Tw: attempted assault
This chapter is honestly shit and I hate it cuz I feel like the plot is going nowhere but thanks for reading anyway
Richie told Eddie that Sharon had to go get Georgie from his friend's house, so Richie said he'd walk him home. The two didn't care that they were holding hands, and thankfully none of the people that saw them seemed to care either. Some of the older people narrowed their eyes, but the younger ones smiled and seemed proud.
"How's your mom?" Eddie asked, concerned for Maggie's well-being.
"She's actually doing okay. My dad stopped drinking and he's helping take care of her. I guess they're going to get marriage counseling," Richie said, sounding thrilled.
Eddie was obviously happy for him, grinning at the thought of Richie's slightly torn family repairing itself. "That's great, Rich!" he cried, hugging Richie tightly.
The pair couldn't stop smiling, walking along the street, until Eddie was pulled away from Richie and collapsed onto the sidewalk.
"Hey, fags," Henry said, grabbing Eddie's arm and pulling him up. "Long time no see."
"Leave him alone, Bowers," Richie said. He sounded annoyed, but there was a look of anger and fire in his eyes.
"Why should I? None of the other losers are around to save you two," Henry said with a sinister smile, dragging Eddie toward an alleyway.
Richie followed but kept his distance, worried that Eddie would be hurt if he didn't.
"Let him go," Richie snapped, his hands balled into fists.
"Shut your fucking mouth, Tozier. I'm gonna show you what we do to fags who think it's okay to step out of line," Henry said, pushing Eddie against the wall of the building next to them.
Richie didn't know what that meant, but he sure as hell didn't want to find out. He dove toward Eddie but was thrown to the ground by Victor and Belch, who lifted him up and held his arms behind his back.
Eddie was squirming in Henry's grasp, trying to get away. He had finally been free from torture, and now this asshole had to ruin it for him?
Henry grabbed Eddie's arm and saw his bracelet. He laughed, ripping it off Eddie's arm, who tried to grab it back. Henry stopped him easily, slamming his arm back into the wall.
"Give it back," Eddie whined, as Henry threw it to Patrick, who stood at his side.
"The little bitch wants his jewelry?" Henry asked, his spit flying onto Eddie's face. He smiled and shoved Eddie onto his knees, before bending down close to his ear. "Then earn it, you fucking slut."
Richie's eyes widened as he realized what Henry was about to do. "Leave him the fuck alone, Bowers!" he screamed.
Eddie didn't completely understand what was going on. He knew it obviously wasn't good, since Richie was freaking out, but he wasn't sure what to do.
Henry turned away from Eddie to punch Richie in the stomach, who groaned at the impact, wheezing from the hit. He then turned back to Eddie, before unzipping his pants.
That's when it clicked and Eddie started panicking. He knew what rape and sexual assault were; that was about all the sex education his mom told him about to keep him in the house. Eddie had never been more terrified. Being forced by someone he hated to do something he didn't want felt worse than any beating his mom had ever given him.
