I don't own Riverdale.
"Chapter One: The River's Edge"
"Our story is about a town, a small town, and the people who live in the town. From the distance, it presents itself like so many other small towns all over the world. Safe. Decent. Innocent. Get closer, though, and you start seeing the shadows underneath. The name of our town…is Riverdale. Like all small towns, it had its quirks, charms, and a long history. It was founded by the Blossom family, who are treated like royalty and practically own everything. Nothing happens in this town that they don't know about. And as it would turn out, the recent Blossom decedents would be at the center of showing the dark and true nature of the town."
The limo driver strolls through the streets. These visitors had left their home in New York to Riverdale to start fresh and small.
Hermione Lodge decided she had to take her daughters out of the city and start over. Her husband, Hiram Lodge, is in jail for embezzlement, and now the paparazzi are on to them like sharks.
Her daughters had suffered from the backlash of their father's involvement. Well, more on her eldest daughter, Veronica, than her youngest, Guadalupe.
Veronica was trashed talk in her old school by bullies and verbal attacks about Hiram in jail. Her second daughter, Guadalupe.
Hermione looked at her daughter close to her as she combed her black hair gently. As a mother, she worries more about her youngest. Someone had physically hurt her baby because she had suffered an incident after her father's arrest. Guadalupe would have died not for her husband's driver to stop her from entering an exploding car.
People who had called the cops and the medical ambulance came rushing toward the scene. Guadalupe had suffered two arm and hands burn from that flaming car.
Hermione and Veronica, even her father, resisted his handcuffs during his trial to get towards his youngest daughter.
He wanted to make sure she was alright, but he was denied.
She suffered in the hospital in very severe burns on her hands and legs. The doctors check on her physically, but because of the explosive in that car. She is required to wear specially-fitted gloves that cover and protect her hands from hurting. For her feet, she must always wear specialized socks that produce the same job as her gloves. She would wake up every night fearing that she was caught in that burning car and died there. She lacks sleep, eating, and refuses to talk to her mom and sister.
Hermione had to call for help when her daughter collapsed on the floor when she fainted.
The therapist told Hermione that her daughter had been diagnosed with PSTD. As they said, it is very common for soldiers who have suffered and survived a bomb or explosives. In this case, Guadalupe had a guilt trip that she survived the bombing and suffered burns on her hands and legs, making her mind panic and fear for her life.
The therapist recommends that they get a service dog to ease her mind and regain the weight she lost if she has a companion to help her focus and stay stable in her life.
So, Hermione got her a standard poodle with a tuxedo coat of black and white. Guadalupe slowly adapted and gained back her weight and life together. They named the dog Philip after her favorite king Philip IV, Philip the Fair, who was King of France from 1285 to 1314.
Guadalupe began to be herself again, and Hermione realized she needed to give her daughters a place to start over.
As always, Hermione Lodge soldiered forward, practically leaping from the car, almost manic in her determination to make the best of the situation.
"Now brace yourself." She chirped as she led the twins up the front steps. "The apartment's small, a pied-a-terre, - but 'quality, always.'"
"Quality, always." Guadalupe and Veronica joined in with their mother, in tune with her need to soothe their frazzled edges.
She pulled Philip by the handle as he guided her through the doors.
"Ms. Hermione! Welcome home!" An aging doorman greeted their mother; he was all crinkled skin and warm eyes, someone to trust. Her mother felt the same way.
"Smithers! Oh, you are a sight for sore eyes." Hermione greeted him.
'How was the ride?"
"No traffic, thank God." Suddenly Hermione seemed to remember that she had children in tow; "Smithers, I'd like to introduce you to my daughters, Veronica and Guadalupe." The girl's mother gestured to them with an open hand.
"It's a pleasure, Miss Veronica, Miss Guadalupe."
"Hi!" her sister said, taking in the small but comfortable foyer.
"I'll get the bags," Smithers said from behind her. The apartment was like a miniature of their home in New York, definitely a lot smaller but still decorated tastefully, lavishly even.
Philip, the dog, panted and looked at his owner with a curious and concerned look like, 'Are we living here now?'
The youngest lodge girl smirked and petted her dog. They went to choose a room for themselves and saw a simple yet furnished one with a desk and bed. Clean walls that she knew she would have to add her artwork and poster.
"It will do." She decided, speaking out loud to the empty room.
"Glad it meets your absurdly high standards, Lupe." Veronica sniped good-naturedly as she swanned into the room behind her. "Personally, I would have preferred something a little less Downton Abbey and a little more Monte Carlo Baby, but that's just me."
She doesn't say a word because she got nothing to complain about. For her, she will live anywhere since the noises and commotion back in New York wouldn't do good for her health anyway.
In fact, she will live here forever than the city if her mom allows that. Hermione swept into the room and then deposited herself dramatically onto the chaise.
Guadalupe wonders if her mother is tired or stressed from the events that happened when their father was arrested.
"I've called an order into Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, be a dear, Veronica, and go fetch it for you poor, road-weary mother?"
"What?!" Veronica screeched in outrage. Guadalupe was startled in a reaction as Philip became alerted, "Why do I have to go on my own?" Hermione's eyes narrowed, fixing her daughter with a hawk-like glare.
"Because I am exhausted, and your sister is far too fragile to go out into the cold and rain. Don't make a scene, Ronnie, not tonight."
"I do mind. Plus, Philip could use the walk since we were driving nonstop." She interjected between mother and sister before they escalated their argument.
Hermione looked concerned, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, as I said, I could see where to walk for Philip."
Hermione sighs nodded, "Be safe, you too, and wear something warm."
Lodges girls and the dog left their new home to get food. Philip is a well-trained dog; he is practically a veteran for this kind of job. Since Philip was meant to be a police dog, but his owner died unexpectedly, Philip was given to the company people to train him as a service dog instead of a police dog.
They reach for Pop's as Guadalupe cringed at the lighting signs. Veronica noticed it and said, "Wait out here for a bit."
Veronica knows that PSTD folks' minds won't be able to handle things normally because of the trauma.
Guadalupe looked around and saw the teens were having fun inside, which made her feel like she was missing out on life. She looks down at her gloved hands.
'How can I find my place here?' Guadalupe's thoughts were cut off as Veronica came with bags as they went home to their mother.
Philip is happily walking but remains on Guadalupe's side at all times.
Tomorrow they will start school.
Next Chapter, Riverdale High, and mysterious circumstances.
