*Chapter 15: Scared Silly*
"Guys, did you hear about Bowers and his friends? They said something they see a clown turning into a werewolf." Eddie said, sitting by his friends at school. "They were so scared they didn't come to school today."
"Well, at least they learn their lesson, right?" Stan asked. "I mean, they're not...hurt or anything, right?"
"Was B-B-Belle with...the clown?" Bill asked. "Because she was visiting for a wh-wh-while."
"They didn't say anything about her." Eddie replied. "Maybe she was." The boys look at each other with thought. If Henry and his friends mess with Belle the day before, then Pennywise came for her and scare them away. She is a mate of Pennywise after all, of course the clown had to protect her.
"I can't believe I had to say this, but...I'm glad the clown scare the shit out of Bowers." Richie spoke, adjusting his glasses. "Those guys will be traumatized for a long time."
"Yeah..." Stan said. The bell rings, and they went down the hallway to get to their class.
Belle walked in her bedroom, a towel wrapped around her body after a shower she took. After she closes the door, there is a white box with a red balloon attached to it. Belle approaches the gift with caution and see a note under the string. Taking the note and see perfectly handwriting.
I think it's time we try something new. I hear it's going to be a lovely night tonight with a full moon. I have plans for the both of us, so please accept and wear this dress you've been eyeing on months ago before I woke from my slumber.
Yours truly, Robert Gray.
Belle couldn't believe what she just read. Did he just ask her out? Is it a date? She opened the box and gasp at the sight of the dress. She pulled it out to see full detail. The dress is white with red roses around the skirt, the straps could hang around the shoulder blades. It was true. Belle likes this dress she seen months ago when kids go back to school. This dress costs a lot of money and she couldn't afford it. Did Pennywise bring it here for her as a gift? Belle places the dress on the bed and brought out the clothes to wear for the day.
"Don't do it, Belle." A voice spoke. Belle spun around to see a boy. He could be one of the victims of Pennywise as a ghost. "He's trying to trick you."
"What do you mean?"
"He's trying to make you love him." The boy replied. Belle made a troubled look. The spirit could be right. Pennywise has been soft to her recently, even when he's Robert he's more human. Can Pennywise love a human being such as Belle? Does he even have a heart to love? Probably not. The woman looks at the boy.
"I doubt it's going to happen. Maybe Pennywise needs a break from...you know."
"He will never change, Belle. And you can't change back to what you were before. The longer you are with the monster, you will be as bloodthirsty as him." The boy said, his eyes turning red. Belle turned away, shutting her eyes. She won't that happen to her. She is still herself. Pennywise won't change her. Once she turns back to the spirit, he was gone. Belle sighed and got dressed.
XX
Robert was sitting on the steps outside, waiting for Belle to come out. His blue eyes are scanning around the neighborhood, listening for anyone. He heard the front door open and Belle came out. Robert faces her with a smile.
"Hey." Belle greeted. "So, where to?"
"How do you feel about going to pay a little visit at Henry's place?" Robert asked with a smirk. "I hear your little friends say that he skipped school."
"Well, you scared the shit out of him and his idiot friends." Belle said. "I have to admit, he should learn his lesson about messing with me."
"But, you didn't harm him. Do you want him to harm others?" Robert asked, raising a brow. "What if he hurt little Georgie? Or Bill? Or any other children you knew?"
"Scaring him was enough." Belle told him with a serious look. "Maybe when he returns to his evil ways again, I will be sure to teach him a lesson myself."
"If you say so..." Robert said, walking by her. "And I hear there's a girl who also mess around with Bill and the others. Was it Greta?" Belle cross her arms silently. She didn't like that girl. Greta treats Belle like dirt once in a while. The last time Belle saw her was when she accidently bump into her and ruin her ice cream. Sometimes she bullies Bill and his friends, but she bullies a certain girl at school. It's Beverly Marsh. Belle hasn't heard from Beverly in a while, and she isn't sure if she is friends with the boys since they go to the same school. Maybe it's time for Greta to learn a lesson.
"I guess she needs a scare herself." Belle said. "It wouldn't hurt to pull a little scare. I think I got an idea." Robert smiled at her when she agreed to scare someone today.
When school is over, Belle and Robert stood across the street to look out for a certain girl to come out of the doors. Belle had to hide away from the boys once they come out. Bill and the others pass them as they talked. Belle watched Georgie walk close by his older brother, telling him about his day. Sounds like a good day without Henry and the others bullying them.
"There she is." Robert said, making Belle look ahead to see Greta walk out with her friends. They are laughing together. Belle uses her Shine to listen what they are saying. Sounds like Greta is heading off to the pharmacy where her father works. "You catch that, dearie?"
"Yeah. Off to the pharmacy." Belle said. The two went off to follow the girl without being suspicious.
XX
Greta arrived at the pharmacy to greet with her dad who is working behind the counter. While the man is busy with a customer, Greta went around the counter to sit around the back. She sat down on a chair. She got a piece of gum and put it her mouth and open up a magazine.
Belle watched the girl in disgust from outside the store. She must have her come out of there so she could scare her so she won't bother anyone again. Beverly will be happy. She closes her eyes and focus her powers. What is Greta weakness? Belle can feel a strong tingling feeling, she found what she is looking for to scare Greta. This girl won't be bullying ever again.
Greta flipped through the pages of the magazine, making a bubble from a gum she's chewing. She started to hear a nursery rhyme around her. She looked around to see anyone, but no one was around. Greta got up and left and follow the sound. She figured it came from outside.
She walked out and went around the store to the alley. Standing in the middle of the alley was a strange woman in black robes. Greta squinted her eyes in wonder.
"Hello?" She called. "You need help or something?" No reply. And the nursery rhyme stopped. It's so quiet now. Great could no longer hear sounds from the streets. Then, the woman turned around to reveal her face. Greta gasped in horror. She recognizes what this lady is. A blind witch from Hansel and Gretel book. But so life-like. The eyes are white, glossed over. Face all wrinkled. Long fingernails. And the witch smiles at Greta, revealing sharp teeth with blood.
"Nibble, nibble, little mouse." She said in a raspy voice. Greta started shaking. The blind witch let out a shriek and lunge at Greta, but the girl took off with a scream. Greta went around to get back to the pharmacy, but the doors are locked. She hits the glass, calling for help, calling for her father. She turned back to see the blind witch approaching her, cackling at her.
"Help me!" Greta screamed, tearing up. "Help!" She felt a hand touching her head, long nails scraping her scalp...
The door open and revealed Greta's father. Greta was on the sidewalk, hugging her legs, crying her eyes out. Her dad kneels down, asking what was wrong with other people watching in concern. When Greta opened her eyes, the blind witch was nowhere to be found. She was pulled up, shaking in her father's arms, sobbing, she couldn't even speak. Across the street, Mike watched in wonder while on his bike to deliver the meat. He's been hearing strange things happening in this town. Whatever they could be, he must be careful.
"Oh my god, that was priceless!" Robert laughed. He and Belle are in the Barrens after scaring Greta. Belle was laughing so hard, she was laying on the grass with Robert. "Did you see the look on her face?"
"The way she cries and shakes!" Belle says, imitating Greta's movements before. "Who would've thought she could be that afraid of the blind witch from a storybook?"
"I could smell her fear, but I'd rather enjoy your performance than devour the girl. She probably won't taste that good." Robert said. Belle sat up, relaxing after a nice long laugh along with Robert. She turned to him.
"So, I got your...gift. The dress was lovely." She said.
"I knew you'd like it, dearie. Though, do you accept about what I plan tonight?"
"You mean...a date?"
"If that's what you humans call it. So, what do you say?" Robert asked. Belle smiled a little.
"I...don't see why not. What time?"
"When the sun is completely down. Be sure to be ready. I'll be waiting." Robert said with a grin. Belle couldn't help but to blush. So, she's got a date with a shapeshifting being. It won't be so bad, right?