Blood of My Blood, Flesh of My Flesh (Bughead)

Witch's Curse

"You good now?" Midge asked, knees cold against the wet stones of Sweetwater River, where Val had found a spot in the ice to slip under.

"So much better," Val groaned, "Girl, you gotta get back out there! The town is going mad!"

"I know it." Midge sighed, picking herself up from the ground, and rubbing her hands to create warmth. Her phone buzzed again; her parents, summoning her home.

If she didn't look, she wouldn't have to go.

"Stay safe," Midge said, "And just stay beneath the water. I'll find you when it's over."

Val nodded, and Midge watched as she flashed away under the ice, like a brilliant multi-colored fish, swimming far away from this curse.

It came at Midge in waves; like water lapping the shore. She would feel the effects of the spell try to wash over her, like someone dousing her shoulders with a bucket of water, but her powers would burn back through it. It was like a fever that would ebb and flow.

She had no idea where Josie or Archie was, but the town center was a pretty good guess. She had only gotten her learner's permit two weeks ago, but she doubted she'd be pulled over right now for not driving with an adult. It seemed that there were other bigger issues. Besides, as Kevin had put it, it seemed most of the police officers were under the spell too.

She put the car in gear and started sputtering back towards the town center. She was halfway there, through the woods, when she came upon a man frantically trying to fend off three werewolves.

"Oh, no," Midge groaned. She parked the car, and got out.

"Ma'am! Stay back! It's not safe!" The man sputtered, shaking, using what looked like a tire iron as a weapon.

"I'm fine," Midge assured. She stomped her foot, "Shoo! Shoo!" She said, waving her arms like they were flies.

She wondered which wolves these were.

One wolf seemed to roll their eyes, as though realizing Midge was going to make this difficult for them. One whined like a child and swung his muzzle toward the man. He shrieked.

"Uhm, he wants the beef jerky in your hands, sir," Midge groaned, spying the bag.

"You can't be serious."

"I entirely am." She said. The man was frozen in place, so Midge took the bag and threw it toward the second wolf, who hummed contentedly, dragging it back into the woods.

"You should go," Midge said, staring at the third wolf.

"I can't leave a lady alone," He huffed.

Midge didn't hear him. She took a step toward the third wolf. As soon as the wolf moved, the man bolted.

"I know these eyes..." Midge said with a quiet smile, a warmth spreading throughout her body. The wolf blinked at her, confused.

Midge tried something; she didn't think she could do it twenty million times over, but her powers were similar to Betty's, but the vehicle of magic was often different. She wondered...

She placed her hands on the wolf's head, focusing on clearing the cursed fog away. It was like scraping dirt off a window pane, and soon, the thoughts of the wolf were shining back through.

The fur shimmered and soon, a teenage boy was standing in front of her. She spied the totem that Betty had made Sweet Pea's friends; for the better. She would have been bright red if he would have turned without his clothes.

"Hi, Franklin," Midge said, offering a smile.

"Do we...have we met before?" Franklin asked, tilting his head and examining her, "Why when I look at you do I think of flower crowns?" He asked quietly.