A/N: Hello, everyone! Sorry, it took me a bit to update. I had to make some adjustments and edits. It's a stressful, heavy-hitter of a chapter and a little longer than usual. So, readers beware of violence and character death(s) ahead—nothing too graphic or explicit descriptions for it to be rated M, at least in my opinion. If you think it should be, let me know, and I'll change the rating. Also, I'm rewriting Ch. 15, so it's going to take me a bit to finish. So, hang tight, peeps. :)
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the read. (Slides a box of tissue out) You might need this.
UPDATE: I went back fixed up a couple of things that were missing, along with a few grammatical errors.
09/16/20 UPDATE: I went through and altered a couple of scenes, along with some dialogue.
It's happening, Ruth is going back and against her will.
She avoided going home at all costs. Ruth even promised Pennywise she wouldn't. Would he know she did? Ruth can only hope Pennywise is not running around, searching for his next victim. She knows what will happen when Henry drops her off. Jordan will appear innocent, and Jonathan would be behind her grinning. They will fake their joy.
Ruth gulps, her eyes never leaving the car floor. She can feel Henry watching her but choose not to say a word. Ruth had calmed down some but is still freaking out. She should have been paying attention to her surroundings. Otherwise, Ruth wouldn't be in this position.
The silence in the car is thick and tense. Belch refused to rush in returning Ruth. He's taking his time in hopes of Henry changing his mind, but he said not a word. Belch wants to say what Ruth told him weeks ago. Except, Belch made a promise to her that he won't reveal her secret to anyone. Now, it's going to end up killing her. Belch sighs as he turned a corner. Not too far away now.
Victor kept quiet himself while occasionally checking on Ruth. He always found her staring at the floor. The knot in his stomach intensified every second they got closer, especially now. He turns in his seat, seeing Ruth absently staring at the fabric and is tracing patterns with a finger. Tears are rolling from her eyes, and she is trembling. Victor frowns with a heavy sigh. He opens his mouth to say something, only to close. What can he say?
"Where were you, Ruth?" Henry asked suddenly, disturbing the silence.
Refusing to glance at him, Ruth answers. "Nowhere in particular."
Henry regards Ruth, carefully observing her. "Why did you leave then?"
"Does it matter?"
"Were you safe?" Belch interjects, watching her from the rear-view mirror.
Ruth looks up then, staring him in the eye. "I was ten minutes ago."
He gulps, guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders now. Fuck!
"Can you answer this for me?"
Ruth shakily breathes, glancing over at Henry. She finds him staring softly, frowning lightly.
"Why were you so desperate in not wanting to go back?"
She stares briefly, hiding a smile. Ruth has a short window. Her house is coming into view, dread filling her stomach and heart.
"I made a promise to someone," she answers softly.
Confused, Henry's eyes flickered. He glanced down and stared for a long moment silently.
"What was that promise? Or maybe, who did you make that promise to?"
They came to a stop at the drive, Ruth gulps.
"Someone who was here for me more than anyone else. I'm going to miss my friend. I hope they will, too."
Ruth sees Mike in her mind. He's grinning while holding her hand while sitting on a picnic table. She saw the same with Stan, who blushed madly and fumbling with his words outside the drugstore. Ruth then saw a flash of Pennywise dancing in her mind. Ruth smiles sadly, with tears rolling from her eyes. I don't want to die! I just want to see my friends again.
Henry became disturbed at this. Everything about it sounded as if this was her last moment on earth. He stares at her before returning his gaze elsewhere only to return with a snap. Henry opened his mouth to question when Jordan came bounding out of the house.
"Ruth, baby?" Jordan cried out, waiting at the front door.
Ruth stares at Henry. He stared back, horrified.
"I really don't want to go," Ruth whispers, sobbing.
Henry felt it then. His stomach twists tightly at the fear in her eyes. He glances away, breathing deeply with a light scowl. I need to help her! Fuck! We can't leave now! Jordan saw Ruth.
He clears his throat with a struggle. "Let's go," he instructs gently.
"Henry, we," Belch stops to glance at him.
He noticed the reluctance in his friend's gaze, but there is also an underlining fear. If Belch recalls correctly, he overheard Butch threaten to beat Henry senseless if he didn't fulfill his task. Henry doesn't want to do this to Ruth, but must for his own skin. Belch now wonders if they should drive off with Ruth and never return to Derry. You know, be runaways. Except, Jordan saw Ruth.
"Come on, girly, let's go," Henry lightly urged, nudging her to the door.
"Henry, please, don't make me go back," Ruth begs, crying.
"I don't have a choice here."
"Yes, you do! Please, Henry, don't leave me with them!"
He gulps, shoving her this time. "Move it! Vic, get out of the way."
"Henry," Victor protests nervously. He glanced at Ruth then at Henry. "We can't leave her here."
"Move!"
Defiant still, Vic sat there.
"Ruth, it's okay, honey. You're safe now," Jordan's voice reassured.
No, she isn't, Victor said to himself.
He and Henry have a stare down for a long moment before Vic ultimately eased himself out.
Henry watched him slowly crawl out before he followed suit, bringing Ruth with.
"No! No, Henry, please! Please don't leave me!" Ruth screams, whimpering.
"I am so sorry, Ruth," he whispered apologetically.
He shoves Ruth out of the car, where Victor gently took her arm. Victor gulps once he laid eyes on Jordan. The woman cries in relief upon seeing Ruth. Except, he knew better. This is all an act. Ruth is terrified to be back with her and Jonathan.
What can we do to get Ruth out of this? Victor asked himself as Jordan started forwards.
"Oh my god, Ruth! You're okay!"
Jordan rushes over and embraces Ruth tightly. It caught Ruth off guard as Jordan has never hugged her before. She felt the intensity in her arms and the quiver from sobs quake in her mother's chest, even Jordan's fingers entangle in Ruth's messy hair. Jordan held onto her like a lifeline and for a long moment, too. Ruth couldn't tell if she really was glad to see her or faking it. Nonetheless, it's her first hug from her mother, and Ruth fears it could be the last one.
After another long moment, Jordan finally pulls away and gingerly took Ruth's face into her hands.
"Where have you been? You had me worried sick! I thought you disappeared like all the others. Don't scare me like that ever again!" Jordan cries.
Ruth stared at her mother, blinking furiously and gapped when she saw the massive black, blue, purple, and yellow bruise at Jordan's left temple. She stared Jordan in the eye, exchanging a look.
Jordan doesn't say anything out loud, just gave her a visual cue with a quick flick towards the house. Ruth understood quickly, Jonathan did that, and she is curious to what had happened that he would strike Jordan.
Ruth gulps as she continued to hold Jordan's gaze. "I'm sorry, mother."
Jordan smiles gently and brushes a few hairs from Ruth's vision.
"Everything will be okay," she whispers.
Henry, along with Belch and Victor, watched as Jordan continued to hold Ruth's face in her hands, skeptical of the scene in front of them. Belch noticed Jonathan wasn't out here to greet Ruth. He glances over at the house, seeing Jonathan's tall form in the shadows.
Why isn't he coming out?
Jordan leans, kissing Ruth's forehead. "I need you to cause a scene," she whispered, then turned her attention to the boys.
Ruth would have said something to address her confusion but never got a chance once Jordan talked over her.
"Thank you for bringing my darling girl home. We've missed our little honey bun terribly."
The boys stood rigid, glaring intensely at Jordan.
"Yeah, you're welcome," Henry responds tightly, watching Jordan for an opening.
"Come now. Jonathan has your favorite dinner waiting for you." Jordan hints then guided Ruth to the house.
Ruth struggled, resisting stepping foot into the house. "NO! Let go!"
Jordan shuddered a heavy sigh and pressed her lips. "Honey, please don't act like such a child. You're safe."
"No, I'm not! I don't want to be here!" Ruth screamed, struggling to get free.
Jordan sighs painfully, remaining to guide Ruth towards the house.
"No, stop," Ruth glances over at Henry, pleading for him to help. "Help me, please," she mouths.
Henry's fingers twitch into a fist, trembling. He starts forward with the intent of wailing on Jordan.
"Thanks again for bringing her home." Jordan's voice rang in his ears.
"Hey, Mrs. Greyson," Henry calls to her.
"Go on home, Henry," Jordan instructs, showing Ruth to the door.
Henry follows still, determination in his gaze. "Jordan," he calls this time.
Jordan turns with a toothy grin. "I said, go home."
"Please, don't leave me," Ruth mouthed from over her shoulder as she got closer to the door.
Jonathan, at that point, made his appearance. He sees Ruth and beams. "Ruthie, baby girl! You're home!"
From behind all of them, Victor and Belch are startled. They've never officially met Jonathan or Jordan. Now that they have, Victor nudges Belch frantically.
"Dude, dude," Victor mumbles.
"Stop, nudging me, man."
"Ruth doesn't look either like her parents," he whispers harshly.
"Yeah, I see that. I'm not blind, you know."
They watched Ruth back away from Jonathan, only to bump into Jordan. Belch and Victor see Jordan lean over Ruth, whispering something. She hesitantly pushes Ruth towards Jonathan, who then snatches her at the waist. Ruth thrashes, struggling to get free. The sickening feeling from earlier intensified. Their fingers curled into tight fists, ready to fight the adults.
Henry rushed forwards, his fist trembling with rage. "Jordan!"
Jordan turns sharply, roughly pushing Henry away. She glares at him, who stood a foot away from her with rage in his eyes. "I said, go home! You brought her back as I requested. Now please leave before I call your father on you."
He flinches, backing off some but raised his arms in mock horror. "Oh, I'm so scared."
From behind Jordan, Ruth's eyes widened and struggled still to get free. Please, help me, Henry!
"You should be," Jordan warns.
She sizes him up before punching Henry in the face. She struck him with such force that he fell backward and slammed into the ground. He yells out, groaning while cradling the back of his head.
"Henry!" Ruth cried out.
"God, fucking bitch," he seethed, rolling on the ground.
"Henry!" Victor and Belch shout, rushing over to help him up.
Jordan snaps her gaze on the two, her patience growing thin quickly.
"I want you three off my property this instant," she demands, pointing at them.
"Not without Ruth, we're not," Belch declared, standing tall despite his stature.
Jordan's eyes narrow, her features hardening. "I don't know what you think is going on, but Ruth is safe. I asked you to do me a favor, and you did just that. I'm aware your psychopathic ring leader here is infatuated with my daughter. I don't want her anywhere near him. Now get the fuck off my property."
They all glared at her, scowling deeply. Henry wanted to charge at her, but something is holding him back. Henry assesses the obstacle in front of him carefully, considering. There are three of them. If they got Ruth involved, it would be four against two. Except, Jordan and Jonathan are much bigger than them. They would be overpowered. Fight or devise a plan to save Ruth?
Henry glances over at Ruth and stares. There is this voice in his head telling Henry he must forgo attacking the adults. He desperately wants to save Ruth, but Henry must listen. Fighting them will only get Ruth killed if they don't execute their charge correctly. Henry doesn't know how he senses this, but something has plans for Ruth tonight.
Leave her, this voice tells him.
He sighs heavily, "Let's go, guys," Henry coaxed to Belch and Victor.
They glance at him, startled and alarmed. Belch goes to protest but stops. Henry silently glares at him, urging Belch to start moving. He looks over at Ruth, seeing her horrified expression.
"Henry, we can't leave her," Belch pleads.
Henry ignored him, motioning Belch to the car.
"HENRY!" Ruth screams.
Victor and Belch glance from Ruth to Henry conflicted.
"Henry," Victor implores.
"Let's go," he tells them. "I'll explain in the car."
Still fearful for Ruth, both the boys glance back at her in defeat. Even from here, Ruth's feature contorts into a deep grimace, and tears fall from her eyes.
"BELCH! VICTOR! PLEASE, DON'T LEAVE ME!"
They gulp harshly, regretting having to leave. With one last look at Ruth, Belch and Victor follow Henry.
Ruth watches them leave, dumbfounded yet scared. No, no! Guys, please! Come back!
With a yank from Jonathan, Ruth screams and thrashes wildly as she was forced into her home.
"HENRY!"
While all of this was going on, the Losers went about their daily lives. The only exception is Mike and Stan as they searched for Ruth even after curfew. They are unaware of what tonight would bring for Ruth now that she has returned home. The two boys rode frantically around town for their friend. They weren't the only ones, either. Someone else is on the prowl searching for Ruth. One of the three is closer than they believe.
Have you heard of the expression "the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife?" Well, you can't slice it when it is this intense. After ten minutes of Henry and Gang leaving, Ruth sat at the dining room table. It is deathly silent between them as they sat around eating. Ruth uneasily watched her parents eat the crab cakes and fried shrimp. She knows what they're doing.
"Eat up, Ruth, you don't want your dinner to grow cold," Jordan urges, watching Ruth.
Ruth eyeballs her mother oddly, as Jordan hardly ever calls her that these days. She noticed Jordan's fork tremble and is making sideways glances at her then Jonathan. With furrowed brows, Ruth turned to Jonathan, who is shoving the fried shrimp in his mouth with a satisfied groan. Her nose wrinkles, frowning deeply. She steadily breathes, eyeing the seafood that Ruth can't eat.
Ruth pushes the dish away from her and into the center of the table.
"You should know by now I'm deathly allergic to sea life," Ruth began, eyeing her fork.
"What are you talking about, hon?"
Ruth stares dubiously, cocking a brow. "I'm allergic to shellfish."
Jordan stares knowingly, while Jonathan glared from the corner of his eye. They observed her with hands trembling.
"Oh um, I'm so sorry I completely forgot," she replies innocently with another glance at Jonathan, who is oblivious to her stares.
Ruth caught the urgency in her mother's gaze, along with hesitation. Why though?
To play along with whatever Jordan is up to, Ruth scuffs, "No, you didn't. If you want to kill me, just do it already. At least then I will be able to put up a fight. It will be a clue for the police to know there was foul play involved. Not to mention, you premediated my murder by accidental consumption of shellfish. We haven't had injections shots lying around since I was five."
Jordan gulps and trembles fiercely, still trying to steal glances with Jonathan but returns to Ruth in a snap.
Ruth wanted to watch Jordan, but she is keeping a closer eye on Jonathan, who scowled deeply and is reaching for the glass pitcher.
Ruth forced a grin, "Why do you think I was gone for a week? I'm not dumb. I know what you're trying to do here. Just so you know, Henry, along with Belch and Victor know. They're on their way to the police station and put in an anonymous tip that you're planning on killing me. They're also going to inform them that you are the ones behind the disappearing children."
She watches them breathe slowly and shakily, glaring daggers at her. Ruth may be digging a deeper grave for herself here. Yeah, she told them some bullshit story about Henry and the guys going to the police. Ruth wants to scare and taunt them. If Ruth is going to die, she would much rather go out swinging instead of willingly. Especially now she has something, well someone worth fighting for.
Jordan breathes heavily, setting her fork down with emphasis. "You're lying."
Ruth pulls her lips in a Pennywise-like grin. "Am I?"
Jordan had a look of bewilderment across her features at Ruth's behavior then glances at Jonathan again, who poured himself a tall glass of water. It became empty. Ruth noticed this, along with Jordan's fingers curling.
"What is my number one rule?"
Ruth's eyes narrow slightly. "Not to go near or talk to anyone."
"That's right. Your... friend Mike Hanlon came by looking for you."
Ruth's chest tightens, breath stalling. What?
"Even a fairly cute curly red-headed boy came by, I didn't get his name, though."
"Stanley Uris," Rush questions stupidly.
Jordan regards her with a lopsided grin and a raised brow. "Oh? And how do you know him?"
Ruth shrinks under her gaze, silently berating herself for getting excited.
"Oh um, I've only seen him in passing a few times at school and were in one class together, that's all."
"Are you not friends with him, too?"
"No."
"Hmm, that's too bad. You two would have eventually made a rather cute couple, in my opinion."
"Mother!"
"Daughter," Jordan playfully retorts with a knowing smirk when she noticed Ruth blushing.
Jonathan clears his throat, forcing Jordan to recollect herself despite a flourish of satisfaction towards her daughter's choice in boys. Ruth apparently inherited her taste in men since Ruth's father was a red-head.
She clears her own throat, returning her gaze on Ruth. "Sorry, hon. If they are not friends of yours, then who are they?"
Ruth glares, her jaw squared. "Why did they come here, to begin with?"
"Mike was concerned about you because he hasn't seen you for a while. That boy was pretty fucking ballsy in punching your father even threatened him for attempting to hit your crush, Stanley Uris. He got Mike to back off. Stanley must have been concerned about you, too. So, if they are not friends of yours, Ruth, then who are they to you? Secret boyfriends, maybe?"
She groans, reconsidering her friendships with both of them. Granted, Ruth does like them, but after they came here, she feels they can't be trusted anymore.
"No, they're nothing to me," Ruth replies with a cold detachment in her voice. Not anymore there not, the fucking bloody morons.
Jordan noticed the hurt evident in Ruth's gaze, telling her that Ruth, at one point, trusted the two. She won't berate Ruth in front of Jonathan, though. Jordan knows what will happen if her brother got involved in that conversation. She needs to handle it herself.
She displays a purse of her lips and glower, "Oh, really now? I call bullshit."
Ruth refused to answer.
"What did you tell them, Ruth?"
She frowns then locked her gaze on Jordan's. She is staring at Ruth with her lips still pursed but with brows raised and a strange look in her eye. It's an expression Ruth couldn't place, and wondered if this whole conversation is a distraction.
"Everything. Those boys may not be friends of mine, but once they realize I'm dead. They will be pointing their fingers at you and Jonathan."
Jordan sighs with a slight scowl, "Do you know the consequences for disobeying me?"
Ruth unknowingly grins, preparing herself for the attack. "I'll only fight back."
Jordan's glare hardens, her lips forming a straight line. Her gaze flicks on Jonathan briefly then back. "No, you won't."
"Do you want to bet, bitch."
Like a gunshot going off, Jonathan swings when Ruth snatches the fork then flips the table, blocking the pitcher. It shatters, spraying shards into her face. The two adults make a grab at her, Ruth slips out from under them. She tries to make an escape, only for Jordan to snatch her. Ruth is held from behind at the stomach as Jonathan came at her. She is quick to stab him with the fork into his arm and forehead then kicks him in the gut twice.
"ARGH! Goddamnit, you fucking little bitch," Jonathan snarls.
Ruth kicks him at his groin harshly. He doubles over, painfully groaning as he collapsed to the floor.
"Plan B," he groans.
"We don't have a Plan B!" Jordan yelled, struggling in restraining Ruth.
Ruth viciously growls as she twisted and scratched at her mother's arms and face. She punches and elbows Jordan, hoping to get free.
Must cause damage!
"Argh! Quit fighting!" Jordan screams.
Ruth doesn't say anything in return; she continues to thrash and scratch.
That's all Ruth knew at this point. She must fight.
If she wants to see Pennywise again, Ruth must win this war against her parents. He's about the only person worth fighting for. After Ruth found out Mike and Stan confronted her parents, Ruth can't trust the two anymore. They risked their relationship with her to know where she disappeared to. Henry is also on the shit list as he got her in this mess.
If I'm going to die, I'd rather die trying!
He doesn't know what had happened to Ruth. She disappeared on him. Well, Ruth forbade him from locating her. Pennywise kept to her wish and stayed away. Now, he wished he hadn't. Her lack of life at the Neibolt actually saddened him. Ruth brought a challenge for him every time she was there and enjoyed the jump scares. Despite the wallops to his head, those moments with Ruth were his favorite. He enjoys making Ruth smile and laughs. Pennywise refuses to give up on her.
He resumed his search for Ruth and has yet to find her. Pennywise is starting to think the worse. The thought of the bright and beautiful child dead frightened him to the core. Yes, that's right. He's scared for once and genuinely concerned for Ruth. Pennywise hopes she is somewhere safe and out of trouble. Except, his instincts tell him differently. Something is horribly wrong. He can feel it deep within his bones.
Pennywise is beginning to believe she went home. Except, that place is not home; it's her grave. If Ruth did go back, she would most certainly die. Ruth promised him she wouldn't. She gave him her word that she would never return there. The irritating child went back anyway for whatever reason.
No, wait, she hates that place. The only way Ru_ I mean, the irritant, would go back is if someone took her there. Yes, that must be it. Whoever did will surely pay.
As he got closer to her house to investigate, something didn't settle right on his shoulders. He sags, a sickening feeling twisted in his stomach and chest tightens. The home sat eerily quiet from out here. No sound of crickets chirped, no buzzing of mosquitoes or croak of frogs. It's dark like the sewers he travels sans the smell. It smelled of wet pavement. More rain is due to the fresh scent of moisture in the air. There are hardly any lights on the inside except one. The eerie glow of pale yellow illuminated from behind drawn window blades like the moon piercing the night.
Something is, indeed, very much wrong. A sensory of numerous alarms went off like fireworks. One by one, Pennywise's nerves hiked. He must delve into Ruth's mind. The moment he did, Pennywise heard Ruth's scream. Something inside him burned like a California wildfire from her distress. Especially when Ruth called out for him in desperation and apologizing. His eyes glowed brightly, snarling. He can see it clear as day, Ruth is fighting the adults with every fiber of her being. With a deep animalistic growl, Pennywise charges inside the home.
The adults had wrestled Ruth into her bedroom now, struggling to restrain her still. They are thrown off guard by her strength despite her petite and frail frame. Jonathan never realized she had this strong of a fighting spirit. Yes, Ruth has escaped many times and lands a blow. Her right now, it's sheer will. Ruth is fighting with a purpose. Jonathan can only assume it has something to do with the colored boy, Mike. He'll teach her. Jonathan is trying his best right now to keep her from kicking as his wrists and fingers are swollen. He grabs at one ankle, only kicked away.
"Ouch! Quite fighting, slut!" Jonathan snarls. "Damnit, Jordan, hold her down!"
She grunts and groans, "Ow! I'm trying here! She's a lot stronger than I thought!"
"GET OFF ME!" Ruth screams, trying to wiggle herself out from Jordan's harsh grip.
She claws at Jordan's face, causing the woman to scream. Ruth's nails dig deep into her arms, even bites down hard to draw blood. Ruth caused Jordan to yell out who refused to let go.
"Ouch, that hurt!"
Jordan momentarily slams Ruth's head on the floor, twice.
Ruth's ears ring, her vision slowly darkening, and fight waning quickly. NO! No, stay awake!
To be sure Ruth doesn't move, Jordan wrapped a leg around Ruth's torso and held the girl's arms with one. She pulled her blade to Ruth's throat, which trembled in her grasp, breathing heavily from the struggle.
"You know I never wanted you. The truth is your dear sweet daddy did." Jordan sneers.
Ruth may be slightly out of it, but she understood. Jonathan wanted to make her life hell. She can feel his hands on her. No, please, no!
"So, you are aware, Jonathan is not your father."
Her breath catches in her throat, confused. I figured as much!
"Jon moved in with me to help take care of you. Your real father is dead."
Ruth stares out in the hallway, seeing the shadows shift. She blinked furiously. Thick tears stung her lacerated cheeks and head throbbed unpleasantly. What?
"This your Uncle Jonathan, my brother."
The man sickeningly grins, licking his lips. He eyes Ruth devilishly while gripping her calves. "Hiya, niece."
Uncle? He is my uncle! I don't understand! Why am I learning this now?
She doesn't see Jordan glance up at Jonathan icily, which he misses.
"He just showed up on my porch one day and convinced me into abducting you instead of leaving you with your father. Several weeks after you were born, we tracked him down and buried your father six feet under."
You, you fucking bitch! You killed my father and got away with it?
Ruth growls, finding her strength back. Ruth maneuvered her legs away from Jonathan, kicking him viciously in the stomach and groin. He painfully groans and released Ruth's legs. With her legs now free, Ruth pushes her lower body away from the floor while snaking her arms out. She is quick to grab Jordan's wrist, pulling the switchblade away from her throat. Ruth pushes herself back, slamming Jordan into the wall behind her with a grunt. Anger boiled in Ruth's veins, her hazel eyes blazing to life. She rears her head back, colliding with Jordan's.
Jonathan recovered quickly and tried to grab at Ruth's legs again. Her heel strikes him in the chin and kicks him in the sternum, pushing him back.
"STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!"
Ruth yelps, Jordan yanked her back by the hair. She doesn't let her womanly instincts grab at the wrists. Instead, Ruth jabs Jordan in the side of her ribs twice. She scrapes her long nails across Jordan's scalp, grabbing a handful and pulls. The woman screams. For added effect, Ruth snaps her elbow upwards and connects Jordan's jaw. Still, the woman would not let go despite being held from behind, Ruth maneuvers her legs to gain leverage. However, Jonathan returned and grabs.
"GET OFF ME!" Ruth kicks at him, trying to keep him at bay.
Jordan remained to grip Ruth's hair, tugging her head back to expose her pulsing vein. She quickly wraps her legs around her daughter's tiny torso, hugging her tightly and keeping Ruth still. Jonathan finally got himself to prevent Ruth from kicking, situating himself close in between her legs. Ruth is trapped.
Ruth stares up at the ceiling, tears rolling from her eyes and panting. She's petrified now. Her fear is intense, and damnit Ruth hopes Pennywise can sense her distress and fright. Ruth was distraught with him for murdering Georgie and hurting Ben. Now, Ruth wished she wasn't so mad at him. Ruth misses him terribly. She enjoyed the daily scares and him observing while she drew. Pennywise always managed to make her smile brightly. Mike and Stan hardly ever brought out her genuine laugh or smile. Pennywise did that. Ruth loves him for bringing her happiness.
Yet, she severely hurt and angered him. Ruth shudders a sigh, recalling the last time she saw Pennywise. She pushed him away, forbidding him to look for her. She should not have done that to him. Pennywise was concerned for her. Ruth deserves this because she knows he won't come. Why would he? He hates her. She caves, accepting the last horrid moments of her life. Ruth's nightmare is finally coming true.
Her lips tremble, whining a sob. PEN! I'M A DUMBASS! I AM SO SORRY! PLEASE, HELP ME!
"Looks like the little lamb lost her fight. It's a good thing, too, because this time," Jonathan paused, eyeing Ruth menacingly and licked his lips, "I'm going to screw your brains out like I did the first time, slut."
Jordan snaps her gaze on her brother, snarling. "What do you mean by that?"
"I shouldn't have to tell you anything about what I do with her."
"You're living under my roof! Now tell me what the hell did you do?"
"What do you think it means? I deflowered the little shit!"
Jordan's eyes widened, and mouth hung open briefly.
"You did what?" Jordan screeched.
"I raped her, you ditz! Why else would I be in jail other than murdering our father, along with a few others? I saw a lot of pretty young girls and women that required much need attention."
Jordan seethed and hacked a large loogie at him. It hit him right in the eye, causing him to gag.
"What the hell?"
"You sick son of a bitch! If I had known you sexually assaulted young girls, I would have never let you back in my life!"
"Oh, boo hoo, I scarred your stupid little girl. You never wanted the scrawny bitch anyway, so why the fuck do you care?"
"Because she's still my daughter, you fucking bastard swine! You just don't do that shit."
Jonathan glowers with a vicious snarl.
"Yeah, well, I already did, and I'm going to do it again."
He drew closer to Ruth and snatched at her shorts.
Without hesitating, Jordan withdrew her pocketknife from Ruth's throat and slashed at his face. He balks back, scrawling from a long and deep cut running across the bridge of his nose.
"Don't you fucking touch her!" Jordan warned through clenched teeth.
Ruth, who is still in Jordan's clutch, watched in awe of what is happening. She never would have thought her uncle would be such a monster. Here Ruth thought Jordan was a monster for abusing her the way she did. To hear Jonathan is a murderer and a rapist startled her. Ruth knows the laws and what was supposed to happen with him if he stayed in prison a lot longer than he did. Either the electric chair or killed by an inmate. With him loose and pushed to his boiling point, Jonathan will kill someone tonight. Ruth is frightened he will slaughter Jordan, leaving her vulnerable. She silently glances around the room, hoping to find something to protect herself with, along with her mother if she needed or even a tall shadow of what could be Pennywise watching. Deep down, she hopes he will intervene and put an end to all of the anger in the room. Ruth can feel it escalating out of control.
Pen, please!
It didn't take long for Jonathan to recover and lunge forward with the intent of pulling Ruth away from Jordan. He snatched Ruth's leg and grabbed Jordan by the hair. She yells out but is quick to take action. Jordan stabs him in the arm and shoulder, easing Jonathan's grip on Ruth; Ruth did the rest in pulling her legs out from his reach, close to her chest, and hugged onto Jordan as she continued to pry Jonathan's hands off her.
She struggled with him while Ruth stayed close, stabbing him at his wrists and forearm, who yelps at each assault.
"God damn you! Let go!"
Jonathan yanks her hair hard with a growl. "I told you yesterday, you don't back out on me!"
He snatches her wrist, restraining Jordan from furthering any damage onto him, and twists her hand. "And I'm going to make you pay for betraying your dear sweet loving brother."
Ruth didn't like the sound of his threat. She peered over at the open door, contemplating in distracting him from Jordan, and Ruth fully plans on doing so. Just when she saw her opening to dart out from under Jordan and towards the hall, there was a sound Ruth is all too familiar with. A deep, menacing growl reverberates inside the room, causing Jordan and Jonathan to stop struggling.
"What in the fuck was that?" Jonathan questions.
They heard the growl again followed by bones snapping and popping into place, followed by a groan and shuffling of feet.
"You lied," a male monotone voice rings in their ears.
Ruth sighs, staring into the shadows of her room. Pen, is that you?
"You lied," the voice says again, groaning.
Jordan sat rigid on the floor with eyes wide. The voice she hears sounds familiar to her.
"No," she muttered with tears welling in her eyes.
"You lied," the voice repeated.
Jonathan, at this point, released Jordan's hair and wrist then backed off. He stood at the sound of approaching footsteps. The man is foolish enough to walk towards whoever is in the room. He stares into the thick shadows, his gunmetal grays scanning the blackness.
"Who? Whose_?" He's cut short when Jonathan gasps sharply and painfully.
A sickening sound of flesh ripping fills the room, along with Jonathan's groans.
Both Jordan and Ruth watched as Jonathan stumbled backward with his attacker. With the dim light from the window, a man reveals himself. His soft masculine features are sunken in, skin decomposed, and brows knitted close. The man's cracked lips are taut, forming a straight line. Their pale hazel eyes burned angrily at Jonathan. Their skull caved in from a blunt object.
Jordan gaps with hot tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, holy shit."
The man snaps his gaze on Jordan, his features morphing into a vicious toothy snarl.
"YOU LIED!" The man bellows.
Jonathan yells and falls onto the floor with a thud. He groans while cupping his private part when he rolled onto his side, blood gushing.
The male towers over Jonathan, his toothy snarl pulling back in a maniacal grin, growling. He stoops low to come eye level of Jonathan's vision. He drew a long blade already caked with blood, then lunges forward. He drives the knife upwards into Jonathan's groin and stomach. Jonathan screams.
Jordan doesn't utter a sound, just gaps with wide eyes.
"YOU DON'T TOUCH HER!" The decomposed man enunciated. He grins wide, revealing rows of teeth and eyes burning a bright gold.
Jonathan screams, glancing over at his sister with terror in his eyes. He opens his mouth to speak, only for a slew of blood to funnel. Jordan stares at him, thick tears streaming from her eyes. She wanted to scream but couldn't. Jordan sat with a horrified Ruth, watching her brother getting gutted like a pig.
"Jordan," he gurgles.
She stares at him before a satisfied sneer crossed her lips and wrinkled her nose.
"Burn in hell."
"Jo."
Jordan snatched her pocketknife then quickly stood, bringing Ruth with her.
"Move it!" Jordan urged, forcing her daughter out of the room.
"NO! No, let go of me!" Ruth fought, struggling to stay put.
"This isn't for your eyes to see, young lady. Now move!"
Jordan pulls Ruth out into the hall, dragging her by the arm.
"No, stop let go of me! PEN!"
Jordan growls, throwing Ruth into the wall, who grunts from impact. Jordan holds Ruth in place by the shoulder, threatening the frail child. Her switchblade lightly pierces Ruth's skin, a trickle of blood streamed down her throat and chest. Ruth glares evilly at Jordan, her lips pulling back in a toothy snarl.
You are so dead, bitch.
"Three? You got three people involved! I told you numerous times to not go near anyone!" She bellows, smacking Ruth.
"Go to hell!" Ruth screams, shoving Jordan off with a punch.
Jordan returns with a punch to Ruth's jaw, busting her lip. The stronger woman shoves Ruth against the wall again, who grunts and pants. She claws at Jordan's arm and kicks at her shins.
"Argh, stop! I hate the fact you were raped by my fucking swine of a brother, I really do; you didn't deserve it. But tell me who!" She screams.
"Fuck you!"
Jordan growls then threw Ruth away from her, who landed on the floor with a grunt. Jordan advances, kicking at her daughter in the back and stomach. Ruth struggles in crawling away, trying to defend herself. She is not going to let her mother win this. Ruth glances over her narrow shoulder at Jordan with a snarl. She swipes at Jordan's ankle, tripping her. Jordan falls sideways into the wall with a grunt but keeps upright. She kicks Ruth again in the small of her back, causing the girl to cough.
"Tell me!" Jordan roars, kicking Ruth again.
Ruth groans and pants, her heart racing, "You want to know," she whispers shakily.
She slowly stood to her feet, panting and arms hanging limply. "I'll tell you their name."
Jordan lunges, attempting to stab Ruth. The frail girl steps sideways to avoid the blade then grabs at Jordan's wrist. Ruth tries to shove her mother against the wall to no avail. She's much too small. Jordan sighs impatiently then pushes Ruth back onto the floor with a punch to the gut. Poor Ruth can only groan.
"Who have you been speaking with?" Jordan bellows, advancing forward.
"His name," Ruth pauses, panting as she stood. "Is Pennywise."
Jordan falters with a sharp gasp, her brows furrowing from the name.
"Pennywise?" She echoes curiously. "Well, that's an unusual name."
Ruth growls, lunging forwards only to collide into the wall again. She pants, her jaw squared.
"Be careful, Jordan," Ruth warns with her Pennywise-like grin. "He'll smell your fear."
"Smell my fear?"
"Oh, yeah, it's the salt to his meat. So, tell me, mother," Ruth pauses, staring Jordan in the eye. She can see it clear as day, fear. Her mother is terrified of something. "What are you most afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid of anything," Jordan declares with arms spreading out.
"Oh, yes, you are. It doesn't really matter, though. Penny is going to kill you anyway." Ruth replies confidently and with an odd ring in her tone.
Jordan noticed with brows furrowed but surged forwards.
Ruth's back hits the wall again, grunting and groaning. She's punched in the stomach, doubling over slightly. With a snarl, Ruth kicks a leg up. She knees Jordan twice in the gut then connects Jordan's kneecap with a vicious snap. The woman screeches in pain, dropping Ruth to the floor. She is quick to stand and rushed inside the kitchen, needing to find something to defend herself. Jordan charged after her despite the limp. She makes a grab at Ruth, forcing her forwards into the counter with a yelp.
Several things crash to the floor, along with a knife set. They clatter loudly as Jordan flung Ruth onto the tile harshly. She towers over the frail girl with rage. Her forest green eyes burned black like coal, and with an intensity, she never thought possible. With a crack of her neck, Jordan pulls out her switchblade. She watched as Ruth struggled to sit up, whimpering. The woman is quick to push her down with a foot, Ruth gasps sharply.
"I was going to be famous if it wasn't for you," Jordan starts. She kneels and stabs Ruth in the calf.
Ruth screamed, crying.
"I was even going to be in the headlines!"
She stabs Ruth in the thigh, causing the girl to scream loudly.
"Fuck," Ruth groans, whimpering and crawling away.
Her fingers graze something, a stupid spatula.
"I even landed my first starring role for a major film."
Jordan continued to stab Ruth in the leg, making her cry out. Oh, god, please! HELP!
"And guess what my character's name was. Her name was Amber. I named you after the character I was supposed to be. Except, you had to fuck up my life, nuisance!"
Another stab to her thigh made Ruth scream. "PEN!"
She can hear a grunt of snarl, not from Jordan or from her but from Pennywise. Ruth doesn't know what he's doing. He might be feasting on Jonathan's slaughtered body, which she doesn't care if he does. All Ruth wants right now is for him to save her. Ruth does not want to die by the hands of her fame-hungry mother.
Ruth whimpers, "Just kill me, you bitch!"
"I want you to suffer first."
She strikes Ruth with the pummel of her switchblade, twice. Ruth's left brow bled.
Ruth groans, panting. "You must like to hear yourself talk."
The last thing Ruth expected was her head slamming onto the tile. Her vision blurs, ears ringing, and breath stalled.
"Don't be smart with me, young lady. Your father asked me to bring you into this world so he could have you, not me. I was fine with that. Except, my pregnancy left me out of the spotlight. They gave my starring role to someone else while I became a pregnant extra. I wanted the fame, along with the limelight. I was going to let it go, but my sadistic and loving brother at the time kept reminding me of the misfortune you brought upon me. I won't let you get the luxury of living your dream when I never could."
Despite the blackness, Ruth saw one of the knives that clattered to the floor.
She can feel Jordan straddling her, slowly leaning towards her. Jordan's breathe tingled at her hot cheek; there were even droplets of tears.
"I'm going to kill you now," Jordan quavered in Ruth's ear.
The woman hovered over Ruth, low enough for Ruth to strike.
"Tell your papa I said, "Hi," for me," Jordan starts. She caught Ruth reaching for the knife from the corner of her eye but did nothing. "Happy Birthday."
Jordan says a name that went unheard by Ruth's ears. She holds a breathe, her heart pumping in her ears. She forgot today is her fourteenth birthday. Well, this has turned into the worst birthday ever. They never celebrated her day, never, no cake, no presents, and no friends. Ruth always made her birthday wish under her breath. She wanted the same thing every year, and it's not going to change now.
I wish…
Jordan frowns and hesitantly raises her blade to strike.
Ruth snatches the handle. I wish I had a friend!
With a vicious cry, Ruth aims at her target just as Jordan's blade redirected itself. Ruth drove a sharp butcher knife into her mother's shoulder, who yelps sharply and then into her neck. Jordan falls sideways and crashes into a cabinet door while clutching the handle of her pocketknife. She is not bothered at the decent-sized hole in her neck as it funneled blood, staining her skin and vanilla cream blouse crimson.
Ruth scrambled away from Jordan, hitting a cabinet door herself with a clatter of the butcher knife. She gaped at Jordan, horrified at the sight of her mother gasping for breath. The corners of her lips pull down into a deep grimace, whimpering when she finally noticed the pocketknife in Jordan's stomach, causing Ruth to stifle a cry with a slap of her hand.
It was silent between them for a moment but is broken from Jordan's gasping breathe.
"Come here," she urged with a hesitant bloody reach.
She didn't want to but listened nonetheless. Ruth hesitated in reaching Jordan's side with extreme caution, watching for any deceit but saw none except for guilt. The second Ruth settled by her mother's side, Jordan weakly reached and cupped Ruth's cheek. Her bloody fingers stained Ruth's smooth skin and traced the helix-shaped freckles with curiosity and a frown.
"You look so much like your father," Jordan whispered, her voice trembling. "You even have his eyes."
Ruth's lips quivered, and eyes burned, mouthing something under her breathe.
"Except for this," she gently taps at Ruth's nose, pointing at the helix. "When I gave birth to you, you had my freckles. I wonder where they went."
"Mom," Ruth squeaks, her lips trembling.
Jordan's mouth twitched, attempting to smile but had no strength to do so.
"Rutty would have been a wonderful papa to you," she adds.
"Mom."
Ruth watched as Jordan's eyes fluttered, and breath slowing. She touches her mother's face, lightly nudging her to stay awake. Her vision blurred as thick hot tears streamed down her face.
"Mom, mom, please, why, why did you?"
Jordan shushes Ruth then weakly smiles, continuing to caress Ruth's face with her bloody fingers.
"Everything will be okay," she trails off with a sigh.
With her final breath, Jordan's body relaxes against the cabinet, and eyes closed to the world.
A whimper leaves Ruth's mouth, crying as she touched her dead mother's face with trembling fingers.
"Mom," Ruth called and continued to cry out, her voice escalating each passing second until she actually screamed out for Jordan.
Ruth doesn't know why she did when Jordan never spared a moment with her for the last fourteen years. Maybe it has something to do with the realization that all of the silent glances and their mother, daughter moment was Jordan's way of making up for all she's done. It could also be that Jordan was warning her of what was to come. Jordan couldn't outright say anything when Jonathan was near, along with Henry and the others. She wanted to play the acting game and set the stage for those who will bear witness of the climax in her story, Jordan's story, and yet Ruth still doesn't know what her mother's life was like before all of this. Ruth will never understand why her mother decided to go through this trouble when it cost Jordan her life. Was it a sacrifice of some sort or something entirely different, like selfish gain?
Ruth rests her head upon Jordan's, suddenly craving some form of contact from her when she knew Jordan couldn't. She's dead, Ruth killed her mother in self-defense. A breath caught in her throat from this realization, something that really didn't sink in until Ruth thought of it just now.
I killed her.
Ruth took short, quick breaths. Her chest heaving and bottom lip trembling. Fresh tears formed in the corners of her eyes, falling instantly. She sobs at first before a strangled whine leaves her mouth. Ruth forgets about the feel of the cold metal blade that was against her throat, not even noticing there was a trickle of blood running down her neck. She lets it out, the wail of a scream, and in her mother's face no less. Ruth clung to her mother's blouse, gripping it tightly that her knuckles turned white.
"Mom!"
After so many years of torment and belittlement, it is all gone within a blink. Ruth knows Jonathan is dead; she didn't have to see how he was erased off this miserable planet. Jonathan deserved to be gutted like a swine after him sexually abusing and raping her. Jordan got hers, too, but not in a way that it should. Jordan's death is an accident all because Ruth instigated the altercation. Ruth wasn't precisely herself now that she stopped to think about it. She kept taunting and pushing her when Ruth should have stopped and tried sorting out their emotions instead of fighting each other. All of this could have been prevented. Jordan would be breathing still and telling her everything she needed to know.
And yet she is dead.
Another question ran through her mind? What's going to happen now? She's an orphan. Ruth doesn't know where to go because, for one, she can't stay here. So, where can she go? The Neibolt house? Mike's place? No, Ruth won't go there. The idiot confronted the problem head-on. His intentions may have been good, but Mike went about it the wrong way. He should have told someone about what was going on. Mike came straight here and talked to her mother about it. This is all his fault! No, this is her fault. She should have never ignored Jordan's number one rule. Mike saw her scars and wanted to help Ruth. His involvement only made things worse.
She knows what's going to happen. The police are going to ask questions. When they find out Ruth killed her mother, they'll put her in juvenile detention. If she told them the truth about the creature Pennywise the Dancing Clown of Fear, it's a psychiatric ward. What kind of life would that be? Sitting in a looney bin when you are not in the least bit crazy is a death wish. Ruth would much rather be Randle McMurphy from One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and let his Indian friend suffocate him. She wouldn't have to deal with the constant dread and live life like a robotic vegetable.
She wails again, leaving the cooling body of her mother's. None of this would have happened if she listened to herself. Befriending Mike was a mistake. Ruth knew she couldn't trust him. She knows Stan saw her scars, too. He told her of a place where Ruth could go to hide if anything happened. Ruth stayed for a short time until Pennywise found her for the second time. That was the day she pushed him away. She regrets doing that to him.
Ruth can hear footsteps approaching. She knows it's Pennywise. He smells her fear and is going to kill her now. Ruth wants him to. She nearly died moments ago, anyway. Why not let him carry out his empty promise? Despite the fact her mother and uncle are dead, she wants to die.
"Please," Ruth whimpers. "Kill me, please." She bawls.
Pennywise lumbers in the narrow kitchen, eyeing the girl like the predator he is. Ruth's raw fear of being alone is sure to be tasty. The girl is terrified of going somewhere she doesn't want to be. She even blames herself for what happened here. On top of it all, Ruth was seconds away from dying. Ruth is ashamed, horrified, and confused. It's a combination that will undoubtedly fill his belly. IT can do her in; he most certainly can and will.
With a quick glance at the mother, he understood where Ruth's fear originated and for the tears. He watched how the scoundrel uncle spiraled out of control and attacked the females. Jordan reluctantly followed her brother's scheme in killing Ruth but conspired her own behind Jonathan's back. It didn't work very well in her favor but saving Ruth was her top priority. The woman drawing the blade on herself was Jordan's way of escaping her demons; she couldn't run away from them and wanted to end it all for the sake of her daughter. It was a selfless act, depending on how you look at it, though.
"Please, Pen, kill me," Ruth's strangled voice pleaded.
A satisfying grin crossed his lips from her begging, something he desired to do since meeting the irritating girl. Pennywise ignores the horrible pang in his stomach as he slowly advances on the petite and frail child, drooling hungrily.
Kill the girl.
He stops in front of Ruth, exposing the rows of teeth to form a snarl. Pennywise stoops, grabbing Ruth harshly by the arms that she cried out and flayed in his grasp. He hoisted her off the floor and held Ruth half an arm's length's away.
Kill her.
Pennywise glares at her, watching the thick tears stream down her lacerated cheeks. Her busted lower lip trembled, and eyes are screwed shut. It's probably for the best. His eyes twist and rolled into the back of his skull, opening his maw wide. The three balls of light within his throat pulsed.
Kill her!
From behind her eyelids, Ruth saw the bright light. She thought Pennywise already clamped his jaws on her and is seeing the heavens open up, especially when Ruth saw a hand reaching and calling out for her. So, Ruth slowly opened her eyes. Within seconds, Ruth's eyes ghostly hazed. Her tears stopped instantly, along with the cries. Ruth became like the dead, silent.
NOW! KILL HER NOW!
Ruth's soundless self glowed from the aurulent balls, casting a sharp shadow against the illuminated brown cabinetry behind her. The light from within his gaping maw evaporates, leaving her against the darkened walls. Pennywise does something unexpected then. He roughly presses Ruth against him, snapping her out of the catatonic state. She wakes with a gasp. His arms gently wrap around her, hugging Ruth tightly.
Ruth stares ahead. Instead of pitch darkness, Ruth is greeted with silver tufts of his collar and the wild ginger hair. A new set of tears trail down her cheeks.
What, what is he doing?
"I'm sorry," he whispers.
Ruth timidly wraps her arms around his neck, unsure if she should return the gesture. She made the right choice when he leans into the embrace protectively. A gloved hand cradles her head and fingers entangled into her hair. Ruth shudders violently, sobbing onto his shoulder then cries.
Jordan hugging her earlier was surprising and a first, but this, Ruth has never been embraced like this before. Ruth felt a rush of security wash over her like rainwater, along with a warm swelling in her chest. Pennywise's arms feel like any other person as he held her close and tightly. They are sturdy yet gentle. His body seems human underneath his old clown suit. She doesn't feel small or him large; Ruth molds flawlessly against his frame. Is this what it feels like to be hugged? It's new for Ruth. Pennywise is the first person to hug her as an old friend would reuniting after many years of separation. She feels completely safe for the first time in her life. Ruth's arms tighten around his neck, suddenly desiring comfort.
Pennywise doesn't understand why he has chosen to hug Ruth. The sheer panic and fright he felt from Ruth's distress is the underlining cause. Pennywise cares too much for Ruth. The irritating child weaved herself into his cold heart. He likes Ruth, no adores her. Pennywise can't bring himself to kill her. He's not sure if he ever will, even if she asked him again. There is something about the child where he feels this unnatural need to protect her. Pennywise wants her around and be the friend Ruth never had. He's her birthday wish.
"I am so sorry, Ruth," he repeats near her ear.
Ruth's lips tremble, whimpering a sob. Pennywise said her name! It's a sign of attachment.
He likes me!
"Penny," Ruth hiccups, crying harder.
He lightly shushes Ruth, adjusting her in his arms and hugging Ruth tighter. She does the same.
"It's okay, Ruth, you're safe now," he whispers softly, consoling his first and only friend.
They stood in the small kitchen like this for a long while, enjoying their first embrace.