*Chapter 13: A Small Visit*
The winter days have been the worst. Especially living in the old house with no heater. Belle was asked to sleep in the lair where it's warmer in his wagon, but she didn't like the idea of being there surrounded by floating children above and the smell. Though, she accepted to get warm for a while. Belle felt bad for taking a bed while Pennywise will sleep elsewhere. The bed made her sick to her stomach. The sheets, pillows, all covered in bloodstains and gray water. There are missing children posters on the walls, the poor children that Pennywise ate and brought them in his lair to float.
Even Belle didn't get a word from Maturin the past few nights since the first time he talked to her after seeing the disturbing flashback. Only she sees the ghost children, talking to her. They tell her the exact same warning. Pennywise is evil and never stop eating children in Derry. He must be stopped. But, Belle doesn't know how to stop him, and she couldn't. The deal will be broken if she tried anything.
People in Derry are growing a bit suspicious about the missing children and adults the past few months. Belle uses her powers to look over the town to see missing posters and check up on the Denbrough children. She even noticed the missing posters of her around town because Kyle believed her to be missing. He's worried about her and wanted to see her. Belle hated to see her good friend upset about her disappearance. If only she could see him and the others, letting them know she is okay. But, what will she tell Kyle though?
Right now, Pennywise and Belle are by the frozen lake. Belle is wearing a coat and a red scarf, sitting on the bench to watch Pennywise ice skating with no skates. The clown had a content smile on his face as Belle watches.
"You sure you don't want to join me, Belle? I could use a dance partner." Pennywise asked, coming up to the woman.
"I don't know how to ice skate." Belle told him. Pennywise took her hands and pull her up. "Pennywise? What're you doing?"
"Trust me." The clown helps her to keep her balance. Belle gasped as she slips and held onto Pennywise's suit. The clown giggled. "Focus, Belle. Look forward and follow my lead." He told her. He starts to skate with her on the ice. Belle felt his hand on her hip to keep her up as he held her hand with the other. "Left, right. Left, right." Pennywise repeated. "That's it."
"I'm doing it." Belle said with a smile. "I'm skating on ice!" Then, the hands are off her, but Pennywise is behind her. Belle kept her emerald eyes ahead of her as she skates. She made a turn and spun around to skate backwards to see the clown. "This is amazing!"
"Belle, watch where you're going!" Pennywise shouted. Belle turned her head back to see the bridge. She gasped and tried to stop, but Pennywise grabbed her by the waist, spinning her around. They slipped on the ice and land on the snow. They sat up, shaking the snow off them. Pennywise shook like a dog, making Belle giggle. "That could have gone better." The clown said.
"Well, it was pretty fun." Belle admitted. "Thanks for teaching me how to ice skate." Pennywise felt like blushing. Did he make her happy? Ever since Belle sings for him, she isn't afraid of him. Maybe this is what Pennywise should focus on. Make his mate happy. After all, Belle has been with Pennywise since October. He offered her to sleep in his warm lair since snow came to town and Christmas is drawing near. The clown helped his mate up. "Do you ever get cold when it snowed?" Belle asked him.
"I don't mind it. But you look like you need to be warm. Your face is rosy." Pennywise tapped Belle's nose playfully. The woman rolled her eyes, but she is ready to go back home to be warm.
Belle is sitting on the bed in the wagon of the clown's. She is drinking hot cocoa from a red mug Pennywise brought just for her. So far, the clown has been nice to her. Still, she is stuck with him. Belle sighed and lower the mug as she thought back of her friends.
"Something on your mind, Belle?" Pennywise asked from the doorway of the wagon.
"Nothing. Just...thinking about...my loved ones. I've been hearing about my friend, Kyle, he thinks I'm missing and...he's worried." Belle replied. She turned to the clown. "Pennywise, can't I just go out there or send them a letter to let them know I'm alright?" She begged, cupping her hands. Pennywise stared at her with a frown. Belle spoke again. "It wouldn't hurt. I can't stand to see the sight of everyone getting upset without me around. Just...let me-" The clown raises a hand to silence her.
"If you ever try anything..." Pennywise spoke. "I will start with Georgie. I will watch you."
"I promise. I won't do anything and neither will the kids. I swear it." Belle said, placing her hand over her heart. "But, you really mean it? I can go out there and see my friends?"
"Only for a day. I will speak to you with my mind, letting you know when the time is up for you." The clown said. "You will leave at noon. Tomorrow." Belle approached him, and took his hand.
"Thank you." She said. Pennywise can see that she is happy about this. Of course, she had been sad for a long time and heard she had some nightmares recently. He wanted to know what they are about, but that will wait next time. As soon as she leaves his lair, he will keep a close eye on her and speak to her with his mind. He wanted to make sure his mate is keeping the promise.
The school bell rang, and the kids are exiting out the front doors of the building. Bill, Georgie, Richie, Stan, and Eddie grabbed their bikes until they hear a familiar voice call out to them. The boys turn and see Belle waving to them across the street, wearing a blue jacket and a red scarf around her neck.
"Is that...?" Stan wondered if he saw the image right.
"No fucking way." Richie gasped.
"Belle!" Georgie cried happily and ran towards Belle who came up to him as well. She wrapped her arms around the boy, laughing with joy. "I've missed you so much, Belle!" Georgie said.
"I've missed you too." Belle said. "I'm so happy to see you." Bill and the others rush over in question.
"How are you here?"
"Where's the clown?"
"He's not gonna come after us, right?"
"How did y-y-y-you escape?" The boys ask the woman so many questions. They are worried about Pennywise coming after them. Belle stood up, getting the boys to calm down so she could answer them. She told them everything about yesterday of convincing Pennywise to let her go into town to visit and let people know she is okay.
"So, you'll only know when you're going back to the old house by hearing the clown?" Eddie asked. "And it's called...the Shining?"
"Yes. He knows I have it, and I didn't even know I had it." Belle exclaimed. "So, I've been using that power to check on you guys and the town. I see this town isn't doing so well."
"Kyle thinks you're missing, but you aren't really." Stan said. "We kept our word about your deal with the clown." Belle nodded, thanking the boys to keep quiet about it. "So, you're going to see him too?"
"I should. He wanted an explanation, but...what will I tell him?"
"Tell him you're married to a killer clown." Richie said sarcastically.
"Beep, beep, Richie." Bill said.
"Seriously, what have you been doing the past few months?" Richie asked, ignoring Bill. Belle didn't want to scare them, especially Georgie, but they deserve to know what she's been doing with Pennywise. She showed them the scar where Pennywise bit her to mark. She drank his blood in order to be immortal. And she was learning how to devour victims by killing adults in order to feed since she is becoming like Pennywise. Eddie took his inhaler out after hearing this. Belle looked at the reactions on the boys' faces. They are afraid of her, but not terrified.
"I really didn't want to kill, but...I had no choice. I don't want to die either." Belle told them. "I don't want you guys to get hurt."
"So...what is Pennywise exactly?" Stan asked.
"In his human form, he told me everything. But I don't think you'll understand. It's very...complicated."
"Oh shit, he can shapeshift. He could be here." Eddie said, starting to freak out. "What does he look like?"
"Eddie, calm down. He's not here. But, he's watching me." Belle told him.
"Like a hawk." Richie commented. After catching up on things, the boys' lead Belle out of the school grounds to get to the neighborhood to get to Kyle's house. Belle was excited to see him, but nervous. He wanted answers. Belle will have to think of something or she could hypnotize him if she had to.
A knock on a door was heard. Kyle got up from the couch and walk over to the front door to answer. Once he opened the door, there are Bill and the others, but with Belle. The man gaped in shock. Belle smiled at him.
"Belle?"
"Hello, old friend." Belle greeted back. Kyle came out and close the door behind him, looking at the woman. The boys watch in silent, but giggle at the man's reaction.
"You're alive." Kyle said.
"Yes. Suppose I am." Belle said. "Sorry to worry you."
"I was scared, woman!" Kyle exclaimed. "Where the hell have you been? Everyone has been looking for you." Belle turned to the kids, then back at Kyle.
"I've been...out of town." She replied. "It's a long story."
"Well, tell me where you been." Kyle demanded. Belle bit her lip nervously. Time for Plan B. Her eyes started to glow gold, looking into Kyle's eyes, and use her mind to tell him she has been out of town for reasons but it is none of his concern. She also told him to spread the word around town that she is alive. Kyle's eyes matched Belle's, yet he understood her mind words. He slowly return inside his house. Bill faces her and notice her nose is bleeding.
"Wh-wh-what did you d-d-d-do?" He asked.
"Hypnosis." Belle replied, turning away, wiping her nose with her sleeve. She left the property as the boys follow her.
"So, that's it?" Stan asked. "You just want to see him and...use your power to...lie to him or something?"
"I can't tell him the truth." Belle said. "I don't want him hurt. Just keep an eye on him for me." As she was walking, she started to hear a voice in her mind.
"Return to me now, dearie." It said.
"Huh?"
"Your time is up. Return to the Neibolt house." The voice said. Belle remembered it was Pennywise. He spoke to her by using the Shine. She had to go back.
"Guys, I have to go." She told the boys.
"What? Now?" Bill asked.
"No..." Georgie pleaded. "Don't go back."
"I have to. Remember the deal." Belle said. She came up to Bill and Georgie, hugging them. Georgie started to cry a little, not wanting to let her go. Belle then hugged Stan, Eddie, and Richie. She told them that she will watch over them with the Shine. "Take care of yourselves." She said. She turn away from them to return to the old house that is miles away. At least she got to see them. She hated to put a spell on Kyle, but he gets a bit suspicious.
In the corner, Belle didn't see Henry and his friends watching her. They thought she is missing along with the kids and adults. Now that she has shown herself, Henry thought it's time for him to see her himself.
"Let's follow her." Henry said, hiding his pocket knife. "I like to see her blood on my blade."