Chapter 19: Run or Kill

Archie was feeling ecstatic and pleased by how the results turned out. Not only did he get the chance to perform his own original song in front of a crowd, but he and Cheryl managed to beat the Pussycats and win the variety show. It absolutely blew his mind.

He and Cheryl had spent a couple of hours talking on the phone about what had happened. Archie knew that the competition and its results only made he and Cheryl grow closer. He was feeling more boldness. He hoped that sooner or later he would have the courage to tell everyone about their relationship. He had to wonder what Clifford Blossom had meant during their conversation after the show, by "needing his help". Archie only hoped that it wasn't anything that he would regret. He loved Cheryl and would do anything for her, but he also didn't want to take any unnecessary risks.

Archie figured he could ask Kevin Keller for advice. Kevin was one of the only three people who knew about Archie's relationship with Cheryl. Kevin was smart, and could certainly offer a solution to his dilemma.

Archie called Cheryl on his cell phone and asked her to come with him to Kevin's house. Surely, they could talk things over and figure out the proper antidote to solve this problem.

Archie and Cheryl talked on the way over to Kevin's house about their respective lives and how they were both doing in their respective studies.

Archie knocked on the door to the Keller household, but there was no response. Archie and Cheryl waited five more minutes.

Archie knocked again. Still, nothing.

"Kevin?", Archie called. "It's me, Archie. Cheryl is with me. I was wondering if we could talk."

Still silence.

Archie then rattled the doorknob, and saw that the door was slightly unlocked.

"Kevin, I know it's not my place to enter your house without permission, but I was hoping that you could…"

Archie then stopped talking when he saw Kevin lying on the floor. A pool of blood was right next to him. A few centimeters away, a kitchen knife was on the floor, caked in blood.

Archie's heart pounded wildly. He knew this was a serious matter. Cheryl then walked over and gasped when she saw the gruesome sight.

"We have to get Kevin to the hospital", Archie said, clearly shaking with fear. Archie grabbed Kevin as quickly as he could and tried to drag him to Mr. Keller's car. Kevin was unconscious and was slightly heavy, but Archie was strong enough to carry him into the car. Archie grabbed the keys to the car, which were on the table in the living room.

Archie put Kevin in the back seat of the car and closed the door. Then, he and Cheryl got in the front. Archie got behind the wheel.

"What happened to Kevin?!", Cheryl exclaimed.

"I don't know", Archie said, clearly aghast from what he had just seen. This was not something he had expected. Kevin had confided in Archie all of the negative feelings he had felt after discovering Jason's body, but Archie would have never imagined Kevin would have attempted suicide.

Archie drove as fast as he could to Riverdale General Hospital. He was clearly shaken and was having some trouble concentrating because he was shocked from finding Kevin injured.

This is absolutely insane! Archie thought. I don't even have my driver's license. What do I even think I'm doing?

Archie knew that there hadn't been time to think at that moment. Kevin's life was at stake. Archie had to help him. Kevin was a valued and close friend. They had known each other since they were kids. He couldn't let Kevin die. He just wouldn't.

I won't let Kevin die Archie thought. He's a good friend of mine. I will get him to the hospital and he will recover. Period.

He continued driving, wondering what in the world he was going to do. Mr. Keller would be understandably upset. The other players on the Riverdale wrestling and bowling teams would be simultaneously outraged and saddened.

Finally, after ten minutes, even though it seemed longer, Archie and Cheryl reached the hospital. Cheryl seemed to be visibly upset. Archie hadn't seen her this upset since the news of Jason's death spread around town.

"Get the paramedics or somebody else to help Kevin", Archie instructed Cheryl. He carried Kevin into the hospital, though it was admittedly difficult. Archie could only hope Dr. Patel would be useful in this case. Dr. Patel was one of the best doctors in town. Archie knew that Dr. Patel's daughter, Tina, was a student at Riverdale and a River Vixen. Archie also knew Dr. Patel had a nephew living on Staten Island, New York, but Archie had never met him in person.

Anyway, none of that was important at the moment. Archie could only pray and hope that Kevin would be healed, both physically and emotionally. Archie thought about Kevin's friendship with him and his loyalty. Kevin could have spread the news of Archie's and Cheryl's relationship and broadcast it to everyone in town. Yet, he chose not to because he respected their privacy. Archie only wished he could help him now.

Finally, several nurses and Dr. Patel arrived to see what was going on.

"Get him on to the gurney", Dr. Patel commanded, pointing to Kevin.

"Kevin, it's going to be okay", Archie whispered in his friend's ear as the nurses escorted Kevin to the bed.

Archie followed Kevin in the gurney as it headed to a hospital room. He wanted to walk inside the room and watch the procedure, but Dr. Patel wouldn't let him.

"Archie, he can't have any visitors for now", Dr. Patel said. "He's going to be under surveillance as we try to understand why he tried committing suicide. We have to make sure he doesn't try to pick up where he left off."

"He was traumatized after Jason's death", Archie said. "He found the body."

"Regardless, we can't take any risks. A person's life is at stake. He clearly is not in a very good state right now. We'll heal him and see if he recovers, which I think he will. He only slit his arm. If he had slit his wrist, he might not even be alive at this very moment. You can call his father and wait a while, but you can't come in."

"Understandable", Archie said. He then called Tom Keller on his cellphone and explained what had happened.

"Archie? What's up?"

"Mr. Keller, there's something I have to tell you. And you're not going to like it."

Ten minutes later…

Mr. Keller was pacing back and forth in the waiting room as Archie and Cheryl explained what had happened. Archie told Kevin's father that his son had been traumatized after Jason's death and discovering the body. Archie also explained how Kevin tried to kill himself and that Archie found Kevin lying on the floor, unconscious.

"And that is what happened, sir. Cheryl and I found Kevin and I drove him here. Hopefully he'll recover. Dr. Patel said he should."

Mr. Keller didn't say anything for a few minutes. Finally, he spoke.

"I appreciate you being honest with me, Archie. I knew Kevin had discovered something horrible and I know it was bothering him. I wish I could have done something sooner and helped him somehow. He is very lucky to have good friends like you and Cheryl."

"I could have done more to help", Archie said. "I was so busy focusing on the bowling teams and with other things that I admittedly neglected Kevin. It wasn't intentional, but I could have been there more for Kevin. I could have talked with him and contributed to his healing process."

He briefly gave a guilty glance at Cheryl. She knew exactly what Archie was talking about. They had been so focused on their secret romance that they had neglected Kevin and his well-being. It wasn't done on purpose, of course, but Archie knew that they could have checked up more on Kevin to check out his well-being.

Archie wanted to prove to his family and friends that he was loyal and could be counted on. Yet, how could he be considered loyal when he had neglected a good friend of his and came close to letting him die? Kevin had been there for him. He certainly didn't deserve this. Something definitely wasn't right about this scenario. This was an injustice.

"Neither of you are to blame", Mr. Keller said. "It's not Kevin's fault, either. The person who murdered Jason Blossom is the one who should be held accountable."

Archie nodded. Then anger burned through him. Not only did this killer cause Cheryl pain, but he had also caused Kevin's suicidal attempt. Two lives could have been lost because of this person.

"I'd better tell Jughead and Betty about what happened", Archie said to Cheryl when Mr. Keller had moved away. "They need to know."

Cheryl squeezed his hand.

"Sure."

Archie then pulled up Jughead's and Betty's messages in their group chat.

AA: Kevin's in the hospital.

JJ: What happened?!

AA: He attempted suicide. Dr. Patel says he should recover, but I'm so afraid that this happened to him. I feel like I've let him down.

BC: Poor Kevin. We'll be over there as soon as possible.

Archie put his down and buried his face in his hands for a minute. He was feeling a lot of despair at that very moment.

Ten minutes later, Betty and Jughead had arrived at the hospital. Betty glared at Cheryl briefly but thankfully didn't say anything.

"Can we see him?", Betty asked.

"Dr. Patel said he can't have visitors at the moment", Archie said.

"I can't even begin to process what must have been running through Kevin's mind", Jughead said. "He must have felt helpless and afraid."

"I don't know what will happen to him", Betty said. "I hope he makes it."

"He will", Archie said. "He'll be fine. Kevin's a fighter."

He looked at the ground, wondering how things had escalated to this point. Kevin had clearly been traumatized from seeing Jason's dead body, but Archie didn't think that Kevin would try to kill himself. It clearly was a decision made that wasn't even thought out.

Archie wasn't holding Kevin accountable, nor did he think Kevin was making irrational decisions. He was a good person who did not deserve what he was going through at the moment. He clearly was suffering from some form of PTSD from what he had seen at Sweetwater River.

Archie still had no knowledge in the slightest over who could be responsible for the death of Jason Blossom. It pissed him off that the killer was still living his life out there, almost as if he was being let off the hook, going off scot-free. He wanted to do something to find the scumbag and bring him to justice, but he had no clue who was responsible. He only wished he did, it would make life so much easier.

"We should tell Veronica", Betty said. "She and Kevin seemed to have become closer since she moved here. She'll definitely will want to know what happened to him."

Archie nodded. "Go ahead and call her."

As Betty called Veronica, Jughead glanced at Archie and Cheryl.

"To be honest, there were some warning signs that Kevin would do this. A handful of red flags were noticeable. We could have done something to help Kevin."

"We could have", Archie said. "I feel responsible, since I could have stepped in and said something. Offered comfort and solace. Perhaps if I did, this wouldn't have happened."

"You shouldn't blame yourself, Archie", Jughead said. "Kevin wouldn't have wanted that."

Jughead glanced at Cheryl but didn't say anything. He wasn't sure why she was here, in all honesty. Cheryl and Kevin had some interaction at Riverdale High, but admittedly not as much interaction as Jughead would have expected to know that they were good friends.

"To be honest, Cheryl", Jughead said. "I'm not sure why you're here at all. Shouldn't you be mourning over your brother?"

Cheryl's facial expression turned to clear anger.

"How dare you", Cheryl snarled. "I have every right to be here just like the rest of you."

"Lay off, Jughead", Archie said. "Cheryl and I both found Kevin in his house bleeding, after he attempted suicide."

"Sorry about that", Jughead said. "I was just wondering, that's all. I didn't know that you and Kevin were even friends."

A few minutes later, Veronica burst through the doors of the waiting room. Reggie was with her.

"Where's Kevin?", she asked. "I hope he's okay."

"He's alive, but he's unconscious", Archie said. "He can't have any visitors at the moment."

Jughead glared at Reggie but didn't say anything.

Betty then arrived and hugged Veronica. The two girls clung to each other for a few minutes and sobbed.

"Poor Kevin, poor Kevin", Veronica said, wiping away a few tears.

"Veronica, can we talk?", Betty asked.

"Sure", Veronica said.

Betty and Veronica then walked down the hallway until everyone else was out of earshot.

"Veronica, I need to tell you something", Betty said. "You have to swear not to let anyone else know."

"I promise", Veronica said. "What is it?"

Betty took a deep breath.

"Polly's been hiding out in my attic", Betty said. "My parents have no idea. Jughead's the only other person who knows."

"Wow, that is surprising news."

"I don't know what to do", Betty said. "My sister can't stay in the attic forever. And I just can't tell my parents, Polly would be pissed."

"Maybe my mother and I can provide her a place", Veronica said. "We've got plenty of room at the Pembrooke. She'll feel right at home."

"Sounds like a good plan", Betty said. "I'll inform Polly about it later."

Meanwhile, Archie, Jughead, Reggie, and Cheryl were still sitting in the waiting room. Archie longed to hold Cheryl's hand and try to offer her more comfort, but he knew and understood that now wasn't the time or place for that. Not to mention that Jughead was right there.

"Kevin will be fine, I'm sure of it", Reggie said.

"Hopefully", Jughead said. "Dr. Patel is a genius. He's worked on many patients before. Kevin will pull through."

Archie thought it was strange that Reggie and Jughead were speaking to each other in a polite manner. The two of them were not really sworn enemies, but they weren't exactly friendly either. They didn't run in the same social circles, that was for sure.

Then again, Archie wasn't complaining. If everyone in Riverdale could just get along and not fight or squabble with each other, there would be less problems and calamity in the town. If they all worked together, it would make life so much easier. Jason Blossom's death was proof that none of them could take the lives they were living for granted. Anything could change at any time.

Besides, Archie and Cheryl had barely interacted with each other during their freshman year of high school. A few months ago, they hadn't even given each other a second thought. Now they were clearly in love. Archie knew that in Riverdale, the unexpected was to be expected.

An hour later, Dr. Patel arrived to give them an update.

"Kevin is fine", Dr. Patel said. "But he'll have to stay in the hospital for at least two weeks on suicide watch, to make sure that he'll be stable."

"Can we see him?", Archie asked.

"Only two at a time", Dr. Patel said.

"I'll go see him", Mr. Keller said.

"So will I", Archie said.

Archie and Mr. Keller followed Dr. Patel to Kevin's room in the hospital. As they headed there, Archie's heart began pounding. He knew he shouldn't be so worried, but he couldn't help but feel concerned for his friend, who was clearly going to be under heavy surveillance. Archie dreaded the sight of what Kevin's hospital room would look like.

Archie took a deep breath, then entered the room. He saw Kevin lying on the bed. It was clear that Kevin was strapped down to the bed. His arm was hooked to an IV stand. His arm was also clearly covered with multiple bandages.

"Kevin?", Archie asked. "Are you okay? Can you hear us?"

"Yeah, I can hear you", Kevin croaked. He sighed heavily. "I made a really stupid mistake, didn't I?"

"Don't blame yourself", Archie said. "This isn't your fault."

Mr. Keller walked over to hug Kevin. He had embraced him for only a few seconds when Dr. Patel walked over.

"Mr. Keller, please do not touch your son. He needs to stay in this bed without any physical human contact for at least two days."

"I love you, Kevin", Mr. Keller whispered to his son.

Just then Archie's cell phone vibrated. He read the notification. It was about Riverdale High's first bowling match.

"We're supposed to bowl against Baxter High from Greendale", Archie said, looking at his phone.

Mr. Keller sighed.

"Sorry, but Kevin won't be able to play in any bowling matches for at least two weeks", Mr. Keller said. "Not until he's discharged from the hospital."

"It's fine, Archie", Kevin said. "Just put in one of your subs for me."

Archie nodded. He then said, "Well, I got to get going. See you around, Kevin. Stay safe."

Archie headed out of the room. He briefly nodded at Jughead and Betty, who were both heading to see Kevin next.

Archie nodded at Cheryl, then showed her one of his signals.

"We'll talk later", he whispered to her.

That night, Archie texted Cheryl about what they would do at school the next day. By now, Archie was sure the news about Kevin had spread around town and he wanted to be able to prepare himself for how his classmates would react. He knew the players on the Riverdale wrestling team would be really incensed. He definitely had to do something to appease their anger and find some solution to this debacle. When he got his hands on Jason's killer…oh, that moment would definitely give him something to feel proud about.

The next day, Archie was with the other players on the Riverdale football team, performing his duties as captain. Some of them were understandably upset with what happened to Kevin.

"I would like to find the person that killed Jason and kick his ass", Moose said. "He's the reason that Kevin is in the hospital."

"Violence isn't the answer", Archie said. "We need to think rationally. I'm not saying that we should act like cowards, but we definitely should tread carefully and not try to exact revenge. We could get in serious trouble if we do so. I have a better idea. We'll make get-well cards for Kevin that we'll give him once he gets released from the hospital."

"Sounds good", Reggie said.

Meanwhile…

Hermione Lodge had mixed feelings at the moment. She was clearly having fun in her fling with Fred Andrews. It was obviously wrong to hook up with another man when she was still married and her husband was in prison. However, Fred was such a gentleman. Fred had never threatened anyone or ruined the lives of anyone that disagreed with him. Fred was a genuinely good person. Granted, Fred's compassion was not meant to be seen as a sign of weakness, which Hermione certainly kept in mind.

Hermione knew that she needed two signatures to give Fred the construction contract. Hermione already knew that Veronica would never agree to sign that contract. But Hermione didn't need her consent. She could easily forge her signature.

So, Hermione went ahead and forged her signature.

Child's play.