Chapter 10

"Who knows what was going through her head just now."

Indeed, it wasn't very devout.

Randy repeated what he had just said.

Carrie then began to recall, "It seems like it was the late '80s? It should be over twenty years ago…"

Randy responded, "So, about twenty-seven years?"

"Yes, it seems to be twenty-seven years. Because Derry is so rarely affected by such malicious events, every occurrence is recorded in the town's history books."

Randy squinted, considering the deceased Carl and the others. This seemed like a perfect opportunity for him to gain some nourishment during this period.

Also, since both Carrie and Pennywise had appeared, there might be other 'familiar' faces emerging as well.

"Don't pass through the small forest again in the future."

Randy kindly reminded Carrie, as he didn't want any issues with his already chosen core follower.

"Why?"

Carrie was puzzled. They had moved far from the stone bridge, and on the other side was the road, so her fear had naturally dissipated.

"It's nothing. Your mother was right; this city has lost its divine protection."

So, a new deity was needed to replace that faith.

Randy felt there were still many secrets to be discovered in this small town.

Of course, he needed to have the ability to protect himself first.

Carrie was a bit sullen, feeling that something must have happened in the woods, but she didn't dare to ask.

Now Randy's presence seemed overly dominant, but it also made her very curious.

The car soon drove out of the forest and into the town. At a corner, Randy chose to get out.

Carrie thought the same and planned to avoid Chris and sneak into the school, not wanting Randy to see her in such a disheveled state.

However, she was reluctant to just act as a means of transportation, so she tentatively asked:

"What about you? Do you need a ride back?"

"None of your concern."

Randy glanced at the crowd at the school gate, said a casual remark, and then turned away from Carrie's sight.

"Alright."

Carrie felt a bit downcast and, after standing for a moment, pushed her bike towards the school gate.

She carefully observed the surroundings, and unfortunately, she spotted Chris, who had been bullying her.

Chris looked quite displeased, holding a phone and constantly complaining.

Carrie immediately tensed up, quickly lowering her head and steering her bike along the edge of the wall, hoping Chris wouldn't notice her.

Usually, even when grounded, she would arrive at school early to avoid Chris and her gang.

But today, due to unexpected delays, she had lost quite a bit of time.

Fortunately, Chris seemed preoccupied with other issues and was chatting with her best friend, Sue, without paying much attention to the people around.

"Hey, Sue, have you seen Billy? I've been waiting for him for so long. His phone isn't working either. He said he would give me a ride to school this morning, but now I can't reach him. I walked to school!"

"I'm not sure. Tommy didn't hang out with him last night. Billy should be with Carl and the others."

Carrie carefully passed by the two, and just as she was about to reach the school gate, a mocking voice suddenly came from the side.

"Hey, isn't that the weirdo Carrie? Her mom called us all sluts, but all I did was show a bit of thigh."

"She'll end up just like her mom sooner or later."

Two schoolgirls with disdain walked past her.

Carrie thought it was bad.

She quickly pushed her bike forward, but after taking a few steps, a figure blocked her path.

It was Chris, looking quite displeased.

Carrie didn't dare to argue and wanted to avoid trouble, so she tried to pass from another direction but was blocked by Chris.

With no other choice, Carrie timidly looked up and greeted Chris.

"Hey, C… Chris."

"Wow, wow, wow, come and see who it is. It's Carrie. I thought our school had a new weirdo coming in."

Chris approached enthusiastically, making a scene and attracting a lot of onlookers. The two girls who had mocked Carrie earlier stopped to watch.

Carrie could only show an awkward expression.

Chris, with her typical redneck appearance, had long brown hair and a sun-tanned body. Only her eyes were pale.

Her attire was fashionable and often admired by the boys at school.

"I can't believe it, Carrie, that I ran into you at the school gate today."

She came up and put her arm around Carrie's shoulders.

The forceful gesture made Carrie very uncomfortable, and she habitually lowered her head, avoiding the gazes of those around.

"Why did you come so late today? Let me guess, did you hide at school and only dare to come out in the early morning?"

"Chris, what do you mean by that? Did you lock Carrie in the classroom yesterday?"

The two girls chimed in, like a supporting act.

"No, I wouldn't play such a childish prank."

Chris's attitude was arrogant: "I was planning to take Carrie to a nearby pig farm. Since she's a weirdo at school, she should find some 'friends' at the pig farm!"

"Are you talking about the caretaker, Dave? He's a weirdo too. They would make a good match."

"Exactly!"

Carrie's mood was extremely anxious.

All she could hear were Chris's arrogant words and the murmurs from other students.

Carrie kept her head down, nervously glancing towards the alley she had just passed.

Seeing no one in sight, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Carrie? C-Carrie, why… why aren't you replying? Are you satisfied with the arrangement I made for you? Hahaha!"

Chris exaggeratedly imitated Carrie's way of speaking, making several students around laugh, while her best friend Sue looked somewhat uncomfortable and even frowned slightly.

It seemed she felt the jokes had gone too far.

"What's wrong with Carrie? I'm just kidding. Don't take it so seriously. Why don't you give some feedback?"

Chris tightened her grip on Carrie's arm, pulling her even closer.

"Sorry, Chris."

Carrie lowered her head again, trying to break free from the grip.

But Chris wasn't done; she pulled Carrie to face her directly.

"Hey, my good friend Carrie, last night I was just teasing you. Those words were meant to make you hear them. You wouldn't really be too scared to go out, would you? Tell me, what time did you hide last night?"

Carrie's expression changed, and her gaze under her hair showed some anger.

But to Chris, this gesture didn't seem threatening, but rather a provocation of her status.

Chris reached out and tugged at Carrie's face.

"Come on, Carrie, give me a smile. You should really consider Dave. He's so lonely at the pig farm. It wouldn't be bad to keep him company. It's better than having a pig-headed baby as a hybrid in town in a couple of years. Hehe."