The Return of Black Hood – A Riverdale Story
Betty woke up in complete darkness. She couldn't see or hear anything. She could only feel. Feel the brutal pain in her body. Her back, her head, everything seemed to be aching. But that was nothing compared to what followed: fear that quickly turned to panic. „Where am I?", she cried nervously. Then she smelled the stench in the air. It was disgusting. She was on the brink of puking.
Suddenly she heard footsteps. They seemed far away, yet she realized that they were coming closer to her. „Who could that be?", she wondered.
Then she saw a dim light which became brighter and brighter. A few seconds later she noticed that it was a flashlight carried by the person who approached her.
„Who are you! Tell me!", she shouted bravely.
„Don't be afraid, Betty! It's only me. Dilton Doiley."
„Dilton Doiley?"
He was the leader of the scout group in Riverdale. After reaching the girl he asked her calmly. „What do you remember, Betty?"
„I was sitting in our principal's room. But he wasn't there. Instead, I remember you, Dilton. You were there."
„Yes, somebody told us to go to Mr. Weatherbee. But when we arrived there, he wasn't there. So we waited in his room."
„I don't understand it. How did we get here after waiting in Mr. Weatherbee's room?"
„Well, I see only one possible answer."
„Which one, Dilton?"
„Mr. Weatherbee is Black Hood."
„Our principal is this horrible criminal? The man who terrorized our town? The man who almost killed my best friend's dad?"
„Yes, I think so. I never believed that it was our janitor Mr. Svenson."
„Oh my god! I can't believe it!"
„You better do, Betty."
„But why should he take us to this strange place?"
„Because he must have felt that I was on the brink of revealing his second identity. I'm so angry with myself that I drank the water that he gave me."
„So you think he drugged us?"
„Yes. He definitely drugged us."
„But I can't remember drinking anything."
„But you're here, Betty."
„Yes, I'm here." Betty got up and looked around. „What kind of place is this, anyway?"
„It's an ancient cave which is full of waste."
„Oh. Now I understand why it stinks so much."
„Yes, the smell is really bad. But you get used to it. By the way, when you were sleeping, I was looking for an exit."
„And did you find one, Dilton?"
„No. I only found that we're not alone. This cave has some more inhabitants: rats. I think the waste has attracted them."
Betty moved closer to Dilton. „Rats? I hate rats!"
„Me, too. But don't be afraid, Betty. I will protect you."
Then he put his arm around her. She didn't refuse it.
„Thanks, Dilton. I'm glad that I'm not alone with rats in this cave."
„I'm glad to help you, Betty."
„It's a little bit strange", Betty said after a while. „In Jughead and Archie I have had two heroic friends. But now in my darkest hour it's you, Dilton, who is by my side."
„Yes, I know. Jughead and Archie are much more attractive than me, the ugly nerd. With such handsome boyfriends, why should you even look at me, Betty?"
„I'm sorry that I didn't pay the attention that you deserve, Dilton. But believe me: I never regarded you as a nerd. You are a scout, which makes you someone whose mission is to help and protect other people. That's a noble and selfless thing that I appreciate a lot."
„You can't imagine how happy I am to hear this, Betty, because I have always admired you. You are so sweet and pure. A role model in every way. The best thing that Riverdale has ever produced. So much better than maple sirup."
Dilton pulled Betty closer to him, while slowly moving his lips to Betty's.
„No!", Betty suddenly shouted and stood up. „Don't do that! Don't kiss me!"
„But why? You aren't anyone's girlfriend at the moment! And I love you!"
„But I don't love you, Dilton!"
„Oh. I'm sorry, Betty. I didn't want to push you."
„Okay."
„Do you want one of my pills, Betty?"
„What kind of pills?"
„Oh, they are good. They help me calm down when I'm stressed out."
„Okay."
Dilton took a pill out of his pocket. „There you are, Betty."
Betty reached out her hand and accepted Dilton's pill. „Thank you."
Then she put it into her mouth. But just before she swallowed it, she felt a strange emotion in her stomach. Her gut feeling told her not to eat this pill. Because what if this pill was the reason why she couldn't remember anything? What if Dilton Doiley was Black Hood?
To be continued.
