Always and Forever

Chapter 35: Brave New World

(Dani's POV)

I opened my eyes and blinked quickly to see where I was at. I looked around to see myself in the hospital bed and someone sitting right by me. I took a closer look to see who it was and it was Dad.

"Dad?" I let out. I saw him get up instantly and walk over to me.

"Dani," Dad said softly.

"What did I miss?" I asked. Dad then told me everything that has happened and that Jughead woke up a few hours before I did.

"What you and your brother did brought every Serpent I've ever known out of the woodwork and you would've been proud of 'em, sweetheart," Dad explained. "It looked like we were gonna win the day, but in the end, there were just...just too many Ghoulies. It was like shooting snakes in a barrel."

"Why?" I asked. "Why did you go?"

"I wanted to avenge you and your brother," Dad said.

"We had an agreement with Hiram Lodge," I stated.

"There was no stopping the others. Especially Sweet Pea," Dad said. "They were churned up about you, your brother, and Fangs. Even though Fangs is...He's alive."

"Fangs is alive?" I gasped as Dad nodded. "But I thought...A deputy called you and told you he was dead."

"Yeah, that was a lie," Dad answered.

"A ploy, you mean," I stated as I looked away. "To goad the Serpents into a fight they couldn't win. All of riot night was a Hiram Lodge orchestrated mousetrap. And the Serpents followed me and Jug right into it."

"Sunnyside Trailer Park fell," Dad stated, I started to think of everyone who didn't have a house now. I wonder if we lost our trailer. "And while our trailer's still standing, most of them burned." Dad then sat up. "Dan, after the rumble, some of the Serpents defected, they...They joined the Ghoulies, others were arrested. Most went into hiding, the rest, they...They left town...I looked at my lap then back at dad. "The Serpents...they don't exist anymore. We had our time. Nothing for you to do but to get better. And be there for Toni, Cheryl, Fangs, and Sweet Pea."

"Sweet Pea?" I asked. "What happened with Sweet Pea?" Later in the day Sweet Pea came over to see me and was overjoyed that I was awake. We were now just cuddling and laying on my hospital bed. Even though I was enjoying this moment with him, I felt a little distant from him. I just don't know why. "I'm so sorry, that I wasn't there for you when you need me the most. You're best friend 'died'..." I used air quotes. "And I sacrificed myself. It probably made it worse. I'm so sorry."

"No, Dan," Sweet Pea shook his head. "Was it one of the worst nights of my life, hearing Fangs' dead and seeing you almost dead? Yes. But am I glad that Fangs' and especially you are okay, hell yes? Right now, all I care about is you, and taking care of Fangs." He then kissed me, a few minutes later the door was barged open and Toni, Cheryl, and Fangs walked in a little after. Cheryl immediately hugged me as Toni stayed at the foot of my bed.

"You are something, sacrificing yourself to the Ghoulies," Toni hissed. "Why the hell would you do that, I thought you were dead."

"I thought sacrificing myself would stop the battle in the morning with the Serpents and Ghoulies and honor Fangs," I stated. "I'm so sorry. To all of you, especially you, Sweet Pea."

"Baby, we already talked about this," Sweet Pea said as he lifted my chin. "All is forgiven. I love you, okay." He kissed me.

"I love you too," I said.

"I thought you died," Toni whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"TT, I'm sorry okay," I apologized. "I did it for all of you, mostly Fangs." I pointed to Fangs.