After classes, I usually go home right away or hang around the cafeteria until Paul spots me. But the thing is, I'm not always in the mood to hang with anyone. Paul knows that, I think. Because sometimes, he doesn't bother me...or he either didn't spot me anywhere.

But this time, I'm walking into the library. I stared at the entrance for a long time, thinking if I should really go inside. I had stuff to type into the computer and print afterwards. But I can just type in everything at home.

But sometimes, being alone bores the crap out of me. Especially when a stupid clown isn't there to bother me.

I find a nice spot somewhere behind the first isle of books. I leave my stuff on the table between two more vacant seats. I walk over to the shelves of books against the wall only to pass by and head to the computers, but my eye catches the sign "Local" where I saw a big book laid open in the end of the isle. The whole place is empty, and the book is left open. There are newspapers hanging at the wall behind it which states the headlines regarding the most famous news and events. One of them that caught my eye was the missing children, which was the real reason why I'm walking towards the book right now.

I look down at the book and realize it's a special published book of history of the town. Then, I look up to scan the newspapers featured and hanging on the wall in frames. The one with the missing kids looks awfully new as it's hanged.

This gives me an idea.

Alissa walks over to her table carrying four, heavy books. She lays them on the table and swoops into her seat, then starts opening the pages. She's decided to research on demons, curses, sorcery, and clowns.

She was conscious of those who passed by her, not wanting people to look at her collection of books.

But as time passed, and her curiosity raised, and her interest piqued as she read the books-she could not give any care. She kept reading, hoping to find something about him.

I trace my finger along the words as I read them, making sure I don't miss anything and that I digest all of it. At first, it seemed impossible to find something so accurate, but I have to say, I think I'm getting there. I think I've found answers.

Well, not everything, but small bits that could fill in a few questions in my head like how could a creature teleport? How could they appear and reappear into my bedroom?

Definitely sound weird right now if I say this out loud. But I don't care. I keep reading the book until I notice the chair beside me move away. I look up and see Paul sit on the chair beside me. She scoots closer with a smile, "What you got there, Alissa?"

I frown at him, "What are you doing here?"

"Sorry," he doesn't look like it, "I was studying, looking for books, and then I saw you."

"Oh," is all I say and maybe that'll make him go away. I can't really keep up with his energy right now, I'm pretty busy researching about something he'd probably laugh at. He'll think I'm crazy.

"What are you reading?" he suddenly slides the book away from me and pulls it closer to him, he reads the first line he sees I guess and reads it a loud,

"What the hell, Paul?"

He flips the page, "What is this? Demons? Apparitions? Are you in a cult?" he looks at me with a smug look on his face,

I put my hands on the book, "Give it, Paul. This is just...research."

"Art appreciation?"

"What?"

He shakes his head, "For what class?" he tests me,

"For my personal taste."

He smirks and loosens his grip on the book, allowing me to pull it to me. I tear my gaze away from the annoying guy and to the page of the book. I stay quiet and read but even his presence here is so distracting.

How did I not realize soon enough that Paul has the guts to speak up whatever, whenever, and wherever. How did I not see this the day he appeared in my life in that restaurant? Which reminds me.

I glance at him, "Don't you have work to do?"

"I can study tonight."

"No, I mean work. At the restaurant?"

He pauses for a few seconds. Thinking to himself, I guess. Then, he chuckles, "Ah, yes! I quit."

"You what?"

"It was only for the summer." He reasons,

What a shame. If he had work, he wouldn't be bothering me. I would've found better answers in the book than in the words coming out of his mouth.

"You didn't answer my question." He says,

"I'm busy, Paul."

"What's with the demon research?"

"It's nothing." I say, "Just curious."

"Well-"

I snap at him, "Paul."

He pauses, "My apologies." Paul stays quiet, and I keep reading, and soon enough, he stands up, "I'll see you at the search group."

I don't look up. I just pretend to read, "See you."

He leaves without saying anything.

I walk through the woods, a little close to the college vicinity. I lazily drag my ass to the ends of the woods with Paul. I'd apologize to him for doing whatever it is we're doing, because I'm sure this isn't where Pennywise dumped the kids, but I can't apologize because Paul dragged me into this.

"You've been awfully quiet." Paul points out as he catches up beside me,

The sun is almost setting,

"Just making sure I hear everything going on around us, you know." I lie, but the truth is, I can't stop thinking about Pennywise. It's been a week. He's never disappeared for a week. The longest he's gone is five days.

Did the curse die out? Is he back to rest again?

I catch Paul staring at me as we walk through the brittle branches and leaves, "Sorry."

"Sometimes I wonder what goes on in the pretty mind of yours."

I force a chuckle, "Yeah. Well. I don't think one day can cover it all if I tell you."

He smirks, "Can you tell me at least one?"

I look at him, pause, and look away. I can't tell him. I'd sound crazy. I don't want to lose a friend in a course of a week in college. I already snapped at him earlier. Because I can't even decide for one if I should really tell him. "I'd rather not."

"Why not?" he starts walking backwards, closer to me, "Is it a secret?" he whispers jokingly,

I suddenly start walking slow, I glance at Paul. He reminds me of...no. I need to stop thinking about that stupid clown. The way he said it, it just started my undeniable obsession over that clown.

I don't answer him.

"So it's a secret, so what?"

I shake my head, "You wouldn't understand."

"Try me, Alissa." He says, "You already told me about that guy you met in summer-"

"You don't understand, he's not just some guy." I mock him, pissed off already with his nosiness. I can't help but get ticked off when I realize I can't just talk about Penny so easily. If I do, they'll know he's real.

So what if they're real? They can help me kill him then. And if they do...then...then...

"No," I say, "I can't tell you."

"You sure?"

I nod, "I'm sure."

"Really sure?" he teases,

I shoot him a glare, and he holds his hands up, "Alright, alright."

"You don't get it. It's not some bubblegum love type of crap." I say out loud, and switch on the flashlight. It's getting darker. I'm lowkey hoping Pennywise would appear somewhere,

"So it's about love?" he asks, surprised as if he didn't hear me,

Is it, Alissa? I hear my thoughts in the form of Pennywise's voice,

"No." I deny. That's all I ever do. Deny. Deny. Deny.

"Then what?"

"The kids aren't here." I stop walking and Paul stops, too. He turns around to look at me, "You sure? We still have a lot of time, plus this goes all the way back. It'll be fun." He says with a little bit of enthusiasm,

"They're not here because this isn't where he takes them."

Paul's smile turns into a flat, stern smirk. "Who?" he asks curiously,

"You wanna know, don't you?" I taunt him,

"Make sure you get your stuffed toys close tonight if you want to hear it." I start walking back,

Paul catches up beside me, "Who?" he repeats the question,

"Meet me tomorrow in the library. I'll show you." I say and walk ahead of him.