Weirdo - Jughead Jones

28: Missing

Close to the end owo

Jughead Jones

I felt numb. Nothing seemed real. My dad, the person who'd raised me, had just confessed to the kidnapping and murder of a boy only a little older than me. My friends had gone behind my back, and even my mom wouldn't talk to me. I didn't know who to trust.

I pushed away the only person who I knew I trusted. I was wrong when I said I needed to be alone. I needed her. She was the only one who could've helped.

I left her here, at Pop's, without realizing that she might need me. Her dad was in the hospital. The first time she'd seen her father since her parents separated, he was pale, thin, and wounded on the forest floor.

Part of the reason why I distanced myself might have been because I felt bad. For all we knew, my dad had captured and murdered Jason and could have done something to Madison's dad as well. I didn't want to believe it. James was my dad's best friend, and my godfather. I don't understand how my dad could have done anything to hurt him. I hated him for doing that to James; for doing that to Madison.

I sighed as I stared at my untouched coffee, which was probably getting cold. I had come back to Pop's in hopes that Madison was still there, only to find an empty shop.

The entry bell rang and I turned to see if it was her. I returned to my position when I saw who it was. Betty, Archie, and Veronica joined me at my booth. I still stared at my full cup of coffee.

"Jughead, I'm so sorry," Veronica started.

Archie shook his head. "It just doesn't make sense. The gun was put there after we left, so someone was obviously trying to frame him."

"But we have no idea why he confessed," Betty finished apologetically.

I ignored what they said, and my voice was quiet when I asked, "Have any of you seen Maddie?"

The three of them shook their heads. "She probably went home," Betty said.

Just as she said that, her phone started buzzing. She looked confused at the caller and answered. "Ms. Parker?"

My stomach sank a little in fear and I turned, watching Betty's confused expression.

"No, she isn't." Betty said. It made my stomach sink more. She started to look worried. "Why?..... Oh.... It's okay..... I will. Bye." She hung up, her worried expression unchanged.

"What was that about?" Veronica asked.

"That was Maddie's mom," Betty said slowly. "No one knows where Maddie is, and she isn't answering any calls."

It took a second for that to sink in. When it did I ran my hands through my hair, pulling at handfuls of it as I fought tears. My mind immediately went to dark places. What if she hurt herself? What if I did this? I shouldn't have pushed her away earlier.

"Jug, let's go look for her." Betty's voice was shaky. "We'll find her."

I breathed deeply and nodded. "Okay."

We rose from the booth and headed for the door. Veronica stopped at the counter. "Pop, were you here when Madison left?"

Pop gave a worried nod. "She left in the late afternoon. She didn't look so well."

I gulped as I fought more tears. My voice was low as I asked, "Did you see which way she went?"

"Looked like she was heading for the forest," Pop answered. "I hope she's alright. Will you tell me when you've found her?"

"We will," Archie confirmed. "Thanks, Pop."

We left Pop's and walked towards the forest. I couldn't stop the thoughts running through my mind. I couldn't stop hoping to god that she was okay. I needed her to be okay.