"You can't kill me?" I repeat his words unconsciously,

Pennywise smiles at Alissa, happy that she's taken his word for it. He deceived her well, enough to stall her until the day he finally feasts on her fascination-filled soul and mind, "You got that right!" He enthusiastically replies. Alissa slowly looks away, out the window, trying to give herself time to think to sink everything in,

"But that doesn't mean I can't hurt you..." Pennywise suddenly appears behind Alissa, making her step back but then, she realizes not to back down. She keeps still and stares right into his eyes,

The tall clown stares right back into Alissa's daring eyes. He's intrigued by her audacity, more than Alissa is determined to find out more about the demonic clown standing right in front of her,

"What do you want from me?" Alissa asks It one last time,

Pennywise smirks at Alissa, knowing that she's eager to know his real intentions. He gives her what she wants to hear, "I want to thank you, Alissa, for bringing me into this world!"

She stares as he rejoices,

"You are the reason why I'm awake!" The clown steps closer as she steps backwards, "And I am hungry."

"You can't kill more children." Alissa snaps at him,

Pennywise, "Oh, can't I?"

"If you kill another kid, I'll...I'll..."

Pennywise frowns, "I'll...I'll...?" he mocks her and cries in an exaggerated manner, "You'll what, Alissa? Go on! Amuse me even more! Will you tell them what you know? After you told everyone you know that It doesn't exist? Do you think they'll believe you?"

Alissa grabs her camera, "I have evidence."

"Ah, yes!" Pennywise scowls then snaps his finger, and Alissa's camera screen turns on, showing the photo she's taken the other day, "The floating balloon. That's your evidence. I can see it well now, they will definitely believe you."

Alissa glares at Pennywise, and suddenly starts snapping photos of the clown. After a flash, she checks her camera, only to see a blurry shot of her empty room, "What the..." She looks up and sees Pennywise still standing,

"You really think I didn't see that coming?" He says in a serious tone of voice,

Alissa shakes her head in disbelief, "I'll follow you wherever you are, and you won't know I'm there. I'll snap everything there is and I'll catch you."

Pennywise turns around, "Alissa, please!" He pretends to cover his ears for fear of hearing her say this. He frowns, "Please!"

"-I won't stop until I have evidence. Even if it kills me, I'll prove to them that you're real-"

Pennywise quickly drags himself in front of Alissa, glaring down at her with his glowing eyes. This shuts Alissa up, and with a voice so low and deep, he interrupts her, "Do what you say you shall. Tell them that you were the reason why I'm here."

Alissa realizes his point. She's speechless, but does not look away. A tear escapes her eye. It's all her fault, she realizes. It's all her fault.

Pennywise sees this as a perfect way to disguise his true intentions,

"Don't you worry, Alissa!" Pennywise exaggerates on his words, "Justice shall be served! When I punish you."

"Don't harm other kids. Don't do it." She demands, but it sounds to him like she's begging. He finds her even more appealing, "Just...do what you want with me."

"Punish you, Alissa? Is that what I hear?" Pennywise says in a sing-songy tone, "Are you asking me to punish you for your sins?"

"...Yes." She finally accepts quietly, her eyes lowered on the floor,

"I won't hurt you," Pennywise walks around her in the dark. He observes her body from behind as he walks. Yes, he wants her fresh and appetizing on the last of his days. That would taste very good, "...unless you provoke me, Alissa. I will surely hurt you."

Alissa shuts her eyes, frustrated, her mind wanders on the possible things Pennywise would do to her as a punishment. She asked him, but he never gives her the answer. She opens her eyes and sees It stand in front of her again,

"I won't hurt you." He says again, realizing she's frustrated. He smells it.

"What do you want?" she asks, tired,

"Oh, I can't tell you."

She glares at him, "Why the hell not?"

"It's a surprise!"

She sneers at him,

"Just promise me one thing, Alissa."

Alissa furrows her eyebrows, "What?"

"You'll dance with me."

"What the hell are you talking about?" she's frustrated even more,

Pennywise smirks, "Dance, Alissa! Don't be afraid to dance!"

She looks at him. Asking him did not help at all. Alissa shakes her head, turns away from him.

"It's your birthday! Dance! Rejoice!"

Alissa grabs onto the bat leaning against the wall, and before she could turn after grabbing it to hit the clown, her door opens wide. Jamie is standing with a grin, "Alissa-!" her smile disappears and turns into a confused look, "um, are you okay?"

Alissa quickly hides the bat behind her, "Hm? Yes-yes. I'm good."

"Okay..." she says, "I know you're not feeling well, but they're starting a dance party in the living room. It's so lame without you."

Alissa freezes at the words. She starts to think if it's what he's talking about.

"Come on, birthday girl!"

She tries to shake it off and walks towards the door without a word.