Chapter Text
Golden, Colorado March. 13 1984
Gwen had been paying closer attention to her brother, how could she not? Knowing that someone abducted him not a week ago. Those five grueling days weighed her, so her eyes wandered to her left. Gwen’s eyes lingered and focused.
She had realized that Finney gripped his pen tighter every time he felt a presence behind him, he kept reciting something under his breath, he hated eggs even though he used to love them and his hands always grazed over the phone at home.
Gwen knew he wouldn’t stay the same but it was still heartbreaking, hearing him scream at night.
Their shoes slapped against the cement, winter dissipated as spring encroached in Colorado, the biting chill in the air was replaced by warm breezes.
When the sibling entered their home, they were surprised at seeing their dad sitting at the table.
“Daddy?” Gwen tilted her head.
“C’mere, I need to talk to you kids about something.” Terrance patted the other side of the table.
Finney and Gwen hesitantly walked to the table, Finney dropped his backpack on the floor while Gwen hung it on the chair. “I’ve been thinking,” Terrance started. “About moving, not right now, but soon.”
“Moving?” Finney inquired, Terrance nodded, “The stars have been aligning, with everything that’s been going on, the house rent, and a new job offer I got, I think it’s best if we move.”
Gwen glanced over to where her brother was, the kids at the school treated him like he was a freak of nature for surviving the Grabber. And, if they moved, they could start over where Finney wasn’t attached to the Grabber’s infamy.
“End of April, my boss gave me until the end of the month to move out and settle into the new home.”
A fresh start where they left everything behind.
Golden, Colorado April. 6 1984
Gwen hoisted the box up, she passed by Finney’s room who was sitting on the ground in front of his closet.
“Finney?”
“HOLY- Gwen.” Finney said sternly, he shoved something into his duffle bag too quickly for her to get a good look at. “You’re going to give me a heart attack.”
“Yeah yeah old man,” Gwen smirked, “Are you hiding something?”
“Wha- no, no. It’s just my gear. I’m not hiding anything, if I was hiding anything I wouldn’t tell you.” Finney got up, his hand reaching for the door handle, “Nuh uh, you’re hiding something, Finney. ” Gwen giggled.
“Get out,” Finney shoved Gwen and slammed the door in her face, “Whatever.” She rolled her eyes and made her way to the living room where the rest of the boxes were.
The U-Haul workers lifted the couch and exited the house. “I’m going to miss this place,” Terrance clasped a hand on her shoulder.
“Me too.”
The door creaked open, Finney had his duffle bag over his shoulder, “Hopefully, Maine is nothing like Colorado.”
“It’ll be colder,” Gwen commented, “Obviously, I mean the people.” Finney rolled his neck, popping out the kinks.
“Pretty sure we’re all human.” Gwen snarked.
“You’re not,” Finney said under his breath. “Kids.” Terrance glared at them, they both tensed up.
“We’re going to leave in 15 minutes, make sure you haven’t left anything behind.” Terrance grabbed his backpack on the way outside.
Finney touched his duffle bag, feeling for an item.
He remembered running through here, the slimy feeling gripped his head. Finney didn’t exactly want to be here, but a magnetizing aura drew him to this area once more. He entered the house.
His legs moved on their own, dragging him to the basement. His throat tightened with every step.
Finney felt tears pricking his eyes, his hands reached up towards the black phone. He pulled it off the wall, gently holding the item.
Finney caressed the sides of the phone, he took a glance at the wall with the numbers, he turned towards the hallway connecting to the bathroom.
The window illuminated the room, Finney blinked, the tears fell.
Sighing, he brought the phone upstairs. The brunette was about to leave when the phone rang. Snapping his neck down, he watched it ring more violently.
With shaking hands, he put the phone next to his ear.
It was only static, before a hushed “Finn” disrupted the call, ending it.
Derry, Maine April. 8 1984
“CAN YOU TURN THAT DAMN THING OFF?” Eddie yelled from across the street, he jumped off his porch and dragged his bike to Richie’s parking spot, “I had to convince my mom that some idiot’s car went off.”
Richie detached the air horn from its holder and honked it in Eddie’s face, “No, I don’t think I can turn it off.”
“Fuck you,” Eddie swatted the air horn, he’d sat on the bike and rode off. Richie took off after Eddie, they turned right and onto the other street, Stanley was at the corner. When he spotted the two boys he joined them on their route to school.
Bill was at the bike rack waiting for the three.
“He-hey.” Bill nodded, “Sss-so there’s these-these girls t-talking, and they s-s-said tha-t there’s a new kid. Saw t-them yes-yesterday.” They put their bikes right next to one another and headed to the front entrance.
“In April?” Stanley questioned, “That’s so late, finals are next week.”
“Ughh, don’t remind me. If I don’t pass I’m not going to make it in 8th grade. And, I think shit hit the fan and now they’re here in this armpit of a town.” Richie suggested, “I’ll be real honest, the only thing keeping me here is Eddie’s mom.”
“Do you ever stop talking about my mom?” Eddie grimaced, “I’ll stop the day I stop fucking her-” Richie tripped, “Clumsy much, fairy?”
“You sure like seeing my ass, Bowers.” Richie grinned, he got up with the help of Eddie and was dragged away by the group, “Hey!”
“Not first thing in the morning, Richie. I don’t want Henry on our ass just yet.” Stanley yawned, “Ye-yeah. T-take s-some of Ed-Eddie’s pil-lls, w-will ya?” Bill disappeared into his homeroom.
Richie scratched his neck, “Fine. See ya, Eds.”