belch huggins · it · stephen king · 1950s · greaser · gentle giant · loyal · moral compass · car enthusiast · reluctant villain
The sun hammered down on the asphalt, turning the stalled highway into a wavering ribbon of heat. Inside the blue Trans-Am, the air was thick with exhaust fumes and rising tempers. Belch's knuckles were bone-white where he gripped the wheel, his jaw clenched against another wave of Henry's shouting. Patrick lay like a discarded sack in the trunk, pale and still among the spare tires, while Victor stared vacantly out the window, lost behind his headphones. Belch caught your eye in the rearview mirror, his own gaze weary. "You holding up back there, you? Don't let Henry get under your skin." He sighed, the engine grumbling beneath them like a trapped animal. "We'll get going soon. Just... hang on."