Chapter: The End of the Clown

I was walking down the street, heading toward where the losers were sitting. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow over the town. "Hey, guys," I greeted as I sat down next to Bev. We all started chatting, talking about random stuff and how they were feeling now that the clown was finally defeated. It felt good to have that nightmare behind us. After a while, they all got on their bikes and rode off, leaving me to walk home alone.

As I was strolling down the street, lost in thought, I saw Henry and Victor running toward me. They both looked a little frantic. "They think I killed my dad," Henry said, his voice full of frustration and sadness as he dropped his head onto my shoulder.

I wrapped an arm around him and played with his hair to calm him down. It felt like everything was so much quieter now that the clown was gone, but that didn’t mean life was simple. Just as I was comforting Henry, I saw a couple of cops pull up and start walking toward us. My stomach twisted.

"Hello, miss," one of the officers said, pulling out a notepad. "Were these two with you the whole time?"

I gave them my most fake smile, trying not to let my nerves show. "Yes, they were," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The officer didn't seem convinced, writing something down in his notepad. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes," I repeated, a little more forcefully. I tightened my hold on Henry, who was still resting his head on my shoulder.

After a tense moment, the cops just nodded and turned back to their car, driving off without saying anything more. I let out a deep breath and grabbed Henry's hand, pulling Victor along as we walked toward my house.

Once we got home, I helped Victor get settled in, making sure he had a place to sleep. Then I led Henry into the bathroom, gently helping him with his cuts. He hissed in pain a few times, but I was careful, trying to ease the discomfort as best I could.

"Thank you for helping us, babe," Henry said with a faint, pain-filled smile. His gratitude was heartfelt, but it still hurt to see him like this.

"You're welcome," I replied softly, focusing on the task at hand. "What exactly happened?" I asked, continuing to clean his wounds.

Henry paused for a moment, his expression darkening. "That damn clown... He possessed me. Made me kill my dad," he admitted, his voice trembling as he spoke. There was a mix of sadness and something else in his eyes. I could tell he was struggling with the truth, but at least he was being honest with me now.

I ran my fingers through his hair, trying to comfort him the best I could. "And Bealch?" I asked, worried about him too.

"He's fine," Henry said with a slight chuckle. "His mom took him for some family stuff that day, so he didn’t even show up."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God," I murmured, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders.

"I’m sorry I brought you into all of this," Henry said, his voice soft, full of regret.

I gently lifted his chin, making sure our eyes met. "You didn’t. I was already in it," I said with a small smile, still playing with his hair.

He nodded, standing up slowly and planting a soft kiss on my forehead. "When we’re done with high school, we’re getting the heck out of this town," he said, tugging me toward the bedroom. "Now, it’s bedtime for you."

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips.

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A Few Years Later

We finished high school, and as promised, we got the heck out of that town. It wasn’t easy, but we made it. Victor and Bealch came with us, though they quickly found their own paths. Victor got a girlfriend, and Bealch did too. They both got their own places, living their lives and finding their own happiness.

As for me, Henry, and the kids? Well, we made our own little family. I have a small business that took off better than I ever imagined, and with Henry by my side, life couldn’t have been more perfect. We may have left the dark past behind, but we built something new together—a fresh start, a new chapter.

I have two kids now. Lizzy Bowers and Alex Bowers. Lizzy is four years old, with golden blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Alex is six, with dark brown hair and green eyes. They’re the light of my life. Every time I see their smiling faces, I remember how far we’ve come—how much we’ve overcome to get here.

Henry and I are married now. I never imagined I would be standing here, watching my kids grow up in a safe, loving home. It’s a little crazy, and sometimes life still throws curveballs, but I’m okay with it.

Because I have my kids, my friends, and Henry—my partner, my love, the one person who’s stuck with me through thick and thin.

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And that’s mine and Henry’s love story. It wasn’t perfect, but it was ours. And that’s all that really matters.

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A/N: Thanks for reading! I'm glad you stuck with me through this crazy journey. If you want to know more, check out my new books coming soon!