Things Are Different

Chapter 7: A Safe Place

Tom Keller came back into Hal's apartment where he found Betty, Polly, Jughead, and I all sat smooshed on the couch and FP sitting on the coffee table facing away from him. "I know it's been a long night but I need to get statements from Polly and Alice." I nodded and looked at Polly who sighed and looked at him. "Can we do it quickly?" "We'll do it as fast as possible," Tom told her and I gave him a weak smile.

Tom set his recorder and Polly started with her statement. She explained that when she arrived at Hals he asked why she was late and she told him that I had been at Pops when the Black Hood came in and shot Pop. That is when FP interjected "he's fine by the way. His granddaughter Tabitha sent an email out to all the staff saying he was out of surgery and stable right before Alice called me." Everyone was relieved to hear that information and Polly continued. She said that she had started to say that I had looked around the booth and saw the Black Hood but stopped herself before telling him that I suspected him. That is when he started getting weird and pacing. He told Polly to sit on the couch and he got his gun and started ranting about how he didn't want to kill her but he had to now, along with myself and anyone else he was able to find out knew I saw him. She then finished by telling everyone that she saw me and then I knocked him out and tied him up.

Once she was finished I gave my statement and explained that I had come to check on Polly when I realized her cell phone had been turned off and that's when I saw the two of them through the window. I explained where I found the key and the rest was pretty much just a repeat of what Polly had told them.

We finished and Tom turned off his recorder "all right, you can go for now but we may need to call you in for more questioning later." I nodded and looked around at everyone.

"Mom?" I heard Polly say quietly "can we get a hotel room or something? I don't want to be at my apartment or the house...there's too much of dad there..." Before I could say yes FP interjected "you can all stay at the trailer...right dad?" Jughead said and looked at FP, who then looked at me. "You're welcome to but it will be a bit crowded." I looked at Polly. "Is that okay?" I asked and she nodded.

I stood up and gulped "Polly, Betty, why don't you two come home with me and we can get some things we will need and meet the boys back at the trailer?" The girls both nodded and stood up. "FP, Jughead, we'll see you soon." I was very calm seeming but inside I was shutting down. I took my girls out to my car and once everyone was inside I looked at the two of them. "You each need a pair of pajamas and an outfit for tomorrow. Grab your toothbrush and anything else you might want." I paused and was about to turn away but stopped myself. I was never good at saying something comforting in a stressful situation. "I love you girls so much, and we're gonna be okay."

I knew that wasn't great but it's the best I could come up with at the moment. I turned back to the steering wheel and turned on the car, driving to the house I had unknowingly shared with a serial killer.

When we pulled in everyone got out of the car and went inside and straight to their rooms to put together an overnight bag. Thankfully Polly still had a lot of her old stuff here. I put a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt in a bag. I grabbed a pair of underwear and bra, my toothbrush, and my phone and added those on top. I zipped it up and went to check on each girl.

Polly was digging through her drawers frantically "god-damn it! Where in the fuck are all my t-shirts!?" She yelled and I was a bit taken back but went over and rubbed her back. She didn't normally curse much so I knew she needed some comforting. "They're hung up in your closet." She had always kept them there but at her apartment, she used a dresser for everything. She sighed and stood up "thanks, I'm a little freaked out." I nodded and stood up. "You okay if I go check on your sister?" She nodded and I gave her a kiss on the head before going to Betty's room.

"Hey, sweetheart..." I said seeing her with a bag next to her as she texted someone. "You ready to go?" She gave me a slight nod and grabbed my hand as she had as a little kid. I picked up her bag and the two of us walked to Polly's room. She wasn't there but I noticed she was at the bottom of the stairs. "Can we go please!?" She asked and I nodded slightly.

The 3 of us all went out to the car and we began the silent drive to Sunnyside trailer park.

Once we got there I took all the bags in and the girls went in ahead of me. As I walked up the small porch I heard Polly ask where she could get ready for bed and Jughead say he'd show her. I walked in and it was just FP still in the living room. He took the bags from me and gave me a kiss, which I quickly pulled away from. "FP, the kids are here..." I said weakly. "They're showing Polly the bathroom, it's alright." He said softly. "Come on you can get set up in my room and Jug and I will sleep in his room."

I stopped and looked around before whispering to him "can you and I sleep on the pull-out couch? One bed for the girls and I is tight and I want to be near you." I knew this wasn't the smartest idea but I really didn't care. "Sure Ali." I heard him say as he put Polly and Betty's bags on the bed. If only I knew Betty was right outside the door to hear this exchange.

Betty walked in with Polly a few seconds behind her. "We're gonna try and get some sleep, are you joining us yet mom?" Polly asked as Betty silently climbed into bed and pulled the covers over herself. "No, I think I might stay up and watch something for a bit. Try and relax." I said and unzipped my bag, pulling out my pajamas to go change. FP was awkwardly standing in the door, so I gave each girl a kiss on the head. "I love you girls. Try and get some sleep." "Love you too mom," Polly said, and I heard Betty mumble that along with her sister.

I left the room, pajamas in hand, and went towards the bathroom. FP followed me a bit behind. I closed the door almost all the way so FP and I could talk as I started changing. "FP what the hell am I going to do?" I heard him sigh "I don't know Ali, but it's going to be okay. You've been through worse and Jughead and I are both here for you and the girls." I opened the door as I finished changing.

"I sure hope so," I said weakly. "Is Jughead in bed yet?" I asked and FP nodded. "Can we just go curl up and watch a movie?" FP could tell I was on the brink of a breakdown so he just took my hand and led me to the couch where we worked together to pull it out. "What do you want to watch?" He asked, and I sighed "Mamma Mia? I need something light." He turned on the TV and then gently pulled me close. I kissed him softly before we both climbed into the bed. I curled into him and instantly felt relaxed in his arms.