Oh my gosh, guys…it's been so long since I last updated. So many changes in my life since the last time I posted.
But I kept thinking about how I want to finish this story! Hopefully I haven't lost too many readers in that timespan! One of them being that I no longer watch Riverdale, and considering this takes place at the end of season ONE, it's been a bit harder to come back to.
BUT I really really hope that you all enjoy this chapter and that people still care about the story! Let me know how you feel about this chapter, how you're liking the arc so far, and maybe even some things you're hoping will happen in the coming updates (YES, I WILL finish this story! I am determined.)
—-—
Betty's whispered cursing rouses me from my restless sleep. The sound is followed by the clinking of the chain wrapped around her ankle.
Blinking the weariness from my eyes, I look over to see her bend over her own leg, fiddling with the padlock holding her hostage.
"What are you doing?" I mumble, squinting against the light from the ever-persistent fluorescent bulbs.
"What does it look like, dipshit?" She snaps back, not even looking up at me.
"Whoa - Sorry…" My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
Betty sighs, glancing over, some blonde wisps falling in front of her eyes. "Sorry…This lock is just complicated."
"You're trying to pick the lock? With what?"
"Bobby-pin."
A genuine smile flashes across my face. "My very own Nancy Drew."
"Don't praise me yet," Betty chuckles. "I thought I was making progress but a couple of the pins are pretty tricky. I'm embarrassed it took me this long to try, honestly. I was kind of out of it after waking up when I got here and then there was so much panic - sorry Jug…I'm trying." Her voice sounded so defeated when she said it, her shoulders slumped and mouth forming a thin line like it always does when she's beating herself up over something. "And then I just remembered I even had a Bobby-pin to begin with and I should have thought of it instantly because I *always* make sure to have one -"
"Hey, Betts - it's okay!" I reassure her quickly, scooching as close as I can. "You're doing amazing."
She looks to me and back to her task quickly, but I see the relieved, appreciative smile on her face. It makes the weight of the world feel just a bit lighter.
"Thanks Jug. That - shit!"
"What? What?"
Betty's chain falls from her ankle and onto the floor, the padlock still in hand. She looks up, eyes wide with relief and a stunned smile on her face.
"I got it."
"Holy shit!"
Suddenly Betty's arms are wrapped around me, and I instantly cling to her like I've needed to ever since I stormed out of the trailer that night.
She pulls away and before I can mourn the loss her lips are pressed against mine. It's not sexy by any means. But it's passionate in its own way - the love, desperation, and relief coursing through us both. I take in a breath, resting my forehead against hers.
"I love you so much."
"I love you too."
We allow ourselves just a few more seconds of blissful denial before reluctantly focusing back on reality.
Betty gets started on my padlock, and I just try to stay out of her way and let her focus on her task. I've made the mistake of talking to her while she's deep into a project too many times in the past to dare to do it now.
The minutes trickle by, and I'm just trying to think of what comes next after we get unchained.
"I got it," Betty whispers suddenly. Her words are confirmed as the tight metal falls away from my middle and onto the floor. I take a deep breath of relief, enjoying the freedom.
"You're incredible." I pull her in for another quick kiss, hands framing her face as I look at her triumphant face. "Absolutely incredible."
Betty's eyes start to water with unshed tears. "We're getting out of here, Jug. Today."
We both know we can't waste anymore time, so we jump into action, quickly forming a plan that is hopefully not terrible and won't end up getting us killed in the process. It's the best we've got.
Soon enough I'm standing by the wall so that I won't be seen once the door opens. The chain that has been restraining me for the past few days is now held in my shaky hands. This could so easily go wrong…
"You ready?" Betty asks, voice barely above a whisper.
I look over to where she's sitting in her usual spot, her chain posed as if it's still locked in place. You really can't notice that the padlock is missing unless you look closely.
"Yeah."
Betty draws in a shaky breath. "Hey!" She shouts, voice cracking slightly. "Hey! Is there someone out there?"
A long moment of silence passes. I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest.
"Hey! We need -"
Suddenly we hear a key being jammed into the lock on the other side of the door, making us both jump a little.
"What do you want?" It's a woman who storms angrily into the room, and I just pray there's no one coming in after her. We might be able to take on one Scorpion, but I'm not too optimistic about our chances otherwise.
I waste no time, jumping forward and wrapping the chain around the woman's neck and pulling her back against my chest with as much force as I can muster. Betty quickly closes the door. The woman starts to shout, but Betty is on her in an instant, landing a harsh punch to her stomach.
The force of it sends us both falling backwards, my ass colliding with the concrete floor and the woman's full weight on top of me. I pull harder on the chain while Betty wrestles with her above me. A fist collides with Betty's cheek and all I can do is tighten my grip, trying to break off all airflow.
She kicks Betty in the side, and I just manage to wrap my leg around hers, securing it before she can do it again.
And then, after several agonizing minutes, the woman finally goes limp.
Betty helps shove the unconscious body off of me so I can crawl to my feet.
We don't waste time saying anything, instead darting out of the room and into the hallway. Betty quickly locks the door behind us before shoving the key in her jeans pocket.
I already filled Betty in on as many details of the halls as I had - which in the end wasn't much. I never found an exit, only ever making it to the room where I almost got shot and to the office where I spoke with Penelope Blossom. Other than that, we're winging it.
It's not a comforting thought.
Our only option is to sprint through the halls as quietly as we can. Glancing around every 15 seconds, trying to listen for the sound of approaching footsteps. After about ten minutes of sneaking around in silence, it still feels like we've made no progress.
"What kind of building is this?" I whisper. "It's like a maze down here."
"Some kind of warehouse maybe?" Betty replies quietly, shaking her head. "An abandoned hospital?"
"Well it's definitely-"
"Shh!" Betty clamps her hand over my mouth. My eyes grow wide as I hear it, too.
Two men are laughing loudly somewhere down the hall up ahead, and the sound is only coming closer.
We sprint into action, testing doorknobs of closed rooms only to find every single one locked. We rush down a hall to the left, then suddenly Betty yanks me by the arm.
I turn to see her shimmying into an alcove and behind a boiler. My heart sinks.
"Betty -"
"Hurry up!" She hisses, tugging my arm again to pull me against her.
But I'm already backing away, having instantly realized that two of us won't fit back there.
"No," I reply hurriedly, and I can tell Betty has realized the same thing, because she starts to come out from hiding. "No -" I push her back, looking up and down the hallway. The men's voices are getting louder, coming nearer. "There's no time, you stay here - I'll find somewhere else -"
"No -"
"I love you."
I don't wait for her to protest again, already sprinting down the hallway in search of another place to hide.
My mind is whirring, eyes darting all around me, ears pricked for any sound of pursuit. It doesn't seem as if any of the Scorpions have realized our escape - no shouts or running feet.
But that doesn't mean we're in the clear. I don't know how many gang members are in the building, but any of them could find me at any moment. Shit, what if they have cameras up?
I need to get as far away from Betty as possible. If they see me running from somewhere, they'll instantly follow my trail back and find her. So I have to distance myself, and find a place to hide. Whatever happens to me, I have to make sure she gets out of here.
With that thought in my head, I speed up, ignoring the screaming of my ribs as I dart through the hallways. I pass by some closed doors but I'm afraid to take the time to try to open them just to find out they are locked - or worse, rush into a room full of Scorpions.
I keep going, trying to keep my breathing quiet and my footsteps light. There's got to be some other alcove somewhere - something to take cover behind. I made the right choice by leaving Betty behind, didn't I?
But what if I'm wrong? What if splitting up was the worst choice? Can I really trust Betty to escape without me, or will she try to find me first?
I'm doubting everything - I can't think straight. My heart is pounding in my chest and my nerves are on high alert.
I run around a corner in the hall and collide with something solid, eyes widening when I see the figure before me.
"Hey!"
"Shitshitshitshit -"
Meaty hands grab at me as I back away, knocking me off balance and to the floor. I instantly scramble to my feet only to be yanked back as the man gets hold of my sweater.
Twisting around furiously, I'm able to slip out of the sweater, falling to my hands and knees before jumping back up again and racing down the hallway.
The man is shouting loudly as he chases me, but I don't pay attention to whatever it is that he is saying, the sound of my own heartbeat roaring in my ears.
My whole body screams at me to stop, to lay down and give up. What with the beatings and the lack of food and proper rest, I'm about ready to fall apart. I fight to keep my legs moving, shoes skidding on the floor as I round another corner.
"Stop!" Venom bellows, suddenly in front of me. Cruncher stands on his left and a blonde woman to this right.
I instantly back up, eyes wide as I go for the only option - another hallway that branches to the right - but the man who had been chasing me grabs my arm and twists, simultaneously kicking my leg and sending me to the concrete floor. I push off with my arms to scramble to my feet.
Venom backhands me so hard the force knocks me sideways to the ground. It's all I can do to try to catch my breath and hold back the grunt of pain.
"Where is the girl?" Venom demands. I feel the sudden urge to vomit. They can't get Betty. Not again.
"I don't know," I mutter, avoiding his eyes.
His heavy boot meets my unprotected stomach. "What was that?"
"I don't know!" I wheeze, looking up to glower at the man above me. Venom looks down at me in disdain, eyes narrowed.
"Find her." It takes a moment to realize that he is talking to the Scorpions around us, even though we haven't broken eye contact. "We can't have the little bitch getting in the way of FP's sentence now that he's confessed."