awakening

by green-lights-n-rabbit-holes98

Something is rotten in the town of Riverdale. Sabrina must come to terms with her choices before the odds turn against new. The Uktena, once forgotten by the Serpents, makes a powerful resurgence, led by no other than a descendant of the founding members. And Alice has to decide once and for all - to let the guilt of her past swallow her or to embrace her roots as a witch.

9. Good Omens

ALICE

I should have taken my car out here, but I needed the walk. And I need the time alone to think. To prepare for this spell I need to perform.

A protection spell requires objects to give that represents a person, or a group of people. I've got a bag full of items that JB helped me pick out. It's not heavy by a long stretch, but the weight still causes my shoulder to droop. It doesn't help that I'm in the bitter cold walking through town, and the sky is now dark grey. The location of where the witch performs the spell is also critical. I could have made life easier by going down to Pickens Park, or even the school. But for the sake of who I need to protect, I choose neither of those places. I choose the place where it all began.

I should have performed this kind of spell earlier at the Conway House, or even back at the trailer park. I should have done a circle of protection back when Hal snuck his way in, sliced up my arm, and tried to choke me. I've been so distracted with catching him that I didn't consider doing what I could to protect the ones I care for the most. I didn't do enough for Sabrina. I still have time, though, to make things right. That's one reason I'm choosing to walk instead of drive. I mutter out ways I can tell her of Hal, of my involvement in the deaths of my classmates, of why I'm scared of her writing about Hal. If I can force the words out of me, it will make my life easier. It will save our relationship. Or it may not, considering how angry she currently is with me. Either way, getting it all out to Sabrina is a priority.

But going over what to say to Sabrina is not the sole reason I'm taking the long walk.

I considered bringing the copy of Pride and Prejudice Hiram gave to JB, but there's too much sentimental value for it to be used in the spell. I need the visual reminder that what I learned is true. Hiram loves me, and I think he has loved me for a long time. Am I really all that surprised? Yes, but I can see why JB and everyone else picked up on the signs earlier than me. His utmost devotion, and his evolving desire to leave the Church were all influenced by his feelings for me. It's beyond anything I've received from anyone, even Hal.

When I think of the relationship I had with Hal, I see the flaws rising to the surface. I don't think Hal truly cared for my wellbeing. I was only the pawn used for motivation, for his own gain. I originally would have thought the same of Hiram, but my views have changed. I know the real him, I know now of what he thinks of me.

Do I love him back? Do I love him just as strongly? I….I wish I knew. I've spent most of the past 25 years alone, I never considered a chance of finding love. I didn't want to. But then Sabrina came in, then the Jones, and now Hiram. All of my instincts, triggered by my trauma, would tell me to run. To think I'm saving all of them by leaving again. Goodbyes are hard enough as it is. My experiences would fool my brain to believe running is the best choice for me. Even if the Joneses care for my safety. Even if I did want to return Hiram's love….

I think about the Jubilee. About Sabrina's trial. What if news of her trials breaks the moment I decide to go to the Jubilee with him? If I decide to go with him? No….I can't lead Hiram astray. I don't want to make promises only to break them. Besides, isn't that what I'm doing already with Sabrina and her Aunts? It's every reason to get me expelled from Greendale. To get excommunicated from a coven I never even chose to join! Thinking about the Book twists my stomach into knots. Another skeleton I have to dig up and present to Sabrina. I could laugh, and cry.

I move on from the thought before I get emotional, moving onto the Conway House. And perfect timing, because I'm about to turn onto Fox Lane. An uncomfortable itch tingles in my body. It makes the injury on my forearm come to life. It makes my thigh cramp up and burn. If Hal dies, would the house finally disappear? Will the forest lining this town disappear too? I think of what could come of this place I once didn't want to call home once we rid of Hal for good. I don't want Riverdale to forget what rotted this place. I want them all to remember so they can find healthy ways to learn. To move on. To love one another better. I want them to welcome Joseph Conway home. I want Toni and her coven to be accepted once more. I want the Joneses to be happy, and for my other classmates and their children to live. And Hiram….

The chill rises the closer I get to the house. It still remains as it was when Hiram and I last came here. I contemplate whether or not to set up my spell inside the house or in the backyard. I make up my mind going up the walkway. I'll do the protection spell out in the backyard. Considering what I have to do with the objects in this bag, it might be best to not perform the spell indoors.

I step in through the doorway, comforted by the darkness of this place. The outside light reflects against the dust on the floor. The symbols carved out from whoever performed the summoning spell are still present, only with more dust. I let out a sigh, fidgeting with the rings on my fingers, and I hope that Hal's new witch isn't suffering the way I did. I hope Joseph Conway isn't freezing out in his bunker tonight. I head over into the kitchen to grab the tin trash can. I drag it out of the back door in the kitchen, making my way down the steps where I chased off Joseph days ago. I set the can down in the middle of the backyard, feeling wet snow land on top of my head. I let the bag slip off my shoulder and onto the ground. Then, I get to work.

I find spare wood lying around the scattered trees. I grab pieces one by one, plopping them inside the trash can. I pull out older newspapers from earlier in the week from my bag. I place those inside with the tree branches. Once I have enough supplies to move forward, I take a deep breath. I use pyrokinesis to set the wood and paper on fire.

The flames creep up, reaching my height. Little flickers kiss whatever leaves remain on the trees above me. I see the blue tints of the hottest part in between the wood and paper. I hold a hand over the flames, letting the warmth graze the inside of my arm, creeping all over my body. I go through the words of the spell in my head so I don't trip up in the process. Once I'm warm enough and more sure of myself, I begin the spell.

"Sisters and brothers of this world and out of sight. Hear my plea for the ones I call tonight. Bring them protection, give them love. Protect them from beasts and evils beyonds. Provide me guidance as I fulfill my plea. Here are the names I say to thee."

I grab the first item in the bag. The crumpled photo of Rose Blossom and her group that Joseph gave us. I run my fingers along the grooved edges from where it's been bent after so many times. I shut my eyes, concentrating on the subject.

I pronounce, "Joseph Conway, survivor of the Riverdale Reaper." I toss the photo into the flames, watching the orange change into blood red. "May light guide you after my work is done."

I go for the next items in my bag, another photo and one of the books from the Joneses' trailer. I glare down at the still image of FP, Gladys, and their kids. The book was some fantasy kids story originally belonging to Jughead's until he passed it down to JB. She claimed that she wouldn't be upset to give up the book when she gave it to me back at the trailers. I only hope FP and Gladys won't ask questions on its whereabouts, or on what happened to this photo.

I hesitate briefly before sacrificing both the book and the photograph into the fire. "FP Jones the Second, Gladys Cohen, and their two children, Jughead and Jellybean. May light guide you all after my work is done."

The flames this time glow green. I peer down, watching the photograph dissolve.

The next item I go for is the business card for Toni's shop. The logo stands out against the stock card paper. If all else fails, I do wish for Toni to succeed, to find some form of happiness later on in her life. And I beg the dead from beyond to not allow Joaquin to join them. "Toni Topaz, future leader of the new Uktena. And her friends….including Joaquin Desantos." I drop the card, seeing pink flames rise into the sky. "May light guide you after my work is done."

I reach into the bag for my next item, one more personal. A handwritten recipe provided to me by Hilda Spellman. I brought an index of recipes with me to use so I could provide Sabrina with some homefelt comfort. I never actually had a chance to dig into any of the recipes, and now, I'm not sure if that will mend things between us. At least I now have a good use for the recipe card.

"Sabrina Spellman…." I pause, unsure of how to phrase the next part out loud. Is she my niece? A friend? A pupil? Someone I'm going to lose if I don't hurry up? I eventually go with, "a daughter beyond blood." I fling the recipe card in, the flames go red again. "May light guide you after my work is done."

I go for the last and final object in my bag. This time, my movements are slower. This one took me a while to find, buried in one of my coats. The note Hiram gave me before Chuck Clayton's demise. The note that led me to place my faith into him. The way the letters glow against the fire's light are smooth. I run my fingers along his handwriting. I trace his initials and mine together on my wrist. I wish he were here now, telling me it's okay to let the note go. I want him here to confirm what he wrote in that book. More than anything, I want to….

I shove the thought away, not wanting to stay distracted a moment longer. With a shaky voice, I proceed. "Hiram Lodge….my friend. My sense of support. And his daughter….Veronica." I hold the note over the flames, taking one last look at the words he penned. The meaning that prompted me to be where I stand. I shut my eyes, feeling them get wet. I release my hold on the note.

"May light guide you after my work is done."

I curl my hand into a fist. I can't remember if I need to conclude the spell with one more call to each person, with one more promise of safe passage. So, I improvise a bit, muttering each name one more time. The names slur together, all clumping into a singular existing thing. I want them all to live. I want them to no longer live in perpetual fear. Not after what I started years ago. And certainly not what Hal has done since this town came into existence.

I end my performance of the spell, "I ask you, tonight, let these names see another day. May light guide them when I….when I surrender the price to pay. And may they never walk the earth alone. Light guide them all….long after I am gone."

I snap my fingers. I hear the flames blow out in a gust of wind, embracing me with a euphoric rainbow of colors. I open my eyes, rubbing at my throat. Smoke fills the air, the smell is not as terrible as I imagined. Good, I must have done it right. I look down at the ashes inside the trash can. My items are gone, but it signals that whoever is beyond has heard me. It will guarantee protection for them all.

Or so I think. I lean in more, noticing one unburnt part of one photograph. In the pile of ash and burnt wood, FP is the only figure remaining. His part has gone untouched.

A branch cracks in the distance. I look up, my mind now off FP's unburnt photo. I glance around the woods in front of me. It's probably just an animal. Or a creep. Or Hal. I brace myself, ready for an attack, backing up towards the house and grabbing my empty bag. A shadow forms a shape in the distance. The source of the noise? I squint, attempting to better understand who is daring to face me at this time of day. I decide to produce a new flame inside the trash can. It might be the only way I can see what I have to go up against. I begin to sense an aura…. It's one I've felt before. One filled with sadness and regret.

The figure approaches the scene closer. When I finally get a good look, I ease up. My heartbeat slows. "Joseph?"

"You shouldn't be out here, miss." the surviving Conway comes into the light. The wrinkles on his face have increased. His teeth chatter from the cold. He inches more to the fire, in baby steps. "The Reaper still haunts these woods."

"You think I didn't know that?" I tease, not wanting to sound too cruel. I see him eyeballing the flames. Knowing that I'm not facing a threat, I move over the Joseph. He backs away, I hold my hands up. I gesture back to the fire behind me. "You wanna go closer? You look like you're freezing." He doesn't say a word to me. He keeps his eyes trained on my flames. Eventually, he shuffles over, sticking his hands over the trash can. His chattering stops. He rubs his hands together in a methodical way. I see the corners of his mouth lift. I join him, looking back up at the house. I wonder if we both have ghosts waiting for us inside.

"What brings you back?"

I blink down at him. I see him glance around at the sky. He looks lost. I bring one hand to my bicep, rubbing it for warmth. I shrug my shoulders. "Needed to get….work done. I needed to figure out how to….keep everyone safe."

"Is your companion with you?" I'm confused at his question. I turn to him just as he looks back at me. "The man who came to the house with you. Is he…." I glare down at the fire. The mere mentioning of Hiram gets me emotional. I shut my eyes, concentrating on my breathing. I see flashes of him. And FP. And Toni. And Sabrina. What if my spell failed? Will they become part of the dead like everyone else? Will they never let me rest in peace?

"No. It's just me." I force myself to speak. My cheeks become hot and heavy. My nails dig into the fabric between the nails and my flesh. Blood rushes to my eardrums. I need to calm down. But only after I make my amends here.

I open my eyes. I turn all the way to face Joseph. He glances up at me, unsure of what I will pull on him next. I stutter out disjointed words, "Joseph….before you….leave…..I need you to promise me something. Can I ask you…."

Joseph's eyes wander, from his feet, to the sky, everywhere. "Depends on what it is you need, miss. If it's related to the Reaper-"

"It's not. Well….not fully." I pause for a second to breathe. I have to slow down, otherwise I'm going to scare him away. I need him, I have to get Joseph Conway on my side. If I don't….I might not have any other backup options. I step closer to him, feeling my own hands tremble. "There are these kids I'm….they're on the Southside. A young girl I've volunteered to look after. My neighbors' youngest. And….a few younger Serpents." I watch Joseph's eyes flare up at the mentioning of the gang. I bring a hand up, "They're good. I've met them. They're all good kids….in somewhat of a good place…. I'm worried that place won't be good for much longer."

Joseph sits on my words for a moment. From his expression, I can't tell if he's absorbed what I said or not. I don't know if he'll even understand any of it. His mouth forms an O shape, then it closes together in a tight line. He sighs.

"You want me to shelter them from the Reaper? If you….if you were to die?"

I could fall into the snow. If I were to die…. Well, that's one way of putting it. I chew on my lips, needing more time before I give him an answer. Joseph fills the silence, "You think the Reaper will come for you and those kids?"

"Not really the kids he wants. But he'll go after them anyway….." I keep my sentence there. I don't really want to admit to Joseph, But Hal will go after them anyway to spite me. To prove that I am a failure, and I couldn't save them. My injuries cry for attention at these thoughts. I wince, placing a hand on the rim of the trash can to keep me upright. The rim's hot, but it prevents me from getting too caught up into Hal.

Joseph slowly nods. I think he finally catches onto my suggestion. Still, Joseph asks, "What makes me worthy of becoming a hero, miss? I'm not brave. I hid when the Reaper murdered my family. I am still hiding after all these years. I haven't earned redemption." He looks back down at the fire, more guilty than how he appeared back down in his bunker.

His age is beginning to show. 50 years of hiding in the shadows has not benefited him. The way 25 years of hiding form Riverdale has damaged me. Will I turn out like Joseph in the future? Isolated, trapped, and jumping at every noise? I think I was down that path, and I would still be now. That is where I have to thank Sabrina for entering the picture. I would be where Joseph is if she hadn't come in. If she hadn't refused her Baptism. I grip onto the rim of the can tighter. Not tonight, Alice. Answer his question. What makes him your choice?

For starters, I can't guarantee Hilda and Zelda providing sanctuary for anyone upon Sabrina's return. Second, while I could bring the kids over to my bakery, I fear the space will not hold them all. Third….if I die, who will look after them? What if FP and Gladys don't make it? What if Toni cannot get ahold of other Uktena members? What if Hiram has another episode from….whatever it was Veronica did to him, and he cannot get himself cured in time?

The hot rim makes my palm sizzle. I hate overthinking about the future. I don't want to believe any one of the people I've become acquainted with will die. But I am one to always have the worse case scenarios. And I don't trust many other people in Riverdale besides my crew.

I finally craft an answer in my head. I let go of the rim, making a mental note to cure it later, and meet Joseph's gaze. What I say to him is the truth.

"You are a survivor, Joseph Conway. You've faced horrid things no one should witness in their lifetime. And here you are, still standing tall. You made these woods your home. You know where the Reaper goes when he isn't attacking. That makes you worthy, Joseph. Do you understand?" I notice his hand beginning to shake. I hear his breathing waiver, sounding unstable. I breathe in, then I take his shaking hand into my own. I'm surprised at how coarse his hands feel. Then again, It's all these years of living off the land and hunting for food. It's shifted how he sees the world, maybe not for the best, but certainly not the worst.

I look straight at Joseph. "You say you haven't earned redemption, but that's not true. What happened to your family, and to that man out in Pickens Park, was not your fault. You have spent years making it up to your family. I see it in that research you collected in your bunker. I see how….protective you are of this place." I stop, glancing back over at the empty house. Cars zoom past down the street. I'm shocked, really, that no one's come by to see what the hell is going on in the backyard. Worried that my luck may change, I decide to wrap up my point. "Personally, that makes you heroic to me."

Joseph's quiet for a long while. Then, I see his lips form a U shape. His hand becomes smooth. Calm. I look into his mind. While he doesn't outwardly say it, he's….grateful for what I said? Enamored? I can't put it that well in words, but the intent is visible. It puts me a little more at ease.

His eyes wander back up to the sky, then back out to the woods behind us. "It's getting awfully late, miss. You should get back into town. Would you like for me to…." he pauses mid-sentence. I don't get why at first, but it does hit me. An act of courtesy? Vulnerability? Fear?

I wave it off by telling him, "I know my way around, Joseph. No need to fret over me." I give him a two finger salute and a grin for extra measure. He laughs, perhaps for the first time in years. I let go of his hand, and I bring my gaze back down to the fire. How do I put this out without revealing my magic to him? I should wait until he leaves before taking care of this, but I can't stay out at the house forever.

"You can leave now, if you want. I'll stay by the fire." Joseph reassures me, adopting that sad voice again. He holds both hands out close to the flames. "Good thing you put this on. I was rather cold in my bunker." He keeps his attention at the fire, not saying another word to me. He's acting almost the same as he did when I first met him. Only this time, he's more hopeful. He's no longer as afraid. Or alone. He's….trusting of me.

I would wave goodbye to him, or wish him safe travels back into his woodland home, but he looks so content at my makeshift fireplace. It would be rather rude of me to disturb that peace. I wander away from the area, moving at a snail's pace as I make my way around the house. I take one last look at the house. It might be the last one I get in a while, and I don't plan on going back here anytime in the future.

It's funny to think my journey began here all because of a stupid dare. But even then, I stopped by this place long before going at the command of Penelope Blossom. What lied in there horrified me. What rests in front of me now can no longer harm me. It's an empty shell of a home, a graveyard, if you want to call it that. But to me, it's a place where I have come to face what I am, and what I have to do.

It's the place where I can finally begin to live.

Going in the opposite route of the one I took as a teenager, I head back into town. I keep my head bent down to my forearms. My teeth chatter when a cold breeze hits my face. I rub my palms together in an effort to produce some warmth, feeling my rings make contact with one another. I allow my fingers to run across the tattooed contract on my wrist. Even this much in the dark, Hiram's initials glow when I push down on that area of my flesh. I wonder if he's at Pembrooke right now, finishing up work for the night or about to have dinner with Veronica. I wonder if he can suspect the turmoil I'm facing thinking about him. Is it even worth admitting how I feel if I'm about to leave soon? If I even leave? No….he has to know. I can't leave him in the dark, I've done that too much already. But what do I say? That I know the meaning of his sigil thanks to a smart aleck eleven-year-old? That I regret being a complete, utter bitch to him and should have given him a chance back in high school? Why am I becoming so dysfunctional?

My distracted thoughts keep me from seeing the sudden appearance of light from behind me. As well as the sound of a growling noise coming to a stop. My heart races. My shoulders stack over my ribcage. I curl my hands into fists, heel-toeing in a backwards circle. It's Hal - there's no other explanation.

Or….so I think. Why would Hal utilize such bright lights? And….and whose car is this? I release one of my fists and bring the hand up to shield my eyes. The door opens. A dark figure emerges from inside. A hazy gold lines the figure coming over to me. The darkness is traded for bluish grey. The face becomes clearer. My confusion is traded for frustration. He's no longer in his Sheriff's uniform, but it's easier to make him out over the car's lights.

I scoff when I lower my hand. I roll my eyes. "You scared the shit out of me, Tom."

"Wendy, I…." Tom stumbles on his words, inching closer to me. He goes to reach for me, hesitating to place his hand on my shoulder. Eventually, he decides to let it drop at his side. He points to the car behind him. He nervously tilts his head at me. "What are you doing walking around this part of town by yourself? You realize there's a killer on the loose….right?"

"So I've heard." I pass off my strange behavior with a snark. Despite him no longer holding the name, he still embraces that Sheriff-esque attitude. I don't think me playing off anything will pass by him so easily. But his efforts don't come off as harsh. There's genuine concern in his actions. I contemplate how deep I want to go in my own emotions, wondering if it will help me get pass Tom Keller. I huff, crossing my arms together. I wind up speaking a little bit from the heart, not wanting to give too much of my personal life away. "I needed to clear my head. It's been a long couple of days."

"No shit." Tom chuckles. He turns his head towards the other shoulder, looking back at where I just came from. "Seems a little odd that you're on…." I grit my teeth, squeezing my eyes shut. Crap, maybe I didn't think this one through all that well. Let's see, I don't really feel like seducing him to make him disappear, and it's too risky to hex him with my demon-ex-boyfriend nearby. My fingers twist the ring on my left thumb. That part of my flesh squishes against my bones. I memorize the sensation. I let it guide my thought process.

Once I move past the recent tick, I speak. "I've heard about the Conway House. Wanted to see it for myself. And….since I had time before I needed to go back to Pop's….." I gesture my hands out to him, leaving my elbows at a 90 degree angle. I smirk. "Here I am. So….sorry I made you freak out."

I bring the side of one hand to my other palm, looking down at the pavement. I bring that side of my hand up and down on my palm for a while. The inside of my bottom lip slides up so it covers both set of teeth. I examine my hangnails forming. A pair of shoes enter my view, the tips nearly kissing mine.

I look up just as he says, "You didn't." Tom's eyes have gone soft. His face relaxed. Am I hallucinating, or is Tom….

Wanting to not get sucked up into this, I glance over his shoulder at the abandoned vehicle. I take a step back, crossing my arms together. I point to it, "Where were you, uh….heading?"

"Oh." Tom runs his fingers through his hair. The grey in his once brown hair stands out. His behavior is beginning to sketch me out. What exactly led him to find me out here? And what is keeping him from leaving?

He smiles. He points to the car again. "To Pop's, actually. You want me to give you a ride?" The realization of the words leaving his tongue stun me. The headlights still blare at both of us. Looking at his vehicle, I make an O with my mouth. I do this to buy me time and come to a decision. A car ride could let my feet rest, and it will warm me up. But I'd feel trapped and unable to do anything if trouble brewed. Plus….I'm not really sure what Tom Keller thinks he'll gain besides a good samaritan award. Don't get me wrong, Tom is a good man. He's brave and true. But he's…. He's just not Hiram.

The ticks in my rolling ankles and the soreness of my thigh lead me to make my choice. I put on an airy voice, "Why the hell not? My dogs were barking anyway." I wait until I move past Tom before I remove my fixed smile. The real challenge will be to stay interested in what Tom might say, and to not think about the fate of Joseph. Or the fate of my future with Sabrina. Or how I'm starting to feel about Hiram.

Now, I just want to get warm and relax.

XXXXXXXX

TONI

The shop smells of pan-fried sausage and vegetables. I'm starving as I log the finances from today into the books, and it doesn't help that I have my crockpot perched on top of the counter. I figured that I could bring food to Nancy's meeting as a welcoming gift. The recipe belonged to Granddad - roasted sausage of any kind with onions, peppers, and potatoes. I've adapted his recipe over the years the more I lived on my own, and I think I've found a variation of the recipe that works best for me. I silently hope Nancy and the others in her group will enjoy it as well. The aroma wafts through the shop, calming down my anxiety a bit. I'm nervous about tonight. How will the others view me? Will they see me as snobbish, or overstepping my boundaries? Nancy's assured that they're excited to meet me. I don't know how many times she must have coaxed me as she dropped me back off at my shop. Even again when she texts me that she'll come back to drive me over to Pretty Poisons.

"You really didn't have to do this, Toni." she tells me after helping me place the crockpot carefully into the backseat of her trunk. For a moment, I fear it will slosh all over the place, but we have it secured between her materials for tonight. "We normally go out for dinner afterwards, or just bring a handful of snacks. But a whole meal…"

"What the hell? We're nearing the holidays. I think we all need some holiday cheer." I shut the door and move closer to the passenger's side. I jump in, strapping on my seatbelt as Nancy gets her vehicle started. The drive over to the tattoo parlor gives us the privacy to review our good news from Mayor McCoy. The meeting's not for another 15 to 20 minutes, but Nancy wanted to head over early to set up, and to allow me time to meet her team. I think it's a sweet gesture. And it's nerve wracking as hell. I go through calming spells in my head just to keep it together. But the more we keep discussing the Mayor and her plans for us, I can't help but go back to what she admitted to me. She's a witch lawyer. She knows about the Uktena. She wants me to hide everything about myself for just a while longer. But how much longer? Until the Reaper wrecks the town? Time is ticking, and I've done enough hiding.

The car comes to a stop, parking just outside the tattoo parlor. She has it so her hood faces the front door, with us facing the rest of the parking lot. I look back to the seats behind me, and I silently thank the spirits for not letting my crockpot tilt over and wreck the inside of Nancy's truck.

I shiver as the ignition turns off. My biceps tense up from the cold. My teeth chatter. Nancy touches my arm, calling my attention to her. "Hey. They're going to love what you made. Besides, who's going to turn down a warm meal around here?" My lips curl upward, mostly because what she said brought me some comfort, but also….it reminds me how lucky I have it right now. Most residents on the Southside barely have the financial means to have food on their tables. During the holidays, the issue worsens for those not able to secure a job, or have friends willing to help provide a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs. My situation may not be ideal, but thanks to Granddad and the revenue from the shop, I at least have enough to get by. So, Nancy's right. If I didn't have this cushion, I wouldn't be turning down what's sitting in my crockpot.

"I'm ready when you are." I announce, undoing my seatbelt and climbing out of her truck. Once she gets out, she helps to grab her items for the night while I carefully grab for my crockpot. Nancy goes ahead over to the front door of the place so I can get through first. She holds it open, winking at me. "After you, Miss Topaz."

The music is the first thing I process walking into Pretty Poisons. For some reason, I assumed hard rock would be blasting out of the speakers. But no. Alternative pop plays, I have to pay more attention to it over the noise coming from the back of the parlor. The 80s synthesizer and the hypnotic vocals sound oddly familiar. I think I might have this song on one of my various playlists for the shop after I randomly heard it on the radio. When Nancy joins my side, I ask who the artist is. "Tame Impala, it's The Less I Know the Better! Good song, right!" she raises her voice the closer we get. I nod my head in approval, following Nancy as she goes to set aside the curtain leading to the back.

I step in through the makeshift void, almost running into a body looming over me. I grip tighter onto the handles of my crockpot. I look up at this…. For a moment, I think it's Alice. The blonde of her hair is identical. The eyes have the same shape and color. But the more I look at this Alice-copycat, the more on edge I become. This isn't Alice, she's much shorter, probably closer to my height. Her jawline isn't as crisp. She's rough around the edges. A nasty scar has made a home on her forearm. Rumors have crawled all over the Southside wondering how that scar wound up there. Unfortunately, due to my time as a member of the Serpents, I know the real reason.

The scar was where her Serpent tattoo used to be before she got exiled and had it removed.

"Well, well, well…." she pronounces while grimacing down at me. "Never thought I'd see your face in here, Topaz. Your pals still looking for a replacement Snake Charmer?"

I swallow the lump down my throat, I roll my shoulders back. When I speak to her, when I say her name, it oozes out of my mouth like a poisonous hex. "The job's still vacant, if that's what you're asking, Penny. And we don't plan on filling it any time soon."

Penny smirks at me in a ghoulish manner. Funny how I say ghoulish, because it's….freakishly appropriate, now that Penny's a member of the Ghoulies. Or at least that's what's circulating within the Serpents. But I can't trust everything I hear coming out of any Serpents' mouth. The Joneses and Hog Eye are probably the only members I trust, and dare I include my own crew, and Nancy. I would….if I didn't have Sierra McCoy's warning dancing through my head like a cautionary Sugar Plum Fairy. I'd rather take that over Penny any day.

She lets out a low-registered cackle. "How did you find your little way into this group, Topaz? When did you suddenly get into activist work?"

"She's with me, Penny." Nancy steps in, shoving a stack of paperwork into her face. "How about you make yourself useful and check everyone in?" Penny stares at her in shock. I can't help but smirk. Nancy defended me? Good thing I did show up with Nancy, because I might have turned into Penny's dinner.

The blonde scowls. She grabs the paperwork and slips past us. She looks back over her shoulder at me, her lips in a straight line. "Interested to see how you contribute. Wonder if you'll make your granddaddy proud." The comment hits me in an unsettling manner. Penny grimaces at me again, then she walks away, heading to the front door.

Wonder if you'll make your granddaddy proud. What the hell is that supposed to mean? I want to convince myself to let it go, that Penny is only messing with me. But the last part is seeping into the cracks of my brain. That the work I have thrown myself into has not been enough. That what I do will never satisfy Granddad, or the Uktena.

I feel a pair of hands removing the crockpot from my violent grip. "Here, I'll set this down for you." I turn away from where Penny left to find Nancy now cradling my meal in her arms. She sense something off with me, despite the fact that I'm trying not to look shaken up. Her lips go down in an upside down U. She steps in to me, lowering her voice. "I'm sorry, Toni. She's a little…."

"Abrasive?" I snort. "Yeah, no shit. I remember how much she freaked us out back then." I fold my arms over one another. I only have a few memories of interacting with Penny, but only through second or third hand encounters with the boys. She took on the role as Snake Charmer when I was in the middle of high school, which means that a good amount of members my age, including my own friend group, fell victim to the traps she laid out. It was nothing sexual, thank the spirits, but it was always drug runs or stealing information from the cops when anyone needed her as a lawyer or a contractor. Poor Fangs got wrapped up in one escapade when he needed money to care for his family. Same with Joaquin, especially with a little brother to look out for. Sweet Pea and I lucked out of not dealing with her bribes, and eventually her behavior came back to haunt her.

I vaguely remember the night our Serpent Leader, a man named Tall Boy, had us vote on her excommunication during a meeting at the Whyte Wyrm. The room was in solid agreement of letting her go, not a tear shed or a word of defense spoken. What happened following the vote…. I didn't stick around to see that part. I only heard from Hog Eye afterwards, which I related later to the Joneses and to my own crew. But I could hear Penny screaming and the sound of a knife slicing open skin as I left the Wyrm. You don't forget things like that, no matter how badly you want to block it out.

"Honestly, Toni, I wouldn't want her staying in this group, either." Nancy admits to me. "But….we need a good alliance with the Ghoulies. And, unfortunately, she was one of the few members willing to take part." She begins to head over to the other side of the room, motioning for me to come follow her. I stay by her side as she continues, "But, I can at least say with full confidence, the other Ghoulie members we have are good people. I think you'll get along fine with Baby Teeth and Kurtz. But everyone, besides Penny, here is good. Go ahead, Toni. Make yourself at home."

Nancy goes over to a nearby table to set my crockpot down. Looking around the room, I finally notice more people, a near even mix of girls and boys. Some of the faces I have never seen before, I think maybe they're the Ghoulies Nancy mentioned. The rest I recognize from the demonstration yesterday. Two Serpent girls wave hello to me. A young man comes over to my direction. It takes me a second or two to remember where exactly I've seen him before, he's got beads of sweat on his forehead, he looks like he just worked out. But when I do, I get excited. It's the speaker who brought me up onto the gazebo steps.

"You finally made it." he extends his hand out to me, which I take. "And….I see you survived the wrath of Penny Peabody."

"Not the first time I've dealt with her." I chuckle. I look out to the side, where Nancy is chatting with the other female Serpents and getting my crockpot set up. She notices me and gives me a little wave. Air leaves my head, blood rushes down to my fingertips. I lift the corners of my mouth at her, bringing my fingers to the air.

My new friend points at the crockpot. "Did you make that?"

I snap out of my dazed attitude, turning my attention to him. "Yeah. Granddad's recipe."

"Well, I can't wait to try it out….uh…." His head goes back slightly. He points a finger at me. I hear a faint chuckle escape from his lips. "Sorry, I don't think I ever got your name, even though I know Nance brought you up." Now that I think of it, I don't think I had much of a chance to introduce myself to the other members following my speech. I really only stuck around with Fangs up until I left to help Joaquin. I have primarily been with Nancy today. Plus, I have no idea if I've seen this guy around the Southside before. I study his workout wear for any clues - a navy blue crew neck underneath his leather hoodie. The crew neck's got white lettering spelling out El Royale, over top a lion ready to beat up someone. A boxer, I guess? Whatever this guy is, he seems like a good friend to Nancy, and I have a feeling he and I will work together more in the future. So, I tell him my name and my line of work.

"Topaz….like a gemstone? That's really cool! I'm Munroe, but everyone around here just calls me Mad Dog. It's my, uh….it's kind of like my boxing name." I smile as Munroe gestures down to his crew neck. In a way, his demeanor reminds me of Fangs and Joaquin rolled into one.

Thinking about Fangs and Joaquin leads me to scan the rest of this little room. Did Fangs go yesterday? I've been so caught up with Joaquin and Nancy, I can't remember if I learned of this information. And I doubt he's made anything aware to Sweet Pea. Will he come tonight? Would he know of….is he going to find out about Joaquin?

"Here, you wanna come sit with us?" Munroe calls me back to the real world. He gestures to three empty seats nearby the other Serpent girls. "We're probably gonna go round-robin anyway to meet everyone and catch you up to speed, but I figure I can at least introduce you to them." The girls strike up conversation with Munroe as he makes his way over. I decide to sit down next to him, leaving the seat on my left open. I silently ask the spirits to leave it unoccupied so I won't get stuck next to Penny….if she does decide to come my way. I spy her creeping in from behind the curtain, remaining by the wall. She keeps her eyes trained on me from that dark place, her aura glowing somewhere in between red and black. It's discomforting to observe.

"So, your family was part of the Original Serpents?" one of the Serpent girls asks. At first, I think it's directed at Munroe, or even to Nancy far away. I turn to her, only to find both girls looking at me in excitement, waiting for an answer. I quickly realize that the question is meant for me. I give them a condensed (and heavily censored) version of my family. I think Sierra would be proud of how I handled myself if she overheard this conversation, and my answer seems to impress both girls. I start to get a brief history of how these girls wound up in the Serpents, and why they're taking part in Nancy's group. One of the girls' stories strikes familiarity, just in the way she describes her coming into the group.

"Wait," I ask, "when did you join?"

"A year or two ago." the girl admits. She pushes some of her dark hair away from her grey blue eyes. "I got kicked out of my boarding school over some stupid prank my friends and I got involved in. The police wound up getting involved and everything, it was embarrassing, really. So, when I got sent home, they just shuttled me here to live with my Aunt. They adamantly refused to let me keep living with them. I had nowhere to go. Some of the girls around here were talking about joining, I followed in suit hoping it would give me something. After I initiated, that's when the panic set in. I didn't fully understand what I had gotten myself into. And I had to go get my tattoo, because….because that's what you're supposed to do, right?"

"That's when you came to Nancy." The girl looks up at me in pure shock. I nod my head, "She's told me about you coming into this place."

The girl peers over her shoulder to find Nancy making her way over to the circle, next to me. She finishes her little story, "Yeah, In a way, she kind of saved me. We're all kind of on this island of misfit toys together." Nancy sits down, plopping her stack of papers onto her lap. The group begins to shush one another in anticipation. The girl leans across Munroe, quickly whispering, "I'm Donna, by the way. Donna Sweett."

"Nice to meet you, Donna." I exchange in a hushed voice, just as Nancy addresses the group, beginning the meeting. The circle looks up to her as if she were some almighty figure. I don't blame them. A hazy orange traces her outline, exhibiting happiness, confidence. It hits me finally that this is the first instance of me seeing her aura. I could glance about to read the other auras of the room, but I don't. And I really don't want to make contact with Penny or her aura for the remainder of this meeting. So, like the rest of the room, I stay on Nancy, feeling her radiating energy warm me.

"Alright, so….I've got good news from the Mayor. She's allowed for us to make a speech during the Jubilee." The room whoops and hollers. Munroe chuckles next to me, pounding his fist onto his kneecap. Nancy sighs, waiting for the hype to die down. "But….that does come with some strings attached." This kills the excitement slightly. Questions get thrown out, What does that mean? Are they gonna make us spew out some pro-Riverdale garbage? From the back of the room, Penny smirks. A chill runs down my back. Nancy regains control of the room, "She doesn't want for any of us to get into trouble until we go up on that stage Friday night. That's all she said. And she is with us, on OUR side. She told me herself."

"So, what does that mean? We can't go out and keep doing our marches?" one of the male members speaks up. His pale skin stands out compared to most of the members in here. His sunken eyes and bleached blonde hair make him appear skeletal. His tone of voice shifts, one to more sincere. "If Mayor McCoy is with us, why is she stepping down? Especially now?"

"Believe me, I asked her that, Baby Teeth." Nancy clutches the papers tighter. I look back at the kid, noticing the way he shrinks in his seat. The Ghoulie next to him (if this blonde kid is Baby Teeth, that must be Kurtz) places a hand onto his shoulder. He sends a look of disappointed worry to Nancy. If only I could tell this group of what Sierra confessed to me when I spoke with her in private. If only they had any real clue of what I'm doing in this room, what I want to really accomplish.

Nancy stands up, placing the papers down on her seat. "But she gave me her word that whoever replaces her in that office will give us just as much respect, and just as much determination to help out the Southside. It doesn't guarantee anything a hundred percent, but it's a sign of hope. A sign of….change. For the better."

Penny snorts, sending us all into an eerie silence. She pushes herself away from the wall, her figure glowing in a grim manner. "That's cute, Peaches." she addresses Nancy, not even attempting to use her real name in place of her Serpent name, "But you all haven't run this gauntlet as long as me. Those Northsiders won't guarantee shit to help us, no matter what pretty little lies they try to sell us. No matter how much they wrap it up, put a bow on top, and stick it under a tree. Appropriate, right? Since it's the holidays and all?"

"I trust Sierra, we have a good working relationship. If she were lying to all of us, I wouldn't have even gone in to see her today." Penny doesn't take her thoughts into consideration. She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. Then, she makes direct eye contact with me.

"What about you, Topaz? You believe the Mayor's duping all of us?" The room goes dead silent. Almost everyone has their eyes pinned on me. Even Munroe and Donna. I need to give them all an answer, but I certainly don't want my words to blow through Penny's ears. She comes more out of the shadows, resting her hands on top of a chair next to Baby Teeth. I see one of her eyebrows raise, egging me on.

I roll my shoulders back. I cross one of my legs over the other, leaving my hands glued onto my lap. I exchange looks with the rest of the group, as if I were speaking to them, and not just to her. "Why else would Nancy and I have spent our morning to go and see her?" Whispers fill the dead space. Penny loses her streak of confidence. I allow myself to have this moment of victory and smirk at her. "Sierra McCoy gave us her direct blessing to go up on that stage Friday night. Doesn't sound like duping anyone to me."

It takes a long time for Penny to respond back. She clamps her lips together to form a tight line. The knuckles on her fingers turn yellow and white. She tilts her head, then she releases the chair from her talon-like grip. "Fair enough." she mutters. The room breaks out into laughter. I glow, taking in my small win. Munroe lifts his thumb up to me. Donna smiles at me before she glances over at Penny. The smile disappears when the blonde looks over at her. The eyebrow shoots up again. Donna returns to her normal position, shrinking into herself. That's odd….what power does Penny hold over this girl?

My train of thoughts become interrupted when I hear something buzz over the noise growing in this room. I notice Nancy pulling out her phone and glancing down almost with an inquisitive manner. Is everything alright? I go to ask, but she slips her phone back into the pocket of her leather jacket. She looks over to Munroe and me, "Can you start leading a brainstorming session? I'll be back in a minute." She lifts the corners of her mouth at me, then she hurries out through the curtain.

"Probably just checking more people in." Munroe reassures me. "We have lte stragglers sometimes. But we'll catch them up." I nod my head, not saying much in return. In fact, the whole room is sketching me out. First, Penny Peabody's glaring at me from the other side of the room. Then, she's giving the young Serpent girl a fright. And Nancy…. No, I don't believe Nancy's involved in this. It's funny….I wanted to peer down at her phone to see who had contacted her. Why else would she have grinned at me? I sit on these possibilities while Munroe gets everyone to start working on ideas for the speech. People pair off into smaller groups, writing things down onto paper. From the other side, Penny smirks at Donna, as if she has the girl under a spell. I go to suggest that Donna can stay with me and Munroe. Before I get a chance, Donna sheepishly makes her way over to Penny, not looking my way at all.

"Are you thinking of including the Uktena?"

I blink at Munroe, feeling my throat dry up. I clear it quickly and hope he didn't witness me faze out. "Depends." I reply. I consider whether or not it's wise to include Munroe in the lineup of who Sierra McCoy does not want me giving away my lineage to. I peer over by the entryway, but still no sign of Nancy. I look back at him, "It could bring a new perspective. But even if I were to….essentially redo my speech from yesterday, I'm going to need time to reword everything. I don't think the Mayor would appreciate me land blasting the Riverdale Founders the moment I go to open my mouth." He chuckles, I light up. Well, I need to. I can't exactly tell Munroe that it's not a good idea to expose myself or my coven, or the others, with a chaos-hungry demon on the loose.

Munroe shrugs his shoulders. "Well, I thought your speech was awesome. And, I think I can speak on behalf of the group when I say we all got something out of it. I knew the Serpents were here a long time before I joined. I didn't realize it originated from the Natives in the area." He pauses for a second, glancing down at the linoleum floor. He shifts around in his seat, I'm not really able to explain why he does that. "Is it only you, Toni? I mean….are you the only one of the Uktena left in Riverdale?"

Weight lowers onto my shoulders. It's not that loaded of a question. I get people asking me constantly where my family is, why I'm the only one around the shop, etcetera. But this time, it hits me weirdly. Maybe because it's someone Nancy has good acquaintance with? Maybe because I'm opening up about myself more? Because my bloodline and my craft is on the line? I stay quiet for a good minute. I need to answer this carefully. I need to think…. How would I tell Nancy if she were the one who asked me? How would I have told Alice?

Once I gather my thoughts, I speak.

"My Granddad went back to his hometown long ago. He's in Toledo. My parents….they were never really in the picture for a good amount of my childhood. Dad was in jail, Mom caught up traveling with my Granddad. So, I spent most of my life with my uncle. He's not actually Uktena like me - he married into the family….. But he left when I was still going through school. So, to answer your question….. Everyone's pretty much gone. Except for me. I'm going off what I've learned from my Granddad over the years. I'm going off my own….research. I'm taking it one day at a time, because sometimes…..it's really all you can do."

I slink back into my seat. I begin picking at a hangnail that's formed on the side of my thumb. It's crazy how little I knew my family, despite the amount of rich history that I have to carry on. I can barely remember what my dad's voice sounded like. I don't know what my mom used to cook for me as a toddler. I know my Aunt died before I went into high school, hence why I was stuck alone with my Uncle for so long. But even then, I can't recall many details about her. And I thought she was a great witch. It was she who helped me repair the shop after Granddad left. It was she who taught me how to act financially smart.

It's horrible what trauma can do to you, and what it makes you forget.

"Jesus, Toni. I'm sorry." Munroe sounds remorseful when he fills in our silence. I put back on a happier face mask for him, and I shake my head, telling him to not worry so much about it. That doesn't stop him from saying, "Family's important, though. But family doesn't have to be just blood. Have you….have you told your own crew about this?"

Another stunning question. I have to reflect more on this one. The boys knew vaguely of what was going on with me, but did I really open up to them? Did I go to Fangs for advice on how to care for ill family? To Sweet Pea on handling my Uncle? To Joaquin, for anything at all?

"No." I finally admit to him. "I've kept this to myself. I wanted to reach out, but…."

Something from the other side of the room captures my attention. Muttering. I fear that it's Penny tormenting the group, but when I bring my eyes to the source of the noise, that fear goes away. It's traded for….astonishment. And disbelief. Nancy returns into the room, pointing in my direction. "She's in here." she tells a person. Who? Somebody for me? The group? I'm caught in the anticipation like I'm stuck watching a horror movie victim waiting for the killer to go after them in the climax. Munroe looks my way as well, and he starts laughing. I don't get it. Who did Nancy leave the room for? She allows the stranger to enter through the makeshift entryway. The room goes quiet. Except for me.

"Joaquin?"

"Uh….hey, Tee." Joaquin smirks and gives me a shortened wave. I race over to him, wanting to drag him out of this room, away from the gossipers. Away from Penny. I'm tempted to raise my voice, but I don't want to draw unnecessary attention from the room. So, in a hushed whisper, I chew Joaquin out.

"What the hell are you doing here? You weren't supposed to leave the trailer park!"

"Well, I couldn't just sit on my ass and twiddle my thumbs while I waited for my death sentence." he protests. He shoves his hands into his pockets and sighs. "You've got something good happening, Toni. I mean….shit, Nancy was filling me in on your meeting with the Mayor. You're crazy if you think I'm not jumping in and getting some skin in the game."

Nancy bites her lip, pointing at Joaquin while keeping her sights on me. "We've….actually been texting back and forth through most of the day about it. After everything you told me about your crew, Toni…." She stops, looking over at Joaquin. I'm curious to read her mind, to learn what she planned out with Joaquin, but she's quick to fill in the blank silence. "Why don't you actually tell her, Joaquin?"

He smiles. Okay….what is going on here? And what does this have to do with MY crew?

Before I can ask, Joaquin turns back to me. "I'm tired of not getting up and doing the right thing. You've done enough of it on your own, Tee. After everything you've done for us, it's only fair that we do the same for you." My brain slowly connects whatever little jigsaw puzzle pieces I have together. Surely, he's just referring to himself and Nancy, right? Maybe Fangs too? No….it's too much of a stretch. I don't even think Sweet Pea knows of the current events with his basketball schedule. I haven't even seen him in person since we all graduated! But what were the odds of me running into Fangs yesterday? Of finding Joaquin having escaped from that massacre?

Fate has a strange way of bringing people together. What Joaquin ran from only happened to be connected to Alice's situation. But Fangs didn't just leave that religious group for a reason. And I didn't happen to just meet Nancy…. Then how would…. Does that mean….

Joaquin grins. "Besides, I really hope I didn't just waste the rest of my brain cells, and Fangs with his money, to catch Sweet Pea up on everything."

It all finally sinks in. Nancy smiles and nods her head. Joaquin gestures to the room beyond the curtain. My eyes go big.

"WHAT?"

I push my way past Joaquin, sending that curtain wide open, about ready to march out into the main area. I stop dead in my tracks, unable to process…. No, what I'm seeing….who I'm seeing is as bright as if it were still day.

Fangs sits on top of one of the reclining chairs, waving at me. "Hi, Toni!"

Across the way, Sweet Pea, in all of his tall, lanky glory, rises when he sees me walk in. The shit-eating grin on his face grows. "THERE'S OUR LITTLE ACTIVIST!"

I'm smacked in the face with a multitude of emotions. My crew is back! Joaquin, Fangs, and Sweet Pea are all here! FOR ME! With tears streaming down my face, and my lungs getting sore from screaming, I race over to Sweet Pea and Fangs. The taller of my friends practically lifts me into the air when I leap into his arms, swinging me around until we both get dizzy. I'm set back down onto the floor and pulled into another bear hug.

"How are you….how did you even…."

"I was gonna come back anyway for the holidays." he explains, holding me at arms length. He gestures behind me over to Fangs, "But he got talking about this shit, and I thought….why not cause a little trouble while I'm home?" I glance over just in time to catch Joaquin meandering over to Fangs. He clears his throat and raises his brows. Sweet Pea continues, "Oh, right. And….we all wanted to help with your group. Saw your speech, by the way. You kicked ass up there!"

"One of the protesters recorded your speech and put it on social media." Fangs explains when I look back at him. Joaquin proceeds to pull out his phone. He flips out the screen to me. I glare down at a video someone's shared on Facebook. It's me at the gazebo making my speech. The number of likes and shares are….I'm at a loss of words. I'm still glaring at the phone as Fangs concludes his point. "They want to know more about you, Tee. They….people are growing interest in what you and Nancy are doing. We're being seen. YOU are being seen."

My eyes get wet. While I can barely hear the audio, I know the words leaving my mouth on that screen. I finally see myself through the lens of the world. I glance over at the growing number of shares. The different emojis making up how people are reacting. A terrifying thought comes to me. Will the secrecy of the Uktena's legacy unravel because of my speech? Will my promise to Sierra McCoy be broken?

"You're not going into this alone, Tee. We're with you all the way." Joaquin addresses me as he puts the phone away. I find Nancy coming over to our little group, standing between me and Joaquin. "Even if one of us winds up in jail, or….probably just me with my shit."

"Nah, it will most likely be me." Sweet Pea jokes, earning him glares from Joaquin and Nancy, and an elbow to the ribs from Fangs.

"Point being…." Fangs picks up, "You've done too much for us over the years, and we owe it to you. For real. Let us help you out. Okay, Tee?"

I lock eyes with Nancy. I feel her fingers slip into mine. It takes a good amount of strength to not go on blubbering like a baby in front of the boys. Appreciation blends with petrification. And failure. It's daunting. I know I need to keep the Uktena and our work sacred. I have to keep it safe from the Reaper. But my crew is here, all of us. TOGETHER. And Nancy….where would I be without her? Without Alice or her team?

Granddad was never really one to make connections with others. He spread the word of the Uktena, yes, but maybe the reason he failed was because….because he saw no need to make those connections. To form unions and advocate for real change.

But that was Granddad's way. I have to do better. And I will do better.

With my free hand, I use the knuckle on my thumb to clear the area under my eyes of any tears. I sniffle, allowing air to enter my lungs. Looking at each of the boys one by one, I nod. "Okay."

XXXXXXXX

SABRINA

A swarm of teenagers enter the diner, yet none of them are Josie. Okay, it's only a little bit before 8, so I should cut her some slack. But why am I the one getting nervous? The nervousness should go to Archie! More bodies come in for warmth, my knees bounce. What if this plan falls through? What if I have no other mode of redemption? Maybe I scared off Josie by suggesting to provide her with a back-up plan. Or maybe she took it as a joke and waved it off. Whatever the reason, time persists on at a rate not benefiting me. But I would rather be worrying about Archie and Josie than worrying over Jughead's article, or his relationship with his dad, or V's condition, or Ali and her mysterious connection to Hal Cooper. Or Salem.

I look back to Archie, glaring down at his hands on the table. We would have chosen a booth farther back, but we wanted Josie to see us, to not have to fight through a sea of people to get to us. Well, just Archie. I'll be spying on from the sidelines while they talk. Besides, I might as well stick around. Archie will need every bit of confidence he can muster.

I thought my knee shaking was bad. Archie's making the whole table rattle. "It's almost 8, Archie. She should be here really soon." I try to calm him down with my words. I glance back over to the front doors behind us. Nothing. Really soon might have been an overstatement.

"What if I flub up?" he stutters out. "I mean….what if I say the wrong thing or make a really stupid comment about music? That will make her walk away, won't it?"

"She won't, Archie. Stop kidding yourself!" I swing around to face him and lay my forearms on the table. "You know enough about music to not turn yourself into a fool. You were able to get some songs on the radio, right? And your dad also had a musical background!"

Archie scoffs. "Sabrina, Josie's dad is a professional musician. He makes my dad look like a youngster who only received a participation trophy at the talent show." He removes his arms from the table and leans back. He glances out the window, watching the rest of the world go by. What's with this sudden doubt? I've heard Archie's music! I don't believe it falls under the category of anything amateur related! Will Josie think the same when she hears it? Will they come together at all? I would like to think so. I just need Archie to see that for himself.

Luckily, I know just the right spell for that.

Something outside catches his interest. Archie sits up straighter, then freezes. "Oh crap, she's coming." I whip my head out the window, my own anticipation building. Surely enough, Josie removed her earbuds as she makes her way into the diner.

I slide out of the booth in a hurry and address Archie. "I'll let you two talk everything over. I'll be over by the counter. You got this, Archie!" His mouth bobbles open and shut. I hear his inner voice screaming for me to wait, to check if he even is ready. I don't respond to it with magic, or with more words of confirmation. My work here is done, for the most part. I just need to let Archie and Josie's dynamic foster naturally.

The door chimes as Josie walks in. The girl I found crying in the girl's bathroom is traded for someone more confident, yet more reluctant. Like she wants to close herself off from the world. Josie peers around the joint looking for me. When her head turns my way, I give her a simple wave and jog over to meet her.

"So, you have a back-up plan ready for me, new girl?" My heart beats rapidly. Now is not the time to wig out and run. I need to stay optimistic for both Archie and Josie. I need to be optimistic for myself. What other choices do I have?

"I think so!" I perk up. "And….and thank you for coming out, Josie. I hope I didn't cause you to leave your….rehearsal."

Josie rolls her eyes, smirking. "I'm always rehearsing. Bad habit, I guess." She looks over my shoulders, then back behind her. "Okay….so, what exactly did you put together?"

I go to speak, but my tongue withers up. My throat goes dry. How can I get Archie acquainted with her now? To my surprise, and my relief, I don't have to. Behind me, Archie slides out of the booth. It catches her attention, and mine. The corners of my mouth lift, I nod at him, signaling for him to go for it.

I step off to the side, watching as Archie wanders over to us, keeping his sights on Josie. His hands shake. His chest rises and falls. He brings his eyes down to the linoleum floor. I wonder if I should mutter that confidence spell now or wait until things fall sideways. No….I think I can hold off for right now, because when I look back over at Josie, she's not weary of Archie's presence. She's….impressed.

"I'll be damned. Archie Andrews?" He looks back up at her in pure shock. She grins. "Yeah, I know who you are, Red. Always either on the football field or at the radio station trying to get your songs on."

"Still trying….and failing." he jokes. Okay, this is at least a good start. No nervous behaviors yet. But I should still be ready to mutter that spell, just in case.

Josie inches closer to him. I notice the fluorescent lights above us glimmer against her ponytail. "They're idiots." she comments about the radio station, "I mean, your music's not all that terrible. Pretty decent songs."

Archie flushes. He laughs nervously and glances down at his feet again. I barely hear him mumble, "But yours are so much better." Her eyes widen, I can't tell if that signals for something good. Or bad.

Normally, I would want to stick around and play mediator, but I need to leave Archie to advocate for himself. I need Josie to know how much Archie cares, without me interfering. I scurry between the two of them, making my way over to the bar. "I'll let you two talk. Can't wait to hear what you're planning for the Jubilee!" I shoot them both a thumbs up before I officially wander away.

I purposefully choose to sit at a seat farthest away so I don't make it obvious I'm over hearing on their conversation. Little do they both know that my witchcraft still allows me to amplify their voices. I pretend to examine the contents on the placemat as I listen in.

"You don't mind that Sabrina wrangled me into this plan, do you? Are….are you angry to see me?"

"To be honest, I'm not really all that surprised. I would have been if she had the whole cheer team throw on cat ears and leopard-print uniforms, singing in perfect harmony." They both giggle at the comment. I allow myself to grin a little. "But….I don't think I can think of any other musically inclined people at our school…."

Her voice dies out. I glance up briefly, hoping that the dialogue won't take a turn for the worst. It doesn't. Josie tilts her head over to where Archie and I sat just minutes ago. Realizing that she's waiting for him to guide her over, Archie leads them back over to the booth. He retakes his seat, and Josie takes mine. His hands shake again, this time much quicker. His lips tremble. I witness the movements like I'm watching an intense sports game. Come on, Archie! Say something!

"Trying to play Cupid?" a voice pulls me away from the scene. I look over to find Jughead's mom leaning on the counter in front of me.

I shrug. "Just helping a few of my friends out, that's all."

"Poor thing gets worked up every time she walks into the diner. Freezes up." she snorts. I glance back over at Archie, and just how Mrs. Jones described, he's frozen staring at Josie. Before I can determine whether or not to go forward with my spell, Jughead's mom taps me on the arm. "You want me to put your usual order in for you, sweetie? Or were you gonna wait for your Aunt to come around?" My focus shifts at the question. My thoughts race back to Ali, to everything going wrong in my life. Gunshots ring in my ear drums. Dark red liquid seeps into my brain. Chuck, Midge, and Rose Blossom pollute my vision. And Salem-

"I'll take something now, Mrs. Jones." I force myself to grin at the older woman, shoving the images out of my head. I watch her disappear into the kitchen before I bring my attention back to Archie and Josie. I can't lose my concentration now. I shouldn't act scared….well, maybe I should. It's Archie who should get the boost of confidence.

I better act quick, because Josie asks, "Okay, your blonde friend recognizes how you can help me out this weekend. But I want to hear it from you. Why are YOU wanting to do this for me?" He's petrified to answer. I can see the fear growing, more so than when Josie first walked in. I have to do this, NOW.

When I check for a clear coast, I fake a sneeze. My hand goes over my upper lip as I duck my head. In a low voice, barely audible, I begin my chanting.

"Strength by day, strength by night, give him strength, give him might. Strength by day, strength by night, give him strength, give him might…."

Only visible to me, a hazy ripple goes through the air as I repeat my chanting over and over. The ripple reaches Archie, it enters into his eyes. The whites take over the entire eye socket, an effect only I can see.

I repeat my chant one last time for good measure. "Strength by day, strength by night, give him strength, give him might!" The whiteness and the rippling effect disappear. I see Archie's eyes return to normal. The shaking ceases. The frozen posture is traded for one more relaxed. Good. I smile.

Patrons of the diner give me funny looks when I glance around my section of the diner. I play up my act and pretend to sneeze again. I shrug with my lips creating a semicircle. "Allergies." I say in a polite tone, then I return to my eavesdropping position.

The spell has worked, at least from how I hear Archie currently speak to Josie.

"Because you've worked too hard to lose it all now, Josie. You're one of the best performers I've seen, like, ever. All of these deaths shouldn't make you sacrifice what you love."

I see Josie bow her head, watching how she curls her fingers inward. Archie's expression softens when he sees her movements. Will she interpret his words as damning? Overstepping on her boundaries? My spell seems to work, but Archie will need to carry the rest of the conversation without my interference.

"Look," he continues. "if you would rather take on the Jubilee by yourself because you'd feel more comfortable doing so, that's fine. But….but if you are in need of any person being up on that stage with you, then let's figure out how you give this town the best performance they've ever heard. For real. I know the Pussycats were everything to you. But, after everything that's happened, Josie, you deserve to have your slate swiped clean."

She lifts back up her head, pulling her fists closer to her. "I wish it were that easy, Red. I've had to go above and beyond just to get where I am. Jumped through way too many hurdles, mostly gender and racial." She goes quiet. A moment passes by, then another. In between this silence, Jughead's mom taps on my shoulder. She sets down a mug of black coffee in front of me. I mutter a quick thank you as she moves away, as I go to bring the cup to my mouth.

"My dad's coming home for this Jubilee. Did your blonde friend tell you that?" The hot coffee almost comes back out of my mouth, burning my tongue. I force the sip down and redirect my attention to Archie and Josie. Is that why she severely panicked in the bathroom? She was not only worried about the death of her band, but also about her musician father attending? I should have known better! If I didn't focus so much on my personal dilemmas, I could have picked up on the signs!

I watch Archie's face plummet. "I….no. She didn't."

Josie leans back against her seat, glancing out the window. "He's been my harshest critic, from the moment I laid a hand on his guitar. Everything I do for my musical career, he strikes down. I get that he's more of a professional than me, but…." She stops for a moment. From my enhanced senses, I hear the faintest wince. I hear her voice break. "I remember a few years ago, when the Pussycats played for one of the Fourth of July celebrations….Dad sat five rows from the front of the stage. We had a good set list, I spent nearly a month preparing. Everyone loved what we put together…." She wraps her knuckles on top of the table. Slowly, she brings her head back to center. Her eyes back to Archie, she holds back frustrated sobs.

"Everybody but my old man. He didn't have to say how disappointed he was when I finished - I could see the look on his face all that way back. He never really found the Pussycats as what could lead to my potential. But seeing his face just made it so much worse. It's like I could hear him say, You let me down, Josephine. I expected better of you." I go for another sip but stop when Josie says this last part. Archie shares an equal look of somberous wonder. I didn't know her actual name was Josephine - I always knew her as Josie.

But I don't hear my thoughts come out of Archie's mouth. Instead, he asks, "Does you dad know….about your band?"

I watch her head shake. "Mom said to leave the bearing of bad news to her. She didn't want me to worry about telling Dad, only to worry about my performance. It just….it just doesn't help that she and Dad aren't exactly on the best terms. Not since he left following rehab. And now that my mom's resigning, I…." Her head droops again. She lifts a hand up to wipe away tears. "I just don't want to hear it out of him. I don't want him to rub it in my face that Mom and I failed, again. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm alone."

And I thought I had it bad back at home. I can't fathom how Josie wears a brave face each day. How she goes on without letting her father's words destroy her mental stamina. It's heartbreaking. Could her situation grow worse with Salem killing and taking away Riverdale's sense of safety? I'm not sure, but I want to do everything I can to make sure she doesn't fall victim to Salem's treachery. Even if I just play the role of Fairy Godmother on the sidelines.

I see Archie slide forward, resting his arms on the table. He catches Josie's attention. "Hey, you're not alone."

"I am." she laments to him. "I have to keep it together while my Mom prepares to step down from office, because she's stressing out. And I'm running out of time to finalize my act for the Jubilee. Maybe my Dad was right. All I'm doing is wasting my time and letting him down."

Archie sits on her words for a moment, the confidence starting to fade. Is the spell wearing off? Should I go back into chanting and send him another wave? What do I do? As I sip on more coffee and prepare for my second round, Archie regains his stance. His shoulders roll back. He takes a deep breath.

"No, you won't. Because…. Because I'll do it."

My mouth hangs. The coffee cup almost slips out of my hands. I want to celebrate - Archie did it! He offered his own services! But I can't jump on the celebration quite yet. Josie needs to accept it, and I don't know if she will.

I hear her sigh. "What, convince Valerie and Melody to move back and perform with me on Friday?" The initial theory she throws out does not stay long. She relaxes when she finally realizes what Archie is saying. "You're being serious?"

"You shouldn't have to fear going up there alone, Josie. You shouldn't have to feel like you're on Mars. Trust me, I get how freaky it feels. No one has taken my passion for music seriously, and it sucks."

"Yeah." She allows herself to laugh a little.

A moment later, Archie says, "So….if you're willing, and….if you still feel lonely….maybe I can help. Maybe I can help you feel a little less alone. Only if you want me to." I spy a grin forming on his face. I wait for him to make his next move, for how Josie will go forward with this back-up plan. Will she take him up on it? Or what if….what if all of Archie's efforts fail?

Josie's head bobs. Even speaking quietly, her tone of voice lifts. "Okay."

Euphoria hits Archie, just as much as it hits me. I watch his grin light up brighter than a Christmas tree. He mutters something back to her, I would pay attention but I'm caught up in my relief. And my accomplishment.

I'm about ready to scream for joy, then I remember the others in their booths. Without wanting to make a scene, or to draw attention from Archie and Josie, I politely slide off my stool, sweetly smile at folks as I go to a hidden corner by the end of the counter. Pop Tate has a phone booth area where teenagers usually go to make-out, or where older patrons make phone calls to loved ones. Tonight, it's my little sanctuary so I may squeal in utter excitement - only after I slide in and shut the little folding door. I practically jump in my place, pinching my eyes close to my mouth, my fists bouncing with joy. So what if I look ridiculous? I was able to help out Archie, AND Josie! If only Aunties and Ambrose could see me now!

Eventually, I come back down to Earth and exit the phone booth. I'm still in high spirits, so I do a quick little spin on the balls of my feet, shaking my hands in excitement. I land back where I started, only to find a familiar face staring at me in bewilderment.

My jaw drops. My words come out rushed. "MISTER LODGE."

"Uh…. Hi, Sabrina." He adds a chuckle at the end for good measure. We remain awkwardly silent for a moment or two until he fights to remove the scarf around his neck. I rush back over to my seat, almost falling off the moment I collide with the cushiony part. Mister Lodge points to the seat next to me, raising a brow. With a hurry, I gesture for him to join me. As he sits, I lean out to check on Archie and Josie. They're already working on a game plan for the Jubilee, or maybe they're determining what to get from here. Either way, they're blissfully at peace with each other. I smile.

I notice Mister Lodge turning to Archie and Josie as well. When he returns to his original stance, a smirk forms on his face. "Mister Andrews seems to be in a good mood over there." The tone of his voice attempts to come off as wishing well, but…. I'm picking up on displeasement. Scorn.

"You don't like Archie, do you?" I throw at V's father. He looks at me, losing the harsher element for one more guilty. He gives me a disappointed grin.

"If I'm speaking honestly with you, Miss Spellman," he mutters, "I never got along with Archie's father. We had a….bit of a rivalry back in the day. Especially when it came to Veronica's mother." Wow. That was something I didn't expect. Archie's dad dated V's mom? I would let my mouth hang, but I don't want to be rude, so I remain neutral while Mister Lodge goes on explaining his bitterness towards Archie. "But lately, I have gained more respect for the younger Mister Andrews. While I did become weary over how the boy would behave around Veronica, he's proven himself to be a good young man."

That's a relief to hear. I relax a bit, leaning back out again to check on the status. One of the waitresses comes over to the table, Archie and Josie both try to place orders at the same time and wind up laughing. He ends up giving orders for both of them, she gives him a bashful thank you.

Mister Lodge begins to grow curious. "I must say, Archie's acting rather quite confident there with the Mayor's daughter. A little….too confident, if I may add." He throws up his brow. Uh oh. He must have figured out I used the confidence spell! Okay, well it's a bit obvious that Archie's not fumbling on his words around Josie, but how else could Mister Lodge have known?

I scan around the diner nervously, then I turn back to Mister Lodge. I whisper, "Don't tell Aunt Ali. Please! I know we're not supposed to expose our craft, but it was kind of an emergency-"

He laughs, throwing me off guard. He says, "I'm only kidding, Miss Spellman. I had to use that spell on myself once, just so I could ask out Veronica's mother back in high school. So…" He brings his thumb and pointer fingers together across his mouth, then flicks an imaginary object off the edge of his fingertips. In a silent way, he says, Your secret's safe with me. I lift my thumb up to him and grin.

Mister Lodge proceeds to look around the kitchen area, beyond our counter space, around the diner. I don't expect his tone of voice to mellow out when he asks, "Speaking of your Aunt….is she in here right now? Or somewhere in the back?"

My good mood fades away. Thinking about Ali again makes the black coffee burn holes in my stomach. Now that he's proposed the question, I have to wonder why Ali isn't here as well. I glance around the place. I thought she'd be here - wasn't she working all day? Maybe she's back at the trailer park, or out running errands, or watching after Jughead's sister.

Or maybe she's avoiding having to speak with me about her life, and about Hal Cooper. The way I may be avoiding telling her about the Conway House, Salem, and my involvement in the recent-

"Not sure." I choke out, forcing the lump down my throat. "Haven't seen her at all today, actually. She left before I woke up." Embarrassed now, I grab for my coffee cup, purposefully taking a long sip to spare myself of the thoughts wanting to reach my tongue. I'd rather burn it again than admit to engaging in this sudden anger towards a lifelong friend. Mister Lodge doesn't question my response. He accepts it with a sullen shrug. I reward myself by welcoming the bitter drink down my throat. I examine the diner once again, in solitude with our silence. Would I want to have that talk with her tonight? Will she even be ready when she comes? Is she even coming? No….no, I can't see any sign of her that remains in this diner. Which is strange, because I can feel her-

Muffled voices come from outside the diner. Angry and yelling. Two of them. One's a male, I can't tell who it is, but the aura is familiar. The other…. I turn my head to the door. A figure in a woman's body stands on the steps, back to the door. Her dark blonde glimmers through the glass. Her aura is the way I've always known it, but at once, it's changed. It's more full of emotion. It's a new side that has awakened. The other voice pipes up, now making its aura manifest to one I can recognize.

"Sabrina? Mister Lodge calls to me. He brings his attention to where I look out. He adopts a look of confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Why is Ali fighting with Mister Keller outside?"

XXXXXXXX

ALICE

The car ride over to Pop's is awkwardly silent for a good amount of time. It doesn't take that long to get to Pop's from where Tom found me, it's faster than going by foot. But the first few minutes of us in this car is filled with no noise. Just the A/C blowing warm air on me and static coming from the radio. I'm just thankful Tom's decent on the roads, he shows no signs of road rage. But he has a weird tendency to fumble with the knobs on his dashboard.

I don't mind the silence after a while. It keeps me in a state of peace, or just a state of not-sheer panic. I keep my cheek pressed to the window, my arm sitting on the ledge. The roads are empty tonight. All that occupies these streets is new fallen snow. My breath fogs up the window. I'm tempted to leave a design, but I don't want Tom to get weirded out. So, I only let the action occur in my brain. I imagine my fingers tracing the initials I have on my wrist. I imagine drawing the sigil Hiram made for me. The thought causes my heart to flutter, my eyes to mist up. I inhale, pushing the thought away.

"Here, you want me to put on the radio?" he asks. I look away from the moving scene out to our current location. Tom stops at a red light, looking at me for an answer. I don't say anything to him. I let my chin bob once, then twice, indicating a yes. I allow my head to tilt back where it originally sat. I hear Tom mess around with the stations until he lands on the end of a song. One I know, and one I heard recently.

Morrissey's vocals straightens my back. The guitar riffs turn my hands into fists. The song's nearing the end, but I'm trapped none of the less. Images of Hal calling us godlike, Ambrose dancing around in the Spellman's home, and Darryl Doiley's bloodied corpse seep into my brain. It's taking my leftover courage to not vomit all over the dashboard. My nails dig into my palms, clinging on for life.

"Not a fan of The Smiths, I take it?" Tom interrupts my panic attack. I force myself into doing Daisies and Candles to appear normal. I look in his direction, gulping back whatever has built up in my throat. Then, I lift the corners of my mouth.

"I've….heard better songs by them." My voice comes out like a toad's, I'm rather embarrassed. Just my luck, the radio brings the song to an end, the announcer going on another rant. I sigh in relief, allowing my nails to stop digging into my palms. Still, the pain causes my nerves to go haywire. My eyes sting with potential tears. But I won't let Tom Keller see me break. Or at least I won't give him the pleasure of watching "Wendy" break.

Is that why I'm in this car with him? The question runs through my mind as I watch Tom react to the light turning green. Has he caught onto the fact that I'm lying about my identity, or that Hiram and I are involved in a dangerous quest to save this damn place? Whatever motives Tom Keller may have, it opens the floodgate of my anxiety.

Are you afraid, baby?

Hal's voice echoes in my eardrums, his laughter draping over me like velvet. I quietly chuckle to myself, masquerading what could be another fit of hysteria. More than anything, I want to swap out that sinister voice for one that does bring me comfort. For one that is loving towards me. I think of how Hiram goes into his rhythm when speaking Blue. I think of the vow he gave me. Despite all the effort, Hal still finds a way to shove out the good memories. He always wins.

Morrissey's right about one thing in that song - I'm not happy, and I'm not sad.

The radio announcer introduces the next song, but I don't hear the title due to my sudden dissociation. The guitar's fast yet mellow pace is warming. I allow myself to relax, to smile. I recognize the song even before Mama Cass and Michelle Phillips begin singing. I know this isn't originally their song, it's a cover, but I think it's their best performance. The harmonizing is atmospheric. The lyrics….they begin to resonate with my life. The smile on my face disappears. Listening to the first part of the lyrics reinforces my current situation with Sabrina, and the skeletons we both have to drag out of the closet.

I know it's hard for you, my baby

Because it's hard for me, my baby

Will Sabrina at the diner when Tom and I arrive? Will she be willing to hear me out? I still haven't worked out a confession of any kind. I've been so caught up dealing with caring for the Joneses, and checking up on Toni and her friend. And my discovery of Hiram and his….. It's odd. I was able to explain my past to strangers. What is it about Sabrina that causes my throat to swell up and for my story to cling to my brain? I glance over at Tom. I wonder how he'd react if I revealed myself to him? Would he handle the news in the same fashion as FP? I mean, Tom's been picking up something about me for weeks. There had to be a reason he recognized my face the day he came by the trailer. Or why he let me go when I could have easily been arrested on more than one account.

The parking lot of the diner comes into view. Tom goes over a pothole leading into the area, making the car jerk around. As Tom finds a free spot, I scan the inside of the diner for any signs of either Sabrina or Hiram. Kids around her age fill in the booths. I find Gladys refilling a patron's glass of water. At one end of the diner, I find Fred Andrew's boy rising out of his booth. I watch the red-haired boy getting soft at….is that Sierra Samuels's girl? They look content in each other's company. It reminds me so much of Fred and….

A set of short blonde hair floats over to the bar counter, over to where Gladys messes with the coffee machine. Her red coat glows under the fluorescent lights. She keeps her eyes on Fred and Sierra's children. She has no idea I'm out here watching the smile appear on her face. Wondering if my relationship with her will be the same as it was before we came to town. Then again, if I just told her of Hal the night I hit that deer, I wouldn't have been reunited with FP and befriended his wife and daughter. I wouldn't have met Toni. I would never know of Hiram's affection.

I could be satisfied knowing you love me

The car radio gets cut off. I jump in my seat at the absence of noise. Tom keeps his gaze out the windshield, out to where you can look into the kitchen area. I half contemplate on getting out of the car and walking into the diner, but I stay put. Tom's hands jitter, I'm worried he's going to rip out the steering wheel. It takes a while before he can look back over at me.

"So, is Pop keeping you busy?" I find it difficult to not snicker at him. To be nice, I give him a short little nod. I lean back against the seat. My eyes go to Sabrina by the counter. Gladys checks in on her briefly, then walks away. The young blonde glances around the place nervously. Is she waiting for me? Does she not recognize that I'm outside the diner, waiting for the right moment to a man who….

Your eyes are just….well, your whole face really…. Part of me feels like I've seen you before.

I watch how Tom removes his hands from the wheel, violently trembling. I know I can leave whenever I want. I'm not bound to stay in this car forever. He's not clinging onto me against my will. But the little voice in the back of my head glues me to this seat. The little warning echoing inside.

I think Tom is catching onto the fact something isn't right about me, or Sabrina. He's no longer falling for our innocent act.

Tom's voice comes out like a whisper. "I'm not….I'm not trying to be a creep, Wendy. I know you've got things to do. And….damn it, I should have confronted you about this earlier. It's my fault, I've been held up with my resignation, and training the kid replacing me. So…..I'll make this quick. For both of us."

My fingers curl inward to my palms. My knuckles glow white. My teeth grit in a straight line. The beating organ in between my lungs pounds faster. This is my chance - I can protect myself with a fast spell. I can sucker punch him, free myself, and run into the diner to grab help. I can call for Sabrina and Gladys for their assistance. Or….

Or I can own up to my lies. I've done it enough to Sabrina and everyone else in town. I have to remind myself that Tom Keller is one of the good ones. He was a friendly face back in the day who showed me nothing but kindness. He gifted me with respect. I'd be dishonoring that respect if I kept lying to him, if he really is fitting the pieces together. Besides, I do need more allies in this bloody fight with Hal. One more person to hold me accountable. One more line of defense. As much as my inner teenage self would rather say Screw It and leave Tom wondering, what good would it continue to do me? I unclench one of my fists, bringing the flexed hand over my heart. I listen to the younger Alice Smith weep, begging for me to run. I comfort the inner Alice Smith, telling her to rest for just a while longer while I clean up the mess for us. I set that young girl inside myself back to sleep, and brace myself for what I must do next.

No more secrets, no more lies.

"Tom, my name isn't actually Wen-"

"Come to the Jubilee with me."

My jaw goes stiff, leaving it wide open. I glare over at the man beside me. Did I just…. Did Tom Keller…. I bring my gaze back out to the windshield. I'm flabbergasted. I don't know what to make of this. And….I'm kind of relieved that it wasn't about my identity. But….but….

What the actual fuck?

My mouth forms the word "Wow", leaving it before I can stop myself. Tom looks over at me, ready to ask, "Wait….wait, what were you saying about your-"

I cut him off, facing him head on. "You….are you trying to ask me out?" Tom clamps his mouth shut. I see his teeth line edge out underneath his flesh. He's almost ready to make his knuckles pop out of his fists. Now I have to question how long he's been waiting to ask me. To get me alone so he can….

Tom flexes out his hands, loosening his jaw. He drums his fingers on the steering wheel. Then, he nods. "Yes. I am, Wendy…..or….or, whatever your name actually is." He brings his hands down onto his lap for a brief moment, huffing. A moment passes, I wonder if I should speak now or wait for him to go on. Eventually, a hand grabs for my own.

"Look, I don't care. I….I figured the moment I saw you, that you must have been….on the run or something. Bad lover. Messed up family. Probably why you've got Sabrina. But….but, Wendy, I don't care about any of that. If I was still in my position, yeah, but not anymore. You're a wonderful woman. You're kind to the guests in that diner, and you've done good by Sabrina. I need someone like that, Wendy. I do." The last of his words throw me for a bit of a loop. Someone like that…. Is he no longer with his wife, assuming he did? If so, how did it…. No, that doesn't matter. Then what can I make of it, then? How do I even respond to this confession?

I listen to him continue, running his thumb across my knuckles. "I like you, a lot. I want this Jubilee to be a chance for us to become closer. It doesn't matter what your real name is, or where you came from. I'll know over time, I know it. But know that you can trust me, Wendy. I want you to trust me. I want you….I need you….to know exactly what it is you mean to me."

My tongue dries up. I….I don't know what to say. I'm flattered, but…. In another time, in another place, I would consider Tom. I know he's caring. He would treat me and Sabrina well. I know he would…. It's a wonderful offer. I could enjoy going to the Jubilee with him. It is a very strong possibility. But when I look into my future, when I see the life I want to craft for myself….

No matter how much I want to fool myself into giving Tom Keller a chance, I can't. Not because I don't want to, but because, when I see my future…. I don't see it with him.

Tom brings that hand up to my chin. He lifts it up so I'm looking at him, straight into his eyes. My heart clenches. He takes a moment to study me. To pick up on my body cues. To see if I accept his offer, or reject it all together. I'm motionless, so I can't make my confliction obvious. No….no, it's not confliction. It is rejection.

He leans in. I press my free hand into his chest. His mouth is just an inch from mine. Any more, and I could have been kissed for the first time in years. But I keep him there, feeling his breath cover my skin. I shut my eyes. I have to be gentle. Besides, it might be good practice if I have to do the same with Hiram.

Daisies and candles, Alice. Be easy, but be honest.

I speak. "It's kind of you, Tom. Really. It….it's just…."

"Don't, Wendy. I know." Tom huffs, purely in sorrow. He backs away, leaning more into his seat. His grip on my hand loosens. "There's someone else." A bitter taste forms in my mouth. I chew on my tongue, unsure of where to take his comment. Is he referring to Hiram? Another mysterious being? Does he remember Hal after all?

I consider my relationships, going through each one like they're yellow pages. I swallow down the acidic build up in my lungs. "There's not. I just can't."

"You can't go, at all? Or….you can't go with me?" he spits the question out. It feels like a smack in the face. I'm crazy. I have a person asking me out since high school, and not as a joke. And here I am, turning down the offer. What the heaven is wrong with me? Either I'm still clinging to my anti-relationships behavior after my time with Hal, or I…. I….

"Does it matter, Tom?" I snap back at him.

"It DOES." he bites. He goes to dig his nails into the steering wheel, then decides against it. Instead, he takes a deep breath, then turns to me. "Look, I get if it's nerves, or time commitment. But….but whatever it is you have going on Wendy…." He goes to make his point, but at this point, I can't listen to it anymore. It's not because I'm intentionally fazing out on him. It's because….because something has caught my attention.

A figure climbs out of an expensive vehicle. He fights with the yellow scarf around his neck, moving to instead rub his palms together for warmth. He skirts up the staircase, walking straight into the diner. Even from this far away, Hiram's presence comforts me. It reassures me that no matter what I decide, I have him. And I know what I mean to him. I smile, watching his figure disappear into the warmth of the diner.

He made an offer to me too. His proposal to bring me to the Jubilee was not as straightforward, or aggressive. He understood my boundaries. He knew of…. He knows. He knows that I might not make it in this battle. He's not wanting to set up a date knowing that it may very well be my last, maybe because he thinks I don't want it. Even though I do.

I feel my eyes water. I feel myself smile. I may need more time to figure it all out, but for the most part…. I know now what Hiram means to me.

"Wendy? Wendy!" Tom calls out to me. "So, what's the deal? Why can't you go?"

I rotate my head in his direction. My smile grows. My eyes light up, boosting my confidence. I laugh. "It's because I'm going with Hiram Lodge."

Tom goes into a state of shock. His hand lifts off mine. Finally free, I slide closer to the car door, slipping my hand through the little handle. I yank at it, letting the cold breeze embrace me. I keep my eyes trained on the entrance to Pop's, spotting Hiram at the bar counter next to Sabrina. My shoulders roll back. The injuries on my arm and my thigh are nothing. I feel weightless. The world finally starts to spin in the right direction, guiding me towards the right path.

Behind me, a voice shouts my fake name. Tom slams his car door shut, out of breath. He races around the front of his car. He goes to reach for me, but stops. He lifts one hand into the air, looking all stern. "Wendy, I'm confused."

I scrunch my face together, not willing to exploit any more of my eye rolls or my stand-off-ish attitude for him. I glance at Hiram inside then back at Tom. "What exactly is there to be confused about? Hiram asked me first. End of story." I go to walk away, making up the first couple of steps of the entryway. This time around, Tom does grab me by the arm. My happiness is traded for annoyance. For anger. I could lash out the same way I did to Hiram the night Hal got freed. I could do it, right here. But I can't. Not in front of Tom Keller. It's too fragile. But my anger remains on that pedestal, ready to teeter off if he makes one more comment about his emotions towards Hiram.

"You can't….not after everything that I-"

That is what leads me to explode.

"THAT YOU WHAT?" I whip around violently at Tom, yanking my arm free. I remain on my step, towering over the man below me. I bring my hands close to my head, letting them hover in that area. My fingers curl in, then back out. I have to keep it under control, but…. Screw it. I'm done with everyone in Riverdale treating Hiram like garbage. I'm done with the rumors circulating about his lifestyle and Veronica. I'm tired of people making him out to be a monster. He's not the one Riverdale should be persecuting. But Tom will never believe it. He will now.

Tom goes to speak, but I dominate the course of events. I don't stop my rage. I welcome the fire hidden under my emotions.

"I'm aware of your warnings against Hiram. Everyone has told me. But have you even given him a chance to adapt to your world? Did you, or anyone else, welcome him with open arms? NO. You saw what you believed was a devil in sheep's clothing. But I don't, Tom. I see him for what he really is - a gentleman. He's treated me with nothing but kindness since Sabrina and I came to Riverdale. He's loyal, and trustworthy, and…..and I'm done with you bashing him! Do you hear me, Tom? WHATEVER SUSPICIONS YOU HAVE OF HIM, WHATEVER YOU THINK HE'S INVOLVED IN, I SUGGEST YOU KEEP THOSE OPINIONS TO YOUR DAMN SELF. BECAUSE WHATEVER ILLUSION YOU HAVE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PROTECT ME, IT WON'T DO JACK FUCKING SHIT. THAT'S NOT YOUR PROTECTING ME. IT'S YOU BEING AN OVERBEARING ASSHOLE."

The parking lot goes dead quiet. A few patrons that have hung around the area glare at me in wonder. Mostly baffled, all of them anticipating my next jab. Some have their phones out, recording the affair. I could give a shit at this point. I've made my case to the former Sheriff. I've expressed how I feel. Even if Hiram didn't hear it from inside the diner, he'll find out one way or another. This doesn't frighten me. And I don't compare myself to Hal. In fact, it makes me giddy.

Hal would attack for the sake of attacking. I'm doing it to protect the one I adore.

I put on a malicious smile, exposing my teeth as if I were about to eat my prey. "So, to answer your question, Tom, I will not go with you. And I very much plan to enjoy being in the company of someone….who in every way you're not…..is a real man."

A stab in the heart. Tom stumbles back. He's wounded, but still on the defense. But my words have slowed him down. Good. Mitigating my aggressive stance, I turn on my heel and make my way inside. I push the door open, lifting my chin high. The patrons inside all face me, wondering what on earth just went down between me and the former Sheriff Keller. But it's not their reactions I'm searching for. The one I want is from the man, waiting for me at the bar. He's speechless when I slink over to him and Sabrina. And she's just as much in a daze. I spy Hiram lifting his mouth to form a U shape. I've got him. He goes to speak, but Sabrina is the one that beats both of us.

"What just happened out there, Ali?"

The moment's broken. I face Sabrina, unsure of how to answer her. The words are clear in my brain, but I can't make them roll off my tongue. Again, I'm not giving her a response. I'm continuing to stay silent around her.

Growing frustrated, Sabrina hops off her barstool, grabbing her coat from the seat next to her. "You know what, I don't really want to know. I….I have to go check on my friends. Let me know when you're ready to leave. And when you're really ready to talk."

She walks by me, not offering a grin, or a hug. This time, I'm the wounded one. I can barely rotate my head to watch her go. I was so caught up dealing with Tom Keller and my upbeat anticipation of the Jubilee with Hiram that I forgot to work out my talk with Sabrina. What did I do? How could I have acted so selfishly?

I'm about to have a breakdown when Hiram places a hand on my forearm, my injured one. His touch soothes me. I breathe in, forcing back the unwanted emotions. I hear him say, "Give her time, Alice. She still cares about you, there's no denying that." My lips are glued together. I force them upward, giving Hiram a mournful grin. I mutter back to him that I know. At least I think I do. I just hope she does by the time she goes home. IF she does go home.

It hits me that both our futures are still up in the air. Hilda and Zelda have still not contacted me back since Thanksgiving regarding their niece. And I may run into trouble getting myself back up to speed at the bakery. But do I really want to go back to that life….that illusion I made for myself? Do I want to go back into hiding again?

Experience tells me, Yes, leave and don't come back. My heart tells me, Do what you think is best for you. And right now, the best thing for me is to mend my relationship with Sabrina, and to figure out exactly how I want to go forward with Hiram.

As if on cue, Tom storms into the diner. He glares at me with red eyes, then heads over to the other side of the bar counter space, opposite of us. Hiram watches the other man before he returns to me. "So….what exactly happened between you and Keller?"

I pause for a moment, phrasing my answer correctly in my head. I can do this. Feeling that giddiness return, I grin. "I….told him the truth." Hiram's eyes flare up. OH. Does he think…. I immediately jump in before he can start asking questions, rushing through my words, "THAT I'M GOING TO THE JUBILEE WITH YOU."

His expression softens, the bulging eyes mellowing, the tightness of his face relaxing. I can't tell if he's baffled at what I said, or amused. Or upset. Perhaps I accepted his invitation too late. Maybe he's deciding to go with his daughter instead because I waffled on a response. OR maybe he won't go at all, fearing that it may not be safe. Whatever is running through his brain, I feel like I've done something hurtful.

I look down at the floor for a second before looking back up at him. I squeeze my eyes shut, getting anxious by the minute. I feel my heartbeat quicken as I stumble on my words. "I….I get if you don't want to complicate things between us. And I know you said that I didn't have to make a decision. But….but I didn't want to be a jerk, and….and you deserve to go out and have a good night, and-"

Something grabs for my hands. I choke up, hearing my breath hitch. I force my eyes open, looking down to find Hiram gently supporting them. My eyes wander up, searching for his face. He smiles, no longer afraid to be vulnerable around me.

His answer barely comes out as a whisper. "It would be an honor to take you."

Tears come down my cheeks. I've overcome with gratitude and appreciation. The multilayered ness of everything I've felt since Hiram made that vow for me returns. And from the look on his face, I can tell he's going through it as well. I could pull him closer to me and wrap my arms around him, absorbing him. I could take him away with me and leave the world behind. Above all of this, I could…. I could kiss him. In front of everyone in this diner. In front of Sabrina, and Gladys, and Tom Keller. And for hell's sake, with Hal nearby. I could kiss Hiram and become lost in him forever.

But for now, I stay where I am, wrapping my fingers around his, squeezing them tight. I don't have to figure it all out right now. And I think that's what makes me adore Hiram. There is no rush to the finish line for us. We go about life at our pace. We don't do things conventionally. I like that.

"Heya, Lizzie Bennet and Darcy." Gladys's voice interjects on our solitude. I know I said my eye rolls would not be exploited, but I make an exception for my neighbor. I send one her way, which earns me a smirk. "You placing an order to go, or are you staying in?"

I glance back at the kitchen space behind her. Shit. I forgot I had to work on the pies. But….I don't HAVE to do it at this very moment. Besides, I don't feel like being here while Tom's recovering from my jabs, and while Sabrina is…. I don't know yet. Without a clear answer, I look back to Hiram, shrugging at him.

"I can wait a little bit, if you're fine with that."

He grins at me. Then, he replies for both of us, "We'll take it to go. I need to order for my daughter anyway."

"So, your usual caviar dumped keto burger and then some?" Hiram scowls at Gladys, not amused with her sarcastic remark. She cackles, "OH MY GOD, LODGE. I'm kidding. I'll put your orders in with Pop, okay?" Gladys begins to meander away, winking at me and sticking her thumb up in the air.

My cheeks glow red as I bite my lower lip. Eventually, I wind up giggling. I can see why now JB and her whole family believed Hiram and I were madly into one another. But I think for Hiram's sake, I don't think either one of us should put on another show for Gladys.

I free one hand, stepping in to solidify my hold on him. "I think we need to discuss exactly how you and I are going to handle this….Jubilee matter. Wouldn't you agree, Mister Lodge?" I tease him with that last bit, shooting both my eyebrows up. I giggle more as I watch his reaction. I'm kind of glad Hiram and I did not enforce a "No Flirting" rule - this flirting business is fun.

Still in my giggly mood, I go to lead Hiram back over to a far off booth where we can have more privacy. Suddenly, I'm paused in my path. I feel his hands go to my waist, his lips close to one of my ears. "Careful, Acid Queen Alice." Hiram mutters, "People will say we're in love."

I stop giggling. A smirk is born. I lean back into him, pattering my fingers against his jawline from behind me. So what is Tom Keller is watching me? So what if Gladys and Sabrina find it shocking? Or anyone else in Riverdale has an opinion? I'm falling for Hiram Lodge, and I don't care who knows it.

I whisper back, "At this point - let them."

I peel myself away, leaving Hiram wondering. I grasp onto his hand tighter, and I drag him into a booth with me. He takes one side, and I the other. I watch snow greet the earth outside. It's peaceful and quiet. For a good long time, I don't think about impending doom, or the bloodied bodies piling up, or about Sabrina. Or Hal.

All I think about now is what I could wear to the Jubilee. Where Hiram and I can go to eat or get a drink beforehand. I think about what Christmas presents I should buy for him, and the Lodges, and for Toni and her friends. I think of new pie recipes I can introduce to Pop. I think about his hand still intertwined with mine on this table, running his fingertips through the grooves. This, and more. But these thoughts are pleasant. The most pleasant thoughts I've had since….ever. My brain is the most at peace it's been in a long time.

I knew I had a good reason to engage in a contract with Hiram Lodge after all.

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End of Chapter