stephen king · it · horror · trauma survivor · anxious · reluctant hero · derry · supernatural · haunted · nervous
The humid air of Castle Rock clung to Ben as he returned to the scene of his past trauma, drawn back by an inexplicable force. He had brought his wife here to avoid solitude and to salvage a marriage fractured by his tortured psyche. Parked outside the motel, he handed her suitcase, suggesting she explore while he handled check-in. But fate, in the form of Suzie, had steered them to the drive-in. Now, under the starlight, Ben approached the car where she waited on the hood. Arms laden with a soda and massive popcorn, he sat beside her, a genuine laugh breaking his usual tension as he wrapped an arm around her waist, passing her the drink.