Chapter 4: Jughead

I teeter on the edge of the chair, reaching for the covered vent that is just barely too high. I've been at this for what feels like two hours, trying desperately to find any way out of this tiny room. I already checked for hidden cameras, and as far as I can tell, there are none. Thank goodness they removed the handcuffs – evidently thinking that I won't be able to escape. Hopefully I get the chance to prove them wrong.

I have to find a way out, no matter what. Who knows what Venom has planned, and I'm not about to stay and find out. I'm terrified for myself, but also for my dad and all my friends. I have no clue what these people kidnapped me for, but there is not a doubt in my mind that they are willing to hurt anybody who gets in their way. That means I need to warn them, no matter what that means for me.

My fingers hook around the grate panels, and I take a deep breath before pulling down with all my might. I wince as the metal digs into my skin, but I can see it bending ever so slightly. I'm not that big, maybe if I can break the cover off, I can wriggle through the vents and get the hell out of here.

I startle at the sound of loud voices from outside, jumping a little. The movement shifts my foot just enough that I lose my balance, bringing the chair down from under me as I slam onto the concrete floor. I groan, rolling weakly onto my aching back. Reaching up to my head gingerly, I check for damage. No blood.

The door bangs open, revealing a very angry, very tall man. I pull myself to my feet, putting on my best neutral face.

"Yes?" I ask with a snarky tone. "Can I help you?" My whole body is still throbbing, but I do my best to ignore it.

"You trying to escape?" The man demands gruffly, eyeing the fallen chair.

"Why on earth would I try to do that?" I reply, feigning hurt. The man storms over, grabbing the chair aggressively and slamming it back down on four legs.

I take the chance.

My legs propel me forward and out the door at full speed. I can hear my captor yelling behind me, followed by heavy footfalls as he chases after me. I sprint through unknown hallways, taking random turns in hopes that I'll find a way out. Normally I would be more cautious, try to formulate a plan and make logical decisions. But there's no time for anything other than running right now, so that's what I do.

Increasing my speed, I dart past another corner, buying me a couple precious seconds. Glancing to my left, I see an open door, and slip through it hastily. The light is on, so I crawl under a nearby desk, pressing my body between some boxes and the wall. I hear the man's footsteps continue down the hall, and I let out a shuddering breath as the adrenaline floods from my body.

"What do you mean, you missed?" Venom bellows. A chill comes over me when I realize that he is close, just beyond an open door attached to this small room.

"I had it under control, boss! I didn't think the kid was going to move. He jumped forward and I thought I had him –"

"You idiot!" Venom growls, knocking something over that makes a loud crash. My heartbeat quickens – who is the kid? What happened?

"We can still work with this," the shooter reasons loudly. "I know we wanted to kill the boy, but Andrews is just as good –" I gasp audibly before I can stop myself, hitting my head against the desk. "It still creates chaos, what with this and the Jones boy gone missing –"

"Wait," Venom cuts him off. There is silence, in which I fear that my thudding heartbeat will give me away. "I heard something."

I clamp my hand over my mouth, taking shallow breaths through my nose and squeezing myself further into the corner. I keep perfectly still as the two men creep into the office, where I am hiding just feet from their scuffed boots. I try to make myself smaller, not daring to move an inch.

A hand reaches in, yanking me out by the front of my sweater. I fight back, panic clawing at my chest as I kick and punch. My fist collides with the man who shot Mr. Andrews, socking him right in the nose. The moment of satisfaction is short lived. Venom twists my arm behind my back at a harsh angle, sending sharp pangs of agony through my elbow and shoulder. He slams me down onto the desk, halting all attempts at escape.

"You little brat," Venom spits from above me, leaning in closer. "How'd you get out, huh?"

"Your guards are idiots," I retort, trying to wriggle free. I low whine begins in my throat as my arm is pushed further up my back. Much more and I'm afraid the bone will break.

"And you," he accentuates the word by pressing harder on my arm. I choke between a gasp and a cry. "Should have listened to me when I warned you the first time!"

"You shot Fred Andrews!" I bite back, anger flooding through me. "You targeted Archie – why?"

"You don't get to know those answers, Jughead," Venom growls, voice icy. He sends me crashing into the floor, skidding with the momentum. I try to get to my feet, but fall down again when a fist slams into my skull. Another one has me sprawled on the tile, blood gushing from my throbbing nose. I raise my arms in an attempt to protect my head from any further blows, but Venom grabs me by the bicep, forcing me into an empty chair.

I look up through clouded eyes to see Mr. Andrew's shooter hand Venom a black piece of cloth. It isn't until he puts it on that I realize it's a ski mask, the eyes cut out roughly. The other man pulls out a phone, pointing the camera towards me.

I shrink down in the chair as Venom stalks closer, fear rippling through me, causing my whole body to shake.

"You won't kill me," I say, trying to appear confident. My fear is evident – I'm not fooling anybody. "You want me for something-"

"Shut up!" He snaps, pulling a gun from his belt and aiming it towards me. I flinch back, breath catching in my throat. I think back to the video of Clifford Blossom shooting his own son between the eyes.

Venom turns towards the camera, lifting the gun. "Betty Cooper," my face crumbles at the name. She's getting mixed up into all of this and it's all my fault. "I'll keep this simple: You will deliver this message to FP Jones, and convince him to hand over each and every Serpent that took part in Jason Blossom's death to the authorities." Venom presses the gun barrel against my right temple.

Cold fear floods through me as I see Venom's finger slowly pressing down on the trigger. I try to pull away, to escape the bullet I know is coming. He slaps his free hand down on my left shoulder, making me jump. His tightening grip forces me into submission, until he is practically choking me.

"Tell anyone else about this and –"

He pulls the trigger.