Riley: A Riverdale FanFic

Chapter One: The Loss

      I was startled awake by a loud knocking at the door. Dad had been gone late into the night and I fell asleep waiting for him. It was 3 in the morning and he still isn't home. The knocking got louder and I assumed it was my dad who had locked himself out.

      "Dad, I told you not to leave your keys in your room." I turned the lock and grabbed the door knob. "You always forget.."  My words were cut short at the sight of two police officers outside on the front step of our trailer.

Considering my Dads side hustle is selling illegal substances, I'm always wary when cops are around the house. His regular job was at a grocery store, but that didn't pay the bills.

"Hello I'm Officer Davis, and this is Officer Miller." The male cop said gesturing to his partner. "We are looking for Marigold Jones. Is she here?" I was immediately confused by them asking about my mother. My mom has bee dead for 16 years.

"No she isn't. She has never lived here. She passed away 16 years ago." Their expressions changed from hard to soft and sympathetic.

"What's your name Sweetheart?" The female cop Officer Miller asked.

"Riley. Riley Jones. What are you doing on my front porch at 3 am looking for my dead mom?" I was beyond confused and kept glancing behind them at the drive way willing my dad to pull up.

"Can we come inside Riley? We have some unfortunate bad news to tell you." Officer Davis Said. They started looking behind me at our messy trailer with dirty dishes and take out boxes strewn about. Not to mention the many of beer bottles lining the counter. Me and dad weren't the kind of people who enjoyed cleaning. The looming threat of bad news made my stomach turn. Where was dad? He was never out past 1.

"No. You can't come inside." I stuttered due to nerves. "What is it you have to tell me?" He sighed.

"We were looking for Marigold because she is listed as your fathers next of kin. But Riley, your father JB Jones was found about and hour ago in the alley behind Below Zero. You know the bar on Fifth Street?" He paused as he waited for me to respond. My face paled and my stomach flipped. Below Zero was a club my father met people at to do a lot of sales, especially on a Friday night like tonight. He was probably making a killing.

"Yes I know the club. So where is he now? Is he okay?" I asked slowly. Their gazes both shifted to the ground.

"I'm sorry Sweetheart." Officer Miller started. "Your dad has suffered 2 bullet wounds and some substantial head injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital." They watched me closely for any kind of response. A cry, a scream, a fit of rage. But I could give them nothing. All I could hear were the gunshots of my past ringing in my ears. I took a few steps back from the door and they took this as a sign to step in after me.

"We were unaware of the fact that your Mother is no longer with us. And because you are under the age of 18 you are going to have to come back to the station with us." Officer Davis explained while Officer Miller started to look around the trailer before they both stopped in front of me.

"Please, gather some things you'll need for a night of two and we will make arrangements for somewhere for you to stay." He offered a weak smile and I didn't respond. I didn't even nod. I just grabbed a back pack from the floor and opened it slowly. I put it down and stared at it. In the moment I couldn't think of anything I needed besides my dad.

But my dad is dead. JB Jones is no longer on this planet with me. I must of zoned out because the next thing I knew I heard my bags being zipped up again.

"You were out of it for 10 minutes so I grabbed some clothes I thought were yours and packed them for you." Officer Miller said. I nodded slowly as she grabbed the bag and put a hand on my shoulder. "Let's go kid."

The back of the cop car smelled like sweat and giving up. Once people found their way into the back of ones of these, Whatever life they had just been living has come to an end. And that was exactly what was happening to me.

It took about 20 minutes to drive from the trailer park I lived in to the Centreville Police Station. The Officers tried to make conversation in the beginning but eventually gave up when I wasn't responding. It's not that I didn't want to. But I was too in my head. Replaying every memory I've had with him. He was the only person I've ever had in my entire life, he taught me everything I know about life and getting by. He was there when I was in the hospital and he hauled my ass out of a jail cell more than once. I almost laugh but I catch myself when I think about the time he attempted to make me a birthday cake but it burnt so bad the whole trailer smelled of smoked so we had to leave the windows open for hours.

Then it's like the blank mind I had while I was trying to pack vanished and everything snapped into place.

"Stop!" I yelled and the car immediately jerked and Officer Miller was hauling it to the shoulder.

"What are you okay?" Officer Davis asked turning around quickly about to get out.

"We need to go back. I forgot something." I said softly. I know my lack of cooperation and responding was wearing on their patience but I hope they turn around.

"Look kid. I'm sorry but we have jobs to do and we really need to get you to the station. We're over half way there." He tried to reason. I grabbed the handle of my door.

"Turn around or I'll jump out." I said threateningly. A dead teenager on their watch couldn't look good on their records.

"This is a police cruiser. You can't unlock the back door. But if it means that much to you. We'll go back. Just make it quick." Officer Miller said, ignoring the protests of her partner. "Just be quick."

In 15 minutes we were back at the trailer. I flew up the steps and inside. Hung On my dads chair at the kitchen table was his leather jacket. The nicest jacket he owned and he would wear to work everyday. It was well worn and had a shadow on the back like a patch was removed. I had to take it with me. Like a piece of him I would always have.

I shrugged on the jacket and left the trailer again. Locking the door this time. I got in the back of the car again.

"Ready now?" They asked and I nodded. I let my hands feel in the pockets and felt his lighter and switch blade I would definitely have to hide from the cops.

Oh dad. Why couldn't you have just worn this jacket tonight.