"Hello brother." Charles muttered as Jughead sat opposite him.
"I'm going away tomorrow. To college. Don't expect me to call you or anything. I probably will learn to forget about you. Won't need to rely on a fucking serial killer for comfort like a fucking loser. So this is goodbye." Jughead snapped. He felt so pathetic, clinging to Charles like he needed him. Because as much as he loathed to admit it, Jughead did need Charles right now, and hated himself for it.
"On a technicality, I only killed Joan. I'm a murderer, not a serial killer. I appreciate the goodbye, Jughead, and I hope that one day you will speak to me again. Good luck in college, and please, please do better than our father and I. Be successful, don't get involved in any murders, and above all, be happy. Goodbye."
And the two brothers did not speak for over a year. They did not speak until the cold and chilling winter of the next year, when Jughead received an unexpected phone call.
…
Jughead slammed his fist against the wall. First year of college had gone fine. His book was published. Now he had writers block, no friends, and a growing alcohol issue.
His phone rang and he picked it up. He did not recognize the number, which was not unusual. What was unusual, however, was the fact that someone was ringing him. Jughead hadn't had anyone ring his phone since Jellybean rang him to tell him how she was three months ago. Jughead picks the phone up and considers sliding to hand up, but answers the call.
"Jughead. Its me, Charles. I need you to come to Riverdale. Its an emergency, and I don't know who else I can call. The people here are in danger, but no one else will believe me. Meet me in the bunker in the woods before tomorrow."
"Why? Charles, aren't you in prison? I have a life now, I'm not screwing it all up because some idiot couldn't keep in jail where he belongs." Jughead said crossly. He may not have much of a life here, he might spend all his free time locked up staring at a blank page, or else getting drunk, but both of those things was better than ending up in jail.
"Jug, please. Everything is a lot more complicated than you believe. It wasn't just me who got out. Hiram Lodge was trying to break Riverdale down. he's run the town into poverty. The only people who are still here are those that can't afford to leave. Clearly, Hiram's plan wasn't working fast enough." Charles tried to explain over the phone.
"What do you mean, brother?" Jughead asked, curiosity overwhelming the desire to hang up.
"I mean that every person in Riverdale who caused major issues got released from jail. Hiram Lodge blew up half the prison, the part with the secure cells. Yesterday morning he announced everyone in the cells, including me, as dead, but I know they escaped. He let them out, let them have free range over who they kill." Charles said.
"Who? Who escaped?" Jughead asked, dread filling him.
"Penelope Blossom. Donna Sweet. Evelyn Evernever, Chic, and me. Probably a good thing Mum killed Edgar and Penelope killed Hal and Clifford, and Chic killed Brett really, else we'd have a lot more people to deal with. As it is, there all dangerous enough. With them lose, Riverdale will become a town of slaughter." Charles said.
"Why do you want to stop them? Why should I trust you?" Jughead asked, already making up his mind. He could not leave Riverdale to its fate.
"Simply put, I have nothing to gain by helping them. Chic and I had an argument after I transferred to his prison and he tried to kill me. Apparently its my fault he got caught. Penelope probably hates me, Evelyn hates me for helping to bring her down and I did try to kill Donna so she's got every right to hate me. Also, I killed Brett because he hurt you and Betty I would never hurt an innocent person."
"Sure. I guess I'll come."
"Oh, and there's someone else here you'll want to know about. Gladys Jones is back in town."
"Shit."
