The Other Queen - Book 5 (Riverdale Season 5)

Purgatorio - Part 2

"This place is a mess," Toni said as she and Aminity walked into the El Royale the next morning.

"I guess that's what happens when you don't send anyone to check in on it."

"Archie?" Toni called.

"Over here." They walked around the boxing ring to see him trying to clean up. "I figured a steel gate would be enough to keep this gym intact, but this place is like a warzone."

"Well, wait till you see the rest of the town."

"Come on. The truck's out front."

***

"This was the fire station, remember? It was already a burnt up shell by the time I got back from college."

"No one's trying to rebuild it?"

"The funding for the whole town has been completely stripped by-"

"Hiram Lodge," he finished for Aminity and she nodded.

"And not only is the fire department gone, but the sheriff's office is now down to two people."

"Just me and Mr. Keller."

"I don't understand. What are people doing?"

Toni shrugged, "Fending for themselves. The town's lawless now, Archie."

"Come on. There's more," Aminity said, getting back in the truck and driving.

"This was Picken's Park," he said as they got out. "Where is everybody?"

"Whoever could afford to leave is long gone," Toni sighed. "Only the people who were too poor or too proud to move on are still here. Follow me. This was Sketch Alley," she continued as they walked down the street. "Now we just call it what it is: Skidrow."

"And these dogs are everywhere," Aminity said as a couple barking dogs ran past them. "Packs of them. Some of them are even rabid." They headed back to the truck and started to drive, allowing Archie to just look around.

"That's the fifth bus stop that's been trashed, melted."

"Five of dozens," Toni nodded, looking out the window. "Nowadays, there's always a fire burning in Riverdale."

"Why burn a bench for no reason? Where are people gonna sit for the bus?"

"There aren't anymore busses that pass through here," Aminity said. "Sometimes the trucks that the Serpents drive do, but only if they have to and rarely at night. Bad things have started happening here after dark. People have started calling this the Lonely Highway."

"Why destroy an entire town for nothing? What does Hiram Lodge have to gain?"

"We'll show you." Toni gave Aminity a nod and she turned off of the road, stopping as they pulled up next to a sign displaying what SoDale would be.

"I don't get it. So where are the houses?"

"This isn't SoDale proper. This is where Hiram's building a turnpike that leads to SoDale about half a mile due east. Hiram's catering to the rich folk who can commute into the city."

"So he's strangling Riverdale to boost SoDale."

"The less the land in Riverdale is worth, the less he has to pay for it to build and expand," Aminity said.

"And let me guess, their kids will go to SoDale High."

"Actually Stonewall Prep," Toni corrected. "That place is the same. Except Hiram bought himself a seat on the board."

"And so the nightmare continues," he sighed.

"Archie, there's actually one more place I think you should see on the tour. But you're gonna have to brace yourself."

***

They stood in front of Archie's old house, hearing loud music and glass smashing from the inside. The outside was covered in graffiti and all the plants were dead.

"The Ghoulies moved into my house?"

"Do you wanna go in there and knock some heads?" Toni asked.

"As a matter of fact, yeah, I do. Aminity, why don't you do something about this?"

"Archie, it's just me and Mr. Keller. As much as I wish I could, we have to prioritize and this just isn't high on the list."

"Alright. We'll deal with that later, but first we need to go back to Pop's and see if any of them came."

***

Aminity and Archie walked into the chocolate shop, Pop smiling as he saw them.

"Archie, I heard you were back."

"Pop, it's good to see you," he shook his hand. "I missed you."

"Same. I missed all of you." He turned his head and they followed to see Jughead, Betty, and Veronica sitting in their usual booth. Archie and Aminity both broke out into smiles, heading over.

"Jug!" Aminity called and Jughead stood up, giving her a hug. "I missed you."

"I've missed you too."

"Betty, Veronica, hi," she smiled.

"Hi, Aminity."

"Hi, A."

"It's good to see you guys," Archie said. "Look, Toni and Aminity gave me a tour of Riverdale today and it's... It's a hellscape. I know I called you here for Pop's retirement party, but we have a much bigger agenda now. Riverdale's dying and we might be the only ones who can save it." They all looked at each other, seeming to make yet another pact.