"Damn, Ruth, these are really good. I can draw but nothing like this. You have some real talent here." Ben compliments as he, Eddie, and Bill browsed through Ruth's sketchbook.
"Thank you, Ben. That means a lot. Excuse me for one moment. I'll be right back."
Eddie glances up from the book and saw Ruth sauntering off with a jovial grin and sway of her hips. He is mesmerized by her movements but quickly snaps himself out of it.
"Hey, where is she going?"
"I don't know," Ben answered, then looked over his shoulder to watch her. "It looks like she's going over to see that guy over there."
"Ruth?" Mike called out for her.
"I'll be a minute, Mikey," Ruth responded quickly and with a little pep in her step.
Eddie noticed something about Ruth as she enthusiastically skipped over. She seemed chipper and lively. He hasn't seen Ruth like this before, especially when, most of the time, she's a timid mouse seeking approval from others. So, this is new to him.
"Um, is it just me, or does she seem a little different to you?" Eddie questions.
"It's not just you. I wonder who Mr. Tall and Handsome is?" Richie wondered while watching Ruth approach the stranger.
"Don't know. He really is cute," Beverly voiced as she watched her almost twin boldly approach the stranger. "Apparently, she knows him. She should run off with him, in my opinion."
"What are you nuts? He looks to be in his twenties. He's old enough to be her brother," Eddie snarks.
"Does it matter?"
"Yes, it does. It is illegal for a twenty-year-old or older to have sexual relations with a teenager less than eighteen. They'll get in trouble for it, big time."
"Did I say anything about them dating?"
Eddie opens his mouth to argue but stops himself when he realized what Beverly meant.
"Oh, are you saying she should just leave Derry with him like friends?"
Beverly doesn't answer straight away, just gave him a look then back over at Ruth, who stood beside the stranger.
"Yeah, something like that. I hate to say it, but they do look cute together."
"They can't date either!" Eddie argues.
"They could if they really wanted to, but making bacon will have to wait until she is eighteen." Richie chimes with a knowing smirk as he watched Ruth get friendly with the stranger.
"What the hell, making bacon? What the fuck does that suppose to mean?"
"What do you think it's supposed to mean, Eds?"
"I don't know. Frying sliced pig in a pan?"
Richie guffaws. "Oh my god, you have such an innocent mind, Eddie. Make whoopie, do the nasty, getting it on, what else is there to use to say other than sex?"
Eddie's jaw hung open while the others gaped or chuckled behind their palms.
"You have a sick mind, Rich. How in hell would you even know all of that?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"You know what? No, I don't want to know. Just keep your dirty thoughts to yourself, dude."
"Will you two shut up, already? I'm trying to listen here." Mike urged the two.
Not too far away from the duo, the group curiously watched Ruth with the stranger. They are perturbed at the strange behavior she displayed and the flirtatious touch on his arm and shoulder.
Bill noticed as she got friendly with the guy how different she seemed and particularly smiley. Ruth is even confident and oddly comfortable from the way she mirrored his posture. Bill wondered if maybe Ruth met someone who could potentially be her equal, a future partner, perhaps. They might be several years apart, but from the way Bill sees it, the stranger really looked at her and seemed happy. He saw the guy earlier and just looked downcast about something. However, when Ruth approached him, the stranger's features brightened. Bill noticed when Ruth was standing up to Angela, the guy lightly touched her knee, and she welcomed his touch. He believes that neither realized what they were doing at the time.
Hmm, Bill hummed to himself in wonder.
He watched Ruth return to the group, who has an incredibly bright, enthusiastic toothy smile and a cigarette in hand. She has an air about her now that lured Bill to look her in the eye. He saw life, a burst of sunshine that never existed until now. She's beautiful because of it, and it caught him off guard. Bill glances away from her to the stranger, who is eyeing Ruth from behind. He is not lewd in his staring, though. The stranger seems to appreciate and admire the teenager's lifeforce after speaking with him or maybe taking in her appearance. Bill couldn't help but stare at her the same way. He is attracted to this burst of life from her, and Bill desires a small touch of Ruth's energy to feel that level of confidence.
"Who is that guy, Ruth?" Eddie asked her as she approached.
Bill is startled out of his thoughts from the question as she drew closer. He quickly composed himself to pay more close attention to Ruth. He has been doing this a lot lately while in her company. Bill has noticed something different about her the day in the drugstore and wanted to say something about it but hasn't had the best of luck expressing himself. So, hopefully, this is his day to finally say something. Bill also hopes to tell her something else that has been in his chest.
"I don't know his name yet, but that is my stalker," Ruth replies casually with a satisfied smirk, then sat back down where she originally was.
"Your stalker?" Stan almost yelled then glanced over at the tall stranger. "Since when? And is he bothering you?"
"Hmm, I'm thinking about a week ago. Don't worry, though, he's cool."
"Cool? What does that suppose to mean?" Eddie had butted.
"He's just looking out for me, is all. So, don't get your knickers in a bunch, Dr. K."
"You're talking to him, Ruth? What if he is one of Jordan's or Jonathan's henchmen? You know, what will happen if they find out, right?"
Ruth smiles at Eddie's panic and concern. Although she does inwardly shiver from the thought of either of them hurting the handsome stalker or her. However, Ruth won't worry too much about it since she has this dreading, sickening feeling he won't be around here much longer. She glances at him and smiles softly as he continued to lounge with a cigarette between his lips. Ruth can tell just from the strength in his arms and legs, the stalker can fare against Jonathan easily. He may even take out Jordan, if he has to, of course.
He eventually looks her way again and beams at her. From this fair distance, Ruth saw the brush of pink going along his nose and cheeks. Ruth herself couldn't stop the blush that graced her own, then shyly smiles and glances away. That's the kind of look Ruth always wanted to see from someone, and it is from a stranger who abhors the sobriquet attached to her name.
Richie caught wind of their glances and couldn't help himself in voicing his observation.
"Ooh, someone has the hots for Mr. Tall and Handsome over there, eh," Richie egged with a little bob of his head.
"I do not!" Ruth shrieked, her voice a little higher than usual.
"Bullshit," Richie chuckles. "I saw the way you two were exchanging love faces. You want to smooch it up with him, don't you?"
Ruth will not dignify that with a response. Instead, she directed her attention to Eddie despite her growing blush.
"I appreciate your concern, but I highly doubt my parents would hire an outsider to keep an eye on me."
"What makes you so sure?" Beverly questioned her while hiding a knowing smirk.
Ruth glanced at Beverly and took a short inhale of the cigarette between her fingers, blowing a ribbon of smoke.
"Because Mr. Tall and Handsome, as Richie nicely put it, is from out of the country. At least, I believe he is. I noticed when I first spoke with him, he had an accent. He's Swedish, which me learning Svenska is going to come in pretty handy now."
"Whoa, wait. You're learning to speak Swedish?" Richie inquired strangely while staring at her as if she grew a second head.
"Ja det är jag."
She glances over at Eddie and Ben, seeing them eyeing are like Richie is while holding onto her sketchbook. Ruth makes a quick nod at it then took another puff.
"Oh, sorry. Yes, I am. See anything you like in there?"
Her voice snapped them out of their stunned state, then started talking about her drawings.
"Oh, uh, well, all of them really. Although there are quite a few that creep me out," Eddie explained as he started going through it again.
"Which ones?"
"The newer ones, they're kind of, I don't know."
"Dark and creepy," Ben finished.
He and Eddie then found the one of Pennywise transforming out of his spider self.
"This one is pretty bizarre. Who or what provoked you to draw this?" Eddie questions, turning the book towards Ruth.
Ruth kept a straight face as she stared at the drawing. Ruth doesn't want to tell them she met a clown and drew him transforming out of his previous form from memory. She needs to come up with a reasonable explanation and came up with one pretty quick.
Ruth shrugs, curving a corner of her mouth. "I don't know. I saw him in a dream I had several nights ago."
Richie caught sight of the drawing. He is awed by Ruth's artwork, but he is more disturbed by the subject matter. Richie glances away, fighting a tremble.
"I hate clowns," he mumbles.
"This thing looks like a clown I saw not too long ago." Eddie voices disturbed himself.
Ruth tilts her head with brows knit close. "Clown?"
Richie snaps his gaze at Eddie with a snarl. "Eddie, shut up."
He and Eddie glare at one another then at the others.
"I think we should tell her." Ben proposed.
"I think we shouldn't tell her anything." Beverly chimes.
Even more confused, Ruth turns to Stan. "What shouldn't I know?"
He opens his mouth to explain only to be interrupted.
"Stan, don't you say a fucking word. We don't need to pull BK into this." Richie ordered.
Stan glares for a moment then turned his attention back on Ruth.
"Our main reason for coming here was to discuss the happenings here in Derry. You know, investigate why the children are going missing."
"Aren't the police already looking into the missing children cases?" Ruth wondered.
"They are, but they're not getting any leads. We, well, Bill wants to get to the bottom of it."
Her brows knit closer, scowling. "I'm confused. What does this clown Eddie saw have anything to do with these disappearances?"
All seven of them fell silent briefly, considering.
"The thing is, Ruth," Eddie begins. "We've all encountered something strange, sans Richie."
Her head tilts further and with a strange ring, "What kind of strange?"
Eddie turns to the others, looking for some help. Ben was happy to pitch in.
"From what we gathered, we believe this clown appears as things we're most afraid of."
Ruth stares with a brow quirking up. "Excuse me?"
"I don't know how to describe it, but from what I've heard from them that it probably shapeshifts or something. That clown you drew reminds us of it."
She stares for a long moment. "So, let me get this straight. You lot believe a shapeshifting clown is responsible for the missing children. Right?"
They nod.
Ruth was quiet for a second, then busts up laughing. It took her a moment to pull herself together, feigning disbelief like a pro.
They all groan, rolling their eyes.
"A shapeshifting clown?" Ruth laughs again. "Do you not know how absurd that sounds?"
"I told you we shouldn't have told her." Beverly comments.
"Yeah, probably," Eddie admits.
"You mean to tell me you believe in such nonsense?" Ruth implores, laughing still.
"I thought so, too, but it is real, Ruth. I saw the clown down in the barrens eating a severed arm." Mike inputs, watching her with a frown.
She balks in disgust. "A severed arm? What is he a cannibal, too?"
"He might be. I know it sounds crazy, but it is true."
Ruth dubiously stares. "I don't believe in fantasy, Mike."
"What's this, then?" Eddie questions with a scowl, pointing at the clown spider drawing.
"That was from a dream and is a figment of my imagination. Our fear is conjured by the mind of what we believe to be real. All of the scary monsters and ghouls we see in films help draw out that deep-rooted instinct in us. The only thing in this world that we should be afraid of is our own reality."
He looks her up and down, frowning. "I beg to differ," Eddie objects.
Ruth claps her hands and pivots in her spot like a psychiatrist would to their patient.
"Okay, let's say this clown of yours is real. What did he shift as? Go on, I'm all ears."
Eddie then became impatient. "I'm not telling you a damn thing."
He hands off her sketchbook while glaring. Ruth noticed Richie tremble as the book remained open on the clown drawing. Ruth caught his unease.
"Aww, what's the matter, Gray Water? You're not afraid of clowns, are you?" She smirks.
"No!" Richie lied, at first. "Well, yeah. Yes, I am afraid of them. Aren't you?"
Ruth smiles. It's a grin that would mirror Pennywise's if he were around watching out for her. It grew wider with each passing second as Ruth continued to stare at the masterpiece she drew.
The group never saw Ruth smile before. They are unnerved by her toothy grin, along with the uneasy silence. Mike even seemed uncomfortable. He watched her, noting the odd gleam in her eyes. She seemed different. Ruth never seems this way whenever Mike met up with her. Yes, Ruth is shy around him and cracks a smile. This, however, is not her usual self. It's like Ruth is an entirely different person.
"Nope, not at all. In fact, I love clowns." Ruth admits with that big toothy grin and strange ring again.
Richie stares, frowning. He adjusts his thick glasses, regarding Ruth still with nervousness and agitation.
"After what they've told me, your opinion for those creepy things will change your mind."
Ruth's grin broadens. "Ooh, not likely. What's so creepy about clowns anyway, Gray Water? It's just people wearing paint. Did your fear of clowns come from that corny Killer Klowns From Outer Space movie?"
She watches Richie shiver at the mention of the film. Ruth smiles wider, pressing her teeth on her lower lip.
"Aw, Mr. Gray Water the Class Clown is afraid of his own kind."
"No, I'm not!" Richie defends, pouting with arms folded.
Mike, along with Stan and the others, frown. None of them laughed. Ruth didn't care if they did or not. Them investigating Pennywise made something in her want to protect him. Ruth is fond of both Mike and Stan, including the stalker who proceeds to watch her from afar, and with a charming smile, she is becoming even more curious about Pennywise and his world. He fascinates her.
Let's pick their brains for ammo, Ruth thought.
"Alright, this supposed scary clown you saw, what exactly did he do to scare the lot of you? Be honest and provide me all the juicy details. I won't tell anyone how ludicrous you all sound." Ruth inquires, resting her chin on a palm.
She is enjoying this. Other than them dismissing her over a week ago, this encounter is entertaining. Mike bringing her over is a blessing in disguise. Pennywise told her about him tormenting them. He didn't give her the complete details of their scares for some reason. Pennywise just told her he's frightening them. This is her chance to dig deeper to learn more about him. Besides, Ruth finds their turmoil with Pennywise satisfying. He's scaring the daylights out of them. Is he torturing them for his enjoyment? Or is Pennywise terrifying the lot for her?
"Why do you care, BK?" Richie bit, pouting still.
"You are such a child, Gray Water. I'm only curious. Did he squirt water from a flower into your face?"
"No!"
"He was blood," Beverly answers, avoiding eye contact.
Ruth's features screw. "Blood? How can this so-called scary clown be blood? What did he do, Marsh? Did he turn your bedroom into a crime scene?"
Beverly looks at her then. Ruth has her arms crossed, a skeptical brow rose and pursed lips. If she had glasses on, Ruth would look like a scowling librarian or teacher.
"It was in the bathroom. I heard voices coming from in the drain. I used my dad's measuring tape to see how far it would go. When I pulled it back, there was bloody hair at the end. Somehow it came alive, entangled itself around, and pulled me towards the drain. That's when blood spewed out. It was all over the place. My dad couldn't see it, just me. They helped clean the blood up, except Richie. He was the guard dog."
"Hey," Richie pouted. Beverly winks at him.
Ruth stares at Beverly. "The clown scared you by appearing as blood and hair. Pfft, give me a break!"
Beverly scowls. She opens her mouth to say something when Ben talked over her.
"Do you remember me freaking out back at the library?"
"Yeah, I remember. You acted like you had seen a ghost and were sheet white."
"He came after me like a headless boy. Like one of the children victims from the Easter Egg Hunt back in 1906, like you mentioned. It scared the crap out of me." Ben explains, shuddering slightly.
"That's why you left in a hurry? I would have freaked out, too."
"You would?" Ben asks, awed.
"Yeah, at first. But I would know it wasn't real."
He screws his features a little, challenging her. "Okay. How would you know?"
"Oh, come on, Ben. You can create a Halloween costume by using cardboard and stuffing an old shirt."
Ben nods. "Okay then, how would you create the smoke then?"
Ruth eyes him strangely and a little disturbed. "It was smoking?"
"Like a chicken roasting over an open flame," Ben replies without missing a beat.
She lightly laughs. "Okay, that will be a challenge. Think about it, though. Do you really think anyone who is headless can walk around? It's unrealistic. What about you, Twitchy Eddie? What did this supposed scary clown do to you?"
"I would appreciate it if you didn't call me that. He was an infected hobo or leper. He scared the shit out of me, too. I think he was also a snake and launched himself at me!" Eddie responds, violently shaking.
Ruth grins, remembering that day as if it were yesterday.
"Did he really? Did you scream like you did in class that one time?"
Eddie glares, scowling like a chipmunk, but he blushed. "Yes." He guiltily admits.
She then turned her attention on Stan, tilting her chin up with a flirtatious smirk. "What about you, Stanley? What scary monster or thing did you see?"
Stan turns to her, frowning. He's a little disturbed at how different Ruth is acting. It's not the Ruth he knows. Usually, Ruth is timid and considerate to a certain level. Her throwing caution to the wind is even more alarming. It's like she doesn't care anymore. Stan looks at Ruth, noticing the odd gleam in her eyes. She seems cheerier and confident with that smile. This is a burst of life version of Ruth, and she is mesmerizing because of it. Stan is lost in a daze, growing red in the cheeks.
Oh, holy crap, I have a crush on her, Stan thought to himself.
"Stanley Bee," Ruth calls sweetly, snapping him out of it.
"Oh, um," he utters. Stan clears his throat, recollecting himself. "Sorry, I didn't get to tell you earlier, but you look pretty in that blouse, Ruth."
Stanley's compliment startled his group of friends, even Ruth. He made her blush, though.
Mike glanced from Ruth to Stan, realization hitting him. He inwardly groans and rolls his eyes.
Aw, come on, now! She has a crush on him? Mike thought.
"Thank you, Stanley," Ruth whispers with a shy smirk and tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.
Aw, man, this sucks, Mike thought to himself.
Stanley ignores the glares. "I know it's been a while, but do you remember the painting that is hanging by the door in my dad's office at church?"
"The bizarre Judith painting?" Ruth doesn't particularly like the painting either. Ruth won't let Pennywise know. Although, she will know it's him trying to scare her.
"Yeah, that one. He was the woman from the painting. Well, came out of it. He charged at me with these gnarly rows of piranha-like teeth. Scared the shit out of me." Stan described animatedly.
"Piranha like teeth? What is he a fish?" She smirks jokingly with a little giggle and wink.
Stan chuckles with her, smiling. "A fish that can shapeshift sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?"
"It sure does. Hmm, I may even use that as my next drawing. Thanks for the inspiration." She grins, glancing over her narrow shoulder to Mike.
"What's your story, Mike? What have you seen?"
Mike regards her as he stood while she sat. Ruth stares up at him, patiently waiting for an answer. Except, Mike found it hard to respond. The bright summer sun beamed down on Ruth, illuminating the light sheen on her forehead and bridge of her nose. Her hazel eyes sparkled like earthy jewels as she grinned.
Damn, she's pretty, he says to himself.
Richie watches the trio from a short distance, annoyed. He turns to Eddie, who is slightly irked before they both glance over at Ben, Bill, and Beverly. Ben is watching Ruth with a slight smirk, Beverly is increasingly becoming irritated, Bill, on the other hand, seemed oddly focused on Ruth. Why?
"Mike?"
"Oh, uh, right. Charred hands, that's what I saw." Mike started then glanced around at the others.
"You know that burnt down house on Harris Avenue?"
"Yeah. What about it?" Richie questions.
"I was inside when it burned down," He shares, staring at the ground.
Ruth gaps, dread developing in her stomach. "Mike?"
He regards her with a sad frown. "Before I was rescued, my mom and dad were trapped in the next room over from me. They were pushing and pounding on the door, trying to get to me. But it was too hot. When firemen finally found them, the skin on their hands melted down to the bone."
Everyone fell silent. Ruth stared at him with tears brimming her eyes and pressed her lips sadly.
"I'm so sorry, Mike," she says softly.
He warily smiles. "Thank you, Ruth."
They eye each briefly before Ruth looks away.
"We're all afraid of something," Mike adds.
Ruth turns her attention on Bill now, frowning. She can only assume what he might have seen.
"What about you, Billy? What did you see?"
Bill glances at her, gulping and spoke clearly. "Georgie. I saw Georgie."
Ruth sadly frowns, her sparkle gone. "You're afraid Georgie is lost in the sewers?"
He doesn't answer, only nods. Ruth grimaces slightly from a pang of guilt in her stomach. She won't dignify that with an insensitive remark. Ruth knows Bill is still in shock over his brother's disappearance. She would be, too, if Ruth lost her sibling.
"It's hard to get over, I know. I'm sorry."
Bill sadly smiles. "Thanks, Ruth, and I'm sorry for brushing you off last year. I was still upset about it and was having a hard time adjusting to his sudden disappearance. I should not have done that when you were just expressing your sympathies. I've wanted to tell you that for a while now, but I have a hard time chalking up the courage to say something. So, I'm sorry for being an ass, and thank you."
Ruth smiled softly and flashed him a wink that went unseen by Richie.
"Thanks, Bill. You know I hold nothing against you."
Bill timidly smirks and opened his mouth to say more but couldn't bring himself to do so.
Ruth then noticed a strange silence between them, deciding to break it herself.
"So, you six got the bejesus scared out of you by some clown who apparently can take on the form of your worst fears. Am I right?"
They nod.
"And the only one left he hasn't scared is Mr. Gray Water, here?"
"Will you stop calling me that, Bastard Kid? Every chance you get, you fling that around." Richie growls.
"Oh, gee, really. Now you know what it feels like to be called something you hate. How is my name-calling any different to yours?" Ruth snaps.
Richie opens his mouth to retort only to close. He knows she's right but won't admit it out loud. Instead, he puts the blame on the person for bringing her over.
"Why did you have to bring the basket case over here, anyway?" Richie directs this to Mike.
"I wanted Ruth to confront all of you and put an end to your differences. We all have something in common here, and its Henry Bowers. He harasses her, too, you know."
"So, what? We can't be around her," Richie insists.
"I know Stan told me about some of you not getting along with her."
"We all don't get along," Beverly interjects and glowers at Ruth.
"That's not true," Ben corrected, defending Ruth.
She glares at him, "Ben?"
"I don't have a problem with her. At first, I kind of did, but Ruth is really not a bad person after running into her a few times. I actually like her. Plus, she would kick Henry Bowers' ass if he ever harasses me again. She's kind of like a big sister."
"Thank you, Ben. You know, I got your back." Ruth replies sweetly.
Ben opts to not say anything further but flashes her a kind smile.
"But you must understand something," Eddie chimes.
"Understand what?"
Eddie sighs heavily, "Ruth is trouble."
Mike crosses his arms, "How so?"
"There's a rumor of Ruth being Henry Bowers girlfriend, which is so not true," Stan explains quickly.
"Yeah, she told me about that. If she were that idiot's girlfriend, Ruth, wouldn't be throwing punches at him or him harassing her."
"It was something that Betty Ripsom started before she went missing. I've also heard Ruth's parents don't want her around anyone for whatever reason." Eddie affirmed, watching Ruth, along with Stan.
"That's why we have to keep our distance from her. The disease will get us killed." Beverly replies snidely.
Ruth's demeanor diminishes quickly, gulps harshly, then glances down at the ground with tears stinging her eyes.
I'm not wanted, she thought sadly.
Mike glares daggers at Beverly. "So, treating Ruth like dirt is the answer? Have you ever thought to consider why they don't want her around anyone? Well, I have, and she told me some really startling_."
As he spoke, Ruth's eyes grown wide then snapped her gaze on him. Her sad expression morphed into pure rage, and scowls deeply.
"Mike," Ruth growls lowly.
He glances down at her, startled by Ruth's vicious glare on him.
"Shut your mouth," she enunciated through clenched teeth.
While the others stare bewildered at Ruth's sudden hostility, Stan regarded the pair with a knowing frown. The way Ruth is glaring at Mike told him what he needed to know. His suspicions finally confirmed. Ruth's parents are abusing her. Stan knew something was wrong but wasn't sure what. He must tell his father. Stan needs direction on how he could best help Ruth. His crush desperately needs saving.
Mike remains quiet, apologetically staring at her. He can't apologize outright, as they will know. Mike almost revealed Ruth's abuse. He's breaking his promise to Ruth and his granddad in being careful.
"They made it abundantly clear I'm not wanted amongst them. So, let it be, Michael." Ruth advised, then stood sharply.
Oh, she's mad now. She used my full name, Mike thought.
"Well, um, it's not like we, oof!" Eddie is cut off when Richie elbows him in the gut.
"Eddie, shut up," he growls at him then turned to Ruth. "Just go away, Bastard Kid. We can't be around you. You're nothing but trouble and will only get us killed. Go on now, shoo!" Richie hollers, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.
Ruth stares at him with a mixture of hurt and anger, life draining from her eyes, then snaps the cigarette in half with her fingers.
"If your make-believe clown really does exist, I hope he gives you the scare of your life, Tozier."
"Just disappear already, Greyson."
"Richie!" Stan seethes with a vicious glare.
She had it then. Ruth quickly stood then whirls around with hair flying behind her like flames.
"Ruth, wait, please!" Mike calls.
"Just let her go, Mike," Beverly advised, watching Mike chase after Ruth.
"Yeah, you really shouldn't have brought the Bastard Kid over here anyway, Mikey!" Richie hollers.
"Damnit, Richie, will you shut up! Jeez, stop being so cruel to her." Stan bellows.
The boy immediately fell silent at Stan's vicious glare. He knows Stan has a crush on Ruth and is quite protective of her. Richie gulps, turning his gaze to the ground, who caught sight of her left behind sketchbook.
"Ruth, hold up, please," Mike pleads, reaching out for her.
Ruth steps out of his reach.
"You stay the fuck away from me," she urged tightly.
"Come on, girly, don't leave."
"Don't you girly me, Michael! You almost told them what I told you in confidence. I trusted you! Why would you do that? What you just did was not helping. You know that, right? I mean, for Christ's sake, your granddad even told you, urgh!"
Ruth groans and tried walking away, but Mike kept her from leaving.
"I realize that now! I'm deeply and sincerely sorry, Ruth. I should have kept my mouth shut. I was so caught up in the moment defending you I was thinking straight."
"Clearly," she sneers.
"Look, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for doing that. I broke your trust."
Ruth refused to say anything just glared at him.
Mike heaves a sigh, guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders.
"Answer this for me. Do you not want the others to know what's going on?"
"Why would I want to tell them anything when they won't give me the time of day? Yes, we had our moments, but you saw how they interacted with me, and several of them hate me. The only ones that might give a damn are Ben and Stan. I don't know about Billy or Eddie, though. I knew it was risky talking with you about everything. I don't think you realize I'm putting myself in danger here. Hell, I'm putting you at risk of getting into trouble, too. If I got them involved, they're dead. I may not get along with Richie or Beverly, but I don't want either of them to die. They're you're friends, Michael, not mine. You need a group of friends like them more than I do."
"You know, that's not true, Ruth."
Ruth eyes him angrily still but frowned deeply with tears burning her vision. Having a friend to talk with about all of this is not in the cards for her. Mike, almost slipping up, is part of the cause. Yet, Ruth is deathly afraid her parents will find out. They will end up removing the bit of happiness in Ruth's life quickly. She might hate him right now, but Ruth must protect Mike, along with the others.
"I'm sorry," Ruth wobbled.
His heart leaps into his throat.
"Ruth, please."
"I'm sorry," she pauses, crying now. "I can't do this. I seriously thought talking would help my situation. Except, the harsh reality is that it won't. I can't make friends with anyone when I fear my parents will end up hurting them. If they find out that I've been talking, I'm dead, Michael. They even threatened to kill me."
Mike breathes heavily, struggling to keep himself from crying as well.
"You can still have friends, Ruth. You know that. I am so sorry I nearly revealed your secret to everyone. It was stupid of me, I know. Just please, don't push me away. Don't turn away from us to save yourself." He fought with a grimace.
"Us? How can I trust you now? And so you know, it's not me I'm trying to save."
This caught him off guard. "Huh, what are you talking about?"
She sadly smiles, her lips trembling. "Even though you did something foolish, and I'm pushing you away, I still kind of like you," Ruth admits.
Mike's stomach flips excitedly. She likes me!
"I don't want you to get hurt because of my mistakes. I'm very sorry, Mike, but we cannot be friends."
Mike sighs, his tears finally falling. It caught Ruth off guard from how upset he is about this. He wants to reach out and take Ruth's hand. Except, her arms are out of reach. With another hard sigh, Mike regards Ruth with tears streaming.
"Can, can I still help you, though?"
Ruth weakly smiles, shaking her head. "No. You can't help me. No one can."
He takes her by the shoulders, gripping her gently. "That is not true, Ruth. Rather you want me to or not, I'm still going to help you. Just hang in there for me, please."
She locks her watery gaze on his with a frown.
"Goodbye, Mike," Ruth whispers softly.
She steps out from under his hands then quickly rushes away.
"Ruth!" Mike called out to her.
She ignores him and weaves through the crowd, covering her face to hide from them. Thankfully, none of them paid any attention to her or Mike conversing.
Mike felt an emptiness in his heart as he watched Ruth leave. They may have known each other for a short time, but Mike likes Ruth as well. He may have made a couple of mistakes along the way, but there is a connection between them. Mike doesn't want to give up on her. He would like to follow after her but knew Mike it in his best interest to leave Ruth be for now. Despite her wanting him to not help, Mike is going to continue helping her. He would just need to do so discreetly.
From a short distance, Ruth's stalker watched the two converse remorsefully. He sighs heavily as he glanced from Mike to Ruth's retreating form. He would have followed after Mike and talked to him about how delicate situations like hers can be, but he must keep a close eye on Ruth.
It's his job anyway.