Chapter 9: You can run but you can't hide

The sound of kids and squealing bus brakes are what brought me out of my nap. I stretched and yawned big, grateful for the extra sleep my mind and body clearly needed. There wasn't a desperate need to get out of bed right away. Other than needing to let Olivia out to the bathroom. Thinking of Olivia brought on all the things that have happened in the last 24 hours. Finding out that Pennywise and Phillip were the same 'thing' was definitely a hard pill to swallow. Come on, don't act like you don't want to see if Pennywise fucks as good as Phillip does, came my inner thoughts. I didn't answer myself since I was afraid of what the answer would be.

I reached out, looking for Olivia, seeing as how she normally ends up on the bed with me. My hand came in contact with short hair and soft ears. A big smile spread across my face feeling the familiar soft, short coat Olivia had. She was under the covers, as was her custom, trying to get toasty warm with me. I snuck a peek at her under there just to confirm what my hands already felt.

"There's my favorite girl," I cooed at Olivia. She gave me a small lick and thumped her tail loudly in acknowledgment. I'm not really sure of the how, when or why. Either way, it was a blessing to see my dog looking back to normal.

I continued to lay in bed, looking around the room and lazily petting Olivia. Glancing at the bedside clock I saw that it was only 9:30 am. I had only been asleep for about 2 hours. This was good news. I didn't want to waste my day sleeping or doing nothing in bed. It would be nice to get out and explore a bit, but I wasn't sure when Pennywise would be back. I was kinda looking forward to talking to him more. I still had so many questions for him that we really didn't cover this morning.

"Come on, Olivia, let's get some coffee." The house heat was on low and my whole body tightened up at the feeling of the cool air against my exposed skin. I grabbed my robe and put on some slippers before walking towards 'The Wake Up Juice'.

We headed into the kitchen, myself heading straight for the coffee maker. Now seemed like a safe time to let Olivia outside in the backyard. While the coffee brewed I let her out and watched as she carried out her business. My mind began to wander back to Pennywise. What could he be doing right now? What does he do during the daylight? Where does he live? Why doesn't that asshat like my cooking?

Geez, listen to me. I sound like a nagging girlfriend.

I made up my coffee and stepped out onto the tiny back porch waiting for Olivia to finish up. Despite it being December, we have been blessed with a very mild winter. I loved a good snowfall and hot chocolate but I was glad there wasn't a blizzard or below zero temperatures keeping me indoors.

I took a sip of my coffee, Oh yea.

Thinking into that more, now would be the perfect time to see the countryside. All the kids will be at school so I could enjoy a little hike through a trail with Olivia undisturbed.

With my mind made up, I let Olivia in the house and headed for the shower.

I didn't have to drive far to find a forest preserve entrance. Pulling my truck into a parking space I smiled when I realized that no one else was here. No cars, means no people, meant no leash.

I let Olivia out and reached into the truck for our backpacks and my iPod. Having a dog backpack was helpful in more ways than one. First, it added extra weight to her so it made her work harder. A tired puppy is a good puppy. Secondly, it helped to have her carry items that just wouldn't already fit into my own pack.

After getting us both buckled in I popped my earbuds in and readjusted my knitted beanie. Originally, I wasn't sure if I should pack any of my jogging gear. I'm glad I decided to at the last minute. I was dressed in black tights, hot pink trail runner top, sneakers and a white fleece vest. Strapping my iPod to my arm and starting up a playlist we headed for the closest trail.

I power walked for about a mile before I started into a jog. Olivia was keeping pace near me, running off occasionally to smell a tree or falling log. There was a very thin blanket of snow on the ground but the heat from the early afternoon sun was starting to melt it off. There was hardly any sound other than what Olivia and I made in breathing and feet hitting the wet snow. The quiet was relaxing, the smell of the forest intoxicating.

Living in the city had its perks. Restaurants and shopping open late, everything was practically within walking distance. The money was better for someone in my profession too. I couldn't imagine making $2000 in one week if I worked somewhere out here. Huh, I wonder if there is a strip club in Derry? I mean, there was already a demon clown. Who's to say that the people of Derry and the surrounding counties didn't need to get their rocks off somewhere else other than their wives. I chuckled out loud at the thought.

Olivia and I had been jogging into the trail for about 25 minutes before we came upon a small stream. This seemed like a good spot to take a break. Right along the water line were rows of boulders in various sizes. I climbed to the top of the smallest one and took off my backpack. I reached inside and grabbed a granola bar for me and a few jerky treats for Olivia. I tossed the treats down to her, watching her catch them with her mouth every time. I pulled my earbuds out to better hear the water and nature around me. Leaning back and snacking on my granola bar I took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

Yea, I can't get this kind of air back home. The air quality alone is enough to make me want to stay. I loved the idea of having a small cabin that Olivia and I could call home. Somewhere no quite in town, but close enough to drive in for supplies. Olivia could run and chase rabbits and squirrels all day. If she randomly shifted into a hellhound I wouldn't have to freak out thinking the neighbors might see her.

Pulling a water bottle out of my pack I took a few huge gulps before offering some to Olivia. I smiled to myself, thinking about the simple life we could have out here in the country. I could start a YouTube channel about dancing and stripping. Maybe even hosting online video classes right in the comfort of my own home. Or maybe I could even open a bar/dance club. Hmm, the idea was intriguing. I wonder if Pennywise would like it if I stayed?

Whoa, where did that come from?

I mean, it's not like I'm dating the clown. Yea, we had incredible sex but that was before I knew what he was. Yea, ok, Quinn. You keep telling yourself that. You like him, girl. Why else would you ask him to lay down with you last night? Protection? You already have a guard dog.

Ugh, I hate to admit it but my Inner Brain was right. I did kind of like the clown. I'm not entirely sure why but I was so drawn to him. It could be from the wine/blood he duped me into drinking. My skin was getting warmer just thinking about that. I wonder what's going to happen to me now that I have crazy clownboy blood in me? Better add that to the list of things I still need to discuss with my new 'friend'.

I started packing up my empty water bottle and wrappers. It was getting close to noon and I wasn't sure when Pennywise would be back. Just then, a light bulb went off in my head! How could I forget!? I was texting Phillip the night before he came over about when and where to meet me. Reaching into my pack again I grabbed my phone and shot a quick text to Phillip/Pennywise.

Hey. Not even sure if you're going to see this but you never said when you were coming back to my place? - Quinn

I sat back on the rock watching Olivia become fascinated with something in the water. Probably a minnow or leaf moving around. She stared down into the water before plunging her nose in and making quick work of whatever it was that looked tasty enough to eat. I wasn't sure anymore about the policy of hellhounds and bacteria from eating random stuff or drinking creek water. I figured it was probably somewhere between "oh, well" and "fuck if I know". I felt a familiar vibration go off in my hand before glancing down to see Pennywise had actually texted me back. Huh, this guy was just full of tricks and surprises.

Well hello there, peaches. How are you after your beauty sleep? - P

Better. Who knew that finding out I banged a demon clown who thinks I smell like a dessert would exhaust me? - Quinn

:0) Your Welcome - P

I can't help but wonder how hard it must be for you to type onto a phone with those gloved fingers of yours. I bet you look like an old man trying to figure out the buttons for the first time. HA! - Quinn

1t's 5ot N?ce t() maK3 Foon ()f 9e09le, Q}inn. - P

I couldn't help but laugh out loud at his remark. Pennywise/Phillip was cute and charming no matter which form he took on.

I rest my case, LOL. So, clownboy, are you coming back to my place or what? - Quinn

Mmmmm Peaches. Is this your way of asking for another round with Ol' Pennywise? - P

NO! That's not what I meant and you know it. I had sex with Phillip, not you. - Quinn

To-may-to, to-mah-to, sweet cheeks. OOOOO, perhaps another strip tease? I did like the first one so very much. - P

My hand hovered over the keyboard on my phone. I wanted to tease him back but I didn't want to lead him on. I really wanted answers to so many questions I still had. I mean, If Phillip showed back up I may not be able to help myself. But sex with the clown...eh, I don't know about that.

Ignoring that last comment, I'll be home in about an hour. I need to stop back at the store. I was told very recently that my dog now eats truckloads of meat. - Quinn

I quickly put my phone back in my pack before he could respond. We still needed to make our way back to the truck and then drive into town. Hopping down from my boulder I called for Olivia to come.

I never even saw a large amount of blood that was flowing down the creek.

The parking lot was busier this time around. It was nothing but Minivans and SUVs everywhere. Obviously, this was peak soccer mom shopping hours seeing as how their kids were all in school. I felt a few eyes wandering in my direction as I stepped out of my truck. I had left it running again with the windows cracked for Olivia, making sure to grab my spare key before making my way to the front of the store.

After grabbing a cart, I weaved in and out of the overly chatty women, trying to reach the meat department. I was right in the middle of adding package after package of various meats to my cart when I heard something I was not expecting at all.

"Hey, Tiffany baby."

I spun around so fast, gripping a package of beef in my hand so tightly it was bending in the middle. Smiling at me with longing and excitement was my work regular, "Ned Flanders". I tried to speak but my mouth just hung open in shock, confusion, and terror. What in the absolute FUCK was he doing here?

'Ned Flanders' extended out his hand to me in an attempt to break the silence. I looked at the appendage like it had turned into a tentacle. There wasn't a chance in hell I was going to shake his hand.

"Tiffany, I want to introduce myself properly this time. I'm Gary. Gary Hughes. You look great, by the way. I've missed you."

"Gary, what the fuck are you doing here?" I whispered rather loudly at him.

"Well, you see, I heard you tell Coco last week that you were going to take a week off. I didn't like hearing how you were just going to leave me and not say goodbye. I really do miss you, baby."

"I AM NOT, your baby. And you need to leave immediately."

"Now, now, Tiff. I told you the other day that I had an early Christmas gift for you. Would you please come to my car so I can give it to you?"

I was stuck. I knew this wasn't going to end well but this time I didn't have my bouncer, Pat, here to save me. Shit, think Quinn, THINK!

As if answering my prayers, a familiar had snuck itself around my waist. "Hey, peaches. Did you pick up everything we needed?"

I swung my head towards the voice to see Phillip towering above me wearing a gorgeous smile just for me. Oh, this could go good or bad, I thought.

"Um-uh, yeah, right. Stuff and, um, food. Yea, I was... I was getting it now." My mouth was barely able to form sentences. I didn't know how to get Phillip out of this encounter and Gary the fuck out of my life. God, please let Gary get the hint. Oh, look, Gary is staring at Phillip like he just stole his favorite toy out of the sandbox, my Inner Brain noticed. Well, shit.

Phillip extended out his hand to Gary, mimicking the same action he probably just witnessed him do to me. "Hello. I'm Phillip, Tiffany's boyfriend. And you are?"

Oh, thank you, Jesus, he heard Gary use my stage name and didn't call me Quinn. I'm going to have to owe Pennywise for this big time. Should I get him a Christmas present? What exactly do you get a magical clown for Christmas?

Gary's expression went from pissed to deadly in an instant. I, however, shifted towards Phillip in an attempt to get his point across. Maybe if I looked extremely unavailable he'll leave me in peace and I can file for an order of protection after the holidays. Gary reached out and took hold of Phillips outstretched hand. "Gary Hughes. I'm sorry, did you say boyfriend? Tiffany, I thought you were unattached?"

"I...," Phillip cut me off before I could continue.

"She was. We started dating yesterday."

"Oh, well how long have you know each other?"

"Since yesterday," Phillip continued. Ugh, you might as well tell him you picked me up in a truck stop bathroom while you're at it. Telling Gary we just met yesterday and started seeing each other in one day makes me look really good. As much as I wanted to jab my elbow into Phillip, I kept my emotions in check.

Phillip/Pennywise was growling. It was low and barely noticeable to someone who might not expect to hear something like that. But with how close I was standing to him I could feel it more than hear it. Shit, I don't know what my clownboy's policy was about feeling threatened but I really didn't want to see and find out. I had to step in before the questions got too involved.

"Gary, I'm going to pretend that I didn't just see you here. You need to leave this town right now, drive back home and forget that you stalked me here. If you don't I will be calling the police." I could feel my confidence coming back now that the initial shock of seeing him worn off. Phillip gave my waist a slight squeeze of reassurance. Or maybe it was possessiveness, I don't really know.

"Fine, fine. Listen, I know it was wrong of me to just show up like this but there is something I've been wanting to tell you. I love you, Tiffany. I think we should be together. Don't think I didn't notice all the extra dance moves you did for me last week. I didn't peg you for a slut that took in strays though. I'm better for you than this guy. I'm a better choice for you."

Phillip was about to step in front of me but I beat him to it. I took one step forward and slapped him hard across the face. Gary reached up and grabbed his reddening cheek, a look of shock in his eyes. Behind me, Phillip was smirking.

No one talks to me that way.

"Listen, asshole. I don't know who the fuck you think you are but all you are to me is a paycheck. What your doing right now is harassment and stalking. So, unless you want to explain to your family why you had to spend a night in a jail cell in Derry, Maine you better back the fuck away." My voice sounded strong but my body was shaking with rage. It took every ounce of my being not to mess up his stupid face!

At this point, we had drawn a crowd of people who were talking and pointing in our direction. Phillip was still standing behind me, arms crossed and with a very pleased look on his face. Gary opened his mouth to say something but a grocery manager walked up to us.

"Is there a problem here, folks?"

"No, this guy," I looked back at Gary," was just leaving. Weren't you?"

Gary opened his mouth to speak again but nothing came out. Instead, he nodded to the manager before giving an evil stare down to Philip and myself. Gary turned on his heel and stormed away. Hopefully, out of my life too. I was going to have to call work about what happened. They will make sure Gary Hughes never comes back. The manager walked away seeing that there was nothing to do. Most of the crowd was beginning to dissipate. I turned to Phillip. He was watching Gary walk away with yellow, cat-like eyes.

Phillip looked back at me, his blue eyes changing to a mix of aquamarine with cobalt. "I can smell his hatred towards me. He wanted what was mine and I don't share. He's lucky I didn't end his existence right here. "

"As sweet as you make obliteration sound, I can't have you going around and hurting people because of me. I'm no stranger to creeps who like me too much. Granted, this is the worst it's ever been but I can take care of myself. "

"But I can take care of you better."

I let out a sigh. Typical guy, thinking I needed saving. Demon clown or not, a girl like me needed to know how to defend herself. One of the first things I did as a stripper was signing up for self-defense classes. Then again, I was so shocked when I saw Gary I did freeze up. Having Phillip/Pennywise here gave me the confidence I needed to tell him off. The slap I gave Gary was nothing compared to what i wanted to do. I let him off easy.

"Either way, thank you." I said to Phillip, "I'm glad you showed up when you did. That could have ended a lot worse."

"Ha, are you kidding, peaches? I just watched you hit a human." Phillip grabbed my waist again and pulled me towards him. "Mmm, maybe next time you want to get rough you can do it with me instead? My bite is definitely worse than my bark."

"Oh, I don't doubt that for a second," I said with a chuckle.

Without even thinking about it, my palms were rubbing up and down his chest. There was no mistaking his actions anymore, Pennywise was purring. "Hey, clownboy," I whispered, "wanna come back to my place? We still have lots of talking to do."

"Lead the way, sweet cheeks."