Smokestacks - Jughead Jones [1] ✔

Chapter Twenty

SMOKESTACKS

CHAPTER | TWENTY

Savannah didn't see Jughead again that night until Cheryl and Chuck cornered him at the door, the latter slamming it shut before he could leave.

"Where you going, guest of honour?" Chuck taunted, Cheryl smiling sickly at his side.

"Get out of my way, Chuck."

Veronica and Betty appeared at the door to the living room, their eyes locked on the scene that was unfolding before them, whilst Savannah started to make her way down the stairs from the bathroom.

"Oh, but you can't leave now." Cheryl beamed, a impish expression overtook her face. "We haven't even played our game yet."

"This can't be good." Savannah muttered to herself, moving to join Jughead at the bottom of the stairs. He glanced at her for a second before looking away, growing frustrated.

"Listen up, party people!" Cheryl called out to the band of drunken teenagers, "Everyone has their secrets. And we've all done our share of sinning. That's one thing my dear brother's death has revealed. So let's play a little game to get those secrets out in the open."

Savannah suddenly started thinking of all the secrets that she could have hidden from her classmates. Her relationship with Jason was common knowledge now after his death, even Polly herself was aware of that.

Her situation with her parents? Only Cheryl knew that and she didn't see the girl being that vindictive, despite her little game.

"The game is secrets and sins." Cheryl continued, moving into the living room where everyone started to gather in a little circle.

"What the hell is that?" Jughead asked, growing more infuriated with each minute that he was forced to stay in that house.

"It's a variation on truth or dare." Cheryl explained as chairs were pulled up for Archie, Betty and Veronica to sit on. "In which we own our truths by telling it like it is."

This was an organised attack, Savannah realised in relief, as the three were shown to their seats. It seemed so sick, like animals led to the slaughter.

"I'll start the game with Veronica Lodge."

"Naturally." Veronica drawled.

"Let's begin with the day you and your mob wife of a mother came to town for a so-called fresh start." Cheryl started walking in circles, she and Chuck doing their own little devilish dance. "Tell us, Veronica. What's so fresh about defiling Archie Andrews in a closet?"

"That was your doing." Veronica pointed out.

"Moving on," Cheryl interjected quickly, "To dear Daddy Lodge. Isn't it true that your father, from prison, illegally purchased the drive-in land?"

Savannah's eyes flickered to Jughead, who looked almost betrayed by the news. She could see his eyes land on Veronica, who couldn't meet his gaze.

They were learning things about their friends that they didn't need to know. Secrets were secrets for a reason, and Savannah couldn't help but wonder how much worse this was going to get. After all, the game had only just started.

"Which makes me wonder." Cheryl pondered the thought aloud, "What else is he doing from behind bars?"

Veronica stared down Cheryl, "Well, I can't speak for my father, but I can think of someone with a very dirty secret. Specifically, Cheryl killing her very own brother."

"Veronica." Savannah hissed at her friend, taken aback in shock. It was a low blow, bringing Cheryl's deceased brother into the fold. "Everyone knows how much Cheryl loved her brother."