As the shadows around Riverdale deepened the lines between good and evil began to blur. Take for example John Andrews a man who only a few days ago had been prepared to kill the towns mayor in cold blood. He lies in bed at Riverdale general hoping that his family is safe from harm. If the town knew the truth, would they commend him as a hero for protecting his family or would they condemn him for the dark thoughts that had been injected into him by a brutal gang leader and his threats. The truth is there was no right choice.

Much the same could be said for Cheryl Blossom.

"I'm guilty" she'd said in biology class, but of what?

*Cheryl's POV*

She could feel sheriff Keller's gaze on her. She'd admitted in front of her whole class that she was guilty and she was, but not of everything.

"To clarify" she blurted "I didn't mean I was guilty of killing Jason. I loved him more than I do myself but I am guilty of lying about what happened that morning on July fourth"

Sheriff Keller sighed "The autopsy puts his death on about July 11th. When was the last time you saw your brother?"

"It was July 4th. I...I don't know what happened the week after that—"

"Cheryl in your own words, what happened at Sweetwater River?"

Cheryl took a deep breath, then began her story "The plan was banana's even for me. Jason wanted to leave Riverdale and never come back. He asked for my help to stage a tragic accident so our mom and dad wouldn't come after him. Our story would be that we went on an early morning boat ride and the boat tipped, capsized and Jason drowned but in fact we made it to the other side dry as bones. We said goodbye on the Greendale side of Sweetwater River but he promised he'd call me as soon as he was in a place where he couldn't be reached or pulled back by our parents. One month at the most. Every day I waited for a call or an email but I got nothing"

Sheriff Keller was looking at her more intently now "You tell anyone about the plan? Anyway, that you can corroborate it?"

Cheryl shook her head.

"So, you have no idea why your brother wanted to run away and fake his own death?"

Cheryl shook her head again, bowing her head in light of how little she had known before agreeing to help Jason. She couldn't have known that he was going to land in any trouble.

Sheriff Keller shook his own head in disbelief "Doesn't that seem cruel?"

Cheryl looked up at the Sheriff, she could feel fury burning in her eyes and cheeks.

"He wasn't cruel" she protested.

"Right he wasn't" Sheriff Keller mused "So maybe this is just a web of lies that your spinning to cover your tracks"

"I didn't kill Jason!" She yelled. In a panic she reached for the only information she had that could possibly exonerate her "There was a gunshot that morning. We heard a gunshot on July 4th maybe someone took a shot at him and missed the first time"

Sheriff Keller stood in anger "You heard a gunshot that morning and you're just telling us this now?"

"I was upset my brother was murdered" It wasn't her best excuse but then she wasn't used to this kind of interrogation.

"So, upset that you sang and danced at the pep rally on Friday" Sheriff Keller's voice was finding higher levels of disbelief every time he spoke.

Suddenly the door to the principal's office burst open and her Father and Mother marched into the room.

"What the hell is going on here" Her father asked Sheriff Keller in a dangerous voice.

Keller and Weatherbee immediately backed off.

"Mummy" Cheryl said desperately.

Her mother came over, grabbed her arms and whispered in her ears.

"Don't say another word Cheryl. Get up. Why didn't you call us?"

Her mother frogmarched her out of the office and out into the corridor.

"Because she's a liar Penelope" Her father whispered "And she's going to tell us everything she knows as soon as we're back at Thornhill"

Together they walked her right out of the school past all of her class mates, who she knew, would be spreading rumours like wildfire by the time the bell rang for lunch.

*Betty's POV*

Her mother dropped a newspaper in front of her. The headline read: Cheryl Blossom guilty as sin

Betty had just come back from her 'shift' watching John at the hospital where he'd explained everything to her. She'd heard enough about monsters for today, she wasn't prepared to deal with her live-in one.

"Hot off the presses" her mother said with a sickly smile.

"First, you leaked Jason Blossom's autopsy report, illegally by the way since John told me how you did it, and now this?"

"People are loving the coverage" her mother said bluntly.

"You have to stop sensationalising this horrible thing" she demanded.

Her mother sighed "It's news Betty. We own the Riverdale Register and we have a responsibility to keep the people informed"

Betty shook her head "Whatever Jason did to Polly, he's still a PERSON. You should be writing the real story. I mean what actually happened to Jason? Who was holding him capture? Why was he frozen? And who shot that gun on July 4th?"

Her mother smiled "If you're so keen on reporting, why don't you come and work for your father and me? The Register could really use a Lois Lane type like you"

Just like that an idea wormed its way into her head as her mother left her room. Maybe reporting wasn't such a bad idea but if her mom was going to do the devils work at the Register then it seemed only right that someone else took a less biased stand on this huge problem...

*Archie's POV*

Archie had watched as Cheryl had been taken from the building by her parents and he'd heard the rumours, that everyone thought that Cheryl had killed her brother since her only defence was a gunshot no one else had heard. After hearing all that he'd pretty much made his mind up about telling Weatherbee that he'd heard the gunshot also but then he'd made the mistake of walking past Miss Grundy's room.

She was just sat in there playing the piano and all Archie could think about was the pain he'd feel if he lost her over this. Was it worth it? Of course, it was, to save Cheryl from being damned as her brother's killer. She didn't deserve what was happening to her despite what she was like at school. If he sat on this information it would eat him up inside for the rest of his life. Geraldine may have been able to do that but he wasn't. He took one last look at her before turning away and walking into the principal's office down the hall.

When he entered, he was surprised to find both Sheriff Keller and Principal Weatherbee inside in deep discussion. They both turned to look at him and for a moment he almost lost his nerve.

"I..I'm here to give up some information Sheriff" he mumbled.

Sheriff Keller simply indicated to a chair in front of the desk that he was sat on, he looked at Principal Weatherbee to see him give a short smile and a nod of reassurance.

Archie sat in the chair and confessed.

"I think I know something that can help with the Blossom Investigation. People are saying that Cheryl heard a gunshot, right?"

"That's what she's claiming yeah" Sheriff Keller said in an exasperated tone.

"Well I heard it too. I was there that morning and I didn't say anything because at first, like everyone, I thought Jason had drowned but when the autopsy came out and said that he died later—"

"What were you doing down at the river so early on July 4th?" The Sheriff leaned forwards.

Archie panicked, trying desperately to find an excuse that didn't implicate Miss Grundy.

"I was...working on some songs. That's what I do, I write songs" he said trying his best to sound ashamed, as if he'd let a big secret go.

The sheriff seemed to relax a bit "You see who fired the shot?"

"No, sir"

"Were you alone" Once again Archie froze as he remembered lying next to Geraldine on the shore of Sweetwater river, their hands entwinned.

"No" he breathed involuntarily.

"Who were you with"

Archie's brain went into overdrive, trying desperately to think of someone that could have been there with him that would cover for him, then it hit him. There had been someone else there on that day, someone who couldn't answer any questions.

"My dog Vegas, he was keeping watch for me"

Sheriff Keller sighed and leaned back, Archie understood the feeling. This whole scenario was insane.

*Kevin's POV*

"So, are you a suspect now?" Veronica asked Archie.

Kevin snorted "My dad says we all are, including me"

Veronica shook her head "Not me girl, I don't know these people"

Kevin smiled and chewed on a red vine, trying to remember what the group had been like before Veronica had arrived. They were all sat in the student lounge together discussing Archie's confession to Sheriff Keller.

"Guys" he said "should we maybe rebinge making a murderer on Netflix tonight?"

Betty laughed "Sorry I can't, my latest great idea means that I have to stay late working on the school paper"

"Count me out too, I've got a date tonight" Veronica announced.

Kevin's brain exploded trying to guess who it was. What if it was Archie? Oh, this could be interesting and also terrible.

"You do?" Archie asked in confusion.

Okay maybe not Archie then, Kevin thought.

"Which Riverdale hottie made the cut" he asked desperately.

Veronica simply inclined her head and gestured behind Kevin.

"Hey V-low" A deep voice from behind Kevin said "I'll swing by the Pembrooke to pick you up about 8?"

Every cell in Kevin's brain buzzed as he turned around to see the captain of the football team smiling them. Veronica and Chuck Clayton? That was a pairing for a celebrity magazine.

"I'll be waiting" Veronica said to Chuck as he and his goons left the lounge.

"Chuck Clayton?" he and Betty exclaimed at the same time.

"He's kind of a player" Betty began.

"Oh, who cares he's the hottest of the hot" Kevin said, cutting her off "and he's the varsity football coaches' son, in Riverdale that's like dating a Kennedy"

Veronica just raised her eyebrows in response.

"So" Archie piped up, sounding desperate to change the subject "There's a gap in the rota for watching John tonight, is no one available"

Everyone shook their heads.

"Sorry Archie, but it's been a few days. He's probably alright for now" Betty said calmly.

"How's he doing anyway?" Kevin asked "I've not done my shift yet"

"I was there last night and he's getting better, I've gotta go switch for Jughead in a little while though so I'll have to shoot"

"What a life" Kevin whispered to Veronica as Archie got up and left.

*Jughead's POV*

"If print journalism is dead, what am I doing here?" Jughead announced as he walked into the offices of the Blue and Gold where he'd been summoned.

"The Blue and Gold isn't dead Juggy, it's just dormant" Betty replied enthusiastically "But it's waking up, John told me that your working on a novel right? About Jason's murder"

"I am, Riverdale's very own In Cold Blood" he said as he held a magnifying glass from the table up to Betty's face.

"Which started out as a series of articles" Betty smiled at him, a smile that he hadn't seen in a long time "I'm hoping you'll come and write for the Blue and Gold"

He wanted to, more than anything. But as usual he felt that part of himself draw away from everything and everyone.

"I just don't think the school paper is the right fit for my voice"

It was a lame excuse, he knew that. Just say yes you cock, he thought.

"Juggy, Jason's death changed Riverdale. People don't wanna admit that but it's true, we all feel it. Nothing this bad was ever supposed to happen here, but it did. I wanna know why"

Jughead smiled inwardly, there was the Betty Cooper that he'd known before she'd gone pinning off after Archie. The Betty Cooper that he'd grown to love way back when. How could he possibly refuse this opportunity to work with one of his closest friends again and the content was right up his alley. He could do this and he could do it well.

"Would I get complete freedom?" he asked innocently.

"I'll help and edit and suggest but it's your story Jug"

Jughead narrowed his eyebrows jokingly "Doesn't sound like complete freedom but...I'm in"

Betty's smile was all the affirmation he needed.

"Okay great, in that case I have your first assignment. There's a couple of factors that no one's really talking about in regards to July 4th"

Jughead nodded "Greendale and Dilton Doiley's adventure scouts"

"Exactly" Betty replied.

Jughead nodded and gestured with the magnifying glass to signal that he was on it before turning around and beginning his investigation.

*Archie's POV*

"Hey Dad, can't stop, I'm going down the Hospital to see John" Archie said as he entered his house to see his Dad waiting on the stairs.

"I texted you, where were you? His dad asked, lowly.

"Football practice. Then I was writing" Archie replied, dropping his guitar and picking a more casual coat off the rack.

"Songs? Your music? I thought you and Jughead were on a road trip on the 4th? Then I talked to Sheriff Keller. So, I guess that was a lie"

Archie froze for a minute, crap! "Dad we were gonna go but—"

"You should have come to me Archie, we could have gone to the sheriff together!"

"I didn't want to drag you into it"

"That was an error in judgement"

Archie shook his head "Sorry dad, sorry I'm not perfect"

"You're pretty far from perfect lately, that's why you're grounded. You go to school and come straight home. You wanna see your brother? I'll drive you"

"What? Are you serious?"

"For two weeks, you want some alone time with your music? You got it"

"I'm not ten years old dad you can't just ground me"

"You wanna go for three?"

Archie sighed and relinquished "Can we go see John?"

His dad looked at him curiously before responding "Of course, I'll go get my coat"

*Jughead's POV*

Jughead had gotten the call early that morning. Archie had told him how his dad had been riding him since he told Keller and as a result, he wasn't going to be able to see John as often. Jughead had agreed to see him this morning, he had some questions for John anyways. Questions that might help with Betty's investigation.

"Hey Jug, wasn't expecting to see you this morning?" John exclaimed as Jughead walked into his hospital room.

"Me neither John, how are you?" Jughead couldn't help but smile, the kid had been shot and he was still happy as Larry.

"I'm good Jug thanks, Doctors said I'm making miraculous progress, whatever that means. Did Archie send you? I've told him it's not me who needs watching"

"Well he did send me but I was going to come anyway, I assume you've heard about the developments in Jason Blossom's case?"

"Nasty stuff, I feel sorry for Cheryl. She has to be taking it hard"

"Yeah well me and Betty have decided that there's two things that need further investigation. One of them is Greendale, now I know the Ghoulies used to have a stronghold in Greendale back when they were the Deadfalls cos my Dad told me and you know who my dad is do don't try to deny it. Now, do you still have any contacts in Greendale?"

John smiled "Wow you've done your research! Lucky for you I still have more than a few friends in the gang, meaning that I'm still a full member, giving me full access to their contacts list"

Jughead wrinkled his nose "You actually have one of those? Aren't you supposed to be a big scary gang?"

"No, we used to be a big scary gang, now we're a small gathering with a large list of contacts and allies and I think I have the exact right one for you, if you want to investigate deaths in Greendale that is?"

Jughead nodded "That sounds brilliant, can I have the details?"

John laughed "Hand me my phone Jug, this is a call I need to make. They don't just answer to anyone"

Jughead handed him his phone and John scrolled for a short while before tapping on a number and letting the phone ring.

"Hello is that Spellman Mortuary?" John asked a little too enthusiastically "Oh, can I speak to Hilda please, I'm calling in my favour"

John smiled mischievously to Jug and it seemed to him as if this was a number, he'd wanted to dial for a long time...