././𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓓𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼/./.

Every town has one. The spooky house that all the kids avoid. Ours was Thornhill, the Blossom family's mansion, with its very own graveyard. And, trapped within its walls like some gothic heroine, was Cheryl Blossom. Still grieving for their beloved brother, Jason. Linked in death even as they were in life.

I was walking through the woods, holding a small lantern for light, the knarled branches blocking my sight. I felt a tug pulling me forwards, deeper in the woods. I moved the branches out of my way as I continued walking forward.

I looked down at my outfit and realized that I was wearing my long sheer pink robe, the one Jason had gifted Cheryl and I before he died, hers was red.

As I neared the mysterious area calling for my presence, I began to hear the buzz of electricity behind me. I turned around, trying to explain where the source noise could be coming from in the woods and met Jason in a zombie-like trance. I barely noticed that I wasn't in the woods anymore, before Jason raised a gun to my head and pulled the trigger, without remorse.

I scream.

My body pops up, waking from the deep sleep I had been in. I look around and notice Cheryl beside me, covering her ears in pain. It was just a nightmare, I convince myself, placing my hand over my chest. My heart is furiously thrumming under my chest, from the adrenaline of what I just saw.

Cheryl uncovers her ears once she sees I have finished screaming. She looks at me strangely before slowly bringing her hand up and touching my hair, her eyes widen, "What are you doing here, Addy?"

I look around and notice the plaid bedsheets and Bulldog uniform hung on the wall. I was in Jason's room. The weird part was that I had gone to sleep in my own bedroom.

"I told you, Cheryl, no more sleeping in Jason's bed. Adelaide?" I look up and see Mrs. Blossom looking at me with a bit of surprise although her face was otherwise emotionless. My eyes float to the vodka martini she had in her hand. I knew Cheryl had told me that she had taken up to drinking, but, I didn't think it was this bad.

"I was working on the eulogy. For Jay-Jay." Cheryl spoke up, looking down at the red journal next to her. I also saw many crumbled balls of paper in the bed with us.

"Don't bother," Mrs. Blossom snapped before stepping into the room, setting her drink down on Jason's bedside table. "You won't be speaking at the memorial." I furrow my eyebrows, not understanding why Cheryl couldn't speak. "God knows what you'd say. Something to humiliate us."

She ripped apart the paper Cheryl hadn't crumbled up before throwing it on the floor I could tell Cheryl was holding back her tears and I pulled her into a hug. I felt numb as she cried in my shoulder only thinking about one thing, why did I sleepwalk to Jason's room.

~❃~

"This is how my dad had his Jason Blossom murder board before it was trashed," Kevin told me, placing the final tack into the bulletin board Betty had found in our basement. I had mentioned that when I moved into the attic six years ago, so Betty and I didn't have to share a room, I remembered seeing it, and sure enough, it was there.

"Any leads on who did that? Or what they were looking for?" Jughead asked. I was leaning in between his legs while he sat on a desk.

"Nope. No fingerprints. But they stole a bunch of files, background checks, and all the video and audiotapes of police interviews."

There was a knock on the door, and I turned my head to see Trev walk in. I smile at him, waving him to walk in.

"Hey, Betty...Adelaide..." He greets nervously, staring at my sister.

"Trev, hi." Betty gave him a hug.

"Sorry to interrupt..." He apologizes, looking at the murder board. Kevin awkwardly looked behind him, realizing how unusual he must look, leaning on a board filled with pictures of people in the town.

I shake my head, "Oh, no... uh, it's okay. We're just, uh, working on..." I moved to walk closer to Trev but, Jughead's arms wrapped around me, pulling me back before darkly saying, "Our murder board." I nod awkwardly, ignoring Jug's odd behavior.

I haven't asked what the other night meant to him. After we said we liked each other, we just watched the rest of the movie, and he walked me home. I was honestly expecting him to say something about what we were to each other now that we know of our feelings but, every time I have brought up that night, he just brushed it off.

I have noticed that he has been more touchy than usual and at Pop's, he would always give my head a light kiss every now and then, but that was it. We hadn't kissed on the lips since.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure we're still on for tomorrow?" He asked Betty, earning a surprised look from me. She never mentioned having a crush on Trev.

"Absolutely, it's a date." Betty nods, flattening her shirt.

"Bye."

"Going on a date with Trev? Does Mama Blossom know about that?" Kevin watches Trev as he leaves.

Betty blushes, "Kev, I'm not on house arrest."

Kevin gives her a doubtful look. I know that the only reason Betty would even consider this is because mom is on vacation.

Betty rolls her eyes and continues, "Okay, she's out of town at a Women in Journalism spa retreat. Anyway, it's not a "date" date."

"You just called it a date," I added, smirking at my sister. "You literally said 'It's a date.' "

"That's just my cover," Betty defended, shaking her head in denial, "Really, it's an intelligence gathering mission. We should focus on the one thing we have access to that your dad doesn't. The kids at Riverdale High. You know, maybe Trev knows something about Jason he didn't think was important."

I roll my eyes at my sister's antics. I love her to death, but I can't bear to wait another ten years for her to finally tell a boy she likes him, "Betty, it's okay to like someone. Plus, Trev is cute and really sweet."

I feel Jughead's grip tighten around my waist, and I swear if he held me any tighter, I would burst. I look at him confused, but he just stares forward, something burning in his eyes.

~❃~

"Betty, you're positively radiating Nicholas Sparks. Tell me everything, about this Trev," Veronica tells Betty as we walk along the football stands to meet Archie.

Betty blushes then rolls her eyes while Kevin mocks her, "There's nothing to tell. Just one of Betty's sources, there's nothing romantic in the offing."

"Then explain you blush," I squeeze her cheek with my free hand. Ever since this morning, Jughead hasn't let go of my hand and even now as we walked on the bleachers, Jughead was holding my hand in his jacket pocket.

"Why is everything weird here? Why can't a date, just be a date?" Veronica moans shoving a fry in her mouth before taking a seat near Archie. "What about you, Archie? How's life in a PG world?" We all turn to Veronica before she explains. "PG. Post-Grundy. What, too soon?"

"Coach Clayton says I have a shot at being varsity captain. So I'm not thinking about anything else right now."

"And you're back to being boring." Veronica frowns, causing me to laugh before taking a fry from Veronica.

"Are you, maybe, throwing yourself into football as a way to avoid your feelings?" Betty asks him.

"I'm not avoiding anything, Betty, I'm trying to get my life back on track."

"I can help with that," Valerie pops up from behind us, sitting on the other side of Archie. "I know Miss Grundy was tutoring you."

"Understatement of the year," Veronica mutters earning a light nudge from me.

"But there's this amazing songwriter from New York, who's an adjunct at Carson College? Incredible mentor. He does some coaching on the side, and I told him about you. You wanna meet him?" Valerie offers flirtatiously, waving the coach's number under his nose.

"Yeah, yeah I'd love to, but football..." Archie starts before Betty buts in.

"No, Archie can. And he will."

"Call him if you want, but do it soon. His spots fill up fast." Valerie smiles, putting a piece of paper with his number in Archie's pocket, lingering on his chest.

"Thank you, Val."

"Hey, now you have zero excuses for avoiding music." I smile, patting his shoulder.

"Sorry to interrupt Sad Breakfast Club." I hear my beautiful sister's voice, and turn to see her smiling down at us. "But I'm here to formally invite you to Jason's memorial at Thornhill this weekend," Cheryl hands out invitations. "To my surprise and chagrin, mother added you to the guest-list," Cheryl begrudgingly hands Veronica and invite. "In case you're tempted to steal our silver candlesticks, don't. We'll be searching bags. Addy, you are sleeping over again tonight." Cheryl tells me before spinning on her heels and walking away.

Betty looks at me, confused, "Again?" I groan hiding my face in Jughead's chest listening to Betty, "Adelaide, when did you go to the Blossom's last night. You were here this morning, and I saw you go to sleep last night."

Jughead moves back to look at my face wanting an answer as well. I bite my lip before trying to come up with an excuse, "I wanted to visit Cheryl, but I didn't want mom to know."

I immediately, realizing that mom wasn't here last night. Betty and Jughead see through my lie but don't question it further.

~❃~

I was sitting on the couch with Jughead, my legs draped over his lap. He was reading my old copy of Lolita while I was researching sleepwalking.

Betty walked into the lounge, interrupting our relaxation, "Okay. You won't believe what I heard."

I frown shutting my computer before sitting up to look at Betty, Jughead did the same, draping his arm on my shoulder, "What?"

Betty went on to tell us how Hal had told her, Polly was in the Sisters of Quiet Mercy because Polly had tried to drown herself. And out mom watched. I had always liked Hal; he was always kind to me. I couldn't, however, believe that Polly would try to kill herself.

"I'm sorry. That's hardcore.," Jughead told Betty before turning to me. I felt him rub my hand with his thumb, bringing me back, "Do you think we can speak to Polly?"

Betty shook her head, sitting down on the table next to us, "I asked my dad if I could call Polly, already and he said she was doing better," Betty trailed off, "But then, when she heard about Jason's death, she had a big setback. He doesn't want to risk another one."

"Why does a rich kid sell drugs?" Jughead asked before turning to me as if I would know the answer just because I had money.

I shrugged, "He was running away from our parents."

"Yeah. Probably", Jug said before muttering, "Or drug dealers."

"Oh, my God," Betty's eyes widened, "Is that possible?"

I move out of Jughead's arms, "No way. Jason would not deal drugs." I shake my head, I may have not known him as well as I thought, but, I knew he wouldn't do drugs.

"It's a theory," Jughead defended, standing up to take me back in his arms, as though he needed my contact. He rested his head on top of my own, kissing my temple, "Yours is more likely."

"But why would he have to run away from daddy?" Betty added.

I frown, relaxing into Jughead's arms, hugging his biceps that were in front of me. "Because they're monsters."

"Yeah, but why, specifically," Betty said, knowing that the Blossom's were horrible.

"Well, we can't exactly just ask them."

"So we have to ask Jason."

"Are you proposing a seance or," I ask Juggie, not opposed to the idea. A seance is the least freaky thing going on in my life right now.

"No," I feel Jughead shake his head, "Dead men tell no tales. But their bedrooms, their houses..."

~❃~

The dinner before the night of Jason's burial was awkward, to say the least. I sat next to Nana Rose as usual since I was her favorite, and Cheryl sat with Veronica, who was invited to sleep over.

"Daddy, can I get another slice of ham please?" I turn to my dad, who kindly puts another slice on my plate. "Thank you."

I turned back to my plate, slicing into the sweet meat. I could tell Veronica felt uncomfortable but, I didn't know what to do. We never spoke at dinner.

"Thank you for having me," Veronica said, trying to spark a conversation.

"Cheryl invited you. I have no idea why you're here." Mrs. Blossom starkly smiled, stopping herself from eating another bite.

"Me neither. I thought there'd be other girls," Veronica looked at Cheryl, who avoided her gaze, suddenly interested in her glass of water. I shift awkwardly in my seat, noticing the tense atmosphere.

"Nana Rose, would you like some more ham?" I heard Dad ask my great grandmother, who didn't respond. She had been staring at me this entire night, and I was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

"Veronica, would you like some more maple ham?" Veronica looked up at my father before shaking her head, "I'm good. It's delicious, though. You can really taste the maple."

"You do know that Riverdale was founded on the maple syrup industry."

I rolled my eyes, not wanting to hear the story of how the Blossom's rose to 'power.'

"That's where Sweetwater River got its name. Perhaps you should ask your father about it sometime. How is he, by the way?"

I look at him confused on why he is so interested in Veronica's dad. Veronica nodded, "Okay."

My mother muttered, "There are worse things than prison."

Cheryl looked at me, whispering, "Like this dinner party."

I covered my mouth to hide my silent giggles. Cheryl and I usually whispered to each other during dinner while my dad and his wife fought.

"What did you say?" Mrs. Blossom snapped, quickly ending my small giggle.

Dad continued, glaring at Mrs. Blossom, "It must have been hard for you. Watching your father being handcuffed and dragged out of your home in front of you and your neighbors. All those reporters."

Veronica looked down before looking up with a strong face "The worst part is how fast it happened. He was just, gone. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. That's why I think it's so great. You're all getting a chance to say goodbye to Jason tomorrow."

"Not all of us." Cheryl cut her off. I take a sip of my water, looking up at her with my eyebrows raised. Why is she testing her safety?

Mrs. Blossom glared at Cheryl and gave me the same look, "That's because some people already got to say goodbye to Jason. While rowing him across the river to his death." She stood up and walked out of the room.

Veronica and I sat on Cheryl's bed flicking through last year's yearbook, looking through photo's of Jason. We were supposed to be looking at the entire class, but it seemed like Jason was the only face that kept appearing.

"I hope this isn't weird, but Jason was crazy handsome," Veronica looks at Jason's football photo.

"The handsomest. Something tells me he would've liked you," Cheryl looks up at Veronica with a smile. I nod my head, "Definitely."

"Why did you invite me tonight? Why not Tina? Or Ginger? Aren't they your besties?" Veronica asks Cheryl, not being able to hold back the question we both wanted to know.

"And yet, that night at the pep rally, after I had my panic attack, you came to help me, not them," Cheryl tells her, looking down at her nails, sadly. Tina and Ginger were horrible friends to her, and Cheryl deserved better.

"Cheryl. You're allowed to say goodbye to your brother. But, why does it have to be..." Veronica hugged the pillow closer to her chest.

"In front of people?"

"Yeah."

"Everything with Jason's been so," she paused trying to come up with the best word, "public. Everyone has an opinion. Has been gossiping. Saying he got what he deserved, or that he didn't. I just," Cheryl breathes out, "I want everyone to know that I'm... I'm sorry. And that Jason deserved a... a better family than what he got."

"Then do it. I'll help you and let Penelope and Clifford Blossom do their worst."

"Oh, they will. They'll kill her." I tell her honestly. Veronica looked at me, finally understanding what Cheryl goes through, but Cheryl just looked down knowing it was true.

I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to have Alice Cooper as a mother rather than Penelope Blossom. Mrs. Blossom still treats me like a step-daughter but is nothing compared to my actual mother. Although she may be crazy at times, she loves Betty and me and would go through hell and back to keep us safe, in her eyes.

~❃~

The morning of Jason's memorial was tense. Cheryl and I had dressed in all black attire as instructed. I was sitting at her vanity, applying mascara. I wore a black dress that pleated in the front with a tight sheer undershirt and black platform heels. I had also made sure to wear black stockings so Mrs. Blossom wouldn't call me a 'slut' again.

"You ready?" Veronica asks me, putting her hands on my shoulders.

"Just about," I tell her, applying my red lipstick. She nodded before grabbing a black headband and applying it on my head. "One last thing, to finish the look."

I smile looking as she puts the headband on my head. I get up and stand near V, giving her a nod of approval for her dress. We walked over to Cheryl, waiting for her to finish so we could all enter together.

"You go ahead. I'll be down," Cheryl smiled at us, not moving from in front of the mirror.

"Okay," I turn to leave the room, knowing she probably wants some space before she enters. I look back waiting for Veronica, who gives Cheryl a small smile before walking with me.

~❃~

Once I made it downstairs into the main parlor, the only person I noticed was Jughead, sitting in a seat near Betty looking around the room. I noticed that he kept fixing his tie or making sure his hair was okay. I frowned at his nervousness. He probably hated being here.

Veronica walks next to me as I cross the room over to the gang, Archie looks up at me with a solemn smile. I notice Valerie sitting next to him and raise my eyebrow in suspicion but, don't comment.

Jughead finally turns to look at me, and I see a smile break upon his face. I slowly walk over to the seat next to his, "Hey."

Jughead frowns, standing up, "You okay?"

I nod my head, trying to smile, knowing that Cheryl needs me right now. Jughead's face contorts into that of sadness as he pulls me into his arms. I hug him back immediately, letting myself relax in his clean scent.

The music stops, signaling the beginning of the memorial, and Jughead, and I break apart so we can sit down. Jughead wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to him and held my hand with his other hand.

The room was silent as Cheryl dressed in all white, past us. I couldn't help but smile, this is what Jason would have wanted. I only wish Cheryl told me.

Cheryl stood behind the podium before smiling at everyone in the audience, "Welcome to Thornhill." Cheryl clasped her hands together, "Thank you all for coming. If you'll kindly take your seats. I'd like to start the memorial with a few words about Jason."

I saw Mrs. Blossom move to stop Cheryl along with my father, but I put my hand out, "You are going to make things worse. Let my sister speak." The look in my eyes dared her to test me.

"The last time we saw Jason, we were wearing these dresses." Cheryl began, "I know it's impossible. But I swear, when I put it on, it... It feels like he's in the room with me." Cheryl smiled gently and continued, "Even though we were twins, I used to demand I have my own birthday party. Until one year, out of the blue, Jason convinced me we had to combine them into one. It wasn't until years later, I found out why. It was because no one wanted to come to mine," I feel myself stop breathing remembering that day. Jason had come to me so worried because he didn't want to see Cheryl hurt. Tears begin to trickle down my cheeks, "And Jason didn't want me to know. He protected me. Every single day. I wish that day at the river, I had protected him. I'm so sorry, Jay-Jay. We failed you. All of us." Cheryl's voice began to break as she sobbed. She turned to the coffin hugging the rich wood.

I stood up before Veronica could move, wiping away my tears to make sure nobody had seen them. I immediately walked over to her and pulled her into my arms. She bawled into my shoulder before being yanked away by Mrs. Blossom.

I watched as Cheryl was dragged upstairs and ran to help her. I pushed past all the people trying to give me their regards, trying to stop Mrs.Blossom from hurting Cheryl. I watched as she pulled Cheryl into her bedroom and went to follow them, not wanting to get caught when I heard Nana Rose's voice.

"Adelaide, dear? Is that you?" I turned behind me and noticed that the noise was coming from Jason's room. I walked in and gasped seeing Nana Rose sitting in a dark corner of his room.

Mrs. Blossom must have hidden her in here so she wouldn't be at the memorial.

I walked up to her and put my hand into hers which had stretched out for mine. I was stunned by her iron grip on my hand, which yanked me closer to her until we were face to face. She used her free hand to lightly touch my face before trailing down to look at my hair. "The premonitions have begun, haven't they?"

I look at Nana Rose confused, furrowing my eyebrows. I shake my head, "Premonitions?"

"Haven't they been coming to you? Visions?" Nana Rose opened her eyes wide in a scary manner. I tried to pull my hand away, but she only pulled me closer, "Why do you think you found Jason's body? It's in your blood."

My eyes widen in fear at my great grandmother's insane babbling, and I try even harder to pull away, shaking my head in confusion. Her grip loosens as she looks at something behind me, causing me to fall back on the ground, hard. "Polly."

"Juliette!" I hear Jughead's voice. He helps me up, looking at Nana Rose with the same confused expression as me. Jughead pulls me into his arms, defensively. I can tell he is worried.

I looked back at Nana Rose to see her holding Betty's hand with a smile, "Come closer, Polly dear. It's nice to you again, too," Nana Rose smiled, having completely forgotten the past ten minutes, "I'm sorry it had to be under such terrible circumstances," she looks at Betty's finger, "Well, of course, you're not wearing it. God bless."

Betty looks confused, "Wearing what?"

"The ring, Polly. That ring has been in the Blossom family for generations. You keep it close to your heart, always," Nana Rose's nose wrinkles, "But don't tell Penelope I gave it to you. Or she'll likely come and snip it off your finger!"

Betty smiles, "I won't, I promise."

"Such a shame. Your wedding was the last thing I was living for. I lost a grandson, but you, you've lost the love of your young life," Nana Rose mutters, "Poor child. Excuse me." She wheels out of the room.

Betty and I both look at each other, shocked by this new information about our sister.

~❃~

Betty and I have been numbly going through school the next day, each troubled by the information we had received the day before, Betty had faced Hal's breakdown. He apparently confessed to keeping Polly in the home because Jason made her 'sick.' Then he threatened her not to contact Polly.

I, on the other hand, had spent the entire night in the Blossom family library. I read through diaries and used my computer trying to understand what Nana Rose was talking about when she said it was in my blood.

I hadn't been able to find anything, but I was still haunted by her woods. Was there something wrong with me? Was there some darkness inside of me due to the Blossom blood inside me?

Betty finally spoke up, "I feel like I don't even know who my mom and dad are anymore."

Jughead looked up from the murder board and turned towards Betty while I allowed my eyes to do the same, "Betty if your parents lied about Jason and Polly, there's probably more that they lied about."

I kick myself off the bookcase I was leaning on before walking closer to him, "What do you mean?"

"Your dad said he would do anything to protect Polly," Jughead say grabbing a piece of paper with the name Cooper on it, "So the next logical question is: how far would he go to protect her?"

"Jughead, whoever broke into Sheriff Keller's house and stole all his evidence wasn't at the drive-in," I walk up to the board while Betty walked up behind me following my train of thought.

"My Dad wasn't at the drive-in."

Jughead steps back looking at the newest addition to the murder board, "We need to talk to Polly."

Every town has one. The house on the haunted hill all the kids avoid. Now that Jason was buried in the earth, it would only be a matter of time until something poisonous bloomed. In that long, cold shadow cast by his death. Whatever grew in the rich black soil of the Blossom's garden always found its way to the town. Whether it was murder. Or love. Or secrets. Or lies.