Always and Forever

Chapter 39: The Midnight Club

The Gryphons and Gargoyle's game spread like a virus through all of Riverdale, for every confiscated one, two would pop up in its place. Now I was smart enough to bring the manual out when people could see or play. I stayed up late scanning the pages for answers, I took it to my trailer and jot down anything, all while hiding it in a shelf of my books, a place I was sure dad or mom would not look. I sat in class as Mayor Lodge spewed to us about the game, I sat in the front next to Cheryl and the window. 

"Two students have taken their lives and a third tried," Mayor Lodge reported. "The common thread linking these tragedies, all three victims were playing the game known as Gryphons and Gargoyles." 

"Wait, so you are admitting that game killed Dilton and Ben?" Jughead asked. 

"And almost Ethel?" I added. 

"Yes, Mr. And Ms. Jones," Mayor Lodge answered. 

"But where did G&G come from?" Betty asked. "Where did Ben and Dilton even get it?" 

"Well, we still don't have many answers," Mayor lodge answered. "But from the little that we do know about it, the game seems targeted at impressionable developing finds. Namely, teens like yourselves." 

"Um, challenge accepted," Reggie declared getting most of the class to laugh. 

"Respect to the dead," Cheryl began as she rolled her eyes. "But some among our flock are shepherds, not sheep." 

"The game's quests are role-playing scenarios are specifically designed to foster delusion, paranoia, and ultimately violence," Mayor Lodge informed as everyone whis[ered among each other. "As mayor, I'm officially banning Gryphons and Gargoyles. Mrs. Burble is gonna be holding extended office hours and I've set up a 24-hour crisis hotline overseen by Kevin Keller." 

"FYI, I'm only there after school," Kevin informed. 

"As a parent, I'm imploring you, take care of yourselves," Mayor Lodge wished. "And stay away from this game." After class ended I was walking down the hall when I got pulled into an empty classroom and felt a pair of lips on mine. 

"Hi, Sweets," I smiled as we pulled away. 

"Hi, babe," He smiled. "That feels so good to say again." 

"I bet it does," I kissed him once more. Once we parted he looked at me for a second. 

"Something on your mind?" Sweet Pea asked. 

"G&G," I answered. "The game." 

"Oh, what about it?" He asked. "Do you wanna play it?" 

"To be honest, I do to see what the big thing about it is but I also don't so I won't die," I stated. "If you want to play go ahead and do it, just don't die I need you." 

"You're not gonna lose me," Sweet Pea said as he kissed my forehead. "I'm a fighter." 

"Ok, I have to go, bye, I love you," I said. 

"I love you," He said as I walked. I then walked to the Blue and Gold, where Betty was already sitting at the desk. 

"Hey," Betty greeted. "You ok?" 

"I'm fine," I stated. 

"Newsflash, Mom," Veronica said walking into the room with two mugs. "Banning something only makes it more interesting." 

"Thank you," Betty said as Veronica gave her a mug. 

"And now this stupid game is literally all anyone is talking about," I groaned. 

"You are not playing are you, Dan or Vee?" Betty asked. 

"No," I answered. 

"Bee, you don't make Fibes 20 under 20 by prancing around the woods in a deer carcass," Veronica answered. She raised her mug to her mouth. "Are you and Jughead playing?"