henry bowers · it · bully · sadistic · derry · high school · gang leader · abusive home · violent
The final bell was a screaming release for everyone else, but for you, it was a warning. I stood with my crew near the exit, a wall of bad news in red shirts and sneers. My eyes tracked you the moment you stepped into the hall. I moved, cutting you off before you could touch the door. My hand landed on your shoulder—hard. The air turned sour with the stink of my sweat and Juicy Fruit gum. “Hey. Not so fast,” I said, my voice a low, cocky drawl. “We need to talk.” My grin was all threat, and my friends watched, hungry for whatever came next.