Apologise for the lack of updates. A heart issue and trip to A+E have started a few months of health issues. I will try and update as much as I can

xxxxxxxxxx

Downstairs the men stopped and looked up as they heard the same noise as the friends had heard.

"What was that?" One asked, pushing back a large painting.

"Ryan is probably showing dear 'jughead' his talents for making people silent" Cassidy said. "I can't control him sometimes."

"You know who I am, you know I am good for the money. Let my friends go, let Jughead down here, and I will get you all you would ever want." Veronica spoke up. Though she was not always a fan of Jughead and his ways, she wouldn't want him to come to harm. She knew she needed to make a move.

"The rich kid is right, there is no safe around here. Lets just get some money from her and go." One of the men approached Cassidy.

"No. Its here somewhere. Go and check on Ryan." He instructed. The man headed up the stairs, taking two at a time.

"How many times do I have to tell you. We don't have a safe and if we did, I have no idea where it is." Veronica said. "Let me call my dad, we can get you whatever you want…"

"No! Shut up Lodge." Cassidy raised his voice.

"We have to make sure Jughead is ok." Betty whispered to Archie.

"I know. But remember, Jug is a tough one. He can handle himself." Archie replied. He looked up as the man popped his head down the stairs.

"Cass man, you got to see this." He said. Cassidy looked from the teens to the man at the stairs.

"Watch them, if they move. Shoot them." Cassidy headed up the stairs and left the man standing in front of the group. Archie looked at him. He didn't look as determined as the others, maybe he was a way to get on top of the situation.

"Look man, Cassidy is going to get you, all of you, in a lot of trouble. You haven't done anything wrong right now. Just let us go and….." Archie stood up.

"No! Sit down." The man looked at Archie, but Archie was not about to back down. He had his 2 favourite women to protect, and he needed to get to his friend.

"There is time, go. Take one of the cars….."Archie said. The man was not impressed. He advanced on Archie and pointed his gun at him.

"I said sit down kid." The man almost growled.

"Arch!" Veronica said.

"No Ronny, I have had enough of this." Archie stepped forward. "Tell Cassidy, we demand he lets Jughead down here now." The man glared at Archie and raised his gun. In a second he clattered the side of the gun against Archies temple. The teen fell to the ground stunned.

"Archie!"

xxxxxxxxxxx

Cassidy stood in the doorway of the bedroom. Jughead was sat on the bed, his hands still bound. Ryan stood beside him.

"What the hell is going on in here Ry?" Cassidy asked.

"You need to see this man." Ryan grabbed Jugheads arm. Jughead tried to fight him off but Ryan held him down. He pulled the sleeve up and revealed the tattoo.

"What the hell?" Cassidy exclaimed walking forward and looking closely at the tattoo. "Where did you get that?" He asked.

"Where do you think?" Jughead shot back at him, a bit more sash then he should have shown to a man with a gun.

"You are too young to be a serpent"

"That shows how much you dont understand us. Half the group are my age, all go to local schools with me." Jughead explained.

"Wow, Serpents are going downhill Ryan." Cassidy said. Jughead jumped up and faced Cassidy.

"How dare y…." He started to protest but Cassidy punched him in the jaw. Jughead fell back on the bed but at an angle, he rolled off and hit the floor. Cassidy stood over him.

"Whats your name?" he asked him. Jughead was still reeling from the impact on the floor, his head was slightly fuzzy.

"Why?" Was all Jughead managed to ask.

"Because I asked, and I am the one with the gun. They called you Jughead. No way thats a real name. If it is, your parents need to go back to parent class." Cassidy said. He pulled his leg back and released a kick to Jugheads stomach. Jughead coughed out the pain as best as he could. "Name?"

"Forsythe….Pendleton…..Jones." Jughead managed to say.

"F P Jones…...you his kid?" Cassidy asked him. Jughead composed himself and stood up facing him.

"How do you know my father?" Jughead asked, struggling to breathe between words.

"Where is he?" Cassidy asked. Jughead looked at him confused.

"Tell me, how do you know him?"

"You are not the only kid to grow up in or around the Southside Serpents." Cassidy said.

"You are a Serpent?"

"I didn't say I was a Serpent. But I know them, what they are, what they do to families."

"What they do…..? We dont hurt people." Jughead said.

"They hurt mine." Cassidy replied.