unheavenly creatures

No More Secrets, No More Lies

ALICE

I should have known there was something off about Hiram Lodge. I never once suspected that he came from a witch community.....well that was because he never came off that way. He was the prep-school, golden boy wrestler. He was Riverdale's living, breathing version of Jay Gatsby. He was one of the people that made my life hell. At least that's how Hal made me think of it.

I remember the day Hiram actually first talked to me. It was a day or two before that damn Halloween party that sent me to Hal, that shaped out my future. I didn't make him come and talk to me, I had no interest in his crowd. But it was after classes and I was just minding my own business. It was with every intention that I finish the day, get home, and practice my spells. I was so caught up in shoving my books into my locker that I didn't even know he was there. I didn't see him until after I shut my locker.

I remember jumping at the sight of him. Back then, Hiram was not as tall or as muscular. His hair was all glossed back, it looked so stupid on him. I didn't know why he was there or what he wanted, maybe it would have been better if I had just walked away. But had the balls to lean against the locker and give me a damn smirk.

"So you're the infamous Acid Queen Alice, huh?" were his first words to me. Acid Queen Alice, I wanted to slug him. Everyone in our class had something to say about him, but I never saw anything. To me, he was just in my way.

"Can I help you, asshat?" I spat out at him, hoping that could make him disappear, but he stood his ground.

"It's Hiram, actually." his voice went deep before he extended his hand out to me. "Hiram Lodge." he repeated, like I didn't already know who he was. I didn't want to touch this pompous prick. I didn't even want him breathing near me. He must have taken the hint because he lowered his hand, in defeat, and continued, "I have a business proposition for you. I'm assuming you've heard about a little get together Miss Penelope Blossom's having? On Halloween night?"

Of course. He wanted drugs. And I was the candy girl....retired by that point. I rolled my eyes at him and crossed my arms. "You got the wrong girl. I retired that act a while ago."

"But you have Southside acquaintances that do?" he stepped in closer, making me claustrophobic more so than the Serpent jacket on my back.

"You think I enjoy being associated with them?" I snorted out. That seemed to shut him up real fast, but not for long.

"Could give you an excuse to get away from your Serpent friends for the night." He was quite the impressive negotiator....probably was using magic to get me on his side, but I wasn't buying it. I rolled my eyes again, causing him to speak more. "Besides, it'll be Halloween. You gotta have a little fun on Halloween. It's not trick or treat for nothing." I didn't know what he wanted to poke further into but I no longer wanted any part of it.

"I already told you..." I lifted my chin up, my confidence growing. He began to back away as I broke it down for him, "I. DON'T. DO. THAT. SHIT. ANY. MORE. Got it?" His face lost it smirk and turned into a frown. "Find another candyman to get your party favors, Manhattan." I took the little victory and shoved past him with my shoulder, ready to make my great escape.

Well, I was ready to make my escape until Hiram reached for my hand. His grip wasn't hard, he was barely holding onto me, but it was enough to stop me. I slowly turned to him, about to hex the daylights out of him, and.... Should I have known of his magic back then? Was he holding me back with magic? Whatever kept me there in that moment, with his fingers having their gentle hold on my hand, with his New York schoolboy face all soft looking at me, I stayed. I stayed, staring at Hiram, as he spoke, "Maybe you could just come? For a few minutes? You don't have to be all alone, Alice." I stayed, and maybe I shouldn't have. I stayed, and I went to that house. I stayed, and I released Hal and killed those classmates. I stayed, and Hiram was trying to tell me something.....