Fate can be Fatal

Part 22: Out The Shadows

The day after Cheryl's birthday, Toni woke with a blinding headache and decided to take the day off. Cheryl left the trailer soon after, kissing Toni goodbye and putting on her new Serpent jacket before heading out. 

She never got a hangover, 'the luckiest drinker alive', that was what Sweet Pea had begun to call her. 

Cheryl begins to walk down the street heading to the Northside. It's 9am, a calm but cloudy, dark Saturday morning. Only occasional passing cars for company. Due to last night antics, Cheryl's phone was dead but that was the least of her worries. She's headed to Veronicas house, to sort out some upcoming school arrangements. 

There's going to be a vote regarding whether the new Southsiders should be able to stay. The current Mayor, Mayor McCoy isn't the biggest fan of the Southside. Therefore, Josie's had to keep her blossoming friendships on the down low. Veronica, along with Archie, was starting a campaign to allow the Serpents to stay, and Cheryl wanted to be on board. 

Cheryl, only a few hundred metres away from Veronicas house, is suddenly approached by a black, unmarked car. She doesn't see it but it eventually pulls up beside her, stopping her in her tracks. Her head turns to the driver, "Uncle Claudius?" she questions, he gives a weak smile. "Get in Cheryl, your mother is waiting" he enforces. Opening the passenger door for her. She picks up her phone hoping to call one of the gang, but it's dead. "I have to be somewhere" she body beginning to shake and walks off down the street, picking up pace. The car keeps up, "Now Cheryl" shouts her uncle, and gets out the car. He proceeds to walk in front of the vulnerable girl and grabs her by the arm. "I'll do it myself then" he mutters, before forcefully throwing Cheryl in the passenger seat. She remains quiet, right up until the car pulls into her old driveway. "I'm not... going in there" Cheryl says coldly, keeping her body still. 

Her uncle doesn't reply but pulls up opposite the door. They get out and there stands her wicked mother, "Thank you Claudius" she says, not looking at Cheryl.

"I have a restraining order" Cheryl begins, "Cheryl, dear, you came here" her mother bites back.

"Yeah by force, you pieces of shit" her mother isn't the only one with a bite, she's also got that Blossom blood. 

However, Cheryl reluctantly walks inside, fully knowing it's her only option. Her mother directs her over to a single arm chair, and Cheryl sits down.

"So---- why am I here?" Cheryl questions, "trying out a new form of kidnapping?" muttering under her breath.

Her mother walks right up to the chair, placing her two hands on each arm, intimidating her daughter, "You're not worthy of being in this family" barks Penelope.

Cheryl never truly knew why her mother despised her so much, she just learnt to live with it really. Not wanting to miss out on anything because her mother cherished Jason over her. After Penelope's discovery, regarding Cheryl's new relationship, she hated her, and that side of her. 

Back on the Southside, Toni fell back asleep but has now recovered from her hangover. She walks out to the living room, turning up the music on the radio, and goes to check her phone. Messages from Betty, Jug and Pea all appear, even one from Josie. But nothing from Cheryl. 

Almost two hours has passed by this time. Toni expected at least a post on her social media with Veronica, but nothing. Not even her usual morning text that Cheryl sends. She didn't want to panic, but her instincts kicked in. She rang Pea, and in a few minutes, he was at Toni's trailer. 

"C'mon then Tones" he says and the deadly duo hop onto their bikes. 

Back at Thistlehouse, the Blossom residence, Penelope is still digging into Cheryl's insecurities whilst her uncle watches on, making sure they weren't followed. Since Penelope was currently being monitored by the police. 

Veronica had been also calling Cheryl's phone, thinking it was odd that she hadn't arrived yet.

Penelope also went as far as to slap Cheryl red round the face, at the sentence, "You realise I'm a serpent now, watch your fucking back" she snarls, angering her mother.

Pea and Toni stop on the side of the road, "Tons, where would she be?" he asks. "Wait, look" and picks up a red bracelet, engraved 'Jason' on the side of the path. It must've fallen off when Uncle Claudius grabbed Cheryl's arm.

They were stumped for options on where to look, where could she be they ponder. Then Toni has the realisation that Penelope wouldn't give up that easily, laws don't really apply to Blossoms. 

They speed off down the road, Toni aching to find Cheryl, praying she's where she thinks she is. 

They arrive at the Thistlehouse gates, they're wide open. They carry on riding and make it to the front door. Toni spots a streak of red hair, she pulls up and Pea kicks down the door...