Warning: Spoilers for those of you who have not watched Season 3 of Riverdale.
Archie Andrews was eating breakfast, thinking of all the things that had happened to him the past year. He had been framed and wrongfully arrested for a murder he didn't commit. He had been targeted by Hiram Lodge, labelled as "The Red Paladin." Archie was forced to box with other prisoners for the entertainment of the guards. Archie was able to break out of prison with the help of his friends and girlfriend, Veronica Lodge. After Archie's name was cleared, he had to leave town with his best friend, Jughead Jones. Archie then had to go on a solo mission by himself, hiding from Hiram. Archie had been attacked by a grizzly bear when he was on the run. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure known as the gargoyle king was luring kids in Riverdale to play a dangerous game known as Griffins & Gargoyles, also known as G&G. Kids had died from playing this game, such as Dilton Doiley and Ben Button. Archie didn't even know about Dilton's death until after his prison breakout. Sheriff Minetta, who had been involved in framing Archie for Cassidy Bullock's murder, was presumed dead until Jughead Jones caught him having an affair with Hermione Lodge. At this time, FP Jones had shot Hiram by order of Hermione and Hiram was recovering in the hospital. Minetta then decided to hunt Hiram down and kill him. Archie had returned to Riverdale at this time and had planned to kill Hiram himself. Archie was in Hiram's room in the hospital when he heard Minetta's footsteps. Archie hid in a corner as Minetta walked in, prepared to shoot Hiram. Minetta was about to finish Hiram off when Archie pulled out his own gun and shot Minetta, saving Hiram's life in the process. Hermione killed Minetta. Hiram and Archie then called a truce, which didn't last for too long. Archie found out Hiram was planning to take over the entire town. Archie and Veronica then set up a trap for Hiram. Archie challenged Hiram to a boxing match, winner takes all. If Hiram won, he could have the town. If Archie won, Hiram had to walk away from Riverdale. The entire match was a ruse, a distraction. Hiram would have probably killed Archie if the FBI didn't swarm in and arrest Hiram. However, Hermione had been arrested shortly afterwards for conspiracy to commit murder against Hiram. Archie was in for a shock when he found out Penelope Blossom was the gargoyle king back when the parents were in the midnight club as teens, and Chic was the current Gargoyle King. Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica were forced to go through dangerous tasks that night to stay alive. Penelope killed Hal Cooper, the serial killer known as "the black hood", and would have killed the four friends if it were not for their escape and the intervention of Penelope's daughter, Cheryl.
Archie shook his head when he was thinking about it. It had been the worst school year of his life. Chic had been arrested, but Penelope was still on the loose. She could come back to get revenge at any time.
Archie wondered how his father, Fred Andrews, was doing. Fred would have loved to see Hiram getting arrested and Archie and Veronica getting back together after the whole gargoyle king nonsense was finally over. Fred had gone on a business trip for a month and was supposed to return that very afternoon.
Archie was planning to play some music on his guitar after finishing breakfast. Archie was about to head upstairs when his cell phone rang. Archie recognized the number from the cell phone of FP Jones, the current sheriff of Riverdale and Jughead's father.
"Archie, this is FP."
"Mr. Jones?", Archie asked in surprise. FP didn't call Archie very often. "What's up?"
"You might want to sit down for this. Is Mary there?"
"Mom's sleeping", Archie said. "What's wrong?"
"It's about Fred."
"Dad?", Archie asked. "How's he doing? He was supposed to return home today from a business trip."
Archie could tell there seemed to be some sadness in FP's voice, but Archie wasn't worried. What could possibly have happened?
"Archie, Fred was in a taxi, to your house I think…"
"And?", Archie asked, now starting to feel slightly worried.
"There was a drunk driver on the road. His car was on the same road as the taxi Fred was in…"
"And what happened?", Archie demanded, his heart beating wildly.
"The drunk driver's car collided with the taxi."
"But my dad…he's okay, right?"
FP breathed heavily. "I'm sorry, Archie. All three of them were killed. Fred, the drunk driver, and the taxi cab driver."
Suddenly Archie felt like he couldn't breathe. He couldn't concentrate. Couldn't think.
"Fred's body was brought to the morgue ten minutes ago. Are you going to be okay?"
Archie gulped.
"If you need anything, Archie…"
Archie then said, "No. I'll be fine. Thanks, FP."
Archie hung up the phone and put his head in his hands. Archie couldn't believe it. Fred Andrews was the anchor of Archie's ship. Fred was one of the reasons Archie was motivated to stay alive.
When Mary heard about Fred's death, she hugged Archie tightly. Archie sobbed into her shoulder.
A few days later, Veronica Lodge, Jughead Jones, Betty Cooper, Cheryl Blossom, Toni Topaz, and Reggie Mantle arrived at the Andrews home to comfort Archie.
When Archie saw all of them, he couldn't speak for a few moments. Then he said, "Thanks guys. My dad would have really appreciated it."
Veronica hugged Archie and kissed his cheek. Cheryl squeezed Archie's shoulder. Reggie patted Archie's back. Jughead looked at the floor, looking guilty and not sure what to say.
"Archie, your father was one of the few decent people left in this town", Betty said.
Archie nodded.
"He was such a compassionate soul", Cheryl said. "He would be really proud of you."
Then the doorbell rang.
"Excuse me, I'm going to go get that", Archie said.
Archie knew he needed to find something constructive to do to get his mind off Fred's death.
Archie opened the door. It was a man that appeared to be at least 49 years old. He looked oddly familiar, but Archie couldn't place him.
"Are you Archie Andrews?", the man asked. "I just wanted to offer my condolences for the passing of your father."
Archie managed a smile. "Thank you, sir. I feel like I've seen you somewhere before. Do I know you?"
The man nodded. "As a matter of fact, you do, Archie. I'm Fred's younger brother, Oscar Andrews."