Behind Mansion Walls

4: Fight or Fade

Chapter Four: Fight Or Fade

After Veronica finished the project, Betty's mom invited her over for dinner. Her only fear was that her father would come home and she wouldn't be there. She would have to face his punishments and she never wanted to. Jughead kept glancing at her the whole dinner. He even offered to walk her home. Which came off weird for her but she allowed it.

Just before they left Betty's house. He whispers in her ear. She tenses up slightly and looks at him wide-eyed. He nods his head without giving her enough time to process the information.

"Oh Jug..." She mutters softly, squeezing his hand gently and kissed it. "Since when?"

"Since JB was born. What about you?" He doesn't mean to come off pushy but now he had a friend to relate to kinda helped.

"It all started when I was young. After he was arrested in South Dakota. Mom thought it was the best time to escape. The bruise you saw last week was from him. I can't tell the others, especially Archiekins. He would probably murder him which I wouldn't mind. He's awful, Jug. Last time someone tried to save us. He killed the maid and made me and mom bury her." Jughead's mouth opens and his stomach twists.

"Oh god, Veronica. That's morbid." He gasps as she chuckled darkly.

"I know." She cries. "If your mom hurts you, your sister and your dad. She must be a witch." Jughead smiles slightly and let's out a laugh.

"I would say a witch with a wart!" He exclaimed loudly, causing her to burst into giggles.

"Good one, Jones!"

The rest of their walk was silent. Veronica was preparing herself for more bruises and hoped her mom wasn't dead.  Jughead had other thoughts in his mind. He kept thinking about his life before his abusive mother came back. His life was quiet: sure his dad drank but he had no more bruises. JB called him every night while his mom was work and told him about how it was in Toledo. He missed her so much and wished his mom would drop dead. They didn't deserve to get hit every time they did something she didn't like. He had someone to vent to finally. He just wished it wasn't on abuse.

When she walked in the door. Her father towered over her and she met with his fist. Her hand raised to her cheek and slowly tears appeared in her eyes.  " I expected you to be home when I told you to!" He swung again at get face, barely missing her nose.

She wanted out. Maybe she would finally be at peace. Hermione cried as he pulled her by her hair and shoved against the glass cabinet. She thought about what FP said. He was right. Maybe they should fight back. But he also said that it could have greater consequences.

"I'm sorry!" She cried. "I will be home at the time you tell me!" Hermione heard Veronica begging him to stop.

This time he did stop." Go to your room!" He shouted.

Veronica quickly closed her door and locked it. She grabbed chairs and placed it behind. She texted Jughead and he never replied. Instead another number called her.

"Hello?" She answered quietly, covering the speaker with hand to drowned out the cries.

"Veronica..." She immediately recognized the voice and backed into a corner in her bay-window.

"Yes Mr. Jones."

"Jughead's in the hospital." She could hear the tears in his throat as he spoke.

Her heart pounded in her chest. He can't be. He promised he'd be okay." What happened, Mr. Jones?"

"Gladys found out and stabbed in in the stomach. JB called Sheriff Keller. He's bleeding. They think he's going to die." Her stomach knotted. It was her fault.

"I'm leaving right now."

Right before she ended the call." Be careful." He warned.