As they raced through the streets of Riverdale, one single thought plagued him.
How could he possibly explain any of this to her?
He knew Betty, probably better than anyone did, even Archie. Despite her initial trust in him that had made her leave with him, she still had questions, a million questions that would be shot at him the moment he parked his bike.
The only thing he could tell her was that he was keeping her safe.
Jughead had been planning on taking her with him anyway, refusing to let her leave his sight, at least until Toni's shift at the bar started, though just as he'd pulled her outside, the familiar roar of the Ghoulie's motorcycle had filled his ears, sending his protective instincts into overdrive.
He hadn't been fast enough forcing her back inside.
It had been the prick's comment about Betty that made him throw the first punch, receiving an immediate one in response, a dumb move when he was without backup, but no one talked about his girl like that.
Not that she belonged to him, or anything,
Betty's grip around his midsection tightened as he veered right, heading straight towards his own entrance of Sweet Water River.
He mentally cursed himself.
You had to bring her to the place where her friend was found dead?
He couldn't take her home, not for a few hours, not until he was sure that they hadn't been followed. He wouldn't let them know where she lived, he wouldn't let anyone come near her, especially not the Serpent's biggest enemy.
He would never let anyone hurt her.
Toni had arrived just in time to break up the impending fight, the Ghoulie's taking off on their bikes. They had only exchanged a few words, Toni admitted to locking Betty into the Blue and Gold office for her own protection, pressing the familiar set of keys into his palm before taking off to alert the others at the Whyte Wyrm.
He needed to stay hidden.
He needed to protect the girl currently seated behind him, clinging to him for dear life.
Jughead killed the engine, standing to steady the bike so she could hesitantly dismount, her legs shaking. The moment his own feet touched the ground, she shoved the helmet towards his chest, both hands trembling.
"Betty." He warned, his irritation getting the better of him.
She didn't respond, too busy taking in their surroundings. A strange look crossed her face, her eyes widening as she pressed a quivering palm to her lips.
"Betty?" He questioned, worry now lacing his tone. "Betts, hey, what's wrong?"
Betty was no longer with him.
She took a step forward, and his brows furrowed in confusion as she began to mumble incoherent nothings under her breath.
"No." She whispered. "I didn't... I didn't... I didn't!"
"Betty!" Jughead snapped.
He reached for her, but she was too quick, his hand only grabbing at air as she pivoted away from him. The dance repeated itself several times, Betty wrenching from his grasp any time he strode towards her.
"Betts."
"No!" Betty cried, lunging suddenly. "Stop! I didn't want it!"
Her words sent a chill down his spine, his aggravation only growing as she began to near the edge of the path, only several hundred yards away from where he'd been forced to leave her the night of the accident, in the grassy embankment.
The moment her back was turned, he caught her around the waist, his grasp like iron chains against her midsection. Betty squirmed, but he didn't relent, not even when her elbow made contact with his ribcage.
With a grunt, he pulled her away from the ledge, using all his strength to stop her from struggling. He swung her around, fingers locking around her wrists.
"Betty."
"Juggie!" She rasped, gripping the lapels of his Serpent's jacket. "I need Jughead!"
How long had he wanted to hear her say that.
"I'm right here." He promised, anchoring her to him. "I'm right here, Betts, I'm always right here. Open your eyes."
Come back to me.
Instead of complying, she slumped forward, his arms the only things keeping her from falling. He held her easily, sinking to his knees, her head falling heavily against his shoulder.
"I need you, Juggie." She whispered.