Deadly || Sweet Pea [2]

8

Chapter 8 || Fight Club

By the end of the week, everyone had a rule book to the game Gryphons and Gargoyles. I found mine in my locker, same as everyone else, but I threw it away immediately. I already had to deal with Ghoulies, Penny Peabody, and finding a way to visit Archie, I didn't need to be worrying about some game about mythical creatures too.

Dad never told me what the deal was with the game, but I didn't really press. Jughead tried to get answers out of him, but he wouldn't budge. I trusted my dad, and if he said the game was evil, I sure as hell wasn't going to play.

Mayor Lodge, however, didn't trust the teenage population of Riverdale to not play the game, so she decided to come speak to us during school. I sat beside Reggie, rolling my eyes as he tossed bits of paper at me.

"Two students have taken their lives." Hermione started, earning the attention of everyone in the classroom. "A third tried. The common thread linking these tragedies, all three victims were playing the game known as Gryphons and Gargoyles."

"Wait, so you're admitting the game killed Dilton and Ben?" Jughead asked from in front of me. He was all for solving this case, but I wanted nothing to do with it.

"Yes, Mr. Jones." Hermione confirmed.

"But where did G&G come from?" Betty questioned. "Where did Ben and Dilton even get it?"

"Well, we still don't have many answers." Hermione sighed. "But from the little that we do know about it, the game seems targeted at impressionable developing minds. Namely, teens like yourselves."

"Um, challenge accepted." Reggie sounded. I picked up my binder and hit him in the shoulder with it, glaring at him when he turned to me.

"No, Reginald." I snapped over the laughter of our classmates.

"Respect to the dead," Cheryl spoke. "But some among our flock are shepherds, not sheep."

"The game's quests and role-playing scenarios are specifically designed to foster delusion, paranoia, and ultimately violence." Hermione pressed. "As mayor, I'm officially banning Gryphons and Gargoyles. Mrs. Burble is gonna be holding extended office hours and I've set up a 24-hour crisis hotline overseen by Kevin Keller."

I bit back a scoff, but I didn't hold back my eye roll as Kevin waved awkwardly.

"FYI, I'm only there after school." Kevin clarified.

"As a parent, I'm imploring you, take care of yourselves." Hermione pressed. "And stay away from this game."

I nodded my head, scooping up my things and heading out into the hall.

"Kit-Kat!" Reggie called. "You wanna meet up later and play some G&G?"

"Absolutely not." I shook my head. "I have some things to take care of."

"What things?" Reggie pressed. I pulled open my locker, tossing my things into it.

"Things that don't concern you." I stated. "I have a lot going on outside of school."

"Okay, but what exactly?" Reggie asked, leaning against my locker.

"Don't worry about it." I snapped, grabbing my keys and slamming the locker shut. "I'll catch you later."

I headed out to the parking lot, climbing onto my bike. I started the bike and drove out to the juvenile detention center Archie was being held in. I walked in and was greeted by Lauren Daniels.

"Miss Jones." She said, looking slightly scared. "How can I help you?"

"Archibald Andrews. I need to see him." I stated, leaning against the check-in desk casually.