Heeyyoo, guess who has arisen from the grave? It's me! This fall semester kicked me in the butt, and then I was having such a hard time getting this chapter right, but I am back!

Also, Happy New Year! It's hard to believe it's 2019 at last. This year holds a lot of unknowns for me, but some big things I'm anticipating include: a spring break trip to London where I will see several amazing shows, graduating college, and becoming an aunt for the first time! So crazy, but I'm looking forward to it all!

Chapter Nine: Jughead

"You son of a bitch!" Venom bellows, shoving me back down to the ground.

I fall hard, scampering away as fast as I can only to be wrenched back by the chain around my waist. My kidnappers lunge for me, and I do my best to escape them while still attached to the pipe. My feet leave the ground as I fight the strong arms trying to subdue me, kicking and pushing with my bound hands. An elbow hooks under my jaw, yanking me back. I instantly try to pry it away, but I'm not strong enough. I can hear Betty, Kevin, and Dad yelling, which means the call hasn't been cut off yet.

"Dad!" I shout, struggling to get to the computer, feet slipping under me. I talk fast, giving as much information as I can before they shut me up. "The man in the mask - they call him Venom, he's the leader of the gang - the Scorpions, they tried to shoot Arch -"

A hand slaps against my face, holding my mouth and jaw closed. I keep trying, but my words are muffled, incoherent. The computer is slammed shut, officially leaving me alone to fight for myself. I just hope my friends and Dad can do some digging and get me the hell out of here.

"I'm going to kill you, you little bitch!" Venom seethes, storming up to me. I wrench my face free from the man behind me, although he still has an arm wrapped around my neck.

"Except you won't!" I spit back angrily. "You need me alive so you can use me as your pawn! But who are you working for, huh? I don't believe for a minute that you or your goons are smart enough to set this all up, so who is it?"

I can see the restraint in Venom's body as he forces his arms to his sides, face twisted in rage. "Oh, you'll meet them soon enough," he whispers dangerously, eyes boring into my own.

"When?"

"After you pay for that stunt of yours. You better hope your little detective slut doesn't go poking her head where it doesn't belong!"

"Don't you dare talk about her that way –"

"Or…?" Venom taunts. "What will you do to me, Jughead? Write something in your little school newspaper? Please. You're just a worthless, hormonal teenager. You may think you're all high and mighty with the Southside Serpents, but you'll always be the little boy your mama left behind." I try to lunge forward, but the arm around my neck tightens, keeping me still. I choke on an angry yell, pulling harder against the main holding me.

"Go to hell," I growl, lacing my words with as much fire as I can muster.

"You first, kid." Venom looks to the man behind me, giving him a curt nod. "Unchain him. I'm going to whip some obedience into our little friend here." As I'm unchained from behind, Venom comes closer. I eye him warily, unsure what he's got planned. Venom's hands close around my belt, and I instantly fight back, heart jumping into my throat.

"What are you doing?" I shout, trying to squirm away and shove him back with my bound hands. A woman runs over, holding me still so Venom can tug the belt free of my pants. The zip ties around my wrists are cut, and I lash out, punching and elbowing anyone I can, trying to get away from my attckers. There are more of them around me now, and without warning my sweater is wrestled up and off me. "Get off me! Let me go!" I'm panicking, fears going to dark places as I struggle for all I'm worth.

Strong arms wrap around my own, hauling me back. I keep fighting, but with the unrelenting grips stretching my arms out to either side, I know there's no escaping this. I look up to see Venom before me, still holding my belt in his fist. He's looking at me curiously, taking a menacing step closer. I flinch back immediately, pulling against the hands holding me.

"Don't!"

Venom stops, realization crossing his face. A small smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth as he continues forward. I hold my breath, muscles tensing even as I try to stay in control. Venom circles behind me, and I crane my neck in an attempt to see what he'll do. I seem to have forgotten how to breathe, waiting for something to happen, the anticipation pounding in my chest.

The belt rises high, and almost before I can register it, my bare back feels as though it is on fire. It comes down again, and my knees give out a little when the belt buckle slams against my spine. I try to hold my ground, keep the sounds of pain to a minimum, pretend it doesn't hurt. But after the eighth strike against my back, I crumple; only held up by my arms.

"Have you learned your lesson, boy?" Venom bellows from behind me, but I cannot see him with my head resting against my chest.

"Screw you," I growl, followed by a yelp at the following strike. The belt slams down again, but harder, as if Venom is encouraged by my breakdown, and I can't help but let out a ragged sob. Another blow hits, the buckle scratching against the skin of my right shoulder.

I brace myself for more, but am surprised when my arms are dropped carelessly. I collapse on the floor, catching myself with my left forearm, body quaking with shallow breaths and the pain ricocheting through my back and shoulder.

I feel broken, so aware of my hopelessness as I lay crying on the concrete with everyone watching. Venom was right, I'm just a kid caught up in all of this shit. I'm in way over my head and I can't do anything about it. Betty is wrapped up in all of this and I'm powerless to protect her.

A rough fist yanks me up by the hair and into a seated position. I try to put the wall back up and hide my emotions, keep myself under control.

"Look at you," Venom shakes his head in disgust, spitting in my face. I flinch, but take it without any snide comeback. "You're pathetic. Your mommy must have been so ashamed of you, she just up and left. She never told you why she did it, did she?" I don't answer, refusing to meet my captor's eyes. Venom is suddenly in front of me, brandishing a nasty knife and holding it against my cheek. "Did she?"

"Shut up."

Venom slices my cheek angrily, holding my jaw with the other hand. His eyes are wide, holding a dark, dangerous glint within them. "Answer me, Jughead! Did she ever tell you why?"

"No!" I spit back, anger and fear boiling within me.

"She took your little sister, but left you behind with your bastard of a father. I thought it must have been about money, but now that I see how soft you are, it all makes sense. She didn't want you. She never loved you, Jughead. You were just a disappointment – another mouth to feed. You're so weak, just like your father. You'll grow up to be just like him, too, a drunk, good for nothing murderer –"

I throw myself on top of Venom, knocking him to the ground. My fist collides with his jaw, then his chest, and for a brief moment I have a shred of hope. Hope that I can fight this, make it out alive.

A sharp punch to the throat takes me down instantly, curling into myself as Venom shoves me off. The world swims around me, disorienting. He drags me back over to the pipe, grabbing the chain. I lay still, vision cloudy as I struggle to breathe. I feel the chain being wrapped around my legs several times, binding them below the knees, and being secured in place with the padlock once again.

Then everyone leaves without another word, shooting me looks as they exit the room. The door slams, and I'm left all alone, lying on the cold floor. All I can do is reach over and grab my fallen sweater, pulling it on slowly over my aching back. I don't even have the energy to cry or move to a more comfortable position, instead falling into a restless sleep.