A/N: Hello, everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. I had a couple of things occur to me after I posted the chapter, so I had to make some adjustments and fixes. I'm sticking to my guns of the ending, though. :)
I'm currently working out Chapter 21, so an update will be a little slow. Hopefully, I'll have it up by next week.
Anyway, enjoy the read. Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
The human mind can be such a dark place at times. Either darkness clouds the sensory of our eyes from which we drown ourselves in negativity. Or, perhaps, someone blinded with unrelenting rage takes their misgivings out on the unfortunate souls. At least, that's how Mike sees it right about now. His environment is nothing but a black fog with no end. He can hear voices echo in this void. Although they are faint with no distinctive tone.
In a way, Mike felt as if he were in a horror movie. It's quite unnerving, the whispers, along with the isolation which came with it.
Where am I?
"Mike," a voice calls within the eerie calm.
Mike, who stood stationary, whirls in his spot. He frantically searched for the voice with no luck.
"Who, who is," he started to ask.
"You shouldn't wake him so soon," another voice replies from nowhere.
"Who, who's there?"
They don't answer, just continued speaking in a hushed voice about him.
Panicking, Mike moved from his spot. Except, his feet went nowhere. He glances down to find himself walking in place.
What the hell? Why can't I? His thought trails off when he hears another voice.
Except, this voice is relatively familiar to him.
"Mike," they call to him.
"Granddad?" Mike questions while searching for him.
When Mike still couldn't find his grandfather, the dark fog began to shift. It slowly transitions to a light gray haze. Mike then started to see figures fading in like ghosts.
"Mike," his grandfather called to him.
The figures gradually became solid bodies of him and his grandfather at the dinner table. Mike saw the window behind them to showcase the marmalade orange ball setting in the horizon. He remembers this moment. Mike felt a horrible pang of guilt, and grief overwhelms him.
Leroy and Mike sat quietly at the table as they ate a fried chicken dinner.
Leroy glanced up from his plate, discovering Mike absently pushing his food with the fork. He frowns and sets his down with a light clatter.
"Michael, son, look at me," Leroy instructs.
Mike heavily sighs then regards his grandfather with a sad frown.
"You're awfully quiet today. What's going on?"
He sighs again, "I heard they're thinking about calling off the search for Ruth."
Leroy stares, searching Mike's features. "You're worried about her, aren't you?"
Mike pauses then glances out the window. "I am. It's going on three months since her disappearance, granddad."
"Yeah," Leroy replies gently. "I know. I hate that the sweet girl is missing, too. You like Ruth a lot, don't you, Mike?"
"Yeah, yeah, I like her."
"But that's not what is bothering you, is it?"
Mike shakes his head while staring out the window still. "I just, I don't know. I feel like all of this is my fault somehow."
Leroy groans then slammed a fist on the table, causing Mike to jump.
"You listen here, son," Leroy snapped, leaning on the table. "It's not your fault," he enunciated.
Mike sighs, "How is it not?"
"Look, you may have done some stupid things, but it is not your fault. If it weren't for you standing up to that pig Jonathan and getting the two riled up, this whole damn town would not have known the truth. It is quite obvious now that the scums of the earth were trying to hide it. But since you were bold enough, you got it out."
"What about Ruth, though? She's still out there somewhere all alone or maybe worse."
"What makes you think that she is?"
"She doesn't have anyone else, granddad."
Leroy sighs, "I know, but she's a smart girl. Ruth proved she can handle herself."
Mike grew silent, guilt still weighing on his shoulders.
"I'm scared for her," he finally admits.
"I know, and it's okay to be afraid for someone. Fear never goes away. It's in our nature to get scared. Rather its some lame-ass horror movie or our reality throwing us curveballs."
Mike regards his grandfather with a frown. "It's strange."
"What is?"
He tries to smile when Mike remembered what Ruth said back at the festival. "Ruth said something similar. She was never afraid of make-believe, but Ruth feared her harsh reality."
Leroy grins, "See. Ruth is an intelligent young lady. So, please stop beating yourself up over this. It's not your fault, and it never will be. If anything, it's her good for nothing mother and uncle. Karma bit them right in the ass, and they're rotting in hell now."
Mike gently nods and smirks, "They sure are. Thanks, granddad, I needed that."
Leroy proudly grins at Mike.
"You're welcome, son. I'm confident that Ruth is with someone and is taking real good care of her."
Mike's smile falters a little, "I hope so, too. Ruth deserves so much. I just wish I was there for her."
"She certainly does. For all we know, Ruth could be with someone who can relate. Not saying you don't. But if there is a fine young man out there, who is similar to Ruth in more ways than one AND at her level, then Ruth found herself a real good friend."
Mike stared briefly, then glanced at his plate. He has a sense of peace after he mentioned this.
"I think she is," he admits sadly.
Mike watched as he and his grandfather slowly faded out. The scene moments ago reminded him that he's still very much afraid for Ruth. What Mike saw last night confirmed he will never stop. Mike cares too much for Ruth and wants to see her alive and well. Mike sighs deeply then glanced away from the emptiness, which clouds his mind still. Mike stares at the groundless void, wondering what he should do now. He needs to pull out of this fog somehow.
With another sigh, he tried focusing on the whispers surrounding him still. Except, something filled his ears. Mike hears shuffling footsteps approaching. He glances around to search for whoever is coming. What Mike doesn't realize, though, is someone can delve into the deep recesses of his mind. He began to smell smoke, char, and burnt flesh. His brows furrowed and lips slightly pursed from a groan sounding in the silence.
Slowly, Mike glances over his shoulder. He didn't want to, but Mike certainly didn't want to get sneaked upon. In front of him, someone emerged from the shadows. They walked crookedly while groaning and snarling. The hairs on his arms stood on end when Mike noticed the burnt clothing. His eyes scanned upwards to discover the burnt girl from last night stumbling after him. Mike's eyes widened and mouth gaps open to scream, but nothing comes out.
The burnt girl grins within the dark and lurches forward with a growl. Mike tries to back away only to get captured. The girl holds Mike firmly in his place. Mike whimpers, instead of crying out, frozen with terror. She grabs what little hair he had on his scalp and cranes Mike's head back.
Then there was a whisper.
"Fear… me," she growls lowly.
Somehow, the girl's decaying charred hands sink into his skull. He grew numb and petrified from a searing heat soaring up his spine. Mike gasps sharply, trying to take a breath as smoke suddenly filled his lungs. The smell of char wafted in his nostrils and sight blurred from bright orange and yellow flames. His darkened skin blackened and cracked. His mouth hung open from extreme pain to the point of wanting to scream. That's when Mike found his voice.
A blood-curdling scream leaves his charred lips.
Mike's eyes snap open and bolt upward with a frantic yell. The last thing he expected, though, was to collide into someone else's head. Mike and whoever he just headbutted groaned unpleasantly.
"Gah, fuck! I knew you were hardheaded, but I didn't think it would be that thick."
Mike paused when he recognized the voice. He cautiously stares ahead of him, finding Ruth in his view. Her brows are furrowed and with a pained grimace, but it is Ruth. Mike shudders a sigh of relief, yet he wants to cry. Ruth is alive. At the same time, though, Mike fears he's staring at a figment of his imagination. How could she be, though? He headbutted her.
"Ruth," he hesitantly questions.
He hears Ruth sigh, "Yeah, it's me, you dolt."
Mike sighs and cranes his neck back in relief only to be pulled back.
"Don't lean away. Just sit still," Ruth instructs firmly.
He realized then Ruth is cleaning away the blood from when Henry punched him. Mike wants to take in his surroundings but couldn't. Instead, he uses his eyes. Ruth, of course, is in front of him, while to his immediate right is train tracks, trees, and sky. He then realized the abandoned train cars surrounding them. Mike is no longer in the Neibolt House. Confused, he glanced to his left. There is an aisle lined with open booths, including someone he didn't want to see.
Pennywise stood in his view with a big, toothy grin.
"Hiya, Mike," he chuckles.
Pennywise's features morph into a snarl then charge at him at lightning speed.
Mike recoils then rushes out of Ruth's reach with a frightened yell.
His startle caused Ruth to jump with a yelp.
"Jesus! Just what in the hell is wrong with you?"
Mike points while trying to speak and crawl away.
"Clown," he stuttered. "He's, he's right there, Ruth! I swear!"
Ruth stares at him for a moment, concern creeping her features. She glances to her right in search of what Mike could have seen, but there is no clown there. Robert stood in her view, whose brows are furrowed and looked slightly disturbed at Mike's hysteria. He has, in one hand, a gauge pad, medical tape, and aspirin, while the other has a water bottle.
He glances at Ruth, "I told you not to wake him so soon," he replies, then steps forward to approach her side. "The boy is delirious."
"Apparently so," she replies in turn. "And I didn't wake Michael, either. I can only assume he woke from a nightmare since the blockhead sprung up like a jack-in-the-box and collided his thick head onto mine."
Mike opts not to comment but glare at Robert, confusion contorting his features, then turns to Ruth.
"Who, who is this?"
Robert grins strangely. "Your worst nightmare, kid," he jokes darkly with a cackle for added effect.
He gets a surprise when Ruth elbows him in the gut, which he coughs a gasp.
"Knock it off," Ruth warns lightly.
Robert answers with a pout and glare, hiding a vicious snarl.
"You don't strike me!"
"I'm sorry, Pen, but I need you to remain calm. Besides, you must be careful about what you say and do around him. We don't want Michael to figure out who you really are. So, please refrain yourself from being overly eccentric and creepy."
"Creepy? I am not, by any means, creepy."
"I know you're not, Penny. It's the Losers who think you are. Now, will you wrangle your profound, superior self only a smidge, please?"
He inwardly deadpans. Ruth is right. Pennywise can't reveal who he really is underneath this guise. Except, he did feel his ego inflate.
"You're right. Sorry, Ruth."
"Sorry, kid," he reluctantly apologies then handed off the supplies Ruth needed.
"Robert," then sulks away and lazily lounges in one of the booths, observing the two.
Mike stared at Robert nervously, then turned back to Ruth.
"Who is that guy, Ruth?" Mike questions again before returning to the cushioned bench.
It's Ruth's turn to stare and smile brightly. "This is my greatest superhero and dearest friend, Robert."
She makes a quick glance at Robert, grinning still and winks. He puffs his chest and mirrors her smile.
Mike glances from Ruth to Robert, feeling uneasy around them. He gulps and just kept his eyes on Ruth.
"He, he doesn't look a Robert. Does he have a last name?"
Ruth's grin never falters from his question. "His surname is Gray. You won't find him in the yellow pages, though. He just recently moved here from another country. Robert didn't tell me where, though, and he prefers to stay out of the public eye. When we first met, I was surprised at his name, too. I thought he would have a cool and unique name like maybe Merkel or even Roman. I like Roman more. Which one of the two would fit him better?"
Mike stares blankly then over at Robert, who rightfully grins with an intense gaze. He observed him for a moment before turning back to Ruth.
"Maybe Roman, but," he pauses to look around him. "How did I end up here?"
"I had Robert bring you here. He and I were passing by the house when we heard you and Henry going at it like caged dogs. Robert chased Henry off."
"After he struck you by accident, of course," Robert shares.
"Wait, Henry, hit you?" Mike asked.
"I stepped in to get the Mullet Head to stop. It was his instinct to strike whoever interfered. If I hadn't, you would be dead right now."
Mike gulps, "I know. It's my fault, though. I threw the first punch when he was trying to get me out of the house without force. I was an idiot in being defiant and look where it got me."
Ruth eyed Mike for a moment then over at Robert. They locked gazes from a short distance.
"It seems the Mullet Head spoke the truth."
"So, it seems."
Ruth looks away to concentrate on Mike's injury growing quiet. Mike watched her in silence while Robert continues to watch the teenagers with interest.
Mike stares at Ruth, taking in her features of which he missed. The last time Mike saw Ruth was when Richie nearly crashed into her. She was drained and a zombie then. Now, Ruth is glowing with life. He noticed her hair is long and is high up on her head in a messy bun. Her pink lips are pursed as Ruth cleaned the blood from his forehead. She's careful in not touching the deep gash.
"I'm glad to see you're okay. You look fairly well and lively. I was worried about you," Mike says suddenly.
Ruth looks him in the eye, finding Mike staring with guilt laced in his gaze. She opts not to say anything about the predicament Mike put her in three months ago. Ruth will only hit him harder then Bowers.
Mike watched her for a moment, noting the anger in Ruth's eyes. He sighs heavily then glances over at Robert. Mike catches the intensity in the slightly older man's gaze, which ultimately frightened him. His skin prickled and stood on end from the downright creepy grin. Mike is beginning to feel undoubtedly scared around Robert. He then noticed the uncomfortable, thick silence hanging in the air.
Something is completely off here, Robert, mostly. He gulps nervously before looking away. Even when Mike is not eyeing him, Robert continued to stare. He can also feel his grin.
With a shaky breath, Mike tried to direct his attention elsewhere like a conversation.
"So, uh, your friend there. He's um interesting," Mike stumbled. "How did you two meet?"
Ruth hums, "Under circumstances, I wish not to repeat."
Well, that's a vague answer, Mike thought.
"Um okay, but uh, why is he so," he pauses to chase a glance at Robert. He's still glaring at Mike.
"Why is he so what, Michael?"
Mike hesitates but answers in a mumble. "Intense."
Ruth fought to glance at Mike but doesn't hide her gleeful smile or excitement. "Robert can be intense with his dark humor and constant need to observe others, but he's modest, a little eccentric at times, and surprisingly a gentleman. He's quite the goofball, too. I have a lot of fun with him around."
"Well, your friend there keeps staring at me," Mike complains, shifting in his spot.
"Aw, what's the matter? Do you not like being observed?"
Mike's jaw sets, growing agitated now. He does not like the way Ruth is acting towards him.
"He's creeping me out," Mike whispers through clenched teeth. Mike watched Robert from the corner of his eye, who grinned eerily at him still.
Ruth glanced at Mike then and followed his gaze. She eyes Robert briefly before mirroring his smile.
"What is it about him that you feel that way, Michael?"
Mike regards Ruth with furrowed browns and an uncomfortable scowl.
"It's the way he's looking at me. I almost feel like he's, I don't know, searching for something."
She regards him with a slight tilt of her head, the grin never faltering. "You know, he did the same to me when we met. Do you want to know what I did?"
"What?"
Ruth's smile widens, "I gladly welcomed it. It's Robert's way of learning about people."
Mike appeared startled by this, whereas Robert grinned with glee.
"What, what do you mean by that?"
Ruth casually shrugs, remaining to smile. "Robert is quite fascinated by the human mind and our behaviors. He loves studying certain test subjects and observe his results."
"What, what kind of studies? And on what?"
Ruth pauses, grinning at Mike's unease. "People like us," she whispers.
He wanted to say something, but his nerves got the better of him. Mike remained quiet.
She gently chuckles, grinning wildly. "So, tell me, Michael. What were you doing at the Neibolt House?"
Mike licks his lips and gulps in hesitation.
"Um uh, I was looking for you," he responds nervously.
Ruth regards him with a scowl. "Why?"
"I went there to know if what I saw was real or not."
Ruth furrows her brows.
"Huh?"
Mike heaves a sigh, "You know, last night was Halloween, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"The others and I went there last night. We all got this request from you to meet us there and talk. Which I now realize we shouldn't have. The clown scared us for his entertainment. Well, at one point, we saw you injured in one of the rooms. Some creature thing, I think you called it a Wendigo, captured and apparently ate you after catching Eddie. We even got scared off by a zombie version of you, Ruth. The clown must have shifted as you or something to scare us. I'm telling you, Ruth, this clown is real and extremely dangerous. You have to believe me."
Ruth stares, along with Robert, who also raises a skeptic brow and chuckles lightly.
She chokes back a laugh before speaking.
"Are you seriously still going on about this imaginary clown of yours? Jesus Christ, Michael, you need to get a grip on reality."
Mike gawks, "I'm serious here!"
"And so am I," Ruth snaps.
She rightfully glares at him yet resumed her task in stitching his forehead. Ruth steadily breathes to control her anger.
"When I'm done tending to your injury, you need to leave."
Mike stares and gulps. "Ruth," he starts only to be interrupted.
"I don't want to hear any more of it. This fictional clown of yours is just a figment of your imagination. He may even be the source of an underlining fear you don't know about."
Mike opens his mouth to argue but refrained himself. It would be pointless anyway since Ruth doesn't believe in fantasies.
If you only knew, Mike thought to himself.
Robert watched Mike and Ruth from a short distance. He noticed Ruth's guard and is holding back her resentment towards the boy for what happened. Robert can tell she still harbors some feelings for Mike, as well. Ruth did stand up for him when Jonathan caught wind of what happened with them. Her need to help is evident enough since Ruth didn't want to leave an unconscious Mike behind. Nonetheless, Ruth is still angry with Mike for getting her in deep trouble.
After a short while, Ruth finally cleaned and bandaged Mike's head wound. She even wiped at the blood on the boy's lip. Ruth is quick to give Mike the water bottle with a frown, along with a pill.
"There you're all patched up. Take this aspirin to reduce the swelling and soothe the headache you're going to get fairly soon."
Mike takes them from her and stares at the items. He won't look Ruth in the eye as Mike knew she's angry at him but doesn't want to say it. Mike doesn't blame her. His granddad repeatedly told him that it wasn't Mike's fault for what happened when he still feels it is. Mike can't shake it off either. He still very much likes Ruth, but something about her changed, which Mike doesn't care for in the least. It's not because of her new friend, though. There is something Ruth is not telling him. A part of him wants to know, but another doesn't.
With a heavy sigh, Mike cautiously stood from the padded leather bench.
"Thanks," he mumbled then started down the aisle to leave.
Ruth stared ahead, fighting not to watch him leave. Except, Robert did and critically. His eyes scanned Mike's dejected form and noted the depressed gaze. Robert decides not to say anything. It's not his business to try and patch things up for Mike and Ruth.
Mike wasn't far when he turned to look over his shoulder at Ruth. She's not looking at him, which is fine by him. He just hopes Ruth won't shut him out completely.
"I want to understand something. You have been missing for three months, Ruth. Everyone is afraid for you because no one can find you. Where are you hiding?"
"That's because I don't want to be found, and I'm not telling you where I am either."
"Why not? Why do you insist on staying hidden and with… him?"
Ruth snaps her furious gaze on him then. "For one, Michael, Robert is the only person in this fucking town who cares and understands me, along with my situation. He can relate as Robert is on the same emotional level as I am. I'm grateful I have him as a friend. Secondly, and foremost, he saved my life!"
"Ruth," Robert warned cautiously and started to stand.
Ruth motioned him to kindly stay back. He instantly backs down with his hands in front of him.
"Okay," he mumbled under his breath with a proud grin.
Mike stood rigid in his spot. "He what?"
"I'm not going into details about what he did to save me. It's really none of your concern anyway. I'm in his debt, and I plan to return the favor when the opportunity arises. Thirdly, and most importantly, I won't come out of hiding until I'm no longer referred to as Rutherford's Daughter. It's not exactly easy to adapt with a title change overnight. I just want to be recognized for who I am."
Mike eyes Ruth sadly, understanding her frustrations now.
"You know, I don't see you as such, Ruth."
"I know you don't, but that's not the issue. The whole damn town is blind over the fact I'm the daughter of someone famous. They have to treat me with respect now. Plus, they all see me for something of which I'm not. They don't know the real me."
"I do! I saw who you really are before all this bullshit happened."
"Oh, really now! Tell me, Mike, who the hell am I?"
Mike goes to answer when Robert stood quickly and came between them.
"Alright, that's enough," Robert interferes.
Mike stood silently, suddenly growing nervous with Robert towering over him.
"Listen, kid, you better leave. You're upsetting my lady friend here," Robert urged tightly.
He nods quickly then started walking backward and turns. Mike doesn't want to be anywhere near Robert anyway. He can still feel the eerie gaze bearing on his back and an unbearable cold prickle going along his spine. Mike doesn't like the feeling either.
Mike stopped when a thought occurred to him. It's something Ruth should be aware of if she ever goes into town. He may have seen her around, but Ruth, at the time, was most likely wearing a wig to hide her beautiful luscious hair. Ruth may have worn makeup to conceal her freckles and different cloths. Mike tried to recall who he has seen around town that appeared new. He couldn't remember seeing any.
"I just want you to know before you learn the hard way, but Stan has a girlfriend now."
Ruth stares, her scowl dropped into a gap.
"What?"
"Yeah, I was surprised, too, when he told the group. I guess he didn't want to wait for you anymore."
Ruth's features slacked from hurt overwhelming her eyes. "What are you talking about? Why are you even telling me this? And how did you know he wanted to wait?"
"Stan told me in private that he saw you the day your house burned down. He was willing to wait, but apparently, your three months of hiding is too long for him."
Ruth stood stationery and gaze misting. She felt a familiar pang from when Ruth saw Mike with his new group of friends at the fair back in July. Ruth felt hurt and betrayed. He obtained friends so quickly, whereas she never gained any. Well, mostly because Ruth had a hard time trusting him and others. She, in a way, is jealous of Mike. Yet Ruth felt the same green monster after learning Stan found himself a girlfriend. What hurts the most about this is Stan talked to Mike about seeing her. Stan lied.
I bet this girl of Stan's is prettier than me, Ruth thought bitterly.
"Leave," Robert stressed.
Mike glances at Robert, scowling at him.
"Yeah, I'm leaving," Mike bit then started away only to stop short. "I just have one request of you."
Robert glares and stood to full height. He towers over Mike, intimidating the teenager since he took a step back. Robert scuffs and grins creepily.
"What is your request, boy?"
"Will you stop calling me that? My name is Mike, asshole, but that's not my request. Since Ruth seems to have more trust in you than anybody else, will you please take good care of her?"
Within a blink, Robert's gaze drops into a genuine, determined gaze. "Why would I not take care of her? Ruth is the only real friend I have."
Mike gently smiles then, catching the sincerity and warmth in his voice. He saw Ruth come up from behind Robert and hugged his waist. Mike can't see it with her eyes buried into Robert's blazer, but Ruth is lightly weeping. Guilt sunk in his gut from the little sobs.
Man, I'm an idiot. I shouldn't have said anything to her about Stan. Ruth liked him, and I just broke her heart because I had to open my mouth.
He sighs heavily, "I guess, I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry, Ruth."
Sadly, Ruth doesn't respond, which hurts Mike further.
"I won't say anything to Stan or anybody else I saw you, Ruth. It's clear you made a choice, and I'll protect your decision. It's the least I can do after the bullshit move I did to get you in this."
Ruth refused to respond still.
Mike, at that point, turned away with a scuff. He may have developed a sudden disliking for Ruth's newly acquired attitude, but Mike will keep his promise and keep her whereabouts unknown. Now that Mike knows Ruth is with somebody, he wished Ruth was with someone else. Mike doesn't like Robert at all and would love for Robert to disappear on Ruth. He has this sudden desire to rescue her from this darkness that is clouding her judgment because of him. His instincts are telling him Robert is doing more harm to Ruth than helping. From Mike's point of view, Robert is molding Ruth into someone she shouldn't be. At least, that's what he believes.
Although Mike saw that memory of him and his granddad for a reason. He was worried something horrible had happened to Ruth but she's not. Ruth is alive. Mike also had to remind himself of what his granddad said, "If there is a fine young man out there, who is similar to Ruth in more ways than one AND at her level, then Ruth found herself a real good friend."
Ruth did say Robert relates with her and is on the same emotional level as she is. So, maybe Ruth is in good hands. Mike may not trust Robert, but he can have faith in Ruth. Like his granddad said, Ruth is a smart girl.
I'm trusting you on this Ruth. I really do hope he does take care of you, Mike thought to himself.
Robert watched Mike leave the train car. He can tell what the boy is thinking. Frankly, Robert, aka Pennywise, has an inkling Mike might try something to drive him away from Ruth. It's understandable to a degree since the boy doesn't know a thing about him. However, his attempts will be futile. The bond that ties Pennywise and Ruth together is undeniably strong. Something drew him to the once frightened child. He's still trying to figure that one out. With a huff, Robert directs his attention on Ruth, who remained to weep silently.
"Do you want me to scare him some more?"
"If you wish," Ruth responds gently against his back.
His lips pull back in Pennywise's signature grin in excitement.
"Oh, goodie," Pennywise giggled.
He glances over his shoulder at Ruth, discovering the tears. His grin instantly falls into a frown.
"Why are you crying?"
"I don't know," she starts and sighs. "I've been feeling weird these last few weeks. I can't quite figure it out either. So, while you scare Michael some more, I'm going to the drugstore." Ruth explains, then drew away from his back.
Pennywise, well, Robert, watched Ruth move away and start down the aisle. His frown deepened from what he discovered last night. Pennywise knows what is wrong. He understands what human girls and women go through. Pennywise witnessed Ruth go through her monthly blood once before. These last few months, though, Ruth hasn't had her cycle. He's keeping track of Ruth's internal clock, which is undoubtedly creepy by human standards. He knows it's there, Pennywise just doesn't want to talk about or hear about it. Ruth should know about these things, not him. Better yet, why hasn't Ruth noticed? Does she not know? Or does she and is unsure how he will take the news?
He sighs heavily with a screw of his lips, preparing himself for Ruth's reaction.
"You're pregnant, Ruth," he sadly reveals.
Pennywise glances over his shoulder at Ruth. She stood in her spot, staring into space, and made not a sound.
"Viv?"