Helloooooooo - anybody still out there who cares about the ending to this story?
It's ridiculous how long it's taken me to finish this story. I'm guessing most people would have just abandoned it by now, but that idea really bothered me, so damn it I'm going to finish it!
My eyes flutter open slowly. Why were they closed? I can't seem to focus on a single train of thought, forcing my lids apart only to scrunch them closed as fluorescent light attacks them. Did I pass out in the kitchen over my laptop again? Shit, dad's gonna be mad if I hike up the electric bill -
The slightest shift is all it takes for reality to come crashing back. My short, high sob echoes around the small room as pain shoots from my ribs down to my toes. I take a long, shallow breath through my mouth, trying to stay as still as possible until the pain subsides. Finally, after what feels like an eternity of the sharp, throbbing pain, I'm able to focus enough to take in my surroundings.
Primarily, I focus on my body, trying to see what damage has been done the past couple days. The urge to vomit trickles up my throat as I see the dark red and purple bruises scattered over my chest, sides, and stomach. I can't see much of my arms with how they are tied to the back of the chair, but I can make out finger-shaped bruises along my forearms. I'm thankful I can't see my face right now, because I'm sure I look like hell. When I lean back to try to alleviate pressure on my ribs, I'm quickly reminded of the welts left from Venom whipping me with the belt.
How long have I been here? My attempts to figure it out are cut off by the pounding in my head. I want nothing more than to fall asleep on my shitty sofa with a stomach full of hamburgers and fries, Betty cradled in my arms -
Shit.
Shit.
"Hey!" I call out, voice hoarse. "Somebody!"
No answer.
"I know someone's listening out there! Open the damn door you bastard!"
I was half expecting to be ignored completely, but the door creaks open, revealing that blonde woman from earlier. She's in all black - ripped jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. We assess one another for a long moment as she saunters into the room, letting the door click shut behind her. She seems to be waiting for me to speak, eyes searching my own as if she expects to find something there.
"Who the hell are you?" I snap.
She scoffs at the question, crossing to the wall across from the chair and leaning against it.
"Your dad never mentioned me?"
I roll my eyes at that. Is it too much to ask for a simple answer once in a while ? "How would I know? You haven't even told me your name."
The woman chuckles, shaking her head ruefully. "I'm a little offended by that. Your dad and I go way back." A smirk spreads across her face as if she's reliving a memory.
"Gross..." My nose wrinkles instinctively as I catch onto her meaning.
"The name's Penny."
"Where's Betty?"
"Your girlfriend is being kept in a different room until further notice." Penny shrugs casually. "You may see her in a bit, depending when we get the go-ahead."
"Go-ahead for what ? Honestly, is it too much to ask for a straight and clear answer from you people? Just tell me what the hell is going on with -"
"We're waiting on the official go-ahead to kill you, Jughead," the woman responds bluntly, walking closer to my chair in the middle of the room. My mouth goes dry at the words - it's not like I'm fully taken by surprise, but actually hearing it feels so much different. Of course, if my dad confessed to Jason's murder, they don't need me anymore, and it would be foolish to ever think they'd just let me go.
I knew this was coming, so why is it suddenly hard to breathe? Why is the obvious truth so hard to believe?
"W-what about Betty?" I ask quietly, looking up at Penny with pleading eyes. " Please , she shouldn't be wrapped up in all this. It's different for me, alright? I - always knew something like this could happen to me, with my dad and the Serpents, but Betty didn't do anything -"
"Do you think that matters?" Penny shakes her head at the idea, leaning down in front of me. I flinch at the hand she slaps down on my shoulder. "She was dead the moment she got dragged in here."
An almost inhuman growl grows in my throat as thrash in the chair, trying to knock her hand off.
"You piece of shit!" I scream in her face, trying to escape from the ropes holding me down. "I'll kill you all, I swear to God! Where is Betty? Let her go!" I've lost control of my body and mind at this point - my ears are ringing and I'm seeing red, and the only person to take it out on is the woman in front of me, so I keep screaming at her, trying to get a hand free to wrap around her throat.
The haze is broken by the harsh slap that whips my head to the side, putting a sudden stop to my insults and threats.
"Shut up and listen to me, kid!" Penny grabs my jaw roughly, forcing me to look at her again. Her eyes are wide, staring into my own intently. Her voice suddenly grows so quiet I have to strain to make out the words. "If you want to get out of here, you have to follow my lead, alright?"
"W-What?' I ask stupidly, not understanding the sudden change.
"No Serpent stands alone." The words make my breath hitch, eyes widening as the tiniest glimmer of hope rises in my chest.
"Do you mean -"
The door opens, and Venom walks in, closely followed by Cruncher. Shit, shit, shit ...I'm out of time. Did they get the 'go-ahead'?
"Penny, what are you doing?" The gang leader questions, eyes narrowing at the blonde.
She chuckles, running a hand through my dirty hair and another down my chest. The action makes my skin crawl and I recoil as much as possible, eying her warily as she moves around the chair, rubbing my shoulders instead. "Just wanted to see how much Jughead inherited from his dear old dad." I grimace at the thought, trying to pull my shoulders away.
Venom chuckles, shaking his head. "You're a sick bitch, you know that, Penny?"
"I've been called that once or twice," she replies smoothly, slapping my cheek in mock affection before moving over to the two men.
"Where is Betty?" I demand, glaring at Venom.
"I told you he'd start with that," the leader says to Cruncher, clearly unimpressed. "She's being kept elsewhere -"
"I want to see her -"
"You'll get your chance."
" When ?"
"When it's time to put a bullet in her head."
"If you hurt her -"
"We've had this conversation before, Jughead," Venom cuts me off irritably. He seems more on edge than usual - Shoulders and jaw more tense. "And if you make me have it again, I might be inclined to leave her alone with some of my men - young girl like that, I'm sure I could get some volunteers. What do you think, Cruncher?"
The other man smirks, eyes glinting. "I'll take the first round."
"Shut up!" I yell furiously, pulling against my restraints and instantly regretting it as my whole body screams in protest. "What do you want me to do? I swear - Whatever it is - I'll do anything, okay? Please -"
A sharp knock interrupts my pleading, which Venom has been watching with obvious amusement. "Come in." I don't know who I was expecting to see walk in, but sure as hell wasn't Tall Boy , of all people. But isn't he one of the most trusted Serpents? I just saw him - he just gave me Dad's jacket.
" You ? But -"
"Sorry you had to learn it this way, kid, but you've got less people on your side than you think," Venom goads.
Tall Boy looks at me, meeting my eyes without an ounce of shame. Anger and betrayal rise in my chest as a stare at him. Did he plan all this? Find me at the trailer, make sure I was alone and distracted so they could kidnap me? "You son of a bitch!"
The group ignores me, apart from a quick glance from Penny. "What's the news, Tall Boy?" Venom asks.
"We've got everything in place around the Andrews house - Archie and Veronica are there now, and as long as they stay there, which we think they will, we can make a move tonight."
My blood runs cold at the mention of my friends. "What - What do Archie and Veronica have to do with this?"
I'm ignored again. "Good - make sure to keep it quick and quiet - we need this to go as smoothly as possible." Venom replies cooly. "What about the Keller boy?"
"That's tougher," Tall Boy grimaces. "He hasn't left the station all day - I'm guessing the Sheriff thinks he'll be safer there than at home, which is unfortunately true. I don't know how we're going to get in there."
"We needed him under control hours ago," Venom grinds out, taking a step closer to the Serpent. "He knows everything FP knows, and we can't have him letting anything slip to his father. You better hope he hasn't already, or you'll be the one I'll hold responsible."
"Lure him out, then," Penny shrugs as if it's obvious. "Text him, call him - he'll be on high alert, he'll answer. Get him out of the station and alone so we can snag him."
" Make it happen , and don't make a scene." Venom orders. Tall Boy nods before exiting the room, not even sparing me another glance.
"I don't understand -" I speak up again, desperate for information. "My friends don't know about you, or where I am! Leave them out of this!"
"Really? You still don't get it?" Penny scoffs at me, shaking her head as if I'm an idiot.
"Get what ?"
"You know," Venom interjects, crossing to stand in front of my chair. There's a palpable rage simmering under the surface, making me realize how controlled he really has been the majority of my captivity. "You and your girlfriend haven't paid for your little stunt earlier - so, here's what I'm thinking. Either you get your shit beat in, or she does - I'll leave it up to you, Jughead. You choose."
"Me," I answer without hesitation. The choice is obvious, as messed up as it is. There's no way in hell I'm letting him hurt Betty anymore than he already has.
His knuckles drive into my cheek, forcing my head to the side. Punches land to my chest, which feels like it's ready to give out; another busts my nose, blood spurting down my face. Apart from pained grunts, I keep my sounds to a minimum. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm going to die here, but I'm determined to keep my Jones pride.
Venom can tell I'm holding back, sending a sharp jab to my injured ribs, and god, it hurts . It takes everything in me not to cry out, but I can't give up, so instead I bite my tongue so hard it bleeds, eyes scrunched shut.
"You're only making it harder on yourself, Jughead," Venom seethes. "The faster you break, the sooner I'll be satisfied."
I gulp labored breaths through my mouth, shaking my head, eyes still clenched shut as I try to pull myself together.
"Go rot in h - AH !" I cut off my own insult with an agonized scream, eyes snapping open to see the knife embedded in my thigh. I've never felt pain like this - it's taking over my whole body, my heart is thundering in my chest, my vision goes spotty, I think I'm about to hyperventilate. Oh god, he stabbed me.
"That's what I was looking for," Venom's jeers, making my eyes snap up to meet his. "Ever been stabbed before, kid?"
My mouth can't form a response. I can't come up with a clear thought. My body feels clammy. My eyes can't focus.
This is it. I'm going to die today.
That's when Venom starts to twist the knife, and somehow it's all so much worse. All I think about is the immense pain as I start screaming and blubbering.
" Stop ! Stop it - stop it - please! Stop -"
The twisting stops, but a fresh wave of agony hits me as he pulls the knife out. I scream again, pride be damned. For a long moment my vision and hearing go out - there's a ringing sound around me and everything has gone white.
I'm vaguely aware of the fact that I'm still crying out, arms straining in an instinctual attempt to reach for the wound.
Blood soaked fingers grab my chin, shaking my head until my eyes finally focus on Venom's face.
"I'm going to your girlfriend, now."
"Wha -" My blood runs cold at the idea of him doing this to Betty. "N-No! I told you - I chose -"
"You told me to stop," Venom replies casually, as if it were obvious. "I would've kept going, Jughead, but you couldn't take it, so now it's her turn."
"No!" I shake his hand off my face, looking at him pleadingly. "You know that's not what I meant!"
"Bandage him up, Penny. Can't have him bleeding out yet." He gives my leg a harsh squeeze, making me cry out again, coiling into myself as much as the ropes will allow.
"I'll be back when Betty decides it's your turn again!"
"No, please!" I scream at Venom's retreating back - pleading with him as he walks out of the room. "Leave Betty alone - I'll do anything - you can do anything to me I don't care just don't hurt her!" The door slams shut, but I can't stop begging, desperate and pushed so far past my breaking point that nothing else matters except protecting Betty.
"PLEASE!"
…Why did I feel the need to stab Jughead? Because I thought you guys would want me to 😂😂
I never want to Google stab wounds again. I did this for you lol
I'm thinking next chapter will be the last - I was going to try to end it all in this one but this felt like a good place to leave off this chapter!