*Chapter 17: A Kiss is a Terrible Thing to Waste*

The next morning, Belle sat on the front steps of the house, thinking about last night. It was a good night, but kind of odd. Robert wanted to kiss her, but she refused. It made her think. Does Pennywise have feelings for her? It has been months since she is with him. Maybe this is what the spirits are warning her about? But, Belle doesn't have any feeling for the monster...but her heart says otherwise. She is no longer afraid of the clown, but she couldn't help but to feel bad for him. She may have been with Robert last night, but maybe Pennywise wanted some affection. Belle isn't so sure.

"Hey, you okay?" A voice asked. Belle looked to see a chubby boy with a camera. She hasn't seen him around town. Belle got up and walk over to him.

"You shouldn't be here." She told him. "It's dangerous."

"Oh, I'm just want to take some pictures of the house. I hear it has some stories. I'm doing research about Derry." The boy said. Belle moved away and stood beside him so he could take some photos.

"You new?" Belle asked.

"Yeah. It's not easy being a kid, but since I moved here, I could do lots of research about this town. I hear stories about it." The boy said. He lowers the camera and face her. "Oh, I'm Ben."

"Belle Whitehurst." They both shake hands. "What stories do you hear?"

"Like the kids go missing. This Well House has been here for decades. Many things." Ben replied. Belle started to get nervous. This boy is looking through dark secrets of Derry. But he shouldn't know about Pennywise. "And why are you sitting around there for?" Ben asked.

"Oh, I was...relaxing." She lied. "I mean, it's a quiet place after all. But, promise me you won't go inside this house." Ben blinked at her, but nodded. Belle changed the subject by telling him what a great town Derry is, but avoid trouble. So the boy left Neibolt Street, thanking Belle for letting him take pictures of the house. Belle waved goodbye and return to the house. Good thing Pennywise isn't around or else there's trouble.

She walked up the stairs to get back to her room. She lays on her bed, looking up at the ceiling, clearing her mind. At least Ben is new in town and won't know a thing about Pennywise. Belle let out a sigh and shut her eyes.

"What happened to Greta? She's not in school today." Eddie wondered, walking with his friends. "Her friends were saying stuff about her seeing something." Bill faces him.

"Wh-wh-wh-what did Greta see?"

"A blind witch." A voice told the boys. Beverly approach them alongside with Mike. "A witch from this fairy tale Hansel and Gretel."

"Greta was traumatized. She refuses to go out in public. Her dad was worried sick." Mike said. "Something's going on around town."

"D-d-d-did you see Belle?" Bill asked. Mike made a confused look. "Sh-sh-she must've been there."

"The one that saved your brother?" Beverly asked. "What happened to her? I haven't seen her in a long time." Bill realized that Beverly and Mike were unaware of Belle's deal with a clown. Bill wasn't sure if they deserve to know. It could put them at risk. And he started to believe that Pennywise was the one who scared Greta, but why didn't he kill her like he did to the rest of the children? Unless it was Belle who scared her. Things are getting a lot more creepy.

*Spring*

After months of winter, spring finally came and it's Easter season. Belle was happy that a warm weather came in Derry. Winter had been a pain. At least Bill and the others are doing okay these past few months. Though, they still talk about her and really want to see her more often instead of once in a while. What Belle found out is that Ben is now friends with them, and they call themselves the Loser's Club. Which made her sad. Some of the bullies call them losers, and the kids seem to be okay with it.
Belle had been watching over Henry and his gang for some time to see if they didn't mess with anyone for sure after a big scare months back. Of course, Henry was still disturbed. Even his dad didn't seem to care about it now.

"Least they don't bother the Loser's Club." Belle said to herself after she uses the Shine.

"You haven't even eat a human in while, dearie." Pennywise said, leaning against the doorway, watching his mate.

"I'm not hungry." Belle said. "I'll go out tonight." She could hear him growl in annoyance. She turned to him.

"You've been watching over those children for months. Are you afraid that I didn't keep my word?" The clown said.

"Huh?"

"You still don't trust me."

"What? No, I do. I know you didn't encounter them or hurt them." Belle said, coming up to him. "I'm just...I wanted to make sure they're okay. Somebody's gotta watch over them."

"Those puny children are fine!" Pennywise growled, his eyes turn red. Belle winced at this, but never back down. "I would not allow my mate to keep watch at all times. And make sure the turtle will not speak to you again in your dreams!"

"Wait, you...know what I've been dreaming about?"

"When you told me about the time when I ate an infant years ago, I had to look into your dreams you've been having." Pennywise told her. "You dream about me, Belle. Every single night since day one." Belle brought her head down to the floor. He knew. He's been looking into her dreams without her knowing it. She felt a gloved hand brought her chin up. The clown no longer had anger in his eyes. They went back to yellow. He gave her a comforting smile. "It is not your fault, my dear. It's the damn turtle. He's trying to take you away from me. That can't do at all."

"Maturin?"

"He will not interfere. I will be sure of it, my darling." Pennywise brought his head down towards her face. But Belle turned away from him. The clown frowned a bit. Belle couldn't just let him kiss her. He's been wanting to kiss her since their date night. Pennywise turns away to leave her be. "I'm sorry." He said. Belle didn't say anything. A single tear fell from her right eye.

Sneaking away from the Neibolt house is something she's done often, but she knew she must stay close. She is walking down the grassy fields to get to the Barrens for fresh air and time for herself. Then, she started to hear something coming from the bridge away from her. She uses her Shine to find out what the commotion is.
She can see Bowers and the gang grabbing a hold of Ben, laughing at him. Patrick got a lighter out and spray while Henry got a knife out. Belch and Victor got a hold of a poor boy. Belle made a look and teleport.

XX

"Help! Help!" Ben cried. His stomach was revealed and Henry brought his knife close to it with a smirk. He began to carve on the boy's stomach. "Ahhhh!" Ben cried in agony. Belch looked at his friend, thinking this has gone too far.

"Henry-"

"Shut up! I write my name on this fat boy!" Henry shouted. He was about to carve the next letter, but his hand stopped. "The fuck?"

"Oh shit!" Patrick gasped, backing away. There is Belle with a glare, her eyes are yellow. She is using her power to grab a hold of Henry. The teen grunted and face her. Belch and Victor released Ben. Belle stood in the middle of the street, tilting her head to the side, and Henry fell on the ground.

"You all never learn you lesson, did you?" She asked. "Guess I'll make sure that you do this time." Ben watched in confusion to watch Belle extending her claws when her hands turn werewolf like. Henry and the others backed up and climb over the rail. But Henry grabbed the knife and wrap his arm around Ben's neck. "Let him go!" Belle said.

"I knew it." Henry whispered. "Whatever the fuck we saw months back, you are no human. You are something else. I've been trying to tell my old man that there's something out here, but he didn't fucking believe me!" He brought a knife close to Ben's cheek. "I knew there's something different about you..."

"Let him go." Belle said, trying to remain calm. "What did Ben ever do to you?"

"Just being a new kid." Henry prick a knife against Ben's cheek who winced. Belle growled in animalistic. She approached Henry, getting ready to strike him with her claws. Henry pushed Ben aside, readied his knife. Belle let out a yell and pounce on the teen, over the railing. They roll down the hill where the other bullies are.

"Oh shit!" Patrick gasped. Henry got up quickly, but lost his knife. Belle towers over him, her eyes glowing. Patrick started to spray and use the lighter to try to torch Belle away from his friend.

"Kill her!" Henry demanded. Belle turned to face Victor who charges at her with a stick. But she grabbed it and snap it like a twig. They just made a biggest mistake of their lives now. Belle swings her arm at Belch who is about to grab her, scratched his stomach. His shirt was ripped, lines of wounds exposed.

"Ahh, fuck!" Belch winced, holding his stomach.

"You're gonna pay for that, you bitch!" Henry yelled, picking up the knife from the ground. He charged at her, but Belle moved away from him by placing Victor in her place. A knife was inside Victor's stomach, making him howl in pain. Henry quickly pulled away in shock. Belle hears Patrick shaking the bottle of spray. She stomps her foot, making the ground shake a bit, making Patrick fall back. She then tilts her head to the side. A loud snap was heard, and Patrick screamed, holding his left arm that is now broken.

"God dammit!" Henry growled. He came up to her and stab her in the shoulder. Belle shrieked in agony and throw off Henry. "Fuck!"

"Let's get out of here!" Belch yelled. But Belle isn't finished yet. She pounces on Henry, her teeth are now sharp. She opened her mouth and bite down Henry's shoulder. The teen screamed as he felt teeth deep in his shoulder. Belle ripped off his flesh, growling like a animal. Henry's body went limp. Belch, Victor, and Patrick watched in horror, seeing their leader friend being ripped apart. Belle got on her feet, blood all over her mouth and clothes. Her narrowed her eyes at the boys.

"Go." She told them. So scampered off to the Barrens. She sighed and face the body of Henry. She had killed him. Now people in town, especially his dad, will find this body eventually. Belle then looked up to see Ben look over the railing, with terror on his face. He had seen everything. Belle turn away and took off, without saying a word. She didn't even bother to hear Ben calling for her.

"What have I done?" Belle asked herself. She is in the Quarry, washing her face to rinse off the blood. Ben must be very afraid of her by now. He would tell his friends what happened. Bill and Georgie will be terrified. She killed Henry. And she has gotten stronger than before. "I'm a monster..." She whispered. "I killed a teenager that I despised. What the hell was I thinking?"

"So, this is where you are." Pennywise's voice said from behind. Belle faced him. He sniffed. "You...smell like blood and...shame."

"Pennywise, I...I killed Henry Bowers." Belle said. "Ben was being attacked by him and his friends, so I had to jump in to help Ben, but then I almost turn into a werewolf to scare the boys away, but Henry was saying stuff and threaten to hurt Ben more. So I attacked the boys and...I killed Henry. I killed him, Pennywise!" The clown is silent, listened to every single word. He had to admit he was shocked when Belle killed a child for a first time, but she felt guilty. Belle started to form tears in her eyes, pacing around the grass. "What will the kids think? They will know. They will be very afraid of me when Ben tells them-"

"Belle." Pennywise spoke, grabbing her by the shoulders. He brought her close to him. Belle was brought into a hug. She can feel his chin resting on her head. Neither of them said a word. Belle started to feel relaxed. She wrapped her arms around Pennywise, resting her head on his chest, feeling the satin of the costume. Pennywise can sense her calmness, and took a look at her face. He wiped the tears away from her eyes.
The two stare at each other in the eyes. Green meets yellow. Pennywise slowly leans over, pressing his forehead against hers, noses slightly touched. Belle's cheeks started to burn up, and her heart is beating. Pennywise brought his gloved hand up to her cheek and press his cherry lips on hers. Belle closes her eyes, placing her hands on the clown's chest, one of them going up to the side of his face. The kiss is soft and it lasted for a minute. They pull away and look at each other in silent. Pennywise's eyes are bright blue now. He kissed his mate for a first time, and he enjoyed it. He gave Belle a small smile. The woman couldn't help but to smile back, blushing like mad. She had kissed a clown.

"Let us return." Pennywise spoke. He brought his mate close to him and teleport back to the Neibolt house.