TW: violence and gruesome details
FP catches Alice's eye. He walks over to her as she continues to cry. Standing in front of her he asks, "What happened?" Alice falls in FP. She falls to the ground with FP still holding her. Alice says absolutely nothing. FP squeezes her tightly, "It's okay. It'll all be okay."
A week goes by and FP has decided to move in with Alice. Jughead and Jellybean came as well. Jellybean took the liberty to claim Polly's old room as her own. Jughead decided to take the couch. He didn't want Alice to worry about him and Betty in the same room. Alice takes the week off from RIVW to relax and make appointments. Not much has been said about the pregnancy since Alice went to visit Hal.
March 21st, one week and one day after Alice found out she was pregnant, she received a call from Lodge Prison, "You are getting a prepaid call from the Lodge Detention Center. All phone calls are subject to recording. If you decline this phone call press 9 now. To accept this call press 1 now." Alice hurriedly presses 1. "You're call is being forwarded. Hello, this is Warden Wolf, am I speaking with Mrs. Cooper."
"Yes. Yes, I am Mrs. Cooper," Alice's breathing becomes shallow.
"Great," Warden Wolf sounds fairly positive, "I'm calling you in regard to your husband, Hal Cooper." Alice stays quiet waiting for further information. Warden Wolf continues, "Mr. Cooper was not found on the premises thing morning and has been categorized as a missing person at the moment. I am aware that your relationship with Mr. Cooper is not great. I am giving you a warning that he might try to find you during his time out of prison, but I assure you that, our officers from the prison and local towns are trying their best to locate him."
Alice is stunned she can't breathe. The only thing she has to say is, "Thank you." She hangs up the phone and walks to the door to lock it. Alice deadbolts the front and back.
She sits on the couch and prepares herself to fight. But it's too late. She hears from behind her, "Alice…" Alice slowly swivels her head to see Hal coming out of the closet. He steps out of the closet with an evil grin, "I assume that was the prison calling to let you know I wasn't there." Alice gulps as he continues to come towards her, "I guess that called too late."
He traces the point of his knife lightly on her shoulder. Alice stays strong, "Why are you here, Hal?"
Hal chuckles viciously, "Oh Alice, I think you know why. He sits in front of her on the coffee table. He can tell she is scared even though she doesn't want to show it. Hal stands up quick enough to give her a jolt. He points his sharp blade at her throat, "We're going to play a game." He smirks as she starts to breathe faster. Hal sits back down and chuckles.
Trying to make him happy she smiles and asks, "What are we going to play, Hal?"
Hal continues, "We are going to play a game where you tell me the truth, and if you lie… I kill you." Alice nods along as Hal begins the game, "First question… Did you or did you not step out on me with FP Jones?"
Alice notes the change in tone from Hal and adjusts hers, "You already know that answer because I already told you."
Hal grits his teeth, "Answer the damn question, Alice!" He stands up frustrated and walks around the couch.
Alice's eyes follow him, "Yes. I did."
"Good, good," Hal calms down a bit, "Moving on. Do you love him?"
"What?" Alice turns around swiftly.
"You heard me, Alice. Do you love him?" once again he gets more frustrated. The grip on his knife tightens as he waits for her to answer. Before she can give her a response, they both notice the sound of jingling keys by the front door. Hal grabs her arm tightly, "Who is that? Who has keys?"
Flustered, Alice stumbles her way in front of him, "I don't know. I don't know."
The door opens and FP walks in saying, "Alice, I came after hearing that Hal escaped" Still looking down to relock the door he doesn't hear a response, "Alice?"
Hal answers slyly, "FP Jones, isn't it a pleasure to see you again."
FP turns around to see Hal pointing the end of the knife toward Alice's throat. FP draws his gun issued by the Sheriff's station and points it at Hal who is using Alice as a human shield.
"FP don't!" Alice screams with tears pouring out of her eyes. She is trying to release Hal's grasp which is making his knife dig deeper into her neck.
"You take one step and she's dead," Hal has no life behind his cold eyes.
FP doesn't listen and takes a step forward, "Hal you don't have to do this.
"But I do," Hal tilted his head and stared into the barrel of his pistol. Hal smirked, "Once I'm done with her," he pokes his knife a little closer to her skin, "You're gonna be next.."
FP chuckles, "You won't have the chance."
"FP, please don't. Please, FP!" Alice pleads. She looks into FP's eye behind the pistol.
Hal and FP stare at each other in cold silence. FP tries to calm him down, "Hal, put the knife down, and let's talk."
Hal's eyes widen and he put the knife in the air while still holding Alice, "Like this?"
FP still has his gun on him, "Yes. Just put it down."
Hal lowers the hand with the knife slowly while maintaining eye contact with FP. FP still isn't fully trusting. Then suddenly Hal picks up his arms and slices Alice's gut. Just as soon as he cuts FP shoots only once. A thud is heard when his body drops. Alice soon follows and drops to the ground holding her wound. FP kicks the knife away from the unresponsive Hal. The hole in between his eyebrows is smoking.
FP steps over Hal and squats to Alice and flips his phone open. Alice struggles to breathe, "F… FP…" Her hand wraps around his arm and she shakily says, "Help… me…"
"I will," FP dials 911 and puts his jacket over the wound, "I will, Alice."
After only 5 minutes of putting pressure on the gaping wound, the EMS crew arrives. She is stabilized and brought to Riverdale General Hospital. FP stays back to give his statement on Hal's death. While his description is vulgar it's quick. He grabs a random set of keys on the key rack. He drives to the hospital in Alice's SUV.
FP rushes into the ER, "Alice Cooper. She should be here. Where is she?" A nurse stands up and tries to calm him down. The only thing that will calm him down is knowing if she is okay, "Will somebody just tell me where she is?"
A different nurse comes over and says calmly, "Mrs. Cooper was brought up to general admission. I can have someone bring you to her."
FP lets out a big sigh of relief. He lets a nurse take him to Alice's room. He stands in the doorway and looks at Alice asleep in her bed. He gradually makes his way to her bedside and gracefully grips her hand trying not to wake her. With her still asleep, FP admits, "Alice, I'm sorry." FP's eyes start glazing with a layer of tears, "I should have shot him when I had the chance." He rests his head on the side of the bed, "Alice… I'm so sorry. You need to be okay."
FP feels his hand being squeezed. He brings his head up and makes eye contact with Alice. Alice smirks and reassures him, "I'm okay. I'm okay, FP." FP stands up and wraps his arms around her and embraces her tightly. "Ow. Ow. FP get off," Alice tries to push him.
"Are you okay? What did I do?" FP looks concerned.
"Just come here," Alice holds her arms out. FP comes closer and Alice rests her hands on both sides of his face. She tells him softly, "This isn't your fault, FP." Alice brings his face closer and lightly kisses his cracked lips. They both pull away when the doctor knocks on the doorway.