You're late.. I awake with a start, stretching and breathing in deeply, as if coming back alive from the dead. My body was heavy, and my head hurt. I sit up more suddenly, becoming aware of the darkening skies above me. The sun beginning to already set. I'm dead! I shoot up from the ground, falling back down instantly, then trying to shake off the dazed feeling. I stopped briefly, seeing that Patrick wasn't on the ground anymore. A small puddle of blood from where he last laid, and a few drops that trailed up. My eyes finished trailing up to the sewer opening that was merely feet away.. though no blood led to it, I couldn't help but get this ominous feeling that.. Patrick didn't just get up and walk away. I stared out into the dark void that led to the underground pipe system, unable to break free.

   Shit! I gotta get my bike! I look at the sky, changing my mind and running in the opposite direction. I'll have to get it tomorrow. I didn't want to, but I knew it was better than being even later than I already was. I looked up the path splitting, I needed to go straight, but to the left was a path that led up to the cliffs. That was where most go swimming, nearby kids anyways. The older kids sometimes go on the other side. I used to go up there with my mother. We'd have picnics, just the two of us. I look away from the path curtly, continuing in my haste home.

   I dread the walk up the stairs, even entering the house as I eyed the truck in the driveway. The living room light on still.

"Where the fuck have you been!?" I yelp out as glass shatters beside my head against the wall. I duck, closing the door behind me as my father wasted no time in his interrogation. I avoid eye contact, keeping my eyes down and already make my way for the hand broom and dustpan to clean up the mess.

"I got held up.." I vaguely answer, not even bothering to come up with anything. He scoffed out pitifully.

"By gettin' yer ass kicked, you mean." I don't bother giving him a look, sweeping up the shards and discarding them in the trash that was in the kitchen. I almost jump, seeing my father standing right beside the doorway to the living room and kitchen. His hand reaches out, grabbing hold of my jaw with a tight grip, inspecting the wounds.

"So, what'chu do to cause this? Was it a boy?" His eyes narrowed darkly, his tone suggestive and assuming. I glared at the wall behind his head.

"No." I answer dryly. His grip tightens.

"So a girl beat you up like that? Now, either you think I'm a fool or, I need'a teach you how to really take some hits." I stop myself from looking at him in reaction, finding either direction as a loose-loose. It was just a question of, which one did I lose more in. I debated my options, trying to come up with the best course of action to take. I could just run, run as far from here as possible. I could set the house on fire while he's asleep..

"Well?!" I flinched from the spit flying in my face.

"Some new kid was being picked on by Bowers.." I suggest, trying not to let my hate seep out too much. Despite knowing that, he was drinking buddies with Henry's daddy. Even if they hated each other.

"You let your ass get kicked.. by Oscar's boy..?" I knew better than to argue back, even if that's not how the story went, even more so because had I fought Henry and won, I'd still end up in this predicament, cause then it would be me beating on his buddies son. No matter what, I always fucking loose.

"There's four of the-!" I grunt, as I was knocked to the side, quickly followed by a knee to the gut.

"Had I had a boy, he'd a learn to fight the right fuckin' way. I told your mother if you were gonna grow up to be whore like her mama, then the least she could do is learn to fight like a man then too! It ain't too late, by the time I'm done with ya, you'll be able to actually hold yer own against the lil shits." One would almost mistake this for him showing love and affection, but he's not. I had just signed a regular beating, something I receive anyways only now, now they'll hurt worse.

   I gasped breathlessly as I stayed curled on my side, my stomach clenched tightly as I tried hard to breathe again. How am I not brain dead from all the lack of airflow..? I finally choke out, coughing as the air rushes to my lungs.

"Get your ass to fucking bed." He makes his way back to his recliner, kicking my foot out of the way on his way by.

   I turned my head, my face pressed against the floor as I pushed myself up. I painfully trudge to my room, just barely having the strength to get there, much less my bed. I close the door behind me, sliding down it limply. My mind tiredly thought back to Patrick's strange disappearance.. The eyes in the well once again flashing in my mind.

   I woke up early the next morning, body and mind in excruciating pain. I decided on a hot shower. Yesterday's events not only making me feel gross but also troubled. The well.. the drains.. I'm thinking too much about it, maybe Patrick really did just go home. Figured to cut his losses. Maybe Victor or Belch came and grabbed the fucker.

   I tried to convince myself of these possibilities as I finished up my shower and got dressed for the day. I groaned in frustration as I remembered my bag and bike were left behind, making my morning extra troublesome. I began the trek to get my bag by the quarry, eyes trailing to the open sewer as I near. The sky starting to finally give more light, the birds chirping loudly, though the closer I get, the quieter it becomes. My eyes lower from the sewer, ignoring the blood and to my open bag instead. My things inside pulled out. You've got to be kidding me. I sigh, shoving my things back in and head for where I had left my bike, hoping it was still there. The odd feeling of being watched stuck with me the whole time, even after getting my bike, but no one in particular stuck out.

   I rode my bike for a bit, not really wanting to go home. I never want to go there, but really I have no choice. Least I can do is stall until I have to return. I let my guard down, unaware of my surroundings, letting Henry get the drop on me by mistake. I was tackled off my bike, fighting back instantly as I started to wrestle back against the person. Henry grabs my wrist, pinning them and me to the ground.

"What the fuck you'd do, Stratton?! I know it was you! You're the only one that would, you crazy bitch!" I glared at him, trying to free my wrists and shove him off me. The other two not able to help but look at me in heated fright.

"What the fuck are you jawin' on 'bout, Bowers!?" I yelled at him, people avoiding coming near us at all cost.

"Patrick! What did you do to him!?" I froze for a brief moment, this only enraging him further.

"He's.. What do you mean?" I felt cold as a haunting thought occurred, but one I tried to force back down the ridiculous theory. No. That's absurd. It's just impossible.

"Don't you dare play stupid with me! I know it was you! His mom called last night, and called again this morning saying he didn't come home last night. We all know he went after you- Just look at your face! What did you do to him!?" I stared at him with muddled thoughts, unable to comprehend over the overwhelming coldness that coursed through me now.

"I didn't-.. He was gone when I woke up.." My voice sounded far away, my mind unable to process as I struggled to find a reasonable explanation. Henry seethes loudly, enough to gain more attention to our confrontation. Victor makes a gesture, Belch's a little more prominent as he raises his hand more towards the wounds on my face. Their looks with reluctant skepticism.

"Your face is fucked up prett' bad, Emma." Belch speaks up, Victor giving a grievous nod.

"Only Patrick could have done that.." I stare at them, unable to decide what to make of it.

"He tried to drown me, I hit him in the head and we both passed out! He was gone when I woke up, I don't know where the fuck he went! Figured maybe, he went home to lick his wounds. I'm a lotta things but I ain't a fuckin' murderer, Bowers..!" I spit out as I fought against his tough hands, his knuckles digging into me as he held me pinned. The two with him share a look..

"Besides, Bowers knows this isn't just Patrick's work.." I admit suggestively, my father being abusive not really a secret. Never has been with Bowers' mouth. A cop car slows as it rounds the corner down the street, as if telling us to sort our shit by the time he gets to us.

   The boys start to tug on Henry, their judging eyes leaving me to take in the watchful eyes.

"Not here, man."

   Their eyes return to me as they keep their friend at bay, but the look in their eyes, it never waves. They.. they seriously think I did something..? They really think I did something to that freak?? Ooohhhh, I didn't! But I seriously wish I fucking had now!

   My once look of befuddlement, now a look of vexation. My brows twitched together in annoyance and irritating as I wanted to defend myself, but at the same time was at a loss for evidence. There was blood..

"This ain't over bitch! I know what you did-!" His veins bulge in his irate fit, spit flying as he yelled in my face. He suddenly calms himself, but not the raging fire within as he turns back forward and leans further into me painfully.

"And I'll make sure she suffers for it." I got over my initial shock, narrowing my brows.

"I didn't do anything to the fucking psycho, Bowers!" I threw my arms up as he shoved himself off of me, knowing he wasn't listening and even if he was, he didn't care. I was guilty- No trial, no jury, no nothing.

"Fucking honestly.." I stay in my position on the ground as he leaves, the cop eyeing me as he drives by slowly. But don't say a word, no, the adults never talk to the children. They remained aloof, always.

   I pull myself up from the ground, going for my bike as I leave the area. I ride handless for a moment, running my hands through my hair with stress as I think back to yesterday, thinking maybe I missed something, had woken up and not remembered- But nothing. All I got was the eerie sense that something from within the dark void that was the sewers crawled out and dragged him back in- But that's insane!

   I swerved my bike, heading in a different direction abruptly and down a different street. I enter the main downtown, heading for the library instead. I round the building, stopping out front and resting my bike to the side. I make my way in, discombobulated at first as I gather my thoughts. Derry's sewer system, and history. History was easy, but the first one was a bit difficult. In the end I needed help, and the woman walked me to the desk, book in hand.

"Not many people read that.. Even officials." She leans over as she peers down at the pages. I don't fully shrug when she continues talking.

"It's not for a project, schools over." She says pointedly. I glance at her, stiffening as I make eye contact. The little old lady's piercing blue eyes staring at me, but stirring a feeling inside that caused my heart to race and my stomach to tighten.

"I'm just- It's for- I'm sorry, I forgot there's some place I gotta be. Can I just borrow these?" I excuse myself, something she seemed adamant about before finally checking out the books.

   I leave the building, shoving them in my bag. I wandered for a bit, once again losing myself as I rode my bike. I was aware of my surroundings, even if I had no clue where I was going. I didn't like the fact I found myself heading for the barrens, stopping myself on the trail. I forced my eyes from the sewers ahead, and turned towards the cliffs.

   I turn, getting off my bike and walking it the rest of the way. I made my way around, the path curving around the mountain side. I stopped my bike, walking the rest of the path. I was past the point older kids go, not realizing just how winding the path was. I stopped, looking at the steep climb before me, climbing some rocks off to the side to get to the part above. This was new territory, something I've never seen before. The top revealing trees, an encircled group of trees ahead. I followed the natural path despite there not actually being one, surprised with the life surrounding me. For such a dreary town, there was this beautiful spot amongst it all. I enter the small little forest field, flowers littering the outskirts of the area, all along the trees, and the middle of it all full of lush grass.

   There was a break in between the trees, where I started walking closer to examine just how high up I had hiked. It was a bit, overlooking the barrens from way up high, the opening to the sewers down below. I felt safe up here though, like nothing could touch me.