Forever And Always

Chapter 72

The Gryphons and Gargoyle's game spread like a virus through all of Riverdale, for every confiscated one, two would pop up in its place. Now Callie was smart enough to now bring the manual out when people could see or play. She stayed up late scanning the pages for answers, she would take it the garage and jot down anything, all while hiding it in a folder of Archie's sheet music, a place she was sure Fred Andrews would not look. Callie now sat in class as Mayor Lodge spewed to them about the game. She sat in the front next to Cheryl and the window.

" Two students have taken their lives and a third tried," Mayor Loge reported. " The common thread linking these tragedies, all three victims were playing the game known as Gryphons and Gargoyles."

" Wait, so you are admitting the game killed Dilton and Ben?" Jughead asked.

"And almost Ethel?" Callie added.

" Yes, Mr. Jones and Ms. Andrews," Mayor Lodge answered.

" But where did G&G come from?" Betty asked. " Where did Ben and Dilton even get it?"

" Well, we still don't have many answers," Mayor Lodge answered. " But from the little that we do know about it, the game seems targeted at impressionable developing minds. Namely, teens like yourselves.

" Um, challenge accepted," Reggie declared getting the whole class to laugh.

" Respect to the dead," Cheryl began as she rolled her eyes. " But some among our flock are shepherds, not sheep."

" The game's quests are role-playing scenarios are specifically designed to foster delusion, paranoia, and ultimately violence," Mayor Lodge informed as Callie's classmates whispered among each other. " As mayor, I'm officially banning Gryphons and Gargoyles. Mrs. Burble is gonna be holding extended office hours and I've set up a 24-hour crisis hotline overseen by Kevin Keller."

" FYI, I'm only there after school," Kevin informed.

" As a parent, I'm imploring you, take care of yourselves," Mayor Lodge wished. " And stay away from this game." After class ended Callie walked to her locker, she saw Sweet Pea waiting their with a cup of coffee.

" Hey," Callie smiled at him lightly.

" Something on your mind?" Sweet Pea asked.

" The epidemic of this game," Callie answered as she opened her game.

" Wanna join and play?" Sweet Pea asked as his eyes lit up.

" Not really," Callie denied as she looked at him oddly. "You're not going to play...are you?"

" What if I do?" Sweet Pea asked narrowing his eyes at her.

" Pea, this game has already cost two students their lives, and almost a third," Callie reminded him.

" I won't be stupid to get killed," Sweet Pea rolled his eyes. " I'm Sweet Pea of the Serpents."

"Serpent or not I don't want you playing this game," Callie asserted.

" You can't tell me what to do," Sweet Pea argued.

" I don't want to lose you," Callie protested." You are important to me."

" You won't lose me, Shortstop," Sweet Pea huffed. " I'm still going to play this game."

" Not yet," Callie said. " Not till I figure out the scripture."

" So you are allowed to read it, but I'm not allowed to play?" Sweet Pea asked angrily. " I thought we were a team, Callie."

" Pea," Callie breathed.