My Love

Chapter Eight

As the three of us drove to Centerville Mall. We were listening to music at full blast when we noticed that the site where the boys had gone for a guys night out was loaded with police cars.

We turned down the radio and pulled over. A police officer came over to the car. He was in the usual uniform. His hair balding in the center, his face wrinkled with age, and mildly sweating from the hot May sun.

"You kids good?" He asked, his hands on his sides above his belt.

"Yeah, we were just curious as to what happened because our friends were here last night. And we haven't heard from them since." Betty explained.

"Oh, well we have found six different pairs of clothing. Different sizes so we presume they're from different people. All ripped and kinda bloody. But that's all I can tell ya' on that. The tents were ripped too. Everything scattered around the site. No vehicles though." The officer explained.

"Yeah, they carpooled together with our boyfriends" Betty said pointing to the three of us in the car. "And they said they'd text when they were ready to leave. But thanks for letting us know about the scene a bit officer..." She trailed off looking at his name tag. "Berntley" she finished.

"No problem, do you know the kids' name's?" He asked looking at the three of us in the car.

"Veronica Lodge, Sabrina Spellman, Rosiland Walker, Reginald Mantle, Harvey Kinkle, and Nicholas Scratch." Theo said from the back seat.

"Alright, thank you." The officer said then wandered back to the others.

We drove to a gas station and turned around. We had to get our boyfriends to tell them what happened. I looked at the time. Jughead would be out by now. It was two in the afternoon. He usually didn't get back till late when working but he texted while I was at my appointment and said that he was getting out early.

"Theo, call Robin and tell him to meet at Pop's. I'll call Jughead and Archie." I said, already calling Jug.

Theo pulled out his phone and started calling Robin. Jughead answered on the second ring.

"Hey, what's up? I thought you were shopping." He said, curious. I could hear noises in the background.

"We were on our way to Centerville Mall when we came across the road where the Campsite is that you and the guys were at last night. Meet me at Pop's, I'll explain there." I told him, I didn't wait for him to respond when I hung up.

Theo leaned forward before I could call Archie. "Robin's not answering." He said, worry all in his tone.

"I texted Archie while you were in the gas station. I told him to meet us at Pop's since it's where we usually meet." Betty said, driving faster than usual.

"Try Robin again." I told Theo. He obliged then he finally got through, just before it went to voicemail. I heard him sigh in relief. He told Robin to meet us there.

Soon, we all would be discussing what happened to the other six. We were almost to Pop's when we saw more police cars driving towards where we came from. Theo and I looked at each other. Something was seriously wrong.

We pulled into a parking spot. The three men were already standing by each other. Talking. The three of us hastily exited the car. I ran directly to Jughead. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close.

I was so glad that he wasn't there when the other six went missing. He hugged me back, I could see Theo and Betty do the same. The relief on both their faces but confusion on Archie and Robin's faces.

We all went into Pop's and sat in a booth. Betty, Archie and Robin on one side. Theo, Jughead and I on the other.

"What can I get for you kids today?" Pop asked, I didn't notice him come up to the table.

"The usual." Jug said.

"Just a Chocolate shake" Theo said.

"A strawberry shake" Betty told Pop.

"A hamburger with, tomato, light onion, light pickles, lettuce, and mozzarella cheese. French fries, and a chocolate shake." Robin told Pop, smiling innocently at him.

"Just a vanilla shake with fries, Pop" I told him. I wanted fries to dip in my shake.

Pop left to go make our order. After he was gone, I scanned the place. Right after I stood to look around, Cheryl and Toni came in. Cheryl was in a red heart shaped shirt with matching shorts. Toni was in her Serpents jacket with a yellow shirt underneath, she had on a pair of faux leather pants.

"Cheryl and Toni just came in." I told the group, flopping back in my seat.

"Shit, we can't talk about this with her here. She'll want to join in our search. And I really don't want my cousin involved." Betty said, putting her head in her hands. Archie gently rubbed her back, reassuringly.

While we waited on our order, and for Cheryl to leave, I took note in what everyone was wearing.

Betty had a baby pink button up tank top, blue jeans shorts, her signature ponytail, and her sneakers. Archie was in a dark blue tank top, grey sweat shorts, and his sneakers.

Theo wore a reddish brown T-shirt, faded blue jeans shorts, and sneakers. Robin wore a faded yellow tank top, faded red sweat shorts that looked orange, and his sneakers.

Jughead wore his usual grey S T-shirt, blue jeans, his beanie, his Serpents jacket, and his converse sneakers. I had on ripped blue jeans, converse and a black T-shirt.

Pop came over with our milkshakes and sat them down on the table. We grabbed our shakes and I leaned back. Waiting on my fries. I looked over the booth to see if Cheryl was still there or if she left. I didn't see her so I sank back into the booth.

"What were you looking for heathen?" I jumped and looked up to see Cheryl, Toni behind her looking sorry for me.

"Nothing, I was seeing if Pop was getting our food." I said, looking down at my shake.

"Why are the six of you here? And where are the other six?" Cheryl asked, taking note that half the group was gone.

"They're still camping, and Pop's is a public place." Betty said, leaning her head onto the palm of her hand.

"Camping? I hope it wasn't the campsite where all those campers have gone missing. Not because I care for those imbeciles, but on your behalf. Dear, cousin." Cheryl said, pulling up a chair. Toni did the same.

"What campsite? And what missing campers?" Betty asked