Notorious Hope

35. Dollhouse-Pt. 2

Pembrook Avenue-10: 56 am

''So, basically, you're Riley, my mother's daughter and your Lucas, my father's son. Yet the two of you are dating. How does that exactly work into the situation?''

Lacey is still at odds with the situation. How is she supposed to believe that these two strangers she doesn't know when they say she's their half-sister?

''So, um, my mother and father got divorced when I was I think 9. Their marriage had never been stable so when they didn't work out, I wasn't surprised. My father didn't spend much time with me growing up. But when he did, they're experiences that'll never forget. I can hazily remember him and my mother having an argument about three kids. There was this mention of a lady he'd been secretly seeing. Not long after that, they divorced. At the beginning of this year, we moved to Riverdale, presumably to start over. However, things have been far from perfect since we moved. We came here today because we wanted to know your side of the story.''

Processing this information takes a toll on her thought process. Unsure of how to respond without offending anybody.

''So then how do you fit into this situation?''

The brunette locked teen is still so angry with her mother. 

''Um, my parents were never happy in their marriage. My older brother was the result of a drunken hookup and they felt obliged to stay together for the next 9 years. That is until one day when I was about 7, she dropped us off and school and never returned. I remember going home that day, Dad was flat-out drunk and Mom had done a runner. For years, I've blamed myself, but upon meeting Lucas, I've learnt to love myself and accept what happened. When she did eventually return, she made me realise that it was never my fault, to begin with. She just started to lose who she was when she was married to my father. Although I do still love her I hate that part of me still resents her but I guess that's just the way things work.''

There are things she can relate to when it comes to their opinions on their parents. 

''Dad was around a lot when I was a child. He would say all the right things. But his actions never quite added up to his words. I do remember him talking on the phone to a little boy and promising him that he'd be coming home in a few weeks. So, I'm assuming that the little boy was you. You remind me a lot of Dad, I've seen photos of him when he was younger and you look just like him. Especially your green eyes.''

Lacey's childhood memories of her father are far fonder than the memories of her mother. As he took the extra effort to make every time we spent together, special. Whereas her mother didn't make much effort at all.

''Mom, however, was a loose cannon that was prepared to explode at any given second. One day she'd be the golden mother. Participating in school events, such as bake sales, sports events and celebration days. Then the next, she was a drunk who slept with any random off the street. It was later discovered that she was bipolar. But nowadays, we just let her do her thing. I'm just afraid that one day I'll go home and she won't be with us anymore.''

The dots connect so specifically in Riley's brain. Why her mother was so distant and never present in her life. She begins to understand why her father acts the way he does.

''What would you say if I let you call Mom?''

Taking out her cellphone and dialling her mother's number with hesitance. Leaving her on speakerphone for all of the trio to hear.

''Hello?''

***Jones' Household***

''I told you not to interfere with the plan! God, how much of a dumbass could you be?''

Bashed across the face with a vengeance. They've made many mistakes in their time in Riverdale, but this could be the most deadly of them all.

''You knew what I was up to when impregnated me with our children! How did you think this would end?! Now the cops are banging on our door. How are we going to get away with this now?''

A hollowing silence dwells upon the deathly couple.

''You know how! End the children, including your goody two shoe ex-wife. Drain their accounts, then go to the top. Where we hold the king hostage until he abides by our commands. If that doesn't work, go to the Red Queen, she's always got a trick up her sleeve. After we obtain the money, we split it three ways. The Red Queen, you and I. Then I call Daddy and he makes this look all like an accident.''

Inching closer to one and other, one with a pistol and a thirst for murder.

'' Afterwards, we skip town, living happily ever after. If anybody ever finds out, we shut them up, forever. Nobody is getting in my way this time. Not until I get what was rightfully mine.''

Overcome with angst, they both lunge for the pistol. A struggle ensuing, between the distraught couple. 

Ending with nothing but a bloodthirsty cry.