Chapter 9: Fleas Release Me!
It's been about a 2 weeks since the potato mystery. Archie did most of the mysteries alone as I continued my school work. During those 2 weeks the boys were trying out for football, Reggie, Tyler, Geoff, Jimmy and Tyrone were already on the team while Ronin, Collins, Archie and Jughead were the ones trying out, and Betty and Veronica were holding cheer practice while I sat aside and watched. I wasn't much into sports but I decided to root for them and declined Betty and Veronica's cheerleader offer. In the end all the boys made it on the team, the 6 that flirted with me were to be extras mostly because of choir and somewhat poor grades last year, and I was happy. I had also met Midge and Moose. Moose was….slow; but they were super nice. There was also choir practice for a school concert, supposedly not coming up till Christmas time, and Veronica's Halloween party, that Arch says is held every year, coming up as well. Right now, since school started the last week of August, it was the end week of September. Not many leaves fell but the seasons were weird here. It mostly stayed spring and summer weather while fall and winter seemed to go by quickly. Right now I was out of school, also a bonus being Friday and all that, and was skating around the skate park listening to music. I was wearing my outfit I 1st wore when I arrived to Riverdale. The boys were at football practice, minus Archie and Jughead, so I decided to head off on my own. It was still quiet and secluded at the skate park so I decided to practice dancing on my skates a bit. I had 20 minutes before I decided to meet Archie and Jughead at Pop's. I breathed slowly as my music slowly began. Then I heard it. 'Crazy Train' by Ozzy Osbourne came on. I began to move my arms 1st. Soon when the beat was about to pick up I started skating; fast! I did twists, turns, spins, Grind on some poles and even spin jumped off at the end of a couple. When the music got to the end I spun 12 times and then posed, bending down on one knee while the right leg was stretched out and right hand on the ground in front of me while the left arm was stretched outwards to my side. It kind of made me look like a ninja. I waited a few seconds before I rose up and started disco dancing/skating around to 'Boogie Wonderland' by Earth, Wind, and Fire. It looked kinda cool really. Once the song ended and I struck a pose I waited for my last song to play. 'Into The Groove' by Madonna started and I was of again. I twisted my body and bent myself around and under bars and even jumped over them as I swung my hips around and started to loose myself completely. I jumped and spun four times before I landed and then glided on one foot for 5 seconds before I did a 180 and went backwards on two feet while shaking my hips slightly. When I got to the end I grabbed the near by grind bar and leaned my back against it and did a slightly dramatic pose as if I was being dipped during a waltz. My music stopped and I leaned my head back so my headphones could fall to my neck again as I tried to breath slowly.
I was startled when I heard clapping from a distance. I jumped and looked for the source when I saw Ronin clapping. "Your very good." He said as I went red and looked away from him. "How long where you there?" I asked, barely above a whisper, as he made his way over to me. "From the moment you spun and then posed like a ninja." He told me as I blushed harder. "You seem to have many talents." He said as he got real close to me and saw me blushing. "Hm? Whats wrong?" He asked as I looked at him. "I….well...uh." Was all I could say before he understood. "I'm sorry for scaring you and making you feel embarrassed. That was not my intention at all. I got done with practice early and was heading to Pop's. I thought this would be a nice short cut and didn't expect to see a wonderful show." He told me as I shook my head. "I was just goofing off. I hadn't practiced in a while and I know I made a lot of mistakes. To be honest I thought I was alone." I told him as I adverted my eyes away from him. "Well, from what I saw, there were no mistakes. Plus if that was 'goofing off' then I'd like to see the professional side sometime. Either way the show was wonderful." he said as I blushed again. "Would you care to join me at Pop's?" He asked as I stopped, looked at him, and smiled. "Sure. I was going to meet Archie and Jughead there anyways. Archie said something about a weird mystery so I thought I'd help him out with this one." I told him as his smile widened. He held out his hand and I took it with mine as I skated slowly, while he walked, side by side on our way to Pop's. "You actually help Archie with his mysteries? And enjoy them?" He asked as I nodded. "Yeah. They seem far fetched but the potato one was definitely real. I don't help him often but I'm going to. It's a good bonding thing." I told him as he understood what I meant and nodded. "So. Are you enjoying Riverdale?" He asked as I nodded. "Yeah. I have more friends then I did at my last school. Plus I get to see Archie and it's so beautiful and peaceful here. I enjoy this small town a lot." I confessed as we soon arrived at Pop's. He opened the door for me as I smiled and went inside. "Thanks." I told him as we soon found Archie and Jughead near the back window booth with Reggie there as well.
As we got closer I saw Reggie put a napkin in Jughead's burger. Before I could stop him Jughead ate it and then spit it out on Archie as Reggie laughed. Archie started scolding him. "Reggie that wasn't nice. I saw what you did. One of these days these pranks will get you in trouble." I scolded an Ronin and I were right by the table now. "Aw come on Doll face; Jughead here has an Iron stomach." He said as I rolled my eyes. "She's right you know." Ronin started but Reggie just waved him off and replied with a "But out." That was very rude. "Whatever. Aria. Would you like a burger?" He asked as I nodded yes. Before he could do a thing Pop's came over. "Hey Aria. Care to try a titanic burger? 1st one's on the house. Oh here's one for your friend to." He said as I took the double extra large burger from him. "Thank you Pop's." I replied. "Yes thank you." Ronin said as Pop's gave him the second one before returning to the kitchen to continue working. Jughead scooted over, offering me a seat, I took it and Ronin managed to sit next to me as we ate and listened to Reggie pick on Archie about his Weird Mystery column. I hadn't payed much attention till I heard 'Werewolves' and thats when I perked up. "Werewolves?" I said after I barely swallowed a mouth full of burger. "Werewolves don't exist." Ronin said. "Neither should alien potatoes." I pointed out. "My police scanner said a store was robbed and the only thing taken last night was red meat." He said. * Interesting. Either vegans have struck or there really IS a werewolf. * I thought as Reggie laughed. "Ha. Some guy has a barbecue and you think he's a werewolf. Good thing eggs weren't stolen of he'd blame the Easter bunny." Reggie said as him and a group of kids laughed. Ronin chuckled as I lightly elbowed him to make him stop. "Reggie knock it off. I believe it might have been a werewolf. Last night was one of the three full moon phases. Plus there have been evidence in the past of giant wolf like creatures and we are in one of the correct environments for one to live here so I believe in investigating it." I said as I finished my burger. "You believe me?" Archie said as I rolled his eyes. "Yes. Yes I do. I've studied vampires, werewolves, yeti's and a few other things so it's either a werewolf or a small group of vegans on strike and the vegans might have made themselves known so werewolf fits a bit better." I told him as I nudged Ronin so I could move. As he moved and I got up I continued. "Plus I can help look tonight. I'm sure it could be a few other things but if it is a werewolf then we need to cover more ground and search. I can set up a few traps before dark." I told him as I got ready to leave. "Good idea." Archie said before Ronin stopped me. "Allow me to come along. I might not believe it's a 'werewolf' but it's better not to let a young lady be out on her own." He said as I smiled at him. "Great. I could use an extra pair of hands." I told him as I waved bye to Archie and Jughead, ignored Reggie, and continued out the door before Veronica entered.
Ronin and I went to get some rope, nets, some steaks and beef and managed to get two bear traps (Don't ask me how.) as we went to the woods outside of town. Ronin got his car, a 1980's black El Camino, and a mini grill saying we could have a couple burgers and the cooked meat might attract it, and went off to a secluded wooden area and began setting up some of the traps. Ronin set up the bear traps and warned me where they were as I set up some nets and rope traps and told Ronin where they were. Soon it was getting dark and we began cooking some burgers to eat. Once night fell we had on a few lights, put the grill away, and sat on a couple rocks and enjoyed the burgers. Before long it was getting close to 10pm and it was a bit eerie. Ronin and I were talking and right when he put his arm on my shoulder, I think he was 'making the move', we heard a small noise in the bush along with a whimper sound. "Sounds like an injured dog." Ronin said as I awed. I got up, holding a small bit of my burger in my hand, and went near the bush before he could stop me. "Poor thing must be lost and hungry. And if he is hurt then we should help." I said in a sweet voice as I bent down in front of the bush. I made kissing sounds and a few whistle noises and started talking to the dog. "Hey buddy. Come on out. I won't hurt you." I said as I put the burger in front of the bush. "You hungry?" I asked as I saw a nose and a snout poke out of the bush. It sniffed my burger before it licked and snatched it out of my hand. "Good boy. Well I hope your a boy. Come on out." I edged as it went back in. "Come on." I edged a bit more before Ronin spoke. "Maybe it'll come out later." He said as I replied with my hand still out "If he's hurt then he might not be able to mo-OW!" I screeched and looked to see a clawed furry hand grip me before we heard a growl.
I looked and saw a big wolf head with yellow eyes and dripping fangs stare and snarl at me. My eyes widened and pupils dilated. It was a werewolf. I fed a werewolf my burger and now he was gripping me and might kill me. The claws dug deep into my arm as Ronin started running to me. Before the beast could bite me Ronin kicked it in the face as it fell and let me go. Ronin grabbed me and we started running to the car. I was still dazed. Before we made it to the car the beast jumped and landed in front of us and swiped, barely missing us, as I snapped out of my daze and we ran. We had accidentally spit up and I ran from the howl of the beast. I needed to find Ronin before he got hurt. Before I knew what happened I stepped in the bear trap and fell down in pain. I turned and saw nothing there and that I was stuck. I shrieked a bit from the pain as I tried to pull it open. It was hard to and it hurt. I ended up loosing my grip and it snapped on my ankle again. "OW!" I shrieked again as I heard Ronin calling me. "RONIN! I'M IN A BEAR TRAP!" I hollered as he quickly came into view and tried to pull it open. As he was starting to I saw a shadow right behind him. "LOOK OUT!" I screamed as I slipped my ankle out, barely, and flipped him over me before I felt a sharp pain going from my left elbow to my shoulder. I knew he clawed me as I felt the blood trickle down. "ARG!" I cringed loudly and started falling before I felt a pair of arms pick me up bridal style and started running to the direction of the car. He opened the passenger side and got me inside before he closed the door and ran to his side, got in, started the car and drove off quickly.
We were now almost in town as he had his jersey jacket on my arm for me to hold to stop the bleeding. "That was a werewolf! A real werewolf! And I fed it! Oh fudge bars!" Was all I could really mutter out. "I was wrong. They exist! I never should've brought you out here. I thought it was fake. I'm so sorry Aria. You almost got killed. I'm taking you to the hospital to have you stitched up. I'll call Archie when we get there." He said as we soon made it to the hospital. Once we got there I was taken into urgent care and stitched up. Ronin called Archie as soon Archie burst into my hospital room. "ARIA!" he shouted as I looked at him. I was drugged up on morphine to delude the pain. I was trying not to cry but I could tell that my eyes screamed fear. The doctor said thanks to my boot my ankle wasn't too bad. Archie ran up to me as Ronin slowly made his way in with a doctor. "Are you alright?" He asked as I nodded. I was still holding Ronin's, now bloody, Jersey jacket close to me. "Mister Andrews. Ronin and Aria claimed to be attacked by a wild animal and that she got stuck in a bear trap. Other then some stitches she should be fine. We found hair in her wound and were looking into it now. She wasn't bit so no rabies shot is required. She'll be able to walk again in a week since it wasn't that bad. She's free to go home tonight if she wants. She's lucky this young man was there to help her otherwise she would have ended up worse or dead." The doctor said, motioning to Ronin, as he then left. "What happened?" He asked Ronin with an attitude. "We were attacked." I said barely above a whisper as Archie turned to look at me. "It was a werewolf Arch. We heard whimpering in the bushes and I thought it was an injured dog and...and." I said before I started crying from the fear. Archie came over and hugged me. "Ronin saved me….Twice. Three times if you count the hospital trip." I said through tears. A group of thugs I was tough as nails but a werewolf attack was a breaking point I guess. "I never should've let her go out there in the 1st place. I'm truly sorry Archie. I meant no harm." Ronin said as Archie looked at him. "You helped her instead of abandoning her. I'm glad about that. Besides; Aria would've gone out there on her own anyways. I'm just glad you were there to help." He admitted as I looked at Ronin. "Thank you." I said with a gentle smile. "You saved me too. You got your arm clawed because you moved me away from that attack. I didn't even hear him. I should be thanking you." He said with a smile.
Archie and Ronin left the room as a nurse came in and helped dress me. She gave me a crutch to use and Arch and Ronin helped me to Archie's car. "I'm sorry about your Jersey Ronin. I'll clean it up. And I'm also sorry about the blood in the car. I'll clean it up too if you want." I told him as he shook his head. "Don't worry about that. I'll clean up my car and my Jersey. You worry about getting better." He said as he went to take the jersey from me but held it closer and leaned away from him. "Let me clean it please? I insist." I said as he sighed and agreed. The two helped me into the car as we said our goodbyes. Archie hopped in the car and drove us home. Explaining this to my aunt and uncle would be difficult. Archie said he'd take care of that for me and I thanked him. I had 54 stitches on my left arm, 9 stitches on my ankle and none on my right wrist area. I've never had that many stitches before. We made it back home and Uncle Fred freaked out on Archie about not keeping an eye on me while Aunt Mary kept hugging me and checking me for other injuries. Before Uncle Fred could ground Archie I told him this wasn't his fault and even if he was with me that the wolf, didn't mention the were part and won't till after the mystery, would've attacked either way he finally caved in. I was recovering over the weekend and by Monday they wanted me to stay home and rest but I insisted on school. I couldn't stand bed rest for too long. Plus I cleaned Ronin's jersey and needed to return it to him. Archie mentioned that Reggie pulled a werewolf prank on him, Betty and Ronnie and thought he went to far with me but I told him that that was too real. I figured he would still hold Reggie responsible until the real werewolf was found. Oh well; Reggie deserves it.
I was waiting in the car with my school stuff and a note from the hospital saying no gym for a few weeks, ok for me, as adjusted the crutch a bit. I was wearing my biker shorts with a purple tank top and white sneakers, because of my ankle, and no gloves because of the stitches and bandages. I did my eye make up, the usual half wing eye liner look, and black studded earrings and a black choker. I saw Archie lock up as he got in the car and we were on our way to school. "You really shouldn't be out and about. You do need rest." He told me as I shook my head. "Archie I can't. I'm not that hurt. I'll be ok. If it gets too much then I won't go tomorrow. Besides your going to need help catching that beast and I have a score to settle." I said as I punched my fist into my hand. "No Aria. Your hurt. I'm not letting you get hurt." He told me. "Archie I need to-" I started before he cut me off. "No. End of discussion." He told me as I leaned back into my seat and pouted the rest of the way. When we parked Archie helped me out of the car. "I can manage." I said in a humble way but he still insisted on helping me. We were walking to the school doors and I heard some kids laughing at Archie and making wolf comments until they saw me and stopped laughing immediately. "I look like crap, huh Arch?" I asked him. "No. Just beat up." He said in an awkward way as he rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. I look like crap." I mumbled as Jughead came up to us. "Hey Arch. Hey Ar-OH MY GOD! Aria what happened?" He asked as I shook my head and sighed. "I got attacked by a werewolf." I told him as Archie scoffed. "I still think it was Reggie going to far." He mumbled as Jughead looked at me. "You ok? Need help?" he asked as I shook my head. "I'm ok. I just need to go see Mr Weatherbee to get a pass for the day." I told him as soon the 3 of us started walking. As we were walking people started making jokes but then stopped and gasped when they noticed me. "I swear if another person cracks a joke, I'm going straight to Principal Weatherbee." Archie said before he bumped into the principal and fell down. "Oh sorry Mr Andrews. By the way, Whats this about taking Miss Cooper and Miss lodge to a 'dog show'? * Chuckles*" He said. "Hehehe. Good one sir." He said as he got up. Principal Weatherbee finally noticed me and gasped in horror. "Miss Andrews what happened?" He asked me. "The 'dog show' I saw was disastrous." I said, while using his joke on him, and handed him the note. "I need to either be excused from classes early or a pass to be ok being late." I told him as he looked at my note from the doctor. "Of course Miss Andrews. If you care to follow me I'll give you a pass until you recover and I'll let the gym teacher know of you injuries." He told me as I nodded and followed him. I made it to homeroom, on time, as I heard gasps and whispers. I ignored them and let Archie help me to my desk.
Once homeroom was done I, as fast as I could, hurried to my classes. Once I hit choir class I felt pain. I didn't want to take my pain killers cause they made everything wibble wobbly so I settled with Tylenol instead. I was late to class. "Miss Andrews care to explain why you are tar-Oh my word!" She said as she looked up from the papers she was looking at and saw my injured state as I showed her the pass and sat in the comfy seat. "* Clears throat* Alright then class. Lets see where I put my music sheets and the we may start." She said as I relaxed in my seat. Soon the boys came up and checked on me. "Ronin told us what happened. Are you alright?" Geoff asked as I nodded. "Yeah. Just hurts a bit. If I take my pain meds then I can't concentrate. I'll be alright though." I said with a weak smile. "Alright class. Let's begin." She said as the sheets were handed out. After Choir the boys helped me out to gym class, since the teacher let us all out a couple minutes early, as I dug in my bag for the jersey. "Ronin? Here." I said as I pulled the jersey out and handed it to him. "I said I would clean it and I kept my word." I said as I smiled at him. "As I said, you did not have to. But thank you." He said as he took back his jersey. We were all talking and when we arrived at the gym I went straight inside and sat down on the bleachers and waited for everyone else. When gym class started Ronin and Tyrone kept me company for a bit and Archie and Jughead kept Reggie away from me claiming that he caused my injuries. Ronin kept apologizing and I finally told him to stop. After class Ronin and Tyler helped me to the cafeteria, where the other boys were waiting, and sat me down as they brought me lunch and helped take care of me. Archie, Betty and Veronica checked up on me and Archie even said he didn't like this but I brushed him off. Betty thought this was nice and Ronnie got a bit Jealous over this but thought it was cool. The rest of the classes went by smoothly up till art class. Tyler, Collins, and Jimmy partnered up with me again, even though it was a free day, and asked me to draw them again. I did and I was glad my wrist wasn't in too much pain from all the writing. I drew one copy when class ended I told them I'd take this copy home and draw two more to finish. They gladly agreed to that. We met up with the others and when they saw the picture I drew they wanted them done as well so I told them I would another day. We got to Archie's car, where he and Jughead were, and I said my goodbyes as they helped me into the car and drove off.
Archie wanted to drop me off at home but I really wanted to go to Pop's and after 10 minutes of fighting, and me giving my puppy pout, he caved, hard, and took me with them to Pop's. When we got there we saw a cop talking to Reggie about his prank and that how some pets and an innocent girl were harmed. I knew he was talking about me. I looked at Reggie and saw that he looked frightened. * He didn't do those things.* I thought as we went over to them. "Huh? But-but I only scarred Archie last night." He said as he then noticed us. "Archie! Old buddy old pal. Tell him I was with you at 9. Tell him!" He said in a panic. I looked over and saw Archie give a sly smile. * Oh no!* I thought. "Yeah Sheriff, Reggie was annoying me at 9 o'clock sharp." He started as Reggie sighed. "But all I know after that was at 10 o'clock he hurt and scarred my cousin Aria and left her in stitches and tears." He said as Reggie gasped and dropped his gloves and mask before he finally got a look at me. He was frozen. "Is that true young lady?" The Sheriff asked me as Reggie snapped out of it. "What? I might be upset that she wouldn't date me but I would Never hurt her. Aria tell him. Please!" He begged as I looked from him to the Sheriff and back. "I believe Reggie." I said as everyone gasped. "I know it wasn't Reggie who attacked me and Ronin that night and I believe him when he said he didn't do those things. I can't alibi for him but I can say it wasn't him who attacked me." I said as I went over to Reggie and put a hand on his shoulder. "He might be mean, rude, and an idiot." I started as he cut in with a "Hey." and I continued. "But Reggie isn't that mean nor petty of a person. He looks genuinely scarred and that, alone, tells me he's telling the truth." I'm not that vengeful of a person and even so Reggie was facing serious crimes and needed help. "Well I still have to take him in without a proper alibi. Thank you for telling me this Miss. We'll find out who attacked you and stop him." The Sheriff said as he grabbed Reggie's arm and led him away. "Why did you defend him?" Archie asked as I looked at him. "He might be mean but he's not violent. Plus I know what attacked me and nothing you can say or do can change my mind. Reggie could go to jail Archie. For life! And I don't want either of us to be the reason why his life is ruined over a stupid prank." I said as I went to a table to order food. Soon Archie and Jughead sat down with me. "I'm sorry Aria. Jughead reminded me that there might really be a werewolf since Reggie might not have done those things." He said in a small amount of shame as I smiled at him, Jughead sitting next to me carefully, as I spoke. "It's ok Arch. I know why you did that. I understand how protective you are. Never the less you should talk to a werewolf expert who isn't me. All I know is you need a full moon, not every time but sometimes, a wolf bite for sure, and a pentagram." I said with a smile. "Oh! And silver harms them and might stop them from transforming if they wear it." I added in as Archie smiled at me.
Once we finished eating they took me home as they went to find this 'expert' and see what they could find out. After watching a couple Disney movies I had decided to shower and get ready for bed. Uncle Fred and Aunt Mary weren't here so I had the whole place to myself. I had taken my pain meds and decided to shower when I got light headed and slipped. I landed on my stitched arm and the shower curtain and rod fell on me. I was having a hard time getting up. These pain meds kicked my butt, hard. After a 10 minutes I heard someone call my name. I heard a knock on the bathroom door. "Aria?" I heard and heard another voice. "Archie? Is that Betty? I fell in the shower." I said as I heard the door open. "It's me." I heard Betty say as she got the rod off me, turned the water off, and wrapped a towel around me before sitting me on the closed lid toilet. She grabbed another towel and helped dried me while checking my stitches. Once we knew they didn't pop she helped me into m pajamas and then helped me to my room with Archie following close behind. "Thanks Betty. I slipped on some soap. My pain medication is making me even more drowsy than I thought." I told her as she noticed I was starting to nod in and out. "It's ok. Let's just get you to bed." She said as she helped me lay down on my bed before she covered me up. "You were right Aria. There really is a werewolf." Was all I heard Archie say before I fell asleep.
* Archie's POV*
"Thanks for helping her Betty." I said as I looked at Aria sleeping. I felt horrible. I shouldn't have let her go out. "It's ok Archie. I don't mind helping. And don't blame yourself. You had no idea at all. At least Ronin saved her." She said as I sighed. "I guess your right." I told her. "Besides, if she's going to help out with your mysteries then a few more might be dangerous. She's tough though. From what Ronin said she kicked it and fought back. She can handle a lot." She reminded me as I sighed. "I just wish I could protect her." I confessed as Betty looked at me. "I know Archie. That's why I care about you. Your kind, sweet, and protective. But so is she and she can fight. You can't protect her all the time but you can at least be there for her." She said as I nodded. We left Aria to sleep and I took Betty home, right next door, and then went back inside to sleep.
* Aria's POV*
The next day I was eating lunch with Archie and Jughead instead of the boys, claiming that we have a weird mystery to type and solve, as Archie started typing. "Well it's not you. It's not Ronin and it's definitely not Aria." Jughead said as he ate a candy bar. "And it's not you, Jughead, though you do wolf your food down." Archie said as I giggled a bit at that. "* Ohm* I'm a growing boy." Was he said before finishing his candy bar. "Could it be Principal Weatherbee?" Archie questioned as we imagined him as a droopy dog. "Nah." Archie replied to himself while shaking his head. "How about Pop Tate?" Jughead asked as we then imagined a pointy eared bull dog. "Negative." Archie said as he shook his head again. "Maybe Moose Mason?" Archie asked as I laughed at the image of Moose turning into a moose. "Naw too big." Archie said while he leaned on his fists and shook his head in a light no manner. "It's gotta be someone else." Was Archie's next sentence as I noticed Jughead look at a pissed Reggie. * Why is his jersey sleeve ripped?* I thought to myself. "Thanks for leaving me out to dry yesterday Andrews. The sheriff didn't let me go till dinner time. At least Aria stood up for me." Reggie scolded as he motioned towards me and then continued to scowl at Archie. I looked over and saw Archie give a look. * Oh no. He's going to blame him isn't he?* I thought as Archie hummed in thought for a few seconds. "You mean you were free last night? How about Reggie?" Archie asked us. * Yup. Called it.* I thought. "Right size, Right build, right jacket." Jughead said "What are you babbling on about?" Reggie asked as I stepped in. "Everyone on the team has one though." But I was ignored as Archie pulled Reggie right next to him and continued. "Reg. You might be the werewolf." He said as I rolled my eyes. Reggie got up. "Uh-huh. Right. Change your name to Jim Carry and make me laugh." He said as I laughed lightly at that joke. That caught Reggie's attention for a bit before Archie grabbed him again and yanked him back down. "This is no prank." He said as he pointed to the rip and continued to talk. "How'd your jacket get ripped up?" He looked down and noticed it and lightly scratched the back of his head. "I, um, don't know. I went to bed early with a headache and when I woke up it was on the front porch and ripped." He confessed truthfully. How weird. * I still don't think he's the werewolf.* I thought to myself. "Don't you see? When the moon rose you blacked out and turned into a werewolf." Archie said as Reggie gave him a skeptical look. "The same werewolf who attacked us in that same jacket. And the same one who hurt Aria." Jughead angrily pointed out. I wonder why this hit him hard. I mean I know we're friends but it seems….different. Oh well. I'll figure that out later. "I attacked you?" He questioned before he smiled widely. "Cool!" He added as I sighed and smacked my forehead. "Not cool. You almost hurt Betty and Veronica. Not to mention you already hurt Aria a few nights ago." Archie pointed out as Reggie then looked sad and hurt. "Woah. If I hurt them they'd never speak to me again. And I hurt Aria. I never wanted to hurt you. I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?" He asked me. "Reggie I don't think your the werewolf but if you are then I forgive you. You didn't mean to." I told him as he sighed a sigh of relief. "Still, your a menace Mantel!" Jughead said in a mean way as Reggie then hung his head before resting it in his hands and let his fingers run through his hair. "Oh brother. You might be right." He said as he then turned to Archie and grabbed him. "Archie what should I do?" He asked all scarred now. "I have an idea." I said as they looked at me. "How about we lock him up? Maybe the sheriff can hold him for the night to see if he's the werewolf or not. I still doubt he is but just in case." I said as Reggie smiled at me. "Aria I could kiss you. Your a Genius. I'll do it. For you." He said as I rolled my eyes.
After school we went down to see the sheriff and explained the situation to him. Soon we closed the cell door on Reggie as he smiled and sighed when the sheriff locked it. "Thanks sheriff. I feel safer already." He said as the sheriff looked at all of us. "Ok. But I hope this isn't one of your high school pranks." He said to us. "It's just for tonight sir. And if Reggie does turn into a monster at least everyone will be safe." Archie said. "And if he doesn't, everyone will still be safe." Jughead pointed out as I softly giggled. "Well don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him. Maybe we'll solve this case after all." The sheriff, in a slightly stern voice, told us. Archie then turned to Reggie. "Don't worry Reg. If you are a wolf, we'll see that you get professional help. In the mean time can I get you anything? A face comb? A flea collar?" He asked in a joking way as Reggie snarled and then tried to reach through the cage to grab Archie but was not fast enough because Arch moved back just in time. I turned and looked at Archie. "I'm going to stay here with him. If he is a wolf I want to see the transformation and document it for the article. If he's not one then I can document it as well." I told them as Archie agreed to it. I went over by the bench, across from the sheriff's desk, and sat down while pulling out some of my homework to do and decided to help Reggie out with his. When they left it was boring. The sun was setting and I was bored and I could tell Reggie was too. Once the moon was out was when I really paid attention. I noticed the sheriff playing with his bandages. "Looks nasty. Cut yourself?" Reggie asked. "No. Old man Channy's dog bit me after it got loose last week. Well he calls it a dog but we all know it's a wolf." He said as that peaked my curiosity a bit. * A wolf? Wait. A wolf bite is one of three things. And he has a pentagram? His badge! A five pointed star! Reggie has neither! Then that means….uh oh!* I thought.
"Oh by the way Reggie. You left your jacket here last night. I went to return it to you." He said as Reggie looked up. "You mean I didn't have my jacket last night?" Reggie asked. "Sheriff! I know who the beast is!" I bolted up quickly as he looked at me. "It's you! You have a pentagram and were bit by a wolf! Your the werewolf. You black out." I told him. "Thats ridiculous I could never...could never...oh." He said as he then started sweating. His bandaged arm then turned into a wolf arm. "What's wrong Sheriff?" Reggie asked as he got close to the door. I grabbed my cane to use as a weapon and started making my way to the corner to be hidden and protected. "Reggie! He's the beast." Was all I had time to say before he started growing fur, then a snout, then claws and fangs along with yellow glowing eyes before he fully morphed into a werewolf. Then he howled a horrific howl. Reggie soon started screaming and then yelling for help before the beast lunged at his cell and tried to get him through the bars as Reggie backed up as far away from the door as he could. "N-n-n-nice doggie. Y-you don't want to eat me. I'm spoiled." Reggie said as the beast tried to rip the barred door open. It looked like he might succeed.
"Hey Sheriff!" I hollered. Soon the beast turned and saw me. "Remember me?" I asked in a taunting way as I readied my metal cane for battle. He snarled and fully turned to face me. "No Aria! Your hurt!" I heard Reggie cower a bit. "Exactly!" I said as the beast slowly made his way to me. I didn't move at all. Once he was almost half way to me he decided to run at me. I swung my cane and missed the 1st time before I swung again and hit him in the arm. I went for a 3rd swing before he grabbed the cane. I gasped as he used it to throw me at the desk. I had lost grip of the cane and it was flung somewhere else. I started getting up when I saw the beast hover over me. I tensed up as I screamed and waited for the claws to swipe me. They never came. I opened my eyes and saw Archie, on the beast's back, trying to hook the silver chain to his neck. "Archie!" I screamed in surprise as he was then flung off. The beast looked at me again and before he could attack me he started choking on the chain before he reverted back to his human form. "Archie. You did it! You broke the curse!" Jughead said as Archie went up to the Sheriff. "You ok sheriff?" Archie asked as the sheriff rubbed his head. He stopped and looked at Archie. "Is it true? Am I really a-a werewolf?" He asked in disbelief. "Yes sir. But don't worry. I believe that as long as you wear silver, you won't change back." He said as the sheriff held the ring on the chain and smiled as he shook his hand. "Then I'll never take it off." He said with a smile. "Can I have some help please?" I asked as Jughead rushed over, with my cane, and helped me up. "I'm very sorry I attacked you Miss Andrews. I-" He started before I cut him off. "It's alright. You weren't in control. I forgive you." I said with a smile. We released Reggie from the cell, who promised not to make up stories anymore, and we all went home.
The next day after school we were at Pop's and, as I sat at a booth with the boys and told them what happened, I tuned out Reggie's made up side of the story. I saw Archie leave with Betty and Veronica and smiled. They boys told me how brave I was but I told them that I was, indeed, scarred but did what I did to save a life. Even if that life was Reggie. I was soon brought home and later that night Archie and I did our article together. "To this day people still think that the 'Werewolf scare' was one of Reggie's practical jokes. And to this day they still think Aria's injuries came from a wild wolf.~Archie. But as Reggie learned, hopefully I, Aria, thinks he did unlike Archie, practical jokes can be risky things. And can sometimes, even, hurt people.~Aria. Fortunately Werewolf problems are a thing of the past….In a little town called Riverdale.~Archie and Aria!" We finished the article to be put into the paper and we both went to bed. How interesting this mystery was. And painful. But it was all worth the fun and thrill.