The Theory Of Chaotic Perfection |BUGHEAD|

Chapter XIII - The South-side Serpents

"You-you're a Serpent?" 

Everyone knew about them. Men were afraid of them, women stayed away from them. The South-side Serpents had the power to rule Riverdale, if they wanted to. However, they kept to themselves, and if there was ever a crime reported in this small town, it was sure that some Serpent had his hands in it. 

In order to make Riverdale a  better town, a couple of families gathered together, to not only protect themselves from the Serpents, but also get rid of them in the near future. The proud founder of this organization was Hal Cooper, Betty's father. 

Hal Cooper fixed his red tie in the mirror, watching his wife put on a pearl necklace. Their daughter was going to present the new building of refuge that they finished building a few days ago. The Coopers, the Andrews, and even the Blossoms, all put in much work and money into the project. In a small town like this, even a family with a small name can become huge and known by every resident. Hal was aware that the Serpents might do something to destroy the opening ceremony, so he was cautious. But, not cautious enough to not let his daughter present the building. Maybe, this way if the Serpents attack, she could see how horrible Jughead was for her. 

Betty walked down the stairs of her house, her dress a navy blue and hair up in a pony tale with a ribbon. 

"You look beautiful," her mother commented and smiled. 

Hal looked his daughter over and regretted his decision of putting her up as a target, but it had to be done. Even her bright and innocent eyes didn't change his mind. "We should be off," he opened the door and his wife and daughter followed him to the car. 

The whole town was gathered around the building. The families stayed in their packs. The Blossoms with their two children, the Andrews and their son. Everyone welcomed the Coopers warmly. Hal opened the door for his daughter and wife and they both made their way to the presentation hall. 

After Mr. Blossom introduced the project and its purpose, his children each gave speeches. Betty's was coming up and she was nervous. She was supposed to cut the ribbon and present the place to the public. 

"Miss Elizabeth Cooper," she heard Mr. Blossom say and walked onto the stage. 

The crowd clapped for her, from the corner of her eye she could see a group of men gathered behind the crowd of people, looking at her ominously. Gulping her fears, Betty smiled and started talking about her fathers hard work. Just when she was finished and a pair of scissors were passed to her, she noticed the men move and disappear into the crowd. Her senses told her that it's not a good sign, they could be the South-side Serpents. 

Still, Betty reached for the ribbon and cut it. Applause erupted, everyone cheered. Right as Betty turned around, something was thrown at the building and it caught on fire. There was a couple of shots given out and she fell onto the floor. The last thing Betty saw, as she closed her eyes, was Mr. Blossom running away from something falling right on top of him. Looking up, Betty saw the ceiling of the stage crashing. In a fight or flight sense she managed to get up and jump off the stage. 

Everyone was running with no destination, Serpents were shooting at the building and police sirens sounded in the distance. Betty couldn't watch her father's work being destroyed. She picked up a wrench that was on the ground from the construction days and hit the Serpent who was closest to her over the head. 

One of his buddies noticed and pointed his gun at her, Betty dropped the wrench and froze. She didn't want to die. Noticing a small space in front of her to dodge behind, she took her chance and leaped out of the way. Picking herself back up, Betty started to run. Her shoes were not perfect for this exercise, so she threw them off. 

There was glass and trash all over the ground from the attack on the building, she couldn't avoid it with her bare feet. Her instinct told her to keep running, so she did. Suddenly, someone pulled her back, dragged her by the arms back towards a building corner and Betty screamed. Whoever it was closed her mouth and pushed her against the brick wall. 

Betty furrowed her eyes as he let go of her, "Jughead?" 

"The one and only," he teased. 

"How did you escape from the attack! We need to get out of here or the Serpents will kill us!" She screamed out and started looking around to find a way out. 

Jughead scratched the back of his neck, "yeah about that-"

He didn't get to finish as a car drove up to them and a man got out of it, spitting his cigarette out onto the pavement. Turning his back towards them, he got out of the car. Betty knew exactly who he was now, he had a South-side Serpents logo on his leather jacket and she got behind Jughead. 

"Isn't it a bit too late for you to be out at such an hour pretty lady?" The man smirked, nearing Jughead and Betty. 

Betty looked down, not knowing what to say, but knowing that Jughead might react in some way that could get them both killed. 

Jughead took her by the hand, "leave her alone!" 

The man raised his eyebrows, "she's with you?" He looked her up and down, "isn't she too much of a girl next door for you son?" 

Her ears didn't deceive her, and now fear overtook her senses, "son?" She looked up at Jughead. 

"She doesn't know you're the son of the South-side Serpents leader?" The man laughed out, "oh this is going to be interesting." 

"Betty, listen-" 

She let go of his hand and turned away, "no!" She tried to walk away, but her bare feet couldn't handle the hard asphalt and Betty fell as she stepped on something sharp. 

Jughead picked her up, refusing to put her down though she banged on his chest and demanded to be released. 

"You-you're a South-side Serpent?!" She asked him, as he put her into the backseat of his father's truck and sat beside her, propping her legs up on his, to check what was wrong with her. 

Jughead sighed, "I told you, I was bad news." 

A/N: So sorry it took so long! Hope you enjoy it! Vote and Comment!