A/N: Hello, everyone. I hope you are all doing well and staying safe.

It's been one year now that I have been working on this story of mine. I was hoping I would be finished with it by now, but of course, that didn't go to plan. I really do hope everyone is enjoying this. I know it has it's ups and downs, but this is my alternate version, and wanted to see how it panned out. I have one last chapter to post, which will be the epilogue, and I will officially be done. I'm a weird person and like to have an even amount of chapters.

I decided a week ago that once this one is complete, I'm going to publish the original storyline. It won't be right away, though. I would have to polish and revise some chapters. So, I will end up renaming this version of Safe later. I'll even have a poll of which everyone likes better.

The chapter is a little more somber than the previous update and brings to light a hidden moral in the story.

Anyway, please be safe out there and be kind to one another.

Enjoy the read.

It's cold, dark, and damp, and smelled of moss. Pennywise traveled the passages leading to the heart of his domain at lighting speed. He zips from one spot to another with desperation etched on his features. He has in his arms a gravely injured and weakened Ruth, who clung tightly to his shoulders. The wound he inflicted on her should have instantly killed her. Instead, Ruth somehow survived. She is in severe pain and bled still. Her crimson blood stained the silver of his suit like one of his pompom buttons. Ruth squirms to find a comfortable position but proved to be fruitless. Death is not supposed to comfortable.

She shifts again, moaning painfully, and breathing raggedly.

"Pen, stop," Ruth whimpers, her fingers clutching his suit.

Pennywise refused to abide by her wishes. He concentrated on his footing, surging forward with purpose.

Ruth groans and head lolled back, her fingers curled tightly at his collar as Pennywise continued to jar her around unintentionally.

"Pen, please stop," she urged with a groaning whine.

"No, I'm not giving up on you."

He moves quickly, jostling Ruth around without his knowledge.

"Pen, please. You're only making it worse."

Pennywise stopped briefly to assess Ruth critically. Sweat beaded on her forehead despite the damp, earthy air and shivered in shock. The lacerations, along with the deep stab wounds, remained to bleed, which soaked at her once lovely blouse and faded light blue jeans. The white floral top is shredded from the torso down, exposing Ruth's swells. He can tell every inch of her body is screaming in pain from all the abuse Ruth endured from the Crimson King lashing out at her. Pennywise tried to be mindful of carrying her through the deep tunnel, but time is slowly dying. The glow from Ruth's pendant faded in and out every so often, indicating her enchantment is waning. He gulps tightly as a sob sat at his larynx and lips quivered downwards in a deep frown.

"We're almost there, Vivi. Just please hang on."

Ruth uttered a moan and clung to his neck. Her breathed ghosted his ashen white flesh, which tingled in delight.

"It hurts," she complained.

"I know, I know it does. You'll feel better soon. Just please, Viv, hang in there. For me."

He feels her tremble and fingers curl tighter, gripping the pouf of his collar.

"I'll try," she replies weakly.

Once more, Pennywise jolts forward.

His frantic jumping movements got him there a lot sooner than he originally anticipated. Pennywise had found himself at the massive opening of his deep underground cavernous home. He stared at the bizarre crystallized formation then scanned the earthy walls. His amber-orange eyes drifted to the high skyscraper ceiling and lingered there as if hoping a higher power would save Ruth from death. His determination suddenly wavered into apprehension. Who would spare a darling girl like Ruth for him anyway? She's too good for him, an angel who deserves better than this. Why did it all have to come down to this? He never wanted to hurt Ruth, but Pennywise was left with no choice. He has to fix this on his own. Pennywise is not entirely sure if what he is about to do will work, but he still has to try. He's doing this not just for himself but for her.

There's still so much Ruth needs to experience and learn. He just found out Ruth is a witch and has yet to use her powers entirely. Pennywise would love to watch Ruth grow and master her craft. He could utilize her abilities, not take it like the Crimson King desired. He and Ruth could potentially become a formidable duo. Oh, the fun they would have. He can see it so clearly and is within reach, but its quickly slipping through his fingers.

He hears Ruth breathing raggedly and clutched onto his shoulders. He glances at Ruth to find her painfilled, yet frightened gaze flutters into drowsiness. Pennywise gingerly shook her to keep Ruth from closing her eyes.

"No, no, no, come on, Vivi, stay with me."

"Pen," she quavered and eyes misting with tears.

Driven by his own fear, Pennywise rushed forwards. He accidentally jostles her around with the sound of her groans but stops upon reaching the meteorite. He gently settled Ruth onto the dark glacial formation, studying her for any more signs of weakening, nothing yet. Satisfied, Pennywise pulls away to attempt what he believes would save Ruth from dying. He couldn't do anything when she reaches out and lightly touches his cheek, urging him to look upon her. She struggles to gulp but manages to find her words.

"Pen, just stop," Ruth pleads.

"Vivi, please," he whimpers in return. He scooched up close and gently pressed his head upon hers. "I can't lose you. Please don't die on me."

"It's okay," she lightly cries. "I really don't want to die, but."

Pennywise stares deeply into her beautiful jeweled orbs and gently brushes her cheek. He caressed every inch of her face and ran his gloved fingers through her hair. With a deep inhale, her warming floral scent fills his nostrils. Pennywise can feel tears brimming his eyes and threatening to fall.

"Please, Viv, let me save you," he begs with a tremble.

"I want you to," Ruth starts and weakly smiles. "But I don't want your efforts to further your heartache."

"I need to at least try," he pressed gently.

"I know you do, but I also don't want this to be your last memory of me."

"If you just_."

Ruth gently shushes him and hugs his neck. She searches his gaze as if pondering what to say next. No words left her lips. However, she shyly smiled and closed a gap that was between them. Ruth presses her mouth against his, kissing him softly and chastely, which took Pennywise by surprise. He would have returned the gesture, too, if she hadn't pulled away. She gently smirks at him, her vision clouding from unshed tears.

"Sing with me," she whispers.

Pennywise felt his chest tighten, and a hard lump developed in his throat. He gazes at her briefly before pulling away slightly to sit on the formation and set Ruth in his lap. She snuggled close as Pennywise took her hand into his, holding it tightly. He doesn't have to ask how she wants to go about doing this because Pennywise already knows. He even knows what song Ruth has in mind. They've done it once before, but it has been a while.

"Viv," he pleaded in a strangled whisper.

"Hello darkness, my old friend," Ruth started in her hypnotic fluted voice.

Pennywise heaved a shuddering sigh and held back a sob but followed.

"I've come to talk with you again," he sang in a medium-pitched yet soft growling-like tone.

Slowly, he created one last illusion for her while they sang. Surrounding them were fireflies of orange light, illuminating them, and the earthy walls.

He glances down at her, watching Ruth become even more relaxed against him. The warm glow of the lights made her hair appear like fire against the black. Ruth's smooth, creamy skin seemed to lighten despite the aurulent glow. The sight of her caused Pennywise to hold his breath briefly, then continued singing with her. Ruth's final moments with him will burn forever in his mind.

"Because a vision softly creeping," they sang together in a haunting duet.

"Left its seeds while I was sleeping.
And the vision that was planted in my brain,
Still remains.
Within the sound of silence."

They sang softly and strangely enough, in perfect harmony. Ruth's hypnotic fluted voice blended with Pennywise's soft growling like a violin meeting a heavy bass guitar, which is an odd combination but fit the two well.

"In restless dreams, I walked alone,
Narrow streets of cobblestone.
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp."

Pennywise can feel Ruth slowly lose momentum and strength in her voice. He felt a sob quake in his chest and throat tightening on him.

"When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light,
That split the night. And touched the sound."

Ruth's voice slowly stops with a gentle sigh. Her last lyric hanged in the emptiness surrounding him, something Pennywise now hates with a burning passion. He trembles violently, hiccupped a sob then started weeping. Pennywise never knew he could cry until now.

"Of silence," he finished for her.

That was how their friendship started, and it ends the same way. Pennywise will never have that perfect dream of having Ruth by his side now. His dear friend died in his arms, leaving Pennywise alone. He hates it already.

"Viv," he managed to squeak with a struggle.

He had hoped Ruth's sweet voice would fill his ears, proving to him that this was all a nightmare.

Her voice never reached his ears. Ruth grew silent and motionless against his chest.

"Vivi," Pennywise lightly shook her, hoping some movement will jar Ruth out of her supposed sleep, still nothing.

He whined loudly and embraced Ruth's corpse tightly in his arms.

"No," he shuddered a wail while combing his fingers through Ruth's luscious hair.

"Vivi, please," he pauses to catch his breath.

His world crumbled around him, and his heart grew numb from the deep wound of Ruth's passing.

"Please, please, Viv, don't leave me," Pennywise blubbers while touching her still warm lips and eyes.

He presses his forehead onto hers, whispering. "I need you."

Eventually, he slowly rolled onto his side with Ruth's lifeless body in tow. His pleas go unheard as the lights of which illuminated the dark slowly faded. Pennywise is engulfed in darkness and just lets out a heart-wrenching wail that echoed off the walls.

Pennywise laid there with Ruth beside him, crying over her lifeless corpse.

He inaudibly murmurs in the pitch blackness, sniffling and whimpering while waiting for sleep to overtake him whenever possible.

Three days later, after the confrontation and Ruth's heartbreaking passing, the Losers gathered at The Barrens. The group solemnly glared down at the ground, guilt weighing on their shoulders. Ruth's sudden departure saddened them, Richie especially. After witnessing the brutality Ruth laid upon herself to keep an evil entity from harming them, they knew deep down Ruth somewhat cared. She was mad at them for good reasons, but Ruth didn't want to hurt them.

Mike felt more grief-stricken then anything. He liked Ruth a lot and could have done a lot more to help her instead of waiting until the very end. Instead, Mike focused on locating Robert and how to stop IT. He just never thought Ruth would protect the only real friend she had in her lonely, dark world. He understood, to a certain degree. Yes, Ruth was alone and found safety with someone who can relate. She wasn't even afraid of him either. It's an unlikely pairing, but they made it work, despite their moments. How to tell his friends about his thoughts is a challenge. He wouldn't even know how to inform Robert, who Mike believes is human, if he ever returns, what happened with Ruth. Robert will surely kill him for not watching out for his darling. Mike wonders still where he could be?

"Mike?"

He gasps sharply from the small voice then glances up to find five pairs of eyes on him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Beverly whispered.

"Um, it's alright. I was just in deep thought."

"I know we all are. I'm, I'm really sorry about Ruth."

"Yeah, me, too. Sorry, buddy." Eddie sympathetically adds.

Four others nod glumly, sans Richie. He silently stared at the grass and been this way since they gathered. Richie refuses to say anything to his group of friends, especially Mike and Stan.

"You know, I'm sad she's gone, but at the same time, I'm glad."

Eddie's brows furrow, "Why do you say that?"

Mike opened his mouth to try explaining but found it hard to express his emotions.

"I, I think I understand what you mean," Stan answers, his voice cracking some.

"Do you?"

"I do. Ruth is no longer suffering from all the heartache. Ruth was depressed and missed the one person who kept her sanity in check. They made her feel like herself, gave Ruth purpose, and confidence. She felt alive. When she was with us, though, Ruth was just here existing and put up this front. I knew deep down, Ruth wasn't happy, and yet I didn't address it or tried talking with her."

"None of us really could except for Richie," Ben hints and motions towards the soundless boy.

Richie remains to say nothing.

"Richie, please talk to us," Beverly coaxes gently.

He refused.

She sighs sadly then glances at the others for help.

"I would just leave him be," Eddie replies while watching his friend. "He hasn't said much or been the same since Ruth died."

Beverly frowned and shifted her gaze to the grass. "I'm sorry, Richie. I miss her, too, in a way." She mumbled the last bit.

Eddie attempts to smile but couldn't. "I think we all do."

Stan sat there quietly for a moment before shifting to grab something from his back pocket.

"I know what will help lift our spirits," he starts.

"What will?"

"I'm not really sure, but I assume it's a letter."

They all stared at him then, wondering when Ruth gave Stan anything. Hell, she did call him a traitor for dating another girl when Stan said he would wait. But that's not really important right now. Ruth left something and chose Stan as the deliverer. They watched him pull out a single, neatly folded piece of paper with Ruth's beautiful scrolling handwriting.

"I didn't read it since she addressed the letter to all of us. If we hadn't met today, I would have called all of you to meet me here."

"Okay, I'm curious, how long have you held onto it?" Ben questioned.

Stan heaves a sigh. "Since the day Ruth died. I didn't want to bring this up right after when the wounds are still pretty fresh. I wanted to give us some time to grieve."

"Thanks for the consideration," he mumbled.

Bill weakly smiles but said nothing. He peers over at Richie, who showed no interest in Ruth's letter.

Strange, Bill thought to himself.

Stan opened the letter and read out loud for the others to here.

"Stanley Bee," he pauses for a moment, sniffling and smirking lightly. "I actually liked that nickname, even though it was Pennylight who called me that."

"I'll admit I liked it when she referred to me as "Eddie-kins." I thought it was cute. I'm still shocked, though, Ruth had a personality disorder, well multiple. I recognized the signs, but I was also oblivious and didn't know how to approach her about it. I could have helped her more or embraced it. Pennylight was actually kind of fun." Eddie admits.

"Even though she was a little crazy," Ben adds with a gentle smirk.

"And a witch," Beverly chimes.

"No, she isn't. Even when she's no longer with us, you're still mean towards her. Why?" Ben quips.

"Yes, she is, and I'm not being mean, either. Ruth is, in fact, a witch. Did you not hear what that… rövhål called her?"

The guys paused and just stared at her with brows knit close.

"What did you say?"

"Oh, um, I believe it translates asshole in Swedish. Ruth called my father that once when she was Jojo. I should have known then there was something wrong with her, but I was blinded with rage because she threatened to kill me. I've uh, known for a long while, there was something… different about her. I've seen Ruth do things I couldn't quite explain or understand. Her mumbling hexes in another language confirmed my suspicions. The male voice calling Ruth a gypsy witch is another."

No one said a word to process this, stunned about this bizarre discovery.

It was broken from a shaky voice.

"It's pretty freaky now that I'm thinking about it," Mike admits. "I noticed on several occasions, Ruth tracing unusual patterns in the dirt. I guess she did it whenever Ruth was under extreme stress. She even talked in another language, which I'm thinking is Swedish. It never crossed my mind that Ruth would be a witch."

"But aren't witches supposed to be ugly with crooked noses and green?" Ben questioned curiously.

"It's just a misconception of what Holly Wood perceives them to look like. But let's look at the facts here. Ruth did have a strange liking for anything creepy, mystical, and mysterious. She didn't express it much, but I remember Ruth had a strange fascination for astrology and divination. I just thought it was an oddball interest of hers." Eddie explained while fidgeting with his fingers.

"She defiantly wasn't scared of anything. Whatever horror movie we watched, Ruth always laughed. Although, I think she liked seeing us being scared."

"And loved clowns," Bill stutters.

Mike chuckles lightly as an image of Ruth dressed as a clown popped in his mind. He can see her hair pulled into high ponytails on both sides of her head and wearing a similar Victorian silver clown suit, a lot like Pennywise's, except as a skirt with stockings and similar red laced, pompom boots. Ruth would be wearing makeup that mirrored the clowns and acts like him in specific ways. Except, her Pennylight personality will be more apparent. Ruth would have been a perfect sadistic clown-ness.

"Oh, yeah. Ruth definitely loved clowns. I wouldn't doubt she would dress up as Pennywise for Halloween and probably scare the living daylights out of Richie."

Ben scuffs with an amused grin. "Now that would have been fun to see."

He glanced at Richie to catch his eye, but Richie refused to make eye contact. Ben and Mike's brows furrow from Richie's insistence in not talking before regarding one another.

"What's up with him?" Mike asked.

Ben just shrugged.

After a long moment, Stan cleared his throat.

"Um uh, mind if I finish?"

No one objected.

With a heavy sigh, he continued reading aloud.

"Stanley Bee, Mikey Mike, Eddie-kins, Benny Ben, Billy, Beverly," Stan flicked his gaze towards Richie and grimaces.

Stan glanced away from her over to Richie.

"and Gray Water, my scaredy-cat, adoptive brother."

He watched as Richie's features scrunch and lips pressed tightly. Stan even heard him sniffle. If Stan were honest, after seeing Richie struggling, he thought it would be best not to continue reading the letter. However, something in his heart told him to push forward. Stan firmly believes something must be said.

"Socrates had once said, "Our lives are but specks of dust falling through the fingers of time. Like sands of the hourglass, so are the days of our lives." Mine, unfortunately, dwindled out. I may be physically gone, but I'm still here. I'll be watching, even though you wouldn't know I'm there. In time you will end up forgetting me, and I am okay with that. I really don't need your sympathy as I don't want to be mourned. In fact, I would much rather be remembered. So, please don't waste your tears on me. I want you to laugh, smile, and talk about the "good" moments we shared. I'm writing this to not put your minds at ease, but so I can speak a truth that you all failed to realize. Like Pennylight mentioned before, at the beginning of summer last year, I met a clown, and his name is Pennywise, my Penny Pen. He tried to frighten me, only to fail, for I could see through his disguises. He could have killed me, I gave him plenty of opportunities to do so, but yet he let me live. I didn't understand at first why he would and asked him numerous times to just let me die. I was always answered with silence. I know now why my good and only true friend let me live. He was alone, as was I, gave me a fighting chance, and made my dreams come true. Pennywise was the first person to not see me for who the town saw me as, or used me as a punching bag. He showed me compassion, made me laugh, smile, cry, angry, yet felt loved. We were both naturally drawn to one another, despite the cultural differences. He saved my life as I did him. We have a bond of which runs deep like the ocean and cannot be broken, even if I tried or even you. I was destined to bring him balance in his life, a companion to provide him strength and love. My dearest friend will return twenty-seven years from now, so you best prepare yourselves. May this letter find you well, and bring you peace of mind, if it can. Far thee well, my loser friends. I will see you in another life. Yours truly, Ruth."

Once Stan finished, the gang fell in a strange silence, letting Ruth's letter settle on their shoulders. They're not sure how to interpret the message, either. Is she warning them about Pennywise's return or predicting their demise twenty-seven years from now? None of them are entirely sure. What they do know, though, is Ruth told them a truth neither understand still. What did the clown do to save Ruth? How did they become so close?

After a long moment, Eddie disturbed the silence.

"Well, that's a little disturbing instead of enlightening. They were that close?"

"Apparently, so. I almost feel like Ruth was in love with that sadistic clown," Beverly voiced with disgust.

"Well, apparently she saw something that made her gravitate towards him. He was probably the only one who could support her while she was going through a shit storm. I'm not exactly fond of it, either." Mike says with a frown.

"We don't have to be fond of their relationship, Mike. However, we should probably respect it. They were friends, so to speak." Stan replies, who seems a little more disturbed than the others.

"I know that. I guess I'm just confused about what IT did to save Ruth? We all know he doesn't have a single good bone in his body."

"We know that. Does Ruth say anything further to explain?" Ben inquired towards Stan.

"No, but um," he stumbled.

He glances at the others, gulps then flicks his gaze on Richie.

"She did leave a postscript."

"Well then tell us what else she said," Mike barks.

Stan's gaze hardened and glares at him.

"It takes strength and courage to speak honestly. Tell the others my truth, Richie. They deserve to know."

Stan, along with the others, drew their attention on Richie, who violently shook and gripped his hair.

"What does she mean by that, Richie?"

No answer.

"Come on, Rich. What do we need to know?" Eddie asks.

Richie continues to say nothing.

"Richie, please tell us. What do you know that we don't?"

Richie stood sharply from his spot and let out a strangled yell. He stumps away a few feet then returns in a huff, tears streaming down his cheeks. He opened and closed his mouth several times before stumping away again with a growl.

"Richie!" Beverly called out to him.

She stood to run after him, but Eddie pulled her down.

"Just let him go, Bev," he insists.

"He needs to tell us!"

"He doesn't have to tell us shit if he is not ready to talk about it, Beverly! Christ, can you not see how upset and torn up he is?"

The ginger scowls at Eddie then snaps her gaze on Richie, who is pacing not several feet away and yanking at his hair. She watched him for a moment, considering something as Beverly's lips pursed and brows furrowed.

"Yes, I see that, but he still needs to tell us."

Richie whirls around in his spot and shoots a vicious glare at her.

"You want to know so badly? The shit storm Ruth went through Mike mentioned was her getting raped by her fucking swine of an uncle and finding out three months later she was pregnant!" Richie screeched with venom.

Beverly's jaw dropped, and eyes widened, they are even brimmed with tears. She felt a sickening twist in her stomach, remembering the day she and Ruth bumped into each other at the drugstore. Ruth had mentioned they had something in common, but Beverly brushed off the notion. Had Beverly known Ruth was sexually abused, maybe then she would have tried talking with her. Well, no Beverly should have stopped and listen. If she had, perhaps none of this would have happened. Maybe, she and Ruth could have been friends, almost like sisters. However, Beverly Marsh abided by Jordan and Jonathan's wishes in keeping away from Ruth. She even went the extra mile in bullying her relentlessly a lot like Greta and the others.

The others gaped in silence, and stomachs plummeted to their toes.

Mike took quick, short breathes, and bottom lip trembled while staring at Richie in disbelief.

"You're, you're lying," he stutters.

Richie's eyes went wild. "Oh, yeah, I would lie about what Ruth said."

"S-sorry, I'm just, why didn't she say anything?"

"Because it was difficult for her to openly talk about it, Mike!"

"What are you talking about? It shouldn't be hard for anyone to open up about that kind of stuff! Why do you think I was trying to help her?"

"Oh my god, do you not get it?"

Mike said nothing.

"Ruth was traumatized and had a personality disorder, BPD, to be exact, because of all the bullying and abuse she suffered for fourteen years. You trying to force her into talking about everything is what made Ruth push you away in the first place. I did some research and read that people with PTSD or any other cognitive disorder have a hard time opening up about their problems. It only got worse after Jonathan raped her, which, according to my calculations, was the day we first encountered her friend, Pennywise, at Neibolt. Ruth getting deflowered did her in. She was going to commit suicide that day because of what that fucker did. I wanted Ruth to tell me, but she never got the chance. I had to find out through a fucking letter!"

Mike went quiet, stunned, hurt, and horrified from this startling truth.

"You said she was pregnant?" Stan inquired, his voice soft and strained.

"Yeah, she was," Richie was about to continue when Eddie talked over him.

"Then what about the baby? What happened to it?"

Richie's brows drooped and frowned deeply.

"Ruth lost the kid."

"Lost it? How do you, oh." Eddie doesn't continue once he noticed Richie's expression.

Beverly gingerly covered her mouth while the boys stared in stunned horror. "Oh my god."

"Oh, shit. How? Wha-what happened?"

"She fell down the steps at Neibolt, which caused trauma to the baby. Ruth miscarried."

"Then," Beverly paused to collect herself. "How, how did she get to the hospital then? She would have bled out depending on the injuries after the fall."

"Ruth said her injuries were not life-threatening. She obtained a broken ankle, a dislocated shoulder, which he fixed himself, a bump to the head with a deep gash, a busted lip, and scratches on her arms. Ruth was crumbled at the bottom of the steps and unconscious when he found her."

"Who found her?"

Richie paused for a moment to prepare himself for the expected reaction.

"Pennywise was there. He disguised himself and took Ruth to the hospital."

Beverly, along with the boys, stared at him as if he grew a second head. Mike, on the other hand, eyed Richie with a mixture of confusion and realization.

He remembers meeting Robert the day after Halloween and how protective he was with Ruth. Mike hasn't seen him since. However, the last time he heard about him was when Ruth and Robert had an argument. They needed space, which ultimately resulted in them separating for good. Mike looked for the guy everywhere but couldn't find him. He now believes, Robert is in fact, Pennywise, and Ruth kept him a secret from them this whole time. It hurt to know she withheld this information from him. Mike then realized how loyal Ruth is to their enemy and didn't trust him. She really was a friend to the clown, and he still doesn't understand why.

After a moment contemplating, Mike opened his mouth to speak, but someone else did.

"He was the one who took Ruth to the hospital?" Beverly asked, skepticism dripping from her tone.

Richie nodded his head slightly while glaring at her.

"Yes, he took her to the ER and actually stayed there, too. He was freaking worried sick."

"Why would he? He wouldn't do something like that for anyone else, let alone us. I can only assume they were friends long before Ruth had her fall. Besides taking her to the fucking hospital, what else did that freakazoid do to be Ruth's best friend?" Eddie questioned.

Richie thought about it for a moment to consider something before going forward.

"Do you remember how we found Jonathan?"

Eddie remained to glare, along with Beverly, while the other four nodded their heads.

"That was Pennywise's handy work."

No one made a comment, at least for a second.

"Pfft, yeah, right. And I'm a pig with wings. Why would the clown kill an adult? And you didn't answer my question."

"Well, you best start flapping those imaginary wings of yours because it's the truth! He gutted Jonathan like a pig because of what he did to Ruth, and was going to do it again! Here, I even have the letter she wrote to me if you want to read it!"

Richie snatches his letter from his back pocket and shoves it in Eddie's face.

"Hey! Don't shove it in my face! And what do you mean by again?"

"Why don't you read it out loud for everyone to hear, barf mouth?"

"Shut up, Gray Water! What if I don't want to?"

"Oh, just read it, Eds."

"Stop calling me that, Curly Sue."

Richie lightly smacks Eddie's cheek, who squawks before returning the favor with an elbow to Richie's gut, which didn't do much.

"God, you hit like a girl, spaghetti arms."

"Shut up, jackhole, and you hit like a girl, too, limp d_."

"For Christ's sake, give me that," Beverly interjects while grabbing the letter, faintly smirking.

"Don't crumble it, Molly Ringwald."

She sticks out her tongue, then turned her attention to the letter, which is three pages long.

"Gee, she had a lot to say to you. Now, where on here does she explain how Ruth and the clown became friends?"

"It's the second page, fourth paragraph, but start at the top. There's something you need to read first before that."

Beverly was quick to find the place. She skims through, frowning with features softening and gulps tightly. Her gaze flicks onto Richie, then the others.

"Go on," Richie urged.

She sighs heavily and begun to read.

"The day I was raped was the day I wanted to end it all. My intention was to drown myself at the quarry. A heavy rock would have kept me submerged. However, I needed to see him one last time. Pennywise was about the only person who I remotely considered a friend at that point, even though he tolerated me to a certain degree. I was the irritating child in his eyes and had never referred to me by my name, which I desperately wanted to hear coming from his ancient lips. It's a sign of attachment, and I desired to know if he cared for me at all. I went to the one place I knew he would be. My designated safe place that Pennywise willingly provided for me is the Neibolt House. Upon my arrival and ventured into the sewers, I discovered the real creature within him, along with the missing children. It was a fact he never told me about. I will admit I was frightened by him and feared he would kill me. Pennywise never could, though, even when I asked him why he allowed me to live. It would have prevented me from losing my innocence and live with that scar."

Beverly pauses for a quick second to lick her lips and wet her tongue. Her entire mouth had gone dry from reading but also from learning the horrid truth behind Ruth's abuse. She felt sickened and disgusted with herself for ignoring Ruth's cries for help.

"He did do something for me, which I never would have expected from him. The Master of Illusions and King of Frights conjured a stage for us to… dance." Beverly rose a brow at this. "It was his way of distracting me from the memory and pain that was inflicted upon me. That time with him was eye-opening because he is capable of something other than inducing fear. Pennywise was the first person to bring a genuine smile to my face and made me laugh joyfully. I felt alive at that moment and cherished."

Beverly paused briefly from the absurdity at Pennywise's actions with brows scrunched.

"He, he made her smile and laugh by dancing?" Mike questioned and gaped in awe.

"Yeah, he did. Now shut up. Continue Bev," Richie urged her.

"We danced for hours while enjoying one another's company. Of course, our fun time had to end at some point. At that moment, Pennywise made me promise to never return to my supposed home because he knew what would become of me if I did. Him wanting me to promise in never returning there was Pennywise wanting to protect me from the adults. He may not have realized it then, but Pennywise already cared and grown attached to me. The joy I felt faded once I learned the truth behind his nature, and the fact he murdered Georgie, including hurting Ben. I was furious with him and ended up leaving his side for space to think, which in turn hurt him deeply. I was a fool for leaving when I should have stayed close. When I was returning to the Neibolt House after a week-long absence, Henry Bowers found me, and involuntary brought me back home."

"He what?" Mike interrupted with a screech.

"Shut up!" Beverly snaps, her hands trembling. "Despite my efforts and convincing him, along with Reggie and Victor, who were appalled at the idea, to not leave me with my mother and uncle, they left me. They left to let me die to keep themselves alive. It was already a shitty birthday, and it only got worse from there. Jordan and the Swine conspired."

Beverly stumbles over her words, the sickening feeling in her stomach intensifying.

"You okay, Bev?" Ben asked her.

She just nodded in response and forced herself to continue.

"Jordan and the Swine conspired to murder me. They intended to make my death appear an accident by accidental consumption of shellfish. I saw right them, though, but didn't know what their true motives were until several weeks later. I fought with them to stay alive, so I could see Pennywise again. He gave me a reason to live, a reason to fight. Yet, my efforts were in vain, and I was brought down to my knees like a criminal facing execution. I had never been so afraid for myself in my life, especially in those final grueling moments. I even called out for Pennywise to help me. Except, I knew he wouldn't. I pushed him away and probably hated me because of it. Jon, Jonathan, was going to force himself on me while my horrid whore of a mother held me down. She revealed a lot of things to me while I laid there helplessly, praying for Pennywise to come to my rescue. I learned Jonathan was my uncle and that he, along with my mother, slain my father. I had been living a lie for fourteen years, and no one would know my story of how much I struggled with the abuse. So, I welcomed death and was ready to leave my lonely world behind."

Beverly stops again to tightly gulp and eyes burning. She glances up at the others, who stared at her crestfallen. They couldn't bring themselves to say anything.

"But he came," she started, catching several of the boys blinking in astonishment.

"Pennywise did come to my rescue. He had distracted Jonathan as my dead father. Apparently, they both feared their pasts would come back to haunt them. Penny gladly punished Jonathan for the despicable deed he had done onto me by gutting the swine. I faced off with my mother, unfortunately. Jordan hated me because I ruined her future as an actress and wanted to see it through I never achieved my dreams. I was so close to dying that night, but the fighter in me prevailed. I killed my mother with a butcher knife to her temple, but yet I still desired to die. There was nothing left for me as I lost my trust in Mike and Stan since they got me into that trouble. I certainly didn't want a future somewhere else. I didn't want to take a risk in going into a foster home and get stuck with people who are not what they seem. So, Penny intended to fulfill my wish. However, after catching me in the deadlights, he refused to take my life. He snapped me out of my comatose state by one simple action I will treasure till I die, a hug. Pennywise embraced me tightly like a friend would after reuniting for so long and said my name. It was confirmation for me to know he liked me. He comforted me and whispered in my ear that I was safe. My birthday wish finally came true. I wished for a friend every year, and Pennywise became that very friend I always dreamed of. He saved my life, and I owe him so much for his nobleness."

Beverly doesn't continue reading, she stared at the letter for a second then regarded her group of friends. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words left her lips.

For a short while, no one said a word as they thought about what had happened with Ruth. Neither had a clue when the two first initially met, but the bond between Ruth and Pennywise is strong. Pennywise saving Ruth from the adults proved he genuinely cared for her, and they understand that now.

The three minutes of silence is broken by Richie's voice.

"We were all so worried about ourselves getting hurt by the adults when we should have been more concerned about Ruth. She was more in danger than we were. We should have stopped and listened, maybe even tried helping her. Because of us, Ruth had to go through that bullshit with someone we all thought had no good bone in his body. What he did for her is why Ruth and Pennywise are so close. He was the one who was there for her when she had no one. She didn't have a safe place like we all did. Pennywise provided that for her because he saw Ruth's emotional scars. He could have killed her but choose not to. That clown we hate, he gave Ruth a reason to live, gave her happiness, and made her feel safe."

The others remained quiet to process this, shame falling upon their shoulders.

With a shuddering breath, Beverly spoke.

"All she wanted was someone to be safe with, and it ended up being the one thing we all feared. I hate she befriended the clown," Beverly starts with a guilty frown.

Richie scowled at Beverly for being callous.

"However, I'm at least glad he gave Ruth a better summer than we ever could. I don't doubt she had a lot of fun with him."

Richie's scowl turned into a gentle smirk then opened his mouth to add something to her statement when Eddie talked over him.

"Okay, he saved Ruth, big whoop. If he really was her friend, why did the asshole betray her?" He questioned.

"He didn't," Ben interferes.

Eddie stared at him in confusion.

"Pennywise didn't betray, Ruth."

"Are you blind? Did you not see what he did to her? He freaking skewered her like a human shish-kabob."

"Of course, I did. Pennywise didn't want to kill her at all."

"Not to sound rude, but how do you know?" Beverly inquires gently.

Ben opened his mouth to share his thoughts when Bill jumped in.

"He hesitated," he starts without stuttering. "If he wasn't Ruth's friend, Pennywise would have killed her a lot sooner or struck her down without being asked. He stalled because he didn't want to kill Ruth. I would have a hard time, too, if any of you asked me."

"He did us all a favor, too. If that Crimson King dude possessed Ruth completely, she would have killed us. You saw how she got after hurting both Richie and Stan. Pennywise didn't want to harm her, but he knew what would happen if he didn't. Why do you think he said, for her?" Ben adds.

No one made a comment.

"He really cared about Ruth, maybe even more than that. I saw it in his eyes. He was heartbroken that he had to hurt her."

"So, we really shouldn't pass too much judgment on him despite what he has done to us. We should give him some credit since he gave Ruth what she needed before her sand ran out." Stan replies glumly.

He glances at Mike, who nodded slightly in agreement.

"Stan is right. Pennywise may have done horrible things to us, but he was opposite with Ruth. He knew she needed help and was able to do just that. I'm glad she met him, and you all should be, too."

Eddie stared at him, then glanced at the others, hoping to meet their eyes. None could. They just gazed off into the grass like punished kids sent to the corner. He frowns deeply before following as a heaviness fell on his shoulders and sniffles.

It was quiet amongst them. The only sounds were the birds singing in the trees and whistling wind.

Richie remained to stand still where he stopped, watching his circle of friends think about what they learned. He has yet to tell them what happened yesterday. Richie would like to but is not sure if he should say anything considering how some of them would react. If they found out he went to the Neibolt House alone and actually spoke to the evil clown despite his nerves, the group would think he was absolutely bonkers. Richie dared himself to go back and find out if what he read was true. He needed confirmation, to actually believe Ruth's word. Richie was met with that harsh reality when Pennywise spoke the truth. Pennywise explained to him he never could lie, and neither could Ruth. Something of which Richie agreed with as well. Ruth hardly ever lies, only when it is necessary. What was even more bizarre about his encounter was that Pennywise didn't even attempt to scare Richie. The clown was not itself, almost like he was still hung up over Ruth's death. Richie actually felt sympathetic because he related. He lost a good friend, too. He even expressed his condolences and was immediately rewarded with a simple thank you, along with an I'm sorry.

That little moment made Richie realize how much the clown cared for Ruth, and probably still does. He glances away from his friends, who started talking about Ruth again towards the tree line. Their voices became murmurs as he stared off into the woods. The thick olive-green and russet created shadows that shifted in the zephyr air. His eyes made out a lanky shape and eyes staring right back at him. They glowed softly like miniature suns overcast by clouds. Richie knew right away who it was that is watching them.

Pennywise.

He watched them converse with a frown, fury beginning to creep on his ashen white face.

Richie wanted to approach but knew he couldn't. He doesn't want the others to know they have an audience. Richie can tell Pennywise would like to emerge from the shadows and give them all a talking to for not providing comfort for Ruth when she needed it most. Mike tried doing that but was too bold in his approach. Stan made an attempt but was subtle and broke Ruth's trust and heart. Both did, really. Bill and Ben made no real effort if giving Ruth the support she needed. Granted, Bill did convince her to join their group and chum around but couldn't figure out how to talk with her. Eddie, well, he's Eddie. He didn't give much effort either. Beverly would give two shits in making an effort since she never liked Ruth to begin with. Richie, however, made a better effort than any of them. He got Ruth comfortable enough to talk about some of the problems but had a hard time getting her to open up about the pregnancy. They all deserve a lecture for everything they did or didn't do.

"Just because someone is different does not mean they should be treated any differently. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I hear that's the golden rule. Bullying only drives the victim to do what can't be undone. If you see anyone remotely in distress socially or domestically, you best speak up and make a difference in their lives before it is too late. Because of her, I understand what it means to be a friend and show compassion. Just don't expect me to show you the same affection, Gray Water. I reserve this altruistic behavior for her only."

That's what Pennywise said to Richie before he disappeared. It's the truth, too. Pennywise, the Dancing Clown, will only show kindness to the one person who showed him compassion in return.

The clown's eyes stayed on Richie for a long moment before a voice called out to him.

"Richie," it was Beverly who had spoken.

He unwillingly turned to her and glared distastefully.

Beverly shrunk back slightly from the glare Richie gave her but remained to keep eye contact.

"You do realize we can't say anything to anyone, right?"

His brows furrow and squints. "Huh?"

"We can't tell anyone what really happened with Ruth, Richie."

"Wh-why not?"

"Do you know how crazy it would sound if we went to the police about her whereabouts?"

Flabbergasted, Richie turned to the guys.

"And you actually agree with this?"

"We have to keep the truth about Ruth a secret, Rich. No one needs to know about her being a witch or the fact a clown killed her to prevent some red dude from taking over her mind and body. In fact, I think we should forget the whole thing altogether." Eddie explained.

Richie stares with his jaw hinged open before his features morphed into rage.

"Are you fucking shitting me right now?" He screams.

"We need to keep her identity and how she disappeared a secret! I don't even want to talk about Ruth anymore. She wants us to remember the good times we had when I can't think of a single moment when we were happy with her."

"What the fuck, man? Did you say not ten minutes ago you missed her?"

"Of course, I did! I'm going to miss Ruth for who she was before all this… balderdash came to light. I don't even want to talk about her ever again."

Richie grew silent, absolutely dumbfounded at what is spewing out of Eddie's mouth.

"We all agreed on not speaking the truth about Ruth, Rich. You have to do the same."

He refused to say anything as Richie feared he would say something that shouldn't be said. Besides, he is still being watched.

"Richie, you have to promise us you won't go forward about Ruth," Beverly insisted.

Richie scowled but said nothing.

She sighs and looked towards the others.

"Look, Rich, Beverly is right. We can't say anything about the incident or Ruth's death. No one would believe us." Ben urged.

His lips trembled into a deeper frown but made a quick nod in agreement. Richie didn't want to, but he hates being pressured like this.

Bill suddenly stood from his spot while gripping a piece of glass he had found.

"We have to promise in not speaking about her again and forget the incident down in the sewers. We need to swear if Ruth spoke the truth about Pennywise, about IT coming back, we need to, too."

Ben, Beverly, Mike, Stan, and Eddie stood from which they sat and formed a circle. Each of them let Bill cut their palms, forming a blood bond to seal their promise in killing IT and keeping Ruth a secret. When he came up to Richie in joining them, Richie recoils.

"I ain't promising shit!"

"Richie," Bill urged.

"No! I am not going to make a stupid blood oath to keep from talking about Ruth. I'm willing to keep her death a secret because it does sound crazy. But to not speak about her and forget what happened is another. She may be gone, but I'm still her friend, damnit!"

"Rich, please, calm," Bill tried to reassure only to get talked over.

"No! Screw you, Bill! Screw all of you! I refuse to promise anything! If Pennywise does come back, I'm not returning here."

Fed up with the conversation, Richie whirls around and stumps away with a furious scowl.

"Richie, wait!" Eddie cried out.

"Leave me the fuck alone! Go ahead and make your blood oath, just keep me out of it!"

"Richie, come back!"

Richie ignores him, along with the others, who called out to him to come back. Except, Richie fully intends to not return to their side. Instead, he trumped through the grass towards a path then made a quick glimpse at Pennywise before bypassing him completely. After several feet, and out of earshot, Richie did say something as his final words to the clown.

"You can scare them if you like. I'm sure they could use a good fright right about now anyway. Make me promise in not talking about our friend. The rövhåls." He mumbled the last bit under his breath.

Pennywise said nothing, just watched the boy leave.

He eyed Richie's back with a frown as guilt settled on his shoulders. Pennywise could have intruded on the group and directed their attention to him for five minutes. He wanted to lecture them about their choice of actions. Doing so would have prevented the group from agreeing to keeping Ruth's powers and death a secret. Honestly, the whole conversation made his blood boil. Pennywise desperately wants to lash out at them for disregarding his beloved friend's memory. However, his interference would have kept Richie from showing his devotion to Ruth. Pennywise is actually proud of the Tozier boy for standing up to the irritating bunch.

Pennywise sighs heavily then directs his attention to the group. They stood around, talking some more and didn't take part in their blood oath. Bill, along with the others, decided to give Richie additional time to grieve. They will revisit the promise Bill wants to make with his friends in a week and before Beverly moved to Portland City. Pennywise scuffs at their insistence. He would like to terrorize them some more but decided to leave them be for now. Ruth would have wanted him to anyway.

After thinking about her, Pennywise frowns. He's been away from her side much longer than Pennywise is comfortable with. He would need to return and check on her. Despite Ruth dying in his arms, the selfish part of him did something he probably shouldn't have done. Losing her would be breaking his promise to Rutherford in protecting his daughter even further. Ruth's late father entrusted him in safeguarding his little star. Pennywise also didn't want to return being all alone again.

It might be a risky move that could alter their relationship, but Pennywise believes it is a risk worth taking. Pennywise just hopes he won't get reprimanded for his actions.

In the next month, Pennywise suspects a certain someone will pay him a visit.