It started with a text - {Choni}

- Chapter 16 -

Toni's Pov

I ran into the bathroom of the Wyrm and started pacing back and forth trying to think of what to do. I really didnt want to go into a fight for the Serpents, but I practically didnt have a choice since Fp would probably force me either way. No matter what I did I couldn't think of a way to get out of the situation, so I decided to text the one person who could stop me from doing it, and come up with a idea for me to get the hell out of there without being seen. C. I pulled out my phone and read the last message that she sent to me over and over again.

C: Come back in one piece preferably x

It made me laugh the way that she put it as 'preferably', i dont think I would be able to text her if I was in two. Just reading that text made me sure I needed to get out of there, so I quickly scribbled her a message for help.

T: C, I need help.

Once I sent the message i turned on the sink and poured cold water all over my face and started at myself in the mirror, I was a mess. I looked over to my phone but there was still no reply, so I opened it again and wrote another message, just incase she didnt see the other one.

T: Hello?

A minute later and there was still nothing, so i tried again for the third time.

T: Anyone there?

Fp and Jug burst the door down and I quickly looked up at them and started to back away.

"I don't want to fight, Fp please..." They started to walk towards me, so as a last resort I sent one more text to C, I needed her help now more than ever, and of course she wasnt on her phone.

T: This is important, please reply!

"Im sorry Toni, you have to, its what happens in the serpents. This is what you signed up for, so deal with it." Fp and Jughead came closer to me, cornering me so I had no escape. They each grabbed one of my arms and started to drag me out of the bathroom, the whole time I was flailing my legs, trying to escape. That was a problem with being so small. I screamed the whole way out until they put me in the back of Fp's truck and started to drive me to Pickens Park.

"I'm sorry Toni, its what we have to do." Jughead said apologetically to me, sitting next to me.

"I hate you for this." I scooted as far away from him as possible and put my head into my knees and started crying. I was scared. I didnt want to die. As a final resort I sent her one more text, just incase,

T: I don't know what to do... Why aren't you replying!

The whole journey I cried, it feels like thats all I have been doing for the past week of my life, and it could be THE last week of my life. God, what a crap way to go. No family, no lovers. Just me, and me alone. When we finally reached the park I saw hundreds of serpents crowded together, sharpening their knives and practicing fighting with each other, it terrified me. Fp pulled a brass knuckle out of his pocket and handed it to me.

"I know you lost your jacket, and your knife, so take this." I grabbed it then put in on my hand, it surprising me fit me like a glove, almost reminding me of my roots, what I was born to do. "Don't worry Toni, you will be the last one everyone targets." I rolled my eyes at him and hopped out of the truck and started to walk around to try find someone I recognised, but to no avail. There was no one. I felt like saying one last message to 'C'. She meant loads to me over the past few days, she needed to know.

T: I'm sorry if this is goodbye C, you have been so nice to me since we started messaging. I never got to know who you are, but this could be the end. Im sorry.