Day 3 began with a welcome change of pace for Veronica Lodge and Reggie Mantle. After two eerie nights filled with unexplained noises and strange occurrences in their new apartment, they decided to take a break from the unsettling atmosphere and immerse themselves in the town of Columbus, Indiana. It was a fresh start, and the small Midwestern town offered the kind of peace and quiet they had hoped for after the madness of Riverdale. Or so they thought.
The two strolled through the quaint downtown area, passing charming storefronts and old brick buildings, a stark contrast to the chaos of their former lives. Reggie was the first to suggest they try the town's famous Hoosier Tenderloin sandwich, a local favorite.
"This place is so different from Riverdale," Veronica remarked, taking a bite of her sandwich. "It's almost hard to believe that people live like this. It's peaceful… or at least it should be."
"Yeah, but Riverdale's always going to be a part of us," Reggie replied, wiping his hands on a napkin. "We can't just escape it, no matter how far we go. And let's face it, we left plenty of unfinished business back there."
Veronica leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing in thought. "You mean my father. Even here, I feel like his presence is still lingering. Every shady business deal, every scheme… It's like we're always going to be looking over our shoulders."
Reggie shrugged, biting into his sandwich again. "At least he can't get to us out here. He doesn't even know we're in Columbus."
"Let's hope it stays that way," Veronica said with a sigh, glancing around at the peaceful surroundings.
They decided to make the most of their day by exploring Columbus further, eager to distract themselves from the growing unease back at the apartment. They wandered through streets lined with stunning examples of modern architecture, a stark contrast to the familiar Gothic and gritty feel of Riverdale.
As they walked, Veronica marveled at the town's famed architectural landmarks. "This place is actually pretty impressive," she said, admiring the sharp lines and clean designs of the First Christian Church. "Who knew small-town America could have this level of style?"
Reggie smirked. "Maybe we're starting a new chapter of our lives as architectural buffs. We'll blend right in."
"Sure, until the ghost stories start to leak out," Veronica joked, but the laughter didn't quite reach her eyes.
After hours of exploring, they found themselves at Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor, indulging in scoops of rich, creamy flavors. The vintage ambiance of the place was a welcome comfort. Sitting at a marble-topped table, Veronica checked her phone and suggested they FaceTime their friends back in Riverdale, still feeling the need to stay connected to their past.
"Let's see what Betty, Archie, and the gang are up to," she said, tapping the screen and waiting for the familiar faces to appear.
A moment later, Betty Cooper's face popped up, followed by Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, Kevin Keller, and Tabitha Tate. They were all seated together, looking eager to hear from Veronica and Reggie.
"Hey guys!" Betty greeted them warmly. "How's Columbus treating you?"
Veronica forced a smile. "Well, it's nice. Peaceful. The town's a lot quieter than Riverdale, that's for sure. But…" She hesitated, not sure if she wanted to dive back into the eerie events of the last couple of nights.
Reggie leaned in closer to the phone. "But the apartment's been… strange. Some weird stuff has been happening."
"Define weird," Jughead chimed in, his usual skeptical expression flickering on the screen.
Veronica sighed. "Strange noises, knocking on doors, things moving on their own. We're not exactly alone in the apartment."
Archie frowned. "That doesn't sound good. You guys checked with the landlord, right? Made sure there's no history with the place?"
Reggie nodded. "Yeah, we talked to him, but he doesn't know anything about it. Says we're the first to report anything strange."
Tabitha, ever the pragmatist, leaned forward. "It might just be the new environment getting to you. You've both been through a lot. Maybe it's your mind playing tricks."
Betty, however, looked concerned. "You guys should be careful. If it keeps happening, maybe try to get some outside help. There's no harm in looking into it."
Veronica nodded, grateful for her friends' support. "We're going to keep an eye on it, but it's been unsettling."
Before the conversation could turn too dark, Kevin piped up. "You know what you need? An apartment-warming party. That's what. You should have all of us come out and stay with you. We'll bring Riverdale to Columbus and banish those ghosts with good vibes and lots of tequila."
Veronica laughed, her spirits lifted. "Actually, we were thinking about that. You guys should come out. It would be fun."
Archie grinned. "Funny you should mention that. We were just talking about it, and we're already on our way. We booked a hotel nearby and everything."
"Seriously?" Reggie asked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
"Yeah, we figured you guys could use a distraction," Betty said with a wink. "Plus, we miss you two. We'll be there tomorrow."
Veronica's face lit up with relief and excitement. "That's amazing! We'll be so glad to have you here."
They chatted a bit longer, exchanging stories about what had been happening in Riverdale while Veronica and Reggie had been settling into their new lives. But the conversation always seemed to drift back to the eerie happenings at the apartment.
"Just be careful," Jughead warned. "Columbus may look quiet, but you never know what's lurking beneath the surface. Not every small town is as innocent as it seems."
After the call ended, Veronica and Reggie walked hand in hand through the streets of Columbus, the sun beginning to set behind the picturesque skyline. But despite the beauty around them, a lingering feeling of unease clung to them like a shadow.
"It's good that the others are coming," Reggie said as they headed back to the apartment. "At least we won't feel so alone with… whatever's going on."
Veronica nodded. "Yeah. But I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this place than we realize. It's like there's something waiting for us to find it."
They returned to their apartment, the air thick with anticipation, wondering what the night would bring as their friends traveled closer and closer to join them in Columbus.
As the night deepened, the apartment grew quiet once again. Too quiet.