*Chapter 5: Memory Lane*
The streets are filled with posters and balloons for the festival that is happening for a few days. Robert and Belle are looking at the town that has been upgraded. Still, the same little town Robert knows and loves for many years. They walk down the sidewalk together, holding hands as they hear music playing down the street. A float is driving down the street with a band playing.
"This is nice." Belle spoke with a smile. "I always like festivals."
"Derry couldn't help but to celebrate its time of year." Robert said. "Pennywise once perform for the festival. It's been years."
"I know. Maturin and the cult showed me those memories when I first become your mate." Belle said. "Maybe you could do it again?" Robert scoffed playfully at her. Maybe he will. Belle then thought about her house. She wondered if anyone lived there. She could go to her old house to see if it had changed too. "Hey, is it okay that I go to the neighborhood alone? I like to see my old house. I won't be long." Belle asked.
"Someone must've live there by now." Robert said. "But, I don't see why not. Meet me in the carnival. Don't be late." He gave her a wink. Belle smiled in thanks. She gave him a kiss on the cheek before walking off across the street. Robert watched her with his eyes before they turn gold. He must feed soon. Other than that, the cult is the thing he is worried about. Rowen better not do anything to his mate, or things will get ugly. A bloody, ugly fate.
Belle walks down the neighborhood and found Jackson Street. and Witcham Street. She turned to see the storm drain where Georgie was attacked and she saved his life. That was when Belle's life was changed. Her home is right across the street. She couldn't believe how long it's been since she last left it. It still looks good, but different. The garden of flowers are by the front door. Someone has been taking good care of the old home of Belle's. Her old things must be gone. Of course, it's been 27 years. People thought she could be dead or moved away.
Belle walked up to the front door and knock on it. She doesn't know why, but she wanted to know who lives in her house nowadays. She heard the door unlock from the inside, and the door opened a bit. Belle could see a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes peek through.
"Yes?" The woman spoke. "Can I help you with something?"
"Uh, hi. Umm, sorry if I disturb you but..." Belle let out a chuckle. She tried not to make this awkward for her and the woman. "I used to live in this house. I couldn't help but to see if anyone lives here after me." The door opens all the way. Belle notices the woman's stomach. She is pregnant. Maybe 7 months. The woman was glowing. She is wearing a summer dress.
"Oh really? Well, what a small world." The woman said with a smile. "What is your name?"
"I'm Belle."
"Belle. Isn't that French for-"
"I know. I know. Some people say that it's a name for beauty." Belle said, smiling. "And from the French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast."
"And the Disney movie too." The woman said.
"...Disney made it?" Belle asked, tilting her head. The woman nodded her head, confused. Belle was told by her that Disney made Beauty and the Beast back in 1991. It was one of the best animated pictures the company made. Belle was in hibernation at the time. She had a lot to catch up on. But she must remember to keep her profile a secret unless she had to hypnotize to make someone forget.
"Would you like to come in? Since you used to live here, you are welcome to come in." The woman said with a smile.
"Oh no. I shouldn't-" Belle tried to decline the offer, but the woman insisted. Belle walked in the house and see the living room. She form a smile. The place feels the same, but different.
"I didn't tell you my name. Sorry. I'm Sarah." The woman spoke as she walked in the kitchen to get some ice tea. "Where do you live now, Belle?"
"Oh...just nearby." Belle replied. "When is your son gonna be born?" She then quickly covered her mouth. Sarah came out with two glasses of ice tea. Belle was afraid that she blew it. But, the pregnant woman smiled at her after giving her a cold glass.
"September. You noticed we're gonna have a boy." Sarah pointed at the blue playpen with toys inside. Belle now notice them. She let out a silent sigh of relief. She took a sip of tea. That was close. Belle needs to be careful. She didn't want to scare the poor woman. Sarah sat down on the couch. "You can sit if you like. My husband should be home anytime." She said. Belle sat next to her. She looked around the living room again.
"Love what you've done with this place. Better than mine." She giggled.
"Thank you, Belle. Now if you don't mind me asking, are you with someone? Married?" Sarah asked, sipping her tea.
"Yeah. We've been together for...a long time. You can say we're married. But...he didn't give me a ring as you can see." Belle said, showing Sarah her hand with no wedding ring.
"You eloped?" Sarah asked. "Oh, that is always so romantic. Two people run away together and eloped."
"Yeah. Eloped." Belle said, nodded a little. "Right. That's what I say as well." The front door opened and reveal a man with thick brown hair and a short beard. He turned to his wife and a visitor.
"Hey, babe. And...who is your new friend?" The man asked, walk around to give his wife a kiss.
"Andrew, this is Belle. She used to live here." Sarah replied. Belle gave the man a wave.
"Really? Well, I'll be damned. Nice to meet you, Belle. I'm Andrew." He extends his hand for Belle to shake. Belle shook it, smiling. These two are a cute couple. She is glad that they got her house. They are perfect for it. "So, you come here to remember the times of this place, huh?" Andrew asked, sitting across from the women. "You want the house back?"
"No." Belle giggled, shaking her head. "But, I'm glad you two live here. Nice to meet those who take good care of it. I remember when I bought this house for a good deal when I move in this town. Everything had changed since then. I made friends, babysit children, and then...met someone."
"I'm sure things go along well?" Andrew asked.
"Yeah. We're gonna be parents. My baby will be born in spring." Belle said, touching her stomach.
"Oh. Well, good for you!" Sarah praised. "Our children will be great friends one day."
"Yeah. And we will be great friends." Andrew said. "Maybe someday we'll meet your husband. What's he like?" Belle is silent for a moment. She had to make up something.
"Oh, Andrew. Don't be nosey. It's none of our business." Sarah said. "Sorry about him."
"What? I'm not being nosey. I thought it'd be nice to make some new friends." Andrew said with a comfort grin. His wife shook her head and face Belle.
"He's just...like any other guy." Belle lied. "The only thing you should know about is that he is tall. And can be a jealous type." Sarah giggled. Before Andrew could ask another question, Belle got up from the couch. "I'd love to stay but, I really should get going. I have places to be."
"Oh. Well, let us walk you out." Andrew said. He and his wife got up to get Belle out the door. Belle turned to them with a smile.
"Thank you for the tea. And it's really nice meeting you both." She said.
"Sure. You are a nice lady." Andrew said.
"Will you be back?" Sarah asked. "I mean, it'd be nice if you visit. Like I said before, you are welcome."
"You'll see me again. This isn't goodbye." Belle said, holding Sarah's hand. The pregnant woman smiled at her. Belle gave her a hug. She could feel the stomach press against hers. Belle let out a gasp of shock and pull away from the hug. Sarah chuckled, rubbing her stomach.
"He's kicking." She said. Belle giggled and touch the stomach. She felt movement against her hand. "I guess our little boy is responding to you."
"I guess he is." Belle said. "Well, I better get going. I'll see you around." She turned away to leave. Andrew and Sarah watch her leave. Belle felt happy. She is making friends. The ones in the new generation. Now off to the next place. The library.
As soon as she walked inside the library she used to work at, still the same, but different once again. There must be a new librarian too. Her old boss must've been retired or passed away while Belle was in hibernation. Belle walks through the aisle of books. She could see so many new books she's never heard of. And there are still the old ones she used to read. There is one particular book that caught her eye. Fairy Tale Collection. She took the book out of the shelf and flip through the pages. She remembered this book. This is the one she read to Georgie many times before. As she flip through the pages of the book, there is a picture of Beauty and the Beast. Belle smiled a bit at the picture.
"I guess I was in the fairy tale after all. I am a Beauty, and Pennywise is a Beast. My Beast." She said. She kept the book close to her chest. She must bring this home. Her daughter, Nadia, would love the fairy tales. Belle will just take it and make people ignore her like Pennywise did with the whole town.
Just as soon as Belle left the library, Mike came out from the storage room to gather the books that need to be put in shelves. He had just missed the woman he is looking out for.
*May, 1986*
18 in a half year old Belle just moved into her new house. She is finally starting her life anew. She may be a young adult to move out from her family, but this is what she wants. A new life, but she will always keep in contact with her family. Her mother supports her and trusts her that Belle will be just fine in a town of Derry. Just as soon as she got her personal things in the new house, she started to hear voices. She turned to see two boys riding their bikes in a fast pace. But, behind them is a blue car. Belle can tell that the two boys are being chased by the teenage bullies.
"Help us!" The little boy in a yellow jacket cried.
"Over here!" Belle called. "I'll help you!" The two boys didn't hesitate and rode their bikes to the driveway. The blue car halts. Coming out of the sunroof is a meanest bully in town, Henry Bowers. "What do you think you are doing?" Belle asked with anger. The little boy hid behind her legs as the older brother stood by him.
"We're just messing around with them. What do you care?" Henry asked with a sneer. "And who do you think you are moving into my town?" Before Belle could respond, a siren was heard. The bullies turn to see a police car pulling up across from them. Coming out was a cop. Henry cowers back in the car as the cop approaches. Belle came up to the cop.
"Is there a problem?" The cop asked with a look in his eyes.
"Nothing. Just...hanging out with...the guys." Henry replied quietly. But Belle spoke to tell the truth.
"These guys were chasing these poor kids." She said. "I just moved and...this happened."
"These boys are trouble. Especially my son." The cop said, eyeing on Henry. Belle blinked. Henry is the son of the cop. "Don't worry about a thing, miss. I know how to handle my son." The cop told her. He turned to the teens. "Stay out of trouble, ya hear? Leave the property. And as for you, Henry." He leaned over to look at his son. "You and I will talk more about this." Henry didn't say anything. One of the bullies started to drive them away. Belle thanked the cop. "If any of those boys, like my son, tried to pick on you or any of the kids, let me know." The cop said.
"Sure. Thank you."
"I'm Butch Bowers."
"Belle Whitehurst."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Whitehurst. And welcome to Derry. Keep in touch." The cop walked away to get back to his car. Belle turned back to the boys.
"Are you two okay? Did they hurt you?" She asked.
"No." The older boy said. "Thank you for h-h-helping us." Belle nodded with a smile. "I'm Bill. Th-th-th-this is my b-b-b-brother, Georgie." Bill said. The little boy seemed shy, but he smiled a little at the woman.
"I'm Belle. Nice to meet you both. And I wouldn't let those guys hurt you or anything." She said.
"You just moved here?" Bill asked.
"Yeah. Took me most of the day to get everything in, but I managed. The drive here took me hours, but worth it." Belle replied, crossing her arms. "After this, I will look for a job. I really need the money." Bill looked at her, then at Georgie. "Well, I love to chat with you two, but I really need to finish up." Belle said.
"Okay." Bill said, picking up his bike, as did Georgie. Bill turned back to Belle. "See you around."
"Stay safe." Belle said with a smile.
"Thank you, Belle." Georgie said. "We owe you." The two boys ride away. That was when the friendship began.
"Belle!" A voice spoke. Belle woke up with a gasp. She looked up to see Robert. "Did you fall asleep again? You are wasting a day." He said with a smirk. He took the book of fairy tales. "You visit the library I see." Belle sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"Yeah, I did. Sorry. I must've passed out after I read the book. I didn't mean to-"
"It's alright. You didn't miss much, my love." Robert said. "We will have fun at the carnival tonight. Yet, you need to feed. We don't want our little princess to starve, do we?"
"...No. We don't." Belle said. She hasn't eaten since this morning after they woke up. She puts on the red jacket and follow her husband out of the room. Clearly she forgot to find lunch after she visits her old house and went to the library. Nadia must be hungry for dinner.