The ball in my throat began to grow and my heart raced when I watched the video playing on my laptop. The tears streamed down my face before the shot was even taken. The gruesome video played quietly off of my laptop and no matter how bad I wanted it to stop, I couldn't. This was too important to discard, this was everything.
It was a poor quality surveillance video from the Whyte Wyrm. It showed not only Jason and Clifford there, but also my father. Jason was tied to a chair, clearly beaten and bruised. My dad stood in front of Jason, gun in hand, to Jason's head. Clifford watched from the other side of the room. I could tell their conversation was heated and that Jason was panicked.
I could tell my father said something before Clifford shot him and then Jason in the head. Both of them lay dead and Clifford walked off. I could see the expressionless look on my dad's face and the blood pour out of his head. My fingers ran across the laptop screen as I cried silently. I can't help but wonder if this is some sick joke. This was all too perfect and way too convenient for me to find.
My brain feels like mush after watching that. What do I even do with it? I paced around my room and wondered what I could do. I can't keep silent about it, but I can't turn it to the police. They would want to know how I got it, and I couldn't bring Joaquin into this, he's just a kid. We're all just kids and this is too big for anyone, let alone my age, to take on.
I have to leave, I'm not sure where yet. But I know it's what I have to do. This place has always been complicated and I can't be in Riverdale when the cops find this video, considering I'm the one that found it. Maybe I could stay with my cousins or something.
When I asked my mom about leaving. She understood, she said my aunt has a beautiful house in California and she wouldn't mind me staying. She thought it was probably good for me to get away anyway. She always thought Riverdale was a toxic and horrible place, and only stayed for my dad.
It was decided I'd miss the week before Winter break and I'd stay with her until the end of the school year. I had two cousins I could spend time with and a brand new school I could learn from. But before I left, I had a few amends to make.
I started with Cheryl, although she was wrong for a lot of things she was still good to me. We helped heal each other and she made me stronger. On my last day of school, I gave her the spider pendant she gave me when we first became friends. I never told her I was leaving, just that I didn't want to fight anymore and she understood. She didn't ask questions or judge me for the fight earlier, she simply gave me a hug and wished me the best. Although she was rough around the edges, she always had a good heart. That's one thing I want to carry with me forever.
Then, my brothers, they were there for me when no one else was. They supported me even when I couldn't even support myself. I did not appreciate them the way I should've. I gave them each a handwritten letter and a long hug goodbye. They were fine with me leaving, they were just sad that I wouldn't be there to cook anymore. Their lightheartedness always made a horrible situation feel okay. That's what I will miss most about them. They could always make me laugh when I was sad and were always strong even when they didn't want to be.
Finally, I asked Reggie to meet me at Pop's before school that day. He smiled at me before I took a seat across from him. It faded when he saw the serious expression on my face.
"This isn't going to be easy to say, Reg. I have to leave Riverdale. You're not going to understand right now but you will soon. Riverdale is going to get hectic and I'm not ready to deal with it." I rambled as the tears began to form in my eyes.
"But what about us?" He shoots me a disgusted look.
"Please, Reggie. I need you to understand-" he stops me before I could explain myself any further.
"No Hennessy, you always do this. You play with my emotions, for what? Personal pleasure? You'll cry to me about no one is there for you, then you treat me like I'm nothing when I am. I'm done with it." He gets up to leave but I chase after him. I yank his hand and he turns around. I smash my lips onto his and place my other hand on his cheek.
When we pull apart I say, "I love you, Reggie."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"I have to go." He says sternly and walks out of Pop's.
I probably deserved that.
I'm truly am sorry Reggie. You really are a shining light in all the darkness that is Riverdale.
But before I go, there's one more person I have to deal with... Jughead.
