A Spooky Halloween
It was October 11, 1990, and fall had arrived and was changing Derry. Leaves changed to their fall colors and fell from the trees, wind blew harshly on some days and sometimes softly, stormy clouds covered the sky, and birds were migrating for winter. Outside the Denbrough house, Zach was loading some suitcases into the car and Sharon, Bill, and Georgie watched on and smiled. While Zach loaded the suitcases, Sharon looked at the boys.
"Now remember, we're going to be gone for a few weeks and since grandma isn't here anymore to take care of you, you're in charge of taking care of Georgie, Bill. Make sure he gets to school and I want this house neat and clean when we return, got it?" Sharon told them.
"Y-Y-Yes, mom." Bill said.
"Good." She said approved.
Zach managed to put the last suitcase into the car and shut the back door. Sharon, Bill and Georgie looked and he turned around and looked at Sharon.
"Hey, we gotta go, goodbye boys." Zach spoke.
He walked over and gave Bill and Georgie a hug. After a few moments, Zach let go and he and Sharon headed to the car.
"Bye mom! Bye dad!" Georgie called out.
"Bye boys!" Zach replied.
"Don't forget to call if you need anything." Sharon said.
"We won't. B-B-Bye mom and d-dad!" Bill said.
Zach and Sharon went into the car and then, drove off. Bill and Georgie waved as their parents drove down the road. When the car disappeared, the boys went back into the house and Georgie locked the door. He turned and walked to the kitchen.
"Did mom and dad really had to go without us?" Georgie asked upset.
He climbed onto the island stool.
"Yes, Georgie." Bill said.
"But whyyy?!" he asked complaining.
"You k-k-know why. The award show d-d-doesn't al-allow minors." Bill answered.
"But we're old enough, are we not?" Georgie asked.
"You're 8 and I'm 14. I d-d-doubt they'll l-let us in, even if we were m-m-mature." Bill said rhetorically.
"But why do they have to stay for a few weeks? Award shows are only one night." Georgie asked.
"You know why. There are o-o-other a-awards mom and dad have to g-g-get that are being pr-presented on other days." Bill replied.
It was true. Since Audra used to be an actress before she retired, she had gained a lot of recognition and praise, but when she died, a lot of networks, directors, and movie companies were going to award the family with recognitions and other awards for her performances. Since there was so many, it would take several weeks to receive all of them, so Sharon gave Bill enough money for him and Georgie to last a few weeks. As for Bill and Georgie, it had been a year since their grandmother's death. By now, Bill was 14 and Georgie was now 8; a few days after his birthday. Bill looked at the envelope his mother left him and opened it. There was $120.00 in the envelope with a note that said "Here's $120.00 for food and medicine. This should be enough to last a few weeks.". Bill looked at Georgie, he was bored and looked tired.
"Come on, we have to g-g-go cl-clean our r-r-rooms." Bill spoke.
For the next few days, Bill took Georgie to school, then they go home, cook dinner, clean the kitchen, and then, they would either watch tv or play, then they would go to bed. It was Sunday and the boys were running low on food. They left the supermarket and were walking down the street, until Georgie spotted an old, dirty looking man across the street selling candy. Georgie looked both ways, then crossed the street. He got to the sidewalk and approached the candy stand. The old man looked at Georgie and smiled.
"Why hello there little boy." The old man greeted.
"Hi. What kind of candy do you have?" Georgie said smiling.
"Well, I have chocolate." The old man spoke.
"Cool! What kind?" Georgie asked.
"Well, I have…" the old man begin.
"Georgie!" a voice called out.
Georgie and the old man looked and saw Bill crossing the street and approached the candy stand. He looked at Georgie enraged.
"What have I told you about t-t-talking t-to s-s-strangers!" Bill scolded.
"I'm sorry. It's just…the man was selling candy." Georgie explained.
Bill looked at the candy stand and realized that Georgie had already learned his lesson about talking to strangers from Pennywise. After that incident, Georgie was cautious about talking to strangers and there was a difference between taking something from a stranger and buying something from one. Bill felt embarrassed and guilt and looked at the old man.
"I…I apologize, sir. I'm p-p-protective of my y-younger b-b-brother." Bill explained.
"It's quite alright. Do you want some candy?" the old man asked.
"Sure. I guess we could sp-sp-spare a f-few b-b-bucks. Pick out what y-y-you w-want, Georgie." Bill accepted.
"Now hold on, I might have something you two may like." The old man spoke.
He took out two pieces of chocolate and showed the boys. They were in orange and brown wrappers with the words "Buttera".
"Each piece is a variety of flavors. Milk chocolate, caramel, almond, dark chocolate, fruit flavors, mint, and so much more. The two I'm holding are caramel and dark chocolate-caramel. Here, take them." The old man explained.
Georgie looked at the chocolate with wide eyes, mouth open, and overjoyed. He rubbed his hands and licked his lips; almost like his mouth was drooling for something sweet. Bill and Georgie took the pieces of chocolate and Bill reached into his pocket.
"How much is the chocolate?" he asked.
"Actually, I'm willing to put them on the house." The old man said kindly.
"Really, thanks!" Georgie said surprised and happy.
"My pleasure. Enjoy the chocolate!" The old man smiled.
"Thanks, w-w-we will." Bill replied.
He and Georgie waved goodbye to the old man as they walked off. The old man waved back and watched on. Unbeknownst to Bill and Georgie, his eyes glowed hellfire and his smile turned sinister. Bill and Georgie continued walking back home and Georgie opened the wrapper to reveal a darker tone of chocolate. He took a little nibble of it, then spit it out when he realized that it was dark chocolate. Georgie didn't care, he liked caramel and milk chocolate. He looked at Bill.
"Hey Bill, I think you have the one with caramel." Georgie said.
"Really? I'm s-s-sorry Georgie, but I already a-a-ate the c-caramel one. I'll take the d-d-dark ch-chocolate though." Bill replied.
"Okay." Georgie said; a bit disappointed.
He gave the chocolate to Bill and he ate it. Georgie knew Bill liked dark chocolate; he also liked milk chocolate and caramel too. After Bill ate the chocolate, he looked at Georgie and saw him looking down and upset.
"We can st-st-stop by the g-g-gas st-station and get chocolate i-i-if you w-want." Bill offered.
"Thanks but, the taste of dark chocolate ruined my cravings for something sweet. Thank you though." Georgie said politely.
Both boys made it back home and went inside. For the rest of the day, the boys ate dinner, watched tv, then went to bed. The next day, Georgie woke up and got ready for school. When he got his clothes on and brushed his teeth, Georgie left his room and went downstairs, but saw that Bill wasn't in the kitchen making breakfast. Confused, Georgie went back upstairs and headed towards Bill's room. When he went in, Georgie looked around. Bill wasn't in his room, but then, Georgie heard sounds coming from the bathroom. He remembered that Bill had his own bathroom, so he went towards it. When he opened the door, he found something that made him wish he could feel fear again.