"I don't think this is a good idea…"

"Nonsense Bobby. His bigger then me and you're bigger then him. All you have to do is tell him to stop picking on me. It's sure to work."

I sighed deeply as I helped Linda put on her pink backpack. Her smile wasn't helping me feel any better. The idea of picking on a kid, even one larger then her that had been teasing and at times even hitting her didn't settle well for me.

"I'll think about it… but I really think you should tell one of the teachers. They should be able to talk to him and if he doesn't stop they'll call his parents."

"The jerk doesn't listen to 'em or the teachers. He brags about it all the time. You've heard him. He always waits until you are getting something for me to pick on me, not this time. This is the last straw. I'm doing being miss nice girl."

Linda gripped the straps with a determined smirk.
"You'll hide and watch and when he starts to pick on me pop out and confront him."

I couldn't stop the frown forming on my face, but I nodded and agreed to the plan anyways.

We grabbed our bikes and headed toward school. It didn't take long for us to get there, locking the bikes at the front in the designated racks, before we headed in.

It was peaceful for much of the time, that is until recess came along and Linda's plan went into affect. I followed her out to where we couldn't be seen well by any teachers before going to hide else where while she waited for her tormentor to arrive.

It felt like only yesterday I had met Linda, but she had grown so much in that time. It had to be at least five years and she had grown taller and braver as time went on. Myself I seemed to go in the opposite direction. Mostly my worry for her and what would happen if I wasn't there. The only reason I was agreeing to this whole thing was because she was the one to ask me. I sighed heavily, squatting low in the bushes. Odd feeling like I had done something like often in the past. I shook it off before I could let it get under my skin. The 'doofus' as Linda called him was approaching.

I listened carefully in, waiting for my signal from Linda to enter in to tell the bully off, but that all went out the window when I saw him suddenly hit and then proceed to push Linda to the ground.

A rage seemed to take over me as I rushed towards them faster then I ever imagined I could. There were screams as the rest of his gang scattered. Running in all directions as I appeared out of nowhere it seemed, grabbing the leader tightly by both his arms. A snarl coming from deep within me as I glared deeply at him.

'Delicious fear….'

I could make out the sudden smell of ammonia as I looked down to see that he had wet himself. I very pleased grin appearing on my face. The smell of iron mixing in as I felt warm liquid soak my fingers. My nails having dug deep into his arms drawing blood. A salty smell adding to the mix as I heard sobs, tears flowing like rivers from his eyes.

"P…please… do…don't hurt me… Mr… Mr Cl… cloo…"

"Bobby?"

All hate and anger left me, concern taking hold as I heard my name called in a daze. Shoving the boy away as I leant down to meet Linda, taking her gently into my arms, holding her close.

"Shh, I'm here. Are you alright little one?"

"I… I think so… My face and head hurt…" She whined, sniffling as she tried not to cry in my arms.

"It'll be alright. We're going to the nurse and see about getting you home early to rest." I soothed, standing with her cradled close to me.

"What about Doofus?" She asked with heavy lidded eyes.

"He won't bother you anymore. I promise." I felt like I wanted to kill the kid before Linda had snapped me out of my rage. I couldn't do that to her. Kill a child and leave her all alone. She'd be so frightened of me if I ever did something like that.

"W… was there a clown?"

My brows rose at her odd question.
"A clown? No… why would you ask that little one?"

She seemed to pause in thought before burying her face into my chest.
"I thought I saw one as I woke up… but then it disappeared and you were there…" She sighed holding onto me tightly, hugging me as she put all her trust into me.

"No clowns here Lin… but if you like we could see a circus soon… would you like that?"

I could see a grin form on her lips as I peeked down at her. I could feel her nod before she answered.
"I'd like that… we can get popcorn… right?"

"Yes, of course. POP POP POP!"

She burst into laughter at my over the top enthusiasm for the food.
"You're so silly Bobby… I like that… don't ever grow up like everyone else… Don't become an old grumpy man… I never want to be an old grumpy person. I want to be happy and have fun. I know I gotta grow up… but it doesn't mean I have to be a prune."

"Nor will I. I promise. No prunes here. Just two young hip adults." I chuckled giving her a hug.

"I won't grow old now will I?"

Her voice sounded older, sadder.

"We all grow old Lin…"

"Not when we're dead…"

I froze, my heart feeling it has stopped in my chest. I'm afraid to look, but know I must. As I look down, there is no longer a ten year old Linda in my arms. My chest tightens upon seeing the burnt corpse I'd pulled from the car. Her eyes open, untouched, as she stares up at me.

"I won't grow old now… no husband… no children… perhaps it is best. He'd only hunt them down and eat them..."

I look where she is staring now in confusion.
Pennywise grins holding a large group of balloons, waving at us both.

When I look back to her she's gone. My arms empty as I jump startled. Looking about frantically for her.

"LINDA! LIN!" I'm hyperventilating as I feel the all too hot tears fall down my cheeks. "LIN…!"

I feel myself tackled to the ground, a great weight being pressed upon my throat. The air being cut off as I stare up in horror as Pennywise hovers over me, chocking me as he uses his weight to keep me pinned to the ground.

"Why don't you just die!"

I gasp as my vision blurs. Scrapping at the wrists of the clown slowly killing me.

"Shh, just let it happen you freak! You messed with wrong guy." The darkness crawls into my vision.

The image of Pennywise fading as I begin to make out the man Pennywise was meant to kill tonight. I was dreaming! But now… this part wasn't a dream. I was being suffocated by a crazed man trying to protect himself.

How was this happening? Penny said he'd leave me out of this. Why was I here?

"That cop must have been one weak bitch for you to kill her." Laugher echoes in my ears.

What did he just call Linda?

A snarl makes it from me as I grip hard to the mans wrists. I hear snapping and a sharp cry as I pry his hands from my throat taking in deep breathes, frightfully calm ones, as my vision clears and I stare glaring into the man's eyes.

"What did you just call her?" I can hear a growl building as I speak.

"B… bitch…" The man is horrified by my sudden strength. I twist my hands sudden and sharply. A scream coming from the man that I easily cut short dropping his wrists and grabbing his throat and mouth.

"I was going to let you die quickly, but now… I don't think I shall be so kind." The smell of fear grows stronger and wafts to my senses as I see him begin to panic. He struggles, but is unable to free himself from my grasp. The smell of ammonia hits the air as he wets himself. My nails become like claws digging into his face and neck. The smell of Iron joining in.

"Here comes a candle to light to bed…"

He's eyeing me confused, but I no longer care.

"And here comes a chopper to chop off your head!"

I'm growing in size, taller I go, longer I stretch in limbs.

"Chip chop chip chop…"

I can feel him screaming behind my hand as I grin from above him.

"...the last man is dead."