"How long, now?" Betty asked. She spread out a map of the city, circling every warehouse in the town. We knew that much. I glanced the lock screen on my phone that I had set to be a timer counting down.

"Twenty-two hours." I said.

"Okay," Betty pointed towards Cheryl and Toni. "You guys are going to go with Jug and me. Cheryl." She addressed the redhead directly.

"Yes cousin?"

"I need you to have your bow ready. When we find Cindy, aim but don't shoot. If there's a chance we can talk her down, then there's no need to shed any more blood." She then turned to Toni. "Toni, you're just as good as Cheryl. I need you to aim for my sister. Same thing. Don't shoot. If you kill my sister, I'll kill you."

"Got it," Toni nodded.

I had to admit, Betty had taken to the leader, or queen role easily. They listened to her, but maybe it was because she knew what she was doing. Maybe it was because it wasn't just Jellybean at risk. If we could help it, there would be three rescues. But it all depended on how they acted. If Polly killed Jellybean, though, there was no guarantee that I would hold back. And If I killed her sister, the chances of us being together forever were going to shrink. Some things just can't be forgiven.

I half expected Cheryl to get angry at Betty's threat, but when I looked over at her, she wore an angry look on her face, not at the threat but at the situation. It was clear that Cheryl had been in therapy and worked through some of the trauma. She became loyal to the Serpents and proved to be a fitting leader alongside Toni. She nodded, concentrating on Betty's words. Betty fixed her ponytail and waited for me to say something. I addressed the Iowa chapter.

"I need you guys to split up. Go in large groups. Check out the warehouses. Betty and I have our suspicions as to where they have JB, but just in case. I'm going to ask you all to wear earpieces. If you find her before we do, tell me. This is personal, and this is time sensitive."

Betty loaded her gun and secured it in the holster at her hip. She had changed into a sweater and jeans, with sturdy boots. And, just for the sake of the mission, she donned her Serpent's Jacket. Veronica sat this one out but promised to be waiting by the phone so she could call Archie in, if needed. She wanted to raid our fridge anyways. Apparently the burger, fries, onion rings, and shake didn't keep her full for long.

We rode out to the industrial district taking mental notes of the layout. Looking at a map and actually being there were two different things and according to my phone, there was now twenty-one hours left.

"Okay," Betty said. "Be quiet and start with the warehouses closest to the water, which is what the footage captured. Cherry. If you don't want to be here because of what Cindy put you through, you can wait with Archie."

"Okay," she nodded.

Serpent law clearly stated that a member never shows fear, but I wasn't about to hold it against her. Coming up against an abusive ex had to leave her with some kind of trauma. As she left, we gathered together. Betty led with me behind her, and Cheryl and Toni in tow. The first Warehouse was empty and smelled of rotting fish. It took everything not to throw up from the odiferous scent assaulting our nostrils. We moved along the row listening, strategizing, and at some points holding our breath. Normally I was a guns-blazing kind of person, but this took strategy. This was psychological.

We came up to the second warehouse, Betty pressed her ear against the door.

"I think this is it," She whispered. "Jug, I think you should lead. I've got the gun, but this is your sister."

"Okay," I nodded. The door opened easily which was already a sign we were in the right place. As we entered, we heard the rattling. "Be careful. Watch for snakes." I whispered.

But the snakes weren't the danger. Right before our eyes Polly stood, syringe in hand, ready to plunge it into JB's veins. Jellybean showed no fear, and as she saw me, she made no indication. I inched, closer, Betty in tow. Toni notched her arrow, aiming it at the back of Polly's head. Betty stepped in front of me, holding her hand out to stop us from moving any closer.

"Polly," Her voice echoed through the warehouse and scared the elder sister causing her to drop the syringe.

"Betty?" She turned, tears in her eyes. "Betty, is that you? They told me that you were dead."

"I'm right here," Betty said. She kept her voice calm. Even. Unwavering. As she took a step forward, Polly's eyes widened.

"Stay back." She said. "This is a lie. A trick. This is another Serpent trick!" She cried out. "You're just out to get me."

"Polly," Betty took another step, and Polly stooped down, grabbing the syringe again.

"I mean it. I'll do it. I'll kill the little bitch. She's responsible for Betty's death."

"Polly, I'm right here." But before she could say anything, an arrow flew past us, piercing the hand that grasped the syringe. Polly cried out in pain and betty turned towards the archer. "WHAT THE HELL, TONI! I TOLD YOU NOT TO SHOOT!" She screamed.

"She was going to hurt JB!," Toni argued. "I made a decision."

Betty rushed to her sister's side, examining the hand. Polly whimpered as Betty broke off the arrow.

"See Polly? It's me. It's Betty."

And then, it was like Polly had awoken from a nightmare. She reached out touch her sister's hair, stroking it. Tears sprung to her eyes, partially from the pain, but mostly from recognition. She stared into her sister's face as though she hadn't seen it in years, and in her mind, she probably hadn't. Whatever Evelyn did to her had literally altered her state of mind.

"Betty?" She hugged her sister, getting blood on the back of her jacket. "Betty, is that you? They told me that you were dead. That it was…"

"I know," betty smoothed her sister's hair. "It's not true. I'm a Serpent. We can't be all that bad."

"Betty, I'm so sorry. The things I did. Evelyn told me, and then there was a blonde and…wait. I just saw you didn't I? I'm so confused. What's going on? Where am I?"

"You're gonna be okay," Betty soothed. "We're going to get you the help that you need. In a good place. A safe place."

As Betty consoled her sister, I worked on the ropes binding mine. After tugging at them for a few minutes, I finally pulled out my knife and sliced the ropes off of her. Then I pulled Jellybean into a hug, squeezing her, running my fingers through her hair, and refusing to let go. When I released her, I noticed slight bruising on her face. Apparently they went the old-fashioned route. The indents on the side of her face resembled brass knuckles. I reached up and gingerly touched the marks and she winced.

"Jellybean, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," She smiled, but I could tell she was in pain. "I'm fine. You got to me in time."

"So they didn't—"

"No," She shook her head, fixing her hair. "I kept her talking. Like you taught me."

"Oh thank God." I pulled her into another hug.

"You know, I would hate for you to have rescued me only to kill me by suffocation." She mumbled.

"Oh," I released her. "I'm sorry. Where's Cindy?"

"She went up to the roof." Jellybean said. "I hope she kills herself and rids the world of her uselessness."

"How long ago?" I furrowed my eyebrows. Betty had left with Polly the rest. It was just the two of us.

"A few minutes before you arrived." She said. "Why?"

"Jellybean. I need you to go find Betty. I have some unfinished business."

I sprinted to the back corner and up the stairs, skipping as many steps as I could and almost tripping. When I made it to the surface of the roof, Cindy stood on the ledge, bottle of maple rum in hand. She brought it to her mouth, taking several large gulps.

"Cindy," I eased forward, holding my hand out. "Get away from the ledge."

"Why would you care? You ruined my life." She took a step to the side, teasing the ledge. One mis-step and she would fall.

"This isn't the way to go," I took another step towards her. "Look, I know you hate me, and I have every reason to hate you. Especially with what you tried to do to my sister. But I was taught mercy."

"mercy?" She spat the word like it was the most bitter taste she had ever experienced. "When did the Serpents ever teach you mercy?" She took another drink, her footsteps got sloppier and she didn't notice how close I was.

"It wasn't the Serpents." I said. "Come away from the ledge. I'll tell you all about it."

"I have nothing." She hung her head. "No family. You killed my brother, and the closest thing to a mother I have. I'm alone."

"It feels that way now," I said. "now please come towards me."

At this point I was pleading. I was pleading for the life of a woman who had threatened Betty, who had almost been responsible for the death of my sister. I was pleading for the life of a woman who was responsible for the deaths of many young members. And as she stood there, looking pathetically sad, it reminded me of the look I wore when I thought my dad had abandoned me, when Fred Andrews had taken me in and I lived with Archie as a Freshmen. I was close enough to grab her but I didn't want to make any sudden moves. She was clearly drunk, slurring her words, blubbering about Kurtz, and Penny, and for the first time, I truly felt sympathy.

"Where would a murderer like you learn mercy?"

"From a guy named Fred Andrews. I lost him my senior year. He was like a father to me. Always believed in me. And when he died, it killed me."

I hadn't thought about Fred in years, not in a way that made me sad. I tried to embody who he was—kind, generous, always there for people and if it wasn't for the life lessons he taught me, I wouldn't be on that roof. I would have let her fall to her death.

"Good," She said, and she took a step. I reached out, grabbing her arm, and pulling her back. She dropped the bottle and it shattered on the ground below.

"No! Let me go!" She pounded against my chest. Her drunken state made her not much of a fighter. "I don't wanna be here anymore!"

"I think there's somebody you need to talk to," I stood her up and lifted her, carrying her down the stairs.

"PUT ME DOWN!" She screamed. I didn't listen and carried her outside to the group. I steadied her on her feet and asked Betty to watch her. Then I pulled Cheryl aside.

"Cheryl," I looked at her intently. "I think you need to talk to her."

"Oh, I'll talk to her and I'll-"

"She's like this because she lost her brother. I know you know how that feels. She just tried to kill herself."

Cheryl was not an emotional person. Sometimes I thought she was a psychopath, but as I looked at her, I noticed a single tear fall from her eye. She nodded.

"Okay. But not here. She needs help. And so does Polly."

"I know." I nodded. "For now, let's get them to the hospital. They have a psych ward."

"Okay,"

Archie arrived, ready to arrest Cindy, but I stepped between them, explaining that she needed to be treated, not incarcerated.

"Jughead, she's responsible for the death of-"

"I know." I cut him off. "But like I told Cheryl. She just tried to kill herself. She needs to heal, and locking her up in the prison where some Serpents are serving life terms…is not going to help her. She needs help."

"Okay," Archie said. "I'll see what the doctor says. But she will need to go to court. I'll ask my mom if she can represent her and maybe let her plead insanity. But she needs to pay for what she's done."

I looked over at Cindy and didn't see the intimidating principal in the crisp, fashionable power suits. I saw a scared girl who lost everything she loved and was doing everything she can to cope with the tragedies she faced. I didn't like the lengths she lengths she went to in order to right what she perceived as a wrong, but I understood. If somebody would have killed somebody I loved, I probably would have flown into a rage. She shivered, despite the seventy-degree weather. I took off my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. As I looked at her, the icy blue eyes that once held so much ferocity pooled with tears, and fear.

We waited for an ambulance to arrive and rode with them to the hospital. I climbed in with Jellybean who insisted that she was fine, but I needed to make sure. Betty stayed by Polly, stroking her good hand, assuring her that it was okay. And Cheryl…Cheryl rode with Cindy. As we arrived and the girls were checked out, I couldn't help but think about how that night could have turned out wrong. How I could have lost Jellybean, or Betty, or any of the other Serpents.

Jellybean was the first to be released. After a blood draw, toxicology screening, and having her vitals checked, the doctor gave her an okay to leave. We went up to the psych ward where Polly had been sedated and bound to the bed. They wrapped her hand up in bandages and gave her pain medication. Then, I went to Cindy's room where Cheryl sat bedside. She was in the middle of the story of losing Jason when I knocked.

"You coming Cheryl?" I asked. "We're gonna head to Pop's."

"No," She shook her head. "I know that I wouldn't want to be alone after an ordeal like this. I'm gonna stay. Besides," She patted her bow much like a pet owner would if they had a dog. "If she gets any ideas, I can handle her."

"Okay." I nodded. "Just one question though." I walked into the room and addressed Cindy directly. "What's with the Pygmys?"

"Oh, that…that was just to keep you from finding the paralytic. It would have eventually dissolved in the blood stream, but we just needed to bide our time. Kinda hard to get to a body if your life is at risk."

"Hey hobo," Cheryl shot me a look of disbelief. "Can we not interrogate somebody who just tried to kill themselves? Where are your manners?"

"You're right. I'm sorry."

And so, another mystery was wrapped up. We caught the perpetrator, and instead of jail, Polly was admitted to a mental institution near the house so Betty could visit whenever she was in town. Cindy met with Archie's mom the next day and they began to form their case. When the day in court arrived, which was fairly quick, Cindy pled insanity and was sent to a separate mental institution where she received the help she needed. Cheryl visited often, helping her through, and occasionally I dropped in. After all, it was my fault that Kurtz was dead.

When he pushed me out the window back in my junior year I thought he was fine. But as I looked up his medical records, thanks to Betty's amazing computer skills, I found that the injuries he sustained were my fault. When I landed on him, I crushed a rib which punctured his lung. He was so loaded on gargoyle that he didn't notice when he took off, until eventually he bled internally and died on the street.

But that night was a night to celebrate. Jellybean was safe, Betty got her sister back, and I managed to make amends and honor Fred Andrews, something I swore I would do someday. But as the night wound down, and visiting hours ended, all I could think about was the rumbling in my stomach. And graduation. But only one problem could be solved that night. And as we sat in our usual booth at pops, drinking our milkshakes, I couldn't help but relax if only for a short moment.

AN: Alright, here we are. The mystery is solved, but there are still a few chapters. After all, there are five graduations that need to be accounted for. And of course…the biggest challenge yet…the proposal. Thank you so much for reading! I'll try to update soon!