Betty's POV

The next morning brought with it the fresh terror of last night. I may have managed to escape it for a few peaceful hours, but the reality couldn't be avoided for much longer. I stretched my stiff body out on the bed, reaching my hand out hoping to make contact with Jughead.

When I realized he wasn't within my reach, I shot my eyes open and examined the room. Where was he?

I pulled myself out of bed and, pulling on the shirt he had discarded last night, walked out to the living room. It seemed the entire trailer was empty.

I didn't even have my phone on me to call him.

I decided not to panic. Instead, I went to the kitchen, no remnants of the gruesome scene in sight, and saw the coffee pot already half full.

Pulling a mug from the sink, the one he must have used, I poured myself a cup. Just as my lip met the edge of the ceramic mug I heard the door click open.

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face and had to be very careful not to spill when I slammed the mug onto the counter and rushed to see him.

He closed the door and turned around, his eyes falling on where I stood near the kitchen entrance. His eyebrows flew up as he took in my appearance.

"You should wear my clothes more often," he smirked, dropping the luggage bag he had brought in with him and wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Where did you go?" I accused with a pout once he pulled away.

"To get some clothes for you," he answered, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Also…" He paused and pulled out a phone from his pocket.

I grabbed it greedily and looked at him sadly. "I was supposed to go with you…"

"I didn't want to wake you," he explains mockingly, mimicking my tone from last night. "In any case, your room is pretty easy to get around. I think I got enough for a couple days…"

I smiled, now feeling more grateful. I really did need those few extra moments of sleep.

"Thank you," I sigh, placing a gently kiss on his cheek.

He returns one on my lips before quickly moving back to the bedroom. I waited patiently for him to reemerge, this time he was carrying a backpack.

I furrowed my brow. "You're leaving again."

"Yeah," he said sheepishly, "Sweetpea sent a message saying we have a test around noon that I can't miss." He drops his back and wraps his arms around me once more. "I would stay otherwise," he whispers. "I'll be back by about one-thirty. I've asked the Serpents in the area to just keep an eye on this place."

I sighed into his shoulder. "I don't want to be away from you."

I could almost feel his eyes rolling. "Neither do I. I won't be gone long."

He places a kiss on my forehead before lifting his bag once again.

"Why don't I come with you?" I ask suddenly, the thought just occurring to me.

He seemed to freeze in place for a moment. "That's definitely not a good idea."

I cocked a brow. "Why not? I feel fine to go to school. And, thanks to you, I even have some clothes…" I gesture to the sack that still sits at the doorway.

He shakes his head. "Look, even if I did think it would be okay for you to come back, which I don't, your mother would probably murder me. Then bury me in your backyard. And still write about our disappearance in the paper for a couple weeks." He chuckles slightly, but I don't find it as amusing as he intended.

"She wouldn't know," I insist, folding my arms against my chest.

"Your mother knows everything," he laughs. "I'd rather face Satan himself than the uninhibited fury of Alice Cooper." Then, more gently, "Soon, you will come back, Betts."

He turns to leave, ignoring my sulking face. Just before he closes the door behind him, he turns back slightly.

"Feel free to still be wearing that when I get back," he says with a mischievous smirk. "Or not." Then, with a wink, he was gone, closing the door tightly behind him.

I was about to turn around and finish my coffee, then I heard keys clanking in the lock.

"Are you locking me in?!" I call, feeling my anger bubble.

"Just a precaution!" he calls back.

I heard his footsteps dismounting the few stairs before his bike roared to life. I felt my hands clench into fists. Precaution? To stop the mystery man from getting in, or me from getting out?

Somehow I knew it was the latter.

Feeling irritated beyond belief, I made my way to the tiny bathroom. Looking at myself in the mirror made me gasp. My lips were relatively swollen, to be expected after the events of last night…

What shocked me most was the dried blood still present on my forearm. Jughead hadn't even mentioned it. How had I not even noticed it until now? Probably because I was paying attention.

I felt a surge of shame flood through my body at the fact that Jughead had been subjected to seeing me like this all morning and had restrained himself from mentioning it or even making note of it.

It must have killed him while I was sleeping. I shuddered. Then, a fresh wave of appreciation took over me when I realized how hard it must have been for him to control himself for the sake of protecting my feelings.

Forcing myself to turn away from the disturbing image, I went to turn the shower on, discarding the shirt on the floor of the bathroom later.

Stepping out the shower, steam filling the room and misting the mirrors, I felt infinitely better. The fear was temporarily gone. I felt the need to just push it back and figure it all out later.

Grabbing a towel from the rack I quickly dried my hair and body. Wrapping it around me, I made my way back to the living room and picked up the sack of my clothes, bringing it to the bedroom.

I dug through it, pulling out a pair of blue jeans, white shirt and blue sweater. It seemed he knew exactly what he needed to pack. As I dug deeper, I came across two pairs of underwear. One was a pink panty I've owned for a little while. One he's seen me in. Digging some more, I came across the matching pink bra.

The other panty, though, was one Veronica had bought for me. I've never worn it before. White lace, pretty much see-through. Jug had never seen me in it and I doubt he thought it looked very comfortable. I wondered briefly if he had also stashed the matching bra.

I lifted the clothes I had already gathered, shoving the lacy material back into the pack, and then laid each item on the bed.

I pulled on the pink underwear items and then the blue jeans. I hesitated before pulling on my other clothes, though.

It wasn't the most homely outfit, certainly not fitting for lounging around a trailer all day. Shrugging my shoulder, I went to Jughead's shirt drawer, pulling out the first one I touched. It was a murky green with black hemming and a large black 'S' printed on the front.

I pulled it over my head with ease and tied a knot in the side, lifting it to a decent length against my jeans.

I put my sweater and shirt back into the pack and zipped it up smoothly.

I walked back out to the front of the trailer, contemplating what I could do today. I grabbed my phone from the table where I had left it and checked my messages.

There were quite a few from Veronica and Archie. Kevin had tried to call multiple times. Even Cheryl and Josie had sent one message each. I decided to open Veronica's messages first.

B, you okay? –V

Are you coming into school tomorrow? –V

I can come through to your place straight after. We can have some much needed girl time :D –V

I'm starting to really worry about you… I need you to let me know you're alright, B –V

There were many like it. I desperately wanted to talk to Veronica in person for a somewhat normal afternoon. It would be nice to get away from all of this. I didn't want to just hear her voice through a phone. I wanted to see her, hug her, assure her that my fine…

Shoving my dying phone into my front pocket, I strut into the kitchen and downed the mug of coffee I had poured.

I was going to school today.