Sometime in August
"I wish this will last forever."
One human girl's dream of acceptance and safety changed everything in a single night.
Pennywise heard Ruth's wish, but he knows the girl wanting forever with him is impossible. Nothing lasts forever.
Friendships come and go. Humans fall in and out of love, which can get ugly depending on the people. A child is born into the world but dies later in life, sometimes by him if Pennywise were lucky. Everything comes to an inevitable end. It's part of life. Plus, he would need to go into hibernation.
But for Ruth, he'll make an exception.
His fondness for Ruth came at him full force like a punch to the gut. The memory of Ruth's distress haunts his mind still even after his vicious attack on Jonathan. He was afraid of losing Ruth. Pennywise never thought he would feel fear towards a human girl. Ruth did something he didn't know was possible. Ruth weaved herself into his heart. He craves her presence now, desired it really, and became dependent. He can't imagine a day without her now.
Thankfully, Maturin was gracious enough to let Pennywise stay with Ruth for a year and help her through the struggles she's facing. He told Ruth about the deal with Maturin, along with the promise Pennywise silently made before he heard her wish. Ruth was genuinely surprised at him for doing so but grateful nonetheless. She thought the one child a season was reasonable and offered assistance in frightening the kid when it came time.
Pennywise does know once he goes into hibernation, there will be some reluctance in parting. He and Ruth will become close over time and may even develop a more intimate relationship if it is possible for them. The thought of leaving her alone always disheartened him whenever Pennywise thought of it. Except, he knows Ruth will flourish and set herself goals. Pennywise doesn't doubt Ruth will become like her father and be a famous artist and writer, maybe even a singer if she truly wanted. When he resurfaces twenty-seven years later, Ruth will be pushing forty, and most likely wedded to a devoted, loving man with a child or two. He wouldn't touch them if Pennywise were to meet them. They will be future allies of his. Depending on how Ruth will describe him to her rambunctious little tykes, they will most likely see him as an uncle.
His lips curve in a gentle smile from the thought of Ruth's future children calling him Uncle Penny.
So, having a friend like Ruth by his side is most certainly an option. Besides, she brought a different color to his world. Pennywise enjoys the ray of sunshine from the girl and sees the child as a little sister.
However, that ray of sunshine has dimmed. Ruth's smile lost its shine and color from her earthy jewels are drained of life. Something changed within her once warm heart after the Birthday Fiasco. He knows what that "something" is, though. Ruth had murdered her mother out of self-defense yet driven by pent up rage towards Jordan.
"It's a kill or be killed world," Ruth had said that very same evening.
He saw the darkness in her. The beast, Ruth's Hyde, came unleashed, and it very much bothered him.
There were a few nights after the fiasco where Pennywise went into Ruth's room and held her. It was to comfort her and let Ruth know he is always there when she needed it most, especially when she is having difficulties falling asleep lately. Ruth didn't mind it, of course. She usually falls asleep in his arms because of his closeness and the strange warmth he provides. Other times, which is becoming more frequent, he would go to her side and console her from reoccurring nightmares. He doesn't doubt they are about Ruth killing her mother or vice versa. There have been a few occasions Ruth dreamt of the swine touching her. She doesn't like talking about them, though. He understands to a degree but wished Ruth would share with him and try to ease her mind.
Ever since that night, Ruth hasn't been the same. He hates it, too. Ruth probably hates it even more. Pennywise understands, though. Since birth, his dear friend has been lied to, abused, neglected, alienated, and left unloved.
Pennywise had hoped to make Ruth laugh and smile like old times would help cheer her up but was unsuccessful. Nothing seemed to brighten her day anymore, and he hates not being able to.
What can he do for Ruth to get her to smile again? Bringing the Bowers boy here is certainly not an option. The hormonal boy kept his promise in hiding her but made an advance on Ruth. When Pennywise witnessed the altercation, he would have done something about it. Astonishingly, Ruth gained new strength and warded him off. She busted his nose, struck him below the belt several times, and punched Henry hard enough in the jaw to knock some teeth out. It was a beating Henry Bowers will never forget. Pennywise was damn proud of the girl fighting him off. She won't put up with that abuse anymore. Henry has yet to return here. If he ever did, Pennywise will have a say in the boy's punishment.
The boy Belch has stepped up and became Ruth's provider and brings Ruth meals in secret. He gives Ruth company and talks for hours on end. The kid had swiped the janitor's set of keys and made a copy for Ruth, more specifically, the one to get into the girl's locker room so Ruth could wash. Despite her extraordinary efforts in restoring the washroom to full functionality, the shower stopped working. The commode remains workable, and the sink but not Ruth's means of washing. Belch even stole a couple of sheets and a pillow from the school's nurse. He wanted Ruth to have some comfort while she slept here at Neibolt. The two have an amicable relationship blooming, which Pennywise approves immensely.
Victor comes over a few times a week to check on her. Something he started doing after the idiot Bowers attacked Ruth. He even helped her get the broken oven rigged to cook some things as Belch can't always come bearing hot meals. Of course, Ruth can't get the expensive meets, so he is continually buying hotdogs, and canned meats, which she is okay with. Victor is also getting non-perishable foods for Ruth as her savings have dwindled down to almost nothing. He found out the hard way Ruth is a big eater despite her having a flat belly.
When those two come together, or even individually, Pennywise is thankful Ruth doesn't speak about him. She made an unspoken promise to herself about keeping his involvement a secret. She won't tell Belch or Victor about her dear friend Pennywise. He is grateful for her willingness to hide his existence. The day the irritating bunch refused Ruth's membership is a damn good indication. Ruth had told him her intentions. Of course, he approved of her objective. He may be baffled at Ruth for hiding her involvement with him, but Pennywise admires her fierce loyalty to him. No manipulation is involved for Ruth to complete tasks for him. Ruth will do anything for Pennywise to further his goals.
This thought gave Pennywise an idea. Poor Ruth has been holed up in the house since her last visit to the school's shower, which was yesterday evening. The thought of leaving in broad daylight is not exactly a good idea right now. Especially when the authorities are looking for her still. Ruth is missing, and she wants them to think that. Of course, his abilities will provide Ruth invisibility in his presence. He will make it, so no one will see her at all. She needs to feel some sort of freedom.
He glances over at the corner where Ruth sat. She has her back to him while trying to do up her growing hair. Pennywise noticed the toned muscle in the girl's shoulders and arms. Ruth no longer looks frail and delicate. She has filled out nicely from maturing early into young womanhood. Ruth is gaining emphasis in her waist and hips, with her swells becoming more and more well endowed. The girl is fourteen, but Ruth appears several years older. She is even gaining height by a couple of centimeters every day, it seems, too.
"You're staring again," Ruth's refined, feathery voice deepening only an octave.
Pennywise has unknowingly been doing that a lot lately, watching her. Ruth's sudden maturity is the cause of this. She's turning into a beautiful young woman.
Ruth watched him from the mirror, her eyes dull and lifeless. She even has a frown adorning her thin pink lips. Pennywise mirrors. He cautiously observed her, contemplating. It didn't take him long to decide what needed to be done. Pennywise grins then slowly approached Ruth.
Her eyes remained on the mirror. She is having a hard time pulling her hair into a bun high atop her head with several bobby-pins in between her lips. She doesn't notice Pennywise approaching. She groans impatiently. Ruth was about to give up when he came from behind. His fingers brushed against her own and took Ruth's hair, which startled her slightly from his touch but didn't jump. Ruth watched him create a braided bun at lightning speed in mild fascination. She holds the few bobby-pins to him, where Pennywise then secures the messy up-do. Ruth looks at herself, attempting to smile but couldn't. A few wavy pieces hung at her jaw, elongating her face.
"Thank you," she whispers.
Pennywise observed her for a moment before speaking. "I have a task that needs my attention, and you are coming with me."
An analytical brow rose.
"I'm supposed to be missing, remember. I can't be seen."
The corners of his lips pull back into Pennywise's signature grin.
"Oh, I know."
Ruth understood then. Pennywise is always devising a plan. She had to remind herself that he does have the ability to go invisible to others. Pennywise will most likely make it, so Ruth isn't seen at all. Whatever he has in mind, Pennywise has it covered. She smirks softly, amused.
Pennywise then offered her hand, which she is quick to take as Ruth will do just about anything for her best friend.
Sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff
Pennywise is on all fours, searching the ground. He glances up, determining his location for the fifth time this morning. He inwardly frowns, dipping his head low again.
Sniff, sniff, sniff
Hmm, he paused briefly then inhaled deeply. Pennywise pulls back, sneezing oddly.
Even in this form, I'm susceptible to sneezing. It's irritating!
"Prosit," Ruth's voice sounds nearby.
He turns his attention on Ruth, who is several feet away, searching the ground with him. Pennywise couldn't respond, well more like can't when he's a Basset Hound.
Thanks, I guess, he thinks to himself, then continues sniffing the dirt.
Despite not wanting to be seen, Pennywise insisted Ruth come with him to search for Henry's pocketknife. The only reason why he wants her with him is for Ruth to get out of the house. It would give her something to do anyway and figure out why she is reticent and stone-faced as of late. Ever since the knucklehead made an advance on Ruth, she hasn't said much to anybody. Everything he usually does to put a smile on her face rolls off. Belch can't get her to open up, either. He hates her silence. Ruth probably does, too. He wonders what could have changed.
He glances back at her, watching Ruth bend at the hip. She stretches out while brushing her hand along the ground. Ruth's movements elongated her back and showed off the toned muscles in her arms and shoulders. Pennywise notes a slight wince in her arm. He saw her exercising yesterday and apparently overwhelmed them.
"Again with the staring," her voice seemingly miles away yet slightly cheerful.
Pennywise blinks, remaining to stare. He's been doing it way too much lately. She is absolutely alluring, especially when the sun is beaming down on her through the trees. He sees her look in his direction and softly smiles at him. Pennywise realized that he stared much longer than he should and snaps his gaze off Ruth to continue sniffing the ground.
Pennywise will readily admit, there are occasions where he doesn't see Ruth as a little sister. Seconds ago is a perfect example. The child, ahem teenager, has an air about her that draws anyone in, creatures especially. Ruth's natural beauty is captivating. Pennywise compares her to Medusa, but not the turn to stone sort of thing. If you look into her eyes, which are a dazzling golden hazel today with her lavender blouse, you are frozen in a stunned stupor. That was him seconds ago.
He can feel her eyes on him as Pennywise continued to sniff the dirt. Pennywise refused to glance over at her this time.
What in the bloody hell is wrong with me?
"You know, if you can move objects, why won't you levitate, Mullet Brain's pocketknife? It would beat searching for it like a couple of bloodhounds."
"Hey," Pennywise groans with a pout, "and I'm a Basset Hound."
"Oh, oops, sorry, Basset Hound," she corrects.
He inwardly rolls his eyes, "It would get you of the dark and gloomy house, Ruth. You're not yourself."
Ruth doesn't answer, which only made Pennywise glance at her. "Come on now, talk to me, Ruth. What's going on?"
He hears Ruth sigh but remained silent for a moment.
"Why are we looking for Bowers pocketknife anyway? He's already a loose cannon. From what Reggie told me, Mullet Brain is losing his sanity because his abusive father would kill him if he found out Henry lost it."
He frowns, debating. Maybe they shouldn't be looking for it after all. Returning it to Henry would make the boy do something irrational. He could kill his father with the damn blade. Henry may even take it further in slaughtering his buddies. His deeds would leave Ruth vulnerable. Pennywise doesn't need that to happen. Although, they could give the idiot a chance to redeem himself after what he did to Ruth. Will Pennywise risk it, though?
Pennywise returns his gaze to Ruth, who resumed searching for the pocketknife. No, he doesn't want to risk it. Pennywise promised her a year, and he's determined to give Ruth the best. She deserves it. Especially when the cancers are out of the picture now.
He just needs to get her out of this funk. It's is bringing him down. He knows something is wrong, and he's going to get it out of her one way or another. A metaphorical lightbulb flicked in his brain. Pennywise inwardly grins devilishly, hunkers low, and crept through the grass. He watched her with an excited glint, ready to pounce.
Ruth sat up slightly from her hunched self when Pennywise pounced. He jumps and lands squarely on her back. Ruth yelps in surprise, tumbling forward with an audible grunt.
"Pen," Ruth starts before squealing slightly.
The Basset Hound Pennywise climbs over Ruth. He attacks her with his large, long tongue. He licks at her ears and neck, getting rewarded with giggles. Pennywise grins victoriously while continuing to slobber. She's trying to fight him, but he won't let her shove him away.
"Pen," she breathes, laughing. "Stop it that tickles," Ruth chortles, grinning brightly while trying to avoid his big tongue.
He dives, licking at her chin, face, behind the ears, and neck. Pennywise doesn't care if he covers her with salvia. He wants to see Ruth's beautiful smile. He misses it.
"Pen," Ruth chuckles.
He saw from the corner of his eye Ruth's brighter than the sun smile. Pennywise even noted the dimples. Ruth's bright and joyful mirth rings in his ears then. He still won't stop, though.
"Pen, come on now," she continues to laugh, trying to shove him off. "That tickles."
His tongue tickles at her neck and jaw, whining happily.
"Alright, okay," Ruth caves, giggling still. "I'm smiling, I'm smiling! Ouch!"
Pennywise instantly stops from Ruth's painful yelp and watches her sit up to investigate what had hurt her. She rummaged through the leaves then found what they had been looking for—Henry's pocketknife.
"Hmm, looks like I found Henry's pocketknife," she replies, then lays back on the ground.
Pennywise's dog form settled close and laid his chin on her stomach while Ruth critically analyzed the object.
"It is nice," she says out loud as her fingers caressed the curling maple handle. "I may have to get myself one."
Ruth smiles from another thought.
"Or I can just take it for myself."
"Ruth," Pennywise groans out loud, appalled at the thought of her stealing.
"Finder's keeper's, loser's weepers," she responds with that cunning ring of hers.
"You're taking it back to him, Ruth," he replies firmly.
Ruth pouts with a whine. "You're no fun."
Pennywise glances up at her, who is frowning. "Alright, Freckles, what is going on?"
She doesn't have to say anything in return. Pennywise realized why Ruth is so willing to take something of Henry's. The idiot did do something stupid for Ruth to lose trust in him.
"The fucking psychopath made an advance on me, Pen. If anything, I should return the thing by shoving it up where the sun doesn't shine."
Pennywise helplessly stares up at her, unnerved by Ruth's comment, yet grimaces at the visual.
"It's a kill or be killed world," her voice echoed in his head.
You shouldn't think that way, though, Pennywise thought to himself.
Ruth sighed heavily when Pennywise failed to say anything else. "Sorry, but his actions may have just added to my stress. He triggered some unpleasant memories from when the swine was around. I even had a dream about my father that night."
He stiffens, snapping his gaze on her. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't want to talk about it then. Plus, I was trying to make sense of it all. What I find strange is that I don't even know what my father looks like. All I see is a decayed face."
Pennywise pauses, considering something. "He looked a lot like you, Ruth."
"You took on his form that night. Why?"
With a hard sigh, Pennywise pulls away. If they're going to talk about her father, he needs to be in a form other than this. Pennywise reverts to his clown form, then situates himself behind Ruth from which she laid and watches her from above.
"Are you sure you want to know?"
She sits up from the ground and glances over her shoulder at him. The pretty updo Pennywise had done earlier had come undone from Ruth rolling around cascaded down her neck and shoulders. As the sun beamed from the treetops, Ruth softly glowed like a lit candle. The earthy colors of her eyes sparkled to life and highlighted her slightly defined cheekbones. His tongue gone dry, and his innards unpleasantly squirmed from how alluring his human companion is. The teenager indeed does affect him in ways any normal boy would, which Pennywise shouldn't be.
"Not really, no, but I need to," Ruth answers.
Her voice disturbs Pennywise from his thoughts but diverts his gaze elsewhere.
"Um, uh, you're not afraid, are you?"
"Of course not. Why would I be?"
"I don't know. Not knowing what to expect, maybe. I mean, you have gone without knowing who your real father is for fourteen years."
"That is true. I do have some "what if's" going on in my head."
"What ifs are possibilities, Ruth, not guarantees," Pennywise starts, watching Ruth. "My ability to shapeshift and create illusions is for a reason, you know. It exploits your deepest, darkest fears. Rather it's a fear of spiders, fictional horror characters, or freaking puppies. Everyone is afraid of something. There is also the fear of knowing the truth. That fame-hungry, deceitful woman that was your mother was terrified of her past coming back to haunt her. The crimes she committed had gone unnoticed since you were born."
Ruth blankly stared at him for a moment. She remembered seeing fear in her mother's eyes before stabbing her to death. There was something Jordan was afraid of but never learned what that was. It could possibly be the past staring Jordan right in the face, her ugly truth. Ruth doesn't doubt Jordan despised her because it was always there, taunting her to the point of insanity and plotting to kill Ruth. She does wonder on occasions if her sadistic mother is watching Ruth beyond the grave, hoping for a sign of weakness, and drag her down.
"I never got to tell you this," Ruth started while picking at her fingers. "Back at the house, before I butchered my mother, I noticed this look in her eyes. She was afraid of something, and I questioned what she was afraid of for some ungodly reason. I never got her answer, but I know. Jordan was afraid of me, the past that was always there, and couldn't escape it. She resented me because of it."
"And possibly from the fact, you look a lot like your father. She was staring at a mirror image of the man who helped conceive you."
Her features harden, "If I reminded Jordan of him, then why did she keep me?"
Pennywise screws his lips with a shrug, "Don't know."
She blinks, turning her gaze off him to stare off into the grass.
"I know this," he gently nudges her chin to look at him. "Your father loved you, Ruth."
Her brows furrow, frowning slightly. Ruth goes to question, but Pennywise interjects.
"I've taken on a lot of forms in my lifetime, Ruth. You know I can detect emotions and memories, even plant thoughts into an individual's brain. When I was in that form, I felt the emotions of a dying man. I could even see it happening."
Her eyes widen slightly, "Is that normal for you?"
"No, I never felt anything like it before. Your father had so much anger and fear, and yet he was so sad."
"Sad? Why?"
Pennywise sighs with a frown adorning his ancient red lips. "Because he was calling out for you, Ruth. Even while he laid getting bludgeoned to death, all he wanted was his daughter."
She pauses, "All my father wanted was… me?"
"Love," he pauses, wrinkling his nose. "It is a powerful emotion to feel, Ruth. It trumps over fear and hate. Your father's love for you was strong, but so was the rage and hatred he felt towards Jordan for lying about something. From what I gathered from bits and pieces of Rutherford's memories, Jordan took you away from him, so neither of you could experience happiness."
Ruth stares at him with her lips screwing in thought.
"Jordan told me my father wanted me, not her, and she was fine with that. She had told me her pregnancy left her out of the spotlight and didn't want me to achieve my dreams when she couldn't. I believe that is not the only reason. So, I have to wonder why she went back on her word. Another is where my father could be. I've been to the cemetery before, but I've never seen his headstone."
"That just means his cor-body is somewhere," Pennywise quickly corrects himself.
"Would you know?"
Pennywise shook his head.
Ruth heaves a sigh then diverts her gaze to stare at the pocketknife still in her hand. She examined the rich, deep russet color of the handle and slowly followed the curved markings. Her brows slowly furrowed, a frown soon followed, and she tilts her head slightly. Ruth flicked it open, studying the shiny silver blade which gleamed white along the sharp edge.
"I'm going to kill you nice and slow," Jordan's voice sing-songs in her mind.
She then felt a shiver run down her spine from the memory of Jordan's knife impaling her thigh. The almost healed wounds throbbed as Ruth recalled the moment she almost died that night. Ruth remembers the screams and sickening sounds coming from Jordan as she butchered her chest.
Her chest, Ruth repeats to herself.
Ruth lightly gasps when a memory filtered her vision, remembering the moment she saw a hole in the floor of the master bedroom closet. Her parents were replacing the carpet in there, and while working on it, they had to go out. Ruth ventured into their bedroom when she should have waited at least ten minutes because they had to turn around for something Jordan forgot. Jordan caught Ruth in the bedroom and exploring the closet, which Ruth got beaten for her snooping. She never went in there again.
"Ruth?"
She glances up at him with slightly widened eyes. "I need to go back."
Pennywise bristles, "Absolutely not."
"I'm not asking you to take me there, Pen. I'm going there."
"Why are you so desperate to go there? What good would it do?"
Her jaw sets and her eyes go wild. "For one, I will uncover the truth of what my mother lied about. Plus, it will keep me from seeing my dead father every single night."
His heart plummets to his stomach. Why hasn't Ruth told me?
"I keep having these dreams of him and not know who or what he was like. All I see of my father is his decayed face and skull beaten in. He keeps screaming, "You lied," and I don't know what that means. I need to know because I can't sleep at night."
This hurt. Pennywise knew Ruth was hiding something from him. To discover she's having nightmares of the form he took saddened him. Yet, he is angered at Ruth for keeping him in the dark of what was going on.
"I'm sorry I didn't come talk to you about it sooner. I wanted to figure things out on my own, but I can't keep going alone. I didn't mean to hurt you."
He wanted to make a nasty remark but didn't have the heart to do so. Ruth is apologizing for making a mistake. Pennywise eyes Ruth for a moment, frowning deeply.
"Apology accepted," he starts, frowning still. "Did I frighten you in that form?"
"No, not at all," Ruth quickly answers. "It's more so the memory. I can't get it out of my head."
He screws his lips to consider his options. Going back to the house could help Ruth face the awful truth of what she had done and maybe move past it. There is also the downside of her reliving the moment and ending up crying, something Pennywise doesn't want. Although, going there could also uncover some clues to a mystery within the now vacant home. For these last few weeks, almost a month now, Ruth and Pennywise learned quite a lot from newspaper articles. Apparently, when the police discovered Jordan and Jonathan's bodies, there was no clear suspect of who slaughtered them. The butcher knife the investigators found near Jordan was wiped clean of prints. Nothing was found near Jonathan, of course, only his butterflied corpse. They also read the fraternal twin siblings had secrets. Jordan never married Ruth's father, Rutherford. Her real surname is Kershaw-Lund. Her brother, Jonathan, was an escaped convict from Shawshank, sentenced to death, and would have gotten the chair for numerous counts of homicides, sexual assault, and battery. He was a dangerous and vile man who should not have been introduced to Ruth. The sexual assault charges were all from victims of young girls.
Ruth and Pennywise also learned that Rutherford was a secretive man since no one knew he was expecting a child or dating. The man kept his love life to himself but made sure that everyone knew he was famous. That is probably why Jordan was drawn to him in the first place. Jordan craved to have a touch of the limelight but was never given the spotlight. Could that be why she killed him? He and Ruth won't know for sure unless they investigated the house themselves.
"Alright, let's go."
Ruth was right. When she and Pennywise came to the busy Main Street, she would be seen. It's bustling for a Wednesday morning. Pennywise's ability to go invisible stretched beyond that. He made it so no one will see him or Ruth. Pennywise trots down the sidewalk, Ruth following closely behind. She kept her eyes open for the possibility of someone watching her. Thankfully, no one has.
She breathes heavily, struggling to keep up with Pennywise. He's moving much too quickly. Ruth understands he's concentrating on concealing her, but to nearly jog out of town is wearing Ruth out.
"Pen, you need to slow down a little," Ruth calls lightly.
"Don't talk, just move. I need to concentrate here."
"I understand that but can," Ruth stops suddenly, catching sight of a missing person flyer.
She stares at it for a long moment, her gaze hardening each passing second. It's a photo of her. Ruth is not smiling in the picture but frowning deeply. How the police found a picture of Ruth is beyond her. It's one that Ruth hates with a passion. Her hair is short and messy, plus she has a bruise on her left lip. Tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. The memory of how she got that mark replayed like a filter. She breathes heavily, reading the big, bold letters, "Notable Local Artist Rutherford Greyson's Daughter Ruth Greyson Missing."
With a shuddering breath, Ruth gulps tightly.
"Hey," Pennywise calls to her softly.
She doesn't look down at him, just remained to stare at the horrid photo.
"I know we have yet to discuss this," he pauses to find the best term.
"Abomination," Ruth replies through clenched.
Pennywise sighs heavily, watching Ruth sadly.
"Eyesore would be a less harsh term, but yeah. Explain to me how you feel about it."
She was silent for a second, fighting to keep calm.
"Mixed emotions. I'm glad this town finally saw through the lies that spiteful bitch spread about me. I'm even relieved they rejoiced over you, slaughtering the swine. You're getting praise because of it. So, I'm ecstatic you're getting acknowledgment, even though they believe you're human. I never did get to sincerely thank you for doing that marvelous deed. You're my superhero, Pen."
Pennywise grins with immense pride.
"Anything for you, my dear friend. I enjoyed every bit of gutting the worthless, insolent swine. I could have done without eating pieces of him. Yuck!"
"And yet, I'm angry."
He glances up at her, finding her furious gaze still eyeing the missing child flyer.
"Overnight, I went from being scorned as a bastard child to cherished because my father was a notable figure here in Derry. It makes me sick at how people are so quick to change their opinions. I don't want a sobriquet for people to use when they don't know me. Why can't they see me for who I am? I just want to be accepted as Ruth. Is that so much to ask?"
Pennywise stares at her, sighing heavily again.
"No, it's not. I understand completely. Some titles are best left out while others make you stand apart from the millions of how exceptional you are."
Ruth blinks, then glances down at him. She wanted to say something, but someone calls out to her.
"Ruth?"
Both Pennywise and Ruth froze.
Oh, shit, and Shinola!
"Argh! For the love of galaxies, way to go, Red! You made lose my con," He doesn't finish when they called out to Ruth again.
"Ruth, is that really you?"