Falice 2

Baptism

3x13

FP mindlessly twirled the chicken wing in his hands. He's had too much on his mind lately to pick one, single thought to dwell himself over.

FP took a quick glance across the room to where Jellybean was sitting. The girl was too busy basking in her own silence to notice. His attention then shifted to her brother letting himself in.

"How did it go with the Ghoulies?"

"They don't exist anymore," Jughead said as he pulled his jacket off. His mother walked past him and into the living room as he hung it up on a hook. He watched her place one of the bottles in her hands in front of his father. FP, on the other hand had ignored the poor gesture and focused on his son. "They're part of the Gargoyles now."

"Same guys, different mask. Did you recruit 'em?" Gladys asked once she got back to her seat on the couch.

"No," Jughead showed no interest in his answer towards her. "I'll find another way to save the Serpents." He took a seat next to his father. "Gargoyles aren't the answer. I don't want them anywhere near us. They uh...they're so deep into G&G. It's like they're lost in a jungle."

"Take it easy, boy. Get some food in you." FP proposed for him to give himself a breather. He was already concern enough about how he was handling things with the Serpents. Day by day, he felt a little more guilty about having his regrets with handing him over the throne. He knew he personally needed to retire, but maybe giving the leadership position to his son so soon was the wrong call. To make up for those thoughts he's made sure to always be there in a time of need.

His priority will always be to protect and keep him safe. The same went for his other loved ones. It was something he had no idea the phone call he was about to receive would test.

FP dug into his pocket for his cellphone. His eyebrow quirked up when he read Betty's name on the screen. He found it a little strange that it wasn't Jughead's phone that rang. He picked the call up and pressed the phone up to his ear. The man greeted her clueless to what she had to say. "Hey, Betty."

"Betty?" Jughead furrowed his eyebrows.

"Wait, slow down for me." He couldn't understand anything she was saying at the speed she was talking. He didn't know how he felt about finally understanding her once he found out what she was concerned about.

Everyone watched the color drain from his face. His fingers clutched onto his phone far too tightly, halting his blood from circulating to his fingers.

She was calling for her mother's wellbeing. She had learned a thing or two about the dangers of the baptism Alice was committing to through a former farmie she had the luxury of tracking down for an interview. The woman's sister partook in the same baptism ritual and drowned to death. She needed his power as sheriff to help her put an end to this.

"What?" Jughead wanted nothing more than to know what happened to his girlfriend. "What is it, dad? Is she okay?"

FP sprang up and shuffled over to the kitchen counter for his keys and badge. "I'm on my way. I will meet you there very, very soon, alright?"

FP pocketed his phone and looked over at Jughead. The boy wanted answers, but he couldn't give them yet. "Jug, you might want to tag along with me on this one for your girl."

Jughead didn't hesitate to get up. He grabbed their jackets from the rack and opened the door.

"You're not on the clock. Isn't there someone else to cover you? This is our family time." Gladys spoke up. She knew there had to be somebody down at the station that could take this from his hands.