh.."

The sound of his low throated chuckle made me jump, and I spun around to face him. But it was not the clown that I saw. It was a tall decaying man who appeared to have been dead for months. I gasped and jumped back into the wall; as I pulled out my knife and held it out in front of me ready for action.

The zombie had a low bubble in his throat and leaned closer. His grotesque hand slowly raised and rested on the wall above my shoulder as his mouth fell open. I could feel my organs begin to shake in fear.

"You were looking for me?" The zombies mouth bubbled with spit and puss. It rolled down the flaking skin on his chin as he leaned in closer to my face in what I believe was an attempt at being seductive. I tuned my head as the repulsive smell crawled up my nose and stabbed at my throat.

"Stop." I whispered as I squinted my eyes.

The zombie looked slightly surprised. His faded grey eyes shifted in the sunken caverns of his eye sockets, and he leaned back, releasing his grip on the wall.

I could hear wet shifting sounds as I slowly turned my head back to face him, and to my relief, it was the clown who was in front of me now. I tried to put the knife back into its sheath, but my hands were too shaky.

"P-Pennywise." I managed to squeak out. The clown looked as if he was studying me; a hungry fire burned in deep his eyes. "I have decided to-"

"I have craved you." He interrupted. I paused and looked him right in the eye.

"You what?"

"I have craved your fear since you first entered this town, Nikita Jones." He sucked in a quick breath and his mouth began to water.

I gave up trying to put the knife away. Instead, I slowly held it in front of me again and gripped the handle tightly as he giggled with joy.

"YOu can't help but fear the unknown! You can't help but fear me!" His smile twisted as a drop of saliva dangled from his droopy lip, "AH HAHA!" He jolted forward as he slammed his body against mine, pinning me against the wall; his hands planted firmly on either side of me, his long fingers spread out like talons. I flinched and closed my eyes, as his low chuckle started up again. "Do iTT." He spat.

I opened my eyes to see that I had the knifes point right under his chin; the blade poking into his white skin slightly. He watched me intensely and leaned closer.

"Dooo iT!" He whispered.

My body tensioned as I pushed the knife upwards against his lower jaw and I began to breath heavier and shake more. Can I do this? Can I finish him right here? Questions of self doubt spun in my head like a tornado. I have no idea how much time passed, but it was a slow torture.

"If you won't do iT, then I will." He pushed his head down into the blade and opened his mouth. I gasped as blood poured over my hands. In shock, I pushed myself tighter against the wall.

I stared in horror at the giant blade in his mouth It had sliced his tongue in half, and I could see the two halves writhing around each other like a couple of snakes; slapping against the inner walls of his mouth and splashing in the blood that pooled in his jaw. Slight smoke began to sizzle out of his wound as he backed up and winced slightly; I let go of the handle and held my hands tight to my chest.

He reached up and yanked it out. More blood sprayed from the wound as he flung the knife across the room. He looked as though he was in pain, but it didn't last long. He stood up straight within seconds and shook like a wet dog; his bells chimed out as his ruffles swayed.

He began to approached me once again, as he wiped the blood off of his chin with his arm, and lick his lips. I helplessly watched as his tongue soaked up the blood and fused back together.

I stared at him in shock. Unable to process how he powered though my magic. He stood there and watched me as if I was a show; absorbing every second of my movement. I swallowed hard and tried to speak.

"P-pennywise"

"YEEssss?" Slid forward quickly, and I coward.

"I-I"

"Hmmm?" His large gloved hand reached up and twirled my hair.

What am I doing? What am I thinking? He is never going to make a deal. My plan is never going to work. My voice wavered in a low whisper as I continued.

"I want to - make a d-deal." His head tilted quickly and it made me jump. F-fuck this is harder than I explicated. I decided to let it out as quickly as I could. "T-take my life in, exchange for the losers safety."

Pennywise raised an eyebrow and tilted his head the other way, "All of them?"

"Yes, all of them." It left like my body was about to implode. Everything was shaking, and I was fighting to keep my tears hidden.

He wrinkled his nose in a slightly disappointed fashion as he processed the offer. I clenched my hands tightly together, unsure if it was my sweat or the blood that was making them cold. His eyes flicked up.

"Deal."

He launched forward and grabbed me as we burst out of the window. His insane laughter echoed in my ears as I desperately held him tight. My grip was shaky, and I believe he was holding me more that I was holding him.

He darted though the forest and down to the river. We were moving so quick that I almost couldn't process were we were any more. We reached the pipe and everything went dark. I could still hear him chuckling under his breath as he muttered to himself.

"OhHo, Penny, you've really outdone yourself this timmmeeMmhmhmhm!"

The air density changed as we descended lower into the sewer. It was almost like the dampness of the walls were absorbing the oxygen. I felt faint and began to rest my head against his. His hair was oddly soft and comforting. The faint intoxicating smell of popcorn teased my nose, and I felt the world slow down. Pennywise was no longer running, and I tried to open my eyes, but they were too heavy. His arms wrapped around me tighter, and I could feel his head shift towards my neck. He took in a deep breath as his whole body shivered for a moment, then relaxed.

My grip on him loosened, and I became lost in the darkness.