Chapter 17 - A Deal Shattered

"Step right up Beverly, step right up! Come change, come float. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll cheer! You'll diiee." A small crackled voice echoed in my ears followed by a light jolly tune. "Introducing PEnnywISE, The DANcing clOWN! HAhahaha!" The laughter morphed and cracked as the music slowly stopped.

Bang! Something popped and I was pulled from my dreamy state. My arms shifted and I could hear shackles and chains rattling across the wood floor. The room looked red as I heard the clattering of chains unraveling, as large drawbridge like door fell open just a few feet from me. I opened my eyes slightly to see that I was shackled and chained to a hook, that was connected to thick drawbridge door chains. The hook raised with the doors movement and it quickly tugged at my arms; forcing me to stand.

Bang! Pop!

Fireworks? I lazily looked to my left to see Pennywise standing there looking out the large doorway with a less than welcoming look on his face. The carnival music was unbearably loud, sending throbbing waves of pain through my head.

THUD! THUD! THUD! The room shook with every thump, and I tried to make out what was happening. Is he dancing? I thought to myself. I could see his legs kicking up with beat of the music and I closed my eyes and turned away in pain.

I was relying on the shackles around my wrists to hold me up right, which began to make my finger tips start to tingle. My head hung between my arms and I was trying my best to regain feeling in my legs. I felt completely drained. What happened to me?

The thumping of Pennywise's dance moves stopped and I could now hear him yelling and taunting someone outside of the red room. I shifted my leg and it kicked a small glass vial. It clanked and slowly rolled away a few feet from me before it got caught in a divot of a wood plank. My vision was slowly retuning to me; it almost looked like my little bottle of vanilla liquid.

Wait, it is my little bottle of vanilla liquid. My eyes shot open. Beverly!

It was clear now, I could hear her struggling and fighting against Pennywise just outside the door. That bastard! I tugged at the chains, but they wouldn't budge. I looked up to see the hook at the end of my chains hung up on the large chain links of door. I leaned on the large chain to support my weight and tried to wave the slack on my shackles to get the hook free. The chain rippled and clattered together; I watched desperately as the hook swung and shifted. Almost.. I used everything I had and flicked the chain once more. The wave traveled up the links and finally swung the hook free.

I fell to the floor, no longer having the support of the larger chains to hold me up, and landed on top of a couple of tea cups and saucers. I watched them roll and clatter, thinking back to Bob Gray, remembering for a second the kindness he had shown me. We were never able to have that tea… Was he a figment of my imagination? Or was he Pennywise? His green eyes lingered in my head; I could still feel his large gentle hands lift me from the darkness, and for a moment, I wanted nothing more the to stay with Bob Gray forever.

I heard Beverly grunt ouside, and I shoved the thought aside. I have to save Beverly. I grabbed the vanilla liquid and stuffed it in my pocket as I crawled to the entrance of the big door. The heavy chains dragged across the wood floor with every pull from my body. I finally made it to the lip of the entrance and looked out to see Pennywise holding Beverly up in the air as she punched and kicked at him.

"Beverly.." I gasped, but my voice was too low, and neither of them turned to look at me. "Bev-erly."

Beverly coughed and gripped his arms as she gritted her teeth and angrily stared the clown.

"I am not afraid of you." She spat. I could see Pennywise's head till down before reefing her close to smell her. A part of me twinged inside. Jealousy?

Pennywise recoiled and sneezed, his bells jingled as he tossed his head from side to side. He looked infuriated and pulled her close to his face.

"You will be." He whispered. Beverly's eyes widened a bit as his head tilted back.

I pulled myself onto a little stage that the drawbridge door had made and tried to speak again.

"Nno."

But it was no use. I felt so weak.

His mouth was split wide open and a light was beginning to shine on Beverly's face. I could see her getting lost in them; her grip on his hands loosened as her eyes glazed over a dull grey.

I could feel the strength in my arms and legs returning to me as I watched her slowly float into the air. Pennywise's hands delicately released her, like a butterfly to the wind. Part of me craved to be there in Beverly's position; I wanted him to be reaching up towards me with his long gentle gloved fingers. No, I hate him. I forced my attention back to Beverly.

Beverly.. What has he done to you?

"NO!"

My voice violently echoed through the dark cavern and it happily startled the clown. His head spun to me as his face pieced itself back together with a devilish smile.

"Ohho. You're awake." His voice cooed as he lowered his hands.

"Beverly. What have you done to her?" I clumsily jumped off of the stage and slid down the small pile of toys and garbage; my chain hooked on random toys as I yanked it along behind me. "Why did you bring her here?"

I stumbled towards her and shoved Pennywise aside. I reached up to grab her, but the clown reached forward and grabbed my arm, spinning me into his chest.

"No, no, no. We don't touch." He teased.

"What have you done to her!?" I punched at his chest as I tried to turn back to her.

"Hmhhmhmhm.. She's in the deadlights now."

"THIS WASN'T PART OF OUR DEAL!"

"OUr DEal?" He thew his head back and laughed. "OUr deal was that you would exchange yourself for the all losers. You never said I couldn't take just ONE."

His voice echoed in my ears like a bad memory. I felt weak and dizzy again, as I thought back to that moment in my apartment.

"I want to - make a d-deal. T-take my life in, exchange for the losers safety."

"All of them?"

"Yes, all of them."

"Deal."

The world spun quickly around me. What have I done? My hands reached up and grabbed the sides of my head to stop the spinning. His grip on me released and I turned away from him.

"But you said.. You said.."

"I say a lot of things… You stupid girl. YoU tHouGHT YoU COuld OutsmarT MEE!?" His voice deepened into a grumble.

I turned to see him morph and spit; his skin bubbled and shook as dark hairy claws ripped though his gloves. I stumbled backwards and bumped into the heap of toys behind me as a box of matches and a candle fell out at my feet.

Pennywise was exploding with anger as he was changing into something else. I didn't hesitate, I grabbed the candle and matches as I ran around the pile of toys and searched for something else I could use to protect myself.

My eyes fell on a little beginners herb and plant box. I reached forward to open it and to my surprise there was growth inside; dill, poppy, fern, marjoram and a few others. My head spun through Madam Mooras spell book. I know these plants.

Pennywise's voice roared and echoed. The walls shook, and little pebbles from the cavern walls fell down into the puddles on the ground. It made me jump and look up; I gasped as I noticed dozens of bodies floating above the pile of toys and garbage. I studied each of them as they swirled and hovered. I could see a few were missing parts of their clothes, while others where missing limbs. A small boy with short dark hair and a rain jacket was floating closest to me, he appeared to have had his arm torn off; another girl looked to be missing parts of her face while the next child had no head at all. I began to get lost in each of their stories when a familiar shape caught my eye; the boy from the bus stop. My heart sunk as his body floated above me; his neck twisted completely around, looking down on me; the light that was once in his eyes, was now faded and grey.

My eyes burned and I wiped my tears away quickly. I have got to get Beverly out of here. I grabbed the plants and scooped up some of the puddles water beside me in a pink plastic teacup. Then I ground them together the best I could with a rock; The spell invisibility. I didn't have all of the actual ingredients, but most of them should do something. I could hear Pennywise's heavy breathing from around the corner getting closer.

"Nikita JOnes." He growled, "Where are you?" His giant steps made the water around me ripple.

The ingredients were mixed, now for the candle. I grabbed the old used candle and put it in front of me as I reached for the matches. I pulled one match out, and quickly slid it against the side of the package. Nothing happened. Damn it, its wet! I threw that one aside and tried the next match. Nothing. FUCK!

"WWherrrre are youuu Nikita Jones?" Pennywise was slowly getting closer. I could see the top of his shadow sliding along the ground and I panicked. I grabbed all of my stuff and ran as quietly as I could further around the pile. My chains rattled slightly as I raised my arms higher off the ground to the wouldn't drag.

Once I was hidden again, I placed it all down and tried another match. Nothing. I chucked it aside and tried another. Nothing. I could feel my heart racing.

"I had hoped to keep you as a little pet.. Your ssseassssoning worked out sssoOo well.. But, you are quickly becoming a nuisance." His voice growled and grumbled.

Spark!

A match finally lit! I cupped my hand around it and lowered it down the candle.

In a fit of rage, Pennywise struck the pile of toys and ripped a chunk of the pile out causing the whole thing to rattle as a chunk of it collapsed. A plush doll fell from above me, and landed in the puddle beside the candle and I wasn't quick enough to dodge it; the splash snuffed out the match. I almost cried out anger, but I kept quiet. My silent screams bubbled deep inside me as I bit my lip and held by breath. Fuck, fuck fuck fuck! I grabbed the doll and flung it across the room.

Pennywise froze as the doll made a splash in the water and I could see his giant shadow freeze.

"I can smell you Joness.. I can taste you're sssuculent fearrr.."

My stomach twisted inside of me, and I wanted to cry and vomit at the same time. He was right, I was letting my fear take over me. I slid my hands over my head and drew in a beep breath. I calmly reached for the matches once again.

Flick, Spark!

YES! I cried inside. The candle lit and I held the cup over the flame. I could see his giant shadow approaching the corner and I closed my eyes as chanted some words under my breath.

"You can't hide forever Jones."

I could feel the sweat on my forehead drip past my eye brow and down my jaw. I quickly bowed my head and drank the potion. I was not smooth; it was warm and very bitter. I choked it down and opened my eyes to see five long clawed fingers emerge slowly from the darkness and grip on to the edge of the toy pile. I stood there frozen, allowing my eyes to follow the large hairy arm that followed it out of the darkness.

My heart was pounding, and I turned to hide around the next corner; I wasn't about to test out the makeshift potion. I tucked myself in tightly to the next edge as I watched a large hairy werewolf step forward; the darkness of the shadows poured down his body like a water fall and faded at his feet as he approached my candle. His muscular body and long limbs pulsed with strength and rage.

His eyes flicked around the little cove, and he began to smell the air. He paused and smelled again; this time deeper. His eyes flashed open in a panic.

"NIKITA! Where are you!?" He roared. It worked, I thought, he can't smell me! He can't find me! I turned to run, but the puddles splashed and my chains rattled; I froze and winced as my joy quickly faded away. I could hear him quiet his growls.

"Shit." I stood there, unable to move, and quickly looked down at the water around my feet as it slowly settled.

I gently turned to see if the werewolf could see me. My heart froze as I looked up to the upper corner of the toy pile. I could see two lights hovering in the darkness like lightning bugs. Pennywise stood there in his werewolf form and glared at me from the shadows.

He waited there a few seconds and growled under his breath; savouring the moment. I felt as if I was completely out of options, and helplessly watched his body shake with fury.

He launched himself over the heap and landed inches in front of me. I panicked and turned to run, but he launched off the ground and slid into my path; cutting me off.

In shock I slipped backwards and landed on my wrists. I turned to run again but he darted forward and reached one of his large hairy clawed hands out to grab me. He gripped my right arm and gave it a jerk; slicing my skin as I flipped to face him. I cringed in pain as blood spilled on the ground at my side.

He lurched forward; his lips curled back in a snarl as his teeth got closer to my throat. I began to doubt the talisman and the safety of my magic; he seemed be able to power through all of it. Maybe this was his game the whole time. I felt like such an idiot as I closed my eyes and accepted my gruesome death.

He stopped.

My eyes opened, seeing the beast back off me just a little bit, coughing as spitting. There is hope, I thought to myself. As I slid myself out from under him, I felt a sharp poke in my pocket and looked down to it; my vanilla bottle was shattered. That's why he backed off! I reached in my pocket and pulled out little chunks and shards of glass, and tossed them to the side. The side of my pasts were soaked with the vanilla liquid, and I looked up to see the beast desperately trying to get the overwhelming smell away from his nose.

The werewolf was on a rampage. He punched and clawed the ground around him, as he kicked up water and rocks. He roared in frustration and bit the ground where I was once laying. He froze, realizing that I had slipped out of reach. His lips curled back revealing his drooling mouth and dagger like fangs. They glistened in the faint light as blood dripped from his gums. He leaned back to prepare to pounce again.

We both froze, waiting for the other to make a move. I quickly tucked my arms and rolled down the slight hill as he launched off the ground. His fangs sank deep into my ankle, as I screamed. This was such a mistake, I grabbed a few loose rocks in my hand and threw them at him, as I dug my fingers into the ground and kicked as hard as I could.

He began to drag me back up to his wagon at the top of the toy heap. The pain in my ankle eased, and instead of claws, I could feel a hand. I looked up to see the clown once again. He grunted as he dragged me back up onto the stage of his trailer.

With one final tug, he threw me up on the stage. I felt the hard impact of the wood floor and my eyes flew open to see Pennywise hovering above me. My mind raced.

How am I going to get out of this?

I tried to struggle but he stepped on my chain, pinning my arms down. He was laughing and crying all at the same time. The site if him loosing his mind above was terrifying. His orange hair looked slightly stringy, as he tossed his head back with joy.

"UUhhhuh-huh-huh!" He cackled as he shook his head spraying saliva everywhere.

His large gloved hand reached down and gripped my neck. He slowly squeezed as I began to gasp for air. His face went dead serious, and I could feel his saliva dripping down my arm.

"You thought you could face me!?" He spat. "Deceive me!?.. You can not handle my power-"

I pulled on my chains and kicked my feet but it was no use. The saliva that dripped down my right arm, was sliding under my shackle, and I began to twist and pull it. I could feel my air way close under his grip, and I used everything I had to try to pull my arm free. I slipped out and I grabbed the talisman around my neck, and slammed it down on the hand that wrapped around my neck. It smoked and sizzled as it burned though his glove and melted his skin. The smell of burning flesh made me gag as I felt the pressure ease around my neck, as Pennywise cried out in pain and released his grip.

I peeled the talesman off his hand and sat up as I pulled the necklace over my head and jammed it into his forehead. It melted his skin like butter, and I could feel it sinking through his skull. I watched in horror as white fleshy make up dripped down my arm and to the ground. It burned as it slid into my cuts, and I gasped in pain and pulled away.

Pennywise swayed and staggered backwards as he cupped his hands around the hole in his head. His hands were now soaked with brain tissue and melted skin and bone. He turned and jumped off of the stage and landed beside the nearest puddle, then slammed himself face down into the shallow water.

Now is my chance!

I scrambled down the other side of the stage, and slid down the pile of toys as I peeled Pennywise's melted skin out of the cuts on my arm.

"Beverly!" I cried as I approached her. But she didn't respond.

Her face was frozen in a neutral position and her grey eyes gazed slightly upwards. I reached up to grab her but she was floating in the air just slightly out of my reach. I looked around for something to stand on, but there was nothing there. I jumped towards her and touched her shoe but my grip slipped. I jumped again and reached up with both hands and hooked the top part of her foot.

She was heavy, yet light. It was almost like she was stuck in the air with invisible webbing. I reached up and grabbed her wrist, and slowly yanked her down. Her feet were almost touching the group when I heard sobbing.

I paused and looked over the puddle where Pennywise had disappeared. The clown was hunched over, in the ankle deep a puddle. His back was facing me, but I could see steam floating away from his face in the faint light, as if someone just threw water onto a fire. It was quiet for a moment, and then his sobs returned.

I stood there watching him cry alone in the darkness. this has to be a trap, I thought.

"How could you hurt P-Pennywise?" He sobbed, "I only wanted a f-friend."

I quietly turned away to pull Beverly towards the open pipe across the cavern, but I heard a familiar voice that made me stop.

"Nikita." Bob Gray cooed.

I froze. My brain was trying to fight back the urge to turn to him, but I couldn't resist. I looked back to see Bob standing there in the clown suit. His face now had a giant gapping hole in his forehead. His skin was barely holding together as he reached up and peeled the wound off like latex make up.

"Nikita, don't go. You were happy here." He stepped towards me with his arms wide open. "Please stay."

"No. You're not real." I turned back to Beverly and pushed her towards the pipe. Bob appeared at my side, wearing he same tucked in white under shirt and dark suspenders that I met him in. He held his hands out to stop me, and it worked.

"But what you felt was."

I gasped slightly and looked in Bobs eyes. They were kind and welcoming. I could see them searching though me for some emotion. I remembered feeling a desire to be close to him, but he was not real, he was Pennywise the whole time.

He was Pennywise the whole time...

"This is just a trap." I shoved him aside as I pulled Beverly past him. "And you no longer have any power over me."

His face looked hurt but I didn't care. I was done. I no longer feared him. I felt dead inside.

"Nikita stop. If you take her out of here in that state, she will die."

I grabbed the pipes edge and looked forward into the darkness. He's lying.

"And it is the truth." He continued. "If you wait a little while, she will come back."

"You're lying." I spat.

"Nikita, It's me, Bob." He raised his hands and backed away. "No tricks." I watched him as he turned towards his wagon at the top of the pile. "Now, how about that tea I promised?"

I stood there, unsure of what I should do. I looked at Beverly and then looked down the dark pipe. What if she does die? I looked back to Bob, who was now standing on the stage.

"What do you say Miss Jones? I am just asking for ten minutes of your time."

My hand started to feel tired holding Beverly's wrist, so I shifted to hold her waist. I felt something cold on her back, and looked behind her. It was my Bowie knife.

Beverly must have seen this in my apartment and come to save me. Maybe he didn't bring her down here.

I pulled the knife from her belt and slit it back its sheath that still hung from my hip. I looked up to Bob Gray as he smiled warmly. I gripped the handle of the knife tight and bit my lip.

"Alright, ten minutes."

Note:

Gah, the mind games! Do you think he is lying? If he isn't, Nikita would have been the one that killed Beverly.. She feel even worse and have gained nothing.. So do you think she ever really had a choice?

Maybe she doesn't even want to leave.. Gray seems to be the most human part of Pennywise. What If Gray is trapped in this like Nikita? I guess there is only one way to find out...

Thank you SO MUCH to those who have been following along, for all of your wonderful support on this adventure so far! I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am!

And If you are new to reading this story, and like what you are experiencing, please leave a comment! I love reading about what you think!

Next Chapter Coming Soon!

Just wanted to update:

September 16th, 2020

My sincerest apologies, over the last 3 weeks I have not had the time to update the story. It is constantly in the back of my mind, but I have been swamped with 3 jobs, my business, training my horse, and school. I promise you that I will update with in the next week or two! I am really enjoying this story, and have a surprise announcement once it is all complete!

Until then, Cheers!