stay away

Part 31

Jughead pov

It felt like an eternity since Betty was kidnapped and my will to live was stolen. However, I couldn't say for sure how much time had really passed, because every second I spent without her was a torture.

My friends tried to encourage me that we would find her quickly, but until now we had no idea where she might be. We did everything and searched every inch of Riverdale as well as the neighboring towns. It was almost like when Jellybean disappeared, but somehow different. I couldn't put into words what was different this time but I felt a bigger danger for all of us.

To make matters worse, I didn't know where my pregnant sister was and I had a bad feeling she might have something to do with the whole thing. Was it actually possible that JB had something to do with Betty's kidnapping? Did I know my sister so badly and would she stab me in the back like that?

My thoughts led me once again into a dark hole from which it became increasingly difficult to escape, and my strength gradually left me as my body threatened to collapse. The emptiness inside me washed away any hope and left me in complete darkness. Only now did I really realize how lost I was without Betty. She was the anchor that saved me from losing my mind and the person I really felt at home with. If something happened to her, how could I go on with my life? Was there even a life without her?

"Hey Jones? Jones? Are you here?" From the other end of my office, I heard Toni's voice calling me, bringing me back to the present. She was alone, which I was very thankful for, because I couldn't stand several people at the moment. Every time I have to hear that we would soon find Betty and that it would only be a matter of time annoyed me, because until now still nothing good has happened and these sayings exhausted me. I just can't listen to it anymore.

"What is it Toni?" I asked irritably, trying not to show my anger, but I couldn't hide it either.

"Jughead, I'm sorry that we haven't found Betty yet, but you don't have to go at me like that. We are all frustrated. You have to have faith that she will be back soon."

"I should have faith? How would you react if it were Cheryl? Would you be calm and have 'faith'? No, I don't think so." I answered angrily, feeling a fire inside me again, threatening to burst out and burn anyone who got in my way.

"To be honest, I don't know what I would do or say, but we have to hope that she is well and will be with us soon." I knew Toni meant well but it only made me madder because I had no idea if Betty was really okay.

"Toni I can't hope that she is okay because I have no idea if she is. How am I supposed to stay calm with the thoughts that someone could hurt her, someone could cause her pain or worse? You don't know my mother like I do and I don't know Betty's mother so I can't pretend everything is okay. Be so kind and please leave, I want to be alone." I asked her and focused on myself again to tell her that this conversation was over. Toni complied with my will, but I knew that she still had a lot to say, although she also knew that it would have been pointless.

That day the bad news continued, that no one had a trace of either Betty or Jellybean. I was in the dark again, feeling useless and alone. But while I was being pulled further into the depths by my dark thoughts, I suddenly heard my phone ring.

"Jughead is that you? This is Kevin. Your sister is here in the hospital, she is in pain. Don't worry she wasn't hurt but there are complications because of the baby. Can you come? She needs to calm down." Kevin said agitatedly into the phone before I could say a word. My heart was pounding and no matter what I thought about JB at the moment, she was still my sister and I would help her where I could.

"I'm on my way." I answered quickly, hung up and grabbed the keys to my motorcycle. The cold wind hit me in the face as I rode at full speed over the streets. In less than 10 minutes I arrived at the hospital and rushed through the front door. All eyes were on me and I could feel the fear of the people in the room. No one said a word and before I could say anything Kevin came rushing up to me and led me to my sister.