Chapter 12: Breakout

Archie Andrews was sitting down next to Cheryl Blossom, not sure what he was supposed to do now. Penelope was crying, clearly feeling remorseful about the loss of her son. Clifford, on the other hand, didn't seem to show any emotion at all. Archie couldn't really judge him for that. People grieved in their own ways, and maybe Clifford simply didn't want people to know how he was feeling.

But Archie was most concerned about Cheryl. He knew that her well-being and her happiness was of utmost importance at that very moment. Archie knew that there was nothing he could do to bring Jason back, but he could at least be there for Cheryl. That had to count for something.

"Jason was my only son", Clifford said. He didn't show any sign of grieving. Archie couldn't see any tears on Clifford's face. "I had plans for him. He would have been very helpful. I will miss him."

Archie had a feeling that something seemed fishy in the way Clifford was saying these things. He said all the right words, but it seemed passionless and rote. Archie always knew Clifford was powerful and dangerous, but he would have expected the patriarch of the Blossom family to at least feel remorse about the loss of his only son. Parents weren't supposed to bury their own kids. Those that lost their spouses were called widows. Those that lost their parents were called orphans. But for those that lost their children…

Archie guessed that maybe Clifford truly was deeply upset about Jason's death. He didn't have to say he was upset in order to feel that way. Maybe Clifford wanted to grieve and mourn in private. Which was all right, he guessed. Still, it did seem rather fishy.

Archie had to at least help Cheryl during this time. She didn't deserve what she was going through. Surely there was something that he could do to help. He had to at least show her that not everyone would turn her away.

After Clifford finished speaking, everyone lined up to lay flowers on Jason's coffin. Cheryl was crying as she laid a rose on Jason's coffin. Archie stood next to her as she did so.

"We've failed you, JJ", Cheryl said, tears streaming down her face.

"We should talk in private", Archie said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Archie and Cheryl walked upstairs to her bedroom. Cheryl closed the door and started crying, collapsing on her bed.

"I still can't believe he's gone", Cheryl sobbed.

Archie hugged Cheryl tightly, trying to console and succor her. He already knew that this was going to happen, but it still broke his heart into pieces. Archie didn't have any siblings, but he would definitely be devastated if this had happened to one of his own family members. He could completely understand how Cheryl was feeling.

"Cheryl, it's going to be okay", Archie said as he stroked her hair, trying to show her solace. In his mind, however, he didn't know if he really believed that. He knew what happened to Cheryl's brother was horrible and inexcusable. No one had the right to take another person's life no matter what he did. He still didn't have any clues on who could have been responsible for the murder. Archie knew that Fred would not have wanted him to rush headfirst into a dangerous situation, but at the same time, he had to do something to make sure that justice was served. He couldn't let his girlfriend suffer like this. He had to take action. Maybe trying to act courageous sounded stupid, but this was certainly an occasion where it should be permitted. Archie had to at least try to put the pieces together, at least for Cheryl's sake.

"I wish I could take this pain away from you, Cheryl", Archie said. "You don't deserve this. You are the love of my life. I can't bear to watch you suffer more than you already have. I'll do my best to help you. I promise you, the person responsible for this horrific act will pay. Severely."

Cheryl seemed to calm down as Archie continued hugging her and holding her tightly.

"You're safe with me", Archie said as he continued stroking her hair.

A few minutes later Cheryl seemed to have completely calmed down.

"Thank you, Archie", Cheryl said.

Archie said, "Well, I have to get back home. Take care of yourself, all right?"

Cheryl nodded. She then leaned over and kissed Archie's cheek.

"If anyone gives you any problems, you can talk to me. I've got your back", Archie said, patting her on the shoulder.

Archie headed back to his house. He wasn't sure what he was going to do now. He then had an idea. He thought that it would be a stupid one, at first. But then he realized that he needed to help Cheryl in some way, somehow. Even if it meant doing something unexpected.

Archie called Jughead's cell phone number.

"Hey, Archie", Jughead said. "How is everything?"

"Jughead", Archie said. "I need your help."

The next day…

"So, let me get this straight", Jughead said. Archie had asked his friend to meet him in a private classroom. "You want us to try to find the person that murdered Jason Blossom."

"Exactly", Archie said. "I know it sounds dangerous and imprudent. But there is a murderer that's on the loose as we speak. Sheriff Keller is investigating, but we should at least try to do our own research. Like, a project or something."

"Archie, if I wanted to do a project, I'd go to the library or something", Jughead said. "This is bloodshed and cold-blooded murder we're talking about. Life and death. Someone who was so filled with hate and cowardice they're willing to murder someone. If we confront this unknown killer, we could be next."

"Not if we're careful", Archie said. "We shouldn't be telling anyone about our plan. But we should at least do some investigating."

"We could tell Betty", Jughead said. "She's a writer for the Blue and Gold. If anyone could have adequate detective skills to crack this case, it would be her."

"That would mean letting her in on our plan", Archie said. "Fine. The three of us can work together. But no one else can know about this, if we know what's good for ourselves."

"So, what do we do?", Jughead asked.

"Well, we could try ruling out suspects", Archie said. "Where were you on July 11th?"

Jughead laughed. "Archie, you don't think I murdered Jason?"

"It's just to get all our stories straight and to have proper alibi. I know that you didn't murder Jason, of course. But if Sheriff Keller were to start interrogating us, we should at least be able to provide proper answers."

"Ok, fine", Jughead said.

"So, where were you?", Archie asked.

Jughead hesitated. "If I tell you, promise you won't tell anyone."

"I won't. Just tell me."

Jughead sighed. "I was here. In the school. See, I've been living here because my dad turned into an alcoholic and numerous fights broke out in our house. It wasn't pleasant."

Archie couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I'm surprised", he said.

"I put my belongings, blanket, and pillow in a closet. It's not much, but at least I feel comfortable."

"Shouldn't you tell someone about this?"

"Don't worry about me, Archie. I'll be fine."

"Well, you have a good alibi. What about your father?"

Jughead sighed. "I don't know where he was on July 11th. Maybe he was in the trailer, drinking."

"Give Betty a call on her cell phone", Archie said. "I know her father didn't kill Jason, but her mother, on the other hand…"

"There's no way Alice Cooper killed Jason", Jughead said. "True, she openly despised him, but I don't think even she would have the strength to kill him."

During fifth period, Archie headed to the library to study with Cheryl and Reggie. On his way there, he passed by Jughead, who updated him about Betty.

"She said she's willing to contribute to our investigation", Jughead said.

"That's great", Archie said.

Archie was feeling more pleased as he studied with Cheryl. He could hold her hand under the table, making sure no one saw. As long as he could make Cheryl feel better, that was all that mattered.

After school, Archie headed to Pop's. He saw Jughead and Betty had ordered milkshakes and were eating burgers.

"Uh, hey guys", Archie said as he approached their table.

"Hey, Archie", Betty said. "What you suggested sounds interesting, but I'm not sure if what we're doing is safe."

"How's Polly?", Archie asked.

"I haven't heard from her in a while", Betty said. "My parents told me she was sick. I'm guessing she's even more heartbroken over Jason."

"So, what's the plan, Archie? What is your strategy?"

"We need to find the person responsible for the murder of Jason Blossom", Archie said. He could speak as loud as he wanted to, since they were the only three people inside the chocklit shoppe, aside from Pop Tate himself. "We cannot allow this horrific act to go unpunished. We must do something about it. Jason wasn't perfect, but he didn't deserve to have his life cut short at such a young age. He was only a teenager, a high school student. Jason's sister was really close with him. Think about how Cheryl must be feeling right now. Now, imagine if this happened to someone you were related to. Wouldn't you feel indignant? Wouldn't you want vengeance?"

"I would probably be pissed", Jughead said. "But that doesn't mean that we should risk our lives and everybody else's."

"It doesn't hurt to put together our own clues", Archie said. "Betty, where was your mother on July 11th?"

"She was with me", Betty said. "We were in our house at the same time that day."

Archie nodded, feeling slightly more satisfied. "We just need to get as much information as possible. We also need to make sure no one knows about our investigating. Sheriff Keller is working on the case, but that doesn't mean we can't try to figure things out by ourselves."

"As long as we don't get endangered by it, I'm okay with it", Jughead said.

That night…

Polly Cooper had been confined to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, a hospital for mentally sick patients. She hadn't heard anything from Jason. Polly suspected that this was part of her parents' plan to keep her and Jason apart. Well, it wouldn't work.

Polly noticed that a window was left unlocked in one of the rooms in the back of the hospital. Her plan was to wait until everyone was asleep, then sneak out through that window.

Polly tiptoed quietly as she made her way to the open window. Her heart was beating rapidly.

I won't give up now, she thought. This is my chance.

Polly hesitated, then jumped out of the window. She had hoped to land on the ground feet-first. Instead, she landed on her right side.

At least my arm's not broken, she thought as she fled into the night.