Whyte Wyrm
We arrived shortly after 10pm. Multiple motorcycles and bikers littered the front of the rundown building. The air was almost hazy from all the cigarette and cannabis smoke all mixed together. We sat out front for a moment talking to the other members of the Serpents, most of them giving FP advice for tonight's task. I personally didn't think he needed it but I kept my mouth shut, nodding my head as the old Bikers spoke. When we did enter the bar at last, our friends waved us over to their table to wait. We sipped on watered down liquor, and FP slammed back beer after beer. His nerves starting to kick in.
"Once we finally become serpents, I'm really going to give it to those stupid ass Ghoulies. It's been a long time coming." TallBoy said as he slammed down his glass in the table.
"Calm down LittleBoy" a voice said. It was FP's Dad. "You'll have plenty of time to do that, IF you pass all of the tasks." He ruffled Tallboys feathers up just enough for him to huff in irritation.
"We're almost ready boys, have another cold one and we will be ready to do this." He said before walking away and joining the other older members. We sat, drinking our drinks in silence. My gin and tonic seemed to go down smoother and smoother with each glass. The younger people were only allowed to drink at the bar on special occasions, and it doesn't get more special than this. Moments later the loud crack of the speaker went off, as Mr.Jones walked on stage. I turned my attention towards the commotion, drink in hand and sipping happily.
"Alright, alright, alright. Settle down so we can get this rolling. Tonight is a very important night as we add more snakes to our den. Serpents are a powerful family here in Riverdale, not only do we protect ourselves and our families. We also protect our community." The serpent king spoke with a booming voice. "So we welcome new members with open arms, but only if they can pass the test." All the older members cheered, or looked at one another as if they were reminiscing about their own initiation.
"Unfortunately we usually like to do this spread out over the next week, but we really don't have time. The ghoulies are trying to claim turf on our side of the tracks, and we need all hands on deck." An uproar broke out instantly, as everyone began yelling their distaste for the rival gang, multiple people were swearing, someone even threw a chair. "ENOUGH." Mr.Jones screamed into the mic, causing everyone to stop in their place.
"We will talk about it all tomorrow. For now let's focus on getting these little garden snakes into their big boy skins, alright?" Everyone seemed to agree and settled we down instantly. "Thank you, Now the second task is one of the most important. It's our livelihood, our glue. The Serpent law goes back many generations, it was important then, and it is important now. If you are apart of the imitation tonight, step forward so we can begin." All the boys from the table stood up and walked towards the front of the stage. There was nine of them in total, some I never even recognized. I sat there watching FP, my gaze never leaving from where he stood. When he looked at me, he winked at me before looking straight forward. I was glad, my cheeks heavily flushed and I knew it wasn't because of the liquor.
The next task was starting. The serpent king stood in front of each and every boy one by one, reciting the traditional laws. "WHAT is the first Serpent Law?" His voice echoed throughout the room. The boys each seemed to stand a little more stiffer.
""NO SERPENT STANDS ALONE." They each yelled loudly.
"WHAT IS THE SECOND LAW?" Mr. Jones yelled.
"SERPENTS TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN."
"WHAT IS THE THIRD LAW?"
"A SERPENT NEVER SHOWS COWARDICE." They proudly shouted out.
"WHAT IS THE FOURTH LAW ?"
"NO SERPENT IS LEFT FOR DEAD."
"TELL ME THE FIFTH LAW OF THE SERPENTS,"
"A SERPENT NEVER BETRAYS HIS OWN!"
"AND WHAT IS THE SIXTH LAW!" The Serpent King screamed out louder.
"IN UNITY, THERE IS STRENGTH!" They screamed.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" He called out again.
"IN UNITY, THERE IS STRENGTH!!!" Everyone in the bar. Myself included yelled out together. The room bursted out as they all clinked their glasses and down their drinks, I would have too if my glass wasn't already sitting empty on the table.
"Good Job Boys, but you're not finished yet. OneEye, don't you think it's time these kids meet Betsy?" The Serpent king said like it was some kind of unknowing inside joke. The man, OneEye. Laughed and shook his head in agreement before spinning in his heel to retrieve something. He returned with what looked like a large tank on a rolling table.
"Your next task is simple. Get the knife from this pretty lady without getting bit." I could feel my stomach churn from looking at the brown skinned, Rattled snake sitting inside the glass container. In the middle of the tank was a Dagger. FP took no time to step up to the tank, his signature smirk plastered on his face.
"Lemme at er' old man!" FP said laughing while patting his Father's shoulder. As he stepped closer to the tank I could feel my body pull itself to the edge of my seat. As OneEye removed the lid he said something to FP that made him nervously laugh, but no signs of turning back from what I could tell. Everyone watched as FP raised his right hand and slowly lowered it into the tank. A clear sweat broke out onto his forehead leaving it glistening under the yellow stage lights.
"Show no Cowardice!" I yelled out, it was all he needed to hear because instantly after that FP quickly reached and grabbed the dagger, pulling it out safely. Everyone cheered out for him, as he held it up proudly in the air. I clapped happily watching him. As they continued to go through the process with each initiation-ee, FP snuck away and came back to sit with me.
"That thing was ready to bite my whole arm off." He said sitting down with a chuckle. I turned to face him with a smile.
"Your arms are too twiggy Jones, he would want some meat one it first." I teased, pinching his arm.
"You and I both know my arms are no longer twiggy Alice, and if I have to buy you tickets to the gun show to prove it. So help me god I will!" He said slamming his elbow on the table and flexing his arm. I screamed out loudly, as I pushed his arm off the table with a laugh.
"Stop before you hurt yourself Jonsie."
The night continued on like this, we enjoyed each other's company having a couple of drinks and laughing. I ended up having a few too many and my Dad decided to take me home. FP walked me out to the car.
"S-sorry I got a little toooo wasty pants and missed your big finale Pendleton." My words coming out more slurred than intended as I stumbled across the gravel parking lot in heels, holding onto his arm.
"Don't worry about it Alliecat, you're just going to miss me getting the shit kicked out of me. But you do that daily so what's the difference." He joked as we approached the car.
"Well this is me." I said leaning my back against the car, spreading my arms out wide to showcase that I had arrived.
FP chuckled as he stepped closer to me. "Thanks for coming with me tonight Al, it means a lot to me." He said tucking a stray hair behind my ear, his smirk causing the blood to rush to my face. I didn't answer him and I didn't have too, because he closed the space between us. His kiss was soft at first, but my liquid confidence kicked in and I deepened it. My hands shot onto either side of his jacket pulling his body as close as possible to my own. His hands found my waist, but didn't stay long, he picked me up, wrapping my legs around his waist as he pressed me into the car, I gasped loudly as the cold metal touched my skin, and FP took the opportunity to passionately kiss me deeper.
"Alice!" My dads voice called out. We quickly snapped out of it, separating instantly as the blood quickly rose to our cheeks. "Alice you out here?" He called again.
"Yeah Dad, I'm by the car!" I called hoping he didn't notice the nervous crack in my voice. The both of us stepped out from the car, to meet my dad.
"Oh FP! Thanks for getting her out here safely, always taking care of that girl of mine." He said, slapping him on the shoulder. FP ran his hand through his hair awkwardly as he smiled.
"Of course Sir, if I didn't I'd have you and Dad on my ass." He joked as he ushered me to the passenger side door, Dad heading towards the drivers side.
"You're damn right I would!" Dad said laughing. "Well you have yourself a safe night FP, try and keep your chin up, and don't bite your tongue off."
"Of course Sir, thanks for the tips. I'll see you tomorrow Alliecat, Drink some water." FP said, opening my door, waiting for me to climb in, and closing it when I did.
"Night Pendleton, see you tomorrow." I said with a yawn.
"Have a good night Mr.Smith" FP said as Dad waved goodbye. We drove out of the parking lot and I watched FP in the mirror until he disappeared from sight.
"Uh Oh, I'm in trouble now aren't I?" Dad said breaking the silence.
"What does that mean?" I asked looking over at him.
"It means that FP Jones kissed my daughter, and I know with that look on her face he's probably going to be doing it again" he said with a smile.
"Oh my god Dad ! " I yelled out in embarrassment.
"Now come on, FP isn't that bad. He's a good kid. I just want you to be careful kiddo." He said with a chuckle, probably because I couldn't wash the shocked expression off my face. "Just trust yourself Alice, you're smarter and braver than you think. Remember that because I won't always be around to tell you that." Dad said, giving me his hand to hold. I only smiled up at him before resting my head on his shoulder.
"I love you dad."
"Love you too Kiddo."
A/N
And that all for this chapter. More to come so stay tuned ! - L