Chapter Twenty-Four: Betty
My blood runs cold, and for a moment everything slows down. My brain feels like it's frozen over, replaying all the horrible things I've seen Venom do to Jughead up to this point. Remembering that moment in the alley when I thought he was dead. They spared him then, but what about now?
After all, they made it very clear that he'd pay if I told the police.
I tear my eyes from Kevin's pale face to the small window, squinting at the dusty, barred glass. Am I being watched, even now? Did they let me make it all this way, just to punish me for breaking the rules? To punish Jug for breaking the rules?
If that video shows his last moments...it'll all be my fault. His blood on my hands, for the rest of my miserable life. I won't be ale to live with myself.
Oh god.
I did this.
I killed him.
Stupid girl, you made a big mistake! Venom's words from days ago - how many days? I don't know - echo in my head.
I was the one who picked the lock. I was the one who convinced Jug to try to escape. I was the one who tried to hide in that alcove.
I'm the one who killed him.
"Betty?" Kevin's voice cuts through the ringing that has begun in my ears. I turn to look at him in what feels like slow motion. "Are you okay?"
"Give me the phone, boy," FP demands, reaching as far as he can through the bars in an attempt to reach Kevin. "Let me see my son-"
Sheriff Keller pulls the phone out of Kevin's hands, and something about that action is what clicks time back into place around me. "No, this is evidence for the case. I'll take a look in private and then we can discuss -"
I don't fully register how I got there, but suddenly I'm in the Sheriff's face, a strange and wild rage building in my chest. "Give it to me," I whisper, sure my eyes look as crazed as I feel at this moment. I'm losing control - or I've already lost control - over myself. It's hard to tell, really. I've felt helpless for so long now that it's all a blur of panic and anger and fear.
"Betty, I know you've gone through a lot, but I need you to calm down," Keller tries to reason with me, the levelness of his tone somehow only adding to the anger. Something about his demeanor is too calm, too professional, too controlled. Like he's been down this road so many times, with so many people, that I'm just another on the list. Just another panicked person who needs to be calmed down.
I don't think before ripping the phone from his hands, quickly stepping away until my back presses against the edge of the cell.
"Elizabeth!" Mom gasps, grabbing my arm. "Under no circumstances are you going to watch that video! You're coming home with me - you will not get involved, do you understand?"
"Shut up, mom!" I cut her off, voice rising to a shriek as I push her away, keeping the phone out of her reach. "I've been involved since the very beginning whether you like it or not! There's no way in hell you're keeping me from seeing what they did to Jug!"
"Betty, you don't know what that video shows," Sheriff Keller warns, raising his hands in an attempt to placate me as he takes a step closer. "There are some things that you'll never be able to unsee, trust me."
"I've already seen plenty of things I'll never be able to unsee," I reply coldly, shaking my head. "And if they - if it shows..." I have to take a deep breath to steady myself. "I'll be imaging it, anyway. I have to know."
"Betty…" Kevin speaks up timidly. "I don't know if Jughead would want you to watch that."
"Well," I swallow around the growing lump in my throat. "Jug isn't here to stop me, is he?"
Sheriff Keller lunges for the phone, but I see it coming. I quickly reach behind me until I feel FP's hand grab the phone.
"Betty -" the Sheriff starts in warning, taking a deep breath.
My eyes squint slightly, jaw set. "Unless you're going to drag me out of here, Sheriff Keller, I suggest you step aside and let me do what I need to do." The man clearly wants to argue, and we hold each other's gaze for a long moment.
He finally shakes his head, and I think he's about to try to shut me down again when he opens his mouth. "Alright, Betty. But don't say I didn't warn you."
I turn to FP, who is standing frozen in his cell, eyes fixed on the screen. My gaze flickers down to see his hands are shaking slightly.
"Deliver this message directly to Betty and FP," he reads, voice rough. "If you tell anyone else, we'll know." My head snaps to the window again, heart clenching in fear.
"They might be bluffing, FP," Mom whispers, the sudden softness in her tone taking me by surprise. "I'm sure he'll -"
"I'm playing it," FP interrupts her, clearing his throat. He turns the screen so we can all see, hesitating as his finger hovers over it.
The thumbnail is enough to take my breath away, like a punch to the gut. Jughead, tied to a chair in the middle of a room similar to the one we were held in before. He's shirtless, most of his torso discolored with dark bruises that continue along his arms. His hair is visibly greasy and matted, which isn't new, but the crusted blood sticking to his lips and chin is.
"His leg..." Kevin whispers, horrified. I tear my eyes from Jughead's face, panning down to his blood-soaked thigh. A tourniquet covers the wound, his jeans messily cut away from the area. Then there's the pool of blood directly beneath it.
If I had any food in my stomach I think I would have vomited it by now.
FP looks back at me, panic written all over his face. "Was he like this when you were there?"
"No. Some of it, yes. But..not this bad…" I reply, voice barely audible even in the silent room. "Play the video, Mr. Jones."
The video begins, and tears have already begun to roll down my cheeks as Jughead's face scrunches in pain while Venom squeezes his fingers into his exposed shoulders. The gang leader is masked again, looking directly at the camera. Jughead still has his eyes closed. It looks like he's having a considerable amount of trouble breathing.
"Hello Kevin," Venom starts. "Veronica...Archie..."
Jughead panics at the names, but his protests are quickly cut off as the masked man slaps him across the face before moving the other to rest threateningly against his throat.
Why didn't he say my name? The thought nags at me, something feeling off. The text said the message was for me and FP, so why not address us directly?
"This message is a warning for you all. I know you are all involved by now, even though Betty received explicit orders to keep all of this between herself and FP. As it is, a reminder is clearly needed."
My eyes shift back to Jughead. His head is bowed, chest rising and falling with visible effort. My heart clenches at how weakened he looks, like he'd just crumple to the ground if he weren't tied to the chair.
"I'm sure you are all scrambling to figure out a way to get Jughead out of here; some way to convince the police that the Serpents weren't behind Jason's murder. I'd like to remind you of the consequences if you were to try. After all, Jughead doesn't look so good, does he?" My hands clench into fists, nails digging into my palms. Venom's tone is laced with even more mockery and anger than it was when I was actually with him.
"He's been trying to keep up a brave face for Betty's sake," Venom laughs, smacking a hand down onto Jug's shoulder. "It's admirable, in a pathetic kind of way. Just look at him! He's barely hanging on."
"I'm going to kill this bastard," FP growls, hand tightening around the phone.
"You know, I think Betty would like to see this video when we're done. What do you think about that idea, Jughead?"
Juggie finally looks up at the question, eyes squinted as if he's forcing himself to concentrate on the words being said.
"What?"
"I asked you a question, boy."
"I tuned you out. You talk too much."
"This is not the time for sass, Jughead..." Kevin sighs worriedly. I don't comment, but I'm thinking the same thing. I know it's Juggie's attempt to stay in control, but I'm terrified it will backfire on him and make everything worse.
"I said - Do you think I should show this video to Betty when we're through with you?"
Anger flashes across Jug's face at the question. "You're gonna have to wait a long time before you get the chance."
"Oh, is that so?" Venom laughs, drawing closer. "Because last time I distinctly remember you giving up after only a few minutes."
What the hell are they talking about? None of it makes sense, but Jughead is visibly furious, his eyes sparking as he leans towards Venom and spits in his face.
"Screw you!"
"Idiot," Kevin groans, and again, I can't help but agree, although my mouth is too dry to vocalize my thoughts.
Venom's fist slams down against Jug's nose, making him cry out as his head whips to the side. My own breath catches in my throat, Kevin and my mom gasping behind me. FP is visibly trembling with rage, only increasing as Jughead is punched again and again and again.
The gang leader seems satisfied enough to stop when the final hit sends Jug into a rattling coughing fit.
"Whose fault is it that Betty is broken and alone, right now, just down the hall?"
"What?" I whisper, surprise and confusion clouding my thoughts. Just down the hall? But that doesn't make sense. "What does -"
"Shit!" FP snarls. "Son of a bitch -"
"I don't understand," Kevin voices aloud. "Why are they saying -"
"They're toying with him," FP growls. "He thinks they still have Betty."
"It's your fault," Jughead's voice finally answers Venom's question, defiance clear in his tone.
I flinch as the comment is rewarded with a violent punch to Jug's throat. His wheezes and gags echo in the small, empty room. A fresh wave of panic rises in my chest as a particularly nasty cough sends blood flying from his mouth.
"Whose fault is it that Betty is here?" Venom sneers, crouching down slightly to meet Jug's gaze.
It takes a long time for Jug to compose himself enough to answer again. "Yours."
"You don't believe that. Do you? You know the real answer." Venom grabs a fistful of Jug's hair, the action bringing me the bitter memory of Jug complaining to me of how frequently he'd been manhandled by the hair and neck. They should come up with some new tactics, was what he had said.
The thought brings a fresh wave of guilt. He finally had someone there, someone he could trust, and I left him. I left him to die there.
"It's your fault," Jug snaps back evenly, somehow keeping his determination even when he looks like he could keel over any moment.
Venom lets out an exaggerated sigh. "Don't lie to me, Jughead. You knew you were endangering Betty when you tried to give away my identity, didn't you?"
"I would never put her in danger."
"Well that's just not true. You knew you were a risk to everyone around you, didn't you? The son of a gang leader - you had to know it was only a matter of time until you were dragged into FP's world. Which means you knew anyone around you would be, too-"
"No -" Jug protests, but I can see the way his breathing has sped up.
"And then you stayed with her even after finding out that your father killed Jason Blossom -"
"He didn't!"
"It's sweet how loyal you are to your father, kid, but he's already confessed. Twice, actually. So whether or not you believe it's true, the police have all the evidence they need."
"There's a video of Clifford Blossom murdering Jason!" Jug shouts back. "There's no way in hell they'd ever believe -"
"Except they do," Venom sneers. My eyes flicker briefly to FP, still locked behind bars. It's the truth - even though the police have a video of Clifford killing his son, they still believed FP's confession and arrested him for it. I don't know what he told them after I was taken, but it was enough. Although it probably doesn't take much convincing for the police to arrest the leader of the Southside Serpents.
"How does it feel, Jughead? Knowing your father will spend the rest of his life rotting in prison? Or that we're going to kill your girlfriend? Don't worry, she'll have some more fun before her time comes. I think some of the other men were jealous that Cruncher got her to himself earlier. Maybe if you behave we'll even let you watch this time."
Mom gasps loudly from behind me, my own mouth gaping open at Venom's words.
"Elizabeth - Did they -?"
"No," I shake my head resolutely. "No, they barely even touched me."
"They're just trying to get a rise out of him," FP's voice is murderous, his hand clenching tighter around the phone as we watch Jughead yank against the ropes pinning him down in the chair.
The bait clearly worked; it's like a switch was flipped. Jug went from exhausted to livid the moment Venom implied that they had touched me. The thought of what they've been telling him before this makes me sick.
"I swear to God I'll kill you! You're all dead - I'll kill all of you!"
"Not this again," Venom's voice is bored as he slaps Jug in the face. "We've already been over this, kid. You can make all the threats you want, but it doesn't change the truth, does it? Besides, we only hurt Betty because you broke out. If not for that you would still be with her."
My eyes clench shut. They did this to Jug because I escaped, I'm sure of it. He was hurt when I saw him last, but nothing like he is now.
"You think I believe that?" Jug retorts angrily, shaking his head. Even that small action looks like it was too much for him.
"We let you stay together before that, didn't we?" Jug's head droops, and for a moment I think he's passed out, until his slightly unfocused eyes are forced back into view as Venom grips his filthy hair. "Didn't we?"
"Yes."
"Exactly. And we could have taken her from that trailer when we took you, but we didn't, did we?" No, because I hadn't gotten myself in trouble, yet.
"No."
"And why do you think that is?" Because that was always their plan.
"Because you needed her to contact my dad."
"We could have done that through any of your friends, Jughead." No, because they knew I'm the closest to Jug.
"I don't -"
"Why did we bring Betty in when we did?" Because I made the mistake of trusting Penny.
"Shut up -"
"We only took her because you gave her information -" That's not true!
"No -"
"So whose fault is it, Jughead?"
Mine. The same voice that has been eating at me since I escaped is only growing louder as the leader keeps talking. None of this is Jug's fault. He did absolutely nothing to deserve or provoke any of this.
"Take a moment to think on it...Whose fault is it that Betty got roped into all of this?"
Jughead pulls away, seemingly unable to come up with a good response. I can tell he's jumping between thoughts, panicked and clearly wracked with guilt over what he thinks they've done to me.
"Just think - if you hadn't let yourself fall for her, she'd still be safe at home right now."
"Son of a bitch!" I shout, my hand slamming against the bars of the cell. I see Kevin jump in surprise - can feel Sheriff Keller's wary gaze - but I don't give a damn. These sick bastards are playing with Jug's weaknesses and using them to tear him up inside. I know Jug more than anyone; he's trying to hide it, but I can see the effect the words have on him.
Venom continues, and I swear I've never felt as much rage as I have at this moment. "You say you love her, but how could you put someone you love in so much danger, hm?"
"Shut up..." Jug's whisper is barely audible through the microphone. He's trying to put his protective walls up - I can tell by the stiffening of his shoulders and the way he refuses to look at anyone in the room. His lips form into a tight line, jaw clenching. He's trying so hard to stay strong.
"Whose fault is it, Jughead?"
"Yours." The response is quick and monotone.
'Whose fault is it?"
"Screw you." There's not enough fire behind the words, I can tell. The unbothered guise is already faltering.
"Whose fault is it?"
"Stop asking me that!" Jughead screams suddenly, yanking against the ropes as his searing eyes look back to Venom. A sick smirk can be seen through the mouth hole of the mask.
"I didn't want to have to do this again, Jughead." My breath catches in my throat as Venom pulls a knife from his belt. FP flinches almost as violently as Jughead at the sight of the weapon. "Careful, wouldn't want to cut you," Venom chuckles.
"Funny," Jughead mutters, voice uneven as he watches the gang leader warily.
"You never answered my question earlier - if that was your first time being stabbed?"
"No, actually," Jug sneers back. "Playing with knives used to be a hobby of mine."
"Don't antagonize him, boy," Sheriff Keller murmurs, interjecting for the first time since the video started.
"Pretty stupid to be a smartass when someone has a knife on you, kid," Venom replies, slightly piercing Jug's collarbone and running the blade across it. My heart thuds in my chest as I watch little droplets of blood trickle down his bruised chest. "I wasn't sure how bad dear old dad got at home."
"Piss off," FP growls, shaking his head at the jab.
"My dad was never like that," Jug replies haughtily.
"You don't need to lie to me, Jughead. I already know your father is an abusive drunk," Venom chuckles as if the idea was funny.
"Who are you trying to get a rise out of right now?" Jughead sneers back, nodding towards the camera. "Me or my dad?" FP lets out a proud huff - I imagine he'd say more if he wasn't scared out of his mind for his son.
Venom chuckles. "It's admirable that you're trying to put a brave face on for the sake of your friends watching. It really is too bad that you weren't so tough earlier. Would have saved dear Betty from some nasty bruises."
The change in Jug's demeanor is immediate as my name is brought up again. I can tell he wants to start screaming obscenities again, but quickly forces the reaction back down.
Don't give in, Juggie...
Venom nods, also picking up on the change. "That's it, huh? The whole world could be burning and you don't care, but when it comes to that little blonde bitch -"
"Shut up -"
"Such a good boyfriend, protecting his woman," Venom sneers, crossing to stand in front of him again. "Or - oops, you didn't actually protect her, did you? You acted like you'd be anything to keep us away from her, but the next moment -"
We all gasp as Venom's hand moves down onto Jug's bandaged stab wound. His eyes clench shut and an agonized scream rips from his throat. I choke back a sob of my own, hands itching to help, somehow, but all I can do is watch as Jug cries, body twisting in an attempt to escape the pain.
Venom gives one last harsh squeeze before letting go, leaving Jughead panting and whimpering in the chair. Tears run down my face, mimicking the ones rolling down Jug's blood-stained cheeks.
"I'll kill him," FP grinds out. A quick glance confirms that his eyes are also watering, but the anger seems to be winning out over horror as Jug's trembling breaths continue over the phone.
"Whose fault is it that Betty -" Venom presses, even as Jug shakes his head. "Jughead. Whose fault -"
"Mine." My eyes widen as the sob leaves Jug's mouth. It's clearly the answer the gang leader was trying to get. I just pray that Jug doesn't actually believe it.
Venom wrenches Jug's head up and forward. "Look into the camera and say it."
Jug's watering eyes look straight into the camera for the first time, and it feels like they are staring into my soul. My knees begin to feel weak as I take in the helplessness and shame in my boyfriend's eyes.
"Tell them whose fault it is that Betty was brought here."
Jughead hesitates for a moment before answering, but doesn't look away. "Mine."
"Whose fault is it that your dad is going to spend the rest of his life behind bars?"
It's as if the question dumped another weight on his shoulders. "Mine."
"Whose fault is it that Betty is going to die here?"
Blood drips off my palms from how hard my nails are digging into them. Don't give in, Juggie. Don't believe him.
Jug is crying again, and Venom has to force him to look at the camera as he tries to pull away. Jughead's eyes are pleading, now, as if this were all his fault. I wish I could scream at him that he's being lied to, that I'm okay, that I love him, that I'm going to get him out of there.
All I can do is watch.
"Mine."
Venom lets him go, and Jug instantly recoils back into himself, refusing to look at the camera or anyone else in the room.
"Doesn't look like he can take much more, does it?" Venom laughs, looking at us, now. "I have no doubt you're plotting some way to undermine the plan and break Jughead out. I hope this serves as a clear reminder of the consequences for going against our deal."
The video ends there.
An inhuman wail wrenches its way from my chest as I begin to fall.
I hope you all don't mind too much that this chapter had a lot of repeated text from the last. I struggled with how to get everyone's full, raw reactions without going through the full video.
As always, I so appreciate all of the continued support! It keeps me motivated to keep working on this story. I really want to continue/finish it in a way that does justice to all the work I've put into it and all the time you all have spent reading and reviewing. Seriously, your reviews have helped me so much to keep this up and not just throw together a rushed ending.
How do you think this is all going to pan out? What is going to happen to Jughead next, and will Betty and FP be able to rescue him now that the police are involved?
Thank you all again!