Paranoia // Third Book To The Lucky Series

Chapter 22

At 8:47 on a Wednesday morning, Archie Andrews died. Well at least the Archie we knew. Our Archibald The Good was gone and the stranger that returned was scarred. Whether those scars physical or mental they were enough to do damage on the boy. In this state all I could be reminded of was me at my worst. He was suffering in his own mind. Yet of course none of us knew it yet.

It was a bright and early. The birds were chirping loudly as prepare my coffee with Fred.

"I never understood why some schools do SAT and some do ACT," i say as I stir my coffee, "it's strange."

"I wonder just how much of a difference it makes score and acceptance wise," Fred says. I see the door open and Vegas run in. "Vegas?" Fred asks as he runs towards us. I move to my knees to pet the dog giving him the well deserved love I'm sure he was lacking.

"Archie," Fred says with wide eyes. I look from the golden dog to see Archie standing in the door way. His dad rushes towards him as I stand.

"Hey, Dad," Archie says dropping his bag. Fred hugs his son tightly. Archie flinches And Fred draws back.

"What? What's wrong, son?" Fred asks.

"It's a long story," Archie says. I step forward and gently hug Archie. He hugs back tightly.

"God I missed you!" I say as I draw back. I ruffle his brown locks. "No more carrot top huh? I didn't think it would work so well to cover it."

"It did," he says smiling at, "Good to see you've made yourself at home here."

"Of course," I say to Archie, "I'm glad to see you and Vegas both are back in one piece."

"Y/n help me get breakfast over to the table," Fred says, "let's get a proper meal in Archie."

"Sure," I say to him as I move into the kitchen. Archie follows us and I hand plates to him. Successfully we move the breakfast to the table and we all finally sit to hear the story of Archie's return.

"It's crazy ya know," I say to him, "I mean of all people you would be the one attacked by a bear."

"It's just my luck," He says dryly. I smirk at him.

"At least now you can join Jug and I with having some crazy scars," I tell him, "although you might be winning with the branding."

"Yeah well," he says as I sip my coffee, "I don't think it's a competition you want to be winning."

"Don't forget I have a gunshot wound too," Fred says joining in, "so don't count me out of this." Archie doesn't laugh but the rest of us do. It's weird.

"I don't remember the rangers finding me," he tells us, "I woke up in the hospital knowing that I couldn't keep running. It was time to come home, back to a normal life, if that's even possible."

"What about Hiram?" Fred asks.

"I survived a bear attack, Dad," Archie says, "I can't live my life in fear of when he might come after me anymore. To be honest, I'm more worried about him gunning for you two."

"I survived the Black Hood, Twice," Fred says, "Hiram doesn't scare me. He's not the only one in this town with friends."

"I've been through at lot Arch," I say to him, "I'm not scared of anyone anymore."