Chapter Fourteen - Judgement Day
FP couldn't believe his ears. Hiram Lodge was the Black Hood. And Hal knew. Did he die because he was going to rat Hiram out? Or was there something else? He had to rewind the video. Once, twice, just to make sense of it all.
"Listen to me carefully," Hal's voice started up again. "There's a bad man out there, Alice. Someone who's been manipulating me…..manipulating everyone he interacts with. His name is Hiram Lodge. We went to school together...our fathers were friends. But the Lodge family….they're bad people. They're corrupt in their ways. There's a reason I've never introduced you two, baby. He'll manipulate you and lie to get what he wants. And I think that's what he's doing now…..I think he's the one who called me to make me go after Fred and Grundy."
"Oh my god…." Kevin muttered behind him, but FP couldn't get his mind off the whole matter.
Kevin moved behind him and went over to where the bottle sat. He picked it up and took a good look at the logo. His eyes widened, almost dropping the bottle.
"What? What is it, boy?" FP directed his attention to Kevin while the rest of the video finished out. Shaking, the younger Keller handed the bottle to him, his fingers gripped around the logo. FP squinted, then his heart raced.
In silver lettering read one company - LODGE INDUSTRIES.
"Mr. Lodge did this." Kevin muttered, tears coming out. "He must have sent this while I wasn't here. Mr. Jones, he killed my father."
FP felt helpless. His boss was dead on the ground. Hal Cooper died to get the truth out about Hiram's true intentions…..but in FP's head it was already too late. HIRAM IS THE BLACK HOOD ALICE IS WITH HIM NO WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO TO ALICE -
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She wanted to turn away, but she couldn't stop staring at him. Hiram was the Black Hood, all this damn time. He lied to her. He sent her and FP down this violent, mind-fucking path…..and he was going to get away with it all.
Alice couldn't speak; the tears flowed down her cheeks in silence. How could she have been this stupid? Why did she think falling for Hiram's spell could be a good rebound from Hal? She felt disgusted. Blinded. Hopeless. Violated.
Hiram sighed and looked at her with a mournful expression. "Be honest with me, Alice. Did you ever once suspect that I orchestrated all of this? Even after we started dating?"
Her nails pulsed at her palms. She clenched her teeth together, telling herself mentally to just breathe. But she couldn't stop staring. Hiram stepped closer, his eyes giving off mixed emotions.
"It was never my intention to have them lay a finger on you through this whole process. I told them, point blank. Of course, my companion was a bit of a rule breaker. You have to believe me-"
"Believe you?" she spat out, backing away. She held out the file to him, gesturing to it violently. "You murdered these people in here." He took a step closer, making her more escalated. "You put me and FP through hell just to play your stupid game." He attempted to close the gap between them, but she violently pushed him back. "YOU FUCKING KILLED HAL!"
"Alice…." he kept his calm.
"AND YOU HAD THE GODDAMN AUDACITY TO GO AFTER MY SON. MY SON! TWICE!" Alice pointed a finger and cried. She gasped for air in between her sobs, her hands shaking. Hiram stepped in and grabbed the file from her hands. She looked up at him, not knowing what to feel for him anymore.
"How long, Hiram? How long have you been stalking me? Gathering the list of people to go after…..and the poems? How did you even find those poems?"
"Like I said….Hal always talked about you. What you liked. What you wanted in a romantic relationship." She wanted to slug him. He fucking murdered her husband. He caused this stress on her. And he called it love. "Hal was a good man, he truly was….but he was gullible. Just like his father. He loved you so much he was willing to do anything….even commit murder. Or did he not tell you of that either before he died?"
"Why the hell should I believe anything you tell me anymore?"
"Because it is the truth." he set the files down and took her hands. "The Conways had a plan for my father….to sell him out for whatever business he was doing before I took over. He couldn't lose it….his family, the business. So he had Hal's father go take care of the problem…."
She didn't want to hear it. Oh god, Hal's father killed the Conways. He was the Riverdale Reaper. That's why Howard went insane - he never knew that the killer was just an ordinary man. But then there was Joseph….and he was probably forced into silence by Fernando Lodge….just to be safe.
"My father was able to do it, keep a good alliances with the Coopers. I thought I could too with Hal…..when I had him go after Fred Andrews and Ms. Grundy."
"Oh my god." she shook her head. Why, Hal? Why did you let Hiram manipulate you like this?
"But he loved you too much. He couldn't hurt you more than he already had."
"Why are you telling me this?" Alice wailed. "So what? You had one of your men go take him out? Because he played whistleblower?" Hiram looked down, then returned her gaze in remorse.
"I didn't want to resort to it…..but it was better for me to confront him myself." She felt sick. Hal…. oh God, Hal…..
"What did you do to him?" she asked in a whisper. She didn't know why she asked….she already knew the answer….
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Hal was paralyzed. He couldn't make himself move, or even run out the door. He felt trapped.
"How the fuck did you get in here, Hiram? How did you get a key?" Hiram's smiled faded slightly as he stood up, never taking his gaze off him.
"One of the ladies downstairs let me in with a masterkey." He looked around the room, pacing from the window back over to the dining area. "I'm disappointed, Hal. You have all that money I've given to you over the years. Why settle for a shit hole like this?"
"I don't want your money." Hal replied, growing some confidence. "I let Alice have more of the money so she and Chic could use it in the future. They need it more than I do." Hiram rolled his eyes and smirked.
"Always so selfless, Harold." He stood up and paced around the room. Everything about his demeanor was offsetting. He wasn't here just to provide Hal with some money. He wanted something else.
"You hear about what happened to Fred Andrews a couple of days ago?" Hiram called out. "Apparently he was shot by a masked vigilante….maybe it connects to what happened in….Greendale?" What was he trying to get at? Would it be smart to call Alice? Or Keller? How did Hiram know…..WAIT.
Of course he knew. Hiram fucking made him do it.
"Hiram, if you don't get the hell out, I'll-"
"You'll what?" Hiram turned to him, his eyes like glass spheres. "Call the police? Do you really think it's that smart to tell them what we've been doing?"
"What YOU made me do!" Hal fired back, pointing a finger at him. He had to get out. He couldn't get Hiram to leave. Hal clenched his fists and moved into his bedroom…..he needed to get his suitcase.
"Seriously?" Hiram scoffed behind him. "You're going to skip town? With a killer on the loose? Pathetic…." he continued to talk, but Hal ignored him for the most part. He didn't want to hear anymore of it. He was making a plan in his head - pack up, turn the keys back in and close the lease, grab Alice and Chic, and leave Riverdale. If Hiram really was who Hal feared…..it could mean trouble for both of them. Including Alice. But what if he met her? Oh god…..what would happen if Hiram Lodge went anywhere near his wife?
In the background, the TV turned on. Was that…..was that the video from his wedding day? He turned around and saw Hiram standing in front of the TV watching his wedding ceremony.
"What are you doing? Turn that off!" Hal called out, but no response. "HEY DID YOU HEAR ME?" Still nothing. Sighing in frustration, Hal marched over to the living room and stood by the couch, where Hiram had made himself comfortable. His eyes were glued to the screen…..one person on the screen.
"She's beautiful." he muttered. Hal looked back and forth between the TV and….this intruder. "Remind me why haven't let me meet her?"
"You're fucking kidding, right?" Hal scoffed. "I don't know, because you're a goddamn criminal, and a sociopath….and you've done nothing but screw me and my family over."
"Is that how you view our relationship?" Hiram turned to him with sorrow eyes. "No….no, no, no. I'm making you a real man, Harold. I try to…..at least. But you haven't really made much progress. Especially with Alice." He turned back to the TV and his eyes glowed in a way Hal never seen them before. Hiram looked enamored, at peace….what did Alice have to do with any of this?
Then he remembered their long talks….Hiram asking about Alice. What she liked. Where she worked. What Hal felt like he was failing at when it came to being her husband. But how would shooting Fred Andrews and killing Ms. Grundy have to….. It clicked. Something inside his head was screaming. This new game Hiram is making him play.
It was to get her attention. To finally come out of the shadows and to have her meet him at last.
"You said Alice liked poetry, right? The classics? Edgar Allen Poe? Emily Dickinson? Well, I started reading them in the recent weeks…..I can see why she likes them. The meanings can relate to so many topics….can explain the actions of so many people…."
"Why are you doing this, Hiram?" Hal choked. He wanted to cry. He wanted to run out and go back to her. He needed to keep her safe. "Why Alice?" Hiram turned back to him and gave him a mournful expression.
"There's something about her. Something that I've never been able to have at my reach as long as I could remember." He stopped for a moment, sighing, then continued, "I had someone else go after her and….whoever that Serpent was…..with her a couple of days ago. You're a key component in this, Harold. Something that can finally allow the two of us to meet." Hal froze. He knew Hiram was talking about Alice and himself.
"No." Hal shook his head, slowly backing away. "No." Hiram went to speak, but Hal went off in the other direction. He wasn't going to let Hiram Lodge manipulate him anymore. He wanted Alice. He wanted to hold her and apologize for every little thing that he did wrong. She may not forgive him, but she had to listen. She just had to. Hal placed his hands on the bed and let the heavy tears flow.
"I'm not risking my marriage to do anymore of your favors. Alice is too important to me. Chic is too important to me. I'd rather die than live not having her next to me." He paused, gasping for air between sobs. He took a deep breath and gripped the sheets.
"I can do better. I must do better. For her."
It was silent, except for the video playing in the background. But he was too focused on his breathing. Hal opened his eyes, letting out an exhale. He let go of the bed and went to turn around…..to find Hiram directly in front of him. Something sharp jabbed into his stomach. Hal grunted, trying to back away, but Hiram held his grip. He finally pushed away, stumbling back towards the bed. He lifted his hand from his stomach…..oh god, was that his own blood? He looked up at Hiram - the fire in his eyes growing wilder. He lunged at Hal again and striked, pinning his down onto the bed.
He attacked, over and over. Hal couldn't find the strength to fight back. His life was fading. But the video…..someone had to find it. Someone had to learn the truth of how danger Hiram Lodge truly was. Gasping for air between the blood coming out, Hal looked up. Hiram appeared into his view, gripping onto his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, old friend." he muttered. "But you know the rules. I. Always. Win." Then he smiled, raising the knife and going for Hal's throat.
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She couldn't find the air. Her vision blurred in tears. Hal….
"I didn't want it to have to resort to it, Alice." Hiram explained. "But he was becoming a liability in the operation. It was only a matter of time before I had to intervene…..and take care of it myself."
"No…." Alice choked out. She turned away from him and covered her mouth to smother her cries. She stared into the fire and felt like she would collapse. Hiram murdered Hal himself…..not with a worker in a ski mask….not even one of the drivers. Hiram did this on his own. The thought made her sick.
"You two were unhappy together." he spoke. "You tried to make things work for the sake of your family….but I don't think you two were ever truly in love." The last comment made her remove her hand from her mouth. What the fuck did he know about love?
"You said it yourself….you were depressed. And you couldn't even express it to him, no matter how badly you wanted to. You were alone, Alice." She felt his hand squeeze her shoulder.
"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME." Alice turned violently and threw his hand away. She wanted to smack him and run. To go find FP and Chic. To get as far away from Riverdale as possible. He looked down at her in sadness. Guilt. Was he trying to make her feel sorry for him? Through emotional manipulation?
"How did you know so much about me? Have you been eyeing me since Hal and I came to Riverdale? What were you trying to get out of all of this?" She wanted the answers so badly, but she didn't even know if she could trust him anymore. He stepped in closer and took a deep breath.
"I told you. The day I took you to the Conway home. It's always been you. I saw you from the beginning. Before you took on this nightmare….and Jason Blossom. There was a silent cry for something…..and I filled it." What the fuck was he telling her? She was confused by all of this. She wanted her son. She wanted FP.
"You wanted someone to pay attention to you. To bring out your best potential. But those people were bombarding you. People like Penelope Blossom, and Tom Keller, and even Hal. They weren't doing you any good….and I wanted to fix that." But why would you want to get the blood on your hands, Alice thought to herself. It was obvious Hiram didn't fit the description of the Black Hood, but he knew people who could. Some who were too loyal to him.
"So I created someone who could. But I realized that what I created was hurting you….a monster I couldn't control-"
"NO." she spat out. "Don't you get it? You are that monster. You and the Black Hood are the same fucking person! No matter how many people you have doing your dirty work! YOU DID THIS!"
"And that's why I'm trying to end this!" He took her hand and held onto it. He handed her the file, looking down at it before refocusing on her. "All the things I said….about how I felt for you. It's all true. I love you, Alice. I want to love you….the right way. We can do it. We can start over, together." He directed his gaze to the fire. Slowly, he led her to it and glance down at the file. "We can put this mess behind us. And can run. Begin our new lives." He edged her closer, implying for her to toss the file into the fire, signaling the end of this dark age.
She wanted to let go. She wanted to move on from the Black Hood so badly. She wanted to be happy. To be in love.
But not with him. He promised her happiness…..but what if that was a lie too? What would he do to her now that she was all his? What would happen to Chic? Would he have to stay behind and endure the pain himself? And what about FP…..
"This Black Hood fiasco will be nothing but ashes. You don't have to worry anymore…." Hiram continued, but her eye was caught on something else. Something shiny on the side….stick-like. "No more Blossoms. No more Serpents." She moved closer to the fire...towards that object. "No more wicked mothers-in-law or spouses who only make you invisible." She had to play it smart. She had to wait for the right moment. "We'll be like Romeo and Juliet…..except we get to live happily ever after in the end."
Alice paused, holding the file close to the file. She took a deep breath. Go time.
"You're right. I can. Too bad you fucking won't."
Before he could respond, Alice dropped the file on the ground, grabbed for the fire poker, and swung it at Hiram. She whacked him in the head and sent him to the ground. He groaned in pain, but it wouldn't be enough to allow her time to get away. She raised the fire poker again and struck down, harder. Hiram was out, but not dead. Just enough time….
Alice ran over to his desk and searched his drawers. Her purse! She grabbed it and found her phone….or what was left of her smashed phone. Fuck. She looked over at the cord phone on his desk. Of course. Unplugged. She scanned the desk one last time and found her jackpot for surviving the escape from Pembroke. A pistol and a knife. Bingo. She shoved the knife into her purse and held onto the pistol. She heard him grumbling, coming back to some consciousness, making her panic.
Get out, Alice. Get out.
She moved past Hiram, pinning him down with her heel in his back. She grabbed the keys out of his pocket and ran for the door. Once she got out of the office, Alice pulled the doors shut and locked it. With the hammer head of the knife, she jammed the key into the door…..having fun trying to leave now, asshole.
She stumbled to the door, her purse under her arm. Behind her, there was a banging from inside the office, scaring her.
"Alice?" Hiram's voice called out, panicked. He banged again, growing more angry. "ALICE, LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! DON'T LEAVE ME!"
She couldn't wait any longer. Fuck the purse. She grabbed her tiny wallet and shoved it into her dress. Wielding the knife in one hand and the pistol in the other, she stormed out of his apartment.
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"Mr. Jones? Mr. Jones?" Kevin's voice called FP out of his thoughts. He blinked and stared down at the young boy. "What are we going to do?"
What was there to do? Hiram was going to win, and they would all wind up dead. And Alice…..Alice…..if Alice was smart, she would have found a way to get herself out. She had to be alive. Maybe there was a chance.
"Pembrooke." FP muttered. Kevin's face contorted in confusion. FP rolled his eyes and yanked the USB out of Tom's laptop. He held it out to Kevin and spoke. "We need to get this out to the public. But first we need to find my partner. She could still be alive…. We need to get to her."
"But what about my dad? We can't just leave him here!" Kevin gestured to the dead body on the ground behind them. Frustrated and anxious, he shoved the USB into the boy's hand and began to move around him.
"You wait until the medics come, and you give that to them when they show up." He began to head out of Tom's office, pulling his gun out of his belt.
"Where are you going?" He turned back to Kevin and held up his gun.
"I'm fucking ending this once and for all." He was about to head out the door when the power went out. The house was pitch black, silent. FP struggled to see in the darkness….were there that many people partying on New Years to cause a power outage? Or was it something else? Someone else? He held up a hand to his eyes when Kevin rushed over holding his phone up as a flashlight.
"I guess we're sticking together then. We have to get the power back on." Kevin rushed his words. He breathed heavily.
There was a rattle in the living room area, spooking both of them.
"Don't think this is your normal power outage, boy." FP held the gun close to his mouth, gesturing to stay quiet. "You stay with me. And don't run off, or make any noise. Got it?" The younger Keller nodded. Using the boy's light on his phone, FP and Kevin wandered slowly through the house, towards the direction of the noise. Could it be possible Hiram sent someone after them? To clean up the mess? Would he wind up in jail for good?
They stood outside the doorway of the kitchen, the house now silent. FP leaned in, holding his gun out. There was no one inside. How was this possible. He allowed Kevin to move into the kitchen and FP lowered his weapon. "Stay here." he told the boy, heading back out into the hallway.
"I told you to stay out, Jones." the voice made FP jump. Tall Boy stood at the other end of the hall with a smug look on his face.
"The hell are you doing here, Tall Boy?" FP called out. He blinked, waiting for a response, but the other man just chuckled.
"I said-"
"I heard you, boy." Tall Boy began to walk over to him. "But this time, it won't be me that ends up in the clunker. Or six feet under."
"What the hell is that….." FP stopped. The moonlight beamed on Tall Boy's face. For the first time, in a long time, he starting paying attention to the other man's eyes. FP started to back up, gripping his gun tighter. "How did you know I would be out here?" Tall Boy just smiled down at him. The brass knuckle duster curled around his hand.
"Surprised that you weren't getting my messages loud and clear. Boss wanted me to make it painless…..but you know that's not how I do things." There needed no more explanation…..FP already knew who that boss was. And he knew what Tall Boy had done. He sent the snake to FP's trailer and chased them at the garage. He damaged his truck. He attacked Alice and Chic, and he went after Cheryl in Thornhill. He was the muscle of the operation.
"Mr. Lodge sends his regards."
Instinct made FP raise his gun, but Tall Boy knocked it out of his hand. The Serpent swung at his face, the knuckle duster cutting the flesh under his eye. FP stumbled into the doorframe and fell. "Mr. Jones!" Kevin yelled. Tall Boy kicked him in the ribcage, making him groan in pain. He knelt down beside FP, about to give him another hit to the face.
But FP banged his head into Tall Boy's, giving him some advantage in this brawl. He leaned up, punched the Serpent in the throat, and pulled back the fabric on his shoulder. There front and center was a healing wound, one Cheryl Blossom gave him.
"Interested in my battle scars, Jones?" he chuckled almost out of breath. FP sat up straight and put pressure on the wound with his thumb. Tall Boy yelled in pain, allowing FP to push him down and to the side. He grabbed some of the man's hair, and smashed his head to the floor. He motioned for Kevin to come out of the kitchen. Kevin hurried out and reached for the gun on the floor. FP got back up on his feet and grabbed the gun from Kevin, leaving Tall Boy there.
Where would they go? How much time did they have before Tall Boy would get back up and strike again? They had to get out. They had to get somewhere safe. But Tom. They couldn't just leave the body there. Was it safe to call Minetta? The others? And Alice…...what was Hiram doing to Alice?
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She had to play her next moves wisely. There could be multiple men waiting for her downstairs. Hell, Hiram could be behind her trail in that moment. But Alice needed to get out of Pembrooke. She had his weapons after all. Why not go down without a fight?
She scrambled down the stairs, going from floor to floor wielding her weapons in her hands. There had to be other residents in the building that could help her get to a phone. She had to call Minetta and the other authorities. She had to reach out to FP. And Chic. But what if in some way they were all connected back to him? What if they would just rat her out?
She began to think about the other women in Hiram's life as she flew down more steps. Did Mrs. Mullway ever learn about his true nature? Did he bump her off when he was bored of her? And Hermione…...oh god, Hermione. Was that why she accosted Alice in the bathroom? Not to berate her, but to warn her? To help her? Maybe that was why she took Veronica and left for New York? But what about Christmas? What was Hiram doing in New York?
Two of Hiram's men stood on the other side of the door as Alice reached the third floor. She leaned back against the wall and felt her heart beated uncontrollably. She closed her eyes and gripped the gun tighter. How the hell would she get out? She was trapped. Hiram would never let her go….No. She did not belong to him. He would never own her.
Alice opened the door and fired at one of the men. The bullet hit his skull, sending him down. The other guard panicked and tried to grab at her wrist. She swung the knife at his face, slicing his cheek, and tried to move past him. He hit her, making her stumble out of one of her heels, and sent her flying into the wall. She noticed that her lip had been cut open, and wiped the blood away. He lunged out at her again, attempting to get one of the weapons out of her hands. She turned the gun on its handle and whacked him in the jaw with a blunt force. He grabbed her forearm and turned her around, her back to his chest holding her in a headlock. She scratched at his arm, kicking her legs up to try and break herself free. He was too strong. But she was armed. Alice stabbed the guard in the thigh, freeing her from his grip. She hunched over her knees to regain her breath. Finally, she stood back up and slit his throat.
Alice unconsciously dropped the knife by the dead body, contemplating what to do. How many bullets did she have left? She pulled back the glock and her heart sank. One bullet left. Fuck. She fell to her knees, the panic sinking in.
"Alice?" Shivers went down her spine. She looked over at the doorway and saw Hiram. She couldn't tell if he looked disappointed or terrified. If he got anywhere near her…. She had to make this last shot count. He moved slowly.
"Alice-"
She raised the gun and shot him in the shoulder. He yelped and held his hand over the bleeding wound. She got up and breathed heavy. Taking off her remaining heel, she hurled it at his head. She couldn't lose her gun now. Unless she could find something better. Something more lethal.
Alice grabbed the knife and sprinted off in the opposite direction, getting as far away from him as she could. She turned the corner and made a break for the door at the end of the hallway. They had to let her in. Maybe there was a window, a fire escape she could get out through. She began to strategize her course of action in her head. Get out of Pembrooke. Get to the station. Find Minetta. Call for FP and Chic. If they were both still alive.
She banged on the door, but no one answered. Fuck. What would FP do? What would Hal do? Alice took a couple of steps back, then ran at the door, body slamming into it. She did it again, feeling a bruise forming on her arm. She stepped back to go again, then turned around. Another guard aimed a rifle at her. She ducked as the he shot the door. He stomped over to her, slinging the rifle behind his shoulder. The rifle. She could use it.
Alice lunged and punched him. She grabbed at his shoulder, trying to slide the rifle off, but he shoved her into the wall. Her head hit the wall with a thud, and she winced. He twisted the knife in her hand and made a nasty slice in her bicep. She screamed, the wound feeling like a death sentence. She dropped her smaller gun and kneed him in the balls. She now had the advantage.
She regained the hold on the knife. He gripped her wrist, almost at the point where he could break it. But that wouldn't stop her. Alice plunged the knife into his eye socket, pushing it further in. He was dead before he hit the ground. A moment passed, she grabbed the rifle and broke the door open.
She held the rifle up, looking for any more attackers. Her arm was oozing out blood. She found the kitchen and grabbed for a towel. She set the rifle down on the countertop and wrapped the towel around her wound to stop the bleeding. Letting some moments of silence pass, Alice turned around and smiled. A window. She could get out. She made a run for the window.
Andre came out of nowhere and reached for her arm, right where the wound was. "There's no use running, Alice."
"Fuck you." Alice jammed the back of the rifle into Andre's gut. She freed herself and ran for the window. She struggled at first to open it, but she eventually opened the hatch and pushed it up, looking down. There were no fire escape stairs near her. All there was on the street was a dumpster farther away and a back entrance into the lobby. Fuck it. Alice swung one leg over the edge and took a shaky breath.
"Please…." Andre coughed. "You need to come with me. Mr. Lodge won't hurt you anymore."
She couldn't stay here. What other choice did she have?
Alice held onto the rifle's band around her shoulder and turned to Andre.
"You don't fucking get it. He already did."
And she jumped.
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Tall Boy groaned at the end of the hallway. Time was running out for FP and Kevin. They had to get out. But where? A hand grabbed at his bicep, scaring the living shit out of him. FP jumped and turned around, only to blink at the person.
"Chic?"
"Are you guys, okay?" Chic whispered. Behind him, Toni ran in wielding a flashlight. The kids were both in their party attire. Wait….
"What the hell are you two doing here?" FP hissed at the two.
"We came to rescue you, dumbass." Toni replied. He turned to Kevin and raised his brow.
"You told me to call for backup. And I did." Kevin smiled, gesturing to Chic and Toni. Sighing in relief, FP turned back to the kids and nodded at them. At the end of the hallway, Tall Boy groaned and stumbled his way back onto his feet. FP whipped his head and fear, then without hesitation, he led the kids out through the back door. He waited for the kids to leave before he slammed the door shut.
"What happened to Sheriff Keller?" Chic asked. "Is he dead?"
"Did Tall Boy do this?" Toni followed up. FP shoved his gun back into his belt and sighed. He was about to speak when the door busted open behind him. Tall Boy tackled him to the ground, causing the kids to scream.
"Go! All of you! RUN!" FP yelled at the kids, but they were frozen in fear. Tall Boy held him in a headlock, his bicep squeezing FP's neck.
"You should have just taken that prison sentence, Jones." Tall Boy growled. "But it's always been about bad luck for you, hasn't it? With Gladys, the Ghoulies….. And now your pretty little blonde's in trouble, too." FP felt the air leaving his lungs. He couldn't think about Alice dying….not now. Not especially in the hands of Hiram Lodge.
"Get off him, you asshole!" Toni ran over and swung at Tall Boy. He fell off of FP, giving him some way to climb out. But Tall Boy stepped over him and lunged at Toni. He shoved her down with a blunt force, about ready to attack her next.
"NO!" FP yelled. He leaned up and grabbed at Tall Boy's jacket. Chic ran over to Toni and helped her up. He used his grip to pull himself back up, but the other Serpent sent him back onto his knees. He punched FP in the face again and laughed. He gripped at FP's chin, holding him there.
"Hope Gladys saved you a place in hell."
Something whizzed through the air. An arrow hit Tall Boy in the same area as his wound. He yelped in pain, letting go of his face. FP fell onto his elbows and turned around.
"I suggest you leave my friend alone, you murderous plebe." Cheryl marched closer to the group, her bow and arrow steady in her hands. Joaquin, Sweet Pea, and Fangs formed a semi circle behind her, whipping out there knives. Tall Boy looked down at her and let out a sinister laugh.
"You wanna fight? You asking to go out the way your Mama Blossom did?" He stepped over at FP and snapped part of the arrow in his shoulder off. He broadened his shoulders and clenched his fists. "LET'S GO, YOU LITTLE BITCH!" He ran at her.
"CHERYL!" Toni screamed, fearing for her girlfriend. But Cheryl was quick on her feet. She aimed her arrow as Tall Boy ran at her and sent it straight between his eyes. Tall Boy's dead body fell to the ground in a thud. Cheryl smiled, her Goliath defeated.
FP struggled to get back up onto his feet, but Joaquin helped him up. Sweet Pea and Fangs joined Kevin as Chic left Toni's side to make room for Cheryl. FP watched as Cheryl ran over to her girlfriend and kissed her. The girls clung to each other, happy that they were both alive and safe.
"Cheryl…." FP called out to the redhead, "Thank you."
"No worries." she smiled at him, her arm around Toni's shoulders, "You did the same for me. It was only fair."
"So was it Tall Boy?" Sweet Pea asked. FP glanced around at the kids and swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Kind of. But he was only acting as the muscle. Hiram Lodge is the one pulling the strings. He did all of this." He looked over at Chic, giving the boy a mournful look.
"Does that mean my mom… Oh my god. What about my mom? What is he going to do to her?" The younger Cooper teared up, causing Joaquin to go and comfort him. He felt awful for the boy. Everything that happened with Alice and Chic. Hal, then his mother, then this nightmare. Hiram ripped their family apart. But not anymore.
"Then Hiram's gonna have a price to pay." FP pulled the gun out and nodded at Chic. "We're going to get her back. And God help if he laid a fucking finger on her."
"What about Kevin's dad?" Fangs asked. "What do we do about this?" FP turned to the trio and inhaled. He was right - they couldn't just abandoned Tom Keller's corpse and all go raid Pembrooke. The authorities, Minetta included, would start asking questions.
"You two," he directed at Sweet Pea and Fangs, "stay with Kevin and get the power back on. Kevin, call Minetta and get him over him. And tell him everything that happened. You were there witnessing it with me. Okay?" With tears in his eyes, Kevin nodded. The Serpent duo lead Kevin back into the house. FP turned to Cheryl and Toni next, "Toni, get Cheryl back to Thistlehouse. And don't let anyone in." Lastly, he turned to Chic and Joaquin. "You two….follow me to Pembrooke." He began to walk back around the side of the house, back to his truck. A hand reached for his arm.
"Um….excuse you!" Cheryl stepped in front of him, blocking his path. He sighed and was about to respond. "I'm not just going to sit around like a damsel in distress when your partner is in danger! I refuse to let the Falice ship sink!"
"Cheryl. I really am grateful for you saving me," FP tried to reason with her, "But I can't afford-"
"What else do I have to lose?" she interrupted. "Mr. Lodge did bad business with my family. He cursed the Blossom name. Maybe that's what led my father to kill JJ. And even though I hated my mother, she's dead because of him too. I won't let him take away anymore people I care about." She lifted her hand and cupped his cheek. Maybe she did forgive him for not helping her dead twin. FP felt awful for her…..but he felt touched at her comment. She was becoming more and more like a daughter to him.
She let go of his cheek and smiled. "Besides….I'm in the mood for some hell raising."
"Cheryl's right." Toni joined her side and looked up at FP. Chic and Joaquin stood in between the girls and FP. "I'm coming, too. Lodge doesn't stand a chance with all of us standing together. No one messes with family."
He didn't know how to respond. These kids all mattered to him in some way. He didn't want to lose them to a madman. He didn't want to lose Alice either. They filled the gaps that were ripped when Gladys, Jughead, and JB went away. They were all part of his family now.
Wiping a tear away, he glanced at the kids in front of him.
"Stay together. And don't try anything stupid. Got it?" They looked at each other, then all turned to him and nodded. "Good. Let's go."
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They reached Pembrooke in less than 10 minutes. FP parked his truck just a block or two away from the building while the kids parked their bikes along the street. The five rejoined and made their way slowly towards the building. He looked back at the four behind him, realizing Chic was the only one not armed. He handed his gun to the boy.
"Your mom show you how to use this?" Chic nodded. He took the gun from FP's hands and curled his fingers around it. "Only fire if you need to." He turned back to the entrance of Pembrooke, his breath filling in the ominous silence. He motioned for the kids to follow him up the stairs and stopped. He waited a couple of seconds…..nothing.
Slowly, he pushed open the door. The lobby of the building was dead silent. There was no one at the front desk. Or in any of the chairs or sofas. Where was everyone? More importantly, where was Hiram? Where was Alice?
"Girls, go down the left. Don't let each other out of sight." FP directed Cheryl and Toni. The two moved past him and headed towards the left side. "Boys," he turned to Chic and Joaquin, "come with me." He moved down towards the opposite direction of Cheryl and Toni, back towards some of the lower level offices. Alice had to be here in the building. But was she still in Hiram's complex? Was he holding her captive? The boys looked into every office, every room, but no sign of Alice. Or Hiram. Something was off about all of this…. They hurried down towards the back doors, leading out to the side of the building. They returned outside.
"ALICE!" FP yelled. Only his echo responded. He hesitated to call out for her again, worried that somewhere in the upper levels of Pembrooke, Hiram and his men would be listening. Then he looked down. His heart fell to his stomach.
There was blood on the ground. Bloody footprints, streaks, went down the alley. No….. no she couldn't have….. She can't be…..
"FP?" Joaquin attempted to get his attention. He continued to stare down at the blood path. He felt like he was going to collapse.
"Find the girls and run." he spoke in a low voice. He turned back to the younger boys, standing still in confusion. "RUN!" he growled, sending the boys back from where they came. He couldn't have them face this….especially not Chic. The hot, heavy tears began to form as he stumbled in the path of blood. Where was this leading? What the fuck did Hiram do to her?
He fell to his knees and sobbed, his forehead resting on the brick path. FP crawled back into the wall and covered his mouth, squeezing his eyes shut. His body shook. His heart was flying out of his chest. He couldn't breathe. His mind flashed images of her dead body. And Gladys's as well. The two were becoming intertwined as one.
FP screamed. His fingers wove into his hair as he bent over his knees and began rocking back and forth, still sobbing. She was gone. He lost her.
Someone in the distance was coming over to him. He looked up and found Andre looming over him. Part of him wanted to jump up and kill this man. But he didn't have the energy anymore. At that point, he would rather die than live with the fact that he left Alice to be slaughtered Hiram Lodge.
"I gotta say, Jones." Andre spoke to him, "your partner went down fighting. I didn't make her jump, though, Did that all herself." FP looked up and saw the open window a couple of levels above them. He looked back at Andre and shook his head.
"What did you do to her?" he wailed.
"Haven't seen her since the jump." the other man replied. "Wouldn't surprise me if Mr. Lodge had her now." FP leaned his head against the wall, forcing himself not to think of her dead body. If she really was dead…. "But I think it might be rewarding on my part if I brought you to him. Imagine the look on his face." Andre crouched down and stared him in the eyes.
"On your feet, Serpent." His mind flashed back to that night. That Ghoulie forcing him onto his knees as he watched Malachi swing that bat at Gladys. He couldn't…...he couldn't watch her die the same way. "I said get up." Andre grabbed at his shirt and forced him up. He stumbled into the other man, making them go backwards a couple of steps. Andre held him upright by the throat. FP gripped at the man's wrist, gasping for air. He was too weak to fight back.
"Wow…..not even gonna try to fight me?" he chuckled. "Jesus…..what was Keller thinking in letting a Serpent like you pair up with a woman like her?" The comment hit FP harder than expected. He pushed Andre back and hunched over, regaining his breath. He stared up at Andre, looking more pissed than before.
"You in love with her or something?" Andre wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He began to move towards FP. "Too bad she'll have to learn that you died like a coward-"
A gunshot rang through the air. Andre flew back into the wall of the other building, the bullet wound bleeding out in his chest. His head hit the wall, and he slid to the floor. He struggled to get up, to breathe even. He was dead merely seconds later.
FP stood up straight. How was Chic able to get a good shot?
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TWO-" FP whipped around to confront the boys but stopped. Whoever shot Andre fully came out of the shadows. She lowered the rifle and looked up at him. Her face had been cut and bruised. There was a towel wrapped around her bicep. She no longer had her heels on. But she was alive.
"Alice?"
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She stood there in the alleyway, relieved to see FP in front of her. Alice thought she would never see him again. But he was here. And she survived that damn fall from the window to save him from Andre.
"Alice?" his voice cracked. She started to tear up. They were both alive.
"FP." she dropped the rifle. She began to run over to him, and he to her. They held onto each other for dear life and cried in the hug. He looked awful, because of whatever happened with him and Keller, but he made her safe. His fingers curled into her hair, pulling her closer to him.
"You're alive." he muttered into her shoulder.
"So are you." she choked out. They leaned back to have a good look at one another. She cupped his face and smiled, her fingers tracing the side of the cut near his eye.
"He told me everything, FP." she began to rush. "How he started it with Hal….and how it all escalated….I didn't…."
"I know." he nodded, his hands gently holding onto her face. "Hal made a confession. He was going to tell you."
"It doesn't matter anymore." she shook her head. What happened to Hal was in the past. He was dead…..but FP wasn't. "I just….I thought I lost you." His eyes went soft as he slowly smiled.
"Told ya you wouldn't be able to get rid of me." he joked, making them laugh. And to think that she didn't want to care for him when this all began. But now, he was one of the only things that felt right. He stayed by her, he comforted her, and he protected her.
She thought that Hiram would fill the gaps that were left open by Hal…..but now that she thought about it, maybe it never was Hiram. Or Tom. Maybe it was FP.
She stepped closer into him, her breath syncing with his. Her face was close to his, inches apart. She looked down at his lips, then up at his eyes. His gaze was softer, his hands feeling warm. His heart thudded against her chest. It was calming. Their foreheads touched, she felt his breath against her. She pulled him in closer…..
"JONES!" a voice screamed, breaking their intimate moment. They both turned to find Joaquin running towards them, out of breath and crying. "YOU HAVE TO HELP. I CAN'T…."
"Joaquin?" Alice let go of FP and moved to the younger Serpent. FP stood next to her and looked back the boy.
"WHERE THE HELL IS CHIC?"
Her heart stopped. Chic was here too? Joaquin looked at the pair and let out a sob.
"We were trying to run when we heard the gunshot. To go find Cheryl and Toni. I went to turn the corner, and he was gone. I don't know what happened-"
"Where did you last see him?" she interrupted him, trying to stay calm. But she felt that her heart was breaking. She couldn't lose her son. Not after seeing FP almost get hurt by Andre. Joaquin took her by the arm and led her back to where she came out from. Alice grabbed the rifle off the ground and tossed it to FP. The three ran back into the building, hurrying with every step.
"CHIC!" they yelled out, one voice after another. They ran into the lobby, the younger girls and Chic nowhere to be found. The three stood in a circle facing outward in the middle of the lobby. Alice looked around the lobby in full panic. She screamed for her son again, only her echo responding. Her heart raced, her nails scraping her palms. FP reached for her hand and held onto it. Chic was the only family by blood she had left. Hiram wouldn't try to hurt him again…..would he?
The elevator chimed, scaring the three of them. Alice turned and saw its gold doors opening. She saw Chic standing there, the doors becoming wider.
"Chic…" she sighed in relief and moved closer, then froze. The doors opened fully to find Hiram holding onto to Chic, the knife she used earlier against her son's throat. "NO!"
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He stood between Joaquin and Alice….feeling absolutely helpless. Hiram had Chic. He had a knife at the boy's throat. He could strike at any moment. Alice screamed and began sobbing. No….he wouldn't let her son die. He wouldn't let Joaquin suffer over that guilt for the rest of his life. FP cocked the rifle and aimed it at the man.
"Let that boy go, Hiram."
He didn't answer. He just led Chic out of the elevator, tightened his grip on the boy.
"Mom, I'm sorry." Chic cried. Hiram shut him up by pushing the knife closer to his throat. Joaquin was freaking out next to FP.
"YOU FUCKING HEARD HIM!" Joaquin started to run forward and attack Hiram, but Alice pulled him back.
"Joaquin, don't. It will make things worse." she whimpered. FP kept his aim at the man's head, hoping to get a good shot. "Hiram….please….." Alice pleaded. "Not my son….."
"I didn't want to, Alice." the man frowned at her. "But do you really think he appreciates everything you do for him? For all of them?" he gestured to FP and Joaquin. His blood boiled. FP turned to Alice….was she buying into this bullcrap? She looked back at him, her gaze softening. She touched his bicep and stroked with her thumb.
"They do." she replied, her eyes still locked on FP's. He smiled at her, his gripping becoming lighter on the gun. She turned back to Hiram and her face went blank. "And I won't let you take away anymore people I care about. You say that people hurt me…..which is why you had them killed. But you hurt me, too." FP turned back to Hiram and saw the man break. Hiram 's emotions went from hurt, to angry, to sad. "You started all of this…."
"And I'm ending it." he gritted through his teeth. FP almost swore he saw Hiram starting to cry. "Come with me, Alice. We can leave Riverdale….just the two of us." FP glanced back and forth between them, not knowing what to do. "I didn't know how to love anyone until I loved you. I won't hurt anymore people…..I'll try to be better. I'll try to be more human…...I just need you to let me finish what I started."
"Take it that involves me?" FP called out, catching Hiram's attention. "Is that why you had Tall Boy coming after my ass?"
"I knew he was a liability from the start, believe me, FP." Hiram explained. Bullshit, he thought to himself. "But he could get the job done. But seeing that he failed….." he looked FP up and down, then glancing over at Joaquin, "Was it a quick death for Keller? You were there, could you at least spare me the details-"
An arrow whizzed through the air, landing at the wall next to Hiram's head, making Alice scream. FP lowered the rifle and turned to the source of the arrow.
"CHERYL!"
"Told you I was in the mood for some hell raising." the redhead spoke proudly. She stood on the countertop by the lobby desk keeping her grip on her bow and arrow. From around the corner, Toni joined FP's side and whipped out her pocket knife.
"Your move, Lodge." she threatened him. "It's all of us against you. Let Chic go." Hiram glared down at the pink-haired Serpent and laughed.
"Wow. Thomas Topaz's granddaughter. Would surely be a shame if something terrible were to happen to you….and your friends." His smoulder developed into a straight line.
"Toni…." Joaquin grabbed his friend and pulled her next to him. On the countertop, Cheryl loaded her next arrow.
"You want to say that again, you slimy bastard?" she called out. FP looked around at the kids, then at Chic. He had to get that boy away. Hiram directed his gaze at Alice, looking sorrow, but FP couldn't tell if it was real. He didn't know if anything Hiram said or did was real.
"Alice, I'm sorry….but I don't have any other choice." He turned the blade closer towards Chic's throat.
"CHIC!" Joaquin cried out.
"CHERYL," FP yelled, pointing the rifle at Hiram, "AIM YOUR NEXT ARROW BETWEEN HIS EYES!"
"On it!" Cheryl responded. The tension continued to escalate….FP and the kids inching closer, and Hiram wedging that knife closer into Chic. What could be done? Was this how it would all go down? His blood pulsed in his ear drums, the kids' screaming being tuned out, Chic's crys only appearing as mouthed to him. And Hiram wouldn't let go.
He almost forgot Alice was there. She touched his arm and moved in front of him. "Alice?" he turned to her. She let go of his arm and walked forward, in between their group and where Hiram and Chic stood. The pulsing in his ears slowed as he watched her. "Alice?" he called out again. She turned her head to face them.
"FP…..stand down." she muttered. He stood there, frozen. What the hell was she doing? He wanted to call out, but she spoke again. "JUST DO IT."
Her command made the lobby silent. The tension started to die down. FP looked into her eyes….they expressed her fear and remorse. Was she trying to be the piece of resistance? Reading her expression, he slowly lowered the rifle and set it on the floor, holding his hands up.
"Everyone, stand down." he directed at the other kids, still staring at Alice. Joaquin and Toni dropped their knives on the floor, and Cheryl lowered her bow and arrow. She jumped down from the countertop and joined the the younger Serpents, clinging to Toni.
FP watched as Alice moved closer to Hiram, one slow step at a time. He moved a little to the right to get a better look at what she was going to do. And Hiram still had his grip on her boy, not backing down.
"Hiram…." she pleaded in a calm voice, "I get it now. I know why you want to protect me."
"What is she doing?" Cheryl whispered to him, but he held a hand up to silence her. He noticed her continuing to move forward.
"This town isn't safe. It never was. For me or you." he heard Alice's voice breaking. She shook her head and proceeded, "We'll go. We'll leave Riverdale. Tonight."
FP didn't know what to think. He didn't know why she was telling Hiram this.
"We can put this all behind us. Just like you said. It can be the two of us." She stood just a couple of feet away from them. "Just…..just let my son go." FP heard her let out a sob. She gestured back to the group as she continued, "Just let them go. In peace. And we'll never have to see them again."
Would she actually leave with this man? The man who murdered her husband in cold blood and manipulated her in the form of a manhunt? Or was this all to…. He started to catch on to what she was attempting to do.
He noticed as Hiram looked down at his feet, then back up at her. There were tears forming in his eyes. The hold on the knife against Chic softened, lowering away from the boy. A moment passed, and Hiram pushed Chic away violently, beginning to sob.
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She watched as her son stumbled away from Hiram. Chic turned back to his kidnapper, who leaned back against the wall crying, then he turned back to her.
"Mom?" Alice took a deep breath and moved closer to her son. The two embraced, her son's face buried into her shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Mom. I was trying to find you, and…."
"Shh…." she silenced him, her voice cracking. "It's okay." She looked up and locked her eyes on Hiram. Not breaking her gaze, she leaned into her son's ear.
"Promise me you won't look." she whispered. Chic pulled away in confusion. She didn't have time to explain, she just sent her son towards FP and the other kids. Alice gave one last look to FP before she turned on her heel. With slow steps, she approached Hiram. He hung his head as he sobbed, wailed practically. The knife stayed in his hand, but he had it at a loose grip.
Alice stepped in closer, lifting his head up with one hand. He looked into her eyes…..they showed his remorse. His guilt. Maybe he really did love her after all. Hiram brought his free hand up and cupped her face, bringing their foreheads together.
"I never wanted this for you." he spoke in a low, but somber tone in between the tears. "I just wanted you to be happy." His emotions were starting to affect hers. He could change….he could learn his lesson in a jail cell somewhere….
"I'm not a loveless monster.I know that…..because I love you. I'll change for you." he paused, sniffling. "I can do better. I will do better. For you." But would he, though? After everything he did.
"I love you, Alice. I'm sorry." She looked into his eyes, everything starting to sink in.
Alice leaned in and kissed Hiram, She let his tears melt against her face, his fingers keeping a gentle grip on her. She slowly reached for the knife in his other hand. Their lips parted, but they still held onto each other, their foreheads still touching. She let out a small cry, then kissed him one last time. Their swan song.
The knife plunged into his throat. Alice pulled her head back, silent tears flowing. Hiram's mouth hung at the pain, but he didn't make a noise.
"I'm sorry, too." she muttered.
She yanked the knife out, watching as the blood came out at a rapid pace. Hiram didn't try to fight back, or scream for help. He just slid down the wall, onto the floor, gasping for air. The blood oozed down his neck, his chest, and nothing could be done to stop it. He looked up at her with tearful eyes, hurt by the action but enamored by the final gesture. The only gesture of love he ever had, she assumed.
The light started to fade from his eyes, his gasping slowing down. But Alice couldn't turn away. She couldn't speak. She just watched and held onto the bloody knife tighter. The light continued to fade away. And kept fading…...and fading…..and fading…..
Then nothing.
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The room was silent, except for her sniffling. FP stood there paralyzed, the kids behind him not sure of how to react. He looked back and forth between his partner and the man she just killed. A man who was supposed to love her and protect her. Was Hiram a monster of his own creation? Maybe FP would never know….but whatever it was….it broke them all. But most importantly, it broke Alice.
She dropped the knife on the floor and wailed, falling to her knees. FP walked over to her and crouched down. He held her face in his hands, her fear and guilt seeping into him. Then, he wrapped his arm around her head and hugged her into his chest. Alice clung to him, her wailing filling the painstaking silence.
"It's over." he muttered, his eyes getting glossy and wet. "It's over." FP buried his face into her hair and allowed her to melt into him. Back in the real world, on the streets of Riverdale, sirens sounded outside the building. The reflections of red and blue lights played on the wall. But it didn't matter that help was finally here. It didn't matter that Hiram was dead or that they all lived.
What mattered now was that FP and Alice would both have to live with the consequences and the painful memories of the Black Hood.
End of Chapter Fourteen
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