"Hohohoho! Hello boys and girls! Who's having a wonderful Easter Here in Derry?"
Dozens of children and adults wave and cheer. Smiles and laughter abound the large group of hundreds celebrating their Easter Sunday with the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. All are dressed in their finest wears. A perfect scene of happiness set in a Victorian Derry setting.
Clapping of gloves hands can be heard accompanied by the sound of jingling bells. A bright white face painted with vivid red grins with huge buck teeth at the crowd.
"Good good good! I'm Pennywise the Dancing Clown and I'm here to help start off your special holiday event! Are you all ready?"
The clown places his hand to his ear as if hard of hearing as the crowd cheers.
"What was that? I think I have something in my ears." With a what appears slight of hand, Pennywise pulls scarves from one ear and then the other. Pulling them back and forth as if cleaning the space in between before pulling the tied scarves fully from one side.
"That's better. Now again, are you ready?" He shouts with a grin and a clap. Children and adults alike cheer all the louder. Pennywise raising his own hands in loud cheer.
"Then I officially announce that the 1903 Derry Egg Hunt has begun!" He hoots and howlers, jumping up into the air, cannons on his stage shooting confetti everywhere into the crowd.
Children giggle as they dash off with their baskets to find every hidden and colorful egg. A grand prize to be given by the Pennywise himself.
Pennywise grins, cheering and hopping about, following the crowd of children. Appear in different places as he cheers them on.
Everyone is having great fun. All focus on the event at hand. No one is left to keep a close eye over the little things about town. Not as if it is needed. Nothing could ever happen on such a joyous and celebratory day.
Oh if the boilers of Derry's great Iron Works would listen, they'd know that as well today. The children and adults scattered about the yard would be in no danger at all. But the boilers have a mind of their own on this day.
No one hears or reads the growing pressure. The gauge rising steadily as it reads higher and higher. Steam trying s to find freedom, only to scream as it squeezes through the seams. If only one person was there to watch as the needle hits an outrageously high number that would not ever read as normal, then perhaps they could stop what will come. Perhaps they could even warn the crowds. Evacuate the innocents that are too close to the building now.
The boilers strain and bulge against the pressure, but it is no use. With in moments it will be too late to stop it.
A young boy finds a most colorful egg he has seen as of yet. The rest of his arms filled already. He smiles at the small girl who watches him sadly. She has found none of her own so far. The young boy hands the egg to her, his smile never leaving as the small girl smiles back and takes the egg ever so gently. With in moments though her smile is gone and so is the young boys head.
The pressure has become too great and a piece has blown free, relieving the boy of his much needed head. His body falls to the ground with a thunk before the girl can even finish screaming. His head will not be found until later. High in the tree branches not too far away.
Adults and children alike turn to see what the scream is about. Little time is given to investigate what has happened and caused this tragedy. Another piece of breaks free and flies at high speeds through the air. No one is hit this time, but this piece is soon joined by another and another. Now there is no more time to run to safety.
The explosion is felt and seen before heard. The boilers give and take the building all those around it with it. Screams fill the air, but no one there can truly hear them. All have fallen deaf for the time from the loud boom and concussion of the blast. All have been lain flat upon the ground. Not a single person was left standing. Those lucky to survive are half and half of those will not make it to the end of this day.
The list of injuries grow as the blood flows and covers the grounds around them. Injured and none alike are covered in a mix of blood, soot, and human parts of all kinds. Children cry for their parents that now lay dead as parents cry for their dead children. A few single parents are left to see what is left of their spouse and child.
The out cry is great and all are in a panic. The air is heavy with burnt flesh and fresh drain blood.
Pennywise dances no more.
Staring out into the crowd, unharmed from his distance upon his beloved circus wagon's stage. Horror upon his face, wide eyes taking all of it in.
His joy is gone. Taken from the horrors at hand.
'Oh so delish. So wonderfully tasty and fresh. I think I shall enjoy myself. It is but a bit early for me to wake, but oh, how can I resist such a lovely treat.'
The clowns face grows blank. Eyes moving to either side, a look of vacancy upon it.
'Do not worry, I shan't take long. Sleep and forget. No need to remember such an event as this. Dream of happy things and soon you'll wake to such wonderful things...'
Pennywise began to grin a savage shark tooth liked grin. Turning to staring behind him, drool rolling free and bright red eyes glowing bright.
"Just sleep Bobby. Let me take the wheel." The mad clown reaches out with claws, ready to snatch away who is watching.
I nearly scream as I gasp awake. Gripping my seat, my head whips around, searching for the scene that had been before me.
"Bobby, you okay? Bad dream?" Linda sits in the drivers seat, driving calmly as one can after everything that's happened today.
I look behind us to see Bill's bike, a crapped Bill beside me. I hadn't even noticed him beside me in my reaction to such a horrifying nightmare. He looks deeply worried as he reaching out to touch my arm. I suddenly feel more grounded. This is reality and all I had just seen was but a dream. It wasn't real. None of it.
"Y.. yeah. N..n..nightmare."
They both nod but still look worried.
"I'll b..be fine."
How can I lie so easily?
I won't be fine if this keeps up.
'It was real Bobby Boy.' A chuckle follows as I go ridged.
'Ask Eggboy some time.'
