Chapter 7: Camouflage
That was a close one. When her mother walked in, he was already gone. The clown stormed through his lair not knowing if he should be happy or angry with himself. Did he really just kiss her? Craving for Madeline's closeness and fighting the urge to eat her alive at the same time was already confusing enough, but this? It seemed like for that single moment, It's human form took whole advantage of the situation and it just... happened. Not that Pennywise didn't take pleasure in it. Though such 'romantic' actions could only belong to a human, there was something in it for him as well. The feeling of her flesh on his mouth was extraordinary. When he licked his lips there was still some left. He could really taste her without causing hurt, and that brought the predator back in control. It'd be true to admit, that such close contact, but in a different manner than usual, got him a bit carried off. He would've gone further if Lynn didn't interrupt them.
How long could he keep being careful? It was obvious, at some point in the future he won't be able to hold back if things like this keep happening. And he wanted them to. He was going to make them happen, because there was just no other way. The sensation was too tempting.
Although It couldn't let Robert's persona take over again, and modify its intentions more than they already were.
Some try to restrain their demons, but in this case it was the human, that needed to be tamed.
"Mum! What are you doing here?" Madeline was still quite shaken up. It was a relief, that her flushed cheeks and widened pupils were not so evident in the dark.
"Are you OK, dear?" Asked Lynn with a sleepy voice. One could think the woman was still half-asleep. "I heard a noise and came up to check... my God, you're shaking! Is everything alright?" The woman was there, examining her daughter warily in a blink of an eye, and the girl hastily pulled up the sheets to cover her neck.
"I'm fine mum, it was just... a bad dream." Even if it was a dream, it certainly wasn't a bad one, but Lynn didn't have yo know that. She obviously took Madeline's excitement for fear.
"Oh, well that's a relief. You almost got me worried." She sighed and smiled weakly at the girl. "Nightmares aren't that bad, you know. They always end before the worst things happen. Reality is way scarier..." The old t-shirt in which she used to sleep was slipping off her shoulder and for a moment Lynn's face seemed far too young for an experienced woman saying such things. "Sorry, I'm not helpful at all, I guess I shouldn't be saying that."
"No, I'm sorry to wake you up like this, you shouldn't even bother. It's fine." Said Madeline, still a bit embarrassed.
"If you say so" The woman agreed after a moment of silence, and she really believed it was true. Madeline's weird hiding under the covers didn't make her suspect a thing. Then, she simply got up, giving her daughter a kiss on the forehead, and left with a yawn.
The girl waited until she heard her bedroom door close, then another ten or fifteen seconds holding her breath, and sighed with relief when nothing happened. She was left alone again, and knew straightaway, it wasn't going to be easy to fall back asleep. There was no room for dreams in her mind right now, for it's been filled with all sorts of new emotions she had yet to figure out.
Madeline brought one hand to her lips and traced their outline thoughtfully. They were still slightly swollen in certain places, she could feel it in her mouth.
By the end of the night, the girl came to be fundamentally aware of two things.
First one; she was kissed by a monster, second; though she'd never, ever admit it, she liked it.
That was not a happy thought at all. Madeline felt bad for it, and it only made the situation more complicated, especially while looking at Amanda, sitting in the classroom.
Why are you so selfish? Why do you commune with the monster that took our lives?
But did it really change anything? She was still in danger, right? The neck of her sweater still prickled, and underneath it, there were four long, red lines on her back. He didn't nick the skin though, just chafed it enough to leave a mark. The girl gazed at all the students, trying to swallow the sudden lump in her throat. Who will be next?
Today Madeline couldn't really focus on anything. About five minutes after each lesson had begun, she drifted off and let her mind take her away from all the troubling thoughts. She imagined herself safe, in some distant, utopic place, wrapped in someone's strong arms. She didn't know who was it supposed to be, nor she had the need to. It just gave her the feeling she always dreamed of having, and that was enough. Occasionally, a thrown paper ball or a pencil would bring her back to reality, but she paid little attention to such small provocations.
It was only during the biology class, that she tried to keep concentrated. When Mr. Branow walked in, the whole class went silent. He was one of the few professors they really liked and, what was ever rarer, respected. But as soon as he appeared, Madeline sensed something about him was out of place. The girl couldn't tell what exactly, yet she felt he was somehow changed.
"Good day everyone. So, let's see... During the previous lesson, we talked about the many types of predators, depending on their interaction with their prey. Today's topic is a bit different, but still, related. Now..."
There just has got to be something wrong, something missing. Thought Madeline, and allowed herself to examine the man from head to toe, knowing he wouldn't notice a girl gazing at him suspiciously from the back of the classroom. Teachers hardly ever noticed her, and because she was always quiet and her grades weren't a problem, usually just left her be.
His voice is the same, his grayish hair combed to the back as usual, posture just slightly hunched... Everything seems right, but I could swear it's not. She watched his movement, analyzing every single detail, but it was no good. The girl got so lost in the activity, she didn't hear him say her name at first.
"I think miss Glave should give us the answer. Miss Galve? Are you listening?" Madeline was dragged out of her thoughts and glanced around, disoriented. Was he really asking her? And what was the question? Her classmates all started to turn, some of them giggling at the girl's panicked expression, while she flipped through her book hopelessly, searching for anything useful. It was pointless, of course, and Mr. Branow watched her with amusement. Finally, Madeline gave up and asked:
"I'm sorry sir, could you repeat the question?"
When she gained the courage to look her teacher in the eye, just then she knew what was wrong.
"That's what I thought. You should pay more attention, Madeline." His gaze was sharp and crystal-clear, not mild, not covered by the two small lenses. "Normally, I wouldn't do it, but I'll ask again just because I like you. What makes a predator successful at hunt?"
A smirk crept to his lips, and Madeline's eyes widened.
What the hell did he just say? 'Because I like you'? In front of the whole class? This doesn't sound like him at all!
And yet no one seemed to notice, just as if nothing happened. He still awaited an answer.
"Umm- " Even if it was already mentioned during the lesson, she couldn't remember anything helpful, so she had to come up with something by herself. What makes a predator successful at hunt? Well, no one starts off perfectly. "- experience."
The sharp-eyed teacher considered it right, but she saw, that he wasn't done with her yet.
"Sure, an experienced hunter knows how to approach its prey, but I'm certain you can do better than this, Madeline."
Normally, someone would've already laughed or made a mean remark about the situation, but the students were completely unaware of the professors words. And none of them even looked at Madeline anymore. This wasn't normal. The girl felt herself stiffen nervously over the wooden desk. Was she really the only one seeing this, or was she going crazy? A wide smile extended Mr. Branow's thin mouth, making the crinkles there, and in the corners of his eyes the more evident. That smile wasn't his.
And all of a sudden, the girl knew the right answer. There was just one adequate word.
"Camouflage."
"Good." Yes, that was it. "What the real difficulty is, is to make yourself invisible to the prey. Fool it." He gazed around at the teens, like a shooter aiming his weapon at a target, and started to stroll around, as he carried on with the talk. "To certain species, such ability comes as natural, and these are the most feared ones." The teacher was not a 'Barn Owl' anymore, but a true vulture. Madeline observed in shock as he took a pen, straight from Amanda's hand and began to turn it playfully in his fingers. The girl didn't even flinch. She just sat there, completely calm, while her empty hand still moved rhythmically, writing down the non-existent notes. "Why? Well, I think it's obvious. They won't even know what hit them." He had given Madeline a quick, sly look, before putting the pen it its place. Just like that, the man turned around and continued his speech, like a normal teacher would.
There was no doubt; It was here. But why was It here? And why was she the only one to see It? She didn't know what to think of this bizarre sort of confidentiality between them. It was like if they shared a secret, and, truth be told, as long as the creature didn't kill her, they did. Yet, it made Madeline feel not fear, but excitement.
Stop it, you have to stop! She told herself. This is disgusting and scary, and there's nothing exciting about it! What happened last night was beyond wrong and you have to stop or you'll be the next one to go missing.
The whole lesson, she spent on praying for it to be over at last, and she'd probably run out of the classroom along with the ringing bell, but this plan was put down by the aged voice calling her;
"Miss Glave, please stay a while after the class is over. There's something I'd want to discuss."
Madeline did consider sneaking out, but then what difference would it make? If It was willing to get her alone, sooner or later, it would, so why not now, in the bright classroom instead of some darkened corner. Here she could at least feel the illusion of safety. The girl watched with heavy soul as almost thirty people left in a typical hurry, then came up to who was supposed to be Mr. Branow, sitting behind the large writing table.
"Ah, here you are, Madeline." The man said just as if he didn't count the steps she took in his direction, or didn't know exactly how many inches separated them. As if he wasn't able to feel her unsure, racing heart. "I've noticed you've been very distracted lately. Is everything alright? Who's that someone you so profoundly contemplate?" If her throat hadn't been completely dried out, she'd laugh hysterically. Only It could take pleasure in teasing someone like that.
"Quit playing, I know it's you."
"Come on, you're making this less fun. Aren't you gonna play along?"
She wasn't.
"How do you do this? How does no one know?"
"I won't be seen, unless I want to, silly. I can fool them all the way I like." He gave her an innocent little smile.
"Then why am I not fooled? Why do you afflict me, and won't simply put this to an end?"
In one moment, he appeared just behind her, making the girl jump nervously and clench the edges of the desk as she turned around.
"You are the most curious little thing I've ever come across." Madeline saw the aged man's features soften, taking a familiar shape like if time had reversed itself. His shoulders went straight, hair slowly gained its dark hue. "Although I am sorry for my impulsive behavior yesterday. I just couldn't hold back. My every form has its own needs." Robert was very aware of her reaction to his reveal. It was almost like when she first saw him. Fascination mixed with anxiety smelled just delightful on her. "But I don't think I did anything you'd regret or... dislike." He put both his hands on her sides, and Madeline didn't shrug them off, but just gripped the wooden tabletop tighter. "Did I, Miss Glave?"
"Don't call me that." She said with a slight hint of grief. The man's head tilted in puzzlement and he had to bend a little to look her in the eye.
"And why is that?" Sensing her embarrassment, he knew it was something she hasn't talked about for a long time. Something she kept in secret. "Oh. It reminds you of your father, doesn't it? You don't want to be called by his name. That's interesting. You humans are such sentimental creatures."
Madeline felt bare. He could read her like an open book with all secrets and the most personal thoughts exposed. She could as well be a toy for him to play and enjoy every second of it. She didn't mind as his lips went down to stop just before reaching her neck.
"If it is of any comfort, unlike him, I do not plan to leave anytime soon." Robert whispered, and she didn't protest, when the man's mouth danced across her skin, wetting it with saliva as if the girl was a living candy, or when he growled quietly, taking in her scent.
Don't play with your food, they say. It did, and It did it well.
Meanwhile, in the Public Library Mike Hanlon sat alone behind the counter. This place has become a sort of shelter for him, a safe place where he was spending most of his time. Who would've thought, that the only one, who stayed in this damned town was still afraid. However, this was a different kind of fear; not as immature. His own fate was what the man cared for the least, for he had not much to lose. With that lonely life of his, there was practically nothing else to do but collect thoughts and write them down, while dust covered the many bookshelves surrounding him.
It seemed like this was just the moment in which he'd finally be able to make a difference. He had to. He promised. Didn't he stay here for only one reason? And now, when the time has finally come, he was scared. The man gazed at the phone just in front of him hesitantly.
All of a sudden, an image of that girl came into his mind. She was the first one in years to show actual interest in what for most was a taboo. She read his album, not just flipped through, but truly read it. Did she know? A young mind like hers could do miracles in a fight against the devil, which lived here.
Maybe the situation could be solved differently.
