Author's Note: Hi everyone! I'm back! I'm so sorry for not posting this yesterday, I had company over and there really wasn't anytime. Anyway, I've been getting a lot of great ideas (thanks to a few reviewers XD) but I've already written multiple synopsis for the future chapters so I apologize if this story is going pretty slow. I'm not the best writer, but I'm so glad I've gotten many positive reviews so far! I won't ramble any longer, enjoy!

~Sofi

Chapter 2: Dwindling Hope

How do you stop one person that seems to hold all the power? How do you deceive the deceiver? Those seem to be to the questions running through the minds of each youth of Riverdale.

The arrest of Archie Andrews shook the small town nearly to the breaking point. Nearly. The residents of this once bloodless town were now gradually losing faith.

As Hiram slowly grew his empire, the girl-next-door, Betty Cooper, began to investigate.

"You guys gotta believe me. I didn't kill Cassidy." Archie pleaded, rushing up to steel bars encasing him as Jughead paced around the room.

"Don't worry, we believe you Arch." Betty exclaimed, sitting in a chair near the window next to Veronica.

Jughead stopped pacing and took a seat next to Betty, the puzzled expression staying ever present on his face. "It doesn't make any sense. You said Andre did it, right? So they have zero evidence against you."

"That's what I thought," Archie explained, never letting go of the metal bars. "But there's something I need to tell you. I think Hiram is behind this."

"Well that's not unexpected, but why would he wait until now? Nothing makes any sense!" Jughead ran his hands through his hair in frustration. Why can't anything just go right for us?

"Don't worry Archie, we will figure this out. We will." Betty said, glancing towards Archie. He gave her a nod in return, but she could see a hint of worry. Betty couldn't blame him, for she wasn't totally convinced herself.

"Excuse me," Sheriff Minetta announced while walking through the door. "I'm going to need you two to leave."

'"Of course, come on Betts." Jughead, Betty, and Veronica rose from their seats in synchronization.

"We'll get you out of here, promise." Explained Veronica as she looked back at Archie. "I love you," she whispered, giving him a quick kiss between the bars before retreating from the room. Archie held on to the kiss, basking in the feeling for as long as possible. It would be awhile until he experienced the wonderful sensation again.

Jughead eyed the sheriff as he exited the room, his brows knit tight on his forehead. Minetta eyeing him as well, battling a silent war against Jughead. Eventually, Jughead took the defeat and hurried, behind Betty, out of the sheriff's sight. He couldn't help but think it was a metaphor.

. . .

"Jug, we've been at this for hours. We have nothing!" proclaimed Betty, throwing her hands up in a panic.

After their conversation with Archie at the station, Jughead and Betty headed to the Blue & Gold office to prove Archie's innocence. After nearly 3 hours of intense investigation and note-taking, they came up empty. Their hope was dwindling dangerously over the edge of the cliff that was Archie's freedom. But they had promised him they would prove his innocence, and there was no way they were giving up after just 3 hours.

"I know, Betts! I know," snapped Jughead, Betty flinching at his rising tone. "Sorry I'm just . . . I'm not giving up now, Betty." Jughead walked over to the bulletin board they had precariously set up, where their murder-board used to be.

"No I'm sorry," Betty replied in a soft tone, "Let's just review everything we have." She hopped off the desk and stood beside Jughead, viewing their possibilities.

"Okay so, we can testify for his innocence. We were witnesses and Archie did not have a gun." Jughead spoke up, still unsure of their chances. He walked over to a round table in the corner of the office a picked up a small notepad. He scribbled three names: Betty, Jughead, and Veronica. He drew a line under each and wrote 'witnesses'. He quickly walked back to the board and firmly attached it with a thumbtack.

"I also have an idea," Betty said, snatching the notepad away from Jughead and repeating his actions. She thumbtacked another paper onto the board. Upon the paper written in perfect handwriting were the words 'Expose Hiram'.

"I like the way you think, Cooper." Jughead smirked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. A mischievous yet determined expression masked the young detective's face. Maybe we can do this after all.

"Alright so here's the plan," Betty began while turning towards Jughead. "I'll talk to Veronica over the weekend if she isn't already put on house arrest."

"Got it," Jughead replied, meticulously bringing together the plan throughout his vast mind. "I'll go around talking to anybody I know to see what I can get on Hiram, that sound good?"

"It sound perfect," Betty grinned, gathering her stuff together. "Now I gotta go before Mama Cooper puts me on house arrest."

"You sure I can't give you a ride home?" Jughead offered, untying the jacket from his waist and returning it to his shoulders.

"I'm sure," She walked over to Jughead and gave him a passionate kiss. Her heart still fluttered a thousand times more each time she did it. "Love you, Jug. See you tomorrow!"

"Love you too, Cooper, see ya." Jughead replied smugly, a goofy grin staining his face. And with that, he strolled out of Riverdale High into the crisp, cold atmosphere of dusk.

. . .

Betty drifted along the sidewalk that lined the houses in her neighborhood. As she took a breath, Betty watched the wispy cloud leave her mouth and disappear among the breeze. Her steps echoed against the homes and traveled somewhere Betty could only imagine. Her hands trembled with an anxious feeling. She hated walking alone at night. As she continued on, she glanced into the windows of the houses, peering into the lives of Riverdale's residents. How perfect their lives must be right now.

Once Betty reached her home, she quickly rambled through her bag, pulled out her keys, and unlocked the door. She stepped into her house as a warm rush of air greeted her. She quietly closed the door behinder, for she knew her parents were asleep since she had been at the school all day. She walked into the kitchen and set her bag down onto the ivory countertop.

Betty sighed. It's all too much. She gently rubbed her temples, desperately trying to relax. She opened a cupboard slowly, preventing as much creaking as she could. Her steps echoed throughout the house as Betty filled her glass up with water.

A knock at the door caused Betty to jump.

Heart racing, she inched closer to the entrance of her home. Betty stared at the door, the only thing keeping her from the unknown beyond it. Hesitantly, Betty reached for the knob, a mischievous knave coaxing her to meet the foreign entity. Who would be here this time at night?

The door ominously swung open, but no one was there. There was just the bitter, portentous night staring back at her. Betty eased and let out a long sigh of relief. As she turned to return inside, she spotted something at her feet: a small, pale envelope.

Betty felt the anxious feeling rise in her gut once more. She falteringly grabbed the enclosure quickly. Her eyebrows twitched and knitted together as she glanced around the outside atmosphere, searching for any signs of life. Turning up unsuccessful, Betty retreated inside, the nervousness growing with every minute. She gently peeled up the paper, the envelope holding such mysterious yet intriguing promise. Pulling out the paper, Betty eyed the note.

Her hands began to tremble. Her heart race increased. Fear diffused into her. Enclosed into the envelope was a small piece of paper that read: "Watch your back, princess. We like the taste of snake blood."

To be continued . . .

Author's Note: I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Sorry if it's going a little slow, I don't want to rush things. Well not much to say, so I'll see you next week!

~Sofi