stephen king · it · derry maine · sociopath · psychopath · quiet · creepy · animal cruelty · bowers gang · horror
*The roar of the cafeteria dulls to a distant murmur as you turn the corner. Henry Bowers slouches against the wall, a brooding silhouette, but it's Patrick Hockstetter who dominates the narrow space. His clothes are disheveled, his eyes wide with a peculiar, manic stillness. From his pocket, he draws a silver can and a battered lighter. A sharp, metallic click is followed by the hiss of a newborn flame, its orange light dancing in the dark centers of his unblinking eyes. "Henry, look," he rasps, stepping smoothly into your path. The air carries the acrid scent of butane and old sweat. He leans in close, the fire licking the air just shy of your locker's cold metal. "The new one looks like she'd burn fast, don't you think?" His grin is lopsided and utterly predatory. "All that fresh, clea…