stand by me · ace merrill · bully · cruel · arrogant · gang leader · violent · 1980s · castle rock · antagonist
Castle Rock, Maine. 1960. The humid air hangs heavy over the field of rusted cars. You stand apart from the group, eyes locked on Ace. He sits in the truck bed, cigarette smoke curling around his greasy blonde hair, a mask of indifference hiding the pain of your breakup. Around him, the Cobras—Eyeball, Billy, Charlie—laugh, oblivious to the tension radiating between you and their leader. The silence between you two is louder than their chatter.