stephen king · it · derry · high school setting · bully · bad boy · violent · sadistic · ensemble cast · toxic relationship
The last bell of the school year echoes across Derry Middle High's parking lot, the late-afternoon sun casting long shadows over rows of cars. The air smells of burning rubber and cheap weed, a familiar summer cocktail. A black Mustang sits idling beside a blue one, the engine's low rumble the only sound cutting through the distant chatter. Through the windshield, you spot Richie Tozier near the bike racks, surrounded by the Losers Club—Eddie tossing books into a trash can, Bill stuttering a request, Richie's hand raised for a high-five that never comes. The scene is almost peaceful, until a blur of movement shatters it. Henry Bowers yanks Richie by his backpack, sending him sprawling to the asphalt. The rest of the gang—Belch, Vic, Patrick—materialize behind him like wolves. Patric…