awakening

by green-lights-n-rabbit-holes98

Something is rotten in the town of Riverdale. Sabrina must come to terms with her choices before the odds turn against new. The Uktena, once forgotten by the Serpents, makes a powerful resurgence, led by no other than a descendant of the founding members. And Alice has to decide once and for all - to let the guilt of her past swallow her or to embrace her roots as a witch.

5. Violent Delights, Part I

p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"ALICE/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I can't sleep. Nausea and panic steer my course, disrupting me when I think I'm safe. He killed again. I felt it after leaving Toni's shop. I stumbled along that street back to the trailer park holding back vomit, cupping blood from my nose into my hand. I couldn't make out where he went. All I could see was white marble and stained glass windows. A church? Why there? Who did he go after?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I kick myself for sending Hiram away. I should have asked him to stay with me, just until I could get back up on my feet. But he has Veronica and that cat to worry about. And Gladys and FP are dealing with the aftermath of the seance. Jellybean…..no, don't drag the girl into this. Or Sabrina. Sabrina…./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"When I came back, she looked just as shaken up as me. FP and Gladys's son was with her, typing away on his laptop. I took a long look at her to see what was wrong. Her nose bled the same way mine did. Her eyes were bloodshot, like mine. She hasn't fully recovered from her illness, I have to remind myself of that. But these symptoms….it's an odd correlation. And an odd sense of timing. Did she sense this new attack too? By having that seizure, did she gain a second sight? No….no I got my second sight from him. My connection to him leaves me rendered and helpless as I watch him play with his food. But things are changing in Riverdale. Sabrina is another witch that will feel the aftermath. Toni sees him too, but in fragments. So could this mean…..can Sabrina now see Hal?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I don't want to rouse myself again. It's almost 5 in the morning, and I have been tossing and turning all night. When the Jones boy returned to his home trailer, Sabrina and I quietly cleaned ourselves up and sat on the couch for a long time. We didn't say much to each other. I was still processing the seance, and figuring out how to aid Toni in her fight for justice. As for Sabrina….something must have occurred, for Jughead fumbled on words when I asked him about her state. Even hours later, the image of that boy typing away has me thinking. What was he writing about?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"After a few minutes of laying on my back, failing to fall back asleep, I throw the covers off and leave the bed. Sabrina has her chin tucked into her shoulder farthest away from me. Every once in a while, it will jerk, then fall still. Another nightmare? My brain's too fogged up to attempt to read her mind, and even then, it would be an invasion of her privacy. I grab my boots and slip out of the bedroom, leaving the girl hopefully in peace./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Bitter cold shocks my senses when I walk out the front door. My nightgown doesn't do much to protect what's exposed of my legs from the wintery weather. Snow crunches under my boots when I walk down the steps. I'm exhausted by the time I reach the last step. My leg's acting up again, despite the remedies I used, the ones Toni gave me. I think about her and her shop. Will anyone with Uktena blood come to her aid and continue her work if she falls in this war? Could Gladys or I rally a troop together to fight in her name? No, I'm overthinking this. Toni's fight is with the Serpents, my fight is with Hal. If the two mingle, though…. If Hal bends the Serpents to his will, leaving us both defenseless…./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"emspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Stop it, Alice. Nothing will happen to her, or Sabrina. Calm down. /span/emspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Sometimes I hate how my brain jumps to the worst conclusions before I can scrape together a formal plan. And now my leg is cramping again. Well, I'm not in a rush, so I sit down on the final step, extending out my bad leg. I think I'm getting the hang of performing Blue on myself. My delivery still isn't perfect, and when I think of the color blue, it feels forced. Like I'm purposefully making the color appear. My version of the spell functions, but it's not perfection. But hey, how can it be? No one can perform this spell like Hiram. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"This goes on for a while longer until I hear the quick trotting of feet, the ruff of a dog. I open my eyes to find the Jones's sheep dog waddle over to me, greeting me with sloppy kisses. "Hi, buddy." I giggle. Hot Dog wags his tail excitedly when I ruffle through his fur. How did this little fella know to come to me? "Come on, let's go find your family." I whisper, rising up from my place. Hot Dog stays glued to my heels as I begin to head over to the Jones's trailer. I barely make it two steps before I stop in my tracks. FP meanders over in my direction, hands shoved into his flannel jacket, his skin looking pale. He looks up at me with hazy eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Can't sleep?" I ask him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Not a lot of good dreams." he says with a nod./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I huff. "Likewise." I tell him, not really wanting to admit the details of last night. I obviously need to let the Joneses in on my new vision. But it can wait for another time, when we're all more awake./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"He whistles for Hot Dog to join him at his side. He begins to follow an imaginary path buried in the snow away from the trailers. He barely makes it a few steps before he looks back at me. I stand there, not understanding at first, but I catch on pretty quick. He wants me to walk with him. He needs a friendly face to discuss the bad dreams with. I don't fight back. I join my friend, and we begin our little journey./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"We stay silent for the first handful of minutes, not really sure how to carry the conversation. But I can tell in the way FP stares at the ground, keeping one hand hovering over Hot Dog as he trots by his side, that he hasn't fully recovered from the seance. I don't expect him to bounce back to normal any time soon. Toni said so herself. emHaving a dead spirit roaming in your mind like that doesn't go away overnight. /emIs this anything like what FP went through when he recovered from his alcoholism? A phantom itch begging to be relieved through pain or numbing. Whichever took care of the job fastest. A new thought comes to me, one that frightens me, and maybe Gladys too. Will this seance spark FP to break his sobriety and start drinking again?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""I felt cold last night." he speaks, ending our prolonged silence. "Didn't help that it's already winter, but….I felt colder than usual. No matter how many blankets and warm clothes Gladys and the kids threw on, I couldn't stop shivering. I heard things too. Whispering, almost. I couldn't tell if it was Gladys talking to Jug or JB, or if it…." His voice trails off. I notice his hand tilting back and forth in the air. The sobriety bracelet gleams, picking up little traces of brightness. Hot Dog whimpers next to him. The dog nuzzles his nose into FP's leg, a little signal to let him know that he's not alone. FP stops walking, which makes me stop. He allows for his hand to plant on top of Hot Dog's fur, running his fingers through it. Something new occurs, so fast I almost miss it. But I still see it. FP cracking a smile. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Kinda glad this fella was with me last night." he says lightheartedly. "Most nights, he's curled up with JB, but last night, he wedged himself between me and Gladys. Had his head on my chest, with my arm over him. It was quite adorable." I find myself chuckling at the image. My own voice sounds deep, it makes me a bit nervous. Well, I'm at least glad FP could get through the first night post-seance without major issues. But it doesn't guarantee anything later down the road. Not with Hal still on the loose./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"FP uses his thumb to massage the area by Hot Dog's ear. "Yeah, don't know what I'd do without him. Kept waking up in the middle of the night, but he licked my face, and it helped me go back to sleep. Up until now, I guess." His smile fades. His petting of Hot Dog ceases. Should I dare to ask him what he saw in those dreams? Or would that trigger unhappy emotions? The soreness on my throat, where Louis made FP grab me, throbs. I reach for my neck out of instinct, rubbing at the spot. I feel my neck rise and fall when I swallow down building saliva. I decide to just keep my mouth shut, to not blurt out the questions lingering on my tongue./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""You see him too?" he asks me. It throws me off guard. I have to glare into his eyes for a while to make sure if he's asking out of pure sincerity. I put two and two together and realize that he's not referring to Hal. He's asking about seeing Louis./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I shake my head. "Just my usual dreams." I reassure him, leaving out crucial details. I don't want to leave FP more petrified with my explanations of the frequent visitors that haunt me nightly. Past events replaying in new scenarios. Him. And the new place. The new victim that I still can't determine who it is. Hal would never touch a holy place in all his eternity. What changed?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I don't realize that I've fazed out until FP taps me on the shoulder. "You okay, Ali?" I don't say anything to him. I just let my gaze linger at his face. Hot Dog rushes to my free side and licks my hand. FP glances over his shoulder at our trail, using his head to gesture the other way. "We should head back. I can get some coffee brewing." I shiver as the bitter wind kisses the exposed parts of my legs. The injury on my thigh hisses. I let FP guide us back over to the trailers, Hot Dog trailing by my side./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"FP begins to ask a series of questions to make sense of my distracted state. "He attacked again, didn't he?" I nod without saying anything. "You know who?" I shake my head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Only the location. Someplace white. Too clean." I mumble. The images resurface, which almost reinstigates my nausea. I force myself to breathe, daisies and candles, shutting out the bad, half in disassociation. I hate it. I hate that feeling. But more than anything, I hate going through it when I'm with people I care about. I would rather shut them all out, I'd shut FP out right now if I had the chance. But then I remember what he said to me the night of Midge Klump's death. That doomed pep rally with me learning of Hal being the Reaper. emI won't lose you because of this. I can't lose my best friend./em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"We stumble up the steps together, with me taking the lead. I step aside while FP fumbles with his house keys for a bit. After a minute, he finds the right one. He's careful to open the door without making too much noise. I peer into the Jones's little trailer. JB's curled up on the couch. Jughead sleeps peacefully on one of the cots across from the girl, a book wedged into his arm. Gladys is probably asleep in the bedroom, unaware of what I saw last night. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I shouldn't be here. I can't just wake her and the kids up and vent about my newest findings. They already have too much on their plates, with FP and their finances. I make an attempt to stumble back, to bolt down the steps and back to my trailer, to crawl back into my bed and stay asleep until who knows when. I forget FP is nearby until he places a hand on my shoulder./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Ali, it's okay." FP whispers./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""I know, I…." I pause for a second, examining how peaceful his children look. How lucky they are to not deal with frequent nightmares of the past. "I just don't want to wake your kids up. Or Gladys." I take my eyes off the kids and glance over my shoulder. My eyes land on the little patch of land with the makeshift fire pit, where I told Gladys and her family of my reaction to Sabrina's cat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Why don't I get a fire started? We can talk more out here." I suggest to him, pointing out to the area. He looks a me a little weary at first, then he takes me up on my offer. He gently squeezes my shoulder before wandering into his home. When the door shuts, I urge for Hot Dog to follow me down to the fire pit. There's some wood chunks piled to the side of the can, so I use a good amount of the pile to throw in. I rub my hands together and take a shaky breath. Then, I flick my hand over the pit. Flames emerge, lighting up the little patch of land on this early morning. Hot Dog begins to bark at the sudden sight. I have to shush him as I go to sit down in one of the chairs circling the fire pit. The heat from the fire reaches my skin, it feels nice to not worry about the cold. I rest my head back against the chair, and I close my eyes, letting the newfound comfort ease my guard./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Then a pair of arms wrap around me. I gasp, opening my eyes. It's him, it has to be. He's come back to finish me off once and for all. But I stop from jumping into self-defense mode, because something's odd about this. The arms around me are not strong, nor are they adult sized. It's a child hugging me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Dad says you had a bad dream." her little voice sounds sleepy, but I end up laughing. I'm grateful that it's just JB. Strands of her honey blonde hair tickle my face. I tilt my head to face the young girl as she bumps her forehead against mine. "So, I told him, emnot under my watch/em."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Aren't you supposed to still be asleep right now, young lady?" I tease her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Ugh. You sound just like my parents." she sasses back. I cackle as JB detaches herself from me, running over to one of the chairs. She struggles to carry it closer to where I sit, I assume so she can be next to me. The whole act causes Hot Dog to woof like crazy. JB tells him to quit it before she slumps down in her seat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I realize I haven't checked in on JB much since Hiram and I found Joseph Conway. The bursting of my tattoo and the séance took precedence, which, as a result, meant I couldn't keep an eye on JB. The way I'm still not with Sabrina. Guilt overtakes my thoughts. How much longer can I continue to neglect Sabrina when a demon is wreaking havoc in Riverdale? I don't know, but for now, I can at least live up my promise to Gladys and FP. So, I decide to engage in conversation with the girl./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""So, is this your last week of classes before the holidays?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Yep. We still got our midterms when we come back though, so that won't be fun. But at least we don't have the book report thing due until after the break."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""That's good. Have you picked out your book yet?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""No, and of course, I have to tell my teacher which one I'm reading before we leave." She pulls her knees up to her chin and folds her arms over her calves. A little frown forms on her face. I wonder if it'd be a horrible idea to lend JB one of my books on witchcraft, or if we could use a book of the Joneses. Then I remember the destruction of Senior's books at the garage unit. And the hex placed on those books that left rashes and blisters. And the paper monster in the form of Senior almost killing FP./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"My fists clench. I have to unclench them so I don't leave JB asking questions. What help can I provide to facilitate her book selection process? I search through my memories for a solution. Only one comes to mind. The beautiful collection Hiram holds the keys to in his study./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""I could twist Hiram's arm to see if he'd be kind enough to give you some options." That seems to catch the girl's interest, and Hot Dog's. Her feet come to the ground again. She rests one elbow on the chair's arm, resting her chin on the heel of her palm. "He's got a huge library. All filled to the brim with every book you could dream of." I explain to her. Okay, I'm stretching my description out a bit, but I have to admit, I was pretty damn impressed when I saw his library for the first time. The way each book is categorized. The color coordination. Works in Spanish intertwined with the English ones. Every genre, providing comfort to those that seek it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Does he have books that Jughead reads?" the young Jones lights up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""More than that." I tell her truthfully./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""More than what?" FP enters the conversation, holding two cups of coffee. He hands one down to me with a small grin. I mutter a emThank You /emas I watch him take his seat across from us. I fill him in on the details of JB's assignment, of my plan to convince Hiram into lending some books to JB. He finishes his gulp of coffee before he responds. "Huh. Never bought Hiram to be the charitable type. But if you're the one insisting on him to do it, I'd be fascinated."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"JB rolls her eyes at her father. "Dad. You know he'd do anything for Ali. He practically has a crush on her." I blush out of pure embarrassment. It wouldn't surprise me if Hiram did, to be honest. But he has been rather kind to me a lot lately. And he did act quite flirtatious with me in high school before….well, before Hal and I scared the daylights out of him, but now it's picked up again (which, okay, I really won't complain about). I'm just lucky FP doesn't raise the question on his daughter's comment. I relinquish in quiet victory by sipping on my fresh brewed coffee./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"The girl tilts her at us. "Is there any coffee left?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"FP shoots his daughter dagger eyes. And I do too. "The last of that pot is for your mother when she wakes up." he tells the girl, but that doesn't bode well with her. She gives us both a playful pout, putting back on that little emSesame Street/em act when the Joneses invited me over for Thanksgiving. I could almost laugh at the memory, but I have to contain myself, mostly because I have questions forming in my head. Why would JB want to know about how much coffee is remaining?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"The internal question gets answered. FP rolls his eyes at JB, then lifts one finger into the air. "One small cup. And don't load up on cream and sugar. Save some for your mother." The girl shoots up into the air, rushing her thank you's to him before she sprints back into the trailer. Hot Dog trots at the girl's side and follows her in./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"FP grumbles something then chuckles. I'm still baffled by the whole exchange. Now I'm giving him dagger eyes./span span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""You let her drink coffee?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"He's gaping at me, the way he did when Gladys teased him about feeding Hot Dog his human meals. It's hilarious to watch, only because I haven't met parents who normally let their children indulge in caffeine at such a young age. Well, who am I to talk? FP and I partook in underage drinking and smoking in our youth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Eventually, he gives up and scowls. "Don't. I know exactly what you're going to say, Alice!" he points a finger at me, causing me to cackle. He slips into a tone, mocking my voice. "emIt'll impair her growth! She'll get addicted! She'll be slamming down five cups before she even gets to school!/em" He goes back to his regular voice, "Yeah, I know. Don't give me that crap!" He winds up giggling too, and we just sit outside for a good minute laughing over children and coffee./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"We stop laughing after that, just so we can pause and drink our beverages. My thigh rubs up against the arm, making me wince. I scoot it away from the chair, using my arm to massage it. I should reapply some of Toni's remedies before I head over to her shop. The reality of the day sets in. I hope Toni stays safe today. I hope she at least has friends to go with so she won't be alone. I'm worried for her, just as much as I'm worried for Sabrina./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"FP's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "I'm sorry you lost your tattoo." I meet his glance for a brief second. He brings his attention back to his coffee cup. "Didn't get a chance to say that earlier, with everything going on."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I make an attempt to brush it off, despite how I really feel. "It'll heal, eventually." I notice how quiet it's gotten. How curled up and feeble FP is. I no longer see the caring father of two children, and the husband of a strong-hearted wife. I see the boy who hid beating scars under his letterman jacket. I see the victim of an alcoholic monster that used him and his mother like punching bags. I see a hollow ghost wanting nothing but to drown out the echoes with the disease that overtook his abuser./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Having Louis Cooper invade his body and soul messed with him, just not physically. I would like to hope that he can recover, but I can't guarantee the chances of that any time soon./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""I'm sorry you…." I slow down my speech, carefully crafting how to express my sympathies for him. "I'm sorry about what happened at the séance. About what he made you do…." I have to stop myself from saying the rest. emAbout what he made you do to me, and to Toni./em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"My neck throbs. Without even thinking, I go to rub it. Then I look at FP, staring at me in horror. I drop my hand instantly. My cheeks go red. My eyes could water. My heart pounds uncontrollably. Lucifer, I'm an idiot. What was I thinking, having coffee by a fire pit, bringing back up triggering events? I'm tempted to just take my coffee cup, walk back to my trailer, and shut the world out for the rest of the day, only until I, either voluntarily or by force, apologize to FP later./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"But I don't. And I'm not greeted by unspoken hatred or distress. Instead, a hand reaches for my free one. I let out an inaudible gasp. My hand quivers, my ring finger taps down on the chair twice. It takes me a couple of seconds before I can look up at FP. The lines around his eyes age him under the fire's glow. Speckles of white form in his beard, adding onto the existing layers. The years have not been kind to him. Or me for that matter./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""You're still family, you know that?" he croaks. I just nod at him, doing my best to not break down any further in front of him. I feel his fingers slip between mine, preventing my fist from curling, from my nails digging into my palm. "I wasn't lying when I told you that. After you…."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""I know." I cut him off, startling us both. I could elaborate further on this, but I let my brain do the remainder of the talking. emBut how am I family if I left you behind without a proper farewell? I left you with the vipers, and all you showed in return was kindness….why?/em So, instead I say, "Better off than the families we actually had."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"FP chuckles at that one. "No shit." He eases his grip on my hand and glances around the trailer park. The sky above us begins to display its morning glow, with soft orange and baby pink peaking up from the snowy trees. I hear FP say, "Look at us. A runaway witch and a trapped gang member. Aren't we the pair of heavenly creatures?" The last part comes off sarcastically. Still, I find myself scoffing at it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""More like unheavenly creatures." I comment. I feel the corners of my mouth lift. It feels like I uncovered an unhidden truth about myself. I'm the bastard witch daughter of a gang member, and I had romantic relations with a demon. Nothing about me is heavenly. And, for the first time, I'm okay with that./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"FP takes a long sip of his coffee before he speaks again. "So….you and Lodge, huh?" My lips lose the upward angle. They furrow together as I glare at him, blinking furiously. He adapts a playful smirk. "Jelly says the man has a crush on you. Kinda shocks me a little, but….it makes sense the more I think about it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Slowly, I wiggle my hand out of his hold. I don't respond back to the comment. I just sip on my coffee with my eyes still glued to him. I can see where JB gets her stinky, mischievous behavior from, and it's not from Gladys. FP taps on his coffee cup. "And Gladys, she caught you two in my bedroom doing….something. Care to elaborate on the subject?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Fuck off, FP." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"That creates a chorus of laughter from both of us. FP continues to tease me over it, and I have to control myself from using a spell to send a snowball his way. JB and Hot Dog return eventually, and for the most part, the subject drops. But I still get comments, and some humming in delight, over my recent bonding with Hiram./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Well, damn. Now all the Joneses think Hiram and I have something going on. Do we? I think he's a good friend, and having him around brings a tremendous amount of aid to my mission. But to think of him as a lover? It leaves me clueless. What would Hiram think of the commentary? He'd probably hex FP for suggesting the idea, or he'd find a way to get vengeance down the road. Or maybe he wouldn't, and he would think of them as compliments. That maybe he does…. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Okay, I'm thinking too heavily on this whole thing. I'll need to figure it all out later, when I'm not preoccupied on fighting for the good of humanity, or however mortals put it. Right now, my top priority is helping Toni. And finding out who joined the land of the dead thanks to Hal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 0in 0in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"XXXXXXXX/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 0in 0in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"TONI/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I wasn't expecting this many people to come out today. Every street I go down, there's people around my age, some older, some younger, all out to support a common goal. I only wish I brought a sign with me, but I've seen a few protesters without them, so I guess it's okay. I would have made one last night….if it weren't for that stupid migraine. It hit me like a ton of bricks after Alice left my shop. A sharp ache rippled through my head, paired with flashes of white and colorful glass. Voices screamed for mercy. Dark red polluted my eyesight./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"He didn't kill again, did he? Alice would have let me in on it, since she can feel it when he attacks. Maybe it was just a flashback to one of the murders back in the 60s, maybe the 90s. Whatever the reason, the spirits must have wanted for me to see it. I'm just lucky the migraine ended before I crashed out, giving me a clear head for this protest today./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I look up at the faint glow of the sun, still covered by grey clouds. There's actual blue in the sky. It's nice for a change. The closer I get to the communal meet-up location, the more voices I hear. Friends laugh over songs heard on the radio. One practices a speech for today's gathering. Plenty of younger Serpents, and just as many younger Ghoulies, the rival gang. Normally, I would make sure to steer clear from them as I walk down the street. But today is not about staying divided over meaningless crap. It's about coming together. It's finding unity to bring better for all of us./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Down at the end of the street, a small group of Serpents make last-minute edits to their signs. Seeing them so happy, so passionate….it reminds me of how I was with my crew. Watching these younger kids makes me nostalgic. I miss them all dearly. And I feel bad. The only person I really kept in close contact with following high school was Joaquin. Sweet Pea and Fangs are off doing their own things, and with all of our lives, we've been too busy to have a true reunion. But they were my found family. And I'd do anything to protect that family. I hope this new generation can have that sense of found family too./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I'm so caught up watching this group, that I almost don't hear the person behind me. "Holy shit….Toni?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I turn around at the sound of my name. Whatever tension I held onto melts away. It seems like my found family hasn't gone away, because just a few feet away, a familiar face just saw me for the first time in years./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Fangs?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Hi." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I don't hesitate another moment before I sprint over to Fangs and pull him in for a bear hug. We're both giggling and crying because, shit when was the last time I saw this man in person and not on the other side of a FaceTime call? I eventually have to pull myself away so we can both breathe. I begin asking him so many questions all at once, asking what he's doing here, when he came back, has he talked with anyone else./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"He responds to each one by one. "I wanted to come back around Thanksgiving, but I was still with the Farm at the time…..which I'm not with anymore. Evelyn wanted me to take part in a baptism, and I kind of freaked out. Plus, her dad always intimidated me. So, I broke up with her and came back home right around the time these protests started happening. I wanted to reach out to you, and Sweets, and Joaquin, but I just didn't get time. I also thought you were still busy with your shop."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Well, I'm here now." I salute to him, cracking a smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Fangs looks around the park, noticing the pods of people near us. "Did you come here with anyone? Or is it just you?" I could tell him about Alice, about my conversation with her that led me to finally coming out to this protest. But then I remember….no one in my friend group knows that I'm a witch, or that I'm native Uktena. I can change that. If I'm going into this fight, I'm going to need people on my side. People who are willing to listen, to pick me up when I'm not at my best, or at my strongest. People who will allow me to live. And if that means my secrets get out, then so be it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""No, I came alone." I admit to him. My cheeks get heavy, and so does my heart. I have to clench my fists to keep my hands from shaking. I don't like opening up to people like this. It was hard enough to defend my life choices when speaking with Alice. But this is a whole other beast of burden. While I like to act strong around my friends, it burns me out after the umpteenth time. It's draining. I hate it. So, I don't bother to cover up my building emotions when I tell Fangs, "I've been stressed out lately. I'm in that shop day in and day out. I don't get a chance to breathe, so…." I pause, taking time to breathe. My eyes start to water. My hands shake. "I'm trying, Fangs. I'm trying to take more time for myself. To do things that matter to me." I can feel tears forming. I lift my chin up to the sky, looking at the gray emptiness to keep Fangs from seeing this. I rest my hands on my hips, letting out an exhale. I bring my gaze back down to him. What does he think of me now? A weakling? An attention-seeker? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"There's no hatred or disgust on his face. Nor is there disinterest. Instead, I get a slow-forming grin and soft eyes. "That's good, Tee. You deserve to have some time for yourself. I mean, out of all of us, you're the one that really deserves a break." The invisible weight on my shoulders fades. The corners of my mouth lift. I'm actually being listened to? By now, the tears are coming down hard, but I don't give a shit. I reach back out for Fangs and pull him in for another hug. I blot my eyes on his flannel when I rest my forehead on his shoulder. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Voices grow louder around us. The march is about to begin. A pair of hands cup my face. Fangs smirks in excitement. "You ready to cause some trouble, Topaz?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Always." I allow Fangs to take me by the hand and follow him to join his little group of other Southsiders. We all make our way over to the crowd, and it begins./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The streets begin to fill with peaceful protesters, our hopes held high, our voices loud. We chant together, calling for justice. And here's something neat about these chants – we also raise awareness for other topics beyond the need for better treatment for all. We speak together for immigration, gay rights, healthcare, and education. Listening to the people around me boosts my confidence. Hearing Fangs get hyped next to me reminds me that I no longer have to walk into this battle alone. We keep our pace with the crowd, walking hand in hand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Our words guide our feet down the streets, leading us further into Pickens Park. I'll admit, I am nervous to walk back through here, considering what happened over the weekend with the team, and with…. For once, I'm glad the chanting is drowning out my inner voices. I never want to hear Louis Cooper speak again. Not after the way he spoke about me. Not after how he made Mister Jones hurt Alice. The bad memories cause my arm to tense up. I feel Fangs squeeze my hand, giving me a reassuring smile. "We're almost there. Don't worry." he whispers. "There's usually a couple of people who speak on different subjects connected to the protests. You wanna listen to them?" Anything to get me to stop thinking about the séance? Yes, please! I nod my head, and I let Fangs lead me to one of the forming crowds./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"A young man with a megaphone gets onto the highest step of a nearby gazebo and hypes the crowd up. Everyone around us begins to record the speech on their phones. He starts by mentioning some of the recent progress since the protests initially started. The police have collected evidence that can point out Chuck Clayton's killer. More money will be put towards improving the education at Southside High. The last point leaves me a bit shocked. Both Sheriff Keller and Mayor McCoy are resigning from their positions. McCoy is staying until the end of the week (when the Jubilee is happening), but Keller stepped down effective immediately over the weekend. I'm taken aback by this string of new information. How did I not hear about these things sooner? Have I really been that detached from society?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"No, maybe I realized early on that Riverdale is not what it appears to be outside the billboards and travel books. What comes off as a pleasant, sleepy town really acts a cover up for the amount of red staining the ground we walk on. It just sucks – I actually thought McCoy being Mayor was probably one of the more progressive things happening in Riverdale. But now with her leadership coming to an end….what will that mean? Did I miss my opportunity to speak up on behalf of the Uktena? For the Southside overall? I spent so long sulking in the walls of my shop, waiting for the days to go by so I can get enough money to leave this place….I never once considered taking what was in front of me. I let my voice go mute, I forgot it was just as powerful as my magic. And it still is./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I lean into Fangs. "Has anyone spoken up about the history of the Serpents?" He doesn't hear me all the way, since everyone has begun whooping and hollering. I practically shout my question over the people so he can hear me better. Fangs shakes his head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Not that I think….why?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Did anyone in the Serpents go over with you and the others why we are the way we are? No one told you about the history when you initiated?" Again, he shakes his head. My heart thumps loud in my eardrums. You think that with the amount of younger kids joining the Serpents, the older members would be explaining to them what exactly they're joining. Or maybe the Serpents really have gone wayward since Granddad found warm bodies to initiate a faction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"My mind starts running. I look up at the speaker, asking if anyone is willing to speak, or if they want to make comments. People shove one another forward, volunteering one another jokingly. This is my chance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I think it's time I gave everyone a little history lesson. Wouldn't you agree?" Fangs stares down at me for a while. Then, a shit-eating grin appears on his face. With that, I tighten my grip on Fang's hand, and I fight my way through the crowd. It's funny listening to Fangs politely asking the others to let us through. Yet, it's effective. The crowd splits in half so I can go through. Some start chanting, "Bring her up! Let her speak! Serpents represent!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The closer I get to the front, the more my nerves kick in. I don't think I've put myself in front of a large crowd like this since my Serpent initiation. I remember how frightened I'd been that day, performing a sexist routine to a disco song for all these older people. I remember the looks I got, those eyes on me like lions hunting their prey. I remember my uncle covering a Serpent jacket over my shoulders when I finished, hustling me off the stage before I could burst into tears. It was embarrassing, but I still had some obligation to do it. As I do now speaking up about the Uktena. I silently have to remind myself that I'm not in a bar filled with middle-aged white men. I'm with young adults my age. With other Southsiders. With other underprivileged citizens of this town. They will listen, at least that's what I hope. And if I don't do this now, who will?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"We finally make our way to the front of the crowd. The first speaker smiles down at me, extending a hand. I hesitate before deciding take it. I practically fly into the air when he pulls me up onto the gazebo steps. I look back over my shoulder for Fangs. He joins the first row of protests and gives me a reassuring thumbs up. I examine the sea of people, watching their expressions. I hear them all. emWho is this girl? How did she get her hair that pink? What is she waiting for? Say something!/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The first speaker hands me the megaphone. "Go ahead. Speak what's on your mind." The voices die out, hushing one another to hear me. Me. The crowd goes completely silent. The megaphone in my hands buzzes. My inner voice calms my nerves. emTake a deep breath, Toni. If you could speak up about your issues to Alice, you can speak up now. What would Granddad do?/em I take one more breath, then I start./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Alright, let me get a show of hands. How many of you out here marching today are Southsiders?" A bunch of protesters throw their hands up and whoop and holler. "Now, how many of you are Serpents?" The amount of hands decreases. Half are Serpents, mostly guys. I bet the older members have not shared the full history with them. It's not my intention to lecture everyone out here, and I have places to be. But for the sake of this protest, and for my chance to build my connections…..I guess a small history lesson wouldn't hurt anyone./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Okay….okay. Look, I know we have our attachments to the gang. We've bonded with members. We've spent countless nights at the Wyrm. We know it's our place. But the next time you band together for another night at the Wyrm, or going to rumble with the Ghoulies….be aware of why you're fighting on behalf of us. Remember who fought for your rights to be standing here today." This last comment sparks some ramblings in the crowd. Of course, they don't understand. No one told them. Not until I showed up. I look over to the side of our groups, taking in the scene around me. The trees surrounding us. The leaves falling to the ground. The statue gleaming in the winter daylight./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"General Pickens's statue. My face falls glaring at it. All these people out today, including me, are still fighting for our lives, and yet he get immortalized? For what? He founded Riverdale, no one denies that. But the means he took to build this town, the sacrifices made to cut down his obstacles, the fight in which Granddad surrendered…./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"My blood boils. My grip on the megaphone tightens. The spirits really are working in my favor. They had me see the Reaper, partner up with Alice, and come to this protest for a reason. General Pickens may have his statue watching over the park, but the Uktena will never leave Riverdale./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"This is my legacy./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I dive in deeper, "Well, I know why I'm here. Today, I represent the dead. I represent the silent, and the oppressed. I'm a Serpent, yes. It's in my blood. But before I am a Serpent, and before I am a Southsider….. I am Uktena. Now, if you're wondering what that means, the Uktena were what made the Serpents. My grandfather formed a group for Southsiders, to bring them sanctuary when the town was founded, because of what that man did." I point a finger at the Pickens Statue, causing a ruckus within the crowd. What I say next might get me on the nightly news, but the truth has to come out one way or another. Well, here goes nothing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""General Pickens founded Riverdale through the slaughtering of the Natives living here. Of people like you and me. There's a reason our town has been divided since its founding. They want to keep the Southside quiet. They continue to push events like Pickens Day, they want to keep pushing the narrative of a prosperous town. It's our story, they say. Well…..I say, that's not their story to tell!" I pause for a moment to catch my breath. The crowd shouts in excitement. I look down at Fang, and I see him mouth emYou're doing good/em. I let out a shaky exhale before I finish my speech./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm not advocating for anyone to change the narrative of Riverdale right away. I'm not saying we need to destroy this town. But I want you all to think, long and hard. Think of the people who banded together to propel us into the future. Think of the life you want to lead with your families right now, and what you want for your children, and their children after that. Think of how we can do better. How Riverdale can do better by all of us. We shouldn't have to live in silence anymore. We deserve to have the same opportunities as everyone living on the Northside. And I'll keep fighting for us, for the Uktena, because….. Because I'm not ashamed of who I am. I know where I came from, and I will do better by them…..and for myself. Like I said….I represent the dead, and the silenced. And I know I can't bring them back, no matter how badly I want to. But I can, and I must, honor them. Will you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"My mouth clamps shut, my throat tingling from my words. My grip on the megaphone eases. I feel a bit lightheaded, I can't hearing the approval of these people in front of me over my ears ringing. But I know they didn't hate it. They didn't turn me away, or boo me off the gazebo steps. They listened. They may not agree with every word vocally, but they did listen. They know the history now. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"A smile forms on my face. I still have a long way to go before I ever make a true dent, but it's progress. It's a step in the right direction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The first speaker pats me on the back. "Good job." he exclaims with a warm glow. I let him take back the megaphone and help me off the steps. Fangs helps out, holding onto me as I come back down to the ground. I pull him in for a tight hug./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You did it, Tee." he whispers into my ear. "Your Granddad would be proud of you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I hope so." I whisper back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The applause dies out as the next person is pulled onto the makeshift stage. Fangs and I begin to wander away from the front, heading more towards the back where we originally stood. Everyone we pass by gives me high-fives and tells me I did a good job. The same way the first speaker did. It's a little unmoving, but I know deep down, they mean well. Over the chanting, I think I hear Fangs ask if I want to stick around to hear more speeches. I should get back to the shop at some point to check on Alice. I should go see if I can talk with Sierra McCoy about last minute decisions for the Uktena. But that will take some planning. And I don't need to go over to my shop right at this very moment. I trust Alice by now. So, I tell him that I can definitely stick around for more./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Someone comes over to my free side, the towering shadow covers my own. I look up to find…..wait, I've seen her before. Was she a Serpent at the same time I initiated? She looks familiar. Her hair's pulled back into a braided bun. Her dark lipstick gleams in the winter light. She smiles down at me. "You need to do speeches more often." she tells me coolly. "You got a good knack of things. I don't think we've had anyone speak about Uktena material before." The newest member of our company waves to Fangs. "Long time, no see, pal."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I didn't know you were out here, Peaches." Peaches? A nickname? Hold on…..I remember back in high school, Sweet Pea had some crush on a Southsider girl. Peaches N Cream, I think he said. Could this be that girl? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I raise a brow at her. She rolls her eyes at Fangs and cackles. "Who the hell do you think has been running these demonstrations, Fogarty?" She looks back down at me. "Don't worry. Everyone around here calls me Peaches. But, please…." She extends a hand out to me. "Call me Nancy Woods." My grin grows. I return the gesture and shake her hand./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Nancy looks over her shoulder for a brief second, then turns back to us. "Listen, I have to get going. Having a talk with Mayor McCoy about what our team can do during the Jubilee. But, I just wanted to come over and say a job well done." My brain snaps awake. She's going downtown? Right now? The spirits are definitely on my side today./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Behind us, a new speaker starts. I look back over at the new speaker at the gazebo steps. I'm conflicted. Do I stay and continue on with this protest, or do I join Nancy and arguing my case with McCoy? This could be my one opportunity to speak with the Mayor before she permanently leaves office. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Do you two wanna come with me?" Nancy asks, recalling my attention. She gestures to Fangs and me, "Or you could just walk me over to my car. I have some signs that need to go in the truck anyway for tomorrow's demonstration-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""We can help!" Fangs answers on behalf of us. I glare up at him, and he just winks at me. Is he deliberately buying me time to work more with Nancy? Well, whatever he's planning, I need to make my decision now, because time is fleeting and I have my life to get back to. So, I confirm our willingness to help out, and we follow Nancy away from the gazebo./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Fangs rallies some others in our walking group to carry extra signs. They stay a few paces behind me and Nancy, I guess to give us a chance to speak. I decide to take advantage of this time./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So, you really organized all of this?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It was a group effort, really…." she laughs. It only lasts for a short amount of time before her tone goes more somber. "But, yeah. These demonstrations matter to me. I knew Chuck Clayton growing up. Our families attended church together. Granted, I don't think what he did to those girls was acceptable in any way, but he really did make an effort to get better. He didn't deserve what happened to him. We did want to speak up about the handling of his death sooner, but we really didn't have a way to approach it until…."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Until Midge Klump died." I fill in her sentence. Nancy presses her lips together in a flat line and nods. I take a second to chew on my bottom lip. I get her confusion and her sadness. When I heard about Chuck's death, I couldn't process how a teenage boy could get mauled by some wild animal out in the woods. I swore someone had covered it up. That got confirmed after talking with Alice, but back then, no one would what the Riverdale PD would do. It didn't make sense that they would delay any proceedings and only give the boy a memorial pep rally, especially since his father coached the high school's football team. So, when the cheerleader died next, and the police took more measures to resolve her death, it didn't settle well with us./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I go on to say, "We just wish Chuck had his death taken as seriously as Midge Klump's." The comment causes Nancy to smile, her eyes glowing bright./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Exactly!" she exclaims. "That's why we're out here! Even when the media still sees our gatherings as violent or disrupting, we just want equal treatment. We want to live. So, I'm glad you see that." My cheeks flush, I don't know whether from the cold weather or from the compliment. I'm amazed I never held a conversation with Nancy earlier, or any other Serpents my age outside of my crew. All of this hard work was in development, and I was so caught up majorly in my own problems, and other Serpent matters./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I think Nancy's read my thoughts, because she then asks me, "Have you brought up any kind of Uktena matters to the Serpents?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"My smile fades. I shiver as a small breeze comes through. "Never had much of a chance." I admit to her. "I've been so busy with my shop that I didn't make the time. Believe me, I'd be lobbying for better treatment of the younger members at every waking moment. Even the younger female members and how they go about initiation for them. But….you know the Serpents."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yep." she smirks. Then, at the same time, we say, "Misogyny dies hard." Our uncanny unison strikes up another round of giggling. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but I'm kind of enjoying this time with Nancy. I never really had a lot of female friends growing up. I spent a majority of my youth with other male Serpents my age. Befriending other female Serpents never became a priority for me. But if I am seriously dedicating more effort into Uktena advocacy, I may need to expand that network of people. And I think Nancy might become more that just a friendly face with kind words./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"We finally reach her vehicle, a rundown truck with blankets shoved into the truck. She directs Fangs and the others behind us, "Be careful with the signs when you put them in the back. Just lay them down on top of one another." I watch the crew go to work for a little bit, then I begin to pick up on the stickers on her window. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"One stands out to me in particular. A hot pink skull with two words circling it. I've seen this before. I think it's the symbol for the new tattoo parlor on the Southside. I've only heard bits and pieces from word of mouth, mostly in praise of the place. It's female centric, and it's growing to be a little sanctuary for the younger females within the Serpents, and, surprisingly, the Ghoulies. Now I'm thinking….would that market also include Uktena like me?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I might as well make an effort. So, I point at the sticker. "You work at Pretty Poisons?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Nancy grins. "Oh, yeah. I'm usually there when I'm not bartending at the Wyrm. Actually…." she fully faces me, "The crew that's helped me organize these demonstrations? We've been holding meetings there to go over information regarding times and dates, and any progress for local legislation."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Okay, that's pretty badass. No pun intended." I almost gag at my own words. What is making me so nervous? The fact that I'm finally making headway in my advocacy, or that the person I'm newly making acquaintances with happens to be….rather good looking and passionate for her cause?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Fangs lets out a snort, startling me. I turn to find him watching us, giving me a sarcastic thumbs up. Now I'm just more embarrassed, and somewhat irritated. Granted, the boys know I'm more into girls anyway. But sometimes, I forget that hanging out with the boys so much means that they'll poke fun at my flirting abilities./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I send back a scornful look to Fangs, hoping it'll shut him up. I don't hold up my demeanor for long, though. Nancy says, "Would you want to come to the meeting tonight?" This catches my attention. I turn back to face her, replacing my grimacing look with a curious one. "It'll be to cover the basis for what we'll do for the Jubilee on Friday. Assuming my meeting with the Mayor goes well."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Hey, it will." I grin. I'm doing my best to sound optimistic, because Nancy is right. Anything could go with this meeting, either in glory or in failure. Besides, it's Riverdale. We practically live in a town of Murphy's Law – anything that can go wrong does go wrong. But I don't want to continue to play into that fear, and I don't want to give up on my fight for the Uktena. Not with this creep demon running around./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I should go to her meeting. I should make new acquaintances. My case will fare better with bigger numbers, and it wouldn't hurt to build up my friend group along the way. Why not? I have nothing to lose by joining Nancy and her team. I go to say more, to confirm. By the time I open my mouth, it goes dry, throwing me off guard. Nancy stares at me with concern. Oh great. Of course I'm getting all nervous again. What is wrong with me? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Maybe I should be more thankful that Fangs came along with us, because he jumps into the conversation. "That'd be great, actually. She'd love to come." he says as he throws his arm over my shoulder. He proceeds to glare down at me and shoot me a wink. If he's expecting a thank you, it won't be coming any time soon./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Luckily, Nancy doesn't see any issues. "Awesome! You can come too, if you want, Fangs. Unless your return to town is only temporary."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Oh no, I'm gonna be around for a while." He admits, losing his more confident stance. Okay, I do feel bad for him. When he first mentioned taking part in the Farm and being with his girlfriend, Evelyn, he sounded so happy. Breaking away from all of that must not have been easy. Something tells me that he had more reasons for leaving, besides almost getting drowned by his girlfriend's family. Something else has to explain why he came back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I decide I'll press into him later about it. I finally find my words again, filling in the remaining gaps. "What time should we come over?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Like 7:30. We all have busy work schedules during the day, so it works out. If you're not able to get there right away on time, it's not a big deal. We'll fill you in, one way or another." She pauses, glancing down at the ground. Then, Nancy digs for something out of her pockets. I don't really get why until I see a phone appear in her hands. "Here. Why don't we exchange numbers? That way I can add you onto the group chat!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I blink a few times, processing everything, giving her a shocked smile. Fangs eventually nudges me, prompting me to take action. "Okay!" I tell her, whipping out my own phone. We hand our phones off to one another and plug in our contact information. When we exchange them back, I send her a quick text so she knows it's me. I add a little smiling emoji at the end of the message. I hope she doesn't find it too cheesy, or weird. And I hope Fangs doesn't make any comments about it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Nancy gets the message and cackles. "Alright." She begins to back away towards the driver's side of her truck. She gives us a two-finger salute and a warm grin. "See you around." I watch Nancy get into her truck, disappearing from our view. Fangs calls out to wish her luck as the truck leaves the parking lot, driving away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I stand there all mesmerized. Someone pinch me, did I just hallucinate this whole thing? Or did I really make a new friend and arranged to keep up the advocate work? Fangs was right. Granddad would be proud of me. I wheel around on my heels, giggling to myself. This is real. I made a speech in front of hundreds of Southsiders. I got to reunite with one of my best friends in the whole world. I met another activist that I may or may not be developing a crush on. I'm going to fight for the Uktena, head on. This is all real./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Fangs and I hang out in the parking lot for a little while longer, teasing one another on our love lives and laughing about the old days. We eventually meander our way back to the demonstrations at the gazebo. We get more and more excited with each chant, every speaker, and group dynamic. The commotion at Pickens Park drowns out any negative voices swimming in my head, which is good. It drowns out the buzzing in my pocket, which is not good./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I don't realize that my phone rang and that I had multiple texts within a 10 to 15 minute span until Fangs and I break away to grab lunch. We stand in line to grab meals from one of the food truck vendors at the park. We still have time before we even make it to the front, so I use the dead space to check my notifications. I have to bring the phone up to my face to see what the issue is, and who called. The phone almost slips out of my hands. An intense wave of fear runs through me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"All the texts and the call were from Alice./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Tee? Are you alright?" Fangs taps on my shoulder multiple times, but I'm so spaced out from seeing the texts. From listening to Alice's panicky voicemail. He calls my name again, "Tee?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I begin to back out of the line, away from him. "I gotta go, Fangs. Something came up." I go to walk away, but Fangs starts to follow me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Wait, Tee! What's going on?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I…." I stutter on my words. I haven't told Fangs about the messages, or the voicemail. For all he may know, or start to suspect, my shop is in trouble. But I wish that was actually the reason Alice called./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I don't think I can stay." I begin to get all teary eyed. I don't want to lie to Fangs, but I don't have a lot of choices right now. "Listen, I'll keep you posted. Come by my trailer tonight before 6, so we can go to that meeting together. Okay? I promise I'll…."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It's okay. Go." Fangs says, putting a weak smile on to comfort me. My lips wobble, my eyes get wet. I pull Fangs in for one last hug, trying to keep myself together and not sob into his arms. I have to tear myself away eventually. I want to stay, I want to keep fighting, but Alice needs my help. Badly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"I sprint through the crowds, weaving between clumps of people and straggling bushes. I wish I was smart and brought my car with me to this protest. But I didn't – I walked here. I have to do the math in my head to determine how long it will take for me to sprint back down to the Southside from my current location. My feet lead me to the parking lot, following the driveway back out onto the streets of Riverdale. I turn on my heels from the direction I entered the park this morning, and I begin my journey back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"While running, I try to distract myself with happy thoughts, like going through a laundry list. I reunited with Fangs. I made a speech. I met Nancy. I'm going to a meeting tonight. I committed myself fully to defending the Uktena. I run through this list, item by item, like a broken record to keep my head straight. Well, I get so distracted by this repeated mantra, I don't hear the car coming up behind me, almost plowing me down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The car horn slams. I scream and jump backwards. My heart's pounding, ready to fly out of my chest. I'm ready to fight whoever attempted to commit mass murder. The driver comes out of the vehicle, putting his hands up. My heartbeat slows. My grieving, fearful look is exchanged for one of frustration./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Forgive me, Miss Topaz." Hiram Lodge defends himself. "I didn't know you would be in the middle of the intersection." I roll my eyes at the older witch. I can't tell if I buy his whole innocent demeanor. I know Alice sees good in him, but I'm still a bit weary. I mean, what could a man like him be doing on a Monday afternoon driving across town in an expensive sports car-/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Wait. He's going in the same direction I am. To the Southside. A stupid idea comes to me. I don't want to resort to him, but he may be my best option right now./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Are you heading over to see Alice?" I watch Hiram lower his hands, lifting his eyebrow./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yes…..why?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Good." I make a beeline over for the passenger's side of the car. I hear him attempt to ask me what's going on and why I'm jumping into his vehicle. However, I cut him off. "I'll explain on the way over. Just drive."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Luckily, he doesn't put up an argument. He just gets back into the car and drives like a bat out of hell to our final destination./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 0in 0in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"XXXXXXXX/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 0in 0in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"ALICE/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Toni was right about one thing - the shop doesn't have much action going around noon. I've had a few patrons here and there, but nothing too busy. They would ask where Toni went when they saw me, and I kept giving them the same spiel over and over. That she's out exercising her rights and I'm helping out until her return. But other than that, I've had the place mostly to myself. But I can also see why Toni would still need to have the shop operating to avoid bankruptcy. Some of the lights flicker if left on for an extended period of time. The A/C unit is on its last stand. No wonder she's stressed out about her financial situation. Frankly, it's no different from my initial struggles at my bakery. With these circumstances, you have to stay open just so you can get the money for the repairs. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Maybe I should lend her some money as a parting gift before I take Sabrina back to Greendale, just to cover the expenses. No, she wouldn't take money out of kindness. I wouldn't either if I were in her position. But I should still do something for Toni before I leave. And for the Joneses. And Hiram. Maybe I should do something for myself./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I got thinking about talking with FP this morning about my tattoo….what was my tattoo. Should I get another one? How big would I go? Where would I put it? I remember how painful it was the first time around, but I was thirteen and embarrassed at this rite of passage. Why commemorate a segment of my horrifying youth with another tattoo. But I'm older now. And I'm no longer as embarrassed of my Southside roots. I could consult Gladys about it, see what she recommends. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I outline my plan in a little notebook I brought along, which includes my schedule for the week at Pop's. I made an effort this morning to stop by, to tell Pop of Sabrina's recovery, of the shift (again) in my schedule. Luckily, he and I took time to draft out my schedule for the week, which is mostly afternoon and night shifts. Like it was when I first came here. And it helps that I'll have Gladys there with me, in case anything does happen again….which I don't count on. That's for damn sure./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I also make a mental map of the recent killings, just so I can pin down where he struck last night. I begin with Chuck, then drafting out to Midge. At the tail end, I draw an open circle, with a question mark in the middle. I tap my pen on that symbol, hoping my brain can churn up something. Eventually, I give up and close the book. While it's still on the brain, I send a quick text to Hiram asking if he can put together a collection of books for JB. No response comes back yet. He's probably busy with his actual work, so I slip my phone back into my bag. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"A little breeze picks up in the shop, but it doesn't really affect me. I'm wearing one of my longer dresses today, my maroon and gold one with red and brown ferns. Granted, the actual fabric doesn't fully prevent me from getting cold, but the layers certainly help. I begin pacing behind the counter just to warm up. I could really use a cup of coffee right now. Or a cigarette. But I remember I gave those up years ago./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"One of my wishes does get granted. Not a moment after I think about getting coffee, the door chimes. I stop my pacing to find Gladys walking into the shop, a coffee cup in each hand. "Figured you could use a pick-me-up." she beams up at me, holding one of the cups out. I practically sprint over to her and snag the cup from her hands. I grumbled a thank you as I take a long sip. The beverage burns my tongue, but honestly, it's worth it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Has Toni come back yet?" Gladys asks./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I swipe my tongue over my bottom lip to keep the coffee from dribbling down my chin. "No. But I think she's doing alright. Haven't heard anything about how the protest was going." I begin to meander back over to my area behind the counter. I set the cup down and flip back open my notebook, right to the page I left off. "Been trying to figure out the recent pattern."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Gladys meets me at the counter, resting on her elbows as she glances down at my notes. "FP said you got sick again, but I thought it was just whatever Sabrina had. That you contracted it too."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I shake my head. I can feel my leg acting up, so I have to be careful how I explain this chain of events to her. "Last night, after I left this shop. Only problem is I don't know who….or where…."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""You think sicko's caught on to the fact that you can see what happens?" I stand up a little straighter. I haven't considered that option. Hal could be slowing me down for the sake of making his victims' reveals more shocking. Could that be the reason he lured me away from finding Midge Klump at the school? Why he got into my head, and destroyed my tattoo? Why has he changed his pattern?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Wouldn't surprise me if he did." I leave it there. My thigh itches, I send a nonverbal spell to that area to calm it. Okay, I know it's not Blue, or one of Toni's remedies, but it gets the job done. Who would have thought that I'd be mourning over a tattoo from my dark days…. My tattoo idea. Gladys is standing right here. I should pick her ear about it now before I lose my chance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"So, I strike up the conversation. "Okay, I need to get your opinion on something." Gladys looks back up at me, listening attentively. "I've had this on the back of my brain for a little bit, and I wanted to talk it out before I actually did anything."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"When I take a moment to pause, Gladys scowls and rolls her eyes. "Fine. You have my blessing to make your relationship with Lodge public." My jaw hangs open. My eyes bulge. First JB, then FP, now her? To be fair, she walked in on me and Hiram in the middle of something in her bedroom. But it was nothing! Absolutely nothing whatsoever! I think Gladys picks up on my mental defense, because she loses her confident pose. "Wait...was that not what you were gonna ask me about?" I raise a brow at her, forcing myself to hold back a fiery comeback, or a curse./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""We're not dating." I confirm. But Gladys doesn't seem to back down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Really….then, would you like to explain to me what the hell that was I walked in on you two doing in my bedroom?" Oh, here we go. Now my eyes are rolling, making Gladys crackle in delight. She takes down her stance, putting up a hand. "Okay, if he was just being nice and wanting to check in on you, I can buy that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Good," I tell her, pointing a vexing finger at her "because that was emall/em that happened." I make my finger wiggle, adding some height to my brows to make my expression look goofy, but it only makes us laugh. I go for another sip of coffee before I can finally make my case./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""But in all seriousness, I was thinking about doing something bold. More for myself than anyone else." She nods. She says to fire away with my suggestion. I take a deep breath, hoping that I'm not risking her place of FP's in the Serpents, and I tell her, "I want to get a new tattoo. To replace the one that got destroyed."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I watch her hands gently rest on the counter, holding onto her coffee cup. She stares down at it blankly, nodding her head. Oh no. Does she think I'm appropriating Serpent culture? Or does she not want me to stay involved in the gang, especially now that I'm helping Toni in reviving the Uktena? I wander around the counter to stand in front of Gladys./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""I'm not planning on rejoining the Serpents, if that's what you're worried about. There's a reason I had my original hiding on my thigh. But I….I still want to honor my time in some way. Something that's not….would I get in trouble if I got a snake tattoo of any kind?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Gladys tilts her head up at me. "I don't see why that would be an issue. Doesn't have to associate with the Serpents if you don't want it to." I sigh in relief. Okay, so she believes it's a good idea. I could ask FP for another opinion, but I trust Gladys on this one. Now, I just have to determine how big I want to go. And where to put the damn thing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Very good point." I pay back her wisdom, "Should I make this one visible, though? If it has no connection to the Serpents, would I be better off hiding it like I did, or…." I stop talking for a brief moment. I feel a headache coming. The wounds on my thigh and my arm pulse. I place one hand on the counter to keep myself steady. Daisies and candles. Hopefully, Gladys will see this as nothing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Luckily, she does. She points down at my arm with her index finger. "Go with the forearm. Getting a snake tattoo there could actually work for you. Actually…." she sets her cup down. I stay frozen as she lifts both of my arms, taking time to examine my features. "You could get it on your shoulders too. Any part of your arms, really. But, yeah, I recommend either the forearm or the shoulder. Any side works." I look down at my own arms, pushing back the sleeves of my dress to really glare at my skin. Maybe I could look good with a forearm tattoo. If I just find the right design, and a good artist to place it on me…. What would Hiram think if he saw this new tattoo? Would he find it attractive, or would he write me off as another Serpent fanatic? What about Sabrina, or her aunts, or anyone else in this town? Or Hal…./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"No, screw what he thinks. Screw what anyone thinks. Look, I know the thought of everyone judging me over a tattoo gives me anxiety. But at the end of the day, I'm not backing down on this decision. I will get a visible snake tattoo, despite its troubling reasons./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""And are you sure it won't spark any trouble?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Gladys scoffs, "No way in hell. And if any Serpent tries to give you snuff, send them my way and I'll throw hands." She lets go of me and makes a fighting stance. I giggle at the notion, and she's giggling too. Maybe I am glad that I didn't bring FP with me during my years of isolation, and I'm glad I didn't stay in Riverdale. If I did either of those things, how would I have met Gladys or JB?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"A while after our giggling fest, Gladys playfully slaps my arm. "Oh, speaking of trouble…." I calm down so I can hear what she has to say. "Seems like you and Lodge are in luck. Or not as prone to getting caught by the PD on your little escapades."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Not as prone to….hang on, what is she talking about? I ask her to explain her comment, and she sends me back a surprised look. "Oh shit. You haven't heard? Keller resigned as Sheriff. Did it over the weekend while we raised the dead."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"My heart plummets. My headache increases. Tom Keller left the Riverdale PD? Maybe that's why no one from the force seemed to chase after Hiram, Toni, and me this weekend. I assumed that the police were prioritizing their efforts on keeping the peace, or at least that's all of what's being shown on the news. I never figured it'd come to Tom leaving. But why? What sparked this sudden decision? What if he ends up falling down the same path as…./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Did anyone take over as Sheriff?" I croak./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Some younger guy. Minetta, I think his name is…." My shoulders roll back when she says the name. Minetta….the younger officer with Tom. I only met him once, right when they dragged us to the station after finding Chuck Clayton. Minetta….he's the replacement? Will he be merciful with Hiram and me if we ran into him, the way Tom was with us? No….no, he wouldn't. He'd actually get the job done the right way. He'd know what to do. But Tom….Tom was acting more lenient towards the end. He let us get away with wandering about Thornhill. He didn't cause any trouble at the protest when Sabrina had her seizure. He let Hiram go after he…..after he talked with me. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"With me. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"The coffee I just swallowed attempts to come back up as acid reflux. I fight to keep it down. Of course, it's no coincidence Hiram and I got away with our trespassing with Tom Keller on the clock. Tom must have done it because of….because of me. But why? I didn't enchant him. I vowed that I would never do that to him. But what else could explain his easygoing behavior around us. Unless he…..unless he's starting to catch on that I'm not "Wendy Beauchamp". That there's a reason I look so familiar to him. The whole thought of him remembering me makes my stomach churn./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I need to get my brain off the subject. I don't want to think about Tom knowing I'm Alice Smith. I don't want to imagine sweet talking my way out of prison time with Sheriff-to-be Minetta. So, to spite myself, I ask a new question. "Any other news I need to know about?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Oh, yeah." Gladys huffs. "Sierra McCoy's stepping down as Mayor. But only after the Jubilee this weekend." I almost choke on my drink. Great, first Tom Keller, now Sierra Samuels? Why is everyone I know leaving their positions? I've only heard good things about Sierra's run as mayor of Riverdale. From the few times I served her at Pop's, she was nothing but friendly and pleasant. Okay, maybe she wants to spend more time with her daughter, or perhaps more time on her own interests. I thought FP said something about her being a lawyer at one point, but that was weeks ago. Sierra leaving office makes more sense than Tom. Even then, the whole situation seems off./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Is this recent?" I ask./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Gladys nods. "Announced it on RIVW this morning. No doubt they'll have it in the Register by the middle of the week. Here," she pulls out her phone, "lemme see if I can find the video." She paces around the shop as she looks up the video of Sierra's resignation announcement. My head starts reeling, beyond the dull ache. I click my pen awake, and I write down the events in my notebook. I make a dash under the circled question mark, writing in Tom and Sierra's resignations underneath./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"The air goes still. I twist the end of my pen against the open page. My thigh itches. My arm could split open again. Gladys finally speaks up. "Holy shit."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I look up from the notebook. I notice her face, all widened in horror. A chill goes down my spine. Something tells me she found something else other than local Riverdale news. "What? What is it?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""There was a massacre at that nursing home outside of town. The Sisters of Quiet Mercy."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"My heart flies down to my stomach. My brain splits open. My wounds come to life. The Sisters….that's where I saw Hal going last night. That old church-turned-insane asylum was his battleground. But who did he go after? WHO? I race over to Gladys, hoping I don't lose my balance on the way over. I glance down at her phone, reading the recent article in horror./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"The asylum that became a nursing home back in the late 90s became the place of bloodshed and terrors the night before. 10 nurses, and at least 23 patients, were slaughtered. No major names are listed, but the photos of the place….. Red streaks paint the white walls. Broken stained glass windows light up the rooms in an unsettling fashion. A few nurses and patients made it out, some were rushed to the hospital, but one got away. The reporters and police couldn't get a name of the escapee, but they assume this person had taken part in the slaughter. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"My eyes water. My ears ring. I can't read the rest of this article. Hal attacked this place in the middle of the night. This was a demonic entity's doing, not some nurse. Hal wouldn't let some nurse take the credit of his work. But that depends on the person he had gone after. 33 died….which one was his person of interest? But most importantly, who was the nurse that survived and ran off? Where did they go?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"The door chimes. I almost don't hear it over my ears ringing. When I finally do come to my senses, I hear a chorus of sluggish footsteps, heavy breathing, and held back sobs. Whoever walked in through the door mutters something. Over and over. emTee/em…. I can't bring my head up and over my shoulder to examine this new customer. I don't understand what they want. But they keep saying this thing again. emTee/em…. I finally glance over my shoulder. My eyes fully open. My jaw practically hits the floor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"A young man stumbles over to Gladys and me, covered in blood. It cakes his jet black hair, and the scrubs he wears. His light eyes are filled with tears. Dirt lines the bottom of his uniform. I can't read the label sitting on his scrubs, but my mind quickly puts the pieces together. This is the runaway nurse from the Sisters. And he's not calling for something random. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"He's calling for Toni./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Joaquin?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Gladys sprints over to the young male nurse, Joaquin. She has to stop herself from reaching out to him, afraid of getting blood and dirt on her hands. The poor kid's petrified. He looks at her, his lips wobbling. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"She makes an attempt to get his attention. "Joaquin, what are you doing here? What….what happened to you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Missus Jones…." Joaquin chokes out. "Where….where's Toni? Is she here?" Oh no. He doesn't know that she went out. Well, how could he? Toni probably hasn't seen this kid in years. Is he a former customer of hers? Another fellow Serpent or Uktena member? One of her friends? Whoever Joaquin is….he's going to be in trouble if Gladys and I don't help him. And that trouble will come from more than just the police./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I join Gladys and Joaquin, the younger of the two blinking back tears when he sees me. I glance down at his scrubs. The Sisters' label remains untouched by blood and dirt. His nametag, however, didn't get the same treatment of mercy. I do my best to stay calm, for all of us. "Joaquin….that's your name, right?" The young nurse nods his head. "I'm Alice. I'm a friend of Toni's. She's out right now, but I can get into contact with her." I start to wonder if that would be a good idea. Toni only told me to contact her in case of an emergency, like if the A/C unit crapped out suddenly, or if the cash register runs out of money. But now that I think about it, helping out a young man covered in blood who's hiding from the police, who literally asks for Toni herself, is an actual emergency./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Please…." he whimpers, his hands beginning to shake. "Please, just don't send me to the cops. I don't wanna get lynched. I didn't….I didn't kill her…." My face goes stiff. My thigh radiates in full pain, almost sending me to the floor. I have to stay propped against one of the shelves./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"emspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"I didn't kill her…./span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Hal's new victim. The subject of the massacre. Was Joaquin her personal nurse? I have to guess so, because he keeps saying it, over and over. "She was a good lady. A little crazy, but not worth getting killed over. I wouldn't do that to her, or any of them…." Gladys tells him to stay calm, that she's going to contact someone for help. She runs back over to the counter so she can make her phone call. I can't move due to the pain shooting right out of my thigh, and my arm. Who did Hal kill and frame Joaquin for?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"The young nurse turns to me, a tear streaming down his cheek. I hear his words in my mind, emYou believe me, don't you?/em I'm too scared to reach out to him, to see what he saw. I know what Hal did. I can imagine well on my own what he did to put on his sadistic little show. I just need to know…./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Who was she, Joaquin?" I finally get the courage to ask. "Who do the police think you killed?" Joaquin fights back a sob as he struggles to breathe. After a few moments of silence, he says a name./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;""Rose Blossom."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"XXXXXXXX/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in;"strongemspan style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black;"Part II Coming Soon/span/em/strong/p