Sleeping through the pain [S1-The killers curse]

Episode Three: A meaningless meaning

"If you wish, I shall wait, they seem to be torturing themselves. It's hilarious. I can't wait for what is to come."

Caleb Mclachlan, for most of Riverdale High, he was a nobody, just the new kid, nothing to worry about. But for Cheryl and Toni, something just didn't feel right. And as all the lights suddenly flick out at Hal's funeral, Cheryl and Toni, not being pulled away by Betty, sit in the darkness, confused but comforted by each others presence. "Everybody calm down! This is just a power outage! The funeral will continue shortly." Alice shouts into the darkness. "Guys is that you?" Cheryl and Toni hear Josie whisper as she tugs at their arms. "Yeah it's us Josie." Cheryl says flatly.

"Oh good. Something feels off about all of this and I'm not sticking around to find out what, lets get out of here. Follow me, I know a shortcut." Josie says leading them quickly out of their seats, Cheryl and Toni let themselves be pulled out of the funeral, feeling the uncertainty of the whole event just as much as Josie. The three of them form a chain and weave themselves through the darkness until they find themselves in a seemingly endless hallway. "Are you sure you know where you're going Josie?" Toni asks worriedly. "Um, maybe not, let's just turn back guys. I'm really sorry." Josie says.

As the group turns around quickly they suddenly find themselves face to face with Caleb, his face staring at them with wide eyes. The three of them do a quick shriek of shock, but quickly see who was looking at them. "Oh! Caleb! Hi?" Toni says as she see's him continue to stare. "Oh, hi guys! I was just strolling through the halls." Caleb replies, not noticing of the confusion on the girls faces. "Wait, you were strolling through the halls when it's pitch black?" Josie says, making the group turn and walk away before Caleb got a chance to answer, leaving him standing there alone in the mysterious hallway.

The girls walk turns into a run as they try their hardest to get away from Caleb as fast as they can, before sighing with relief when they see light shining from under one of the doors in the hallway. "Guys! Look! Some light!" Cheryl says unlinking one of her arms to point at the door. The three of them speed towards the door like a bullet and when reaching the door, pour into the room where they find Archie, Kevin, Veronica, Jughead and Betty opening a mysterious envelope. "Wha-how did you guys get in here?" Betty stutters, stunned, dropping the envelope on the floor.

"We saw light from under the door and plus, the door was unlocked. What are you doing in here anyways?" Toni says staring at them all in shock. "We were, uh, well, we were opening a clue I found with Hal's body when he died." Betty says sighing. "And you did this without us? Why?" Josie said. "We've all been friends with you just as long as they have!" Josie continued, obviously seriously annoyed. This made Betty go silent for a moment or two.

"Well, look, I'm sorry, but you guys arrived right on time! We were just about to open this clue, would you guys like to join us?" Betty says awkwardly as she picks the envelope up again, making the three girls roll their eyes. "Fine, whatever, just continue on with whatever you were all about to do." Josie says solemnly, making Betty sigh with relief. "Okay, everyone, just to recap, I found this note next to my Dad's body when he died, now it's time to figure out whatever the hell it says." Betty says seriously. The group all nods.

Betty then, with everyone's eyes watching, pulls out the note and begins to read it to the group. "Dear Betty Cooper and the dreadful town of Riverdale, I'm sure you all remember the 'Riverdale Reaper' right? The man who massacred a whole family of four for no reason? Well I'm here to relive his legacy, to bring back those prosperous times of murder and betrayal, and it starts off with me killing your father, Betty. Now, I'm sure you know by now that your fathered was killed by me, and that is correct. But, alas, you don't know who I am. So, I suggest if you don't want another death to slide over Riverdale, you must trust no one and nothing that comes your way, as I will not rest until my needs are met. I will be back soon to inform you petty humans, so be prepared. Sweet Dreams! -The Dark justice" As Betty finishes reading, tears welling in her eyes and running down her cheeks, she sees the group stare back at her in shock, all their mouths wide open.

Before anyone can say anything, the group hears Alice turning on all of the lights back in the service, making the group sprint back like nothing happened. "Wh-where were you Betty?" Alice says nervously as the group quickly strides back to their seats. "I just went to the toilet, why do you ask?" Betty replies, obviously lying. "Well, I know that's obviously not true, but never mind, just come up to the front with me. I think this disaster of a funeral needs to be over." Alice states back, making Betty nod in response. Alice, Chic and Betty then stand in front of the exhausted crowd, knowing it was time to stop this funeral straight away. "Well, everyone, we are very sorry for the confusion and chaos this funeral has brought all of you tonight, thank you all for coming but I think now is the time to end the ceremony." Alice states into the microphone, noticing the sighs of relief coming from the audience.

Later that night, as Veronica arrives back at the Pembrooke, she finds her parents, Hiram and Hermoine Lodge sitting at their dinner table, eating happier than ever. "Why are you two so cheery? Betty's Dad was just murdered!" Veronica says offended. "Yes, it is a very sad and devastating event." Hiram says flatly. "You guys, you just-you just don't care! Do you?" Veronica shouts, raising her voice to almost an unstable level.

"How dare you! We cared very deeply for Hal and his death is a terrible event." Hermoine says, shutting down Veronica. "Well then why are you two so happy?" Veronica scoffs. "We're happy because we just heard our new plans for Greendale have been accepted." Hiram says smirking. "What Greendale plan? What area are you going to overtake now?!" Veronica shouts. "It's none of your business Veronica. Not yet anyways." Hermoine says trailing off. Veronica rolls her eyes in response and strolls off to her bedroom.

As Veronica arrives at her bedroom she slams the door behind her and throws herself on her million dollar designer bed. She instantly picks her phone up and calls Archie instantly. "Hey Archiekins, there's something I need to tell you." Veronica says over the phone. "What is it?" Archie replies inquisitively. "My parents are up to something, and I need your help figuring out whatever the hell they're gonna do." Veronica replies seriously. "Well, do you know anything about what they're gonna do?" Archie says back. "All I know is that it has something to do with Greendale, the neighbouring town to us. Tomorrow after school, we're gonna investigate like there's no tomorrow." Veronica says, hanging up straight away.

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Time taken: 1 hour
Words: 1280
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Next Chapter Trailer:

As the funeral closes, new horrors are revealed, all starting with someones seemingly safe home.

-Sketchbox🌻