The Missing Part of Me | a Choni Story

Chapter Eight

The Serpents reside in the Whyte Wyrm, waiting for Jughead to begin the meeting. The most recent Ghoulie expedition is just part of a long term plan the Serpents have created to fully kick them out of Riverdale.

"Hey!" Jughead calls out, looking around at the gathered gang members. "I'd like to thank you all for a job well done in Greendale." The Serpents cheer, Jughead nodding his head. "This victory is just one step to getting those Ghoulies out of here. We can't let this get to our heads though. We need to keep pushing."

Over the past few weeks, the Serpents have been attempting to push the Ghoulies further and further away from Riverdale. From burning the Ghoulies' hang out to the most recent bar fight in Greendale, the Serpents are basking in their achievements. It's been rough, many Serpents have gotten hurt, two unfortunately giving their lives.

Like usual, the Ghoulies had been dealing out drugs, (drugs that led to easy hospitalizations and a few deaths in the county), but were seemingly blaming Serpents for the exchanges. There was no evidence for the police to take any of their members but townspeople were becoming more and more indulgent to rumors. They just wanted someone to blame, and if fingers were being pointed, there was no need to question.

Jughead could not stand for this disgracing of the Serpent name and intended to fight back. Little by little, he and the gang found out information about the Ghoulies: who their supplier was, what they sold, where they'd hide out, where they'd sell. Enough to create a game plan.

First was finding the supplier, a woodworking company from up north. (Jughead wasn't sure how the Ghoulies knew them but that issue was for another day). Next was the drug, a reformed version of Jingle-Jangle, something they hadn't seen in years. Then it was finding their hideouts, a few remained unnamed but they'd gotten a majority of them. Selling locations, however, were hard to come by.

The Serpents tried to attack the shipping trucks first, hit the supplier to end the sales. However, the woodworking company sold their pieces in different trucks, making it difficult to know which ones to take out. So, the Serpents went to the Ghoulies' hideouts, injuring as many as they could. Some battles ended gruesomely, both sides experienced injuries. As time went on though, the Serpents learned better ways to approach the attacks.

They'd recently found out about some buyers. Today's meeting is to discuss this information.

"There's an old railway on the edge of Greendale that Hogeye and Lady Bug checked out. There were no Ghoulies but a couple teens were using that Jingle-Jangle there, we'll check it out tonight."

A couple Serpents crowd around Jughead, offering to help. Sweet Pea finds Toni, standing against the post next to her.

"That car's a real mess, Tiny," he tells her.

She sighs, "So I've been told." She turns to him, eyes hopeful, "Any updates?"

He looks away for a second, shrugging, "She definitely needs work. The engine is busted, I think she needs a new radiator cap but Ricky is convinced there's something wrong with the spark plugs." Toni nods, Sweet Pea adjusting himself against the wall, "We touched up on all the external, new tires and hubcaps, oil should be fine. I fixed one of the windows, it closes now."

Toni hears this and processes, understanding it's progress but not much.

"Look, Ricky's got Shortcake working at the car for the rest of his shift. If he can find out what's up with the engine since it won't start anymore, I'd say the car is done by tomorrow evening."

Toni smiles, thanking him. She still hasn't figured out what to wear, nonetheless, how she's going to pay for their meal. Sweet Pea follows her back to her trailer, offering to help for the occasion. They go through her outfits, trying on, changing, and retrying on outfits to see what looks best.