Believer ➵ Bughead

Chapter 11

Archie arrived at the hospital with a burger from Pop's, something he would normally bring just to cheer his father up. After the unexpected visit from Jughead, he just wanted to see his face light up when he'd arrive at his room. He pressed the button on the elevator and waited patiently for it to come down.

He noticed how calmer the atmosphere of the hospital was that day. Normally, it would be bustling with patients and doctors barging in and out of the doors endlessly. But, instead, Archie only saw an elderly couple and a few doctors talking to some nurses.

The elevator opened up, empty. He entered and pressed the 3rd floor. As the metal box moved up the floors, Archie unlocked his phone and checked his notifications.

Most of it was from his phone company warning him that he almost used up his data for the month.

He sighed, closing it.

He wished that at least, Kevin would call.

He looked at himself in the mirror that was included in the elevator.

Walking closer to examine himself, he noticed how horrible and unkempt he looked.

Running his hands through his hair, he closed his eyes and cleared his mind, trying to think of anything other than Veronica's party.

The doors opened as the steel rods of the contraption came to a halt.

He walked out, and headed for his dad's room.

Before entering, he noticed a nurse leaving it. She noticed him, and began talking.

"Oh, hello Mr. Andrews!"

"Hi, Nurse Reilly." He replied with a toothy grin.

"It's real nice of you to see your dad." She said, holding onto her clipboard a bit skittishly.

"Thanks, Brigitte."

He was about to go in, before she stopped him.

She looked like she was about to pass out.

"Listen, Mr. Andrews, there's something I have to tell you."

Archie prepared himself for the inevitable.

"Your father, where he was hit..."

He gulped.

"It was right under his femoral artery. It barely grazed it, but the damage is still very critical."

His face dropped.

"What...what are you saying?" He barely managed to say.

The nurse sighed, pulling a few strands of her short brown hair behind her ear before speaking.

"He's dying, Archie. We did as much as we could to add pressure to his injury, but in the end, there was only so much we can do."

Archie's whole world seemed to collapse.

His father, the one's who's been with him through thick and thin.

The one who's always supported him with his dreams.

The one parent who's always been there for him.

Dying.

He sat down on one of the dirty felt lined chairs beside him, dropping the brown paper bag.

"I suggest you try spending as much time as you can with him. It's a shame, he was an incredibly selfless-"

"DON'T SAY 'WAS'." Archie yelled out.