Psycho ⚕Riverdale

FOUR.

CHAPTER FOUR

THE SNAKE HANDLER

"I tried going the legit route. I talked to the mayor, it feels like the system is rigged against us" Jughead said as we stood with Tall Boy.

"What's FP saying? Is he taking this deal?" Tall Boy asked folding his arms.

"Not if I can help it" Jughead replied. "Tall Boy... what if we bust him out of jail before he gets transferred to state?"

"Jughead! Are you mental?" I asked hitting his arm.

"What? It's doable. The sheriffs' station has worse security than Riverdale High. Once he's out its a straight shot up Sweetwater river until the Canadian border"Jughead tried to convince us.

"You've seen Escape from Alcatraz a few too many times, kid"

"Yeah calm down Frank Morris," I said in a jokingly manner even though no one else found it funny. "You know the guy right? One of the brothers who escaped from Alcatraz? Never mind you guys have no sense of humour" I crossed my arms looking away from them awkwardly.

"Your dad needs a snake handler. Someone who's livelihood depends on the snakes, who are used to dealing with them. I got someone you should meet"

...

"Can I have everyone's attention, I have some tragic news to share" Archie and I looked at each other from our desks "Ms Grundy, who was a teacher here last semester was found murdered in her Greendale home last night" I gasped quickly grabbing onto Archie who was sat next to me. "I know some of you were students of hers and that this new will be difficult to process" Archie stood up grabbing his things and walked out of the classroom, I quickly joined him after collecting my belongings as well. "Mr Andrews? Miss. Jones?"

"Archie! Wait up!" I shout running to catch up to him. I drop my belongings on the floor before wrapping my arms around his neck as he placed his arms around my waist. "It's ok, everything is gonna be ok" I whispered to him stroking his hair as he cried into my shoulder.

"God, I feel like you're the only person that cares Iz" He looked down at me before pressing his lips on mine, I barely had time to process what he was doing before he was ripped away from me.

"What the hell do you think you're doing Andrews? Huh?" Reggie yelled at him before shoving him away.

"Reggie! Reg! What are you doing?!" I yell grabbing him and yanking him away from Archie. "We are not together so you can't be angry you idiot!"

"You shut the hell up Iz! You're the one whoring around!"

"I don't like you, Reggie! Just leave!" He shook his head before walking away, knocking his shoulder with mine on the way past. "Archie, what the hell was that?" I whisper yelled, "You have a girlfriend!"

"I know, I'm sorry ok? I was upset and you were there. Please don't tell anyone Iz, I can't stand to have Veronica mad at me right now. Please?" I sigh before nodding and picking up my stuff going back to my lesson.

...

"Jug, I don't know what to do, its all so complicated with Archie and Reggie. I just need a fresh start" I told him as we sat on the couch with my head resting on his shoulder.

"Why don't you join Southside High early with me? Completely new people and you wouldn't have to worry about facing them everyday" He suggested.

We were only allowed to stay at Riverdale High a little longer because I practically begged by social to let us. At least if I did this I wouldn't have to see Reg and Archie every day. It's probably my best option, and I know that if dad comes out then I will be hanging with the Serpents a lot more so I may swell get used to it.

"You're right Juggie. And besides, it's time I started to hang out with our people" I said snuggling into his arms.

"Yeah, hey I went to see this woman called Penny today. She said that if we get the Blossoms to forgive dad in front of a judge he can get time served with parole"

"Oh my god, that's great Jug!" I said sitting up and smiling brightly at him.

"I know. The only issue is getting the Blossoms to forgive him. She also said I owe her a favour but I'm hoping that doesn't come up again"

"Jug, we may get to see our dad again" I laughed before bringing him into a hug. "Let's go to Cheryl's house, come one" I pulled him to his feet and we jumped on dads bike, him driving. Once we made it to Thistle house, I quickly knocked on the door.

We sat down in the dining room "Thank you guys for sitting down with us" I said sincerely.

"Anything for a fellow Northsider" Cheryl said smiling.

"The reason we are here is that our dad's lawyer thinks that if the victims family shows mercy..." Jughead started.

"Mercy" Penelope interrupted "That's why you're here?"

"Well, it's an appeal for leniency from you to reduce our dad's sentence," Jughead said trying to reason with them.

"Where was your fathers' mercy when I spent those nights walking the halls of Thornhill in agony obsessing over what was happening to JJ, imagining the worst. Where was your fathers' mercy when I slept under the same roof of a cold-blooded killer night after night" Cheryl said beginning to get worked up.

"Cheryl, our dad didn't kill Jason. Okay? That was your dad. You saw the video" I said trying to remind her of her fathers' cruelty.

"If it were up to me I'd watch FP fry in the electric chair," Penelope said. I was about to stand up but Jughead pulled me back down.

"We need this sordid chapter closed forever, and FP is the last loose end to tie up. I will not have a living breathing reminder of the darkest chapter of my life walking the streets of Riverdale" Cheryl told us raising her voice.

What do we do now that Cheryl has gone full Poison Ivy?" I asked Jughead.

"Blackmail, extortion. If they weren't literally a widow and an orphan, I would do it" He replied making me nod in agreement.