Richie was going for broke today, apparently, and had zero of the (admittedly small amount) common sense he usually had. Maybe it had something to do with the magic powers going on here. Or having just shown up after killing It. Maybe it had to do with his grief, with knowing that the body of the guy he -- of. Of his best friend probably wasn't cold underneath all of that rubble on Neibolt yet.
Self preservation didn't feel very important just now. Although it was kinda amping up once all the choking started up because that was awful and terrifying.
Luckily for him, maybe this other dude and possibly the world in general, a redhead came and saved his life with some firm words.
Or, well, after some firm words, and right before Richie passed out. Whatever it was holding onto his throat let go and he tumbled to the ground and was not too proud to admit he absolutely threw up this time around. And he didn't even have his fucking jacket to wipe his mouth on. "What the fuck is </i>that</i>." he said flatly of the red glowy sword, and he probably shouldn't have asked. He probably should have just thanked Not-Beverly and maybe gotten the fuck out of dodge --or as far from this scene as possible. But that'd require standing.