Strange Connection

Chapter Eight

It was a cold night for the town of Riverdale, signaling the official start of the autumn season. For Toni Topaz, however, it meant sleeping under 4 blankets.

Over the past few months, she had found that her body heat would stay in the nest of blankets and keep her warm. Of course, that method took a couple of minutes to start working. Reminder to self: buy a heat fan before November.

Earlier that night, she had intercepted a letter left on the steps right below the bug zapper that was only turned on in the summertime. Toni walked briskly through the doorframe to open the envelope and found cash inside. It was filled with enough money for rent and most amenities, yet there wasn't enough to stretch for heating. She was grateful for what she was given and heating wouldn't be a huge issue for her. After all, this was a monthly routine, she knew what to expect.

She had gone through one winter before this year, so she knew plenty of tips and tricks to keep warm in the small trailer when she couldn't afford heating for the month. However, the monthly letters always served as a reminder of her current situation. As she thought back in time, she couldn't help herself from thinking about that summer just over a year ago. The last summer with her family.

A tear slipped down Toni's cheek as she desperately tried to think about anything else, but it was too late. Her mind brought back the memories of her parents leaving for a type of Serpent mission in a rush. She was sitting on the couch watching The Outsiders, all too enthralled in the movie to pay attention to the dire moments ahead of her.

She remembered hearing them yell a quick goodbye to her. The door slamming shut. The car driving away. And that's it. Those were her last precious moments with her parents, who she hasn't seen since that summer after freshman year.

Although Toni held out hope of them returning home for a while, she got a job working at Pizza Palace. One day she received a letter in the mail full of cash - enough to cover her exact living expenses. She was ecstatic, thinking it was her parents who had sent it until she read the note attached:

Hello Antoinette. I regret to inform you that your parents are missing. We have limited information on their well-being or their whereabouts, so there is a chance that they are no longer alive. Some serpents and I have agreed to help you out in your monthly finances since you'll be living alone. We will send you $250 per month for your rent, I'm sorry we can't do more but it's all we can spare. It's unlikely anyone will question you about your living situation with this being the south side, but if you ever come across any trouble please come to the White Wyrm and ask for Tall Boy or F.P.

Toni didn't tell a single soul. She acted like everything was normal, and she hung out with her friends just as much as she always did. As a result of her Oscar-winning performance: Toni never got questioned by anyone.

Two weeks later, word got out that Jason Blossom had died. After that, the whole town was in a depressed state, and Toni could act how she truly felt without people asking why.

Toni still refers to that summer in Riverdale as the "Dark Period", and she hated bringing it up.

That's why she was now in her dark bedroom, which was once her parents', crying herself to sleep and cursing herself from thinking about her beloved mom and dad.

...

The town of Riverdale was in one of its fleeting states of unity and excitement as October rolled around, bringing the tradition of the local high school's homecoming activities. Students of all groups were busy whether it be planning the dance, running for royalty, or practicing for the big game. Cheryl Blossom walks through the halls a little taller during these times, cherishing the little safety she gets to feel throughout the year.