Betty didn't know what she signed up for getting up on that stage. She thought she was buying a direct ticket to Jughead's life, all of it, Serpents and what not. Instead she bought a ticket to every Serpent's dirty fantasy. No one had understood why Jughead wanted little, innocent, sweet Betty Copper, but now they knew, all of them knew and they all wanted a piece of FB's cocky son's secret treasure. And the best part was how easy he had made it by leaving her unprotected trying to push her away.

It hadn't even been a week before someone followed the once again innocent looking Betty Cooper home from school a late night after working on the paper. She had barely turned the first corner when someone covered her mouth from behind with a gloved hand and lifted her off the road, ignoring her kicking, and innocent Betty wasn't going to be innocent ever again.

The day after her mother worried when she didn't come down for breakfast but with her daughter's habit of disappearing once she got caught up in something she shrugged it off. Archie felt weird when she didn't come out so he could walk her to school, but figured maybe she already went. When she didn't show up for school her teacher got suspicious and asked her friends if they had heard from her. None of them had, so Archie called Jughead and asked if he was with the blonde. He hadn't seen her in a week, not since that night. Soon all Riverdale was talking about was the missing high school girl and posters was hung up on every light pole and every bus stop. The news made a small video they sent every night, reminding people to report anything suspicious. The Coopers put out a bounty for a lead on their daughter but nothing helped. Betty was as if sunken into the ground.
It was a week later when the young couple, Moose and Midge, who had learned nothing from their mistakes, were fooling around late at night in the outcasts of the forest that something changed. Moose wanted to go home, it was already late and he hadn't forgotten about getting shot, but Midge wanted to explore around the abandoned cabin that they had come across. Everything was locked and there was no indication that anyone had been out there in years. She tried peeking in through the windows but the curtains were pulled closed leaving no room for curious eyes. She gave up and walked around the house and through the backyard to get to Moose. She had to pull herself over a large fallen three on the way and when she sat foot on the other side, suddenly she felt something soft under her foot. She looked down and screamed. Moose came running, heroic to save his girlfriend yet terrified it might be the hood again. It wasn't. Instead Midge was on the ground holding a figure with a worrying amount of pale skin showing in the dark. She looked up at him with tears streaking down her face and pleaded with him to do something. He didn't think. He just shred his jacket to wrap around the figure and scooped her up in his arms, letting Midge lead the way to the car. Midge sat in the back with the girl. She kept her hand over her chest to assure herself that the rise and fall of the girl's chest was real. When they arrived at the hospital he ran in to get help and soon the young couple was left in the waiting room as everything around turned into chaos.

Archie Andrews was at Pop's with Veronica and Jughead when his phone rang. They had just spent yet another night out, looking for leads as to where Betty had gone and for each night that went by, they felt more and more helpless. Veronica was having troubles convincing her parents she would be safe with two strong men by her side and she wasn't sure how much longer she would be allowed to keep looking. So when Kevin's name flashed across the screen it was without much hope Archie reached out and answered, but soon his expression changed and he exchanged a few brief words with the caller before he quickly hung up and turned to his friends.

"That was Kevin, they found Betty. She is at the hospital." He told them briefly before running off with them in tow. When they arrived at the hospital everything was chaos. There were journalists everywhere and they were having a hard time getting in the front door. Inside wasn't much better. The place was swarming with police and medical staff and in the middle of the chaos sat the Coopers looking sick with worry. Archie spotted Kevin sitting a little from where his dad was shouting orders and went over to talk to him.

"Who found her?" He asked and Kevin just pointed tiredly at the young couple sitting in the corner looking equal parts exhausted and terrified.

"Midge stumpeled across her in the woods. It was a miracle really, an hour later and she would be dead." He said not really looking at them but at the space in front of him. Archie felt himself frown.

"The woods? She cant have been there the whole time!" He exclaimed confused and Kevin shook his head finally looking at them.

"They won't be able to tell what really happened till she wakes up, but they have a few theories. Hopefully, Betty herself can fill in the blanks." Archie sighed as all three of the sank into the waiting-room chairs. The last time they had been there was when his father was shot. Now his best friend was in there, being treated for god knows what.

"How is she? I mean in what state-?" He asked but Kevin just shook his head sadly.

"They won't tell. Nothing is getting out until Betty is awake. We just have to wait." And so they did. For five agonizing hours straight until finally a doctor came out and consulted with the Coopers who instantly burst into tears. He left them quietly and went over to the ground of friends who were desparetly trying ot pick something up on their friend.

"Which one of you are Kevin Keller?" He asked and Kevin held up his hand with a confused expression.

"Come with me, she is asking for you." He said and they all frowned.

"Why me?" Kevin asked voicing their thoughts. The doctor sighed and answered in a hopeless voice.

"She said and I quote: 'No I won't tell. Not to anyone. Only Kevin, Kevin knows how to shut his mouth. I'll tell Kevin but only if you all go. Go away I don't want you to know.' So I am guessing she really wants to talk to you." Kevin just nodded and followed the doctor. They all waited angstfully till Sheriff Keller came out two hours later.

"You can all go home. Nothing else is happening today." They all started to protest, wanting to at least see her with their own eyes before leaving.

"Sherif Keller what happened to her?" Veronica asked and the Sheriff simply shook his head.

"She refused to tell anyone but Kevin. He told us only what we needed to know, the rest is her story to tell. Go home, she'll see you when she is ready." He said. Archie protested again.

"But sheriff Keller-"

"Go home Archie. All of you should just go home." And then he left. They looked at each other a little weary neither of them wanting to leave. Behind them the Coopers had readied for a long day it seemed, Alice sleeping on Halls shoulder already. Admitting defeat, they went home. They returned to the hospital the following two days but were denied access, Jughead got himself kicked out when he threatened the nurse who wouldn't tell him her room-number.

Finally, after two days, Archie spotted a light on in Betty's room. She didn't change, she just went straight to bed and the light turned off. Yet Archie went to bed assured that Betty was once again safe right next door.

The next day Alice Cooper gave her daughter a ride to school, although the school was only a few blocks away from their home. Betty walked the stairs as if nothing had ever happened and sat in class in her usual spot, ignoring the stares she got from her peers. No one dared to say a word and it made it that much easier. She ignored everyone until lunch came around. Deciding against possibly facing Cheryl's bluntness if she sat alone, she seeked comfort in her usual group and her one confidant. Walking to Kevin's side, she sent him a small smile and sat down next to him. He took her hand and looked at her worried.

"Are you-?" He didn't finish the question and she just gave a slight nod. Archie and Veronica came over quickly and sat down quietly not wanting to overwhelm her.

"It is so good to have you back B." Veronica finally said and reached over to take Betty's hand. Betty tensed but then wrapped her hand around Veronica's.

"Good to be back V." She answered and got a slight smile from everyone. No one said anything else about her disappearance and for a minute it was easy to believe Betty had just been sick a few days. The moment didn't last and Betty was picked up by her mom as soon as the last class ended, so when Jughead came by to see her she was already gone. Archie and Veronica meet him outside and filled him in. He wanted to go talk to her at her house, to check on her and make amends but was stopped by Kevin who had overheard the conversation.

"I think you might be the last person Betty wants to see right now, Jughead. No offense, but seriously just stay away." He warned him then disappeared before Jughead could answer. He felt attacked and puzzled but decided to follow his instructions, at least for know.