Summary: On a seemingly innocent winter vacation, eight friends travel out to Shadow Lake for a nice, cozy weekend spent around the fire. Everything changes when Reggie goes missing.
Notes: Total Until Dawn vibes for this one and I’m changing the location of Lodge Lodge just to make it a bit more secluded. Dun dun dun!
You stood in front of the cabin carrying your suitcase with one hand and clutching your boyfriend’s hand with the other. You still couldn’t believe you were doing this. A romantic weekend away with Archie had sounded perfect… until you found out it was in the middle of the woods and you’d be accompanied by not only your friends- but Reggie freaking Mantle.
“You okay?” Archie asked. You gave him a small smile.
“Yeah.”
“Cause Andre’s still in the driveway. We can go ba-” he started, but you cut him off with a kiss.
“I’m fine, Archie.” You assured him. “Really.” It was a complete and utter lie, but you didn’t want to worry him. He always had enough on his plate. You were just going to have a fun, relaxing weekend with the boy you loved.
“She’ll be just fine by tonight if you know what I mean Andrews.” Reggie gave you a wink and you scoffed. To say that you and the meathead Bulldog Captain didn’t get along was an understatement. He was loud and rude and often a terrible friend to Archie. But he was a friend to Archie nonetheless, which meant you had to be civil.
Veronica opened the door to the cabin and a hush fell over the group. Sure, it looked lavish and cozy, but there was a coldness that washed over all of you, an unease that even Archie could feel. Veronica, of course, shrugged it off as if it was just a cool breeze and sashayed in. You and Betty exchanged glances and followed her, both of you gripping your boyfriend’s hands.
As soon as you were all settled in your rooms, you all gathered in the living room. With the couples all together and Veronica and Cheryl sharing a room, that left Reggie and Kevin in the same room. Neither looked too happy about this arrangement.
“Welcome to Lodge Lodge.” Veronica beamed. “Now, since it’s getting late, I was thinking we could all have a few drinks and then head into our rooms for the night. And just a reminder, the walls are very thin.” She looked at you and Archie and winked. Reggie made some obscene moaning noises, thrusting his hips until Archie threw a pillow at him.
“Relax Andrews.” Reggie laughed. “You’re both too tense. A sticky maple could be just what you need to...unwind.”
“Reggie, could you not be vulgar for like, five seconds.” Kevin snapped. Receiving annoyed glares from everyone in the room, Reggie shut up.
“Who wants a jalapeno margarita?” Veronica asked, disappearing off into the small kitchen.
After a few rounds of margarita’s everyone parted into their rooms, Reggie saying a few more crude comments before closing his door, a disdainful Kevin following. You fell back onto the bed and sighed.
“Who invited him again?” You groaned. Archie smirked and sat next to you.
“I think it was Cheryl.” He leaned in for a kiss. At first, you kissed him back, almost getting lost in him as you ran your fingers through his ginger locks. But then you pushed away.
“Wait, you heard Veronica.” You scolded. “This place has thin walls. And I so don’t need to be getting smug looks and snide comments from Reggie in the morning.” Archie pouted his lips and gave you the dreaded puppy-dog look. You sighed.
“We have to be quiet.” He grinned victoriously and you climbed on top of him.
You woke up in the middle of the night feeling like you were being suffocated. You sat up, took a few gasping breaths before looking around, remembering where you were. You were at Veronica’s cabin. You were surrounded by your friends. You were fine. You laid back down and wrapped your arms around the empty sheets next to you instead of your sleeping boyfriend.
“Archie?” You called out into the dark room. Your heartbeat sped up with every silent second. “Archie?” You calmed down when you heard the sound of the sink running and saw the light from underneath the bathroom door. You swung your legs over the side of the bed and stood, feeling the cool wood floor underneath your feet.
You were just being paranoid. You paced around the room, stopping in front of the window, hearing whispers coming from outside.
“What the fuck is going on V?” Reggie demanded. Veronica put her hands on his chest, trying to calm him down.
“I don’t know what you mean.” She said innocently.
“Rooming me with Keller? Really?” He scoffed. “I thought this was supposed to be our weekend.”
“Keep your voice down.” She ordered, looking up at the window. You ducked behind the curtain. “Look, Reggie. I really like what we have. But I’m just not ready to tell anyone about it yet.”
“So what? I’m just a midnight booty-call?” Reggie growled.
“Isn’t that what you called me when we first got together?” Veronica snapped back. Reggie sighed.
“I’ve changed, Veronica. I want to be with you.” He took her hands in his. Her face softened.
“And I want to be with you, Reggie.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in for a kiss. You couldn’t believe what you were seeing. Veronica and Reggie always seemed to hate each other and now they were making out in the middle of the night?
When you woke up again it was morning and Archie was by your side. The two of you went down to breakfast to see Kevin sitting at the table with Betty and Jughead with a concerned expression.
“Have either of you guys seen Reggie?” He asked. You sat down and grabbed a muffin.
“Check Veronica’s room.” You muttered. Archie looked at you.
“What?”
“I mean…” You coughed. “Check all the rooms. Maybe he got up in the night and got lost.” Everyone narrowed there eyes but shrugged off your sudden outburst. Veronica and Cheryl joined you, but still no Reggie.
“We should go look for him,” Betty suggested. “What if he's lost in the woods somewhere?”
“What are you guys talking about?” Veronica wondered, taking a sip of a mimosa.
“Reggie’s missing,” Kevin said bluntly. She nearly spit out her drink.
“He isn’t missing.” Betty shot Kevin a dark look and put a hand on Veronica’s shoulder. “He probably just went for a morning walk.”
“I don’t know, Betty.” Jughead looked out the window suspiciously. “Don’t you think he would have said something? Plus, I don’t really see Reggie as a ‘get in touch with nature’ kind of guy.”
“We have to go look for him.” Veronica panicked. “Who knows what creatures live out there. He could get attacked by a bear or something.” She grabbed her jacket and was out the door without a second thought.
“Is it just me, or has Veronica finally lost it?” Cheryl quipped, following the others outside. The woods were cool as the wind whispered through the trees, making you shiver. Archie put his arm around you, his touch warm and comforting. That’s when you heard it. The screaming.
You all started to run, calling out to Veronica, who was standing underneath a grove of trees, shrieking like a banshee signaling death. And as everyone’s gaze followed her into the branches, you understood why. Hanging by a rope with blood dripping down onto the forest floor was a body… with black hair.
