Chapter 8- When Hurricanes Meets The Dark
"Fp?" She called, he slowly turned his head toward her. "Is he breathing?" She asked hoping that her nightmare was over. Fp barely had any energy left. He just found his son badly mutualited.
Nobody knows just one day could turn catastrophic. Nobody's aware one word can destroy anything in its path no matter the damage. Betty felt she was drowning in this nightmare she couldn't escape from. It was like this night never ended. One thing then another was thrown at her. As if she could stop the damage before it was even spotted. She just wanted this day to be over with already. She wanted sleep and dream away the painful night.
"Barely, he's barely breathing. We have to go. The ambulance has to show up soon. I can't lose my boy. I just c-an't." Fp shuttered out as he lifted Jughead back up.
Betty hears sirens blaring in the distance, Cheryl quickly rushes over to them. She feels so much hatred toward the hobbin and Serpent Hag. How could they do this to Jughead? She had so many questions. Toni looked like she was about to collapse as Jughead was put into the ambulance. Fp fought to paramedics, he didn't want to let his son go. The last time he brought a member to the hospital. He never came back. Archie went after Betty who was running away.
"Betty? Stop!" She stopped, turning around and fell to her knees. She felt her chest fired up. She couldn't believe the night she had. She was still shaken by her father's confession. And yet there was another surprise with her father. The Black Hood fiasco was far from over.
"Why today? All of days? I just had to be held hostage! And now my boyfriend's dying! So why shouldn't I want to run!" She screamed as the sirens rushed away. Fp's eyes jolt up from the Black pavement. Archie knows she was breaking. She just found out her own father was the Black Hood and that wasn't it. There was a Second. They weren't exactly save yet.
"Betty, come here. I know you had the worst night. And now this is just the bitter swallow to chew. I know how you feel. My dad was shot. And now my best friend's life is endangered!" He shouted back, relinquishing everything he had. Cheryl couldn't believe he was comparing his dad's sitatution to this.
"Archibald, this isn't the same thing! Her father was the Black Hood!" She snapped, pulling Betty closer to her, Betty cried into her cousin's chest. Fp's eyes shot up, slowly approaching the fragile group. Was Alice okay?
Before he could say a word, Betty's phone rang loud in the darkness, scaring everybody. She answers her phone, still crying into her cousin's shoulder now.
"Hello?" She could hear her mother's frantic state over the phone.
"Betty, where are you? Betty, I need you to answer me. You can't just run off after what happened. Are you safe?" Alice yelled frantically through the speakers. Betty just started sobbing more. "Betty what's wrong? Why are you crying are you okay? Are you hurt?" She said concernedly as she heard her daughter's cries get louder, panic was set in. What was wrong? Why wasn't she answering?
"Mom, I-m Fine. No, no actually I'm not. Juggie's seriously hurt. I need you meet at the hospital. please mom." She begged as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I think Fp really needs you." She whispered so only her mom would hear her.
"Oh my god! What happened?!" Alice's voice squeaked. She couldn't even believe what was happening. First Hal and Now Jughead. She didn't want this to happen. Betty took a minute before explaining.
"Mom, please just meet us there. We are almost there. And I think you should tell Fp yourself what happened. He deserves to know. I love you and I will see you in 10 minutes." She stated before hanging up as she looked over to hospital emergency entrance.
When they arrived at the hospital, Fp felt like he was walking in slow motion, everything was moving so slowly, patients were being rushed room to room. It wasn't fast rushing, it was like everything he ever knew was stuck in motion. He sat down in one of hospital waiting chairs in the waiting room, mind wondering what was going on? Archie heard clicks of heels stomp down the halls from behind them. He turned to see Mrs C or now he didn't know what her name was now. He didn't think she would keep her old name. Not after that. Not after she found out her husband was responsible for the killing in their town.
"Oh my god, Fp! What happened?" Alice cried as she ran into the waiting room. Fp shot up out of the daze, he noticed her neck. It was all bruised up. He was seething in the inside. He was plenty furious, enraged about his son being torn apart. He stood up out of his seat, practically collapsing into her arms.
"Allie, Jug he was attacked by the Ghoulies and Penny. We got into a grueling disagreement about the war between the Serpents and the Ghoulies and he— sacrificed himself for m-e, Allie." He cried as she wrapped her comforting arms around him, letting him breakdown. He could no longer keep it together. This was his fault. "It's all my fault. All of this is my fault." He sobbed over and over again. She hated the gut feeling she was having. She felt so sick to her stomach, anger exploded within her, she kept her cool on the outside.
"Hey, no, no this isn't your fault. It's Penny and The Ghoulies. Not yours. Your not the only one feeling guilty tonight." She muttered as tears slipped down her face. He slowly took in her words. He was still trying to comprehend what was happening.
"What do you mean? Who did this to your neck?" He asked pointing to the bruising on her neck, he could see a man's handprints on her. He tried to keep his cool. He watched her swallow the lump down her throat. She couldn't believe she was about to say it out loud.
"Don't freak." She warned him, that only provoked more rage. " Hal came over to ask for his movie projector back and then he forced me and Betty to watch a old movie about his life. It turned out that his mother forced him to trick the Conway's little boy into picking the wrong killer. I just found out Hal was the Black Hood. He confessed telling me and Betty. He was going to kill us. I have it all on recording. He said something about wanting this recorded to tell his story. Things got very tense after he made Betty say who he was. I was trying to distract him from hurting Betty. I said something that made him very anger and he started choking me." She cried, his fists clenched. He never thought that Hal Cooper was capable of Murder. "Betty hit him and I finished him off. He was arrested and then Betty got the c-all." She stuttered at the last part. She didn't want to relive this night. She wanted to make those last three months to disappear. She didn't want her memories with Fp to go. She just wanted the Play, everything that happened since Jason Blossom was murdered. He held her in his arms, wrapping his arms around her body as she cried shaky cries as he sat them both down on the couch.
"Allie, shh, shh your okay. Your safe. He's not here anymore. He can't hurt you. I love you and I won't let you ever out of my sight. Now let's just rest." He said soothingly as they both curled into each other's comfort and closed their stress and terror filled eyes.
Two parents mourning in disbelief of their events. It didn't matter that they weren't the same pain. A father weak, filled with Guilt and A mother just trying to keep her self from falling apart, taking comfort in one another was they waited in dispair.
There's five stages of pain. Stage 1- Denial- you might want to pretend it didn't happen or it will never happen. You keep thinking in your mind. No, no he wouldn't. No they wouldn't. How could it get any worse? Stage 2- Anger- Anger plays a huge part in the pain scale. These aren't numbers to explain, there the stages you go through before you finally reach your breaking point. Stage 3- bargaining. Stage 4- Depression and lastly Acceptance. Right now the group was going through stage 1. They kept repeating this is a nightmare. This can't be happening.
Betty sat in the chair, holding on to the arms of the chair, feeling the coldness of the arm, made her start sobbing again. Hopeless what was what she was feeling, earth crumbling underneath, slipping as if she was barely balanced. All her mind was wired. Was he going to make it? The doctors still haven't told them a thing about Jughead's status. Archie felt like his world was finally disappearing, the world he knew wasn't the same. As a kid he dreamed of a life. This wasn't what he pictured or dreamed of. Fp felt like he failed as a father. There wasn't a word someone could tell him that would make the pain, regret go away. Alice couldn't believe that Jughead was hurt. She didn't expect this. She really did care about him. She may have said that she didn't a few too many times. It was all a lie. She could remember when Betty let him step a foot into her house. His beanie positioned on his head just the right away, exposing his raven black curls, just like his father. His father kept his hair a little more clean, but still ruffed when he took a shower. A small pressure in her body made her want to heave, the burning in her chest, throat ached as she sprinted over to the newest trash can. Flames ignited her pain even more then it existed previously. Fp felt a jolt from beside him, immediately opening his eyes. He spots Alice heaving trash can by the nurse's desk. He shook off his numbness and quickly gets by her, rubbing her back.
"Are you okay?" He asked feeling concern fire up within his body. His body was on overdrive since he found Jug. He didn't want to even think about his injures. It was too much to bare. She wipes her mouth with her sleeve, straightening her back, looking up at him. She could feel the worry flow through her.
"I guess. It's been a very tough day. And the thought of Jug being like t-his... it's so much, Fp." She confesses as her eyes began to make the tears fall. The words tug at his heart. He knew that she was very upset about Jug. He knew that she was trying to put on a brave face for her daughter.
"Allie, it's understandable. You have been through something very traumatic. I know the longer we wait, the more we all feel he's gone. I'm trying to be strong for him. And it's not easy. Do you have any idea how much I want to drink for hours? I have been trying to keep myself from drinking. I feel guilty he is in this situation. It's because me. If I would if just left the Serpents? He wouldn't be all mangled, with surgeons cutting." He almost feels his body swaying, it was defiantly the stress getting to him.
You never think this could be you. You never think this could be the possible option. You think it's all a living nightmare. You hope you can just wake up from. It never occurs to you. Until it's too late.
She didn't say anything, she just held him in her arms, his cries got more frequent, she could feel his pain. It seemed like hours before they finally got a word. She saw the doctors approaching them, she gently nudges his shoulder. He looks up, sees the doctors getting closer, sitting up in his chair, heart pounding as they get closer. Agony of the injuries was playing in their minds. They saw his face, body, arms scarred, blood. So much of it. In the back of their minds said something like there's no way he can survive. None of them wanted that subconscious thought to come true. There was memories they all could recall from their preconsciousness. His laugh, the way he rolled his eyes as he took down his opponent after a long argument, his smile. His stupid crown beanie he refused to take off. No matter how many times they tried to get him to. It was always a failed attempt. Nobody knew how much they would miss his stupid affinity for old movies or serial killer documentaries. Most of all they would miss him in general. His father would cry ever time he would pass by the wall of newspaper clippings, the murder broad. His son would spend hours looking at. He didn't think he had seen his son once not stared at it. He wishes that this was a nightmare. That he was waking up from this nightmare.
"Mr Jones, we are so sorry" the words were drowned by his muffled cries. His son was gone. His boy. His little boy was dead. There was no words to describe the unbearable pain he was going through. Sobs wrecked his body as he collapsed into Alice's arms. "His injures were too extensive, his arms were too damaged to be repaired. His lung collapsed causing him to fall into a deep sleep. We couldn't find his heartbeat. We tried everything we could. We are so deeply sorry, Mr Jones. We can take you to see him." His sobs grew stronger.
Alice felt his sobs swirl around her like a hurricane. Betty felt her world crushed by the impossible bowling ball demolishing everything in its path. Archie began sobbing, he didn't care what people though of him. Then all a sudden his phone rang. He looked at the screen, his eyes made it very difficult to make out the words on the screen.
"Archie, I just found out that my dad's responsible for the Ghoulies coming into town. You need to warn the Serpents and Jughead." Veronica stated through the phone, his eyes blinked back the tears as she said Jughead's name.
"Ronnie." He said weakly, everyone's eyes shifted to the shattered man. "Mr Lodge? He's responsible?" Fp's blood boiled. Of course this has Hiram Lodge written all of it. He hated the Southsiders so much. It didn't surprise him. But it broke his heart. How could a Father want to destroy another father's life?
"Archiekins, are you okay?" Her voice rang through the phone. Archie just fell apart again.
"Ronnie, I'm afraid it's too late..." He caught off by sobbing.
"What do you mean? Archie your scaring me." She said panicked, Alice seemed be the only the one who was somewhat together. She gently pushed Fp into Betty's arms. Betty didn't mind. She knew Fp was shattered beyond repair. She had so much hatred for the two men who made her life hell. Her father and Mr Lodge. Alice took the phone gingerly out of Archie's hands and slowly opened her mouth.
"Veronica, I'm so sorry to say this..." she took a deep breath, holding back her tears. "Jughead... he's dead..." She finally choked out. She could hear sobs from the other-side of the phone.
"No, no he can't be!" She wailed, causing Alice to bring the phone a few inches away from her face.
"I'm sorry, he is. I know you were close. You can come to see him. Cheryl, Toni, Archie, SweetPea, Fp and B-etty..." she paused letting tears spring from her eyes and down her cheeks. "Are here. I got to go." She said before hanging up, handing Archie back his phone. Archie looked up to her and mouthed "thank you." She smirked back and kissed his forehead. "It's okay. I could see you couldn't do it." She mouthed back.
Veronica sat in her car, sobbing. She thought she had told them to be safe. She thought she had given them enough of a warning. She had a hard time trying not to ball her eyes out on the way to the hospital. After all the surprises from her father: she thought the files and the Ghoulies was it. She never thought her father could of done this. She didn't want to think her father was capable of this madness. She thought about all the times she enjoyed his company. When she found out his father was put into prison and her father was getting out. He was there to comfort her. She regretted taking her father's side over his. And now it was too late to tell him she was sorry. She was such a horrible friend to him. Instead of sticking by his side, she chose cowards approach. She felt sick to her stomach being related to father. She also knew she wasn't the only one related to a murder. She heard about Betty's dad's arrest. She couldn't imagine how Betty was feeling. Her father and Her boyfriend all on the same night.
Entering the hospital, time stopped. She felt as if she was frozen and she was the only thing moving. Fp finally stopped sobbing, he saw the Lodge girl, the tears in her little brown eyes was enough to burn a hole in his heart. He felt sorry for her. This wasn't her fault. It was her father. She had no part of it. Betty shook off her legs, standing trying not collapsed from the lightheadedness in her body, she hadn't eaten in hours. It seemed like her body was floating on nothing. Veronica walked toward her best friend, pulling her into her arms, letting the sobs from her best friend's numb body. They cried until they were lightheaded, bones ached. Cheryl even was sobbing, snort on her red jacket. Toni held Cheryl in her arms, sobbing became intertwined with the others. Cheryl broke out of the embrace, slowly approaching the Serpent Leader. She could see how emotionally fried he was. He tried to hide it, but she knew that he was broken. She lightly tapped his shoulder, breaking him out of his thoughts. He felt a soft tap on his shoulder, he wasn't sure who it was. But it was someone with long nails.
"Mr Jones?" The voice stirred him, he looked up, his eyes met with the Blossom girl. He was ready for another wrath attack. He had disposed her twin in an inhuman way. He deserved the words that were about to come out of her mouth. "I'm so sorry. I know have been very unfair to you." She was apologizing to me. He was completely thrown off. He didn't expect this. "I was just very infuriated that I couldn't make my father pay for what he did. He decided to take the coward's way out. And I know it's a late and unexpected. By the look on your face, I can tell you weren't expecting this. I just want say sorry for your loss. I wasn't that close to him. But..." she took another long breath. "When he came up to me the day after you were arrested. He told me he was sorry. I didn't mean to lash out. But I was so angry. And I'm sorry. The next day I wasn't in a good place. I gave him my spider broach. I wasn't going to need it. He was confused by my gesture. Then I text Veronica that didn't need it and they pulled me out of the River. He was crying. And then seeing him like that really hurt. I wasn't the nicest to him. I regret not actually giving him a chance and now I won't be a-ble to." She confessed as tears rolled down her cheeks, smearing her red lipstick. The words were taken in slowly. He was still trying to comprehend the loss.
"Miss Blossom, I appreciate your kind words. I'm still very sorry for my part in the clean up." He shyly looked to his left and then back up her. "I kind of find it ironic. I was trying to protect him from your father. And now he's gone by another father's hands." His voice drips of the irony as he lets out a dry laugh. She could feel his pain. He wasn't just the Serpent Leader. He wasn't just a shattered fragment of her past. He wasn't just a reminder. He was just a father, who just lost his son.
"You can call me Cheryl, Mr Jones." She said softly as she reached into her bag. "I found this in a bush. I figured you would want it." She said as she handed him his beanie. He saw the ratty old crown beanie in her hands. He felt the reality set in. His son was really gone.
"T-hank you, Cheryl." He stuttered, the burning in his eyes intensified as he reached for it, holding it to his chest. "I remember when I would try to make him take it off. He wouldn't. He would wear it all day and everyday. Even washing it was a chore. He would hide it from me and his mother when he was really little." He dry chuckled as tears fell. Cheryl didn't realize how much she was going to miss the little dork. She rubbed her hand on his.
"He sounded like such a difficult child." She stated as she reached back into her bag. "I was saving this for his next birthday. Me and Betty picked it out together a couple weeks back. That's where she was when she uh found you and Alice together." She admitted watching him blush up a little. "She was going on and on about how much his beanie smelt and begged me to take her to a vintage store. I found it. It's the same version just newer." She explained, tearing up as she handed him the brand new Beanie. He stared down at the grey crown beanie, tears rolled down. He had no idea Cheryl cared so much. It looked exactly like his.
"This is wow... thank you. I'm sure he wi- would of loved it." He said honestly as he wiped his eyes. She nodded knowing he would of.
"Again I'm sorry. I- I'm just going to go." She said as she ran off. He looked back down at the beanie in his hands, he tried so hard not to shake. Alice saw the exchange and was honestly blown away. She walked over to him, slowly sitting down in the chair next to him. She breathes out a breath. She can't believe it was time to say goodbye. She tapped his shoulder lightly. He looked up, knowing from the look in her eyes. It was time.
Everything was moving in slow motion as they walked to his room, following the doctors in front of them. Pain intensified, walking on needles they would call it. Usually they would run to see him. But not this time. This time was paralyzing for everyone. Even if Cheryl didn't know him well. She still couldn't believe he was gone. He can't be gone? She kept whispering to herself. This was just some joke, she thought again as she walked. Betty barely had any energy. She used it all up. Who was going to help her find the second Black Hood? It was their thing. They loved solving mysteries together. All of the core four loved solving mysteries together. It was like they were their very own Scooby Doo. If they could cast themselves in the movie. Jughead would be Shaggy he would also have Hot Dog or Archie's dog Vegas. Archie would be Fred, Veronica would be Daphne and Betty would be Velma. They would be no more milkshakes Pop's.
Fp clenched the new beanie that Cheryl had gotten Jug in his hands in any hope that his son would just magically wake up as he enters the cold room. He could feel the coldness of the transparent floor through the soles of his boots. His feet stood frozen as he got a glimpse of his son. Now cleaned of the blood, still bruised, bandages where his Serpent Tattoo had been previously before it was sliced clean off by a rusty switchblade. As he slowly approached his son's bed with his son laying lifelessly, tears blurred his eyes. This wasn't supposed to happen. His son was suppose to be here, by his side. How was his suppose to tell his mother or even his little sister? He knew Jellybean would fall apart. He missed her so much. He still hadn't gotten a call back. He pulled the chair, closer to his son, brushing his hand gently through his son's hatless head. Emotions took ahold of him. His son was truly gone. There was no hope left in his world. His son was dead.
Dead...Dead...Dead...Dead...
Nothing left but his body, no meaning left. Alice slowly made her way into the chilling room, placing her hand on his shoulder. She looked over at the little boy her daughter brought home months ago, she just started sobbing. Betty was shaking in her cousin's arms, Toni stood numbed to the floor not able to move. All they could hear was the silence. Slient... slient beeping on the heart monitor. It was the machine breathing for him. He wasn't actually there. It was all the machine. The false hope that was given gnawed at heir stomachs and hearts as they all surrounded the bed, linking arms together.
"No Serpent is left for dead" They all silently whispered in linked arms.
Silently they all cried, Sweet Pea was even tearing up, he tried to be strong. But he actually did care for Jones. Betty grabbed his hand gently, she lifted it and kissed it and then his forehead. "Juggie, I'll will never stop loving you." She sob as she curled into her mom's arms. Alice felt the pain her daughter was having. Maybe not one the same degree. But she felt it. Archie felt all his bones turning brittle and feeling like he was about to break in half. He knew that wasn't possible without any friction or pressure.
"Jug..."He paused as his voice turned shaky. He felt a hand of his shoulder, he turned and his dad was looking at him with reassurance. " I'm so sorry, Jug. I shouldn't of left you in the dirt. If I would of know how evil and vindictive Hiram Lodge was... I wouldn't of left you. I hope you can forgive me. You know someday. I know you didn't believe even heaven. But I hope you are having the time of your life solving mysteries like we used to." He cried as he backed away from the hospital bed and into his dad's strong comforting arms. Veronica knew she didn't belong. She didn't know him well enough to be even considered his friend. She loved him like a brother she never had.
"Jughead, where do I start? I c-an't even begin with how much I'm going to miss you. And I'm so so sorry for what my father has caused. Me and my mother have a plan to take him down. Hearing what he did. Hiring the Ghoulies to hurt you. I- just can't even believe that you're gone. Jug, I'm so sorry for what I have done to you. I shouldn't of took my dad's side. I should of took your side. And now I can't even tell you how sorry and how much I'm going to miss you." She confessed as tears rolled down her cheeks like a waterfall hitting the water. It was finally Fp's turn. He held the beanie close to his chest, smelling it. It still smelled like him. His eyes began to water again.
"Jug, I'm so so sorry this is all my fault. I hope you aren't in pain anymore. I love you so much , son. I know I don't say it enough. Or I never said it enough. And I now I wish I had said it more. I love you so much, Jug. More than you Pop's burgers." He confessed with a wet chuckle. It hurt to laugh.
Beeping from the machine started to beep regularly. His eyes shot up to moitorr, the levels started moving in a normal rhythm. Cheryl's eyes widened as she saw his heart rate return to normal, before it was just a straight flatline. Betty stopped sobbing as her mom nudged her getting her attention. "Oh my god, Guys look!" Alice squeaked in excitement, joyful tears rushed through her eyes blurring her vision. Everyone's eyes looked over at Jughead. Fp brushes his fingers though his hair, smiling. His son was alive. He was awake. Jughead was alive.
"Jug?" He whispered as he heard his son's soft moans. He slowly started opening his eyes, taking in the foreign environment. All he felt was pain, pain, pain and even more excruciating pain. "Jug, oh my god, you alive. You had us so worried." His father cried as he watched his gripped his beanie. It must of fallen off when he was struck by the Ghoulies. 30 to 1. He really thought he was dead.
He tried opening his mouth but something was blocking his airway. He started wrestling, panicking frantically trying to rip the tube out of his mouth. Fp noticed what his son was doing and tried to stop his son from moving. "Someone for the love of god get these fucking tubes out of his mouth! He needs some damn air!" He snapped infuriately as he hollered at some nurse.
They came rushing into the room. Many of them had shocked faces. Betty watched as they got him situated, taking out the breathing tubes, he was choking on the air that was now available. One of the nurses handed him a breathing mask for the meantime. Air. Air. Air, He kept repeating in his head. He didn't think he would ever see his Juliet ever again, hear her laugh, watch her giggle. He thought he never would able to say he loves his dad. He saw Archie. He heard the words. He did forgive him. He knew how truly sorry he was. He was just overthrown by Mr Lodge. Archie watched as his best friend's eyes had tears. He didn't want his best friend to cry. He went by his side. He knew that's what he needed at that moment.
"Jug, just breathe. Breathe in and out." Jughead started to calm down. "Yeah just like that. I'm here. We are all here. We will burn Hiram Lodge to the ground for what he has done. He might as well burn in Hell." He writhed in pure anger. There was no hiding how much he despised him. He hated him so much. He never thought he would hate someone as much he hates Hal. Fp actually felt a smile tug at his lips. He never thought Red would actually want someone to die. How was he going to pay for theses bills.
Veronica stepped out of the room to make an important phone call. She knew how much she wanted to solve the Jones's money problems. She felt horrible for how her Father took their home. She also knew all the businesses that were affected during his father's destroying the town. Her and Her mom were both done with his mess and taking the fall. She wanted to go home, but she had to make one important thing before she could look herself in the mirror again.
"Mom, is Dad home?" She whispered in the hospital hallway. She heard her mom's shushes and instantly knew he was in the room. She heard her mom make up a lie before she heard a door close.
"Mjia, what is it?" Her mother asked, She immediately felt tears back in her eyes. It wasn't just tears. It was guilty tears running down her cheeks. "Veronica, why are you crying? Is everything alright? Where are you?" Her mother asked with a worried tone. She took a deep breath before confessing.
"When you and Dad went to bed. I snuck by into his study and I found out he paid the Ghoulies to get rid of The Southside Serpents. I called Archie. But it was too late. Jughead had sacrificed himself." She sighed deeply.
"Oh Mijia, How is he? I'm so sorry. I know you and Jughead are close." Her mother's voice was drained with concern. She knew deep down her mother really did care about Fp and the Southside Serpents. She once even saw old photos with her, Alice, Fred and Fp hidden deep within her mother's closet, when she was looking for Birthday gift.
"He's alive. The doctors first declared him dead. We all went in there to say goodbye and something magical happened. I don't know what is was." She took another pause. "On the other hand his injures are very extensive, his arm where they sl-iced his Tattoo off will forever have a nasty scare. They said he could get a skin graft. But Fp denied the surgery. He said he couldn't afford it. That's where my favor is coming from. " I would like to pay for their hospital bill and any surgeries he will need in the future. Since this is all Dad's fault." She emphasized his name with ice. She heard mom muttering something in Spanish.
"no podemos dónde vamos a obtener el dinero?" She said, Veronica groaned in frustration. Translation- We can not where we're going to get the money? "
"Fp y Jughead necesitan el dinero para su cirugía. ¡no olvides que todo esto es culpa de papá!" She snapped at her mother. Translation- Fp and Jughead need the money for their surgery. Do not forget that all this is dad's fault. She heard her mother mumble "fine." She smirked knowing she got her way.
"Night, mamá. I will not be home tonight. I'm staying at the hospital. But I will be back home to get you got. Pack quickly. The authorities have been notified." She said before hanging up. She smiled in satisfaction. It would stay Anonymous until she was ready to spill the truth.
She walked back into the room, smiling at the raven boy who was now sitting up. Jughead refuses to be coddled. He wanted to be free. He didn't want the nurses help. His legs were still on fire. He was finally able to speak. His throat was still a little dry. He pointed to the sink, Fp noticed and poured him water into the plastic solo cup. He took it with both hands, his arms felt like needles were stabbing him, he winced as he tried raising it higher. "I'm sorry." His speech was a little impaired. This only made Veronica more angry with her father. At this point she wouldn't really want to name him as her dad. By blood he was. But by heart, she didn't feel the love for him. Fp watched as his son's vocabulary was very little. He felt his heart shatter for a little second. His son was the smartest person besides the Keller boy in town. He tried to keep his smile up on his face, but it was hard not to frown. Betty was trying to be more optimistic, something Fp lacked. He was more pessimistic.
"Jug, it's okay. You will get better once you get stronger." She said confidently as if she knew he was going to pull through. Jughead hated not able to make out the words he used to. He tried one more time before he finally would give up trying.
"See I told you, I would see you again, Juliet." But nothing came out. He was getting frustrated, he fought the angry tears from escaping his eyes. Alice saw that he was struggling. It was like teaching a baby to speak for the first time. But in this case, He was in high school. He knew that he was saying. He just couldn't get his mouth the form the words. It was honestly heartbreaking watching him trying to fight the tears of pure frustration. Betty was fighting the tears. She didn't want to expose how she wasn't okay. She had to be the strong one. Even when she felt like falling apart.
There was a knock on the door, everyone's eyes shifted to focus on the doctor who looked shocked to see Jughead awake. "This is such a miracle. I haven't seen in all my years of being a doctor such a extensive injures and then live. I'm sorry for the scare." The doctor said with his expression changing as he approached Fp. Fp stood up shaking his hand firmly.
"My boy has been always a fighter. That's what Jones are." He said believing the words this time. Jughead watched as his father got a little teary eyed. He saw his father quickly wipe his eyes so he wouldn't see. But he saw. He never saw his father was broken. Not even when he told his dad that Chic murdered his son. Nobody knew this but he heard them. He heard Veronica and Archie's apologies. He heard his dad. He even saw his dad carrying him. He didn't believe in heaven. But after being able to see them. He had somewhat idea what dying was like. He even saw Mr A's dad. They spoke saying "your Fred's best friend's son." He nodded. "Go back son, it's too early in time for you." He listened to the wise man's words.
"Jughead, can you try speaking for me?" The doctor asked him. He started opening his mouth by only by a few inches. His jaw hurt like hell.
"D-o-ctor." He stuttered out. He sighed in frustration. He tried again. " w-here's my beanie?" He croaked out. Everyone rolled their eyes. Of course that's his word he would use. Cheryl took a glance at the brand new beanie she was saving for his birthday in Fp's now released hand. Fp saw what she was looking at and handed over to her. She slowly walked toward his hospital bed trying to hold back her tears.
"Jug, I was saving it for your birthday. But here." She said as she handed him the beanie. He took the beanie from her hands and his eyes widened. She got this for him? He was completely shocked. He spotted little droplets falling on her cheeks. He never knew he meant so much to her.
"T-hanks, C-h-e-ryl." He thanked with a shorter stutter than last time. He placed in on his head, it felt soft and new. He loved the feeling. She smiled at his new achievement. She knew he didn't feel like it was a milestone but it was something. His doctor smiled back.
"Looks like there I got some great news. Someone paid for your whole bill and even the skin graft. You will have new skin in no time." His doctor said, everyone in the room was shocked. Fp couldn't believe it. He nearly buries his head into his son's chest.
"Jug, you hear that. You will be able to use your arms again. Maybe even your mom will come back." Those words strung Alice's heart. He was leaving her. She felt like crying. Jughead shook his head, his dad had a look of confusion written on his face. "What's wrong?" He asked as he saw his son's eyes water.
"M-om doesn't want me." He cried out. Fp still felt confused. Jughead had his mom's words playing in his mind. "I'm sorry there's no room here, Jug. It's all your father's fault. I wouldn't be surprised if you turned out just like him." He felt more tears pouring out.
"What do you mean, Jug?" Fp asked one more time. Jughead couldn't explain. He wished he could.
"I'm sorry there's no room here, Jug. It's all your father's fault. I wouldn't be surprised if you turned out just like him." Kept playing in his head.
"She told me no when I asked to be with her when you were arrested and also told me that she wouldn't be surprised if I turned out like you." His son confessed this time his stutter was gone. Anger filled his heart. How could she just say that?
"Oh Jug, I'm sorry that was your burden." He sighed as he sat back down. He knew they weren't alone. Veronica saw that Fp needed sometime alone with Jug, so she signaled everybody to give him sometime.
"My last thoughts before shutting my eyes. I was dying and all I heard was her words, Veronica and your last words to me. Maybe this is all my fault. I killed Fangs. Mom doesn't want me. Maybe I should of died and not came back." His son's words scared him. He had no idea his son felt this guilty. He pulled his son into his arms, as he laid next to him.
"No, Jug none of that was your fault. And your mom that's her problem. She doesn't see how wonderful you are. Then she's missing out. When you finally publish that book you have been writing. And you have millions and she wants to be in your life. I'm sorry she abandoned you. Jug, look at me. I love you so much, Jug. I was broken when they told me you didn't make it. I thought I was going to fall apart. Why didn't you call me? Sacrificing yourself for me. Why Jug?" He felt the tears escape.
"Dad, I did it to save you from getting killed. And I found out Hiram was their boss and I couldn't let them get hurt. Too many have been hurt or killed. In this town. The Black Hood is murdering left and right. Hiram taking away our lives. Just because we have different styles. I'm sorry I worried you. I doubt mom even returned your texts and calls. A month ago I was telling her how well you were doing and said oh okay. He's probably just going kill his life away. I was so angry. She blamed you. She even told me she didn't want me. That she was happy I wasn't living with her. That Jellybean was her only child. And she rather I was dead. It broke me. But then I looked online for her and it turns out. She had been sending Hiram insides about you. Like you drinking. This news angered Fp.
"Wow she's always been a shady bitch. I'm sorry she said those things. You better get some rest. I love you so much, Jug. It's getting late." He said as he checked his watch it was already 5 am.
"Night Dad." His son said as he closed his tired eyes. This time he knew his son's eyes would open. He wasn't gone.
When Betty got home, she went straight into her room. She opened a bunch of the photo albums and snatched her father's photo out of the book. She grabbed a big pair of scissors snapping them in half. She gathered all the pictures and went to the backyard throwing them in the fire pit, drenching them in gasoline, striking a match and dropping it into the pit full of liquid flammable gasoline and watched as they burned into char, dust literally nothing but ash. Alice saw her daughter dropping his pictures into the flames and wiping her cheeks. She felt the pain for her daughter. Betrayal was one thing they both had in common. Even though she didn't love him. Her daughter was always a daddy's girl. It sickened her to the core that he went the lowest of lows by using their — her daughter as bait. That's what's is called when Hurricanes Meets The Dark.