Chapter Eight

Jughead

Thirty minutes was not long enough for me to regain my sanity. But before we know it, we are back in the room where the devils and the angels argue over Eden. No one wins and the argument rolls on.

"What was the first sign that something was out of place or wrong?" she asks, placing her hands together as she walks.

"The sound of something breaking and footsteps."

"Who was the first to notice?"

"We all were in the same room. Jughead asked What was that. I said, who else knows we're here. And then Betty asked me Why did you say it like that. I never answered her."

"What happened after that?"

"Cassidy was wearing a mask but Veronica told me that she knew it was him. There were two other heavy-set guys with him. They walked in and started demanding money. Cassidy was clearly the angry one."

She nods.

"What did he end up ordering Veronica to do?" she asks.

"He told her to go into the bedroom to get her wallet. He wanted money." His voice is shaking and his body seems afraid. I try my best to avoid looking at him. Even see him reminds me of how scared I was on that stand.

I try myself to focus on something else. Betty's chest rises and falls slowly. She is looking down at her feet. She crosses her hands over her knee and then adjust the way she is sitting. She shakes her leg and then moves again. I try to lean over to get her attention but I can't talk so it makes it difficult. I put my hand on hers. She takes it but doesn't look at my face at all. I kiss her cheek and she looks at me with surprise.

"Moving on," the judge says. "Defendants, who do you call to the stand?"

"We call Cheryl Blossom to the stand."

I watch as my Serpent counterpart walks to the stand and is sworn in. She doesn't appear nervous. Then again, it is a rare sight so see her with any kind of nerves. She sits down with her hands on the stand in front of her as Mary stands up and begins her questioning. I am not worried about her. She is on her side.

"We know that Veronica Lodge received a text from you. When she realized that you were at Sweet Water River, the four of them made their way to you. Who was the first one on the ice?" she asks.

"Archie."

"Do you remember who found you under the water?"

"No. I was told it was Archie who punched through the ice to get to me. It was very thick ice. I saw his hand later. We all did. It was clearly red and injured from punching through it," she explains.

"What do you remember about the incident?"

"I woke up for a second and Archie was there. He was hovering above me. He had to give me CPR to bring me back. Then I remember feeling him carrying me. I felt his heartbeat and his warmth, also how he held me as we walked all the way back across the river and through the woods to his car."

"So, after Archie broke his hand breaking you out of the ice, he then carried your limp body across the river and through the woods, almost a mile?" Mary asks.

"Yes. I owe him my life."

"Thank you. That's all."

"Does that mean we get to go home now, Mommy?" I ask, tugging on the end of her shirt. She grabs my hand. Her face is sweet and gentle but I can tell that she is about to lie to me. She is scared.

"Not yet, Jughead," she says.

"Why not?"

"They wanted to ask me some questions. You can wait outside in the lobby with Mrs. Cooper and Betty."

"They're here?" I ask.

She nods, leading me toward the lobby. I follow but try my hardest to stay as strong as I can. They don't want anything from me. But I am not stupid. I know that they want something from my family. Being ten, they can say that I am too young to be a part of a lot of this. But I understand it more than they think.

Finally, she talks quietly to Mrs. Cooper. But I don't pay attention. I find Polly and Betty sitting on a bench not far from their parents. They are talking quietly and laughing. I want to walk over there. I want to talk to someone that might feel normal but I can't. I'm too scared to go over there while Polly is there too.

Instead, I sit down on the bench furthest from any breathing soul and curl my legs close to my body. I rest my head on my arms and close my eyes. It is not long before I feel a hand on me. I am sure it is someone trying to bother me. But then it's her.

Betty.

"You okay?" she asks.

I shake my head.

"I wish I could say I understood," she admits. "Maybe you can tell me?"

I shake my head again, not trusting my voice. Even though Betty is my best friend, I don't think that a girl should see me cry. Not a Jones. Us Jones men should be too strong for tears, even now.

She sits right next to me and puts her arm around my shoulder. I can feel her leaning on me just a little.

"They're trying to take my family away, Betty," I admit.

"I know. I'm so sorry."

"Did they question you?"

I nod again.

"That must have been so scary."

I agree. I don't want to admit that it was scary but I lean on her anyway. Maybe she will understand that it was. I feel a few tears on my face. I wipe them away but there is a surprising smile on hers.

"Jughead," she says in a quiet voice.

"Jughead."

"Jughead!"

I turn my head to Betty sitting beside me. She raises her eyebrows. I feel fear hit my chest so hard I feel like I am ten years old again. I lean down and look at her. She is staring at me and then gestures toward the judge.

"What?" I whisper.

"Forsythe Pendleton Jones III, you have been called to the stand to be cross examined by the state."