THE SOUTHSIDE TAPES (RIVERDALE 2)

The Darkness Within

And so, I waited as my nerves grew every second. Twenty minutes later, he came into the study and sat at his desk. I almost didn't notice him come in. He cleared his throat, "Are you alright, mija?"
"No." I whispered, "I'm trapped here."
"I see. Have a drink, mija."
"No thank you."
"Drink it."
"Daddy, please."
"Don't make me force you."
"Please don't. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Just let me leave."
"You know I can't do that." He grabbed a hold of my mouth and poured the concoction down my throat. Everything faded to black as he said, "Sleep well, princesa."
-
An hour later, I woke up in my bed with a full face of makeup. I groaned audibly. A hand grabbed mine and that's when I realized what had happened. "Good, you're awake." I attempted to move out of his grip but he just smiled at me. I heard him sharpening his knife.
"Daddy?" My voice was raspy, "What are you doing?"
"Relax, mija." I held my breath as he ran the knife along my palm. Seconds later, after he wrapped a bandage around it, I could still make out the initials HL engraved into my flesh. "This is a reminder that i won't let you throw your life away for anything that isn't blood. Come join us for breakfast in five minutes."
I had to get out of here. It was only 10:30 in the morning. I moved to get my phone from my nightstand and succeeded. My multitool was luckily still in my pocket. I undid my handcuffs and headed for the window. "Tangerine. Tangerine. Tangerine." I whispered before smashing my window with a rock. I ran and ran until i reached the familiar door on Elm street.
"Oh, my god, Star?'
"Dani, please. Go get FP."
-
Jughead Jones was already highly suspicious of Nicolette not answering his calls and texts. Every year, Jug sent her a birthday message and every year they talked on the phone for an hour. Now, at nine in the morning that day, she was sitting in his living room surrounded by her family members. "You have to tell him."
"I can't Jug."
"Please..."
"No."
"Tell us what?" Alice asked, concerned, "Did he hurt you?"
"No." I said, "But he... he branded me."
Betty stood up and slammed her phone on the coffee table. "He what? And Jug knew about this?"
"We-"
"I need to go."
"Betty, wait!"
She was already on the phone, "Hey, Vee. Can you let me in through the servants' entrance... It's time I did something for my cousin."
-
"Betty Cooper."

"Hiram Lodge, the man in black."

"What brings you to my study?"

"This flash drive contains proof of all the abuse you've inflicted on Nicolette. Mrs. Burble fell for the whole daddy dearest act in person but funny enough, Miss Weiss was all too eager to jump on the case when I called."

"Name your price."

"None. My cousin and I share the same darkness, the same serial killer gene. Even though we got rid of it, I'm using it to help her."

"But I'm the mayor-"

"And if you want to keep it that way, you'll relinquish all your rights as a parent to my cousin. No bullshit. No forging papers. Just your signature and initials."

"You know your cousin will always be a Lodge at heart. She'll grow up to be just like me."

"You sound just like my father before he was sent away to rot in jail, Mr. Lodge."