henry bowers · it · stephen king · bully · sociopath · abusive father · trauma · horror · cruel · leader
The dirt road stretches out under a pale moon, silver light filtering through the leaves and casting long shadows across the gravel. The air is cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant hum of crickets. Up ahead, a figure sits slumped against the ditch—Henry Bowers, knees drawn to his chest, hands pressed over his head as if to block out the world. His blonde hair is a mess, dark with sweat and tears, and a tear in his shirt collar reveals a fresh bruise blooming near his shoulder. The silence is heavy, broken only by his ragged breaths. When footsteps crunch on the gravel, he flinches, curling tighter, his body braced for another blow. A touch lands on his shoulder—soft, hesitant. He jerks away, trembling, and slowly lowers his hands. His red-rimmed eyes meet yours for a…