traitor ¥ sweet pea

22

Soon enough he was returning to his friends as if he hadn't left a part of himself in that bathroom.

"Lyzabel?" A nurse called out what felt like hours later.

Fangs stood- everyone else grateful he had remembered the girls last name. Sweet Pea followed in his movements as he continued to stare at the ground.

"She's out of surgery, still groggy but you should be all good to see her." The nurse smiled as if it was nothing, "Try not to overwhelm her."

When the door creaked open Lilith glanced to it, even the slight movement making her feel nauseous.

"Lili?" Sweet Pea watched her eyes look into his.

"I'm glad you're okay." His voice was gentle, she assumed it was just to be nice. She didn't think he cared anymore.

"The nurses know you." Sweet Pea spoke again, he was confused as to why she wasn't speaking.

Lilith nodded at this though, "Been here a few times."

Sweet Pea frowned at her, she had lived such a hard life in such a small amount of time. He believed her when she said she didn't have a choice. He remembered all the stories of her dad, of her drug addicted big brother.

He thought he knew who she really was but he still had his doubts. And his pride that stopped him from bringing up what happened, bringing up how he felt.

He didn't know what to do.

Besides move to touch her, knowing until he felt her he wouldn't believe she was alive. He wouldn't believe she was blinking into awareness.

Sweet Pea ran his hand over her black hair and did his best to ignore the feeling of dried blood through out her hair.

"He was gonna kill me." Lilith's eyes recalled her mother's death, "Like he killed my mom."

Her blue eyes welled up with tears, "He went to get the gun and I-I just bolted."

"I don't remember getting to Jughead's, or here." Sweet Pea's thumb brushed a tear off her cheek.

"You're here. You're alive, that's all that matters." Lilith flinches as two figures come into focus.

When Toni approached her side Sweet Pea stepped away with a sigh.

Toni held onto Lilith's hand despite the weak grip she received in response.

"You can stay with me, Lil. We'll get you out." Toni was begging but Lilith only stared at her.

"I can't stay with Serpents." Lilith had mumbled.

"You've been staying with Sweets for weeks." Toni said in confusion.

"Yeah," She glared, "One or two nights not forever."

"I already got in enough trouble for the few nights I escaped." The three teens gave her a weary look unsure if they even wanted to know.

"Once they noticed- they noticed." Sweet Pea thought back to the night she hadn't showed and had left him unanswered most of the night. He couldn't help but wonder what they had done to her.

"Plus- no offense." Lilith sighed, "Sweet Pea is more of a threat than two girls."

"Even if I'm one of the two." She tried to smile but her eyes were hollow, her skin was still so flushed you could easily see the veins under her skin.

"What the fuck happened, Lilith?" Fangs dared to ask.

Lilith shot him a look, "I told you."

"Told him what?" Sweet Pea asked immediately as he glanced to his friend.

"That she was a dead girl walking." Fangs mumbled out with a sad expression.

"Malachi threatened her when she tried to go after you." Toni said quietly, she couldn't help but be angry at Sweet Pea.

"My whole life I've only been one egg shell sort of death." Lilith laughed.

"It's no big deal," She gulped, "I'm fine."

"Lilith, he could have killed you!" Toni snapped.

"Death would be a relief in this lifestyle." Lilith glared back at the girl.

Sweet Pea froze as she threw the reminder of her lies back in his face.

"I'm fine." She said adamantly, "I'm sorry you guys had to deal with me again."

"You can go." Lilith shrugged.

In her mind she was on the verge of sobbing, she didn't know where she would go. She didn't want them to leave but knew it would be way too unsafe for them to stay- or for her to go with them.

It would only be a matter of time until Raphael came back, and this time he would be sure he finished his intention of killing her.

"He's not gonna let this go, is he?" Fangs asked as if he could read her mind.

"I'd rather it be one of us than four." Lilith smiled but Fangs was the only who understood what was happening.

"It ends with me." She said.

"Come home with me, Lilith." Toni desperately asked her.

"We'll forget all about this," She huffed, "We'll say you're my cousin."

Cousin. A small smile graced her lips, "That's what that Serpent boy offered me."

"The night I walked him to the tracks, saved him from being beaten." Lilith said.

Sweet Pea blinked remembering that night the new recruit had stumbled in- cheering over surviving the Ghoulie Princess.

He had said she was nice to him- happy over a boy she had met. Him.

"I should've followed him." Lilith whispered.

She blinked away the hollow look in her eyes before shrugging, "It's too late."

"This is my life." Lilith claimed.

Sweet Pea snapped.

He spun so fast on his heel the earth seemed to tilt with it as he walked to the door and slammed it behind him.

He didn't stop until he was on the curb- his chest heaving as his mind raced.

She was a traitor.

To her own, to the Serpents.

To him.

She betrayed everyone in her path.

A liar.

A Ghoulie.

That's what he had to convince himself. Or he'd never survive losing her.