The Queen has Fallen- [Sweet Pea] // Riverdale

8

*Natalie's POV

"There," I gathered up the trash. "You're all patched up." I sighed and looked at Archie.

"Thank you, Natalie."

"No problem Red." I held his hand. "But I have to ask." I sighed. "Who did this to you, Archie? Because I know a few guys that could take care of hi-"

"It was Joaquin." I stayed quiet. "He stabbed me."

"Are you sure it was him? I mean it c-cou-"

"I'm sure." Archie winced a bit. "I think the Warden made him do it." He tried to put me more at ease.

"Oh." I looked down at our hands that were entwined together. Veronica stood over the two of us and I let Archie's hand go and scooted down the cot a bit so she could sit down next to Archie.

"Where the hell am I anyways?" He looked around the small crowded room.

"You're in Dilton Doiley's bunker." Jughead answered his question.

"The only people who know it exists are in this room. Right now, it's the safest place for you in Riverdale." Betty spoke up. "I promise."

"Dilton Doiley has a bunker?" Archie asked in disbelief.

"Don't worry Archikens. We'll catch you up to speed once you're rested, okay?" Archie just nodded a bit. "What is that on your hip?" I looked at what Veronica was talking about. She had pulled down the blanket that was covering Archie a bit down and revealed a brand mark.

"Courtesy of Warden Norton, to put me in my place after I tried to escape the first time."

"The Warden branded you and ordered Joaquin to stab you?" Jughead shook his head. Archie didn't say anything but nod.

I clenched my fists and exhaled slowly. What the hell was going on in there?

"Can I have everyone's attention?" Veronica snapped me out of my thoughts. "Since my father saw me, I need to go do some damage control on the home front." She sighed. "But, someone needs to stay with Archie at all times."

"Ronnie, I don't need anyone..." Archie protested.

"Yes, you do." Veronica wasn't having it.

"You go ahead, Veronica." I said softly. "I'll take the first watch."

"Thank you Natalie." She smiled at me. "Now, equally important, everyone in this room is part of a pact." She faced everyone in the room. "From this moment on, no one knows where this bunker is. No one was involved with that breakout, and no one is aware of Archie's whereabouts." She looked at everyone sternly. "To the grave." Everyone agreed nodding their heads.

"Uhh Natalie," I placed my jacket on the chair and turned around. "If you want Sweet Pea and I could come back in an hour or two to watch over Archie with you so you won't be alone all night.

"No need." I flicked my blade open. "I've got all that I need right here." I felt Josie tense up. "Besides Jughead and Betty said they're taking next watch." I glanced up at Sweet Pea and then made my way back to Archie. "Okay then." I heard Josie whisper. "Well were going to go." I sat down next to Archie.

"Okay." I replied not looking at her. "Make sure no one is following you." I said while examining my blade.

"What was all that about?" I looked at Archie.

"I thought you were sleeping."

"Can't sleep." He winced a bit trying to adjust himself.

"I bet." I mumbled.

"So you and Sweet Pea?" He arched an eyebrow at me. I couldn't help but sigh.

"Let's just say you and I missed a lot while we were both gone." I looked down at my fingers.

"Hey," I looked up at him. "Remember that time when you would chase Jughead and me with the serpents you would find in the woods." I let out a laugh.

"Yeah, I remember you and Jughead kept screaming your guys' head off." I shook my head laughing. "I remember getting chewed out by FP about it."

"Yeah," he trailed off. "What made us grow apart from each other?"

"I don't know Archie." I sighed. "We're just different." I shrugged not knowing how to answer his question. "Try getting some rest, Arch." I stood up from the cot.

"Wait," Archie grabbed a hold of my wrist. "Do you know how my dad is doing?" He looked at me worriedly.

"He's hanging in there." I reassured him. "But I'll swing by your place to see how he's doing tomorrow, alright?"

"Thank you."

"Mhmm..." I hummed walking over to my jacket and digging through the pocket. I turned around and walked back towards him. "Here." I opened up the bottle of pills I had and gave him two.

"What's this?" He brought his hand out.

"Some thing for the pain." I placed them in his hand and picked up the water bottle that Veronica had placed right next to him before she left.

"It'll help you fall asleep." I said as he downed the pills and half of the water bottle.

"Thanks." He gave me back the water bottle so I could put the cap on.

"Goodnight, Red." I placed the water down next to him.

"Goodnight, Nat."

"I'll be right here if you need anything."

"Okay." I gave him a slight smile.

I blew out a few candles that were around the bunker and only left the two that were next to Archie lit.

I sat down at the edge of the tunnel facing the ladder that led up to the outside. I turned my head and saw Archie with his mouth slightly parted filling the quiet room with slight snores. He looked so worn out and exhausted.

I looked down at my lap and saw that I still had the bottle of pills in my hand. I looked back at Archie to see if he was still awake and he was. I opened the bottle and quietly dumped two in my hand.

No I can't. Not while looking over Archie.

I hesitantly put the pills back into the bottle and closed the cap shut. I set the bottle back in my lap and kept looking straight ahead looking at the ladder.

Just waiting...

—-

A/N: So??? What do you think? Have any ideas what's going to happen later? How do you guys picture Natalie to look like? Just curious...

Comment... Vote...

Enjoy. x