The Only Beanie - Book 4 (Riverdale Season 4/5)

Halloween - Part 1

Alice, Betty, Jughead, and Aminity sat on the couch while FP and Charles stood behind them, everyone staring at the tape playing on the tv.

"What... What is this?" Alice asked.

"Fast forward," Jughead told her and she did, the recording of the front of their house from across the street still playing.

"It's literally six hours of our house," Betty explained as they watched cars pass by, FP going to and from work, Aminity walking the dog and Sweet Pea coming and talking with her on the front porch.

"Why would somebody do that? Film it and leave the evidence on the front doorstep?"

"To unsettle you," Charles told her. "Let you know you're being watched."

"Yeah, but why a videotape?" Jughead asked. "Why something so anachronistic?"

"Maybe it's just a prank," FP suggested.

***

Two Days Before Halloween

"They're freaky," Aminity admitted as she and Sweet Pea took Hot Dog on a walk. "Everyone's just waiting for another one to show up. I mean, my dad's getting calls everyday about them."

"Halloween's in two days. It's probably just some prank. Don't worry about it."

"You know, when someone says not to worry about something, people usually do."

"Hey," he stopped her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Don't worry about it. It's probably just some sick prank a teenager's pulling." She sighed as she nodded. "Okay. Come on, I think Hot Dog wants to go pick a Halloween costume." She smiled, following Sweet Pea as he took the leash and continued down the sidewalk.

***

Day Before Halloween

"Another one?" FP asked over the phone as Betty came downstairs. "Keep me updated." He sighed as he hung up and Aminity pushed the orange juice over to Betty as she made her breakfast. "The Muggs' also got a tape."

"Ooh. I'll get over there and get an interview with them for tonight's broadcast. That's the fringe benefit of living with the sheriff. I get the inside scoop before any other reporter."

"Mmm-hmm?"

"Mmm-hmm," she hummed, pulling him into a kiss as Betty and Aminity gave each other a look before going back to their breakfasts.

"Hey, Betty, is Jug still coming home for Halloween?" FP asked as he grabbed his bag.

"Yeah, that's the plan, Mr. Jones. We're gonna hand out candy and watch scary movies."

"Oh! Why don't you invite your brother?"

"Half brother," Betty corrected her.

"Charles doesn't know anybody in town."

"Okay, well, why is he still in town?"

"He's helping me with the tapes and a couple of other cases," FP told her.

"It's the one good thing that came out of this nightmare. Brought the entire family together," Alice smiled as she grabbed her mug to leave.

"Besides, if you invite him, Aminity won't be the third wheel all night," FP teased, giving his daughter a kiss on the head.

"Don't worry, I do that enough. I was actually planning on going to the Halloween party at Archie's gym."

"Sounds like fun. Just be safe."

"I will, Dad." She gave him a smile as he and Alice walked out of the house. "Besides, I don't think 'brought the whole family together' is the right term. Jughead's at Stonewall Prep-"

"And Polly's in a facility being deprogrammed," Betty clinked her glass with Aminity's.

***

Aminity walked through the halls, stopping as she turned the corner to see the Gargoyle King and the Black Hood at some lockers. She gasped, turning back around the corner and putting her head against the wall. Her hands started shaking and her chest started heaving.

"Hey, hey," Sweet Pea said gently, leaning down so he was closer to her. "Princess, what's wrong?"

"I..." she tried before pointing around the corner and he turned and looked.

He sighed, looking back at her. "They're just costumes. Look," he took her hand and gently pulled her around the corner in time to see Mr. Honey forcing them to take their masks off. "See?" She sighed, closing her eyes. "You alright?"

"Yeah," she let out, taking a deep breath. "I mean, I know, but..."

"You're okay. They're gone and no one's gonna hurt you. That's all over now. Okay?" He made her look into his eyes and she nodded. "Okay. Come on," he said gently, taking her to the student lounge where they joined the others. 

"B, you okay?" Veronica asked as Betty walked in and sat next to her.

"Um, I'm not gonna lie. I'm a little on edge this Halloween. I mean, people are dressed up like the Black Hood and the Gargoyle King."

"We saw," Sweet Pea said, Aminity still holding his hand as they sat on the couch.

"And then there are those damn videotapes."

"You two really are alike," Sweet Pea whispered to Aminity about her and Betty, making her give a small smile.

"I'm with you, girl. Ever since my dad broke into the Pembrooke, I've been looking over my shoulder. And if the town's got a voyeur now-"

"What's up, guys?" Reggie asked as he walked in. "Who wants to tp Mr. Honey's office with me tomorrow night?"

"Reggie, it's senior year," Betty told him, breaking the silence of the others. "We're seniors."

"Exactly. It's senior year. This is our last Halloween at Riverdale High."

"I'm in Reggie," Kevin told him.

"Huh?"

"What? Kev?" Betty let out at the same time as Reggie. "Why?"

"Honey gave me a week's detention for going to the bathroom without a hall pass."

"That's what I'm talking about," he gave Kevin a high five.

"What the hell, I'm in," Sweet Pea raised his hand.

"I thought you were going to the Halloween party with me," Aminity looked at him.

"Oh, better not make the Mrs. mad."

"I'm not-"

"She's not-" Sweet Pea said at the same time, Aminity pulling her hand out of Sweet Pea's. Everyone else only nodded and went back to their planning.

***

"Are you okay if I go? I know Jughead's late."

"No, go. You look amazing," Betty smiled at Aminity as she came downstairs dressed as Dorothy, Hot Dog at her heels. "Is Sweet Pea dressing up with you too?"

"Yeah."

"Is he the Tin Man or the Scarecrow? Wait, please tell me he's the Wicked Witch."

"I wish I thought of that," Aminity laughed. "I wanted him to be the Cowardly Lion, but he found Hot Dog this lion costume and refused to have Hot Dog as Toto."

"Well, you guys look great."

"Thanks. You too. Very classic look."

"Thank you."

"Can you text me when Jughead gets here? Maybe I can sneak out and make it in time for one of the movies."

"Yeah, of course. Have fun," she smiled, closing the door behind Aminity.

I love The Wizard of Oz so freaking much, so that's what I went with for Aminity. Sorry, not sorry!