Saturday morning, Malachai came downstairs to the kitchen expecting to find Cory preparing breakfast as usual. But the house was silent. The coffee maker was cold, the table empty, no note in sight. Only the echo of his own footsteps.
Cory had left early. Probably before dawn. She surely didn't want to face him after the kiss from the night before. She didn't want to look into his eyes and remember the heat of his lips, the guilt that had struck her like a whip when she pulled away and shut the door.
Malachai smiled to himself as he prepared a black coffee.
'She's hiding… but not for long. She already took the first step. The rest will come on its own.'
He sat at the table with the map open on his phone. Route 17 was marked in red. The abandoned house where the Dagger of Maturin was supposedly located. He decided to go on Sunday at dawn. With his current powers he could fly effortlessly, allowing him to get there and back in less than an hour.
At 11 a.m., Betty texted him.
Betty: "Can we spend the afternoon together? I want to see you… I want to talk about us."
Malachai felt a gentle warmth in his chest. Betty was no longer just another girl. She was the first one who had truly chosen to be his, without fear, without doubts.
Malachai: "Sure. I'll pick you up at your place at 3. Let's go somewhere to hang out."
At exactly 3 p.m., Malachai arrived at Betty's door. She came out with a nervous but radiant smile, the soft pink sweater hugging her figure, tight jeans, her loose hair falling over her shoulders like a golden waterfall. Her eyes shone with a mix of shyness and determination that made something tighten in Malachai's chest.
"Hi…" She whispered shyly.
"Hi, you look beautiful, Betty." Malachai held out his hand without saying anything else.
Betty took it and laced her fingers with his. The contact was electric, warm, as if their hands had always been meant to hold each other.
"Thanks, Malachai, you look really handsome too." She said, cheeks flushed pink.
They walked together toward the river park, the afternoon sun warming their joined hands, the fresh air carried by the trees along the path.
Betty broke the silence first, her voice low, almost trembling.
"Malachai… I want you to know that what I feel for you isn't a game. It's not just because you've been protecting me. It's not because you saved my sister from that clown. It's not because you make me feel safe. It's because… when I'm with you, I feel like I can be myself. Without fear. Without holding back. I feel like you really see me. That I'm not just the perfect debate club girl or the good Cooper daughter. Just… Betty. Simply Betty."
Malachai stopped in the middle of the path. He looked straight into her eyes. The world seemed to freeze around them: the distant sound of cars, the voices of people passing by, everything faded.
"Betty." He said softly, opening up for the first time since arriving in this universe. "You're not just another girl to me. You're the first one who chose me without knowing everything I am. The first one who looked at me and didn't back away. The first one who made me feel that… maybe everything I do is worth it."
Betty felt tears burning her eyes, but she smiled.
"So… we're something? Right?"
Malachai raised his free hand and slowly caressed her cheek with his thumb, as if afraid he might break her.
"We're boyfriend and girlfriend." He said firmly, yet his voice carried something that almost resembled tenderness rare coming from him.
Betty let out a soft laugh through happy tears. She threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest. Malachai wrapped his arms around her, feeling her warmth, her racing heartbeat against his. The hug lasted exactly as long as it needed to: long, tight, as if both knew the world could wait.
When they pulled apart, Betty looked at him with shining eyes.
"I love you." She whispered, without fear, without hesitation.
Malachai leaned down and kissed her. The kiss was slow, deep, filled with everything they hadn't said until that moment. Their lips moved with tenderness and hunger at the same time. Betty sighed against his mouth, her hands sliding to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Malachai pressed her against him, feeling every curve of her body, every quickened heartbeat.
When they separated, Betty's cheeks were flushed and her breathing uneven.
"Let's go to the park." She whispered, laughing softly. "I want to be alone with you for a while."
They reached the river park and sat on the bench of the old dock. The slow, gray water of the Sweetwater lapped gently against the pilings. The sun warmed their shoulders. Betty leaned her head on Malachai's shoulder, their hands still intertwined.
"I never thought I'd get to this point someday." She whispered with a smile.
Malachai looked at her, amused.
"Why not? After all, you've been seducing me with your math explanations." He said, letting out a small chuckle.
Betty looked up with a pout and bit her lip.
"You're an idiot. But you're my beautiful, big idiot." Betty kissed him again, this time a little bolder, slipping her tongue in first.
This kiss was longer and more intense. Malachai's hands went to her waist, pulling her closer. Betty sighed against his lips, her fingers tangling in his hair. The kiss deepened, grew urgent, filled with mutual desire. They parted gasping, foreheads pressed together.
"I love you." Malachai whispered, saying it out loud for the first time.
Betty smiled. "I love you too."
They stayed on the bench a while longer, arms around each other, talking about small things, planning the immediate future. Betty wore a smile that lit up the entire park.
As they walked back toward the main street (Betty had to stop by her house), both their phones buzzed. It was Veronica.
Veronica: "Hey, little lovebirds. 😏 Polly just told me she saw you holding hands at the river park a while ago. Is it official? If so, congratulations. Why don't you come by my place this afternoon? I have something to show you. And I want to celebrate with you guys. I'm not taking no for an answer. 6 p.m. Come hungry, I've got pizza and snacks. 🔥"
Betty hadn't even pulled out her phone, she had first peeked over Malachai's shoulder at his message and blushed to her ears when she read it.
"Polly…" She whispered. "Of course, she must have followed us and watched everything. And Polly definitely told Veronica all about it." She sighed in defeat, slapping her forehead with her palm.
Malachai shrugged. "Do you want to go?"
Betty smiled, a little nervous. "Sure. Veronica's good people. And… I like her knowing we're together. Even if Polly ruined the gossip." Betty laughed quietly. "Looks like we're in for an interesting afternoon."
Malachai grabbed her by the waist and pulled her toward him. "As long as I'm with you, every afternoon is interesting."
Betty blushed and stood on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss on the lips.
At exactly 6 p.m., they arrived at Veronica's house in Malachai's truck.
She opened the door with a huge smile, tight jeans and a black top that hugged her figure.
"The official couple!" She said, hugging Betty first. "Polly sent me the photo an hour ago and I couldn't believe it. You look so cute holding hands. Come in, come in. I've got pizza, soda, and a perfect couch for gossiping."
From the living room emerged an older woman. She wore an elegant yet casual outfit: impeccable white blouse, fitted black pants, hair pulled into a perfect bun. Her eyes landed first on Betty, then on Malachai. She assessed him head to toe with that piercing look only a woman like her could have.
"So you're Malachai." She said, extending her hand. "Veronica won't stop talking about you. And now I see why."
Malachai took her hand firmly.
"Thanks for having us, Mrs. Lodge."
Hermione, Veronica's mother, smiled, though her eyes didn't quite match. As she shook his hand, her mind was racing.
'Wow… this boy is more than interesting. Tall, strong, seems self-assured. Those shoulders, those arms… clearly works out. And that cold… hot look. Very hot. If I were twenty years younger…'
She shook her head inwardly, maintaining her composure.
"Call me Hermione. And congratulations on your relationship, Veronica told me she's very happy for you both. You look good together."
"If you ever need anything… you know where to find me."
"Thanks, Hermione." Betty and Malachai said together.
Hermione turned and headed to the kitchen, walking with that elegant stride that seemed to make the air move around her. But in her mind, Malachai's image remained etched.
'Way too hot for this small town…' She thought as she disappeared down the hallway.
Malachai and Betty sat in the living room. Veronica served pizza and sat across from them.
"Okay, spill," she said, looking at Betty. "How did it happen? Who said 'we're boyfriend and girlfriend' first? Was it him or you?"
Betty blushed to her ears.
"It was… mutual. But he said it first. We're boyfriend and girlfriend."
Veronica clapped delightedly.
"Classic Malachai. Straight to the point, no messing around. I love it." She grabbed a handful of chips and looked at Malachai. "And you… what did you feel? Don't give me short, cold answers. I want details."
Malachai sighed and said, "I feel like Betty is the first person who saw me as I am. And didn't run away. That's worth more than anything else."
Betty leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Veronica smiled.
"You guys are adorable. Seriously. I'm really happy for you."
They talked a while longer. Veronica shared New York anecdotes, Betty recounted how Malachai had saved Polly, practically describing him like Superman, while Malachai listened quietly, but his hand never let go of Betty's.
When they said goodbye, Veronica hugged Betty.
"Take care of him." She whispered. "Even though he's always frowning and looks angry all the time, he's a good guy."
Betty nodded and laughed softly. "I will."
Malachai and Betty left holding hands. The sun was gone. The day had ended, and it had been perfect.
That night, after dropping Betty off at her house with a long kiss at the door, Malachai returned to his place. The house was still empty.
After eating dinner alone (Cory still hadn't returned), he went out to the dark woods behind the house and, since no one would see him, decided to keep practicing his telekinesis.
He focused, lifted a fallen 300 kilo log, and spun it in the air as if it were a feather.
Then he practiced flying. His feet left the ground. This time there was no wobble. He rose 20 meters, turned, accelerated in a straight line, and descended with surgical precision.
Now he felt it completely.
He could fly well. With total control. With speed. With freedom.
He could go to Route 17 and back in less than an hour. No one would stop him. No one would see him.
Malachai landed softly and looked up at the dark sky.
He decided he'd trained enough, went to his room, and opened the map again. Route 17. Dagger of Maturin.
Tomorrow I'll see if the dagger is really there. And then… Pennywise is going to learn who the real hunter is around here.
But first, he lay down and thought of Betty. Of her smile, her hug, her kisses.
Of Cory, Beth, Polly, Maria, Veronica, and Cheryl.
Even though nothing was certain with the last ones, he desired them, and he would protect them.
Pennywise wouldn't touch them. No one else would either.
And anyone who tried… he would destroy them.