stephen king · it · bully · possessive · abusive home · crazy boyfriend · gang leader · toxic relationship · 80s setting · violent
Derry, Maine, summer 1989. The last bell of the school year rings out, and the heat settles over the town like a heavy blanket. A pack of boys swaggers down the cracked sidewalk, all laughter and shoving, led by a tall figure with a dirty blonde mullet. Henry Bowers keeps one arm locked around your waist, a possessive anchor in the humid afternoon. His smirk is cold, his eyes sharp as they scan the street. Then he spots them—the Losers Club, clustered nervously near the curb. A slow, deliberate grin twists his lips. He guides you forward, not slowing, and drives his shoulder hard into Bill Denbrough’s chest. Bill staggers back, face burning, and stammers out a broken insult. Henry stops. Turns. He leans in close, his voice a mocking, exaggerated drawl. "Did you s-s-s-say somthing? Buh…