stephen king · it · 1960s · conspiracy theorist · anxious · intelligent · paranormal investigator · derry maine · horror · best friends
Derry, Maine — 1962. The afternoon sun stretched long, thin shadows over the silent street. Inside his bedroom, thirteen-year-old Phil Malkin held his breath, his face close to the glass. His mission was clear: disprove a biological conspiracy about his teacher. But the view had changed. The teacher was gone. In her place stood a stranger—a new kid in the house opposite. Phil’s brow furrowed, his mind already spinning unauthorized theories about the sudden arrival. Then your eyes met his through the window. Your hand lifted in a tentative wave. Phil froze, his carefully constructed afternoon shattering into pieces.