Part 9
“Fuck, we really fucked up,” Toni murmured to herself as she struggled to get her flashlight to work.
“What do you mean?” Jughead asked. They were slowly making their way down the long hall, closer to the site of destruction.
“She had a nightmare last week that a bomb went off here and she was scared that it would happen tonight. She was crying so hard, completely distraught, and Cheryl and I blew past it. We said she could stay home but we were going anyway. She begged us, Jug, and we ignored her. Now look what happened!”
“Nobodies perfect T, I’m sure you supported her the best you could.”
“What if she’s really hurt? Why else has she not turned up by now?”
“Well knowing she’s like you, she probably ran right into the fire to try and stop the bomb,” he chuckled
Toni gave him a stern look with a punch in the arm.
“Now is not the time for jokes!”
“You’re right, you’re right, I’m sorry,”
A few moments later the rubble from the bombs direct impact came into view.
The two began coughing, trying to cover their faces as they walked deeper through. The air was filled with dust and smoke although any signs of flames were gone.
“Oh my god” Toni voice shakes out.
While squinting to see through the thick air, Toni spots what looks like a small body mixed amongst the remains of some hall decor and makes a run for it.
Time started going in slow motion as she looked at her daughter, unconscious and covered with sweat, soot, and a small bit of blood from where her head hit the ground.
“Over here!” She hears shortly after. Jughead had called out to the police who were following not too far behind.
The paramedics rushed in with a gurney, lifted her up, and wheeled her out. Paying no mind to the rest of the crime scene, Toni and Jughead followed closely until she was safely tucked into the ambulance. Quickly afterwards, Toni found Cheryl sitting on the edge of another ambulance in tears with a newly wrapped ankle. She carefully transported her to their car so they could follow their daughter to the hospital.
-
It had been hours and Cheryl and Toni were finally allowed to be in the room with Olivia.
They’d cleaned and closed up her wounds as well as taken several tests and X-rays to determine the extent of her injuries. Still, she laid there attached to wires and machines.
“Cheryl, you should really put your foot up,” Toni said practically emotionless from her spot in the chair next to the hospital bed.
Cheryl couldn’t care less, she remained glued to her spot on the opposite side of the bed gripping Olivia’s hand and studying her closely.
“Cher-“
“Toni, please…” she snapped chancing a quick glance toward Toni before returning to her daughters face.
Toni knew what she was trying to say. Cheryl couldn’t care less about her ankle. All she wanted was to see that her daughter was okay. Her heart skipped a beat every moment Olivia’s eyes stayed closed.
She’d got out pretty unscathed. Aside from the concussion and a wrist fracture, she only had some cuts and bruises. She had waken up on the way to the hospital but was put under anesthesia shortly after being admitted so they could operate on her wrist. They were just waiting for its effects to ware off enough for Olivia to wake up.
Toni dropped the subject.
They had arrived at the hospital around 1 am and their world stopped. But the rest of the world didn’t. All party guests left over at the scene were able to go home about an hour or so later after questioning from the police on the event. Veronica was up all night trying to figure out if La Bon Nuit was structurally safe, who did this, and how her business will recuperate. It seemed the only person who might have insight on the actual incident was Olivia. Chloe and Annie were also up all night. Worried sick about their friend and how they may have let her down.
It was approaching 9am and Betty reached out to Cheryl telling her she was going to bring them some clean and comfortable clothes and anything else they needed from home. She also asked if the girls could come by with her to visit. They were feeling remorseful for the part they played, although their parents still didn’t know.
Cheryl agreed, thankful for their love and support since the night before.
-
About an hour later Olivia was still asleep. The doctor said it was totally normal. Considering what she endured her body kind of needed to shut down in order to recover.
Betty, Jughead, and Chloe arrived shortly after. Veronica also sent Annie with them in her place apologizing profusely and promising to come by later to which Cheryl and Toni, of course, understood.
Betty came in first as not to overwhelm them all.
“Hey,” she whispered moving in towards Toni who was closer to her.
“How is she?” She asked after pulling away from her their hug. She moved over to the other side of the bed where Cheryl was perched on the edge. She hugged her tight as fresh tears began to flow from brown, overtired eyes.
Toni spoke for them. “She’s okay, just the concussion and her wrist fracture but otherwise everything’s the same. Just waiting for her to wake up,”
“That’s good, that’s good news. Here,” she holds up the duffle bag, “I’ve brought you guys some clean clothes, why don’t you go to the bathroom and freshen up, I’ll stay here with her.”
They decided to go one at a time so one of her moms would be there just incase she woke up. Toni went first, then Cheryl.
Once they were all settled Betty suggested she and Jughead grab them some food from the cafe while the girls came in for a visit. They agreed and once again thanked them for their kindness. They both hadn’t eaten anything since the party the night before.
Betty retrieved the girls from the waiting room and prepped them in the hall to see Olivia in such a state. They both took a deep breath and entered together leaving Betty and Jughead to find the food.
“Oh my god” Chloe cried out and covered her mouth as she broke down. Annie was speechless and silently crying.
“Aunt Cheryl, Aunt Toni, I’m so sorry, this is all my fault! Chloe finished as she rushed into her Aunts arms. Toni held her tightly and ran her fingers through her hair.
“Sweetheart, this isn’t your fault?” Cheryl said confused. She approached the others standing near the door.
Annie cut in, trying to explain.
“Olivia came to us and told us this was going to happen. She said some guy disguised as a waiter was going to blow up La Bon Nuit.”
“We tried to help her feel better but after a few days we just couldn’t convince her and she kind of spiraled,
She thought I called her crazy! Oh god! I’m so sorry,” Chloe started again grabbing back onto Toni.
“This is not your fault. Neither of you,” she said grabbing Annie’s hand and using the other to wipe her tears.
“No one would have thought that this would happen. She didn’t tell us until yesterday morning, and we brushed past it. We should have done more- her parents. There is nothing more you could have done.”
“We could have been there with her to help her go after that guy!” Annie chimed in.
“And risk you getting hurt too? No way. She shouldn’t have even done what she did. Once she’s not concussed I’m gonna knock that into that head of hers,” Toni replied with some sass.
Everyone cracked a smile.
“Let’s just be with her. Okay?” Cheryl said looking from one girl to the other.
Betty and Jughead returned shortly after with breakfast for everyone. The group tried to enjoyed the meal together as best they could but the stress and exhaustion was apparent on everyone’s face. Betty took the girls home afterwards but Jughead stayed behind just incase; he came himself on his motorcycle. He wanted someone to be there for anything they needed so neither would have to leave.