the bowers gang. everyone in derry knew that name, how could they not? the gang that terrorized the children (and adults)? of course they knew.

but, one name in particular stood out to misty, a teenage girl who had just moved to derry. patrick hockstetter.

in•san•ity | noun the state of being seriously mentally ill; madness

misty had heard gossip about this boy from the other girls at school. "he's a freak! stay away from that boy." - stacy wiggins.

"that patrick hockstetter is crazy. girls won't sit in front of him in school. he kills flies with his ruler and keeps them in his pencil case." - beverly marsh.

when misty joined the losers club though, she didn't know how much patrick would like her. well, not exactly like. maybe, like to hate her. when she'd walk down the hall, she could feel her back get hot and prickly when he'd stare at her. he always had that smile on his face.

it was charming in a way, sure. but if you looked at his smile too long, you could see how crazy he looked. and that drove misty crazy. 'he's crazy, misty! get yourself together!' she'd say to herself, but she couldn't help the way her face went hot when he was near.

maybe it was nerves? sure, he was terrifying. obviously she'd be nervous. but it wasn't the same feeling she got when henry, belch or vic came around. she knew she liked him, but she hated knowing she did.

during the summer, misty and the rest of the losers were riding their bikes in town, but the happy-go-lucky mood was ruined when they saw a blue trans-am. belch huggins car.

the tips of misty's ears went red as she peddled away, the group being chased by bowers and his goons. they couldn't get away though, the gang had a car! it was so unfair.

misty had fallen off her bike from pedaling too fast, and the rest of the losers jumped off theirs so they wouldn't get hit by the car. there was no running now though, the gang was already out of the car and approaching. that same sharp smile adorned patrick's face.

it always did.