Abby laid down a blanket by the entrance of the bunker. Fangs and her sat down to open a basket that held BLT sandwiches, sweet potato fries, and sodas. "So what was the point of the party, if not to get rid of the body?" She opened a bottle.
"To sell the story that we exiled him." Fangs gave her the answer that Jugs said when he asked the same question.
"Did the sheriff believe you?" She asks.
"No, he plans to come back to get the truth from Jughead." He told her.
"Is that why you've been anxious lately?" She folds her legs on top of each other.
"No, I know that FP wouldn't arrest us. I'm nervous about the Gargoyle Gang. They are looking for Tall Boy. I'm afraid of what they would do if they found him here. They're crazy. They truly believe this game is real. I killed their leader. I'm going to die a creative, disturbing death." He suddenly lost his appetite as he looked at the food.
"The Gargoyle Gang…. huh… I don't think you'll need to worry about them." An idea pops into her head.
"What? Don't think because we're hidden in the woods we are safe. These are their stomping ground. It is where most of their games are set." He had an ear out for their rowdy howls.
"Do they have a camping area around here too?" She asked.
"No, they live in the old slaughterhouse." He stretched his legs out.
"How fitting," She rolled her eyes.
"Yes, and I'll be put on a meat hook if they catch me." He wished he had never taken that undercover job.
"Why are you here alone anyways?" She asked about her missing boyfriend.
"Sweet Pea is tailing Hermione Lodge for Jughead. He got hired by Veronica to see if she shot her father." He was more paranoid about every noise after his friend left.
"Oh, maybe he'll learn some tricks following the mayor." She hummed.
"Like how to abuse power." He snickers.
"Well, keep the basket." She got up. "I told Ms. Shapely that I would help her with the kids today."
"Alright, be safe." He nods.
Abby was walking through the Southside. It was rough before but now it looks like a setting from an apocalypse movie. With the groaning drug out zombies drag themselves along. She clutched the peppery spray she had in her jacket's pocket. "Hey," She whipped around to see a guy with an uneven jaw and dark hair. He was wearing a ghoulie jacket and ripped jeans. "Yeah, I recognized you. You were supposed to be Malachai's prize."
She looks at his patch. "A ghoulie. I thought they were extinct."
"Oh, such a smart mouth with nothing to back it up." He grabs her arm to drag her closer. "I think you'll be the perfect thing to lift his spirits."
"Take your hands off of her." A teen with greasy hair, dressed all in black appears around the corner.
"What do you care about a Serpent's girlfriend, Kurtz?" He sneers at the rival gang member.
"She is a goddess!" He rushed over to rip her away from the enemy's grasp. "Scrubs like you shouldn't even lay your eyes on her. It makes me want to carve them out." Her eyes widen when he opens up a switchblade and thrust it at his face.
The only reason he wasn't bleeding out was that he jumped back. "Fucking psycho." He retreated. Abby realizes she might have made a grave mistake.
His mood went from rage to smitten when he turned to her. "I knew you would come. That if I played the game to the fullest I would be acknowledged by the Gargoyle Goddess." He cups her face and stares deeply into her eyes.
She had to control every facial muscle to stop from flinching as he rubbed his thumbs along her jawline. "I came to talk to you about Tall Boy." She put her hands on his arms to gently push them down.
"Don't worry, I'll find him or who killed him. His soul is supposed to be yours and you'll have him." He let go of her to stand straight like a soldier ready for his marching orders.
"I have already taken care of him." She held her head high and her voice firm. It became easier every time she pretended to be the goddess.
"You have." He looked at her in awe before he hung his head in shame. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have gotten your hands dirty."
"I took care of him because I didn't want his soul." She went on when he looked confused. "He was dishonest. He didn't believe in me. He was using you guys to further his grudge against the Serpents. I couldn't let him live after taking advantage of all of you."
"Let you take care of the body. I have experience, you can trust me." He had to keep his goddess safe.
"It is being taken care of, don't worry." She couldn't take his offer. Jughead would not allow him near the bunker. Sweets and Fangs would be furious that she went behind their back to do something dangerous.
"You trust those Serpents to do the job." He questions.
"I do." She nods.
"If they fail and it blows back on you. It'll be another mass sacrifice. Did you get the rosaries? I couldn't believe it when I was collecting them: diamonds, pearls, gold, and emeralds. For nuns, they sure like the finer things." He chuckled.
"You collected them?" She asks.
"The King selected me." He puffs his chest in pride. "I'll get a note stating the place, I find the bodies and get the item. I try to find something good for you but sometimes they have nothing. I didn't expect the teens to have anything but I thought the Warden would have more. The badge is gold, so I figure you could melt it down."
"So, you were the one to sneak into my room." She was creeped out to think he had been in her room while she was sleeping.
Instead of answering, he grabbed her hand. "Come back with me. The guys wouldn't believe it if I told them."
"Well… I…ah.." She stuttered.
"Don't worry, I won't let any of them near you. None of them are at the level yet." He pulls her to the abandoned slaughterhouse. She looked up at the hooks that were hanging from the ceiling. She stares at the ground that had blood stains. She swore she could smell something rotting. She noticed the pile of trash that was around the place and realized it wasn't her imagination.
Gargoyles bow down on the dirty floor when she enters the building. A boy peeked up at her and got kicked by Kurtz. "Did she tell you to look at her? You're always greedy, Tadpole. You pick the gold door, open the jeweled treasure chest, every time you suffer but you never learn." He beats him.
"I have to be somewhere in three hours." She looks down at her watch.
He wipes the blood on his hands onto his jeans before walking to her side. "You got to pick up the little girl."
"Umm… how did you know that?" She was shocked at how he stated it as a fact.
"You're leaving around the time school gets out." He shrugs. "Your debut at the La Bonne Nuit is tomorrow, right?" He was planning on taking a shower and wearing his nice clothes to get in.
"How did you know that?" She had kept a tight lip about that.
"The flier." He pulled it out of his pocket.
She grabbed it to see it was advertising the Gargoyle Goddess singing at the speakeasy. "That damn Lodge." She was singing in the middle of the day to get used to being on stage. She was hoping for an empty room.
"Do you want me to take care of her?" He offers.
"No, it's fine." She hands him the flier back. "Didn't you want to introduce me?"
"You need no introduction." He shook his head.
"You can get up off the floor." She told the crowd. It was making her uncomfortable to see them on the disgusting surface.
They got on their feet. "Our Goddess has paid us a visit to tell us about Tall Boy. He was pretending to be a believer to get us to do his bidding. She saw through him and took care of him. For that, we'll devote and give our lives for her."
"There is no rush." She waved her hand.
"No, they will have to prove themselves until they get that privilege." He glares at Tadpole.
She was walking downstairs to the speakeasy. She had on a flapper dress that she got from a thrift store, thinking it matched the decor of the place. "You made it." She was surprised to see him.
"I wouldn't miss your debut. Apparently, the Gargoyles quieted down. A Serpent sneaked by their hideout and said they were having some type of celebration. They no longer care about Tall Boy. Fang was able to take over for me, so I could come." Sweet Pea grabbed her hand and held it above her head to spin her around. "Make the string dance."
She giggled as she spun around. "Hey, why did you come in that dress when you sent one here?" Reggie came over to ask.
"I didn't send a dress." She tilts her head.
"Well, someone did along with shoes and accessories." He nods to the dressing room behind the curtains.
The couple walks into the back to see a long garment bag, a shoe box, along with a jewelry box. She opens the boxes to see gold hoops and high heels. She unzipped the bag to see a green sleeveless dress that had a sweetheart neckline and a high slit. Sweets pick up an envelope that was under the boxes. "They made a seal." He showed the wax seal that was a gargoyle.
She took it from him to open it. "Sorry, I can't be there in person but I hope you get the praise you deserve. Love, the Gargoyle King."
"Are you going to wear it?" He asked.
"I don't know. I mean… maybe… it's nicer than what I got." She felt the silk. He made a noise of disapproval. "What?"
"In the beginning, you were uncomfortable with the gifts. You donate them or track down the people to give them back. But, now you seem to like them." He could see her slowly embracing the role she was given, it made him worry. "You're even answering to it now when people call you it."
"There is no point in arguing with them. They refuse to change their minds. So what, if I accept a gift or two? You were fine with it when it was money to help the Serpents." She was annoyed with his hypocrisy.
"Wear it, don't, it's whatever." He walks out.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door. "Come in." She took a seat in front of the vanity.
Reggie walked in. "Everything okay? Sweet Pea looks mad."
"The Gargoyle king sent me a gift." She nods to them.
"From the actual guy, not a follower." He picked up the card.
"Sweets doesn't think I should accept the gifts." She told him.
"It's a no-win situation." He shrugs.
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"If you wear it, it could be a sign to this guy that you accept him. It might make him and his followers bolder. But, if you don't wear it, it would be a form of rejection. An unstable guy like this, that might be dangerous." He took a seat on the other chair in the room.
"So, I should wear it and maybe he'll reveal himself to me." She made her decision.
"What if he kidnaps you to do that?" Reggie was shocked at how rash she was being.
"He wouldn't hurt me. If you're so worried then why did you advertise the goddess singing here? You knew it would be packed with G&G players…. Now go, I have to get ready." She shoved him out.
Sweets drank his whiskey next to Archie at the bar. The place was packed with G&G players but what filled him with questions was all the gargoyle members. They had grown bold with the masks in their hands. "Hey, you're her boyfriend, right?" He turned to see a guy wearing a black dress shirt and ripped jeans.
"Yeah, that's me." He glares.
"You better treat her right or else?" He threatens.
"Or else, what?" He challenges.
"I'm sure your friend Fangs could give you an idea. I haven't said anything until now because you've been doing a decent job. But, she was on the Southside today by herself. A ghoulie had her in his arms, if I didn't get to her in time she would be Malachai's chew toy?" He addressed the issue.
"Why was she there?" He was asking himself more than the guy in front of him. He was ready to go back to the dressing room to get some answers.
"To inform us about Tall Boy." He told him.
"What?" His jaw dropped.
"I'm guessing, your attitude towards us is why she kept it a secret and went alone. Without Tall Boy there is no reason for us to be enemies as long as you keep out of our business and take care of her, then we're fine." He took a step toward Sweet Pea. He could smell the fizzle rocks on the guy's breath. "She's a rare creature. A goddess on earth. She should get everything she wants. I don't want to hear about her wanting anything."
"Dude, get over your delusions." Archie shook his head.
"What did you say, Red Paladin?" He switches his attention to the reckless teen.
"Hey, no fighting or I'll kick you out before the singing begins," Reggie warns all three of them. They turn their heads when the clicking of heels could be heard. Abby steps out in green silk. "Hi, this would be my first time performing so forgive my nerves." She spoke in front of the microphone. She looks over at Josie, who gave her a thumbs up. The teen had given her tips on owning the stage. "You're tall, dark, and handsome. You're charming and then some. Know how to romance 'em…." She sang Slow Dance by Kelly Clarkson. As she sang, she noticed everyone in the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves. It made her confidence grow.
She was on her fourth song, Earth Angel by The Penguin. "Earth angel, Earth angel, please be mine. My darling dear, I'll love you all the time. I'm just a fool, a fool in love with you." She stopped singing when a slam was heard. She ran over when she saw a security guard had Archie face down on the bar. "Hey, hey, it's fine. Reggie." She hissed.
He waved off the security guard. "I cut him off and he got angry." He informs her.
She looks into her brother's glossy eyes. Josie came over. "Continue your set, I'll take him home." She struggled under his weight when she put his arm over her shoulders.
"Dracula, help her get him home." Kurtz orders. A strong-looking teen came over and carried Archie out.
"Why is he nicknamed Dracula?" Josie asked.
"Don't worry, he won't take your blood. He knows better than to hurt one of the Goddess's friends." He did little to reassure her.
"Um…. okay." She follows them for no other reason but to not leave Archie alone with him.
"If you will finish your set." He turns to Abby.
"Sure." She went back on stage. Sweet Pea was bothered by how he took control of the situation to take care of her problem.
"What the hell were you doing on the Southside?" He confronted her as soon as the door behind them closed to the Andrews' house.
"The Gargoyle Gang needed to be calmed down." She put down the ziplock bag that was filled with her tips. Josie would have been jealous of the hundreds and fifties that filled the bag.
"Then why didn't you say something?" He crossed his arms.
"Oh, like you would have let me go." She scoffs.
"Hell no, those guys are crazy. You heard the stories from Fangs. One of their guys likes to drink blood." He pointed out.
"I'm not some helpless princess. I am capable of doing things." She was tired of being pushed to the side.
"You know what you're also not? A goddess. You've been feeling like it lately because of the way everyone has been treating you. But, you're not an immortal." He was worried but it was coming out all wrong.
"Neither are you, but you go off all the time doing reckless things. You are stalking a mob wife. What do you think would have happened to you if you got caught?" She tilts her head. "She would kill you. You didn't ask me for permission before you did that. So, don't ask me to do things you won't reciprocate. At least I'm following my own order and not from some guy I don't even like because of a symbol I wear on my back."
He bit the inside of his cheek. "You know what, this symbol means something deeper than you could ever understand, Northsider. It is more important than anything in my life, including you."
"Then, find yourself a Southside girl. Oh, that's right, you can't go there because you were chased out. You couldn't even defend your own turf, some legendary gang you got there." She taunts.
"Fuck off." He slammed the door on his way out.
Abby was watching the news. Alice Cooper was interviewing FP and Hermoine. It was an interesting story of Tall Boy shooting Hiram. He put up a fight when he was being arrested making FP have to shoot him. Her phone rang, "Hey Kurtz."
"I see your guys did a good job of getting rid of the body." He was also watching the news.
"Yeah." She hummed.
"I have some bad news. The fizzle rocks were burned along with the equipment to make them. Our money will be down for a while. We won't be able to spoil you like we normally do." He told her.
"It's alright. I don't need expensive gifts. My favorites are the homemade ones." She picked up a paper with a detailed drawing of Vegas on it.
"Yeah?" His voice went higher with interest.
"Yeah. When is your next campaign?" She was interested in seeing what a live-action game looked like.
"Soon, don't worry. I'm writing it now. We have more pressing matters like why you were home alone last night." He passed by the house on his way home.
"What, you think I'm defenseless too?" She sneers.
"No, I know you're powerful. But even the greatest kings had guards." He reasoned.
"I don't know when my guards will be coming back." Harsh things were said on both sides and she wasn't ready to apologize.
"Then we'll get you better ones." He looks around at his gang.