Ariana Andrews.

Chapter Thirteen: The Test (Part Two)

Ariana, Veronica, and Betty were sitting in a car outside of the Keller's residence. Ariana sighed in annoyance, bored out of her mind.

"How much longer Betty? We've been out here for hours." 

"Until he leaves and we can follow him Ari." Veronica turned to face Ariana, the two rolling their eyes before bursting out laughing. "Shhh, guys look." Betty pointed towards the house, where Mr. Keller was getting into his car. "Where-o-where do you thinkg your going Sheriff." Betty waited a split second after he pulled out before following him.

They followed him at a safe distance before pulling into a motel. They parked behind a set of  dumpsters, and turned all of their attention to the Sheriff.

"There he is." Betty said quietly.

"What is he doing?" Veronica asked, nodding towards the duffle bag in his hands.

"That must be his kill kit."

"I doubt it Betty." Ariana said, as Betty pulled out her phone.

"His what now?"

"He's about to do something terrible. His next victim could be in that room right now."

"Should we call the cops?" Ariana squinted at Veronica in confusion, as Betty unlatched her car doors and started to climb out. "Betty!" Ariana and Veronica followed Betty out of the car, before  hiding behind some bushes. "What are you doing?" Veronica whipsered. Betty quickly shushed her, and looked back over to where Sheriff Keller was knocking on a door. The three watched in anticipation, waiting to see what happened next. 

"Oh my god." Ariana whispered. Mayor McCoy and Sheriff Keller started to make out infront of them. "They're dating?"

***

The drive to the Diner was silent as they processed what they saw. Only once they were seated and had milkshakes, Betty broke the silence. 

"I just can't believe this. I'm in shock."

"Me too. My woman's intuition told me Sheriff Keller was having an affair, but with Mayor McCoy?" Veronica agreed.

"Oh my god. Riverdale's list of sinners just keeps expanding." Betty said darkly. Ariana just shook her head and looked down at the table, remebering the call she recieved eariler.

"Hello?

"Ariana, Baby, It's good to hear your voice." Her heart stopped. She knew it would happen, but it was too soon. "Talk to me. I wanna hear it some more. I miss hearing my name." She quickly ran up the stairs and into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. "I was surprised when Nick told me you moved back to Riverdale. I thought you hated that place." She slumped on the back of the door and slid down, willing herself to hang up. But she couldn't do it. It seemed like her hand was frozen in place, unable to move.

"I-" Ariana opened her mouth, but not much came out. It was almost like his had was around her throat again, squeezing in tighter and tighter.

"You know, I might swing by sometime. I would love to see this small town."

"Please?" She whispered, silent tears streaming down her face.

"I love it when you beg. See you soon babe." The familar click of a phone hanging up stopped their converstaion, but Ariana could only wish that it could erase it. He knew where she was, and he was coming. The thing was that she didn't know when. He could aready be on his way, or he could never come, and she would just be living in fear. 

"Ariana?" Ariana snapped her head up from the table and looked up at Betty and Veroncia, who were both looking at her with worried expressions. 

"What?" She asked nervously.

"You were shaking." Betty said quietly, rubbing her back. "Is everything okay?" Ariana tugged at her sleeve as she nodded.

"Yeah, everything is fine, I'm just a little overwhelmed, that's all."

"Okay, but if you need anything..."

"I'm fine Betty, I really am." 

"Hey look, it's the boys." Betty and Ariana looked behind them, and watched as Archie and Jughead walked over to a booth on the other side of the diner. "Shall we ask them to join?" 

"I don't know V," Ariana said. "They look kind of tense." Veronica nodded, and the three turned their attention back at the matter at hand. 

"Veronica, how are we going to tell Kevin about this?"

"I don't think we do. I think this is one of those secrets we keep. For Kevin's sake. Let him keep thinking his dad is a good guy."

"I agree with her Betty. It's Keller's decsion to make." Ariana added. Betty sighed and looked back down at her hands.

"I just don't want him to get hurt."

"Neither do I." Ariana placed her hand over Betty's, and leaned foward to look in her eye. "But it's for the best right now."

"I-" Betty was interupted by Pop's phone ringing, causing the trio to look over at him in confusion. 

"Hello, Pop's." He said joyfully, before his expression turned worried. He waited a few seconds, then placed the phone down. He walked towards the center of the room, his hand sliding down in face in worry. "That was him on the phone. The Black Hood. He says that we failed his test. And we're all sinners. That the reckoning is upon us." Ariana looked around at everyone that was in the diner. The faces were a mix of scared, anger, and confusion. 

"Oh my god." Ariana said softly. He shot her once. He could do it again.

896 words. sorry, its a shorter chapter, but I wanted to leave the other one on a cliff hanger.