Riverdale: What no one saw coming...

Chapter Fifteen

Betty and Jughead raced through the town. Clambering through alleys, taking back short cuts all to avoid being caught. They were headed to Veronicas. To Polly.

On the way Betty proclaimed a phone call to Veronica. After two missed calls and three voicemails she finally picked up.

"..... Betty what is it, I'm with the Pusey cats. Have you just called to tell me about your romantic date with Riverdale's very own Mortez Adams? Or how abo......."

"..Ronnie" Betty interrupted. Despite the fact she wanted explode all her pent up feeling and explain them to someone . Someone who will listen, her best friend Veronica. But now was not the time. "Can you meet us at your house? Please its urgent." She begged.

"Ummm... Ill try and claw myself away from Josie and the pussycats. Why?"

"I'm scared Polly is in danger.." Jughead gripped her hand, taking in account that the sensitive subject would be troubling her. Betty looked at him and smiled, but pain was still visible in her eyes. They screamed hurt and worry, making his heart ache that little bit more.

"What!" Veronica exclaimed urgency in her voice. "I'm on my way now. ill be there in ten if I can find Archie. He borrowed his Dads car again today.."

"Thanks Ronnie.. we are just around the corner."

"Hang in there Betty, I'm sure she will be fine." The call came to an abrupt close, the sweet positive words Veronica had just uttered lingered in Bettys mind. But to no avail, the dangerous, damaging thoughts creeped back in taking centre stage in her frontal lobe. If Jughead didn't have her hand entwined within his, her nails would be imprinting sharp, bloody marks piercing into her flesh. She could feel pain beginning to absorb from her left hand, although it was not as painful as her right hand( being her dominant hand), It was still pain that demanded attention. 

She bit back the metallic taste in her mouth almost chocking on invisible tears. Polly had been alone for two days now. Hermione and Veronica had been staying in either Bettys bedroom or more scandalously Fred Andrew's. Last night was the last night the pair had spoke... Polly had seemed some what distant on the phone. Adding to Bettys suspicion and worries.

A wave of melancholy and responsibility hit her, sending her mind spiralling.

"I know what your doing Betty, stop it. Don't do this to yourself."

"What?" Betty looked up, scared he realised her secret, releasing the tight grip from her palms, her finger nails ached from the sudden change of pressure.

"Your criticising and blaming your self for something there was no possible way you could control. You have to stop taking the weight of the world on your shoulders and start worrying more about yourself." He looked concerned.

"I don't know what your talking about.." Betty turned away feeling embarrassed.

"For six month I have been watching you every day , Betty Cooper. Embracing your crazy and your sane. I noticed all the things I ...." He almost admitted how he felt. That he loved her... but he couldn't not now. That was the last thing he thought she  needed on her plate right now."...admire about you. but I also noticed what pain you put yourself through.. and it hurts me to see you this way."

"I cant help it, my emotions just take control. But this time it is my fault. If I had just left her alone at the sisters facility. Yes she would be depressed, but at least she would be safe. I was the one who wanted her with me because I needed her, if I had just thought about what was best for her we wouldn't be in this mess. And Polly would be safe..." The words blubbered out of her mouth, like a hot iron.

"Betty.. this is not your fault. Polly was the one who got involved with Jason and yet still this isn't even her fault. Its Kevin's! And when I find him I swear to God I  will make him feel the pain your feeling right now. Because one thing I know is that you deserve the world. You deserve happiness and love, you deserve...." Betty cut him off. Smashing her lips into his.

Together they stood, mouths interlocked, bodies intertwined. All their troubles melted away, drifted away. He felt warmth with her, something to take away the numb coldness that resonated within him.

Tears streamed down her face. He had said all the right things, all the things she needed to say. All the things no one would say to her. And at that moment, she couldn't wish for anyone better to share her life with.

Slowly, she broke the kiss. He looked into her red, puffy eyes and still saw beauty. Not one that can be described, but only felt.

Betty was speechless... all she could utter was two simple words.

"Thank you ..."

Jughead was about to speak when an old pale blue truck pulled up along the side walk. The rusty door clanked open.

"Need a lift?"

Betty and Jughead stood straight, composing themselves. Awkwardly they shuffled into the back seats of the truck. Betty could taste the smell of greasy fast food.

As soon as the door closed, Archie stepped on the gas, going seventy miles per hour within seconds. Time could not have moved slower than it did in that truck. Seconds felt like minute's, minute's felt like hours.

What felt like an eternity late the car pulled up to the curb before Veronicas penthouse. Before the truck had even come to a halt, Jughead had jumped out, with Betty following. Seeing his drive to seek Polly's safety mad Bettys heart warm.

They crammed into the lobby, to reveal that the elevator had been cordoned off as unsafe. Without second thought the pair ran up the three floors of stairs with no hesitation. Bettys legs burned , glucose running through her veins. Veronica and Archie were hot on their heels.

As they reached the purple door that had been on Bettys mind since they pulled up. Betty slammed her hands onto its hard wood .

"POLLY.. ARE YOU IN THERE ?ANSWER ME......" Betty screamed . Jugheads throat swelled. He already knew what to expect.

Veronica lunged up the stairs, her hand trembling as she used her long ,skeleton key to unlock the door.

Slowly the door opened to reveal the worst thing Betty could possibly imagine.

An empty soulless room.

Polly was no where to be seen.