Magic comes to Riverdale

Chapter 3 Part 5

The next day, Will drove himself, Jughead, and Veronica to school when Betty texted Will and Jughead to meet her in the student lounge. She talked to Trev who told her that Jason began acting odd a few months ago before he died, and it involved Polly for some reason. She and Jason had been dating when he began acting weird like selling his stuff for money and the possibility of dealing drugs. Then Betty asked her dad about Polly and Jason and learned some pretty heart-breaking stuff. Polly wasn't well and tried to kill herself when her parents sent her away.

"Betty, I'm sorry. That's hardcore." Jughead told her.

"I asked my dad if I could call Polly. He said she was doing better. But then, when she heard about Jason's death, she had a big setback. He doesn't want to risk another one." Betty told them. Will rubbed her shoulder in comfort and she leaned into his side. The little act of compassion didn't mean anything romantic from Will. It was just his way to try and comfort her and after what she learned, she needed it.

"Why does a rich kid sell drugs?" Jughead asked out loud.

"He was running away from his parents." Betty pointed out.

"Probably..." Jughead stood up to get the creative juices flowing in his brain. "...or drug dealers."

"Oh my god. Is that possible?" Betty wondered.

"It would fit with what we know now." Will pointed out as they looked at him. "The autopsy your mom printed in the Riverdale Register. He was killed on July 11th, that's seven days after he and Cheryl planned everything. Evidence of his hands being bound, physical trauma and then a bullet to the head before being dumped in the river. That doesn't sound like the hallmarks of a kid trying to run away, more like drug dealers who wanted him for something."

"Easy, Will. We can't start spinning a tale without more facts. What reason would Jason even have to leave Riverdale or his parents?" Jughead asked them.

"Because they're monsters." Betty told him.

"Yeah, but why specifically?" Jughead postulated.

"Well, we can't just ask them." Will pointed out.

"So, we have to ask Jason." Jughead stated.

"Are you gonna get the Ouija board out because if you are, I'm leaving." Will told him.

"No, dead men tell no tales. But their bedrooms, their houses...they might." Jughead suggested.

"That's a little macabre and sort of messed up but we don't have many options if we want to figure out what's going on." Will added. "Jason's funeral wake is tomorrow. Everyone is gonna be there and the Blossoms will be distracted by the attendees. Sounds like the perfect chance to me."

Betty looked a little concerned, but she agreed that this was their chance so she and Jughead agreed to the plan. After school, Will texted Veronica that he had to head home but he'd see her later. She had River Vixen practice anyway. After practice, she and the Vixens walked through the hall when she saw Archie sitting on a bench tending to his hand with medical tape, so she walked over. He saw her and handed the roll so she could wrap it.

"Isn't this you're playing hand?" She asked and he nodded. "Archie, this hand is your instrument. You need to take better care of it. And, you know, stop punishing yourself while you're at it."

"I'm not." Archie replied.

"You sure?"

"I got slammed because I didn't know the play. I didn't know the play, because like an idiot, instead of memorizing my plays I was up late last night. Working on some of my songs with Valerie. God, I'm such an idiot." Archie muttered.