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

Halloween - Part 2

"You look great," Archie smiled in his superhero costume as Aminity walked in. "Where'd you find those shoes?"

"Veronica. That girl can get anything. I could have had silver shoes like in the book, but then I would spend the whole night being asked why they were silver and not red."

"Wait, why would she have silver shoes?" Archie asked, making her laugh.

"I'll see you later," Aminity chuckled, walking further into the party and getting a drink. People kept coming up and asking if they could take pictures and pet Hot Dog and she let them.

"I told you that costume would be a hit," Sweet Pea said and she turned around to see him dressed as the Scarecrow. He leant down and pet Hot Dog who immediately started waging his tail.

"Sometimes I'm convinced he loves you more than me," Aminity teased, getting on her knees as Hot Dog came over and licked her face.

"Nah, you're way better." She only smiled before it faded as she caught Archie's face. She turned, following his gaze to where a man walked in, flanked by some others.

"Archie, everything okay?" she asked, coming over and standing with him and Munroe.

"Yeah, I got this. Hey," he called as he walked over to them, "this is a private event."

"Really? 'Cause the sign outside said it's open to the public."

"Not for you and your crew, Dodger."

"Do I know you?" He chuckled as he spied Eddie watching. "Well, I know that one." He gave a whistle. "Eddie! You didn't tell me you were taking the night off. Who's handling business out there while you're in here having a good time? Time is money. Come on, let's go."

"He's not going anywhere with you."

"Oh, yeah?" Dodger asked, pushing Archie away as Munroe, Aminity, and Sweet Pea all stepped forwards. "What are you gonna do about it, Captain Spandex?"

"I heard you got your ass kicked not too long ago," Munroe stepped between them. "If you'd like a repeat, I'll happily oblige. Now, leave. This is private property."

He sized them up before stepping back. "Be seeing you boys. You too, Eddie!" he called as Archie pushed Eddie into his office and Dodger and his friends left.

"Who was that?" Aminity asked Munroe after the door closed.

"His name's Dodger. He's been recruiting kids to sell drugs for him."

"He's one of the reasons you guys started the community center," Aminity realized and he nodded. She sighed, "Well, you guys have done good with this place."

"Thanks." She nodded and Sweet Pea grabbed her hand, going back to the party and helping refill the drinks and food.

"When you said we were going to a party, I didn't think you meant we'd be working it."

"Oh, come on. You like that Christmas thing the Serpents do. Why not help at Halloween too?"

"I didn't say I didn't like it." She only smiled as she went and grabbed another plate of cupcakes from Archie's office.

"How's it going out there?" Archie asked as she walked in.

"Good. I think the kids are really enjoying it."

"Good."

"Yo, Red," Munroe came into the room, "you're gonna want to check this out."

"What?"

"Some of the kids wanted to go home. I went outside to make sure everything was cool and..."

"And?"

"There's trouble out front." Archie stood, Aminity putting down the tray and following him outside.

"Hey!" Archie yelled as they went out front to see Dodger and his crew sitting and talking. "I told you to get out of here."

"Nah, it doesn't work that way. That crap gym of yours might be private property, but this lot isn't," he spit at him.

"That's it. I'm done playing," Archie muttered walking forwards.

"Yeah, you do that, son!" Dodger stood and pulled up his shirt to reveal a gun. "Come here and get your ass shot." They all stopped walking. "That'll make our Halloween, right, boys?"

***

Archie paced as he held the phone to his ear, the four standing in his office.

"Mr. Jones, it's Archie," he said as he got his voicemail. "Can you do me a favor and swing by the gym? We got a bunch of kids here and some punks with guns out front. Let me know." He shook his head as he hung up.

"What do we do in the meantime?"

"Go crack some skulls?" Sweet Pea suggested with a sick smile.

"No. Pea, they have guns. There's no way we're going out there."

"Aminity's right. We'll just keep the party going as late as we have to." They all nodded.

"I'll try my dad again," Aminity offered, pulling out her phone.

***

"Looker rooms are secure," Munroe said as they all came back into the office after checking around the gym.

Aminity pulled her phone out as it started to ring. "Dad?"

"Hey, sweetheart."

"I'm putting you on speaker phone." She took the phone away from her ear and turned it on.

"Sorry it's taken me a minute," he apologized. "It's been a crazy night, but I'm pulling up right now."

"Okay, great," Archie told him and FP hung up as the four teens went to walk outside. They all stopped and ducked as they heard gunshots, the younger teens screaming. The four glanced at each other before getting up and taking off running outside to find FP standing over Eddie on the ground. "Eddie?"

"I need an ambulance at El Royle Boxing Club right now!" FP spoke into his radio as Archie sat with Eddie as Munroe, Aminity, and Sweet Pea all watched.

***

Day After Halloween

"How's Eddie?" Aminity asked as she picked up Archie's call.

"He's gonna be fine. Doctor's said it's just a flesh wound. As bad as what happened is, maybe he'll learn a lesson."

"Yeah. Something good to come out of it."

"What Eddie said made me think some more about what I'm really doing. I think there's a lot more that we have to do."

"Well, I will be there with you to do whatever you want to do."

"Thanks, Aminity. I appreciate it."

"No problem. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye."

"Is he okay?" Sweet Pea asked from where he sat with Hot Dog on the floor in sweatpants and a t-shirt.

"Yeah," she nodded, flopping back down on her bed. "I did not expect Halloween to go like that. Jughead's night too. Being kept in a coffin all night sounds fun."

"Welcome to holidays in Riverdale."