Time Skip: Five Years Later (May 1962)
The years passed. Adrian grew. He became the "cool kid" of Derry Middle School. The one who brought contraband candy to class, knew how to pick locks, and treated the teachers like they were working for him.
Then came May 1962.
The atmosphere in Derry changed. The vibration started. The smell of sulfur returned to the Canal.
Adrian, now nearly 12, sat in the school cafeteria. He wasn't eating whatever monstrositythey server at this catfertia; he was observing.
The table across from him was loud. A group of boys, The Popular Clique, were laughing and throwing fries.
[ TARGETS IDENTIFIED ]
Matty Clements (12)
Status: Clueless.
Phil Malkin (13)
Status: Loud.
Teddy Uris (12)
Status: Nervous.
Adrian chewed on a toothpick, watching them with cold detachment.
'Look at them,' Adrian thought. 'Zero situational awareness. Matty is sitting with his back to the door. Phil is bragging about stealing cigarettes. They're walking cannonfodder.'
He knew what was coming. In the "script" of this world, these were the Red Shirts. The fodder. They were the tutorial victims meant to show the audience how scary the monster was.
A part of him, the small, human part thought about warning them.
But the other part of him knew better.
'You can't save the cutscene characters,' Adrian reasoned. 'If I interfere now, I mess up the aggro. Atleast I should refrain from that till I'm strong enough that I can mess with the timeline'
Two Days Later: The Aftermath
The news hit the school like a bomb.
MISSING: MATTHEW CLEMENTS.
Police cars were parked outside the school. Mothers were crying at the gates. The principal called a special assembly to talk about "stranger danger" and "the curfew."
The auditorium was filled with terrified whispers. Kids were crying. Even Richard Bowers looked a little pale.
Adrian sat in the back row, his arms crossed. He wasn't crying. He was looking at the blue System box floating above the principal's head.
[ WORLD EVENT TRIGGERED ]
The First Kill.
Victim: Matty Clements.
The Cycle: ACTIVE.
Hunger: RISING.
Adrian didn't feel sadness. He felt the rush of the game finally starting.
'First blood,' Adrian thought grimly. 'Matty is gone. Phil is probably next. The dominoes are falling.'
He looked around the room. The fear was delicious to the entity. He could practically feel the floorboards soaking it up.
'Enjoy it while you can, Pennywise,' Adrian thought, tapping his finger against his arm. 'Feast on the noobs.'
He stood up before the assembly was even dismissed, walking toward the exit.
He needed to prep. He needed to get his gear ready.
According to his internal timeline, Will Hanlon, would be arriving in town any day now. And unlike Matty, Will was a unique asset. Will was someone he could put to use.
Adrian pushed open the school doors, stepping out into the grey Derry afternoon. A red balloon was caught in the branches of an oak tree, bobbing silently in the wind.
Adrian winked at it.
"It's on."
[Points Earned: 50 (Witness Bonus)]
[Current Balance: 165 ]