count on me | sbm

4

; 1957
Castle Rock

"C'mon! Give it back!"

10 year old Vern had just arrived at school for the day. His brother, Billy, and his new-found friend Charlie had snatched Vern's backpack from him and were holding it above him, just out of reach.

"Jump, you little maggot!" Billy laughed. Charlie joined in.

Ever since they had moved to Castle Rock, Billy had made it his job to make Vern's life a living hell.

"Give it back!" Vern said, tiredly jumping up and down in attempt to grab it back.

;;

10 year-old Gordie was sitting beneath a huge palm tree, writing something down into his notebook as he usually did before school. Being the new kid, he didn't really have any friends.

Gordie looked up, to notice a kid, about the same age as him, struggling to get his backpack from a couple of older kids.

Not wanting to get involved, Gordie titled his head back down and kept writing.

A few moments later, Gordie noticed that the boy was still struggling to retrieve his backpack from the bullies. He quickly stuffed his notebook into his bag, flung it over his shoulder and scurried over to the boy.

"Guys, give it back." Gordie tried telling the Charlie and Billy. Vern looked thankfully at Gordie, his cheeks red from exhaustion.

Charlie laughed.

"You think we're going to listen to a puny weasel like you?" He mocked. Gordie gulped. He knew what was coming next, he's seen it happen before.

Charlie grabbed his backpack and yanked it from Gordie. Gordie tried desperately to hold on, but he wasn't strong enough. Charlie took the bag and held it where Billy was holding Vern's.

"What're you going to do now?" The pair said at the same time. Gordie and Vern looked at each other and sighed. They didn't know each other, and they didn't want to ask each other for help.

;;

10 year- old Teddy leant against the wall at the back of the school. He'd managed to get a cigarette from some older kids, one with red hair, and one with curly brown. He'd payed $1, which seemed like a bargain to him at the time.

Teddy awkwardly pushed the cigarette into his mouth, unsure of what he was supposed to do with it.

"You're supposed to light it, kid." The boy with red hair said to him. Him and the other boy approached Teddy. The brown haired boy took the joint from his mouth and handed it to the other boy, who lighted it and poked it back at Teddy.

"There." He said. Teddy took a huge puff of smoke, before coughing hysterically. The older kids laughed and walked off.

Teddy heard a commotion going on around the corner, he peeped his head around to find two younger boys and two older. The older boys were holding the younger kid's backpacks above their heads. They looked distressed, especially the smaller, more chubby one.

Teddy marched over to them and stomped his foot, breathing smoke all over Billy and Charlie.

"Give them back, now!" Teddy ordered. Charlie looked at Billy nervously. They'd heard of Teddy Duchamp, he was crazy. He'd do anything, including kill them, if he had to.

Billy and Charlie threw the bags high up onto the roof of the school and fled.

Vern and Gordie sighed in relief.

"Thanks." Gordie said.

"Yeah, thanks." Vern said.

"No problem! You can count on me!" He said.

Teddy took a step closer towards the pair.

"Teddy Duchamp, at your device!" He said, holding out his hand. Gordie shook it and smiled.

"Gordie." He said.

Vern held up his hand and said,

"Vern."

;;

10 year-old Chris had just accidentally gotten gum stuck in his brother's hair. How he'd managed to do it he didn't know, but his brother was angry. Real angry.

He ran around the corner, sprinting as fast as he could. He spotted a group of three boys chatting. Not having any time to think, Chris ran up to them.

"If some guys come, tell them I'm not here, okay?" He puffed frantically. All three boys nodded, and Chris threw himself into a large bin.

A group of 7 older kids, including the backpack boys and the cigarette boys, stormed up to Gordie, Teddy and Vern.

"Where is he?" Eyeball boomed. Vern went pale.

"Who?" Teddy asked. Gordie sighed in relief, he wasn't great at lying, and he knew he'd give it away if he had to speak.

"Chris! The little jerk, he's the reason why I now have gum in my hair!" He yelled.

"Haven't seen him. What about you guys?" Teddy looked at Vern and Gordie. They both shook their heads silently. The group ran off, yelling some not-so-nice words.

Chris scrambled out of the bin, brushing junk off of him.

"Thanks, you guys just saved my life." He said.

"You can count on us!" Gordie said. Teddy and Vern laughed, Chris screwed up his face, confused.

"I'm Chris. Chris Chambers." He said, looking at Gordie. Vern's jaw dropped.

"You alright, man?" Chris asked, now looking at Vern.

"You...You're Chris? You're dangerous! You robbed a store!" Vern squeaked, scared.

Chris sighed and shook his head.

"I didn't rob the store, my brother did." He said.

Vern didn't reply.

"I'm Teddy." Teddy said, shaking Chris' hand solidly. Chris laughed.

"And I'm Gordie. This is Vern." Gordie said, pointing at Vern.

"Nice to meet you!" Chris said, grinning.