If it were ever possible for time to stop, then I am pretty sure the presence of the Lady in Black standing by the bar door successfully achieved that goal. Every Serpent in the room stood around, frozen in place with their mouths agape, staring at the drama that was unfolding in front of them.
I couldn't help but feel Jughead's tension and rage as he pushed me behind him protectively, keeping one hand in mine to reassure me. The silence in the room was finally broken by the raised voice of my mother coming to my defense.
"EXCUSE ME?! Where the hell do you get off-" was all she managed to scream before FP placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and pulled her away to keep a brawl from breaking out. She turned to glare at him until he gave her a soft look letting her know she needed to back down.
"It's ok Alli, let me handle this." he pressed kisses to her temple before turning to acknowledge Gladys. Gladys climbed up on stage as FP met her half way to stand face to face with her, glaring the whole time.
"Why the hell are you even here Gladys? I didn't figure me being released from jail was something you'd come running home for." FP asks, clearly anxious, rubbing the back of his neck as he sighs. I peak slowly around Jug's shoulder just in time to see Gladys shoot daggers at me.
"Geez, if looks could kill..." I huff under my breath only loud enough for Jughead to hear. 'What did I ever do to her to make her hate me this much?' I wonder. Gladys steps around FP to come closer to Jughead and I. His shoulders tense even more and I know his anger is shooting through the roof right now. She gives us both a hard look and looks back at FP.
"Well, JB called me and let it slip that JJ here got himself some northside princess to be his girlfriend. Now imagine my surprise when JB mentioned she was also joining our gang. I thought it best that I be here to see this, but what JB failed to mention was that he was dating a fucking piece of trash Cooper." she spat at me.
"WATCH IT GLADYS!" Jughead shouted at her, venoming dripping from his words. His face hardened and his breathing became heavy. I knew that he was about to lose it at any moment so I place my free hand under his shirt on the small of his back, rubbing my thumb lightly across his skin in an attempt to give him some comfort. Skin to skin contact has always calmed me and I'm just hoping to do the same for him in this intense situation.
I can feel his tension start to fade as he breathes a loud sigh before he continued. "Look, let me make one this clear to you Gladys. You will not come into MY bar and speak to MY Queen in that way, do you hear me?" he commands, never once showing any signs of backing down. Gladys' eyes filled with hatred as she pushes forward to get into Jughead's face. I coward in fear behind him but he keeps my hand firmly in his grip to keep me with him.
"Excuse me boy? YOUR bar? I think you mean mine and your father's bar? Last I checked, I'm still the reigning Serpent Queen, and I'll be damned if I give my title up to some whore that easily." Gladys crossed her arms triumphantly and stared Jughead down, but he just looked at his father with an amused expression and shook his head.
"She doesn't know, does she?" Jughead said, chuckling at FP who just shrugged and scratched his chin, nodding in return.
"Nope." He said, emphasizing the 'P', "Didn't see a point since she had no plans on coming back. And how she reacted when I got... well you know all that." FP stated quietly. Even after all these years he still hates himself for the role he played in helping Clifford Blossom cover up Jason's murder.
Gladys looked back and forth between the two men with a confused look and waited on them to explain. "What in the hell are you two babbling on about?" she demanded. Jughead let out another laugh and motioned for his father to explain.
"See Gladys, the thing is, you aren't the Serpent Queen. Haven't been since you left. And as far as the Worm goes, you have no stake in this bar. Or this gang as a matter of fact." FP explained plainly. The fire that had dimmed in Gladys' eyes was now a blazing inferno as she listened to FP speak.
"What the hell are you talking about Forsythe? Of course I'm the Queen, what the hell does this jacket mean if I am not?" she spat at FP. Before he could reply, Jughead stepped forward dragging me with him.
"What he means Gladys is that your name was never on the deed to this bar. You never had a stake in it. It has and always will be a Jones family legacy and, well, .not. ." Jughead growled through clenched teeth. I knew that Jug had a strained relationship with his mother but I never imagined the intense hatred that was swimming through the air right now. It broke my heart for him that she never got to see the good man that he became. He stood confident in front of everyone and continued.
"And, you never completed you initiation so technically you're not even a real Serpent. Dad and Grandpa kept meticulous records when it came to initiations, and you only became 'Queen' when you got knocked up and Dad married you. The last actual Queen to do the initiation was Alice Smith, there go, Alice is Queen and has already relinquished that title to Betty. So, I will say this one last time, you will NOT talk to her that way in MY bar, got it?" With that he turned to grab my clothes before leading me off stage to go change before we have to face whatever fresh Hell that was surely on the agenda for the evening.
I glance at the table where my friends are just in time to see Veronica mouth 'What the fuck' and Kevin and Joaquin in a secretive discussion. From the look on his face I have no doubt that Joaquin is explaining the awkward situation with whatever details he has. I look away and follow Jughead's retreating form back to my 'dressing room'. He half heartedly smiles at me and holds the door open so I can step inside.
As I pass him he turns to face his Dad, "Dad, I know this is your celebration, but I need a minute. I just...I don't want to be disturbed for a minute, handle this for me? Please?" he says while closing the door, locking it before he collapses into the plush chair we moved in here for the night. He leans forward, his shoulders shuddering, elbows on his knees and face in his hands as he speaks.
"Jesus Baby, I am so fucking sorry about her. I have no idea what the hell Jelly was thinking telling that witch about you and me. By now she should fucking know better than to tell Gladys anything. She knows I don't really get along with that woman and haven't for years. The fact that she showed up here and said those things about you. God-" he choked back frustrated tears.
My heart continues to break for the man I love in front of me as I step between his knees, hugging his head to my stomach and soothing him by running my fingers through his hair. He whimpers and wraps his arms around me so tight I can hardly breathe but at this moment I don't care. All that matters is Jug and our relationship.
"Juggie, look at me." I say. He lifts his head to look at me while still hanging on for dear life. "I don't care what that woman thinks of me. She can hate me for what my mother did, she can hate me because of which side of town I was raised, and she can even hate me for taking her 'title' as Queen. But none of that matters to me, as long as I have you and we love each other. Gladys doesn't scare me, she doesn't intimidate me, and I will not let her run me off. I love you Jughead Jones, and nothing's gonna change that fact."
Jughead's eyes fill with fresh tears, happy ones this time, as he pulls me into his lap to crash his lips into mine. Our innocent, tender kisses shared between two lovers start out slow at first but quickly become something more. They are fevered, animalistic even. I can feel his hands everywhere through the soft silk of my robe and I realize I am mostly naked still from my dance. Jughead protests as I break away from our kiss to stand.
I run my hands down the valley of my breasts towards the knot that is keeping my robe closed. His eyes darken as his tongue swipes across his bottom lip, wetting it. I take my time undoing the tie before I let the robe slowly fall to the floor and bend over to remove my panties, never breaking eye contact. He lets out a lustful moan as I stand there in nothing but a pair of heels and pasties, just two tiny little crowns hiding my raised nipples.
"Jesus Princess, you know you're gonna be the death of me right?" he says as he pulls me closer to run his hands and lips over my body, making me shiver at his touch.
"Well, let's find out just how much you can take... Strip. Now." I whisper seductively. He gives me a devilish smile as he stands to brush his lips against mine. "Not so fast, what's the magic words Princess?" he runs his fingers down my bare arms causing goosebumps to form in his wake.
"Please... my King." I say softly as I lower myself to knees, looking up at him through heavy lashes. Jughead moans and starts to tear his clothes off as fast as possible before scooping me up off the floor to have his way with me. He lays me back against the chaise lounger while out tongues fight for dominance.
He trails hot kisses down my neck while removing my pasties to get access to my hardened nipples, pinching and rolling them between his fingers. "God you are so beautiful Betts. I love you so much it fucking hurts. I can't be without you Betty. Ever. Please baby, I need you." Jughead's pleas are so consuming that I can't deny him anything he wants.
"Then take what you need, you have all of me already. Just take what you need." I gasp as I feel him thrust into me, his hot breath and tears on my neck. There is a desperation in his movements, a primitive drive pushing him to take all of me. I cry out as I feel myself building to my peak, screaming his name as I crash down, my body convulsing with pleasure.
Jughead continues to drive into me, harder and faster than before, not satisfied until we are both spent. His lips overtake mine as he thrusts deeper, smacking his hips into mine, causing me to feel my climax approaching once again. He takes me higher and higher and with his last thrust we both reach our crescendos and come together. I can feel myself pulsing, pulling every last drop from him and I hold him until he collapses. I wince as he rolls off of me before he pulls me into his arms and tries to bring his breathing back to normal. We lay there silently for a few minutes before he speaks.
"Do we have to go back out there Betts?" Jughead whispers while stroking his hand up and down my back. I sigh knowing that as much as I don't want to, we have to face whatever happens next. It won't do any good for us to hide from it and it won't show us as good leaders to the rest of the Serpents either.
"I know you don't want to go out there, but we need to deal with this situation before it gets worse. No matter what, she's still your mother, even if she isn't a good one. We'll handle this together Jug, just like we always do. Ok?" He smiles at me and sighs. He knows I'm right and he knows that there is no point in delaying the inevitable. "Come on baby, let's get this over with."
Once we are both fully clothed, we step out into the bar where everyone has gone back to doing their own thing and celebrating FP's release from prison. I look around the bar and spot JB and Gladys in a booth at the back while FP and my Mom are slow dancing to some old love ballad. If I didn't have knowledge of what had happened just an hour before, it would have been a beautiful sight.
Jughead gathers his nerves and squeezes my hand before pulling me into the direction of his mother and sister. He knows it's now or never and I want this over just as much as he does. No matter how hard I try, I can barely remember the woman in front of me. She is much older, and her hair is a bit more grey, but her eyes are just as I remember: hard and cold. It's something in my dreams about Juggie that I have never been able to forget. The cool steel expression that she gave me when she ripped him out of my life as a child.
"Gladys-" I nudge him gently. Jughead clears his throat and begins again, " Mom, tell me, why are you really here?" He asks. Gladys stares back, mock hurt on her face.
"What? I can't want to see my kids? And meet my son's whor-, um I mean, his girlfriend?" Just from the way Gladys strained to say those words, I knew it pained her to even have to breathe the same air as me and my Mom.
"Well Mom, you saw me. I'm doing fine. Just like I was doing fine at 15 when you cut me off for coming back home. Oh and like when I was 18 and graduated highest in my class. Oh and when I helped clear Dad's name, or when I turned the Serpents clean. I was fine all those times, without you, and now that I've found Betty again, I'm more than fine. I'm the best I have ever been in fact." Jughead's expression softened when he said those last words and I couldn't help but beam with pride. I loved this man more than I could ever express and I know he feels the same.
Gladys could only stare down at her nearly empty whiskey sour, face giving off a somber expression. I could tell she was upset at his words. Maybe a part of her knows she has been a shit mother to her son and wants to make it right. Then again, maybe she is just pissed that she has lost her title and family to the woman she hates the most and her daughter. Either way I want to attempt to make peace with this woman, for Jug and Jelly's sake at least.
"Mrs. Jones, look. I know you and my Mom have a... painful history, but I'm here to tell you, I am not my mother. I love Jughead, he's it for me. I want nothing more than to be with him and make him happy. I promise you, I will never do anything to intentionally hurt him." I try to show her how sincere I am but her eyes shoot up to mine with that same raging fire.
"Oh is that so? Would that before or after you get divorced Mrs. Andrews?" I flinch at her use of my married surname which she notices right away. She raises her voice and points her finger in my face.
"Yeah, that's right, I keep up with all the news in Riverdale. You think I didn't know you're married to that piece of shit? That-that monster that RAPED my baby and you expect me to welcome his slut into my family, just like that?! You make me sick, coming in here seducing my son, giving him God only knows what diseases after you were with that pig. You will NEVER be good enough for my boy. And the sooner he realizes that and throws your sorry ass out, the better." Gladys' cruel words stabbed at my heart while she continues to call me names.
The momentary shock had at her words starts to fade and all I could feel was my darkness starting to rise to the surface. I feel myself start to spiral and instinctively curl my fists in, but before I can break the flesh I am pulled out of my thoughts by a raging Jellybean throwing her drink on her mother.
"That's enough Mom! Are you serious right now? First you insult Betty, who by the way is one of the sweetest, most caring people I have ever met but then you shout to the ENTIRE bar what happened to me?! Then, somehow, you have the nerve to blame Betty for the monstrous things that creep did when she was a victim too? This conversation is over, you need to get out. NOW!" Jellybean was seething at this point and the entire bar was surrounding us waiting for orders in case Gladys tries to make more of a scene than she already has.
"Forsythia I-" Gladys started, shocked and dripping with margarita remnants. Before she can continue FP steps up to the table.
"You heard her Gladys, get the hell out. And don't think of stepping foot in this bar ever again. My last official act as King before our boy takes over completely is stripping you of your Serpent title and jacket. Hand it over and get out. I won't ask again." FP holds his hand out waiting for her to place her jacket into it. She gets up, a mixture of embarrassment and anger in her expression, and throws the wet jacket in FP's face.
"Fine, I'm leaving. But just know," she turns to face Jughead and Jellybean, "from here on out, you are both dead to me. As far as I am concerned, I have no children." And with that, Gladys Jones stormed out of the bar as fast as she came in. Jughead pulled a shaken Jellybean into an embrace as she broke down into tears over all the things her mother said and did, not just now but in the past as well.
"Juggie, take her upstairs. I'll get everything taken care of down here and I'll be up in just a few minutes. Ok?" I whisper to him while he comforts JB. I see him nod and help his broken baby sister up the stairs. I turn and approach the bar where all my friends are still sitting in shock.
"Guys, I am sooo sorry about everything you had to see tonight. This night was supposed to be fun and damned if that woman didn't come in and ruin it." I sigh while taking a seat at the bar, pinching the bridge of my nose to stop a headache from forming. Veronica lays her head on my shoulder while Toni rubs my back, both trying to reassure me and calm me at the same time. No one dared to say a word, well that is until Kevin couldn't take the silence any longer.
"Hey B look, it wasn't all bad. The drama was riveting, we got to watch you go all 'Fear Factor' and be buried in snakes, you did that flawless performance to my favorite song by The Weeknd, and if we are being honest, I for one had no idea you screamed like that during sex. Jughead must really know what he is doing in that department." Kevin blurts out and winks before Joaquin smacks his chest and gives him a look. But it's too late, I am already utterly mortified.
"Oh God, did the whole bar hear us?!" I bury my face in my arms on the bar, trying to hide my crimson blush. I'm going to have to speak to Jughead about sound proofing these walls if he wants to keep having adventurous sex all over the bar. I can still feel the heat in my cheeks as everyone around me chuckles.
"Don't worry Cousin, anyone who has been in this bar at least once in the last few months has heard you two going at it at some point. We are all quite used to it by now so no need to be ashamed. In fact I agree with Kevin, if nothing else, we know Jughead knows exactly what he is doing in the bedroom." Cheryl chimes in, making me blush even more. 'Can the floor swallow me up now?' I think.
"Ok, that's it, I'm done. I'm gonna head upstairs and check on Jelly before I crash. You guys are welcome to hang out as long as you like. Toni, Sweets, will you guys lock up after last call?" My friends nod and wish me a good night before I turn to carry myself up the stairs to call it a night.
So much had happened in the last few days, hell in the last few hours, that all I want to do right now is be with Jughead and forget the rest of the world even exists for awhile. By the time I reach the door to our apartment I could feel the adrenaline crashing, just making my need for sleep all the more real.
I'm not too surprised when I turn the doorknob and am met with nothing but silence. As I approach Jellybeans' room I can faintly hear Depeche Mode humming on the other side of the door and figured it was probably better to leave her alone for now. I can check on Jellybean in the morning, right now I am far too exhausted to think about anything else but sleep. At least that was, until I walked into mine and Jughead's room.
I see his clothes from earlier piled on the floor, bathroom door propped open just enough for me to make out the sound of running water. As tired as I was just seconds before, I know I can't resist sneaking into the shower with my man. I peel my own clothes off as I watch him through the frosted glass of the shower door. Even with the distortion, he is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. They were right, Jughead definitely knew what he was doing in the bedroom and I was addicted.
As I slide the door open slowly he keeps his back to me letting the cascade of water rain down on him. I can see from the tension in his shoulders that this night is weighing him down as much as it has been for me. I grab his body wash and squeeze some into my palms before rubbing my hands together to get up a good lather. I start slowly, washing and rubbing his shoulder muscles before moving down his spine, covering every inch of his back in the shuds. As he steps further under the water I watch his tattoo become visible again once more, no longer blocked by the soap.
His relaxed moans are enough to encourage me to keep washing him, to make him feel better, to make him forget the horrible night we had. I snake my hands around his hips, lightly tracing my hands along the V of his pelvis before Jughead spins around to slam me into the wall. His lips are on me in a flash, biting and suckling at the tender spots on my neck and behind the ear. I can feel how aroused he is and it only serves to make me want him that much more.
"You're all mine, aren't you Princess?" Jughead whispers into ear, tongue gliding along the curve of the lobe before gently tugging at it. I am so turned on by his domineering attitude that I can't think to speak, only nod to confirm his question. He chuckles into my ear and continues to suckle on my skin.
"No Princess, use your words. Are you mine?" He whispered against my lips as he brought his hand up between us and slipped his fingers inside me. The pressure that he placed on my sensitive sex with his thumb just tips me closer to the edge.
"Yes Juggie, I'm yours, forever. Please." I buck against his hand, riding out my current wave of passion and begging for more. I need him more than I have ever needed any man before in my life. He was like a drug that I can't get enough of and never want to give up. I want him, and only him, forever. He pulls his hand away and kisses me hard while I wrap my legs around his waist before he thrusts himself into me, exciting a gasp in response. He halts to let me adjust before he continues, moving slowly in and out of me, dragging along the sensitive walls making them clench.
Of all the places we have done it, I dare say sex in the shower is one of my personal favorites. There is just something so sensual and intimate about the act and it never fails to be an enjoyable experience for both of us. As our bodies move together I hear his jagged breaths as he grunts and mumbles.
"Mine...all mine...Need you...stay...forever...love you...mine...mine...mine..." I feel myself tumbling over the edge and as I fall, I drag him with me. Once our breaths are evened out he sets me back onto my own wobbly feet so we can get washed again before we step out of the shower. He sit hasn't said anything more to me and I'm starting to worry that something Gladys said could have affected him deeply in some way.
"Juggie?" I say as he steps out to grab his towel and hands me my own. We dry off and slip into some night clothes but the entire time I can feel his eyes watching me. Like he is afraid of something or that I might disappear at any moment.
I can see from his face that whatever is bothering him is eating him alive and I want to help him unburden himself. He must be able to read my worried stare because he looks at me with such pain that my heart shatters. "Juggie please, talk to me." my voice quivers. He steps forward and grabs my hand.
"Promise me Betts. Promise me that we won't turn out like FP and Gladys. Promise that you are mine, forever. Please?" the look of agony on his face just breaks me apart. I never want to see that look on his face ever again.
"Juggie, I meant what I said in there. .yours. Forever, or for however long you will have me at least. I mean that." I say, grabbing both sides of his face so he has no choice but to look me in the eye. I try to bore that truth into his eyes so he will know that I mean what I am saying. "I love you Juggie, only you."
"I love you too Betty Cooper." He pulls me close and we fall asleep wrapped in each others arms.
"Ok Serpent's, listen up. This is Betty's first meeting as an official Serpent and I want you guys to treat her with the trust and respect I know you already have for her. There will be no secrets when it comes to my Queen and she holds as much authority as I do. Is that understood?" All those in the room shouted their agreement.
Jughead and I stood at the head of a long conference table surrounded by all of the Serpents, minus the Prospects and some older snakes who preferred to spend their time inside the bar to be Jug's eyes and ears on the floor while these meetings took place. This was the first time I was allowed to be a part of any actual Serpent business, even though it had been a month since I was crowned.
I had my suspicions that there was something going on behind the scenes that was pressing but Jug wanted more intel to formulate a plan before he included me in it. He had been on edge a bit lately and I had noticed he had been a lot more clingy, not that I minded in the slightest. I loved being wrapped up in his arms and spending time with him. But there was still that fear in the back of my head.
"Ok, have any of the scouts seen or heard anything?" Jughead asked. Sweet Pea stood very rigidly and spoke.
"No boss, seems that whatever the Ghoulies are planning, they've been keeping it to themselves. Haven't had any clues since... the note was left on your bike." This bit of news startled me, though I tried not to show it. But just hearing the Ghoulies being mentioned causes my body to shiver. 'What note? What isn't Jug telling me?' I wonder before bringing my attention back to the discussion at hand.
"...if you see anyone who looks out of place or new, you all know what to do. We're going to increase patrols in the area and double the security rounds, at least until we figure out what the hell Malachi's angle is or if he is just working for someone else. Ok, now the next order of business..." Jughead continued but I had completely tuned out what he was saying, still trying to figure out what pieces I was missing and determined to get the truth out of Jug after the meeting.
"Ok guys, that is all for now. You're dismissed." All the Serpents began to file out the door but I remained planted firmly in my seat, making it very clear that Jughead and I had some more things to discuss. After the last person walked out, Jughead closed the door and locked it before he walked over to me, lifting me up to set me on the table so that he and I were closer to eye level.
"Ok Princess, what's wrong?" Jughead said softly as he tucked a few stray hairs behind my ear. I know whatever is going on, he is just trying to keep it from me to protect me but I am a part of this now and I need to know everything.
"Juggie, what aren't you telling me. And don't lie to me, I want the truth." I demand. Jughead brings his hands up to cup my face and stares into my eyes. The fear and desperation in them is evident but I also see that he knows this won't go away by hiding it.
"I didn't tell you before because of the initiation but then things escalated and now there are more threats and I'm afraid of what will happen. And dammit, I can't lose you Betts. I am the Big Bad Serpent King and I'm terrified of what might happen to you." Jughead's eyes fill with tears and his voice trembles showing me his fear is real.
"What's going on Juggie? Nothing's gonna happ-" Jughead pulls me into an embrace stopping my sentence in its tracks.
"The Ghoulies Betts, that's what is going on. There's been a threat, a very real one...against you." Jughead whispered almost like he was afraid if he said it that it would come true. I felt a cold chill run down my body and tried desperately to find the ability to speak.
"Wha- why? What did they say? Jug, am I in danger?" So many things were running through my head that I wasn't even sure what to expect next. Jughead continued to hold me as he spoke.
"They somehow caught wind that I have taken you as my Queen and they want to use you as a bargaining chip to get me to be...compliant. Ghoulies have been trying to push drugs back into the Southside ever since I pushed them out and they're looking for any weakness that they can use against me. They know that unless they have some leverage they won't get what they want out of me." Jughead's fingers twitched in that tell-tale sign that he was craving a cigarette but he is trying to resist the urge to leave the room so we could talk more. He had quit for a bit but the last month had been so stressful for him that I decided against nagging him when he picked it back up.
"Those damned freaks hate the fact that the Serpents are making the Southside better and also making a profit off legit business deals so they want to hurt us, mostly me, in anyway they can. I waited to tell you because I didn't know if they were just rumors but a few weeks ago I got a note that was very clearly a threat against you, so I couldn't keep it from you anymore." Jughead walked over to his desk and pulled out a worn slip of paper.
'Can't wait to hear how that bitch of yours
screams when we all get a taste of her. Better
hide that pretty thing away or the next time you
see her will be when you are collecting what's
left of her in the river. -M '
Jughead can see how visibly shaken I am as he brings his arms back around me and holds me to his chest. "I swear Betts, I won't let them touch you. I will kill each and every one of those bastards before I'll ever let them hurt you."
"I know Juggie, but what are we going to do? Have the guys heard anything about what they might be planning?" Even though I'm terrified of what the note implies I know that right now I need to be smart and help the gang figure out what the Ghoulies could possibly be planning. I walk over to the other side of the room and grab Jughead's cigarettes and bring them to him.
"Baby, I know you don't like me smoking. I can wait." Jughead tries to push the pack away but I grab his hand to stop him. I slowly pull the cigarette out and put it between his lips before opening his zippo to light his smoke for him. He takes a long drag then closes his eyes and blows it out slowly. "Thanks baby."
"So what are we going to do now Juggie?" I ask. I can see from his expression that he is struggling with an idea but he is afraid that I won't like it. "Just tell me Juggie."
"Well babe, the only thing I know to do now is to give you a bodyguard, at least until we can figure out a plan of attack. You're gonna need protection around the clock if I'm not here. I can't let anything happen to you." Jughead brushes my hair back from my shoulder and buries his face into my neck as he hugs me close. I wrap my arms around his head and try to keep him grounded and calm.
"It's ok Juggie, I will do whatever will help you sleep at night. We will get through this together." I pull his head up to give him a kiss before embracing him once again.
All I can see is darkness, just a black and endless void. No light, no breeze, no indication of where I am other than the broken down tombstones and the horrid stench: the smell of rotting flesh and death. I try to struggle but this only serves to make the chains around my neck and waist tighter.
I know that I have to use my head if I ever want to get out of this, I just wish I knew what he was doing and how I got here. I feel my breath starting to get harder and harder to take. "Juggie, where are you? Help me..." I gasp.
"No one's gonna save you now Blondie." A chilling voice echoed in the darkness."And once we are through with you, you're gonna beg for death to take you." I feel the chains squeeze tighter and tighter and tighter as a hand reaches down to unbutton my pants. I beg and fight until all I can do is scream...
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I claw at my throat, desperate to get the unseen chains off my neck. I can feel hands on me but I flail in an attempt to keep my captor away from me. I continue to scream and cry while someone shakes me gently.
"Betts, Betty, wake up Betty! You're having another nightmare! Wake up!" I snap out of my dream state to see Jughead hovering over me, fear and concern etched on his features. I look around in my confusion and see that I am still in our bed in our room at the bar. The moonlight shining into the room illuminates it just enough for me to see clearly. There is no darkness, no unseen evil, no chains binding me.
"Oh Juggie..." I choke out as the tears break through. In one motion he lifts me up and cradles me on his lap. The sobs that escape my body are just as bad as they were all those months ago when the nightmares first started. I thought that I had moved past this fear. It had been almost three months since my initiation and two since the Ghoulies had threatened to attack and kidnap me from the Worm.
I spent my time always looking over my shoulder, always in constant fear, to the point where I no longer wanted to leave the bar. Not even when I knew I would have someone with me. There were too many risks and once the panic attacks started again, I knew there was no stopping the eventual nightmares.
"Shhh, Betts, it's ok. I got you Princess, you're safe. I promise I will protect you. Forever baby. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. I swear." Jughead's voice is soft and reassuring, but I am just so tired. Tired of the fear, of the nightmares, of the paranoia. I don't think I can take it anymore and I am done being afraid. I knew Jughead had shot down the one good idea to stop the Ghoulies because it was too much of a risk but I was tired of hiding.
"Juggie, I know you may not want to hear this, but I think we need to think on Sweets plan more. It's a good idea and I know you won't let anything happen to me." I can see him about to protest so I cut him off to continue, "and before you say anything, just know I want to do this. I want this to be over so we can go back to how things were before. I know you are scared but we have some pretty skilled badasses at our disposal and I think it's time to use them." He looked straight ahead for a moment, trying to decide what he should do next.
"Can you really handle it Betts? It's not going to be easy and there is a good chance that it can go sideways really quick." Jughead lifted my chin to look into my eyes and I nod in response. "Ok, if you are sure, then I guess we are using you as bait."