My eyes scrunch shut as I try to keep my breathing under control. I knew Venom was going to torture me. I knew I was going to die - if not today, then probably tomorrow. But the fact that my friends and dad will see this...It's too much.
A little voice in my head tells me I deserve the pain. I should have done a better job protecting Betty. I should have let Venom take my whole damn leg instead of giving in when I did. So maybe I deserve it, but my friends sure as hell don't. Betty doesn't deserve this...
My chest warms with the feeling of rage when I once again think about what they did to Betty. The anger pushes some of the self-hatred to the side, and I cling onto it. If I concentrate on that, then maybe I can drown out the pain. I can give all these bitches as much hell as possible before they finally decide to kill me.
I have to. For Betty. For my dad. For Archie and Mr. Andrews.
Venom has been saying something else, but I didn't hear him through my own thoughts. It's a bit scary how easy it is to lose focus now, to give into the now almost-constant ringing in my ears. A doctor would definitely say some concerning jargon about that. Huh.
"What do you think about that idea, Jughead?"
I open my eyes as the question filters through the fog, lifting my head as I look to the masked man to my right.
"What?"
"I asked you a question, boy."
"I tuned you out. You talk too much."
Venom narrows his eyes at the comment, shaking his head. "I said - Do you think I should show this video to Betty when we're through with you?
My nostrils flare at the thought of him being anywhere near Betty again, but I force myself to stay as calm as I can. Keep yourself together. Give her as much time as possible. "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."
"Screw you," I spit in his face. It doesn't do much with the mask, but it's satisfying, nonetheless. I wonder if my friends will be cheering me on or screaming at me to stop being so stupid, whenever they watch this. I hope they never watch this...
The punch is expected, but I can't help the cry that escapes me when my already busted nose takes the brunt of the hit.
Another punch to the chest. Another to the stomach, then the sternum.
I've quickly lost the ability to give witty retorts, instead focusing all my energy on breathing, my rattling coughs filling the small room.
"Whose fault is it that Betty is broken and alone, right now, just down the hall?" Venom's voice sneers over the pathetic sounds. Despite the pain ricocheting in my body, I force my head up to look him dead in the eyes.
"It's your fault," I answer determinedly, glaring up at him.
I didn't know it was possible for him to hit harder than he already had, this blow concentrated between my sternum and my throat. I gag loudly, specks of blood flying from my mouth and onto his hand.
"Whose fault is it that Betty is here?" The man continues, eyes boring into my own.
I don't respond right away, trying to fill my lungs with air. "Yours."
"You don't believe that," Venom whispers, grabbing a fistful of my greasy and matted hair. "Do you? You know the real answer."
"It's your fault," I retort through gritted teeth, staring back at him with as much determination as I can.
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," I spit back.
"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 -"
"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!" I insist furiously. "There's no way in hell they'd ever believe -"
"Except they do," Venom sneers. "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."
My whole body is trembling as the man speaks, his words settling in my chest like poison. "I swear to God I'll kill you," I seethe, yanking my arms in an attempt to reach the man. My head snaps in Cruncher's direction as I hear his chuckles. "You're all dead - I'll kill all of you!"
"Not this again," Venom cuts in, landing a harsh slap to my head to get my attention back. "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."
"You think I believe that?" I retort angrily, shaking my head. I quickly stop the movement when my whole body feels like it's tilting to the side.
"We let you stay together before that, didn't we?" My eyes clench shut, head pounding. My chin falls against my chest. I think I'm going to vomit. "Didn't we?" Venom asks again, yanking on my hair until our eyes meet again.
"Yes."
"Exactly. And we could have taken her from that trailer when we took you, but we didn't, did we?"
"No."
"And why do you think that is?"
"Because you needed her to contact my dad."
"We could have done that through any of your friends, Jughead."
"I don't -"
"Why did we bring Betty in when we did?"
"Shut up -"
"We only took her because you gave her information -"
"No -"
"So whose fault is it, Jughead?" Venom asks again in a cold tone. I open my mouth to snap back a retort, but the man grabs my chin before any words come out. "Take a moment to think on it...Whose fault is it that Betty got roped into all of this?"
I pull my face away from his hold, sucking in a deep breath through my mouth since my nose is totally busted. I know what I'm supposed to say to avoid more pain, and I don't know how much more I can take, to be honest. On the other hand, I know I should keep fighting back. I have to keep fighting back, but...
"Just think - if you hadn't let yourself fall for her, she'd still be safe at home right now."
I clench my eyes shut again, trying to tune out the man's voice.
"You say you love her, but how could you put someone you love in so much danger, hm?"
"Shut up..." I whisper, mentally retreating, trying to put my usual protective walls back up.
"Whose fault is it, Jughead?"
"Yours."
'Whose fault is it?"
"Screw you."
"Whose fault is it?"
"Stop asking me that!" I scream, thrashing against the ropes in a desperate attempt to wring his neck. My wide eyes bore into Venom's, a satisfied smirk pulling at his lips.
"I didn't want to have to do this again, Jughead," he tuts, drawing the knife from his belt. My heart thumps in my chest, and I can't help the violent flinch when he brings the metal close to my face. "Careful, wouldn't want to cut you," his voice goads.
"Funny," I mutter, trying to keep my breathing under control as I eye the blade warily.
"You never answered my question earlier - if that was your first time being stabbed?"
"No, actually," I can't help but sneer. "Playing with knives used to be a hobby of mine."
"Pretty stupid to be a smartass when someone has a knife on you, kid," Venom chuckles, running the blade across my collarbone. My breath stutters, but that's the only reaction I give him, even as blood trickles down my chest. "I wasn't sure how bad dear old dad got at home."
The comment makes me bristle, but I keep myself under control. "My dad was never like that."
"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?" I ask haughtily, nodding towards the camera. "Me or my dad?"
Venom huffs a laugh. "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."
Something in me instantly flares at the mention of her name. It's one thing for them to poke and laugh at my past - I've already accepted that I had a messed up childhood and a run-down life. But Betty...Betty is pure. She's the brightest light I've ever had in my life, and that light has to be protected.
Venom clearly read the change in my face, nodding in satisfaction. "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," I snap instinctively, shoulders instantly tensing at the insult.
"Such a good boyfriend, protecting his woman," Venom sneers, crossing to stand in front of me again. "Or - oops, you didn't actually protect her, did you?" I do my best to keep my face neutral, but the repeated reminders of how I've failed Betty are weighing more heavily on my shoulders by the minute. "You acted like you'd be anything to keep us away from her, but the next moment -"
An anguished howl rips from my throat as the man slaps his hand down on the bandaged stab wound, squeezing firmly. My vision has gone black as I thrash and scream, desperate to escape the pain.
I vaguely register that Venom has pulled his hand away, but my brain struggles to catch up as I'm left panting and whimpering in the chair. My face stings harshly, and I realize that tears are streaming down my face.
"Whose fault is it that Betty -" I shake my head resolutely, body still trembling from the pain in my leg. "Jughead," Venom's voice warns. "Whose fault -"
"Mine," the word comes out as more of a sob, and I clench my eyes shut as embarrassment and shame wash over me.
Venom's fingers snake into my hair, wrenching my head up. "Look into the camera and say it." My eyes blink open reluctantly, avoiding Cruncher's greedy sneer and instead focusing on the phone camera. The image of my dad and friends looking right back at me makes me want to shrivel up and die.
"Tell them whose fault it is that Betty was brought here."
"Mine."
"Whose fault is it that your dad is going to spend the rest of his life behind bars?"
My shoulders slump in defeat. "Mine."
"Whose fault is it that Betty is going to die here?"
Fresh tears roll down my cheeks, and I try to turn away before Venom yanks my face forward again. I lock my eyes on that little red dot, pleading with my dad, Archie, Veronica, and Kevin to understand. To forgive me.
"Mine."
The hand moves from my hair, and I instantly tick my chin against my chest, trying as hard as I can to disappear.
"Doesn't look like he can take much more, does it?" Venom laughs. A quick glance up confirms that he is speaking directly to the camera, now. I look away.
"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."
Cruncher cuts the video there, and chuckles loudly as Venom tells him to send it. I only look up when I realize the two men are about to leave without a word.
"Please -" They stop, turning back to me expectantly.
"Yes?" Venom asks with a smug smile and raised eyebrows.
I force a deep breath into my lungs as I look at him imploringly. "Please don't hurt Betty. You can do whatever to me, just...Please."
"She's safe for tonight," he replies after a moment's consideration. "We'll see how I feel in the morning."
Ahh so eager/anxious to hear how you all feel about this chapter!
This particular scene is one I've been playing out in my head for soooo long now. I kept drafting out different ideas for how it would pan out, and then scrapping those because they didn't feel right. So much overthinking for one chapter but I wanted everything to feel accurate to the show and characters.