I'm Darkness || Archie Andrews and Jughead Jones [2]

Pull Through

PULL THROUGH

"You lied, you said the Serpents were gone. They're at the Wyrm and they need help,"

"What they need is to cut bait and get out while they still can." FP stands up from the couch, and walks past his son. "Now, I wasn't lying when I said it was over, Jug. It is time, boy."

"What are you talking about?" Jughead questions, and his voice is angry. He's frustated with everything, and his Dad is right there for him to unleash his anger.

"It's time to skip town." He warns him, and he doesn't need to look up to get a sight of Jughead's features changing into a deep sorrow, he can imagine.

"I'm not going anywhere!" No way would the dark-haired boy ever leave Riverdale, specially not now. Ellie needs him, even though they're playing some push and pull, she still needs him here. And the truth is he can't go on without seeing her smile at least once a day.

"You bet your ass you are." FP insists, his tone not leaving much space for doubts, but it softens when he continues. "I know you love that girl, and we both know I'm not talking about Betty. But the best you can do for her is walk away."

"How is that what's best for her?" Jughead frowns. "Ellie is the strongest person I've ever met and if she could keep up with me – with the Serpents – for all this time, she can handle anything."

"I saw her when I found you unconscious, and I saw her back at the Hospital. Yes, Ellie would make one hell of a Serpent Queen, but look where it took you, and me." FP tries to make him see where he's coming from. "Is that the kind of life that you want for her?"

"We always pull through, me and her." He mumbles.

"Toledo." FP states, disregarding his son's comment even though he can see the truth in it. Ellie and Jughead have been through a lot, and they always found a way. So, FP hesitates for a moment before continuing. "Already told your Mom."

"No, I'm not leaving Ellie behind." Jughead shakes his head, his voice filled with determination. "And we're not abandoning the Serpents."

FP turns to face him, and he sounds vulnerable when he speaks up. "I won't be standing over a body bag with any of you two zipped up in it. We're moving to Toledo," He places one hand on his son's shoulder. "but pack light. We're only taking the bikes."

. . .

"What do you mean you haven't gone to visit Dad yet?"

"We are taking things one step at a time, Polly." Betty replies.

"If you don't go visit, how are we supposed to forgive him?" She questions.

Ellie stands up from the armchair, and that calls everyone's attention. "Forgive him? Do you really think we'll ever be able to forgive him? Well, news flash maybe you weren't here so you don't really understand but Dad killed Midge, shot Moose and Fred Andrews, what do you mean forgive him?" She scoffs at the end. "He's lucky I still can him Dad."

"Ellie, you can't think like that." Polly stands up as well and places the baby on Alice's arms, before turning to face her sister. "At the farm they taught us forgiveness is the most valuable gift. If we don't absolve him, we become what he was. Full of hate," She glances back at her children, and adds. "My babies deserve a mother who's better than that."

"Maybe Polly is right." Alice speaks up, and they turn to look at her. "I mean, not about forgiving him, but seeing him."

"No." Betty shakes her head, and looks back down at the baby she's holding.