Well. Hi, guys. It's been a very long time since my last update. I thought that I'd write a lot more during Covid times, but there has just been so much stuff going on. Since last time I posted I directed a play, then was in the process of directing two more shows, which were cancelled due to Covid. I moved out of my parent's house and into an apartment with some friends, fell in love, started working full-time at State Farm, and just recently got licensed as an insurance agent. So yeah, you could say I've been pretty busy!
I really haven't been reading much Fanfiction lately or writing. I fell super behind on Riverdale, as well, so that doesn't help the writer's block!
But this update is for all of you poor souls I abandoned all those months ago with my last update. And on a cliffhanger. I'm the worst.
Thank you so much to those who have continued to follow, comment, and message me. Your support means a lot even though I'm a terrible person for taking so long to update. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
The pizza slice falls from my hands and back into the box as I look over to Betty. Her face is scrunched up in pain, hands clutching her side as Venom looms over her, ready to land another kick.
"Don't touch her!" I shout, anger pushing past the hazy clouds in my mind as I begin to shakily rise to my feet.
"Stay down and eat," Venom demands, glowering at me.
"No way, not while you –"
"You didn't think you'd just get free food, did you?" Venom laughs, as if all of this is a hilarious joke.
"I don't want it, now leave her the hell alone!"
"Jug –" Betty begins in a warning voice before Venom cuts her off with his boot. I'm on my feet before my body can protest, the rage and adrenaline overriding everything else.
"I said get the hell away from her, you bastard!" I bellow, absolutely livid as I strain against the chain in an attempt to snap Venom's neck. "You're dead, you hear me? I'm going to kill you –"
"Is that right?" He sneers, eyes narrowing. "You're going to kill me, Jughead?" Another harsh kick lands against Betty's stomach, and I absolutely lose it, shouting expletives at Venom without even registering what all I'm saying. My words have no effect, my fists unable to reach him with the chain holding me back.
That doesn't stop me from trying. It's like a switch flipped - I can't think straight, can't even feel the strain of the metal against my middle. All I care about is getting to Betty and beating Venom's face in. The bastard isn't saying anything, just watching me with obvious disgust as I scream at him.
Finally Cruncher grabs me by the shoulders, and before I can even register it he has thrown me to the ground. A grunt escapes me at the impact, but then I'm back on my feet and jumping towards Venom again. Cruncher wrenches me back by the sweater before grabbing my wrists in a death grip.
"Enough!" The man shakes me roughly, and it's all I can do to catch my breath, unable to do much else with how tightly I'm being held.
"Are you done, kid?" Venom asks condescendingly, raising his eyebrows at me like I'm some petulant child. "Or do I need to kick her again?"
I bite my tongue, forcing myself back under control. I'd love nothing more than to throttle him for everything he's done to me, to Betty, to my dad. But as furious as I am, I know I have to be smart. The more I fight, the worse it'll be for Betty, and I can't do that to her.
Venom's mouth curves into a smirk as he watches my internal struggle. "Good. Now eat," he orders me again, gesturing to the abandoned pizza box on the ground. I make no move towards it, instead glancing at Betty, unsure of what to do. Venom's irritated voice cuts through my thoughts. "Let's put it this way - the longer you take to eat, the more I'm going to hurt your little bitch. So I suggest you get started."
Cruncher throws me to the ground again, and although the thought of food makes me want to vomit, I begin wolfing it down. A pained cry from Betty has me choking on my food, but I know I can't stop.
The cold pizza feels like sandpaper on my tongue, but I eat it as quickly as I can, trying to block out Betty's whimpers. It's hard to get through each bite, fighting my gag reflex as the food clumps in my throat. I keep my eyes on the food, intent on getting this over with as quickly as possible. Even so, it feels like an eternity before I'm finally forcing myself to swallow the last bite.
"Okay!" I shout, throwing the empty box at Venom's feet. "I did what you wanted! Now stop!"
He looks at me appraisingly before kicking Betty in the leg one last time. I let out an angry shout, but Venom has already stepped away.
"Now was that so hard, Jughead?" He sneers, looking down on me. I keep my mouth shut. After a moment of tense silence, Venom turns to leave with the other Scorpions in tow.
A sigh of relief escapes me when the door slams behind them, the sound echoing in the empty room.
"Betty?" I whisper, turning to look to her as she sits up, face scrunched as she holds her side. She doesn't respond, instead looking away completely. "Betty?" Worry bubbles in my chest.
"Baby, talk to me -"
I stop mid-sentence when I hear the first sob. It's small, choked up and hidden behind a shaking hand, but I hear it all the same.
"Betty...I'm so sorry..." I whisper, crawling as close to her as I can. She sits just barely out of reach. All I want is to hold her, to take her far away from here. But as it is I can't even touch her shoulder. "I tried to warn you. There's no winning with them; I've already tried...I should have stopped them, I'm sorry -"
"- Stop," Betty's voice is soft but firm. "There wasn't anything you could do. I'm fine."
"No, you're not, let me see -" I insist, reaching for her.
"I said I'm fine, Jughead," she sighs, finally turning around, brushing the tears from her reddened cheeks. Besides her pained expression, I can't see any signs of injury. I try not to think about the bruises that are likely already forming, hidden beneath her sweater. "It's not your fault."
"Are you okay?" I ask, even though I know it's a pretty dumb question given the circumstances.
"No."
A lump grows in my throat. "I'm so sorry."
"Stop."
"Okay."
A tense silence fills the room, intermittently interrupted by the sounds of our breathing and Betty's occasional sniffle.
We sit like that for a while. The fear we both feel but refuse to talk about is permeating throughout the small room. My body feels clammy even though there's a distinct chill and the walls feel closer than they actually are.
There's nowhere to go. Nothing to say. Any hope I had managed to cling to left the moment Betty was brought into the room. I feel awful. Physically and mentally awful. My entire body aches, my ribs are throbbing, and my chest feels tight with guilt and worry.
And I'm hyper aware of the likelihood that I'll never make it out of here. Even if my body wasn't beaten up, I'd be no match for these guys. Betty, on the other hand...I have to get her out. No matter what happens to me, no matter what I have to do to make it happen,, she will escape from this hell hole.
We break the silence at the same time.
"I'm getting you out of here -"
"It's not your fault -"
We look to one another, eyes glistening with held-back tears. It's in this moment that I'm reminded how young and fragile we really are.
"We're getting out of here together," Betty responds, and even though she whispered the words, they were laced with such adamancy that it's clear she is not welcoming any challenges. Just like a Cooper.
"That would be ideal," I reply halfheartedly, unsure of what to say that won't upset her more.
"Don't do that," She snaps, eyes flashing.
"Do what?" I sigh, running a hand through my greasy hair in an attempt to soothe the headache that is beginning to take over.
"Give up on yourself like that!"
"I'm not -"
"Yes, you are - don't lie to me, Jughead. I know you too well."
"I don't want to fight -"
"Then stop being a dumbass and listen to me!" I look to her, seeing all the fear and frustration written all over her face.
"Okay, I'm listening."
"You don't get to just give up on yourself, Jughead. We're both going to make it out of here and I need you to believe that. You're not going to sacrifice yourself for me, understand?"
"I understand," I tell her. But I never said that I agree to it.
"I'm serious, Jug," she adds imploringly. "You need to fight for yourself!"
"I've been fighting ever since I got here," I protest, voice growing bitter. "I've tried to escape, tried to outsmart them. But in the end I'm just a kid surrounded by adults who have no problem beating me to a pulp." Betty tries to cut in but I continue before she can start. "I've been kicked, punched, suffocated, whipped, and chained up. They've degraded me, used me as a pawn against you and my dad, and then went and used you as a pawn against me. So I'm sorry, but I'm not eager to fight anymore when it's already been proven that I can't win." I glance up at her only to look away a moment later, unable to meet her watering eyes.
She takes a steadying breath. "I know it's hard, Jug, but we have to try -"
"I'm not giving up on getting you out of here. I will get you out no matter what, I promise you that. But I'd be lying if I said I thought we'd both be making it out alive. And when it comes down to it, you're far more important. If one of us is going to be free again, it should be you."
"Bullshit!" Betty snaps, reaching out to grab my arm. "This is exactly what I'm saying, Jug! You're acting like you won't make it out when we haven't even tried! Now snap out of it and pull yourself together - We've been through too much already to just lay down and die! You're better than that."
I let out a heavy sigh, forcing myself to meet her steely gaze. "Betty..." I'm at a loss for what to say. Her jaw is set in determination, her voice even and sure. And yet I can't seem to find any of it within myself.
"Promise me that you're going to try to get out of here, too," She insists, hand sliding down my arm until our fingers are intertwined. "Promise me that you'll escape with me."
"You know I can't promise you anything, Betty" I whisper, voice cracking as I look at her imploringly. "All of the odds are against us -"
"Screw the odds!" She dismisses my words instantly, squeezing my hand tighter. "I need you to promise me you'll fight for yourself."
"Okay," I sigh, giving her a half-hearted nod. "Okay. I promise."