I know I'm jumping ahead several years but I don't want this story to drag on and I felt it was time that I bring Freddy back into the story. Also took some inspiration from Steven King's It. The scene where Georgie meets Pennywise the dancing clown.

Freddy POV

I frowned as he looked at the picture of Crystal. It had been three years since she had left. Well, not left but rather had been forcibly removed from his home by her father. Her father immediately had their marriage annulled and she was married off to some rich kid. Why she hadn't divorced the snob and run away when she became legal a few years ago he didn't know. That is until today.

"Ok everyone, the new students and their parents will be arriving soon. Does everyone know the plan? Thanks to Freddy our landscape has never looked more beautiful. Let's all give him a round of applause shall we?" The Principal said and everyone started clapping.'

"It was nothing really ma'am." I replied shoving the picture down into his pocket. "I should get back to work. There's always something that needs fixing." I said starting to feel uncomfortable with everyone looking at him.

"Of course. Thanks again Freddy."

"No problem ma'am." I replied. As I walked out of the classroom I bumped into straight into Crystal. Who stumbled to the floor.

"Watch where your going you clumsy oaf!" A young man growled at me helping Crystal to her feet. "What's a guy like you doing wandering the halls of a preschool? What are you some kind of pervert?" The man I can only assume was her new husband demanded with a frown.

"No sir. I'm Freddy. I'm the groundskeeper here at the school." I replied. "I am so sorry Mrs." I replied pretending not to know her.

Crystal dusted off her dress as she stood to her feet. "That's ok. You must forgive my husband. He's greets a little over protective sometimes." Crystal replied. "Honey, you should apologize to the nice man you were very rude to him." Crystal said looking at her husband with a slight frown.

Her husband gave Crystal a your kidding me look but she placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot in irritation. "Yeah well, he should watch where he is going." Her husband replied and a small quiet giggle was heard from behind Crystal.

Maurice POV

"Daddy's funny." Catrina said with a giggle. Her eyes sparkling in delight.

"Maurice!" Your setting a bad example for our daughter now apologize this instant!" Crystal hissed.

"I am sorry." I replied quietly. I hated having to apologize to anyone. It was a sign of weakness in his world but his wife didn't understand.

"No harm done. I'd have thought the same thing if I'd seen a strange man walking around in the hallway of a school. What brings you here?"

"We were just dropping off our daughter for her first day of preschool." Crystal replied. "I'm afraid we are a little behind schedule. Can you show us the way to the main office?"

"If your in a hurry I can bring your little girl to her classroom. I happen to know the teacher she's assigned too." Freddy replied with a smile.

"That would be extremely helpful thank you." Crystal replied.

"Honey I don't think that's such a good idea..." I replied.

"Oh don't be ridiculous! I'm sure Mr???"

"Kruger. Fredric Kruger." Freddy said removing his brown fedora respectfully.

"Kruger? Oh yes, my men told me about you. Your the ******** 🤬 son of 100 maniacs. I wouldn't trust you to be within a hundred yards from here let alone leave my daughter with you." I replied.

"Maurice! How many times have I told you not to use language of that kind around our daughter?" Crystal mom hissed angrily covering Catrina's ears up and stomping on my dad's foot.

"Her little ears pick everything up. Besides, that was completely uncalled for! Please forgive my husband, he can be an idiot sometimes." Crystal replied. I frowned and I knew a fight was about to take place.

Catrina POV

I could see the anger in daddy's eyes as mom scolded him again. I knew that they were about to argue So i tugged at my mom's skirt and then looked from her to daddy. "Mommy, daddy me want to go home." I said quietly.

"Oh honey, it's just the first day jitters. You'll love school once you've gotten use to coming after a few days and it's only till lunch time. Now go on you don't want to be late on your first day." My mom replied.'

"Daddy, Me don't want to stay please don't make me stay." I replied tearfully.

"Catrina Rosealynn Tina Marie Bendito! You are going to go to school and that's final!" My mom replied swatting my behind.

At this it was my daddy's turn to frown. "Now who's being unreasonable? Don't be so hard on her Crystal. Perhaps she isn't ready to start school." Mom frowned and jabbed daddy in the chest. "Umph what was that for?"

"Catrina needs to learn to not try and pit us against each other. You need to learn to stick to your guns and not fall for those puppy dog eyes all the time." My mom replied and my dad sighed. She was right for once. They had to have a united stand on this issue.

"I'm sorry Sweetie but your mommy is right. You need to go to school. Everything will be ok and you can tell me all about your day when I get home from work ok?" My dad asked kneeling down and giving me a big hug. "Now be my big brave little girl and go on. You'll see us in no time." With that he and my mom turned and walked to the car leaving me teary eyed.

"Awe don't cry Catrina." Freddy said coming up behind me and placing a hand on my shoulder and I jumped back startled. "Aren't you going to say hello?" I shook my head no.

"Would you like some candy?" Freddy asked holding out four of my favorite flavored lollipops blue-raspberry, strawberry, watermelon and Cotten candy. I didn't respond I just stared at them.

I wanted them but I knew mommy and daddy had said never to to take anything from strangers. "Why don't you come with me and I'll introduce you to some of the other children and to your teacher." Freddy said with a smile.

"Mommy and daddy always told me I'm not supposed to take anything from or go anywhere with strangers." I replied quietly.

"That's very wise of your mommy and daddy very wise." Freddy replied. "My name is Mr Kruger but everyone calls me Freddy. Your name is Catrina Rosealynn Tina Marie Bendito. So now we are not strangers anymore correct?"

"Me don't know..." I replied hesitantly.

"Would it help if I told you that your mom and I are friends? We've known each other for a very long time. I have a picture would you like to see?" Freddy asked pulling out the picture of my mom and him together.

"You know my mommy?" I asked looking at him in confusion.

"I sure do." Freddy replied. "And I'm going to make that witch pay for leaving me." He thought evilly as he smiled at me. "Here why don't I bring you to your classroom and we can talk all about your mommy on the way there." He said with a smile.

"Ok. Me guess." I replied looking down at the ground and twiddling my thumbs nervously.

"Are you scared Catrina?" Freddy asked and I nodded. "I promise you there is nothing to be afraid of ok? This is a very safe and fun place you'll see. Your teachers and I will be here to protect you from strangers and your mommy or daddy will pick you up in the afternoon." Freddy replied as he led me inside.

"Who is this little one?" The teacher asked as Freddy brought me into the classroom.

"Her name is Catrina and I'm afraid she's a little shy." Freddy replied.

"Well Catrina go take a seat we are about to start class in a few minutes." The teacher said pointing towards the desks. "And Catrina, I
don't tolerate students being late to my class.
We have a lot to cover and we don't have time to wait for you. I'll excuse it for today because it's your first day here but don't let it happen again understand?" The teacher demanded.

"Yes ma'am." I replied quietly.

"Good now go take a seat." The teacher replied.

"Can Mr. Kruger stay with me for a while?"

"Absolutely not. Mr. Kruger has work to do and we have lessons to learn now go sit down before i put you in the time out corner!" The teacher replied sternly.

I reluctantly released Freddy's hand and went to take my seat. As I did Freddy whispered in my ear."don't worry Catrina , we can see each other at recess ok?" I nodded and sat down wondering what recess was and how long it would be before we got to have it.

It seemed to take forever for the recess bell to ring. "Ok everyone, it's time for recess. I want you all to stay in the yard and play nice." The teacher said opening the door for us to go outside. "Catrina you are to stay here." My teacher said as I started to head towards the door.

"But Me was going to see Mr. Kruger..."

"Mr. Kruger has work to do and you need to learn to do as your told young lady." My teacher replied grabbing my arm and shoving me roughly into a desk seat. "Now sit there and be quiet! Maybe this will teach you to arrive to class on time."

Freddy POV

I looked around searching for Catrina amongst the kids playing on the playground but She was no where to be seen. I glanced up at the classrooms and spotted her sitting at the desk looking out the window at all the children having fun. I swore under my breath that Witch had punished little Catrina for no reason. I hated that teacher.

She was an arrogant woman who thought she was better then every one else. Well I wasn't about to let her ruin my plans to get to know Catrina. If that woman was going to keep Catrina inside then I would just have to go inside and talk to her. I peeked into the door of the classroom and saw Catrina sitting at my desk with nothing in front of me.

"Can I help you?" The teacher asked when she spotted Me at the door.

"I was just looking for my little friend. We were going to play hide and seek together at recess today. Is everything alright?"

"I appreciate your concern Mr Kruger but Catrina needs to learn the importance of being on time. There will be no recess for her today." The teacher replied with a frown.

"That's a little unfair don't you think? After all, it is her first day. You know how the first day jitters are. I replied and the teacher sighed.

"Being new is not an excuse. My decision is final Mr. Kruger and if you don't get back to work I'll have to speak to the principal. I'd hate to see you let go because of goofing off with the children instead of doing the job you were hired for." The teacher replied.

I frowned and suppressed a growl how dare she threaten me. "Of course ma'am. What was I thinking?" I replied somewhat sarcastically. "I'll see you later ok little one?" I asked giving Catrina a wink.

Catrina nodded and give me a slight wave causing my teacher to frown at her once more. "I though I told you to keep your eyes forward and sit there quietly?" She demanded.

"I'm sorry." Catrina replied quietly looking down at the floor.

Catrina POV

Soon the bell rang and my classmates rushed inside. I watched as Freddy handed a little girl one of the lollipops he had offered me earlier and winked at her and whispered something in her ear. I frowned. Who was that and why was Freddy paying so much attention to her?

"Catrina! Would you pay attention!"

"Me sorry ma'am.

"Yes well, sorry isn't good enough. I think it's time you experienced the knuckle cracker and if you don't behave then it'll be the behind breaker!" At this a couple of the kids snickered. I reluctantly went up to her desk. "Put your hands up and your palms down." With that she began to strike me with her yard stick (a really big ruler) five times. "Perhaps that will teach you to behave." Tears we're up in my eyes at each hit by the time she was done my hands were as red as a tomato.

A little while into story time I really needed to go to the bathroom as did a few of the other girls. Finally after what seemed like forever it was my turn. I used the bathroom quickly and returned to my seat. Nancy then proceeded to go to the bathroom but a few seconds later she screamed.

"Nancy what's wrong are you all right?" Mrs. Leeson called to her and Nancy backed out of the bathroom and pointed inside. She took one look inside and frowned. "Class I want you to go outside and wait for your parents." As Nancy turned to leave she paused at the door.
"Mrs. Leeson."

"Yes Nancy?" Mrs. Leeson asked sweetly.

"Catrina was the last one to use the bathroom."

"Me didn't do it. Me is a good girl." I replied.

"You? A Good girl? Don't make me laugh! Your a disgusting little worm just like your mother! I should have known this was your handy work! You didn't like the knuckle cracker did you? You wanted revenge didn't you? Well I have news for you. Actions have consequences. Not only will you not be allowed to attend recess for two weeks you are going to get the behind breaker."

"Now, you are going to scrub that bathroom clean and it had better be sparkling by the time I return or you'll get another turn with the behind breaker.'Perhaps you should return to wearing diapers."

"Judging on this mess your not ready for underwear. I'm writting a letter to your parents advising them to find an alternative place for you your obviously not ready for pre-school."

"Me am too! Me is a big girl! You a big meanie. Why don't you like me? You like Nancy and the othea kids in the class. Why are you so mean to me?"

"Because that ***** 🤬 of a mother of yours stole my boyfriend. We had it all planned out we were going to get married but your mom had to come along and steal him away from me just like she stole everything else. Even my mother's love." Mrs. Leeson replied.