Malachai entered the house shortly after 11 p.m. The street was silent, only the wind stirring the dry leaves in the garden. He climbed the stairs with calm steps, but he didn't get very far.
Cory was in the hallway, leaning against the wall next to her open bedroom door. She wore the black silk robe that parted slightly at the neckline, her hair loose and her eyes bright under the dim light. She didn't say anything at first. She just looked at him, as if measuring every inch of his body.
Malachai stopped two steps away.
"You're awake." He said quietly.
Cory took a step forward. Her hand rested on the doorframe, partially blocking the way.
"I saw you leave Beth's house." She whispered. "And I saw you come back. You were walking… differently, like you were uncomfortable in your crotch."
Malachai looked straight into her eyes without flinching.
"I went because she called me. We just talked, nothing interesting."
Cory let out a low, almost bitter laugh.
"Just talked?" She asked, moving closer. "Or did she touch you too? Did she look at you like you're the only thing that matters in this damn town?"
Malachai didn't step back.
"I didn't lie to you before. Nothing happened that you wouldn't want to know about."
Cory raised her hand and placed it on his chest, right over his heart. Her fingers closed slightly on the fabric of his t-shirt.
"I don't want to know what happened with her. I don't care." She whispered, her voice cracking just a little. "I want to know… what's happening with me. Because every time I see you with someone else… it feels like you're leaving me behind. And I can't stand that feeling."
Her fingers slid down a bit, tracing the line of his pectoral.
"Before you were my boy. My little one. And now… now I look at you and I see a man. Strong, self-assured. Capable of making anyone feel safe just by being next to them." Her voice broke. "And I'm dying for you to be the one who protects me. For you to look at me the way you look at the Coopers… at Beth."
Malachai covered her hand with his own, stopping it over his chest.
"I'll never leave you behind, Mom. Never."
Cory looked up. Her eyes were wet, but also burning.
"Then prove it to me." She whispered. "Tell me I'm not just the mother who stays waiting by the window while you go off with others. Tell me I'm important to you too. That you want to protect me too. That you also… desire me."
She moved closer. Her lips almost brushing Malachai's, so close their breaths mingled. Suddenly she closed her eyes and closed that tiny remaining distance. Their lips met in a chaste, trembling kiss, loaded with everything she didn't dare say out loud.
Malachai didn't move. He let the kiss linger. He felt the warmth of her breath, the slight quiver of her lips against his.
When Cory pulled back, she was breathing hard.
"I-I-I'm sorry…" She whispered, panic creeping into her voice. "I-I don't know what I just did."
She turned and hurried into her room, slamming the door shut.
Inside her bedroom, Cory leaned against the closed door. Her body was shaking; it felt like she might go into full panic at any second. Her hand went to her chest, feeling her racing heartbeat, she was convinced her heart was about to explode.
'What… what did I just do to my own son…' She thought, disgusted with herself, but…
Cory brought her fingers to her lips.
'They were so soft… so delicious.' She bit her lower lip and gently smacked her forehead in shame.
'I'm such a terrible mother.'
Cory slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor, staring at the ceiling.
Tomorrow she had no idea how she could face her son without feeling ashamed and repulsed by herself.
Malachai had stayed in the hallway for a moment. A small, amused smile curved his lips.
'That was unexpected. Let's see what happens tomorrow.'
He went into his room and closed the door. He turned on the light and opened his laptop. Determined to search for information about the Dagger of Maturin. He wasn't sure he'd find anything, but it was worth trying.
Eventually he found dark references in urban legend forums and obscure websites.
The Ritual of Chüd was the way to defeat Pennywise: a psychic confrontation where collective belief and courage made IT doubt its own invincibility. But to touch Its true form (the Deadlights) without going insane, a physical anchor was needed: the Dagger of Maturin.
In local Derry legends (and now in this fused Riverdale/Derry), it was said that the Dagger of Maturin a silver dagger engraved with the symbol of the Turtle was hidden in the abandoned house on Route 17 (the same one from The Conjuring cases). The dagger could wound IT on both the physical and psychic planes.
Malachai marked Route 17 on his digital map. That was the next destination.
'I need that dagger before Pennywise attacks again. And I need allies. Someone with powers, or at least someone who won't shit themselves facing Pennywise.'
Malachai closed the laptop and lay down. In his mind the plan was already forming: find the dagger, strengthen his inner circle, and set the stage to confront Pennywise.
But he also knew Maria was falling in love. And that made her more vulnerable… He still wasn't sure whether she was a Shining user in this universe, or whether Airam was simply Maria's dead twin sister turned into a vengeful spirit. He'd have to figure that out and see if Airam could be useful when the time came to face Pennywise.
The Horrorverse was closing in around him.
And Malachai would be ready to dominate and kill them all if necessary.
He would be the King in this Horrorverse.
No one would stop him.