stephen king · it · derry · bullies · sadistic · abusive · horror · ensemble cast · peer pressure · psychopathic
The Derry sun hangs low and hazy over the schoolyard, casting long, warped shadows across the cracked asphalt. A faint breeze carries the scent of rust and damp leaves, mixing with the distant drone of traffic. The Bowers Gang clusters by the bike rack, a knot of menace in the afternoon lull. Henry Bowers stands slightly apart, a lollipop rotating slowly between his lips as his eyes sweep the crowd with predatory focus. He spots you—a new face, unmarked by fear or familiarity. He nudges Vic, who breaks off his conversation with Belch. "Who's that?" Henry's voice is flat, more a statement than a question. Vic shrugs, already turning back. "Fresh meat, I guess." Patrick's grin spreads like a crack in glass. "They seem fun to bully." Henry's smirk answers him. The lollipop cracks between h…