Lost Souls (Archie Andrews)

Chapter Twenty One- Fred Andrews

-

On the drive, Jughead explained that FP had called Archie to tell him that the guy who hit Fred had been caught, and let out on bail. FP was scared that Archie was going to the guys house, so he found the address and that's where Jughead, Cally and Betty headed in Fred's truck.

When they arrived Archie was sat on the pavement outside some house, with his head in his hands.

The three of them ran over to Archie.

"You had us really worried. You okay?" Jughead asked.

"How'd you know where I was?" Archie replied.

"My dad called. He had a bad feeling. What happened?" Jughead pointed out Archie's bruised and bloody hand.

"I- I came looking for... he's just this dumb kid"

"Who is?" Betty asked.

"The kid driving the car that hit my dad, he's just, stupid, terrified. It's something that I would have done, taken the car out without permission. Hell, I did it a dozen times and his dad was protecting him. The same way mine would have," Archie began to cry, clearly very shaken up, "I don't know what the hell I'm doing, you guys. I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe I did this. I'm a terrible son"

Cally knelt in front of Archie.

"No. You're not a terrible son"

Betty and Jughead walked away to give the two time to talk.

"I just went into a stranger's house and almost hurt an innocent man" Archie told Cally.

"I think.. your father would understand"

"All we ever did was fight, Cally. I lied to him, constantly. He would be ashamed of me. I'm ashamed of me"

"Archie. Listen to me. Your dad loved you.. more than anyone and anything else. Whenever he looked at you there was pride in his eyes. He was proud of you"

"I don't know what to do"

"I do, come here," Cally held Archie's hands in hers "you're gonna finish what you started. You're gonna bring your dad home"

-

They all drove back to the funeral to finally bring Fred home.

"Okay, the hearse is behind the funeral home, ready to go. Cally and I will take it. Are you guys okay taking the truck back?" Archie asked.

"Of course" Betty replied.

Jughead nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we'll follow you"

-

The drive back to Riverdale was long, but Archie already felt a sense of closure, just knowing his father was in Riverdale on the 4th of July, just as he would have wanted.

They finally approached the Riverdale sign when they noticed FP and his sheriff's car was parked up.

Archie stopped the car and FP came to the window.