SUPER random request, I know, but I am in college training to be a professional actress, and in my Theatre as Vocation class I need to ask Strangers "If you could cast me as a character, what character would I be?" simply based on their immediate impression of me from my appearance. For anyone willing to message their answer to me, I would be SUPER appreciative! To see my photo, go to my profile. This is super fun and really helpful to me!

Thanks!

Chapter Three: Betty

I'm pacing agitatedly in the tiny kitchen, regretting everything and nothing I said at the same time. I meant what I told Jughead, but I had no idea he would blow up like that. I should have been gentler - after all, his dad is in prison.

I let out a frustrated sound, dropping my head in my hands and leaning against the counter.

That's when I hear the gunshot. I nearly jump out of my skin, the horrible sound fading into an eerie silence.

I try to tell myself that I heard wrong, that it wasn't actually a gunshot, that I'm just being paranoid after watching Clifford Blossom shoot Jason. But I know what I heard.

I listen closely, holding my breath. I can very faintly hear angry voices, but it's so short and they are gone before I can tell anything. The shot was close, though not immediately outside the trailer. I run to my purse, pulling my phone out with shaking hands. I dial 9-1-1, and try to control my breathing as much as possible. Sheriff Keller picks up after three rings, and a sob bubbles up from my throat.

"This is the Sheriff's office, what's the emergency?" He asks, voice steady.

"Sheriff Keller - it's Betty Cooper. I - I'm at the Jones' trailer. Jughead went outside and there was a gunshot -"

"- I'm on my way, Betty," he assures me, and I can hear him moving on the other side of the phone. "Is there anyone else in there with you? Archie? Veronica?"

"No," I reply, running over to each dingy window and peering out carefully. "No, it was just me and Jughead."

"When did you hear the shot?"

"Just now. He was angry and stormed out a few minutes ago and then I...heard it."

"Did you hear anything before or after the shot?"

"Someone yelling - I don't know who."

"I need you to stay inside the trailer, Betty, you understand?" Sheriff Keller orders. "I'm on my way now. You won't be helping anybody by getting yourself hurt, all right? Stay where you are and lock any doors and windows until I get there."

"I u-understand," I reply unsteadily, rushing to the door and locking it with trembling fingers. I start checking the windows, peering out into the darkness in hopes of spotting Jughead. Alive.

All I see is shadows and fog.

There's another gunshot, and I cry out, dropping the phone onto the living room floor. I listen so hard, I can't even breathe, desperate to hear something; anything that means Jughead is okay.

"Betty?" Mr. Keller's voice comes up from the phone, urgent and concerned. "Was that another gunshot?"

"Y-yes," I stammer, sliding down and onto the floor.

"Can you hear anything else?"

I listen hard, praying to hear Jughead's familiar voice.

"N-no," the sobs wrack my body, stealing my words.

"You locked the doors?" I nod in response, unable to speak, body shaking like a leaf. "Betty?" Sheriff Keller presses, and I absently remember that he can't see me, and needs a vocal response.

"Yes," I try to steady my voice as best I can.

"Betty, I need you to get away from the windows, somewhere no one will be able to see you from the outside. Leave the phone on, let me know if you hear or see anything."

"Okay," I whisper, slowly crawling towards the bedrooms, afraid to stand and be caught. The silence is deafening, now. Not a damn sound.

What does that mean?

Is Jughead gone?

What if he's bleeding out while I'm cowering on the floor?

What if he's dead?

Hysteria begins to rise at the thought, but I force it aside. Juggie needs someone now.

I stand up fully and walk away from the phone, hesitating a moment before placing my hand on the door handle. I remove the chain and flip the lock slowly, before opening the door in a rush and running out.

The night is bitter cold, and I dart my eyes back and forth, peering into the creepy light from the dull lamps overhead.

It's very faint, but I hear a car door slam shut.

I take off in the direction of the sound, stopping in a clearing behind some of the trailers. The gravel has been kicked up in several areas, as if feet were pushing against the ground in a frantic attempt to get away.

I turn in circles, eyes wide and unblinking as I search around me for any signs of life.

A car rumbles a little bit off, and to hell with Sheriff Keller's orders, I run after the clues, desperate to find Jughead. There's a patch of trees, shrouded in darkness, and that's where I go. I collide painfully with the ground, tripped up by a tree stump. It only takes a moment for me to regain my footing, racing onto a back road.

I'm just in time to see the taillights of a car getting further and further away at a rapid speed.

Everything after is a blur that rushes by while also being the slowest hours of my life.

I spent hours at the police station, answering questions for Sheriff Keller or simply curled against my mom on a couch. I was prohibited from investigating Jughead's disappearance.

"Let the professionals do their work," dad had told me.

When I pulled out my phone to call Archie and Veronica, Sheriff Keller said to wait till morning. That's when I realized that it was four in the morning.

Kevin is here, though, holding my hand and sitting in silence. My parents suggested we should go home and try to sleep. I said no, I'm staying here so I can know what's going on.

Dad went home and mom stayed, dozing off in a cushy chair in the waiting room. Kevin and I fell asleep while leaning on each other, both utterly exhausted.

I wake up to the panicked shouts of policemen, who are running through the hall.

Jolting upright, I rush to the door, catching Sheriff Keller on his way out.

"Jughead -" I start, hope and fear battling for a spot in my heart.

"No," He responds hurriedly, pushing me off. "I'm sorry Betty, I have to go!" With that he is darting out the door and to his car.

Kevin rushes past me and to the main desk, demanding to know what happened. I follow after him quickly, determined to get answers.

"It's Fred Andrews," the woman responds, brow knit in worry. "His son Archie just called saying that Fred was shot while they were at Pop's."

"No!" Kevin and I gasp together, gripping onto the other's arm.

I hastily fish my phone from my back pocket, immediately calling Veronica.

"Hey B!" She answers cheerily, obviously unaware of what just happened.

"V -" I stammer, trying to find the words, but just letting them rush out anyway. "Mr. Andrews was just shot at Pop's -"

"What?!" Veronica shouts back, panic rising in her voice. "Archie just left for Pop's fifteen minutes ago! Is he -"

"I think he's fine, but I don't know," I inform, heart pounding. "He's the one who called the police."

"Wait, did he call you? How do you know this?"

"No, I'm at the station right now. Sheriff Keller just got the call and ran out."

"Why are you at the station?" Veronica asks, confusing lacing in with her worried tone.

"Jughead..." I start, a lump rising in my throat.

"What? Betty, what happened to Jughead?"

"He's been kidnapped."

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and peek into the chaos that is happening on the 'outside'! I plan for most of this story to be told from Jughead's perspective (let's be honest, that's why you're all here) but I do want to include Betty's perspective so the story is more well-rounded.

Thank you so much for the support and feel free to leave lots of reviews! ;)