1I opened one eye and saw Ace's fist inches away from my face. Frozen. Mid-punch. I looked pas it and she Ace looking into my eyes but not really seeing me. It was like he was concentration really hard on something. I saw him swallow and as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down, there was something that was sticking against his throat.
Gordie stood with Ace's discarded knife pressed against his throat. Chris was standing with him, ready to fight off any of the other Cobra's if they got to near. Vern and Teddy were scrambling out of their captor's arms to stand with the two best friends.
Gordie's eyes held a vicious fury that I never thought possible for a twelve-year-old-boy. He stared at Ace's profile, daring him to make a wrong move. There was a few moments of silence as they scene was processed by all of us.
"Just give me the knife, Lachance," said Ace softly, trying to be cool and casual. I don't think anyone was buying it.
"Let her go, Ace. I'll drop the knife when you let her go," Gordie said in a slow, deliberate voice. I felt my legs give away suddenly, as if someone had kicked them out from under me. Everyone's eyes flicked towards me. Gordie pressed the knife harder to Ace's throat.
"C'mon kid, just give me the knife. You ain't go the sack to cut a woodchuck."
"Let her go, Ace or I'll kill you, I swear to god." I looked up at Ace and saw a momentary flicker of fear in his eyes. His fist slowly dropped to his side and a smirk appeared across his face. He turned his head slightly so he could see Gordie.
"Come on, Lachance, you must have some of your brother's good sense," he said. I felt my jaw drop. Chris tensed up and looked as if he was going to hit Ace. Teddy's eyes got worried and he glanced at Vern, who looked back at him. Gordie's eyes became two hard rock in his skull. It was like he'd been waiting for this. Waiting for someone to mention Denny, just so he could let his fury out. I watched in silent awe as the words came out of Gordie' mouth.
"Suck my fat one, you cheep dime store hood." There was supposed to be a silence like in the movie but, as it so happened, Teddy was present and let out a yell of excitement.
"Yeah! You tell him Gordie! EEE EEE eee!" he did his mad laugh. Chris shot him a look and he shut up. Ace's face contorted with fury but he managed to compose himself.
"What're you gonna do,kill us all?"
"No, Ace," came the reply from Chris. "Just you." The voice that spoke did not match the lovely human being that stood before me. Chris Chamber's voice had suddenly aged about 25 years. His face had a sad, apologetic look to it as he stood in front of Ace, staring him straight in the eye. It was exactly like in the movie except for one key point. In the movie, I sometimes used to giggle at the intensity on their face. But also, Gordie was the one who said that last line. Here, Chris had said it. And to be honest, I'd never felt more convinced in my life.
Chris hadn't just threatened Ace Merrill. Threats don't normally scare people who are bigger than you but in this case, you could see Ace's mind turning over, wondering if the twelve-year-old in front of him was bluffing or not. It wasn't even what Chris had said, it was the way he'd said it. I don't know if any of you have read the novella that this movie is based on, but the line that Chris says to make Ace stops is said softly with great regret. That's exactly how it was said right here and it sent a shiver up my spine.
Ace let out a breath and stepped away from the knife and Chris. He glared at the two smaller boys as he backed away slowly. The Cobras stared at him stupidly, wondering what their leader was doing.
"We're gonna get you for this," he said, motioning the Cobras to follow him.
"Maybe you will, and maybe you won't," came a retort from Chris. Ace shook his head in disgust.
"Oh we will. We're not gonna forget this if that's what you're thinking," at this point, Eyeball and Billy let me go and I dropped to the floor. They jogged after Ace as he finished his speech. "This is big time baby." He turned and walked away with the rest of the boys. We all watched them disappear into the forest. Chris turned to Gordie.
"Suck my fat one? Whoever told you had a fat one, Lachance?" Gordie grinned.
"Biggest one in four counties," he said. Chris chuckled.
"Yeah." Then he suddenly remembered me lying on the ground and hurried over.
"Jayna, you ok?" he asked, helping me to my feet. I groaned as pressure was one again applied to my stomach. He gingerly held me up as Teddy ran to support my other side.
"Yeah," I grunted. "I'll live." The boys laughed softly. When they stopped, we all just stood there, looking at each other. It was incredible. Even thought no words were spoken, there was a conversation happening. But the silence was eventually broken.
"Gordie," said Chris. "I need to talk to you about something. Alone." he added as we all looked at him to continue. Gordie nodded as if he expected this to happen and followed Chris as he walked away. Teddy did his crazy laugh.
"Homos!" he called after them. They flipped him off and made him laugh some more. I just shook my head and sat down in the dirt. The two boys followed suit and we sat there, staring up at the sky, waiting for Gordie and Chris to come back.
About twenty minutes later, they did come back, both with tear streaked cheeks. It was obvious what had happened.
"You tell him about the milk-money?" I asked Chris. He looked at me sharply but nodded. I think that they had accepted now how much I knew about them. I turned to Gordie. "And did you have your writing epiphany?" He did a one sided smile and nodded as well. They sat down with us.
"I think this is almost over for me," I said suddenly. I was looking up at the sky but I could feel four pairs of eyes on me so I continued. "I'm not from this world. I think I'm going to be going back soon. The movie's nearly over. Well, actually it spans a few days but everything has already happened. But then again, this all depends on if we're following the book or the movie." I knew none of them knew what I was talking about so you'll understand how surprised I was when I heard a voice.
"The movie," said Vern. "I'm pretty sure that this is the movie." I looked at him with confusion and he just shrugged. I gave him a small smile and nodded.
"Yeah, this is defiantly the movie." I suddenly felt a strange sensation wash over me. Like a hook had just been placed in my chest and was pulling me forwards. I tried to pull against it, but it was no use. I turned to the boys.
"Well," I said quickly. "I think this is it. Teddy," he looked up at me. "Stop doing all those stupid train dodging stunts. Start focusing more in school. Trust me, you won't get into the army with bad grades and a shitty reputation," he nodded and I gave him a hug. I turned to Vern. "Verno, stay sweet, ok? Don't let Billy get to you and keep looking for those pennies. They're down there somewhere. And do try harder in school too." I gave him a hug as well. The hook in my chest was getting harder and harder to resist. I sped up.
"Gordie, you are going to be a writer and an amazing one at that. But remember, Chris was the one who was there for you since day one. Don't you guys dare lose each other. You'll both be going to different colleges but stay in touch, even if that driving a thousand miles just for a two hours visit." I held onto him a little longer than the others. I felt like the kid was a little brother or something.
And finally, Chris. I turned to look at those gorgeous blue eyes that make me melt when I see them on the T.V. "Chris," I said. "You're going to end up being a lawyer. Gordie helps you throughout most of school and you get a lot of shit form people but don't let them get to you. Just keep on trying. But, remember this always; whatever you do, never entre a Chicken Delight in the year of 1971, got it?" he nodded. I took a step forward to hug him, but stopped. Something in his eyes stopped me. He swallowed and the thing was gone. Without hesitation, he pulled me towards him in a hug. He was taller than me and if it had been our era, someone might have thought us a couple. We stood for a few seconds and when we pulled apart, he whispered a quick "thank you" to me.
The hook in my chest got so strong that it was pulling me off the ground. I felt my feel lift up and slowly float towards the sky. I flipped over and saw the boys watching me. I smiled at them.
"See ya," I said. They smirked.
"Not if I see ya first," they chorused and laughed. I laughed too and turned back towards the approaching sky. I was moving faster and faster. When I was about to touche the clouds, I rush of air hit me. The clouds turned from a perfect blue sky to the creamy white of a ceiling.