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bumblesimagines · 1 year ago

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Midnight Beach

Part 11

Request: Yes or No

Taglist: @nathan-no @hyubg @ash455

~~~

"For the record, I think this is a horrible idea, Pope."

Something about a desperate teenager scaling the wall of a century-old church with rotting wood screamed dangerous to (Y/N). Pope was a geek. A nerd. Someone who could recite mathematical and scientific equations without blinking an eye. Someone who notably sucked at gym class- per JJ's words- and had almost no muscle definition. Pope was lanky and tall and only exercised when he had to run from something or someone. He was no Peter Parker or Miles Morales. He was Pope Heyward, son of a fishmonger. So why the hell had they let him climb up the wall and onto creaking pillars with only minor protesting?

Hitting the side of one of the beams, Pope called down to them with no regard for their worries. "Alright, this one's solid wood. I'm gonna try the other beam."

"Pope, that's rotten as shit right there, okay?" JJ called out to his best friend but his words went in one ear and out the other. Pope moved around the wooden beams, propping himself up and hitting the side of the middle support beam. "I hate to break it to you, but that's just wood."

"It has to be here," Pope muttered and stood, arms wrapped around the beam as he traversed around it.

"Just, watch out for that wasp's nest above your head, Pope! Move slow, alright?" JJ called out again. Pope eyed the nest and set his foot down near the last beam, the wood there proving to be unsteady when a piece of wood fell down near the group on the ground. Pope panted softly and craned his neck, eyes squinting at the last beam when he hit it.

"It's hollow. I need a crowbar."

"I'll be right back." Sarah sighed and turned on her heels, walking back out toward the cars. (Y/N) rubbed his forehead, feeling the base of his neck start to ache. He glanced back at Sarah when she returned with the crowbar and tossed it up at Pope, a wide proud smile breaking out on her face when he caught it. Pope began chipping away at the side of the beam, bits and pieces of wood falling down. The more he chipped and tore away from the beam, the better look they got at what was inside.

"Is that..." (Y/N) felt his breath hitch in his throat, the gleam of the setting sun peering through the windows and lighting up the inside of the beam. A golden glitter came from within. Pope tore away a large chunk of wood and there it was. A myth turned reality. The cross of Santo Domingo.

"Oh my god... Oh my god!" Kiara squealed as JJ and John B whooped and hugged each other, jumping up and down in excitement. Sarah laughed and jumped as well, hands shaking and grabbing onto Kiara for support. The blonde spun around and threw her arms around (Y/N), eyes shining with glee. (Y/N) snapped himself out of his shock and laughed breathily, slowly wrapping his arms around Sarah.

"We did it!" Pope cheered, hacking away at the side of the beam until the cross was fully and completely exposed to them. He shoved his hands up in the air and let out a gleeful cry, attracting the attention of the wasps flying above him. Pope's cry turned from excited to pained as the wasps swarmed and began stinging him. The crowbar fell from his hands and landed on the ground with a clatter, and soon, his foot slipped and the sudden weight shift caused him to fall over, forcing him to cling desperately onto the support beam.

"Cover the ground with something soft!" (Y/N) called, tearing himself away from Sarah and snatching up the cushions on the pews. The Pogues scattered, grabbing anything that looked soft while shoving away the pews and furniture to ensure Pope wouldn't fall on them.

"I can't hold!" Pope screamed, one hand slipping from the beam. They tossed the cushions down on the floor, pushing them around to make a landing pad of sorts. With one last screech, Pope fell from the beam and landed on the ground with a thud, kicking up a cloud of dust. They surrounded Pope immediately, asking questions and checking him for injuries. Pope winced and cracked open his eyes with a small groan, only for his eyes to fly open. He shoved (Y/N) and JJ aside and they looked up, scrambling out of the way as the cross fell onto the ground, breaking through the floor.

"Pope, you okay?!" JJ rushed to his side but Pope waved him off with heavy pants. (Y/N) pushed himself off the floor and got closer, crouching down to look him over. The wasps had gotten him good, covering his neck and hands with stings.

"Give me... a minute to... catch my breath." Pope gasped.

"You did it, Pope." John B whispered and (Y/N) lifted his eyes off Pope to look at the cross. It was big, bigger than all of them. Designs and carvings had been engraved into it with a small square right below the crystal-imbedded center where a key could be inserted. (Y/N) felt dizzy just looking at it. The Pogues fawned over it, hesitantly running their fingers over it as if scared it'd fall apart if they were too rough. (Y/N) felt Pope move and turned to watch him, noticing the stings were forming into large bumps on his skin. One of his eyes appeared nearly swollen shut. (Y/N)'s throat tightened.

"This belongs in a museum." John B breathed.

"Are you kidding me?!" JJ exclaimed, whirling around to look at him. "If we melted her old bones down, we'd be making high billions, dude."

"Hey! It's my ancestors' cross!" Pope shouted, bracing himself against one of the pews and wincing. "This is bigger than money, and the world's gotta know the truth."

"And if we don't get this shit outta here before Limbrey gets here, nobody's gonna know. So, saddle up."

"Pope, Pope, hold on a second. Are you okay?" (Y/N) stepped in Pope's way before he could stand and attempt to pick up the cross. Pope nodded but then staggered, bringing a hand to his chest and curling his fingers around his shirt. He coughed and collapsed back onto the pew, beginning to gasp for air. (Y/N) froze.

"Pope? Pope! Shit, what's wrong with him?" JJ appeared at (Y/N)'s side and grasped Pope's shoulder, panicked eyes flickering all over his friend.

"He's having an allergic reaction." Kiara mused, bringing a trembling hand to her mouth.

"Shit, Kie's right. The stings are causing a reaction. We need to get him to a hospital-" Pope's eyes suddenly rolled back and he began convulsing. "-right now!" (Y/N) slung one of his arms over his shoulder while John B got his other arm. The girls ran up ahead, opening the church doors and holding them open as they dragged Pope out. JJ lingered behind, attempting to cover up the cross as best as he could. (Y/N) and John B got him to the Carrera truck, laying him back across the backseat. Kiara got in with him, keeping his legs elevated and checking on his pulse.

"W-What do we need?!" JJ asked, his voice high with panic.

"An epi-pen. Where's his epi-pen?" (Y/N) turned to look at the boys but received silence in response. "Why doesn't he have one?!"

"We didn't know he was allergic, b-but I know where to find one!" JJ's face brightened and he got in the driver's seat, quickly turning on the truck. Groaning quietly, (Y/N) got in the passenger seat and watched Sarah and John B get in the back before JJ stepped on the gas and took off down the road, making quick turns and definitely breaking at least a few road laws.

Swerving into a neighborhood, the truck came to a screeching halt in front of a house. JJ flew out of the driver's seat and sprinted up to the front door, knocking rapidly and shouting for help. (Y/N) helped John B and Kiara get Pope out of the backseat, listening to his labored breathing as they took him up the driveway where a shirtless and pantless man swung the door open with a scowl.

"Ricky, please, he can't breathe!" John B pleaded with the bearded man. Ricky groaned and ran a hand over his face, begrudgingly opening the glass door for them and letting them inside when he saw the state Pope was in. Sarah and Kiara hurried inside, clearing out the man's dining table by knocking over his basket of laundry and any stray clutter. (Y/N) and John B lied Pope across the table and Ricky got a good look at him.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He's having an allergic reaction to wasp stings and needs an epi-pen right now." (Y/N) explained to Ricky, each gasp for air sending a shot of anxiety down his back. He should've stayed home. If he had, he wouldn't have to steal with drenched clothes and a potentially dying friend. So much for wanting a peaceful year.

"I gotta get my kit." Ricky turned and headed deeper into his house, prompting JJ to quickly follow him and help search for his kit. Sarah and Kiara tried speaking to Pope, attempting to keep him conscious and focused on their voices. (Y/N) stepped back, spotting a fridge in the next room and walking toward it. He opened the freezer and searched it, grabbing the first ice pack he spotted and closing it.

"What's that for?" John B asked only for (Y/N) to press it against his chest and shove him down onto the couch.

"For you, Routledge. Stay off your damn ankle and keep that pressed against it." He barked and John B clamped his mouth shut, bowing his head and placing the ice pack over his ankle. Kiara cupped Pope's face, eyes beginning to well up with tears as she softly spoke to him. Ricky jogged past them and entered his garage, still searching for his kit. He emerged from the garage with a black backpack in hand and set it down on the table beside Pope's head.

"What do we do now?"

"You don't do anything 'cause you're not a paramedic," Ricky replied and took out a syringe and a small bottle, poking the syringe into the bottle and sucking up the medicine inside. "Here's the thing, I don't have a proper epi-pen on me right now but I have this. This is a pediatric dose of epinephrine. It is ten times a normal dose. So if it doesn't stop his heart, it'll help him. But I gotta use the whole thing, or it won't work and I'm not going down if he dies."

"Okay! Fine! Do it!" JJ shouted when everyone else stared at Ricky wide-eyed. Oh, (Y/N) should've stayed home. He should've stayed home on his cozy couch. With JJ's permission, Ricky injected the dose into Pope's arm, taking out the needle once done and sighing heavily. Pope remained unresponsive on the table and Kiara began panicking, shouting and cursing at Ricky until Pope suddenly gasped. Pope groaned and sluggishly sat up, muttering about feeling hot and shrugging off his jacket.

"Okay, now we go to the hospital. I'll pay for the bills if you want-"

"That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me but we have to get that cross." Pope slid off the table, stumbling past (Y/N) and JJ. He shoved open the door and staggered out, pace quickening as his energy returned to him. Everyone quickly followed after him, attempting to steer him toward calming down but Pope simply whooped, threw his jacket on the ground, and got into the truck. Or more precisely, he got into the driver's seat.

"He's high as shit," Kiara whispered and followed him, getting into the passenger seat. The others followed, having to squeeze in the backseat with JJ basically sprawled out over John B and Sarah's laps.

"Should we be letting him drive?" (Y/N) tentatively asked, feeling the truck lurch forward when Pope stepped on the pedal and began driving. Kiara's worried look didn't ease his concern, especially as night fell over them.

Pope continued to drive as fast as he could, his burst of energy prompting him to act impulsively and recklessly. The truck occasionally swerved from side to side, forcing the four in the backseat to squish together further. JJ's elbow met John B's chest a couple times while his foot stepped on (Y/N)'s calf about every few minutes. Pope even swerved onto the other lane to drive past another car, shouts and screams coming from them when he nearly crashed into an oncoming vehicle.

"We're not gonna get to the cross if we're dead, Pope!"

"We're not gonna die. It's our divine right to get that cross."

"Pope, look at the road!" John B hollered and Pope suddenly swerved the truck to avoid another collision, forcing the truck to begin spinning out. (Y/N) grabbed onto the assist handle on the ceiling of the car, holding onto it as Sarah fell over his lap and JJ's heel nearly collided with his abdomen. The back of his head hit the seat when the truck crashed, the sound of a window shattering and the airbags expanding filling his ears. He groaned and opened the door, stumbling out of the truck and catching himself before he could fall. Sarah and JJ followed him out, taking a moment to catch their breaths and try to soothe the growing aches in their muscles from whiplash.

"Kie, one word: totaled." JJ flashed the light from his phone over the front of the car and (Y/N) cringed at the sight, resting his hands on his knees and shakily exhaling. A fully cracked windshield and a crumbled hood. Not to mention the other dents in the truck. Guess he could cross getting into a car accident off the bucket list. (Y/N) straightened up, rolling his aching shoulder and looking over everyone. Nobody appeared injured, aside from some minor bruising.

"My parent's are gonna kill me." Kiara breathed.

"We're gonna have to walk the rest of the way. I'm going to get my cross." Pope stated and began walking down the side of the road. John B followed, stepping in his way and trying to stop him from continuing in his agitated state. The sight of headlights growing closer caught (Y/N)'s attention and he watched the truck drive closer until they drove past the group. (Y/N) made eye contact with the driver and a chill shot down his spine.

Rafe.

"The cross..." (Y/N) whispered, staring after the truck as it drove down the road. "They have it."

"We gotta get back to the church!"

Forced to sprint the rest of the way back to Freedman's Church, (Y/N)'s legs ached and cried by the time they arrived at the doorstep and entered to find the cross gone. He collapsed on one of the pews and slumped back against it, letting his body rest as JJ angrily rambled. Sarah took a set behind him, equally as exhausted. She leaned her head against his shoulders and closed her eyes, chest heaving and covered in a light layer of sweat. Kiara sat down across from them and buried her face in her hands, breathing slowing down. Pope slowly stepped toward the podium and stood behind it, looking down at one of the things his ancestor created.

"Denmark would've stood right here... preaching to everyone he set free. A slave, the sole survivor of the Royal Merchant, he got the gold and the cross, and he brought them both to shore and used it to free every person who walked through those doors. He made a church, a family, a congregation... a home. And the Limbreys took everything from him." Pope stepped down from the podium, an air of calm rage to him. "They sicced dogs on his wife and his kids, and when he tried to get her remains, they hung him. Well, I'm done. I'm tired of that shit. That is not how this is gonna end. We need a win, guys. I'm going to get my family's cross."

He walked forward and cracked open the door, pausing to turn his head to look at them. "You guys coming?"

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

The drive back to Tannyhill had one obstacle. Shoupe had pulled the van over when they neared the crash and forced Kiara to go with them and return home to her parents or else he'd bring them down to the station for fleeing the scene of an accident. Despite leaving them with a deep frown and a heavy heart, Kiara gave them her blessing to continue on without her. So they did and arrived at the Cameron Residence well into the night.

"Stay low, stay low," Pope whispered to them as they got out of the Twinkie and crept up to the stone fence, seeing the truck from before pulling into the driveway. Rafe got out of the truck and swept his gaze over the front yard before stepping inside the mansion. "How much you want to bet Rafe's got the cross inside there right now?"

"Only one way to find out," Sarah decided and stepped away from the fence. She didn't look back as she began walking toward the gate leading up to her house, to a possible trap. (Y/N)'s feet followed her before he could think twice about it and his hand caught her wrist, brows knitted together in worry when she turned around to face him.

"Rafe's in there, Sarah-"

"I know. It's why I have to do this. I need to do this." She told him softly and placed her hand gently over his, fingers curling around his and affectionately squeezing. (Y/N)'s lips pressed together, eyes flickering between hers. Sarah's lips parted and she inched forward, head tilting upward to stare him directly in the eye. She went to speak but before a single word could leave her mouth, John B suddenly shoved himself between them, forcing (Y/N) to step back and blink. Sarah's jaw clenched at the sight of him.

"What is it?" She asked, a hint of irritation laced in her voice at his interruption.

"I need to talk to you." He pleaded softly, staring into her eyes as she had done to (Y/N).

"About?"

"Us." (Y/N) rolled his eyes.

"Us?" Her brows rose in disbelief. "Really? You want to have this conversation now? John B, now's not the time-"

"No, no, look, Sarah. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." John B croaked and reached into his pocket, pulling out a worn piece of string and offering it back to her. Sarah looked down at it, letting him drop it in her palm and curl her fingers into a fist. He held her hand in his, thumb running over her knuckles. He lifted his other hand toward her face and cupped her cheek, eyes trailing down to her lips. He slowly began leaning forward.

"John B, no, not now." Sarah leaned back and pressed her hands against his chest, gently pushing him back. JJ and Pope hissed quietly in the distance and (Y/N) nearly snorted at the dejected look on John B's face. Sarah's tongue darted out between her lips and she sighed quietly, wrapping the string around her wrist and giving John B a tight-lipped smile.

"Sarah, I-"

"I don't know what I want right now, John B. You hurt me. You weren't there for me, after everything I did for you. I-I care about you. But I don't know if I want there to be an 'us' again. Not when there are... others." John B's shoulders sagged and his head turned to (Y/N) with a fierce glare. Sarah gently took his chin and turned his head back toward her. His gaze softened again. "Now's not the time. Pope needs our help. We'll talk about this later."

"But-"

"Later." Sarah turned around and walked away from them, slipping past the gate and heading up the driveway. John B's jaw clenched, hands turning into fists and he turned his body to face (Y/N). He shoved an accusatory finger into (Y/N)'s chest.

"If you weren't here-" (Y/N) brought his foot back then forward, kicking John B's ankle with the front of his sneaker and making him reel over in pain. He clamped a hand around John B's mouth before the teen could yelp and kept his hand pressed firmly against him as he dragged him back over to Pope and JJ. Both boys had their brows raised, staring at the withering John B.

"You learn a thing or two hanging around Rafe and Topper." (Y/N) mumbled and peered over the fence to check on Sarah, finally releasing the Pogue. John B crumbled against the fence, cupping his ankle and whimpering quietly. JJ and Pope exchanged glances and joined (Y/N) back up against the fence. Sarah approached the truck and looked inside, presumably searching for the keys but coming up short. She turned around and motioned toward the house, raising one hand to motion for them to stay behind.

"No, no, don't go inside!" Pope shook his head rapidly but Sarah merely turned and walked right into the house. Cursing under his breath, Pope and JJ braced themselves to go over the fence in support but (Y/N) spotted headlights going toward them and yanked the two back down. A golf cart rolled up, horn beeping and a gun cocking. Shit. (Y/N) swallowed and walked forward, staying in front of the Pogues and putting on his best smile.

"Mr. Sumner! Is that you? I hardly recognized you! Is that a new coat?"

"(Y/N)?" The old man lowered his shotgun and adjusted his glasses, stepping out of his golf cart and squinting at him. A smile suddenly broke out on his face, realization settling on his features. Looking down at his coat, he nodded. "Why, yes it is. Martha got it for our anniversary, ain't that nice?"

"Going on forty years, right?"

"I didn't expect you to remember!" Mr. Sumner laughed heartily and nodded, running a wrinkled hand over his new coat.

"How couldn't I? Mrs. Sumner mentions you every time she brings around that lovely meatloaf of hers. Always talkin' about how good of a husband you are. She loves you a whole lot."

"Yeah, that sounds like my Martha. Such a sweetheart she is." Mr. Sumner chuckled sheepishly and adjusted his glasses again to peer over (Y/N)'s shoulder. "And, uh, who might these fellas be? I couldn't help but notice they looked awfully suspicious tryin' to climb over the fence."

"Oh, these guys?" (Y/N) turned his head to look at them. The three of them put on polite smiles for the old man, glancing helplessly at (Y/N) and huddling closely together. "Well, this guy is Booker. He had an accident the other day and hurt his foot real bad but he's such a hardworking guy that he came right over to help the Camerons' with, uh-"

"Mr. Cameron's memorial, sir." JJ piped up, taking off his baseball cap and holding it to his chest. He walked forward and stood beside (Y/N), forcing his voice to tremble as he spoke. "You see, we were his yard workers, sir. While everyone else looks at us and just sees three delinquents from the Cut, Mr. Cameron saw potential. He trusted us to do his yard work, sir. He-He was such a good man to us. He really tried to help us young men from the Cut stay off the streets. He said he saw himself in us."

Forget being a motivational speaker, JJ should work toward being an actor. (Y/N) stared at the blonde as he went on, speaking about Ward Cameron with enough passion and heartache to make anyone believe he knew the man personally. JJ conjured a whole story from nothing and Mr. Sumner ate up every single word that came out of his mouth, even growing teary-eyed one time. (Y/N) wordlessly nodded along to his tale, backing up every lie JJ told the poor old man until he finished, wrapping it up with a perfect little bow. "-But don't worry, sir. The Knight of the Rhododendron lives on in all of us. It's why we planted those flowers in his honor. Don't you smell it?"

Mr. Sumner took a whiff of the air. "What is that, night-blooming jasmine?"

"No, that's more like, uhm... natural Viagra," JJ answered and (Y/N) cleared his throat loudly when Mr. Sumner's eyes widened. He stepped forward and gently took the older man by the arm, leading him back to his golf cart as Pope quietly scolded JJ for choosing Viagra of all things. Mr. Sumner sat down and placed his shotgun beside him.

"Martha must be worried about you, now, Mr. Sumner. If you'd like, tomorrow morning, I'll come by and drop off these fine gentlemen's business cards, alright?"

"See that you do, will you, son? I'd like to see if I can get some of those flowers planted in the garden."

"Right, of course, Mr. Sumner." (Y/N) forced another polite smile and patted his shoulder, taking a step back and waving as Mr. Sumner drove off. Once he turned the corner, (Y/N) spun around to face JJ and gave him a deadpan look that JJ snickered at.

"What? It worked!"

"Yeah, uh-huh."

The four of them hoisted themselves over the fence and landed quietly on the other side, although John B's ankle buckled underneath him and he was forced to clutch the wall for support momentarily. They crept through the front yard and ducked down behind some bushes when Rafe came out of the house with no sign of Sarah in tow. (Y/N) kept his attention on the front doors, waiting to see Sarah attempting to sneak out while JJ and John B went back and forth. Pope suddenly took off, chasing after the truck going down the driveway and jumping up, getting a hold of the side of it and clinging on.

"The hell was that?"

"No idea. But with Rafe gone-"

"Guys." (Y/N) roughly tugged on JJ's shoulder, eyes focused on Rose and Wheezie as they took out a limp Sarah and brought her to a black car. Rose got her in the back of the car, likely spouting some lies at Wheezie to get her help. "She's drugged..." (Y/N) concluded and backed up, watching the car head down the driveway and onto the street.

"Come on, let's get to the Twinkie, man!" JJ shouted, rushing down the driveway with (Y/N) and John B in tow and running out onto the street toward the van. They quickly climbed in and John B turned the van around, driving after Rose's car. The pursuit went well into the early morning, reaching the wharf just in time for the van to sputter and roll over to the side of the road. (Y/N) opened the door and hopped out, looking over the fence surrounding the wharf.

"What's our best bet?" John B asked, eyeing the security guard.

"I say we rush him. Three against one-"

"Or we wait for another cargo truck to come by to drop off its shipment and use it as cover." (Y/N) proposed and JJ pursed his lips, nodding. He shook his head and looked back down the road, waiting for a semi-truck to undoubtedly head inside the wharf. Luckily, they only had to wait a couple of minutes before a large red truck drove by. They ran up behind it and headed down the opposite side of where the guard was, successfully sneaking into the wharf undetected and hiding behind some large equipment.

"Shit, wait. The Coastal Venture. I know that ship. My dad did legs on her last summer. It's a total tramp steamer. I worked on her in port." JJ told them, pointing to the massive blue and red ship waiting at the dock.

"And there's the truck and Rose's car." (Y/N) pointed the two vehicles out. They were parked alongside the ship with a large wooden box sitting beside the truck, conveniently the same size as the cross. The workers got it strapped and it was hoisted into the air before being lowered down onto the ship. Rose got out of her car next, opening the back door for a worker who pulled Sarah out of the back seat and escorted her onto the ship with Rose.

"Howdy." The three flinched and turned around to face the last two Pogues. Pope looked battered and bruised, dried mud clinging onto his face and clothes. A grin spread across Kiara's face, a soft snort escaping her. "You looked scared as shit."

"How'd you even find us?"

"Geo-located your phone," Kiara answered JJ and stood beside (Y/N), looking out at the ship. "We gotta get on that boat, huh?"

"But first we gotta get past the goon squad," JJ murmured, nodding to the side and creeping forward. (Y/N) and Kiara followed, only pausing and looking back when Pope turned in the other direction.

"I've got an idea. Trust me, okay? I'll meet up with you guys." He assured John B before disappearing behind some equipment. (Y/N) turned back to Kiara and JJ only to flinch and duck when an explosion sounded off and Pope hurriedly ran back toward them. Workers immediately ran toward the explosion, giving them time to find access to the ship. Pope coughed and crouched down beside them, pointing out a white container.

"That container's going on the ship. We can get in that way." Pope told them and stood back up, leading them toward the container and climbing inside. John B followed him in, walking further into the container and disappearing behind the cargo. (Y/N) swallowed, staring into the container. The chances of them getting back out without consequences were low, especially if they were dealing with the Camerons. Kiara's fists clenched and unclenched, eyeing the container as well.

JJ stepped forward, taking Pope's hand and getting up into the container. He turned and smiled down at them reassuringly, extending his hand out toward them. "Nothing to lose?"

"Nothing to lose," Kiara repeated under her breath and took JJ's hand, pulling herself up into the container and heading in deeper. JJ watched her go before offering his hand to (Y/N), quirking a brow. (Y/N) licked his lips and inhaled deeply, lifting his head to meet JJ's eyes. His mind screamed at him to reject the offer and stay behind, to stay on land where he'd be safe. But the Pogues were his friends and Sarah needed him. Nodding to JJ, he took his hand.

"Nothing to lose."

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