Chapter One : Not Again

Junior year was starting, but after everything, the thought seemed so inexplicable. Everyone who knew what Betty had gone through, had promised to keep it a secret. Betty had stated very clearly she just wanted to start junior year without the past following her around like a prowling lion.

The first day of school had been mostly uneventful. Despite Cheryl acting super nice around Betty, things were on their way to going back to normal.

Sitting around a table in Pop's, Betty clinked glasses with Veronica. Archie had his arm around the Latina and Betty leaned into Jughead's body. "To the official start of school," Veronica grinned. Jughead clinked his already half empty milkshake to Betty's cup and Archie clinked his soda to Veronica's milkshake.

"Didn't school officially start when the first bell rang?" Betty joked lightheartedly.

Settling into their seats, the group fell into easy conversation. Betty's hair was loose, falling down her shoulders with soft curls. It had been of the first days she hadn't worn a ponytail to school and she kind of liked the feeling of freedom. It was almost as if, wearing her hair down, was almost a silent defiance to her mother. After all, Alice was the one who liked the ponytail in the first place.

The young blond woman kissed Jughead's cheek and leaned into his warmth once again. A smile flickered across his face, and the two tried to ignore Veronica and Archie's shared look.

"So… new school year resolutions,"

"V, the start of school isn't like the start of a year," Betty grinned, laughing softly.

Archie shook his head and leaned into the booth seat, "Maybe, get back into music, I guess." He suggested, putting an arm around Veronica's shoulder. The Latina grinned and cupped her boyfriend's face, kissing her lips.

Betty rolled her eyes and looked away from the couple, out the window. It was dark out, the clouds dancing in the sky and the stars speckling the black void. For something so… peaceful, Betty shivered uneasily.

When Veronica and Archie finally drew away from each other, Veronica fixed her gaze on Betty. "What's bugging you?" she asked and brushed her hair from her eyes.

Betty felt all three pairs of eyes look at her with enough concern to make anyone uncomfortable. "Nothing," She shrugged simply, staring at the night sky so she wouldn't have to see everyone look at her. The truth was… something was wrong… she just didn't know what.

"My resolution is to try and start writing something important again," Jughead said randomly and Betty felt the eyes leave her. She held his hand and squeezed it to show her gratitude.

"You'll find something," Betty promised and got the flood of unease wash against her once again.

What had happened?

The group stayed at Pop's for another hour before Jughead and Betty excused themselves and left. One could only listen to Veronica go on about new clothing lines in different countries for so long. Jughead had the least patience for this topic, and it surprised Betty that he had lasted so long.

Now Jughead and Betty were walking to Jughead's motorcycle. The cold silence claimed by midnight gripped Betty like a snake. "Jug," she whispered.

Jughead stopped walking and offered a warm smile. "Yeah?"

The young woman's gaze traveled to the forest and she felt the uneasy feeling prickle on her skin. "Follow me," Betty said bluntly and walked toward the forest. Jughead followed closely behind. Something was out there.

"What?"

Betty felt her heart race when she heard a yell of agony and pain. The young woman backed into Jughead's embrace and swallowed hard. "Did… did you hear that?" Betty asked, voice cracking with horror. Jughead's hand went to his pocket and he pulled out a knife.

Footsteps raced in the trees and Betty shook with fear. To her relief, the footsteps faded but her relief was short lived when she heard a weak gasp in the distance. Betty tore herself from Jughead's comfort, forcing herself to be brave.

"He… help…"

Betty raced into the trees, Jughead running after her in dismay. "Betty!" he called desperately but she ignored him. Someone was hurt.

Looking to the floor to find safe footing, Betty felt her mouth go dry at the sight. The undergrowth and stepped on and crushed with footsteps. Still, the worst part was the fact the droplets of thick blood leading farther into the trees. Jughead was still pushing branches away in an attempt to catch up.

Betty followed the blood trail, heart pounding in her chest. "Hello?" she whispered in fear. A ragged gasp was the reply. The Northsider rushed forward, ducking under the tree branches. When the blood trail ended, only a body was left.

"Oh my god, Chuck!" Betty gasped and crouched down.

Chuck was sprawled on the ground with his eyes fluttering open and closed. Blood pooled in his stomach where it was clear a knife had once been. It was clear what had happened, Chuck had been stabbed in the chest three times, right where his lungs should be.

Pressing her hands to the wounds in an attempt to stop the bleeding, Betty felt tears cascade down her face. "No, no, stay with me…" she pleaded desperately. She felt Jughead's footsteps stop and she knew he had just laid eyes on Chuck's body. The Serpent king kneeled down beside them felt for a pulse in Chuck's neck.

"Is he alive?" Betty asked weakly. She heard Jughead sigh shakily.

"Barely," He answered, pulling out his phone.

"Please, Chuck!" The young woman sobbed, the young man's blood clung to her hands and wrists as she tried to stop the bleeding. It wasn't working. Betty looked to the young man's face and watched and his eyes flickered shut for the final time. His breath left him with a soft breath and she felt his body loosen.

Betty let out a horrified wail and Jughead wrapped his arms around her, pulling her away from the body. Tears poured down her face, Chuck's blood still thick on her hands.

Her mind flashed back to her kidnapping and she shook her head violently. "No…" She cried, breath hitching with horror. "Jug! Jughead, help him!" Betty screamed and Jughead held her head to his chest and rocked slightly. Still, the panic wouldn't leave her.

"An ambulance is coming…"

"It won't help! He's dead!" Betty wailed and closed her eyes tightly. "Jughead please…" She whispered, at a complete loss for words. "Not again…"

"We'll catch whoever did this… I promise," at his words, Betty could only nod slightly.

They would catch the person before they hurt anyone else. They had to. Riverdale couldn't have another serial killer.

"No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away."

-Terry Pratchett

A/N: Done! Hope you enjoy! Next chapter will be posted after four reviews.