Monday morning, Riverdale High was buzzing with the usual Monday gossip. Malachai walked down the main hallway, hands in his jacket pockets, still feeling the faint hum of telekinesis at the base of his neck. He had practiced a bit more in the garage before leaving: now he could lift the freezer without it shaking and hover almost two meters off the ground without losing balance. Small progress, but progress nonetheless.
As he walked, he saw her.
Veronica Lodge had just come through the front doors. Impeccable black pleated skirt, fitted white blouse, jet-black hair falling in perfect waves, and that signature "I'm new here but I already run this place" smile. She carried a designer backpack and radiated a New York energy that didn't quite match the gray of Maine.
Betty was at her locker, neatly organizing her books as always. Veronica walked straight up to her.
"Hey." she said in a warm, confident voice. "You're Betty Cooper, right? Debate team captain. I'm Veronica Lodge. I just moved here from New York. They told me if I wanted to survive in this town, I had to meet you first."
Betty blushed, caught off guard but clearly flattered.
"Uh… yeah, that's me. Welcome to Riverdale. Do you want me to show you around or…?"
"That would be amazing." Veronica replied with a bright smile. "And if it's not too forward, maybe we could be friends? I have a really good feeling about you and me."
Malachai watched from a few meters away. Exactly like in the original series Veronica making a beeline for Betty on day one. He smiled to himself. Another piece falling perfectly into place… except this time, he was already on the board.
A little farther down the hall, leaning against the wall, was Cheryl Blossom. Fiery red hair, skirt shorter than dress code allowed, imperious gaze. She was talking to two cheerleaders, but her eyes flicked toward Betty and Veronica for a split second. Her brow furrowed slightly, as though she could already sense competition.
Malachai kept walking. Near the end of the same hallway, he instantly recognized another girl.
Maria Brennan.
Long dark brown hair, large expressive eyes that always seemed faintly frightened, simple loose fitting clothes as if she wanted to vanish inside them. She walked with her head down, clutching her backpack tightly to her chest. Just like in Look Away timid, withdrawn, carrying the invisible burden of a controlling father and a family quietly disintegrating. There was still no sign of her twin sister Airam… yet.
Maria glanced up for a second as she passed him. Their eyes met. She quickly looked away, cheeks flushing, but Malachai caught the deep seated fear lurking behind her gaze the same fear he remembered from the film.
"Another monster waiting for its moment." He thought. "But this time I'm not letting the story play out the same way."
He decided not to approach her yet. Too many pieces were already in motion.
That afternoon, after school, Malachai headed straight to the Coopers' house. Betty had texted him at lunchtime: "Family dinner tonight. Polly insists you come. Mom already knows it was you who helped the other night."
He arrived at exactly 7:00. The front door opened before he could ring the bell. Alice Cooper stood there, arms crossed, expression neutral but eyes sharp as blades. She wore a flawless sweater and jeans, yet her entire posture radiated control.
"Malachai Walker." she said, pronouncing his full name like she was sizing him up. "Come in."
He stepped inside. The smell of lasagna filled the house, but the atmosphere was more tense than welcoming. Polly was in the living room, curled up on the couch. When she saw him, she gave a relieved smile and stood to give him a quick hug.
"Thank you for coming." She whispered. "And thank you for the other night."
"No problem." He replied, returning the brief embrace.
Betty emerged from the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish towel. She wore a soft pink sweater and jeans. She looked nervous but happy to see him.
"Mom already set the table. Come on."
The four of them sat down. Alice served exact portions without smiling. They ate in silence for a while. Then Alice broke the quiet.
"Polly told me what happened in the backyard. A clown… with red balloons." Her voice was calm, but her eyes never left Malachai. "And that you appeared just in time and chased him away. With a branch."
Malachai met her gaze steadily. "I was keeping watch on the house. Betty had told me about the previous night. I wasn't going to let anything happen to them."
Alice tilted her head slightly.
"Keeping watch." she repeated, testing the phrase. "Since when have you been keeping watch over our house, Malachai? And how did you know the exact moment to show up?"
Polly spoke up, her voice gentle but firm.
"Mom, he saved me. If he hadn't been there…"
Alice raised a hand, silencing her without breaking eye contact with Malachai.
"I'm not saying I'm ungrateful. I'm saying it's interesting. You've lived next door for years, I've barely seen you this… involved. And suddenly you're protecting my daughters from a clown no one else has seen." She paused. "That's not normal. That's a pattern."
Betty tensed. "Mom, please…"
Alice ignored her younger daughter.
"Tell me the truth, Malachai. What do you really know about that clown? And why do you suddenly care so much about my family?"
Malachai set his fork down calmly.
"I know he's a man in a costume. I know he feeds on the fear he creates in his victims. And I know Betty and Polly are on his radar because they're good, pure… easy to terrify." He looked directly at Alice. "I care because they matter to me. And because I won't let anyone hurt them."
Alice studied him for a long moment. Then she smiled a cold, calculating smile.
"Good answer. Very heroic." She leaned forward. "But if you're involved in something dangerous, if you bring anything dangerous into my home… I will find out. And you won't like the consequences."
Polly spoke again.
"Mom, he saved my life. Leave him alone."
Alice sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"Fine. For now." She turned to Betty. "Take him to the living room after dinner. I want to speak to Polly alone."
Betty nodded, visibly relieved. After dessert, she led Malachai to the living room. They sat on the couch, closer than ever before. The lighting was soft.
"Sorry about my mom." Betty whispered. "She's… overprotective. Especially with me. Ever since Polly and Dad started fighting more at home… she doesn't trust people who get close to us easily."
Malachai took her hand.
"It's okay. I understand why she's like that."
Betty looked up at him, eyes shining, and bit her lip.
"You're incredible, you know that? No one else would have done what you did. No one else makes me feel… safe."
She leaned in slowly. Their knees brushed. Her gaze dropped to his lips.
"Malachai…" she whispered.
He stayed still, letting her make the move.
Betty closed the distance. Her lips brushed his soft, hesitant, almost questioning. A short, sweet kiss charged with electricity. When she pulled back, she was blushing from ear to ear.
"Sorry… I don't know if I should have."
Malachai smiled softly and brushed his thumb across her cheek.
"Don't apologize for something we both wanted."
Betty let out a nervous little laugh and rested her forehead against his shoulder.
"This is new for me. But… I feel safe with you."
They stayed like that for a while in comfortable silence. Betty intertwined her fingers with his.
Before he left, Malachai paused at the door. Alice was standing on the staircase, watching them.
"Good night." he said, meeting her eyes directly.
"Good night, Malachai." She replied, her tone neutral but edged with warning. "Take care of my daughter… or you won't like what happens."
Malachai gave a faint smile.
"Don't worry. I take better care of them than you can imagine."
He stepped out. As he walked home, he was already planning the next move: Mirror Lake. An abandoned camp and disappearances dating back to the 80s that was the clearest sign yet of Jason Voorhees… or something even worse.
Pennywise had already shown his face.
Now it was time to see what other monsters were sleeping and hiding.
And he was going to hunt them… to kill them.