I look at my feet as I walk home. It's so much better walking home. That way, I get to pause whenever I want to take pictures. I see kids on their bicycles pass by the street. Quickly, I snap a photo of them. I review the photo to check if I hit a good one. I browse the photos and see only one good photo. It makes me smile. Somehow, I can say I'm doing a little better.

My finger automatically presses the delete button on other extra shots, but one photo makes me stop. At this time of night, a shiny, red balloon contrasts the darkness. I quickly look up and see the balloon floating in midair.

The kids. He's gonna follow the kids.

I look around and try to figure out where the kids will be. Hurriedly, I run to the park.

The sun finally sinks in, and I'm hiding behind trees in case anyone sees me. If I can't save these kids from the clown, the least I can do is catch him in the act and show people my evidence. That'll make them believe me.

I hear children shouting. But I'm not sure if they're shouting in pain or what. I hide behind the bushes, my camera ready to be used in my hand. I hear footsteps. I prepare myself. Then...as I was about to jump in, the kids start running the opposite way to ride their bikes and leave. One of them shouts, "Hurry! Hurry before the clown takes us!"

Then, they all left me.

But I still hear crunching behind the bushes. I still prepare. I peek and only see a little bit in the dark. It's too damn dark to see since the kids left with their flashlights. But I'm sure that what I have my eyes on is Pennywise. That asshole. Glad the children got to run away.

I want to curse him out but I remember I need to take photos of him first.

I prepare my camera, I aim at the clown, and take a shot. The flash startles both of us...no. Four of us?

"What the fuck?" I hear the guy in the clown suit shout as he turns. Then a bright light from their flashlights beam at me and hits my eyes, making me use my hand to shade my eyes. I realize they're all looking at me.

We both stare at each other. That's not Pennywise. Not the real one.

He approaches me, "The fuck are you doing?!"

I see two more guys in their casual clothes making their way to me as well. I start running for my life.

"Get back here!"

I'm hiding behind what seems to be their pick up truck. It's a bunch of kids trying to portray themselves as the killer clown. They almost have the costume right. But it doesn't look the same. I quickly check my camera and see that I took a shot of the guy. It's clear, too.

I hear them approaching. Quickly, I run the opposite way and head back home.

I keep running until I see lights from my neighborhood. I realize I'm just a few minutes away from my house if I start walking now. I slowly cool down, trying to catch my breath as I have my camera safe in my hands.

Now, I finally feel safe.

I turn my camera on to check the photo I took earlier as I keep walking. Those assholes trying to scare kids-they're idiots as well. They think it's all right to make fun of that matter when actual kids are missing?

What if...what if the clown I met is also a fake one? The one intruder in my house on my birthday...what if they're just really good? But no. That guy in the clown suit looked so unprofessional.

But what if-

"Psst," I hear a soft call coming from down the drain,

I look around then down. I'm startled by the clown. I guess I'm wrong.

"Who you running from, Alissa?" he teases then chuckles,

I roll my eyes and walk away. If he wants to fuck with me again, he can follow me. I keep walking, keeping my eyes on the road. "Come join me down here! You'll never be tired here! You can dance all you want!"

I hear silence in my street now. Maybe if I get in the light under the streetlights, he won't bother me there.

I look behind me to check if he's following me, but he isn't. I turn to look in front and am startled again, making me stop walking. Pennywise stands in front of me, his hands behind his back, and that smug look on his face.

"I don't like it when you ignore the dancing clown." he says,

I glare at him, "What do you want?"

"When I ask you to dance with me...dance with me." He demands sternly, "Don't you remember, Alissa?"

"I forgot, okay. Now, what do you really want?"

"Ah, ah, Alissa." he raises his finger, "Remember...?"

I shake my head and look away. Then...I remember in a flash. Slowly, I glance at his eyes. They're not glowing this time. It's just normal...eyes. But his eyes, his face, it's so full of enthusiastic anticipation. He knows I remember now.

"Punishment?"

I remember the children. I remember that this was all my fault.

Alissa's eyes start to water. This is her punishment, she thought. This was her way to repay her sins. It was through this mad clown, she'll be able to save other children, "Punish me?" She repeats his words in a low voice,

"Yes, Alissa. We'll be friends until the end of Summer!"

"What do you mean?" She looks at It in confusion, "What are you gonna do to me?"

"Oh don't worry. We'll have lots of fun!" Pennywise assures her joyfully, "We'll be two clowns in this circus town!" he starts laughing maniacally,

"What?" was all she could utter, tears rushing down her face, she thought of the children that died before this day. It was her fault. And this was her punishment.

"We'll be partners, Alissa! It's going to be fun!"

"Partners in what? What?" Alissa's voice breaks, eager to find out what Pennywise is talking about.

He leans in closer, "You'll help me find a meal!"

Alissa suddenly pushes Pennywise away, but he doesn't even flinch at her force. The heavy-built clown man stands in front of her with a smirk on his face.

"I am not going to help you kill children!"

"Alissa, don't ya' forget. You have ta' own up to your fault!"

"By killing children?"

"By choosing which ones to kill, silly!"

Alissa gapes at him, shaking her head, she sneers, "That is not happening, no. I won't do that."

Pennywise grabs Alissa by her arms, squeezing her, and leaning closer. He stares at her. The dark circles around his eyes make it almost invisible in he dark if it wasn't for his golden eyes, "I wasn't asking, dear Alissa." he whispers, "I'm not giving you a choice."

"You said you'd punish me-"

"-Yes! This is your punishment."

She curses under her breath, "You motherfucker."

He frowns at her remark. "I'll see you soon, Alissa." he teases and starts laughing lowly, "Make that list long enough for me!"

And in a blink of an eye, he disappears, leaving Alissa alone in the middle of the street.