A Serpent Can't Shed Its Skin

Ch.16

I decided to walk on foot after school all the way to the Southside all by myself, which took the entire rest of the afternoon, and well past sundown. I kept trying to figure out a way that I could do The Gauntlet without getting caught by people like Tall Boy, and Jughead, and especially not by Sweet Pea. I knew if Sweet Pea found out what I was going to do tonight, and I got caught, he would be sooo mad, and would probably stop talking to me forever. I just wanted to join the Southside Serpents, and finally be with Sweet Pea, I knew those two things were exactly what I needed, and being on the Southside, and being Sweet Pea's girl was exactly where I belonged. I just wish being with Sweet Pea, and joining the Southside Serpents didn't require me to exploit my body, and perform the stupid, sexist, Serpent dance. I know that is the only way Sweet Pea will actually let me in the Serpents, but what if I fail miserably at it, and really do make a completely fool of myself?? Sweet Pea would probably never want to be with me, and would still stop talking to me forever. I know all my crazy plans revolve around Sweet Pea somehow leaving me forever once I execute them, but that's where I really thought we were headed. 

''Well well well if it isn't my favorite little lying Nothsider princess, long time, definitely no see'' Malachi said, popping up from the shadows of a really creepy dark alley that I definitely didn't notice before because of my ridiculous inner monologue.

''Hi Malachi...''I said letting my sentence fade, and having no idea what he even wanted from me, or how he even found me.

''Casper said you were thinking about joining The Ghoulies but judging from your outfit, you have a very different gang in mind entirely'' Malachi said, actually sounding like a wounded animal.

''Umm I do want to join the Southside Serpents, but I want to join The Ghoulies too but I know being in two gangs just isn't possible..'' I said, almost sadly, and kind of sounding like a wounded animal as well, because despite everything, Malachi has become almost like a real brother to me, especially since Jughead and I aren't even on speaking terms right now.

''Hmm how far along in the Serpent initiation process are you??'' Malachi asked with desperation in his voice.

''Everything but The Gauntlet, and the stupid, sexist, Serpent dance obviously, why??'' I asked, almost hoping he could get me out of the latter.

''Ohh that might be way too far along for me to help but I might be able to make you an honorary member of The Ghoulies so you wouldn't have to participate in The Burial if that's what you are so worried about??'' Malachi said smirking, and leaning against the dumpster like this was some secret Jingle Jangle sale.

''That's not what I'm worried about actually, and no if I'm going to be in two different gangs at once I'm going to go all in for both'' I said, being completely serious.

''Shame, well if you ever do want me to make you an honorary member, you know where to find me'' Malachi said, just about to leave, but I stopped him with my skinny pathetic girl arms.

''I am going to hijack Jughead's Gauntlet run tonight, any idea how I can do that without getting caught??'' I asked.

''Hmm I might have an idea, how opposed are you of breaking into Jughead's trailer, and temporarily disposing over Jughead?'' Malachi said with a way too serious expression on his face for it to a joke.

''Umm how temporary??'' I asked, not even believing that I was actually considering his messed up idea.

''Thirty minutes, an hour tops, it will give you just enough time to run The Gauntlet, and become a full fledged member of the Southside Serpents'' Malachi said, again being completely serious, he really was the best brother I could ever hope to have.

''I think The Gauntlet is at Sunnyside Trail Park so sure'' I said, finally agreeing to this insanity before I actually caught sense, and was able to change my mind.

Ten very short minutes later Malachi, me, and almost every member of The Ghoulies were parked right outside Jughead's trailer ready to commit burglary, and battery all in the name of true love, and a really nice leather jacket.

''This is a horrible idea Malachi, and why did the entire gang show up to help us??'' I stage whispered.

''Because we love you, and there is safety is numbers'' Malachi said, like it was completely obvious.

''We can't have everybody here, this is way too suspect, send them all home'' I said in my most commanding voice, which I didn't even know I possessed.

''Absolutely not, like I said we are here to help, and defend you, and even kill you for you if it comes to that'' Malachi said, sharpening his scary bloody blade.

''Umm thank you so much but please put that thing away, and I really don't think any of that will be necessary, besides if the Southside Serpents get wind of you being here there will probably be a rumble or something.'' I said, still stage whispering, just as Jughead's motorcycle could be heard driving up, but he decides to park it on the opposite side of the trailer.

''Well it's showtime boys!!'' Malachi said, completely ambushing Jughead, and hitting him on the head with Wiffle Ball Bats, which I don't even know how they acquired them, or why, or even where they had been stashing them all this time.

''MALACHI!''' I screamed, just as he has thrown the winning shot right at Jughead's head, and knocks him unconscious for who knows how long. 

''What the heck Malachi??'' I asked, almost too shocked to speak.

''He will wake up right??'' I asked, getting really close to Jughead's scarily lifeless face, and peering down in pure horror, and anxiety.

''Of course he will, probably in forty minutes if you are really lucky, we swiped his beanie for you, good luck, I think the Southside Serpents are here'' Malachi said hiding Jughead's unconscious body behind a trash can, and running off at lightning speed with his entire gang in tow, and just as the sound of too many motorcycle engines to count came to a stop right beside Jughead's trailer, and I sighed a very shaky breath, and put on Jughead's beanie because it really was showtime.