Hey guys, how's it going? I realize I started writing this story in 2018 (!) and it's now 2023 *face-palm*.
I used to be so into Riverdale so I was really excited about this story and now I can't remember what was even happening at the time this fic takes place so I'm just going to go with what I remember / whatever I want lol.
My life is so busy right now but I genuinely want to finish this story since I promised and so many people were invested in it. I hate to ask for comments but I would really appreciate hearing from any of you who have been here for a while and are still invested in this story (or from anyone who just stumbled upon it)! I am looking back at old comments to help guide me as I get these last few chapters in. I considered just wrapping it all up in a nice bow but after reading some past comments, I want to do justice to the story you guys have been so invested in. I really appreciate you all!
"What?" My voice sounds small even to my own ears as I try to wrap my mind around Venom's words. "My dad -"
"- Is going to prison for murder," Venom confirms with a smirk. I open and close my mouth, trying to formulate words. My heart feels as though it's fallen into my stomach, eyes searching Venom's face for any tell - any sign that he's lying. I've been surrounded by liars my whole life, so I'm usually pretty good at detecting it.
There's nothing but coldness in the man's expression, along with a challenge as he towers above me. I'm the first to break eye contact, and his smugness is practically radiating from him. My cheeks warm in shame even as the rest of me feels numb with the news.
"Good riddance," the blonde woman speaks for the first time. I have no idea who she is, but I hate her. I hate all these sons of bitches for what they've done to me, to my dad, to Betty. "It's about time someone dethroned FP. We won't have to worry about him getting in the way anymore."
"No we won't -"
Without thinking, I'm on my feet and my fist is colliding with Venom's face. I summon all the energy I have left - all the anger that has been raging inside me ever since they brought me here. At that moment I can't bring myself to care about anything other than causing him as much pain as possible.
Cruncher yanks me away as my fist comes back for another punch and the next thing I know I'm slamming against the wall and tumbling to the cement floor. My vision swims around me and I try to heave in a lungful of air but it just sends me into a violent coughing fit. Feeling something wet on my hand, I look down and realize there's blood mixed with my spit. For some reason, I can't bring myself to care. That might be the scariest realization of them all.
Venom's boot appears in front of me, and I force my head upwards to look him in the eyes.
"You're bluffing," I wheeze, even though I don't believe it myself. "My dad didn't confess to killing Jason because he didn't do it!"
"You know kid, I used to think your commitment to your father was admirable." Venom shakes his head, looking down at me in disdain. "Now I realize it's just pathetic."
That bubble of rage swells inside me again, but it hurts to breathe, let alone move, so instead I focus on holding my emotions in. My usual mask of disinterest is getting harder and harder to hide behind. I just want to cry myself to sleep and never wake up.
"Get him moved to a different room," Venom orders. "And Knuckles...make sure he's properly secured this time."
"Yes sir -"
"Get back 'ere, bitch!" My head whips up to look down the hall in the direction of the shouting, which is quickly followed by a girl's screaming. Betty's screaming.
"No!" It's as if I've been shocked, somehow finding the strength to get to my feet. For that moment, all pain is gone and forgotten. I just have to get to Betty.
Betty - her name repeats in my mind, clouding everything else, including my judgment, as I lurch forward.
Knuckles grabs me the next moment, yanking my arms back and up, pinning them behind my head and rendering them useless. A cry of desperation tears from me as I fight against him, trying to wriggle free or kick him away - anything to get to Betty.
"Where is he?!" She's shouting somewhere down the hall, clearly having heard. She's so close, too close; too close to getting thrown back in that god-forsaken room. And then everything will just be worse than if we had never escaped in the first place.
"You goin' ta' come easy now, sweetheart? Or do we need to manhandle ya'?" The man's voice echoes along the walls and a strange snarling sound rises in my throat.
"Where is Jughead?" Betty's fiery voice spits back.
"Get out of here, Betty! Please just get the hell out of here!" I scream, fighting against Knuckles' steely grip. The blonde woman actually starts laughing at my unhinged distress, looking between me and Venom with raised eyebrows.
"I have to admit, I thought FP's kid would be a bit...tougher."
"He tried to pretend he was, at first," Venom chuckles, nodding to me. "Get him locked up. I'll visit him when I'm done with the girl."
"NO!" I growl, fighting harder, trying desperately to get away, not caring that I'm hurt and surrounded.
Knuckles has already started pulling me away and down another hallway - away from Betty's scared voice.
"Juggie -!"
"I'll be fine, just leave! Get out of here! Please! Get out!" I'm babbling now, unsure of what I'm even saying anymore other than that I'm screaming for her to leave me, willing her to disappear far from this hellhole.
I can't break free from Knuckles' grip as he ushers me somewhere else. All I can see down the hall is Venom and the blonde woman turning away, towards Betty. Cruncher leaves them and begins following behind Knuckles.
"JUGHEAD!" Betty's shrill shout rings in my ears, but I'm pushed into an empty room before I can respond.
I almost topple over with the momentum, only just regaining my footing before I'm rushing for the door. Knuckles shoves me to the ground easily, and I'm alarmed at how difficult it is to crawl to my hands and knees even with all the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The man lets me try, clearly unafraid that I'll be able to make it far.
By the time I've pulled myself to a kneeling position, Cruncher is dragging a sturdy, metal chair into the room. My eyes instantly lock onto the red splotches that stain the seat and back.
Knuckles hauls me off the floor and into the chair, and before I can pull away Cruncher has begun wrapping a coil of rope around my torso. The rough fibers dig against my skin, reminding me that I lost my sweater somewhere in the hallway.
"Don't hurt Betty," I implore Knuckles, who is standing guard next to the door. "Plea - ah!" I cry out in pain as Cruncher yanks the rope against my ribs, sending a wave of pain throughout my whole body. Instinctively I try to double over, but can't move that much like this so I just grit my teeth and try to breathe as normally as possible.
"I don't think you're in any position to be making requests, kid," Cruncher sneers, grabbing my left wrist and trying it behind me before reaching for my right.
"You can't hurt us too much, remember?" I remind them bleakly, grasping onto any hope I can. "Listen, I promise I won't fight if you promise to let her go -"
I'm cut off as both men openly laugh at the proposal. Cruncher cinches the rope tightly around my right wrist before circling to stand in front of me. "That was before FP gave us what we wanted. Now, there's no way we can let you two go after all of this. No - as far as I'm concerned, kid, you're both already dead."
Sorry this chapter is shorter than normal! I hope the content made up for it. Mostly I wanted to get something posted to get this back up and running. I am working on the next chapter now!