This is My World, Baby Boy

Chapter 11

The closest pharmacy was the Riverdale Pharmacy, located at the far end of the Southside tracks. It was a longer trek than Jughead recalled, but it stocked everything they needed. As Toni made the necessary, albeit reluctant, phone call, Jughead hurried through the store.

"Riverdale PD, How may I help you today?" The voice of an eager woman sounded threw the phone and Toni felt bad for what she was about to unload on this lady.

"Hi, Yeah I was driving down that old road off of 3rd street, Ya know the one near fox trot forest." Toni took a deep breath and sighed "It's on the north side of the tracks but still close to the woods."

The sound of keyboard clicks was heard over the phone line. "North Oak street?" Toni hadn't had time to check the street name she just went where Jughead directed her. "Uh, Yeah I think so. I'm not really sure i was kinda in a rush to get home but I saw this lady. She was at the front of a house and she didn't look well and there was a broken window. It just seemed like a whole mess." Toni knew damn well if she didn't at least insinuate something had happened the cops probably wouldn't take the call seriously. She took a deep breath, "I think it might have been a domestic dispute... I hope she's okay.." Her words felt hollow, but its not like she could be honest and admit she and her friend broke into this lady's house saw the result of her abuse and fled with her son's belongings.

Further clicks of the keyboard sounded through the phone. "And your name ma'am" the dispatcher asked. Toni bit her lip she knew it was better to keep it anonymous so as not to involve herself but she wanted to be kept in the loop, if the cops arrested Fangs mom they'd notify her as the one who called it in. Would Jughead be honest with her and keep her up to date, Did she deserve to know? As silence stretched, the dispatcher prompted again, "Hello? Ma'am?" Toni sighed and looked at her phone the dim light of the caller id looked back at her. "Sorry, I'd like to not be involved, thanks." She hung up.

As she ended the call, Jughead opened the car door and placed some plastic bags on the front passenger seat. "Treating my car like your personal moving truck huh Jones?" She said snarkily. "Pfft, You think I'd use your rust bucket as a moving truck Topaz? Consider yourself lucky." he replied with a sarcastic tone. She rolled her eyes at his retort. "I called the cops, not sure what's gonna happen now." Jughead nodded and looked at the nearly set sun. "Let's get to the trailer park and figure out the rest of this shit tomorrow I need to sleep." He said rubbing his hand on his face and through his messy hair.

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Sweetpea parked his bike near the side of the front steps leaving room for Toni and Jughead to park. It sure was taking those guys some time to get Fangs' stuff. Whatever he thought more time to lay down the charm.

He opened the trailer door and went for the kitchen grabbing a plate. He separated their food and put Fang's burger and fries on the plate. He left what he got for himself on the kitchen counter and headed for Jughead's room.

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The room's only light was from the open window. The sun was starting to set and the bright warm light flickered into the room. Fangs didn't really know what to do other than to try falling back asleep but the burning in his shoulder didn't make that easy. He tried shifting around but everything felt sore and his head was still pounding.

So sleeping didn't seem like it was on his possible activities list just yet. He missed his phone, at least with that he could scroll mindlessly or maybe watch a movie or something to distract himself. He had told sweetpea he didn't remember but he did. He remembered it all too clearly. He got into it with his mom again and she was having another episode. He felt the tears welling up and his vision was blurring. "Why couldn't we just be a normal family." He whispered into the empty room as he buried his face into Jughead's pillows. He took in deep breaths trying to calm down knowing he was in a safe space now. The slowly darkening room was filled with only silence and Fang's soft breathing.

The faint sound of a motorcycle in the distance startled Fangs out of the hazy sleep he was trying to be in. The sound of rustling outside the bedroom door made him uneasy; Who was there? His breathing picked up a little as he tried to cover himself with the blanket under him, He could feel the caked blood brush against his skin roughly. He grabbed the jacket sweetpea had given him using it to cover his bare chest. The soft cotton inside offering him comfort like a protective shield over him. 

Knock, Knock.

Fangs froze likes a deer in headlights staring at the door fearful of what would step inside. The door knob turned and everything seemed to go in slow motion. The creaking of the floorboard rang in his ear as he felt the panic rise up in his throat. His breathing felt fast and short and suddenly it felt like his lungs weren't taking in air. 

"Hey, the food's here," Sweetpea announced with an initial smirk that quickly faded as he took in the scene before him.