Thursday morning, Malachai walked down the main hallway of Riverdale High with Betty by his side. She held her books against her chest and spoke softly about the new topic the teacher had proposed for the tournament, but every few steps she cast shy glances at him, still blushing from the kiss the night before.
Malachai listened attentively, responding with short, precise phrases, when Veronica Lodge appeared from the far end of the hallway.
Veronica approached with confident steps, but this time her smile was more relaxed and direct when she saw Betty next to Malachai.
"Good morning, Betty." She said first, stopping in front of them. "And good morning, Malachai. You left me thinking yesterday. Not everyone jumps into an argument just to restore order without taking sides. That was… smart."
Betty smiled gratefully and opened her mouth to reply, but Veronica raised a hand gently.
"No need to say anything. I just wanted to thank you for being so kind yesterday. And you, Malachai, for keeping the club on the right track. I liked how you put it, debate is about winning with arguments, not with shouting."
Betty visibly relaxed.
"Thanks, Veronica. I'm glad you stayed in the club."
Veronica nodded.
"Me too. I think we're going to make a good team." She looked at Malachai. "If you ever want to practice or get my opinion on a topic, just let me know. I like you."
Malachai tilted his head slightly, amused.
"Anytime."
Veronica smiled at both of them and walked away with her elegant stride, leaving behind a faint scent of vanilla and confidence.
A few meters away, Cheryl Blossom was leaning against the wall, pretending to check her phone. Her eyes drifted toward the trio. When her gaze landed on Malachai, something shifted in her expression. The usual sarcasm softened for a moment. Her cheeks flushed with a faint blush she hadn't expected.
She quickly looked away, frowning as if annoyed with herself, and walked down the hallway with her head high, though her step was slightly less assured than usual.
Betty noticed Cheryl's fleeting glance and moved a little closer to Malachai.
"I think you made her nervous yesterday." She whispered with a small smile. "She's not used to someone confronting her like that."
Malachai just shrugged.
"Let her stay that way. The club works better without drama."
Betty brushed her hand against his a small but meaningful gesture.
"Thanks for being there."
Malachai didn't reply, but in his mind he was already planning the next move, inviting Veronica and Cheryl to "study" at his house next week. Neutral ground where he could observe them, measure them, and begin drawing them toward him. Veronica for her intelligence and boldness. Cheryl for her fire and pride. Both would eventually fall. He knew it.
After classes, Malachai was putting his things away when he saw Maria Brennan approaching down the hallway. She walked quickly, head down, shoulders tense.
When she reached him, she looked up. Her eyes were red, as if she had been crying.
"Malachai…" She said softly, almost trembling. "Do you have a minute? It's… important."
He nodded and led her to the library, to a secluded corner where no one would interrupt them. Maria sat down, hugging herself.
"My dad… today was worse." She began in a broken voice. "He came home early from work and found my journal. It wasn't anything bad, just… thoughts. But he got so angry he tore it up right in front of me. He yelled that I'm a burden, that I'll never be normal, that if I keep going out or talking to people… something bad is going to happen. He locked me in my room all afternoon."
She swallowed hard. "And the worst part is… sometimes I feel like he's right. I feel like there's someone else inside me. Someone who isn't afraid. Someone who wants… to come out. And that terrifies me."
Malachai listened in silence, without interrupting. When she finished, he spoke in a low but firm voice.
"You're not a burden, Maria. And what you're feeling… you don't have to face it alone. Your father doesn't get to decide who you are."
Maria looked at him with wide eyes, as if no one had ever said anything like that to her before.
"Do you really believe that?" She whispered. "Because sometimes… I feel like I'm going crazy. Like there are two people fighting inside my head. One who wants to hide forever… and another who wants… to break everything."
Malachai leaned forward slightly, looking her straight in the eyes.
"Everyone has parts they don't understand. But that doesn't make you crazy. It makes you human. And if that other part starts scaring you more than usual… or if you feel like something is watching you from inside… come find me. I live next to Betty Cooper. My house will always be open to you. No questions. No judgment."
Maria stayed quiet for a long moment. Then, with trembling hands, she took out her phone and gave him her number.
"Thank you… really. No one… no one has ever said anything like that to me." She blushed. "I'll text you if… if something happens."
Malachai saved the number.
"Do it. Anytime."
Maria stood up, still nervous, but with a spark of relief in her eyes. She walked away standing taller than before.
Malachai remained seated for a moment longer. Airam is close, he thought. Very close. I have to keep an eye on her before Airam wakes up or the clown hurts her.
That same afternoon, Malachai drove to the same deep clearing in the woods. No one would interrupt him there.
He parked the truck and got out. He concentrated.
First, telekinesis. He looked at the entire vehicle. The nearly two ton truck rose off the ground with a faint metallic creak. He held it suspended a full meter in the air for almost a minute before gently lowering it.
"Much better." He murmured.
Then he practiced his flight.
He focused on his own body. His feet left the ground three meters… five… ten. This time he didn't wobble. He floated steadily, turned in the air with complete control, and descended smoothly.
But then he decided to test something.
He remembered in the movie that the kids generated force fields covering their bodies almost unconsciously; that barrier effectively protected them from any physical attack.
He searched his truck for something he could use and found a fork. Just in case things went wrong, he decided to apply force gradually. He carefully pressed the fork against his hand and could feel it the force field protecting him. So he went for it.
With strength, he raised the fork and stabbed it into his hand with all his superhuman force. The barrier trembled but didn't break, and he felt no pain.
The fork bent completely and didn't even go through the barrier.
Malachai smiled coldly, feeling the power coursing through his veins.
Now, with this, he could move a little more calmly knowing the force field would protect him from any sneak attack. Of course, he would always stay alert he wouldn't trust the barrier completely and let his guard down. In this universe, dropping your guard meant courting death, especially now that he knew all the monsters lurking out there.
"Now if, Pennywise, come... I'll be waiting for you."