Always and Forever

Chapter 18: When a Stranger Calls

The next morning Archie and I walked Betty to school. Last night Betty told me what had happened at Town Hall with Jughead.

"I need to tell you two something Arch and Dan," Betty began. "But you can't tell anyone else. Not Veronica, not Jughead, not your dad, just no one. Promise me."

"We promise," I assured her.

"The Black Hood called me," Betty informed.

"What?" Archie asked as he stopped walking.

"Keep walking," Betty urged.

"Wait, the Black Hood called you?" I questioned.

"Yes, it's even risky for me to even be telling you two," Betty stated. "But we're best friends and we live next door to each other. So, us walking to school together would look perfectly normal to anyone who might be watching. Including him?"

"You think he's watching us?" Archie asked.

"I don't know, he could be," Betty responded. "I know it sounds crazy, but it was him."

"Betty, you have to tell the police," Archie insisted. "Even if it's not him."

"No Archie," I said. "She shouldn't maybe he knows where some she cares about is, then he might hurt them."

"It is him. Dani's also right, he told me," Betty confirmed. "If I went to the police, or if I told Jughead, he'd...God, he knows where Polly is, Arch and Dan. If he calls me again, I have to answer."

"We're not letting you go through this alone," I spoke. Betty looked at us. "Meet me at my locker later."

***********************************************************************

Later on, I was at my locker when Betty approaches me.

"Why do you need me to meet you here?" Betty asked.

"Hand me your phone," I demanded as I pulled two small mics.

"What are you going to do?" Betty asked as she gave me her phone.

"I am hooking up a device," I explained. I took off Betty's case and put one of the mics on before putting the case back on. "Whenever you get a call, I will receive it, and it will record it on my device, just make sure you have your Bluetooth on."

"Dani," Betty protested as I handed the phone back. "It wasn't even a recognizable voice."

"I know, maybe I can try playing around with the levels to find out who is behind the voice," I defend myself.

"And what if you get into trouble again?" Betty asked.

"I'll call Sweet Pea," I informed.

"Do you really think that Serpent will come to your rescue?" Betty asked.

"If it keeps me from getting killed then yes," I answered.

***********************************************************************

Later that day I was at Jughead's trying to do more research on serial killers.

"Dani, if I became a Serpent-" Jughead began.

"Archie would not be too happy, and maybe Betty as well," I answered as I looked up at him. Jughead was looking at the Serpent jacket that was given to him. I miss showing off my jacket.

"What would you think?" Jughead asked.

"Why do you care what I think?" I asked.

"You're like my other sister," Jughead answers.