Consequences

Chapter 16

Jughead lead his core Serpents—Toni, Sweet Pea and Fangs—into Sweetwater River. To Jughead and most of the people of Riverdale, there was nothing 'sweet' about Sweetwater River. Only bad things seemed to happen here.

The core Serpents trekked stealthily into the zone. The Serpent in charge of patrolling this area had reported suspicious activity of the supposed Ghoulies at 9pm every Thursday, near the big beech tree.

They took cover in some nearby trees to observe the area without being spotted. 

The young Serpents waited and waited, until the clock struck nine, and true to the patroller's words, two men appeared from different directions.

Wordlessly, the men exchanged something, then left in their respective directions.

"Follow," Jughead whispered as they climbed silently down the tree, not losing sight of the men.

As usual, Jughead and Toni paired up and went after the first man that had arrived; while Fangs and Sweet Pea followed the other.

They followed the man swiftly for about half an hour, until the man finally reached his destination— Lodge Lodge.

Jughead was astonished to see him enter Lodge Lodge. He had only been here once about two years ago with Veronica, Betty and Archie. Had the man not lead them here, Jughead would have forgotten the existence of this cabin.

Tiny Toni sneaked into the cabin through a window that was left ajar, while Jughead kept watch outside.

'How could I forget this cabin?' Jughead thought bitterly. 'It was here I found out about Archie and Betty's kiss.'

It was eerily silent in the woods. The pale moon shone down on the cabin, illuminating it in a weird light that one could describe as evil. There was no sound except the occasional hoot of an owl or the sound of soft running water in the river.

The moon crept further up the dark sky, until it was directly on top of the cabin.

Ten thirty. Jughead checked his watch, alarmed. It was past their 'half hour rule' that ensured the safety of a Serpent. If a Serpent was not out of a place they were scaling by half an hour, it meant they were in danger.

Toni Topaz was still inside.

Jughead was about to burst in when a few men flung the cabin door open, holding guns.

"If we caught a Serpent, that means another Serpent is nearby," a man growled. "Them Serpents never work alone."

Jughead hid in the tree until the coast was clear and he sneaked into Lodge Lodge as well.
He searched and searched for two hours, but he was unfamiliar with the nooks and crannies of the cabin and there was no sign of Toni or any other people there.

Jughead's heart sank. He immediately left the lodge safely to go back to the White Wyrm to call for reinforcements.

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"Veronica," Jughead said frantically once he reached the Serpents' base. "I need you. Put this on."

Veronica caught the leather jacket (without the Serpents' logo on) , the gun and the combat boots Jughead tossed her. "What's going on? Where are the others?"

"They've got Toni," Jughead replied aggravatedly.

At once, Cheryl sprang in action to retrieve her bow and arrow. "Whoever did this, will pay." Cheryl's blood was boiling as she gripped her bow tightly.