Chapter 45: Ship Of Ghouls!
*Aria's POV*
"Please Archie?" I asked him for the 5th time.
"No Aria. Not today." He said as I pouted.
"But you promised! And Spring break's almost over!" I said in a huff.
"Just not today." He told me as I pouted.
"What's going on?" Aunt Mary asked as she came inside. Uncle Fred was still gone on his business trip, and would be for an extra week so, she came home and was in charge.
"I wanted to go back to the beach and Archie won't take me like he promised." I said to her.
"When was this?" She asked me.
"He promised me when break started and now spring break is almost over." I said as I sat down and huffed. He promised and now it's the end of spring break.
"Archie why won't you take her?" She asked before I butted in.
"Because he's going on a date this weekend with Veronica on her father's boat and he doesn't want me there." I pouted with a sigh.
"Well let me see what I can do." She said as she then picked up the phone. Archie and I grew confused for a moment.
"Hello, I'm looking for Veronica Lodge." We heard her say as Archie and I grew wide eyed.
"Yes hi Veronica, It's Archie's mother. I heard you would be with my son on your boat…...Uh-huh…...Yes….Well I was also wondering who else would be there…..Mhm…..Oh really?…...So Archie told you she didn't want to go?…...And you're sure Reggie, Betty and Jughead were invited?….I see….Well, could you be a dear and call Reggie, Betty and Jughead for me. Aria will be there as well….Thank you too…..Alright….Tell your mother I said hello the next time you see her…..Alright goodbye." She said as she hung up and then turned to stare at Archie.
"So, funny story, Veronica said she invited Aria, Reggie, Jughead and Betty and you told her they had other plans together. Hm~ I wonder why?" She asked as I then glared at Archie.
"I, uh, guess I misheard her." Archie said nervously as I got mad.
"I understand you want private dates but, not only you promised me and Veronica knew that, but you lied to me." I said as I tried to stay calm.
"Aria you go ahead and pack a small bag for the weekend. Veronica said it was alright to be there for the weekend. I need to talk to my son alone right now." She told me as I got up.
"Alright." I muttered as I went up to my room. I was packing up a small back with Allegro on my bed. He was looking at me with his ears down. He gave a small whine when I pet him.
"I can't believe Archie lied to me. To me!" I said as I felt upset. What else could he have lied to me about? And why? As I finished I heard a gentle knock. I then saw Archie poke his head inside.
"What?" I snipped out.
"I wanted to say sorry." He started before I glared at him. I decided not to say anything as he sighed and continued. "It was just going to be me and Veronica tomorrow and then everyone next weekend. I wanted it to be romantic but now the surprise is ruined and I think Veronica might be mad at me." He said as I still glared at him.
"Betty will be too." I said to him.
"I know." He sighed out.
"And Reggie." I said to him.
"I know." He sighed out again.
"And so am I." I said to him.
"Yeah, I know." He told me with another sigh.
"And Jughead might be for lying to me." I told him as he hung his head.
"Archie you could've told me. I would've been fine with all of it." I told him as he looked up at me.
"Really?" He asked me shocked.
"Yes. If you plan on a secret romantic date you can tell me. I wouldn't tell." I told him as he sighed with small relief.
"Still mad?" He asked me.
"Yes." I told him.
"Would it help if I told you Betty and I can teach you how to scuba dive?" He asked me.
"I'm sure Betty would've either way." I told him.
"Then a burger at Pop Tate's?" He asked me. I looked at him.
"Two?" He asked as I still glared at him.
"Alright, um, his largest sundae with everything as my treat for saying sorry?" He asked me as I smiled.
"Sure. I have to get my pay anyways." I said with a small smile. What? Food tends to win me over. Especially if it's from Pop Tate's or made by Jughead. Dilton, well, he tries at least. Archie just chuckled as we hugged. We then left, after telling Aunt Mary we'd be back, and head straight over to Pop's. I got my pay and Archie paid for his largest sundae with all the toppings I wanted and even extra whipped cream. Pops joked about how Archie must've got me mad and I laughed saying it was true. Archie got a burger with fries. We talked, laughed, he said he was sorry and shouldn't have lied to me, and then we left. On the way home we talked.
"I think Betty is a better girl for you." I told him flat out as he grew shocked.
"What?" He asked me as I smiled.
"I like her. She's kind, sweet, nice, sincere, forgiving, patient, smart, friendly and would be a better match for you. Don't get me wrong, I like Veronica, but I think you and Betty look cuter together." I told him as he went red.
"Well it's my choice." He told me.
"I know." I told him as he looked at me.
"Well, as much as I don't like it, I think you should be with Jughead." He said as I sputtered.
"W-what?" I questioned him.
"Jughead's my best friend and, as upset as Dilton would be, Not many girls like Jughead's weirdness. Big Ethel does but that's a different reason. You seem to understand Jughead better than anyone, even me, and I'm his best friend." Archie told me as I blushed.
"Well, just like you, it's my choice." I told him as he chuckled.
"I know." He said as he pulled into the driveway. Once we got out of the car I saw a familiar blond heading this way. Uh oh.
"Archie Andrews!" She yelled out as he flinched. I went over and patted his shoulder.
"Nice knowing ya." I said as I darted inside.
*Next day Aria's POV*
Okay. Now it's Friday, in march I might add. We're not too far away from April and today was a very hot day. Veronica, Reggie and Jughead took Reggie's car there while Archie, Betty and I took his car there. It felt lonely in the back seat without Jughead. Did I really like him more than Dilton? No. No that's not it. I'm just so used to him in the back seat with me. I think if I didn't work on inventions with Dilton I'd feel the same way. As soon as we got there I ran to Jughead and jumped in his arms. What? I'm a bit clingy. He doesn't mind one bit. We started going onto the boat/yacht. It was large.
"I brought some burgers from Pops for us." He commented as I smiled.
"That's so sweet." I said as he kept his arm around my shoulder.
"Where's Allegro?" He suddenly asked me.
"I left him with Aunt Mary. We didn't know how he'd act out here so we decided to leave him there this time. I think Aunt Mary just wants the company until Uncle Fred comes home." I said as he smiled and tried not to laugh.
"Makes sense." He said as we saw lawn chairs and everything. It looked so nice. Veronica showed us the rooms and they were nice. We got saluted by the captain as Veronica explained he would be here to drive the boat we could enjoy our weekend. That was nice. We got to pick rooms. It was cool but there were two halls. The boys were on the left and girls to the right and in the middle was a separate hall that lead to different places and when you make a 180 from that hall would be the small set of steps to get to the top of the ship. I picked a room closest to the exit and to Jughead as he did the same thing. I changed into my swimsuit and decided to get some sun. I rubbed sun tan oil on me and tried to get my back.
"Need help?" I heard Jughead ask as he came over to me.
"Please?" I asked him as he smiled.
"Sure." He said as he took the bottle. I laid on my stomach and he rubbed the oil on my back.
"Mmm, that feels nice." I muttered as I relaxed. Soon Jughead stopped rubbing my back, I felt disappointed after that, as I let the sun hit me. I could hear the girls and the boys talking, maybe arguing, and roaming around near the steps before it quieted down a bit.
"Wonder what that's about." Jughead said as he munched on a burger.
"Not sure." I said as I decided to flip over. When I have tanning oil on I tan within 10 minutes after 30 minutes with it on I burn. Badly.
"Burger?" He asked me. I nodded as he handed me one. I finished the burger and laid down to finish up while Jughead ate more.
"You don't want more?" He suddenly asked me.
"When I'm done. If there's none left then I'll whip up something." I said as I relaxed even more so.
"If you're making food then I'm in." He said as he ate another burger. I lightly laughed as I then felt too warm. I got up and stretched.
"Time to rinse off." I said as I felt the boat stop in the middle of the ocean.
"Great timing." I said, mostly to myself, as I ran to the left, where there are a few steps that lead to a flat part to jump in the water and climb back up, and jumped in the water with a splash. I opened my eyes and looked around me. It looked so beautiful. There is a beach in NYC but the water is a bit muggy and not much life to see. This, however, looked gorgeous. The water was very blue, the seaweed looked very green, the few fish I saw looked so bright and beautiful. I swam to them and they swam around me. I decided to swim down a little further and saw more fish. I then need air so I swam up to the surface.
"Enjoying yourself?" I heard Archie ask as I looked at him, on the boat and in swim shorts, and smiled.
"Archie! The ocean's wonderful here! You have to see all the pretty fish!" I said as I then took a huge breath and went back under. The day was over. I saw so many different fish. We would go scuba diving tomorrow. I couldn't wait. I climbed out of the ocean and peaked up to see Jughead holding a plastic cup filled with orange soda for me. It even had a cute little purple umbrella. I smiled and climbed up the steps and went over to him.
"Thank you." I said as I took a few sips.
"You'd make a gorgeous mermaid." He told me as I blushed lightly.
"I don't go swimming often so, when I do, I enjoy it for as long as I can." I told him as he smiled at me. I took another sip while smiling. This was an awesome day.
"Ew. Gross. What an ugly scar." I suddenly heard Reggie comment. I realized he hadn't seen my scar yet.
"You should cover it up Doll Face, it's not that attractive." He suddenly added as he looked the other way. I felt tears well up in my eyes.
"Reggie you're a jerk!" I yelled and, as he turned to me, threw my soda in his face and stormed off to my room. I could hear all of them yell at Reggie before I slammed the door shut and sighed. I had a couple tears fall as I wiped my eyes. I grabbed a towel and decided to quickly shower. It only took me 10 minutes to wash up before I started drying off. I put on my panties and green shorts when I realized I forgot my purple top, the same pajamas from the sewer mystery. I went into my room to grabbed it. What harm could it do? I grabbed it when the door opened.
"Hey, listen, I'm so-" I heard Reggie start before he froze up. I looked and saw him staring at my exposed breasts. He was blushing a bit but had a perverted look in his eyes as he was gawking. I covered my breasts, even though he saw every part of them, and let out a super loud girly shriek. Honestly, I've never shrieked so loud and high pitched in my life.
EVER!
"Get out!" I screamed.
"But-" He started before I grabbed my shoes and threw them, one at a time, at him and hitting him.
"Get out!" I screamed again as he covered his face and ran out. I was so~ embarrassed. Veronica and Betty came inside to check on me and saw me the way I was. I told them what happened and was still flustered. Reggie might've been annoying but he was still my friend…...Sort of. But now after this little event, I don't think I could face him. The Valentine's Day incident was bad enough. I was just starting to get over that too. He'd seen me exposed in a bathing suit, but seeing me exposed like that? Great.~ They went and told Archie and Jughead what happened before Reggie could weasel his way out of it. I put my shirt on just in time to see Jughead, eyes covered by his hand, and trying to knock on the door.
"Aria? You okay? Are you decent?" He asked me as he gave up trying to knock.
"Yes, you can look." I mumbled out. He took his hand off his eyes and looked at me.
"You okay?" He asked me as I was still red.
"Would you be?" I asked him as I sighed.
"I already smacked Mantle and Archie and the girls are yelling at him right now." He told me as he came over.
"That was so~ humiliating." I said as I sighed in annoyance. I had to calm down. I then felt Jughead pull me into a hug as he rubbed my back.
"Mantle won't be doing that again." He told me as I sunk into the hug.
"He should've knocked." I muffled out through his shirt.
"He knew better." He said as he held me tighter.
*I wonder if he's even more upset because it was Reggie and not him.* I thought as I nuzzled closer to him. I loved it when he held me close like this. I felt like I could fall asleep.
"You okay?" Archie suddenly asked, ruining the nice moment.
"I just calmed her down." Jughead said as he kept me close to him.
"I can't believe he did that." Jughead added in after he sighed. I pulled away and as I looked at Archie.
"I can't believe she made a sound like that." He said with a snicker.
"Shut up." I mumbled to him as I blushed lightly.
"What kind of shriek was that? You've never once shrieked like that." Archie added as he tried not to laugh.
"Shut up! He surprised me alright!" I nearly shouted at him as I blushed an even deeper red. Archie then started laughing before I slugged his arm. After all that, and Reggie practically begging on his knees for forgiveness thanks to Veronica, we all went to bed.
*Next day Aria's POV*
We all woke up and I made breakfast for everyone, with Jughead's help, as the boat swayed a bit. It was another bright, sunny and warm day today. Perfect! Archie told me to wait until it got warmer to go swimming…...I didn't listen. I got in my swim suit, admiring my now close to mocha colored skin in the mirror for a bit, before jumping in the water. I swam with some of the fish throughout the morning with joy. I swam near the bottom when I thought I saw a large fish tail swim in the seaweed. I went to see but had to go up for air. After I got air I went back under again and got closer to the seaweed. I saw it again. I went to chase it but it was gone. I decided to give up and go back to the boat. For now. I get up on the boat and hear music. I go lay on a lawn chair and see Jughead eating a burger.
"Got another?" I asked him. He nods and hands me one. I smile and took a big bite of the double cheese burger with mayo.
"Yummy." I say happily. The order went Veronica, Jughead, me then Reggie. I just ignored Reggie and enjoyed the music that played.
"So, Doll Face, Need me to rub some sun block on your back?" He asks me as he goes to grab it. I grabbed it 1st and moved it next to the Mayo.
"No, thank you. I'd rather have my boyfriend touch me. You've done enough." I say to him as I tried not to make it sound harsh.
"Aw come on Doll Face. I said I was sorry." He says to me. I just huffed and finished my burger before looking away.
"If it makes you feel better, they look nice." He says to me. I punched his arm very hard. He yelped and held it.
"Ok ok. Message received." He says as he starts rubbing it. I smiled and relaxed for a while. Betty shook me and let me know to suit up. I smiled and got ready to scuba dive.
"Reggie. Could you be a dear and rub some sun screen on my back?" She asks sweetly to him. He jumped up immediately. I rolled my eyes.
"Pathetic." I mumble as I got the suit on. I turned and tried not to laugh. He was rubbing mayo on her instead…..Oops. Maybe I shouldn't have put it next to the mayo in the 1st place…...Oh well. She's gonna kill him. I saw Jughead try to tell him but Reggie kept shushing him. He called Ronnie filthy rich and she took offense to the filthy part. Archie and Betty mentioned the diving and Ronnie perked up and asked for a souvenir. I wasn't paying much attention. I just tried not to laugh. Betty pushed Archie backwards then showed me what to do before going in the water. I went to the edge.
"I'll find you something nice Jughead. And Reggie…..You're putting Mayo on Ronnie's back." I say before putting in the mouth piece and fell into the water right when I heard Ronnie yell out mayonnaise. I saw Archie and Betty start swimming so I decided to follow for a bit. We swam to the bottom and I saw a pretty shell. It was flat and white. I grabbed it and put it in my bag before looking around for more. I swore I saw that fish tail again near the seaweed. This time I could find it. Or so I thought. I went down and couldn't find a thing. Well, I saw another shell. It was the same kind of shell but smaller. I grabbed it and put it in my bag. I then saw a blue shell. Then another. Then a pink one. They all looked different as I started filling my bag. What? I don't get shells often, if at all. I then saw a pile of shells. Ok. Weird. I looked around but saw nothing. I shrugged and put as many as I could in my bag, checking to make sure nothing was living in them, before swimming to the top. I put the bag on deck and saw Jughead.
"Jughead, can you get me another bag? I found a pile of shells." I say to him. He nods and brings me another. I smiled and dove under again. I put more shells in the bag and swam some more. I then found a sunken ship and smiled. I swam in and looked around. I found some cool antiques and then I found a shark tooth in the ship. I pulled it out and smiled at the sight of it. I put it in the bag and investigated some more. I found the captains quarters and looked around in wonder. The ship was old, very old, and falling apart but it was amazing never the less. Wish I had my camera. Oh well. I swam around before deciding to go back. I swore I kept seeing something but I might have been imagining it. I got to see more fish and decided to play with them, aka swim and chase them, before climbing onto the boat. I saw Archie looking worried as the girls each hugged an arm.
"What's up?" I asked as I pulled myself out.
"There's someone or something down there. In the bed of sea grass. I swear!" He said in a small panic. I tilted my head.
"I actually agree with you. I found some shells put in a pile in a spot where they weren't before." I say softly.
"Huh. That is weird." Betty said softly.
"Who cares! They're shells! Archie found a real gold trinket!" Reggie said in pure shock.
"What?!" I shout as I take my tank off and go over to him. Ronnie showed it to me.
"Could I see it for a minute? I'll give it back." I asked and then told her.
"Sure." She said and handed it to me. I felt strange holding it but ignored it. I was looking it over thoroughly.
"I swear I've seen this before. In a book maybe. Perhaps it's connected with the sunken ship I found." I say before giving it back to her.
"You found a sunken ship?" Archie asked me in shock.
"Yeah. I even found a shark tooth! And some old antique nick knacks. Not just shells." I say as I aim the last part to Reggie. I grabbed my bags as the gang kept talking. I put my souvenirs in my room before I started walking back. I saw Jughead with a huge plate of burgers and grabbed one.
"Yummy!" I say as I bite into it. I then see dark clouds and swallowed.
"We need to head back. There's a storm heading this way." I say to them.
"She's right. We better head back before our buns get wet." Jughead said to them. I giggled lightly at what he said before lightning flashed and thunder roared after it. We started heading back. Reggie started acting a bit weird but I ignored it. I ate a couple more burgers before heading down to my room to dry my hair and change. I made sure to lock the door this time. I decided to lay down for a bit, after unlocking my door, and ended up falling asleep. What? Swimming tires you out. I was woken up by Betty.
"Are we there already?" I asked sleepily.
"Yeah. The guys took Reggie's car to Doctor Beaumont's to talk about Veronica's necklace and the sunken ship you found." She tells me.
"Did Archie leave us his keys?" I asked her.
"Yes." She said.
"Good." I said as I got up. I grabbed my bags and followed her into their room as Betty packed up. The storm was over us and the waves made the yacht sway. Good thing I don't get seasick. Betty, however, didn't look so good.
"Gosh girls, It's getting bad out there. I'm starting to feel queasy." Betty said as she held her head. I felt bad. Veronica was admiring herself with her hand mirror.
"Archie's such a sweetie." She says as she holds the necklace. I rolled my eyes. Then Betty screamed.
"What is it?" Veronica asked as I turned and saw why.
"Someone's living in my souvenir. I'll have to toss him back on our way out." She said sadly. I smiled.
"I don't know. I think he's kinda cute." I say as I pet it gently. It didn't try to pinch me.
"I'll let you have one of my shells." I tell her.
"Thanks Aria. By the way, What are you going to do with all of them?" She asked me.
"Make a necklace, a couple hair clips, maybe earrings if they're small enough, stuff like that." I say as I stand up. I then thought of something.
"Ronnie, can I see that again? It's bugging me that I know I've seen it before." I asked before telling her this and made my way over to her.
"Oh fine." She said as she took it off and handed it to me. I tinkered with it.
"Careful! Don't break it! Archie gave it to me!" She whined out as I opened it.
"It's a key!" I yelped out as I saw what I did. Betty came over and looked.
"You're right. It looks like a key." She told me.
"Where have I seen this?" I ask myself as I looked at it more.
*Reggie's POV*
We gathered around a book that read about the necklace Archie found for Ronnie. He read about it being a key to a royal treasure chest stolen by pirates back in the year 1700.
"The treasure, the ship and the key were lost at sea by a hurricane." Archie said.
"That's the ship Aria must've found." Jughead said. I then gasped and smiled.
"If we could find that sunken treasure, than we'd be rich!" I say as I thought about it. I could picture me in front of the chest full of treasure, and wearing some of the jewels, as Betty and Veronica came up and kissed each cheek as I smiled. I looked at the chest and saw Aria sitting on it and blowing me a kiss with a wink as I smiled wider. I stopped the imagination and looked at the guys before smiling a wicked smile.
*Correction...I'd be rich.* I thought as I took my keys and left. I got in my car and drove off quickly back to the docks.
"Oh yeah. When I get that treasure, I'll buy a yacht just like Veronica's. And a big mansion just like Veronica's. Heh, Then I'll buy Veronica. And Betty too. I'll definitely buy Aria too. *Chuckles* I'm going to be so filthy, stinking, dirty rich, I'm going to own all of Riverdale." I say to myself as I drove quickly in the storm.
*Archie's POV*
"Unfortunately, the pirates were cursed by their own greed." I read after Reggie said something about us being rich. I heard the door slam and looked up to find Reggie was gone.
"Guess he got spooked." Jughead said as he held the candle a bit closer to the book for me to keep reading. Stupid storm cut the power.
"What else does it say?" Jughead asked me. I looked back down to continue reading.
"Apparently, the pirates were forbidden from entering the after life. Now as malevolent ghouls, they roam the ocean floor, guarding their sunken treasure for all eternity." I read out loud. I wasn't going to admit I was freaked, even though I was, as I turned the page to read some more.
"During the 1800's, this treasure was the most sought after treasure in the world. But the pirate's curse kept it so well protected, that all who sought it perished." I read out as I read the last word with slight fear. Jughead gulped and looked like he might start shaking. Then the lightning flash and the three of us grew closer together as the thunder boomed.
*Aria's POV*
I closed the key up and gave it back to Veronica.
"We should see the guys at Doctor Beaumont's. Maybe I saw this in one of his books." I said as I tried to think back. I usually go to the store once a month to look around, yet haven't bought a thing, and was allowed to read certain books. It was cool. Anyhow, Betty was looking outside to see the storm as Ronnie put her necklace back on.
"It's really coming down hard." She tells us.
"We should hurry up then, before it gets worse." I say as I go to grab my bags. I pulled out my black hoodie with silver outlines, silver studded angel wings on the back, and a silver studded A that was small on the front over my heart, and zipped it up.
"Well come on girlfriends, before we have to swim home." Veronica said as she put on a jacket that matched Betty's. Wait a minute. Those were the coats they wore to spy on Dorsa. Never mind. I then heard Veronica gasp.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I turned to her.
"I saw something." She said in a scared tone. Then her and Betty clung onto each other. I rolled my eyes.
"What? What did you see?" Betty asked her as they shook.
"I don't know. They looked like eyes. Glowing green eyes." She said to me. Now I was curious.
"Just like what Archie saw." I said, mostly to myself, as I looked at the window. I saw nothing.
"Let's hurry." I say as I grabbed my small bag and my souvenir bags. Just then, the window shattered. I jolted up. Veronica ran to the door and opened it. Bad move. She and Betty ran but then screamed and ran back in. I looked and screamed as I saw a ghoul trying to get in through the tiny window. The girls screamed as Betty went for the door again.
"Betty wait!" I screamed but she opened it. The ghouls were standing right there. Waiting. They slammed the door all the way open and hit Betty in the face.
"Ouch." I heard her say as they moaned and walked right inside….Towards Veronica. She smiled and talked money to them, trying to bribe them. I smacked my forehead.
"Oh for the love of..." I mumbled before I started attacking them.
"Veronica! Run! Now!" I yelled out to her. I saw Betty and Veronica leave. The pirate captain grabbed my neck and threw me. I went through the closet door. That's all I remember before everything went black.
*Reggie's POV*
I finally made it. I ended up running to Betty and Veronica. Perfect.
"Hey Ronnie, I know it's only been an hour, but I've really missed you." I tell her. I had pushed Betty away and held Veronica close while talking. I pulled the key off her while she was distracted.
"Wha? Reggie!" She said in shock as she moved away from me.
"Ghouls! Archie? Where's Archie?!" She asked in pure fear.
*Ha! Ghouls don't exist, but that treasure does!* I thought.
"At that wacko Beaumont shop. Why?" I asked to keep up the ruse. Then they started running.
"Ghouls Reggie! Come on!" Betty yelled out as Veronica screamed. I didn't care. I let them run. Why? Because I had the key and the yacht.
"I'm gonna be richer than you.~" I sang out softly to myself. I chuckled and kissed the key before I got on the yacht. I turned it on and drove through the small dock and out to sea where we were before. Once I was there I anchored, suited up, and scuba dived right into the water.
*Archie's POV*
I was resting my head on my fist, elbow on the table, just thinking when Jughead took the book.
"500 pounds of gold and jewels?! That's a lot of hamburgers!" He said excitedly as he licked his lips. That's when an awful idea popped in my mind.
"You don't think Reggie was dumb enough to go after that treasure, do you?" I asked both of them. Please let the answer be no and that he just went home.
"He doesn't stand a chance. Anyone who sought out the treasure never made it out alive." Doctor Beaumont warned in a strict tone. Man, he can be creepy at times. What made him creepier was when the lightning flashed. The thunder rolled just as the door flung open. I hoped it was Reggie but it was Betty and Veronica.
"Archie!" Veronica yelled as she entered 1st.
"Archie! We saw them too!" Betty yelled after her and they both hugged me.
"Saw who?" I asked them.
"You're green eyed ghouls! They tried to get us!" She said as she tried to calm down.
"They tried to take my-*Gasp* My medallion! I lost it! Oh no! Archie, I'm so sorry." She said as she looked ready to cry.
"Uh oh. Let me guess, you ran into Reggie didn't you?" Jughead asked as he looked at the book.
"Veronica did. Then I did down at the marina." Betty told us.
"Um…..Where's Aria?" Jughead finally asked. The girls looked at each other before they screamed 'Oh no!'
"She was fighting off the ghouls!" Veronica said to us.
"We didn't mean to leave her!" Betty added in.
"We need to get down there, now! Reggie and Aria are in trouble!" I said as we ran to my car. Thank goodness the girls drove here. We got in and I drove us down there. I parked the car and we ran out to where the yacht was docked. It wasn't there.
"Oh no! Reggie must've borrowed daddy's yacht!" Veronica yelled out.
"How are we going to get him now?" Betty asked us.
"I don't know, but I hope Aria's alright." I say as I tried to think.
"We'll take my yacht. Come on!" Jughead said as he walked to a different part of the marina. We looked at each other in shock. We followed though. "You have a yacht?" Veronica asked in shock. Jughead put his life vest on and tossed us some.
"She's not much, but 10 more payments and she's mine." He said as he showed it to us. It wasn't a yacht. It was a motor boat. Why didn't it surprise me.
"That's not a yacht!" Veronica yelled out.
"Hey! Don't dis the S.S. Aria!" He yelled out as he hopped in.
"Well?" He asked us. We put the vests on and hopped in. We soon sped off. I hope Reggie and Aria are alright.
*Aria's POV*
I woke up after feeling the yacht started moving.
"What the?" I questioned as I tried to get out of the closet and the smashed door. Just as I stand up the yacht did a sudden stop, which caused me to fly forward, and hit the wall.
"Owie." I whimpered out before slowly standing again.
"What the sail is going on?" I say out loud as I head up deck. I saw someone in a scuba suit suddenly go in the water.
*Not good. In this storm, they might get hurt.* I thought as I looked around. I saw no signs of the pirate ghouls nor the gang. But I did find Reggie's clothes.
*If that was Reggie, then he's just as dumb as I thought.* I thought as I rushed to put a suit on. I got into the cold rough waters and swam. I looked around and saw nothing.
*Where would he go?* I thought as I decided to swim around. I used my flash light to see where I was going. I soon saw another light.
*The sunken ship?* I thought as I followed quickly. I swam inside and found him. I had no idea the ghouls where behind us. I followed him. I had a bad feeling. I looked behind me and saw teeth. I screamed and swam. I found Reggie and grabbed him as I kept swimming. He looked behind him and was soon swimming as fast as I was. It grabbed his flipper and tried to eat him. I stopped and punched the sharks nose just as Reggie got the flipper off him. He then swam out the hole. I followed. I followed him into a small ditch. I got there and saw treasure.
*Now I remember. This is the cursed treasure I read about in the shop…..Oh sail boats!* I thought as I swam to him. I grabbed his shoulder to get his attention. He looked at me with glowing green eyes. I shut the chest. I gave him a look as I shook my head no. He had a mad look and shoved me back before opening it again. Then the ghouls shut it and growled at him. Uh oh. Reggie took the key and started swimming. I followed. They were on our tails. We were almost grabbed until a giant whale came and hit them. It forced them away from us and carried them a ways away. I smiled and exhaled in relief. He knew we were in trouble.
*Thank you friend.* I thought as I looked around for Reggie.
*Archie's POV*
We had seen no signs of Aria, so we figured she went after Reggie. Betty came with me as we suited up and went into the water. We started swimming around in search of the two. Our lights shined in the water as we swam further and deeper. We soon found the sunken ship Aria had found. We swam to a hole and a shark swam and turned right in front of us. Betty and I froze in fear as it swam off. We then saw a chewed up flipper and thought the worse. Betty and I sadly hugged each other. How were we going to explain this? Betty suddenly jumped, which made me jump. We saw Reggie, missing a flipper, and waving at us with both arms. He then wanted us to follow him, so we did. We followed him inside the ship to an air pocket. Once up we pulled the masks off to talk.
"So? You've come for the treasure huh?" He asks in a rude tone.
"No. We've come to save you. Where's Aria?" Betty said to him before asking about Aria. That was a good question. Where was my cousin. We then felt the ground shake.
"I don't know." He says and shrugs.
"Listen to me. There's a curse on that treasure. Anyone who takes it, never comes back alive." I tell him.
"That's a load of crumb cake. I tried to take it and I'm still alive." He tells us.
"Aria probably saved you." I point out.
"Whatever." He mutters with an attitude.
"We came to get you and Aria. So lets go Reggie." Betty tells him. He didn't look to happy to hear that.
"Oh no. You just came down here for the treasure, just like Aria did. Well, you can't have it. It's mine!" He tells us before he shoves us back. He then puts his mask on and swims off. Great. We then felt another shake.
"What was that?" I asked.
"Well, unless I missed my guess, the volcanic crust is becoming unstable." Betty tells me.
"Then we need to get Aria and Reggie back to the Yacht. Quickly." I said. We put our masks on and dived.
*I hope Aria's alright.* I thought as I worried about her.
*Aria's POV*
I felt the shaking and knew instantly what was happening.
*If I destroy the treasure it'll save Reggie. Now I just have to find an opening so I can push the treasure in it.* I thought as I looked around. I got lucky and found an open spot. It was barely big enough and had hot air bubbles and steam spilling out. Perfect. I quickly swam to the treasure and started pushing. It was heavy. 500 pounds under water isn't easy to push mind you. But I had to do it. As much as Reggie annoyed me, he was still my friend…..Sort of. I started pulling and felt the shake again. I looked and the crack became larger. I had to hurry. I could tell I was getting closer, because of the heat, when I felt something hit my head. I saw Reggie push me away and go for the treasure. I tried to fight him. I was mad beyond all reason. I then saw two people helping me. It was Archie and Betty. They were trying to help me before the 3 ghouls attacked us. They went after Archie, Betty and Reggie as I was left alone.
*They can handle it. I need to destroy this.* I thought as I got behind the chest. I pushed it and it tumbled down the small slope. I went and started pulling it to the cracks.
*Almost there.* I thought as I kept pulling. The ground shook again and the cracks spread to the chest. I saw the ghouls coming at me. I had to swim back. Archie and Betty were holding Reggie back just as the chest fell into the cracks where there was lava.
"The treasure!" The captain ghoul yelled as him and the other two ghouls swam after it. Reggie didn't look so good as Archie and Betty pulled him up to the surface. I started swimming up before looking back. I saw the treasure and the ghouls melt and burn up before I followed the three back to the yacht. Once on board we got our tanks off and set Reggie down on the lawn chair.
"Reggie? Are you alright?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I'm fine now." He said as he took a few deep breaths.
"I don't know what came over me. I just couldn't resist all that treasure." He told us as he looked around before slumping back.
"Let me guess, the treasure was from the 1700's, stolen from royalty, and had a curse on it?" I asked them.
"Yeah. How'd you-oh yeah. You read it some time ago huh?" Jughead asked me. I nodded yes
"Reggie was affected by the curse. The curse of greed. Tha'ts the reason why he acted the way he did and had glowing green eyes." I said as I came to the conclusion. I then realized something.
"Here Veronica. Saved this for you. And don't worry, no curse on it." I said as I tossed her the medallion back.
"What? But how?" She asked as she smiled at it.
"It fell off Reggie as I was swimming back up, so I grabbed it. I figured you'd want it back. Plus, no treasure, no curse." I concluded to her. She smiled and held it close to her.
"Thank you." She said sweetly.
"Anyhow, if we did have that treasure, we'd be on easy street for eternity." Reggie said to us. I rolled my eyes.
"Some things are more important. Like friends." I say to him.
"Eternity. One of the many things money can't buy." Betty said to him. I nodded in agreement. Then I heard Veronica gasp.
"Wow! Would you look at that!" Betty said in surprise. I looked at where they were looking and gasped. It was the pirate ship. Well, actually, a ghost of it. I'm sure the 3 ghouls are now ghosts on their way to, Valhalla I think? Maybe heaven? Wherever they believe in. It disappeared into the sun, since the storm finally ended, and that was it.
"The treasure being destroyed set them free." I said softly with a small smile. That's when I felt a hug. From Reggie.
"Thank you so much for saving me!" He tells me.
"Um….You're welcome?" I said in a question. Reggie being nice tends to get me like this. Especially after the Robo-Reggie incident.
"You do care about me! Maybe even love me!" He says flirtatiously. I shoved him off me.
"Woah! 1. I kind of care. We're friends….Sort of. 2. No way! I don't love you! I just barely like you!" I scold him.
"I'll win your heart one day. And Betty's. And Veronica's." He tells us. I rolled my eyes at him. We made it back to the docks as Reggie non stopped apologized. Reggie begged Veronica to let him take her on a date as an apology. She said yes. Archie took Jughead and Betty home, we cut the weekend sea trip short, I got to keep all my souvenirs, except a shell and an antique that I gave to Jughead and Betty. Archie and I went inside. I showed my loot off and Aunt Mary was, well, I think okay with it. Either way, they're mine. After I put the bags in my room, I ran up to Archie's and began the article. We soon got to the conclusion.
"When the treasure was destroyed, thanks to me, the pirate ghouls were released from the curse and able to leave this plain of existence and move onto the next. At least that's our theory. ~Aria. I think Reggie realized how close he came to becoming a ghoul himself and is now becoming sincere, though not necessarily always affective, to acquire for his selfish desires. ~Archie. Yeah. He hugged me and claimed I loved him. The hug was weird. And I don't love him. I barely like him at all. ~Aria. Anyways, maybe one of these days, he'll realize there's more to life than riches. ~Archie. …...In a little town called Riverdale! ~Archie & Aria."
I stretched and smiled.
"If you need me, I'll be in my room." I say as I ruffled his hair. I went to my room and opened my laptop. I looked up how to videos and began my seashell projects until late into the night. I fell asleep at my desk. I woke up drenched in a cold sweat. It was dark outside still. My nightmares were coming back.
*Great! Just great! Right when I got used to them being gone!* I thought as I sighed. I got into pajamas and went to bed in my bed. I woke up a few times before morning. Well, actually around noon time. I kept nodding off through out the day. Once Monday rolled around, I wasn't better. I kept falling asleep in school. I hoped I'd sleep better later tonight.