"Wait, what?" Archie exclaimed.
"The deal was with him too." Veronica said.
"I never said that. He is that 'Opportunity' I spoke of. My business with you lot is over. Leave here."
"No. You said you would let us all go." Archie stood his ground. Cassidy stood and faced him.
"I said no such thing. I have bigger plans for him. And they don't feature you and the rest of the Scooby Gang here. Leave."
"I am not leaving him alone." Archie said through gritted teeth. Cassidy pulled out his gun and raised it so Archie could see it.
"I think you are." Cassidy said. "Leave here in one piece, or with holes in you. Your choice." Veronica pulled on Archies arm, trying to get him to follow them.
"Come on Archie please. " She begged him.
"I can't go Ronnie." He looked at her.
"I know, none of us want to leave him. But we have too. We can all work together to get him out. FP wont stand for it." Veronica said.
"If that was me. He would not leave me…..or anyone. I am not….going." Archie glared at Cassidy.
"Ryan! Bring our guest back out." Cassidy called up the stairs, not taking his eyes off Archie. For a second Archie thought he had won, and Jughead would be coming back with them. Ryan appeared on the stairs again. Archie had not noticed before, but Jugheads hands were tied behind his back and he had bruises showing on his face. Ryan was once more holding the young man around the neck. Cassidy walked up the stairs and placed his gun against Jugheads head. "I have no problem pulling this trigger. And with Ryan being a crack shot too…...I dont like Jugheads chances!"
"Wait! No!" Archie said.
"You three are leaving now…...or I will shoot him." Cassidy threatened.
"I….I can't…."Archie looked at Jughead.
"Archie….please." His friend said.
"Arch, please we have to go." Betty had been crying and looked at her boyfriends face. She hated leaving him too…...but knew it was too risky to stay. Her and Veronica pulled Archie away.
"I will be back Jug…...I will." Archie said. He kept his eyes on his friend as the girls dragged him away. He was going to be back. No one was going to do this to his friends.
RRRRRRRRR
The three teens ran out the door and down the pathway. Their parents stood in anticipation as they ran up to them. Each teen fell into their parents arms.
"Oh Meha. I am so glad you are safe." Hiriam kissed Veronicas head.
"Betty, thank god." Alice was crying hard, hugging her daughter. Fred took his sons head and brought him in for a man hug.
"Are you hurt?" Fred asked him.
"No dad I am okay." Archie said. Fred looked over his sons shoulder to the front of the house.
"Where's Jughead?" he asked.
"He…..they wouldn't let him go. We have to get him out." Archie said turning to Hiraim.
"Why won't they let him go?" Alice asked.
"They kept saying something about plans. They know he is a serpent." Betty said.
"If those crooks have business with The Serpents, we cannot stand in the way." Hiriam said.
"Daddy…...they are dangerous. They have guns and they will not hesitate to hurt him. Something is not right here." Veronica said.
"You are safe and that's all I am concerned about." Hiriam replied.
"So you dont care that Jughead…..my friend is still inside. In trouble?" Veronica crossed her arms and looked at her father.
"We cannot mess with The Serpents and whatever issues they have."
"What if that was me in there…..they decided to keep me….."
"You are my daughter, I would do anything to save you. He is not my son."
"He is my friend. We have to help him Daddy. It's your fault he is in trouble." Veronica said.
"And how do you figure that Veronica?" Hermonie asked.
"They came here looking for your money. They knew you, they knew you would have some. As soon as they realised who Jughead was…...their plans changed."
"That is none of our concern Meha." Hiriam said.
"Well it has to be. He may not be your son…..but he is someones son. He is FP's son. He means a lot to us all. To your own daughter. Are you really going to walk away and leave a poor childs life in danger." Fred said.
"Would the Serpents come to help us in our time of need….."Hiriam said.
"Yes they would and they have. Jughead helps anyone when he can." Veronica said. Hiriam looked at the faces of the people around him. The teens, the parents….all looking at him with disapproving eyes.
"Well we would need to know what exactly they want with him." Hiriam gave in."By the sounds of it, it wont be long before they do." Archie said.
"There is something they want, and Jughead is a part of it now."
