What happened to Dilton and Ben had Callie up all night. Barely getting any sleep, the next day was the first day of school. Last year Callie was rushing to school to meet Reggie at the flagpole. This year she was working an early shift at Pop's with Veronica. They were pouring coffee and getting food for her dad, Mr. Keller, and Fp.

" I just got off the phone with the warden at juvenile hall," her dad informed as he sat back down. " He says that Archie's been processed. He's okay."

" Thank God," Callie sighed as poured coffee.

" Yeah. I got a line on those three thugs who gave false testimony against him," her dad added.

" I'm friends with the sheriff over at Shadow County," Mr. Keller informed. " They found the remains of a campfire in the deep woods."

" Archie's in jail and these cretins are basically camping," Callie said.

" Not for long," Fp assured her. " We'll make damn sure of that."

" Meanwhile, I'll keep the home fires burning at Riverdale High, so everyone knows my Archiekins we will be back in time for homecoming," Veronica prompted. " And everything will be just as he left it." After the shift, Callie went to school, when she got to her locker she saw Sweet Pea.

" Good morning," Callie greeted as she walked over to him.

" Early morning?" Sweet Pea asked.

" Early shift at Pop's," Callie answered.

" Before school?" Sweet Pea asked.

" It helped keep some things off my mind," Callie answered as she opened her locker. " Especially from last night."

" What happened last night?" Sweet Pea asked as Callie opened her locker. She saw Sweet Pea's serpent jacket in the locker and it decorated. " Quicker way out of the school."

" Sure," Callie breathed as she playfully rolled her eyes.

" So what happened?" Sweet Pea asked. Callie looked around and carefully, in a whisper told Sweet Pea.

" Doiley is dead?" Sweet Pea gasped. Thankfully nobody was around them.

" Keep your voice low," Callie warned. " And yes. Ben from the drive-in, he's barely hanging on. Doctor's don't know when or if he's gonna wake up. Sheriff Minetta has asked me and Jug to keep the whole thing hush-hush for the family's sake. But what we saw was..."

" What was it, Shortstop?" Sweet Pea asked as she closed her locker.

" It was like a ritual site," Callie answered.

" Like the steps for becoming a serpent?" Sweet Pea asked.

" Not exactly," Callie answered, " It was darker."

" How so?" Sweet Pea asked.

" Their lips were blue. There were these chalices that were filled with poison or something. Animal bones in a circle. The tree had markings on it," Callie explained. " There was a winged totem with a skull and branches."

" Was it a murder?" Sweet Pea asked.

" I have no idea, they had those carvings on their backs, same from the ones we saw at Sweetwater Swimming Hole," Callie answered.

" You are not investigating," Sweet Pea ordered

" Pea...Jug saw Ben and Dilton playing this odd game at Pop's, Dilton was raving on about the gargoyle king."

" This sounds dangerous," Sweet Pea sighed.

" I will be investigating with Jug and Betty," Callie informed, Sweet Pea looked at her. " A group is better than going at it alone."

"The first day back and you are already looking for trouble," Sweet Pea shook his head.

" Last year I was walking down the hallway hand-in-hand with my ex-boyfriend, all while trying to recruit V and Betts on to the Vixens and be a shoulder for Cheryl cause of her brother," Callie informed.

" Last year I punched a couple of kids on the first day," Sweet Pea smiled. " I will see you later." He kissed her cheek before going into class. Later on, Callie was in the locker room, it was after practice. They were changing when Veronica barged in, she looked angry.

"Cheryl, what the hell do you think you're doing trying to steal Archie's presidency?" Veronica demanded.

" Who would you have lead us through the super dark times of junior year?" Cheryl questioned.

" Ethel Muggs?" Callie questioned.

" I saw the poor girl earlier. She was fuming after some winged creature that was after her," Cheryl added.

" Actually, I was thinking that I keep Archie's seat warm," Veronica suggested.

" Why?" Cheryl laughed. " When JFK was shot, Jackie O didn't become president. Lyndon B. Johnson did."

" And then he lead us into Vietnam," Josie pointed out, they turned and looked at her.

" She's not wrong," Callie agreed.

" Her man's in the big house, Cheryl. Give her a break," Josie advised.

" I get it, and I sympathize..." Cheryl began as she and Callie turned to look back at Veronica. " Up to a point. But let's be reals, Veronica. I need this presidency for my college applications a lot more than Archie does." Minutes later Betty walked in. " What is it cousin Betty?"

" I am here for Callie," Betty answered. " Are you almost ready?"

" What are you two doing?" Veronica asked.

" Including Jug, we are going to do some more digging on Archie's case," Betty answered.

" I am ready," Callie informed as she pulled her shirt on. " I will see you, ladies, later." She then put on her pants, grabbed her stuff and walked out. They then went to go see Dr. Curdle.

" Dr. Curdle?" Betty greeted as she knocked as she knocked. The person turned around, they saw a younger person. " Oh, you're not..."

" I'm his son," the boy answered. " We spoke over the phone earlier. I took over after my father passed away."

" Oh, I'm so sorry," Callie sympathized.

" Do you have the money?" Dr. Curdle Jr asked. Betty pulled out the envelope and handed it to the man, Callie could not help but notice that Dilton was the one on the table. Last year Jason died and this year it was Dilton. " The toxicology report revealed lethal levels of cyanide in Mr. Doiley's blood. I surmise the surviving boy didn't drink enough to finish the job."

 " Dr. Curdle, if you had to guess, murder or suicide?" Betty questioned.

" Well, the body did show signs of stress," Dr. Curdle informed. He moved the cloth back revealing the carvings on Dilton's back. " Three symbols carved out on his back. Runic, I'd say."

" Would you mind if I got a shot of those?" Jughead asked, he nodded and Jughead took a picture.

" What cause the, uh, the blue lips?" Callie asked.

" the cyanide was mixed into a sugary drink called Fresh-Aid," Dr. Curdle asked. " Blueberry flavored." Jughead took another picture. " There's something dimly familiar about this. But you asked my before if I thought this was murder of suicide. I'm not sure what it is, but whatever it is, it's darker than what happened to Jason Blossom. Or what the Black Hood did. No, what we're looking at here, I believe is the true face of evil. The three all glanced at each other before Jughead took another picture. 

********

A couple of days later Callie was at the detention center with Veronica. They noticed the Archie was having a hard time sitting.

" What's wrong?" Callie asked.

" Why are you sitting that way?" Veronica asked.

" I'm just a little sore, Cal and Ronnie, that's all," Archie answered.

" Sore from what?" Callie asked.

" Working ou. There's an amazing gym here," Archie answered.

" U-huh," Callie sounded.

" And, uh where are your shoes?" Veronica asked the looked at his socks and sandals. 

" Uh, the warden took them from me when I got here," Archie answered. " Along with all my other clothes."

" That doesn't make any sense," Callie stated.

" Cal, Ronnie. Talk to me about school," Archie requested. " What am I missing? How's the new speakeasy coming along?"

" It's coming," Veronica chuckled.

" How are the Vixens doing?" Archie asked Callie.

" Same old drama, but a different day," Callie answered. 

" What's it feel like being president in my place?" Archie asked Veronica. After they went back to school, Veronica drove them back to Riverdale.

" He's lying," Callie breathed.

" About the warden taking his shoes?" Veronica asked.

" Someone took it from him, and he was not working out at the gym, he got beat up," Callie explained.

" Is this from all the serpent adventures you been on?" Veronica questioned.

" Archie is my twin brother, I know when he is lying," Callie answered. " He terrible at it."

" I hope you're wrong," Veronica sighed. " You're never wrong though."

" We will get him out of there, one way or another," Callie assured. She then got a call from Betty.

" Who is it?" Veronica asked.

" Betty," Callie answered.

" Are you busy today?" Betty asked.

" I am doing a shift at Pop's," Callie answered.

" How about in a couple of hours?" Betty asked. " Me and Jug are going to go visit Ben."

" Let me ask," Callie said. She then covered the speaker. " Is it alright I leave my shift early and go see Ben in the hospital?"

" That's fine," Veronica answered.

 " I will meet you there," Callie told Betty when she uncovered the phone.

" We can pick you up," Jughead said.

" Tree Topper was going to pick me for our date, but I guess the date will have to wait a little longer," Callie said. " He will just take me to the hospital and wait outside."

" He's always welcomed to come in," Jughead stated.

" He's not a big fan of hospitals," Callie informed. " See you two there." After her shift ended, Sweet Pea walked through the door.

" Ready?" Sweet Pea asked.

" Can we make a quick pit stop at the hospital?" Callie asked.

" Why?" Sweet Pea demanded.

" Ben Button has been moved and is allowing visitors," Callie informed. " We don't have to be long."

" You promised this day," Sweet Pea reminded her.

" And one of our classmates are on the verge of death," Callie reminded him.

" I always love a good Callie and Sweet Pea argument," Veronica commented. They both looked at her and then at each other.

" I won't be long," Callie pleaded.

 " Fine," Sweet Pea gave in. They went outside and they drove to the hospital. " Be back in 20."

" Will do," Callie said as she went into the building. She met Betty and Jughead inside, the carefully walked through the halls before slipping into Ben's room. They walked in to see Ms. Button beside her son.

" Hi, Mrs. Button?" Callie greeted as they walked in, Jughead closed the door.

" We just wanted to see how Ben was doing," Betty informed.

" How do you know my Ben?" Mrs. Button asked.

" Uh, from school," Jughead answered.

" We were lab partners a lot," Callie answered.

" And he and I used to work at the Twilight Drive-In," Jughead added.

" Oh," She breathed with a little smile.

" How's he doing?" Betty asked.

" He's stabilized, but he hasn't woken up," Mrs. Button answered, Callie, glanced at the door and saw something hanging from the handle. 

" Do you know what happened in the woods, Mrs. Button?" Callie asked. She then walked over to the handle, it was a wooden woven doll thing.

" No. Ben's always been a bit of an odd duck, you could say," Mrs. Button informed. " Kept to himself. Especially after his piano teacher was murdered." Jughead and Callie both glanced at each other. " But this summer, he became friends with..."

" Dilton Doiley," Betty answered.

" That's right," Mrs. Button confirmed. " It's like he became a different person." Jughead made his way over to Callie. " Secretive, sneaking out at all hours, having these horrible nightmares."

" Mrs. Button," Callie began as she picked up the doll like it was a Christmas ornament. Her and Jughead turned back towards the other two.

" Do you know what this is or how it got here?" Jughead asked.

" Maybe that nice girl left it," Mrs. Button suggested.

" Someone else came to visit Ben?" Betty asked.

" Another friend from school," Mrs. Button answered. " I don't remember her name. She wore a bow in her hair. The door then opened, they turned to see Sheriff Minetta.

" Jughead. Betty. Callie," Sheriff Minetta greeted when he saw the three. " Look I don't care how Keller ran things when he was sheriff, but I won't let a couple of teenagers compromise an active murder investigation."

" If this is an active murder investigation," Callie began.

" You might wanna start by letting the rest of the town know," Jughead finished.

" Sheriff Minetta?" A woman asked as she walked up towards the room.

" What, Henderson?" Minetta asked.

" An Adventure Scout's parents called, they haven't seen him in two days," Henderson reported.

" What?" Betty asked.

" We've got a missing kid, Sheriff and he was part of Dilton Doiley's troop," Henderson informed. After Callie left the hospital and saw Sweet Pea still waiting for her.

" That was quicker then I thought it was going to be," Sweet Pea stated as he handed her, her helmet.

" Sheriff Minetta came in," Callie informed.

" Were you investigating?" Sweet Pea asked.

" Being a caring classmate and investigating what is going on," Callie informed.

" Shortstop," Sweet Pea groaned. " Hiram has eyes on everyone before you even wake up next week."

" This isn't Hiram," Callie said. " Dr. Curdle said this was much darker. A true face of evil."

 " Stop investigating," Sweet Pea ordered.

" Not till I know what is going on," Callie insisted.

" You are going to end up dead," Sweet Pea argued, Callie rolled her eyes. " Don't you roll your eyes at me."

" And who do you think you are?" Callie questioned. " My dad?"

" I am dropping you off at home," Sweet Pea said.

" So no date?" Callie questioned as she crossed her arms.

" After the date," Sweet Pea said as he stared at her. He was trying to figure out what was going on in her head, but it was hard. " Find out anything else?"

" An adventure scout from Dilton's troop is missing, it's been two days," Callie answered.

" Whatever is going on, it will be solved," Sweet Pea said. " Wanna stop at Pop's and get a strawberry shake to split?"

" Of course," Callie smiled. " Are you new around here?" Sweet Pea flicked her helemt and they went off on their date.