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loveharlow · 6 months ago

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SEVEN [SEASON 2] - 006

PAIRING ‧₊˚ JJ Maybank x Fem!Reader

SYNOPSIS‧₊˚ [10.2k] Sarah shows up on the doorstep on The Chateau with a key piece of the puzzle, now it's up to the pogues to put them all together.

WARNING(S)‧₊˚ swearing, L*ke M*ybank, mentions of death, graphic depictions of injuries

NOW PLAYING‧₊˚

A/N‧₊˚ im sorry this chapter took wayyy too fucking long😭

˗ˏˋ series masterlist ˎˊ˗

“GOOD MORNING…” You mumbled, trotting out onto the patio, sock-clad feet padding across the hardwood as you joined your four friends outside, the morning air damp and humid. Kie was laid out on the sofa, Pope curled in the armchair with a blanket draped over him as JJ leaned against the railing and John B sat in the last remaining armchair.

JJ outstretched his arms for you to fall into them, you sleepily walking over to the boy and wrapping your arms around his torso as he returned the gesture, planting a small kiss on the top of your head. “Mornin’, princess.”

“Well, aren’t you two just adorable.” John B mocked, tossing pennies onto the coffee table.

“Don’t be salty because your girl went back to her roots, Bree.” JJ joked, JB flipping him off.

“It is far from a good morning.” Pope said firmly, shifting in his seat. “It’s a key-less morning is what it is...”

“We’ll get it back...” Kiara mumbled from the couch, her beanie pulled down over her eyes.

“And how do you suppose we’ll do that?” Pope sassed. The girl just shrugged, shifting herself on the furniture.

Just then, the screen door of the patio creaked — all eyes drifting to find a fully dressed Sarah Cameron walking in, fiddling with her fingers.

“Well, hello.” JJ was the first to speak.

“What’s up?” Kie greeted tiredly, looking up at the blonde girl.

“Shouldn’t you be on Figure Eight with your group of polo players?” John B jabbed, rolling his eyes and looking away from the girl. Sarah just pursed her lips, looking her ex-boyfriend dead in the eyes as his own drifted back to her when he was met with no response. “Or did you break up with Topper?” He drove the knife even further.

“We’re just friends.” Sarah shot back, squinting her eyes at the boy.

“Oh, he’s just a friend?” John B said unbelievably, watching as the girl walked across the floor to lean against the railing next to you and JJ. “You have a lot of friends, Sarah Cameron.”

“Yeah, and it seems like you’ve got some of your own, too.” Sarah retorted, pinching her eyebrows together.

You and JJ made silent ‘O’ faces, looking away from the lover’s quarrel happening on the patio.

“Alright, what’re you doing here?” JB pressed, sitting up straighter in his seat. “What do you want?”

Sarah sighed, hitting her fists together in contemplation. “I’m here for Pope.” She declared, all eyes on her once again as Pope’s face twisted. “...I think I found the island room.” She told him.

The tension in the room became palpable — If Sarah had truly found the island room, then you all had an advantage again. There was nothing Limbrey could do with the key if she didn’t know where the island room was. Now each team had a piece of the puzzle, if Sarah was right.

“GUYS, LISTEN TO THIS…” Pope silenced the crowd of you in the van. John B and Sarah were upfront while the rest of your rode in the back — everyone quieting down and allowing Pope to speak, photocopies of pages from Denmark’s journal clutched in his hands. “The diary says the cross holds the most holy relic in all of Christendom, The Garment of The Savior.”

“So wait,” Kiara interrupted from her place next to Pope, the two of them across from you and JJ. You were leaned against his shoulder, one of his arms slung over your shoulders. “He’s saying there’s a holy garment inside the cross?”

“Yeah.” Pope exasperated. “It says the garment is capable of healing the sick from any malady.”

“Maybe that’s why she wants it so bad?” You threw out tiredly, voice still raspy and weak from sleep.

“Who?” JJ probed, looking down at you.

“Limbrey.” You clarified. “Maybe she thinks it’ll heal her.”

“Mmm…” Your boyfriend hummed in thought, looking up at nothing. “Yeah. ‘If only I may touch His garment, I will be made well.’” He quoted with full confidence, the three of you surrounding him sharing looks. “What? I went to Sunday School.”

“Well, that would explain why Limbrey wants the cross so bad.” Pope agreed with your theory and JJ’s biblical evidence.

“What else does it say?” Kiara asked, Pope’s eyes darting back to the papers.

“...’Many feel that we have sinned to steal such a sacred thing, and God will strike his vengeance on us.’” Pope read directly from the printed journal pages.

“Thing is,” Kie started. “God did have His vengeance…” She trailed off, leaving everyone to think before Pope put the pieces together.

“...He sent a hurricane to sink the ship.” He said aloud, connecting the pieces for the rest of you. “And only Denmark survived.”

“THIS PLACE STILL FREAKS ME OUT.” John B proclaimed as the six of you walked through the hallways of Tannyhill, following Sarah’s lead.

“You’re telling me…” You added, eyes trailing the walls of the house you hadn’t been in in months. You could still remember everything that went down behind these walls — sleepovers, baking nights, Rafe…

Sarah stopped in front of a door to her right, opening it and guiding everyone in. “Pope, look.” She directed as the group of you piled into the room. What was once boring, plain wallpaper was torn down and shredded, revealing a much more intricate piece of art beneath — it was a map. A map that went around the entire room.

“You’ve got to be kidding me...” Pope said relieved, eyes trailing each of the walls.

“It’s been here this whole time.” Sarah smiled, stepping back to let you all examine what she’d found. You all dispersed and scattered, each evaluating a different part of the wall.

“This is a map of the whole island.” John B recorded, eyeing one of the walls closest to the windows.

“Yeah, John B, I think you’re right ‘cause this is Rixon’s right here.” JJ corroborated, standing in front of the wall directly across from his best friend.

“And then there’s the lighthouse.” You added, pointing to the lighthouse on the wall that matched the one right outside the window of Tannyhill.

“Guys,” Kiara spoke up. “Look, Parcel Nine and the well.” She said, trailing her fingers across the spot on the map, the five of you walking over to give it a glance.

“So, if that’s Parcel Nine,” John B began, his head on swivel as he connected the dots. “And that’s Rixon’s,” He pointed as he walked down the middle of the room, looking at the piece of the map that stood between two cabinets full of fine china. “Then that’s gotta be the surf break at Mase.” He realized, JJ right next to him as the remaining four of you watched from behind.

“Right. And look.” The blonde chipped in, holding a page of the diary up to the section of the wall. “Pope, c’mere. This is Denmark’s handwriting, for sure.” He smirked, Pope, standing behind his two friends.

The drawing was an exact replica of what was on the diary page.

“...These are all his drawings.” Pope examined, turning around to survey the walls around him once more, the diary pages clutched to his chest. “He painted this entire room.”

“Yeah, the question is why?” Kiara threw out, leaning against the table in the center.

“He did all of this for a reason.” You offered, trailing your fingers over the dried paint softly. “It has to lead to something. I mean, that’s what maps are for, right?”

“Something to do with the key?” JJ proposed, eyes pinching as he surveyed the walls himself. “That’s where the whole island room message came from.”

“How did you know to uncover this?” John B asked Sarah, standing right next to the girl as she smoothed over the painted walls with her palms.

“I didn’t.” She said. “It was like this when I got home.” Now all eyes were on her.

“What?” You sputtered, eyes wide.

“Then who did it?” Kie pressed as Sarah walked around the room, further from the five of you.

“I don’t know...” Sarah defended.

“The freaks.” Another, much smaller, voice added — startling all of you. The six of you jumped to find Wheezie standing by the door.

“Wheeze…” Sarah sighed in relief, walking closer to her sister.

“What freaks are we talkin’ about?” JJ asked the young girl.

“Uh, that sick lady and her attack dog.” She said like it was nothing. Wheezie always seemed relatively unphased by things that would and should phase someone of her age and circumstance. “They showed up last night, and they wanted to talk to Rafe.”

“Pale blonde lady with crutches?” JJ gave a description of Limbrey.

“With a creepy, dirty looking guy in leather?” You added on a description of her ‘attack dog’.

“Uh-huh.” The girl nodded, lips parted as you all fired off question after question.

“Okay, what happened?” John B asked, stepping forward and cutting off the influx of questions.

“Well, at first they searched the house looking for something, and then Rafe told me to go upstairs.” She explained as if she were telling a simple story from school, voice full of attitude. “But I didn’t wanna miss out so I listened through the grate. I could hear them tearing the wallpaper down and then the lady got excited about ‘finally finding something’.” She explained. “And then they started talking about…getting across the sand flamingo?”

“That’s code.” JJ immediately perked up, everyone’s faces twisting in confusion as your rolled your eyes, mumbles heard left and right as they tried to work out what Wheezie was saying.

“The cross.” You blurted, looking around at your friends all speaking to themselves. “The Cross of Santo Domingo.” You reminded as if it was the easiest thing to figure out. “Is that what you meant, Wheezie?”

“Yeah, that’s it.” Her eyes lit up before another thought seemed to ease its way into her mind. “Oh! And they were talking about, like, angels. A lot of angel talk, I don’t know…” She waved it off as a mere irrelevant detail.

“Angels?” Everyone mumbled to themselves when suddenly, Pope tensed.

“Guys,” He blurted, eyes wide and shoulders square. “Denmark’s famous last words. He buried the real treasure at the foot of the angel.”

“We have to find an angel.” You mumbled to yourself, head whipping to scan the tattered walls. “Look for an angel.” You prompted, the group of you hurriedly looking over the walls. Poor Wheezie probably thought you were all crazy.

Your eyes went wild across the painting, instinctively stopping over an illustration of a large tree with a prominent key hole in the middle. “Guys!” You cut off your friend's incessant and frantic rambling, everyone talking over one another. “I think I found something. Come here.” You instructed, eyes still on the illustration as the sound of them walking over echoed in your ears.

“This tree?” You pointed. “It’s still on Goat Island. And this is an Angel Oak tree. Do you see that?” You asked, tip of your index finger sliding over to the keyhole.

“The cross is buried at the foot of the angel…” Pope reiterated, his eyes drifting down in thought.

“It’s a reach but it’s worth a shot.” You shrugged, looking back at your friends with wide eyes. You hoped it meant something.

“But whose to say they didn’t get there first?” John B said solemnly, referring to Limbrey. “They found this last night.”

“But whose to say they did?” JJ countered.

“Regardless, that must be where they are right now.” Pope brushed off, basically shaking with anticipation. “We have to go. We have to go!” He jumped up, slapping JB’s shoulder and darting out of the room.

“You’re welcome, by the way!” You smiled, turning to follow Pope as JJ grabbed your head and pulled it into his chest, kissing the top of your head — the gesture making an audible sound.

“Let’s go, baby!” He cheered as the group of you scurried out of Tannyhill.

“GUYS, WE’RE COMIN’ UP ON FREEDMAN’S CHURCH.” Pope informed, you all looking out of the window as The Twinkie rode past the worn down cathedral, shrouded by overgrown bushes and vines. “The church Denmark built for all the slaves he freed.”

“Why have we never heard of Denmark before?” You pondered, watching the church disappear out of sight. “I mean, it seems like a big portion of the island has something to do with Denmark and his family and his story.”

“Probably because of the gold.” JJ said from his place behind you as you sat in between his legs. “The more people who know, the more chaos it causes.”

You hummed, accepting his answer as logical.

As the van continued its journey, you could see the tree coming into view. It was big and beautiful — completely visible over the tall field you were driving through.

“Ah, shit…” John B cursed from the driver’s seat, the vehicle slowing. “Tide’s coming in.” He sighed, the four of you in the back standing to look out of the windshield, spotting the ditch The Twinkie would have to drive through in order to make it to the other side.

“And they already came through here.” Pope pointed out. “Those have to be Limbrey’s tire tracks.” He pointed out the heavy duty tracks embedded into the mud.

“Mmmm…” JJ cringed. “What do you think, Chief?” He aimed the question at John B.

“I’m thinking it’s looking a little dicey.” John B evaluated, pinching his chin between his fingers.

“I’m inclined to agree.” You said sheepishly, eyeing Pope. “Sorry, Pope.”

“Okay, clearly they made it. No?” Kie stated the obvious in the name of optimism.

“In a two-wheel drive?” John B said incredulously. “I don’t think so, no.”

“Why are y’all are acting like you’re not gonna do it anyways?” Sarah chuckled from the passenger seat, looking at each of you individually. “Like when have y’all ever done the safe thing?”

…

“Alright.”

“She’s got a point.” John B agreed begrudgingly, drawing his lips into a thin line.

JJ sighed, positioning himself behind his friend in the driver’s seat. “Speed is your friend here, brother.” He advised as John B shifted gears and adjusted himself. “So, put her in second and hammer down.”

“And stick to the high ground in the middle, John B.” Pope added, the sound of the engine revving and the tires rolling against the wet mud greeting your ears.

“Alright, here we go.” John B said, pressing down on the gas pedal and guiding the Twinkie through the wet terrain. It actually made it farther than you thought, blazing through the sodden ground but it wasn’t fast enough.

“It’s gonna slide!”

“You’re fishtailing already!”

Even with the endless protests and doubts, the van managed to make it to the other side — the road evening out to make a less bumpy ride as it came to a stop on dry land. “Whoo! That’s my girl.” John B smiled, patting the dashboard and cutting the engine. “I told you we’d make it.” He sassed, opening the door to let himself out as Sarah did the same, the rest of you piling out of the back.

“Angel Oak is right through here.” Pope said, pointing through the trees. He didn’t wait for anyone before eagerly walking forward, making his way through thick trees, sharp branches, and wading dangerously close to potentially gator-infested water.

The five of you followed behind him, trying not to get hit in the face by tree branches and violent insects. The further you trekked, the more you could hear — the sound of machinery whirring and beeping drifting into your ears.

You stopped when Pope did, the crowd of you hiding behind the thickness of a family of bushes. Above the the greenery, you could see an entire team of workers. Limbrey was serious about this, huh?

They had expensive equipment and they looked exhausted. Your eyes scanned the scene in front of you when suddenly, a familiar face followed by a haunting voice came into view.

“I don’t see shit.” Rafe’s voice traveled, the boy carrying a shovel in his hand. The sight of him made your palms sweaty. “You sure this is the right spot?” He called out, looking behind him. Looking to your side, you could see JJ in your peripheral — his jaw clenched tightly as his eyes followed the boy’s every move from afar.

“It’s there.” Limbrey called back, your eyes roaming to land on her figure standing far away from the excavation, leaning against her car. “The garment will be in the cross and the cross will be at the foot of the tree.”

“Alright, well whatever we find, I get my cut.” Her bodyguard said from beside her, closing the trunk.

“Yes, Renfield, you will.” She said carelessly. At least now you knew his name. “The actual Garment…” She fawned, staring up at the tall tree. “You understand the significance.”

“I do, Carla.” He replied, but he didn’t seem like he meant it. Anyone but her could see that they were in this for two different things. She wanted to heal herself. Renfield wanted money.

“One touch of it, and I’ll be healed.” She said softly, never taking her sights off the tree. “And this long nightmare will be over.” She spoke so fondly of being healed, it almost made you feel bad for her. Almost.

“Your lips to God’s ears…” Her body guard spoke aimlessly.

“I know you don’t believe it.” She sighed, finally looking over at him. “But countless stories over millennia prove that miracles happen.”

He went silent, rolling his eyes at her words when a loud crunch sounded out through the forest — the excavation truck hitting something as it dug into the ground.

“Hey!” Carla shouted, putting her hand up and going over as quickly as possible to get a closer look. “Wait, stop!” She commanded, the workers halting in any further digging attempt with the machine. “Get in there, boys. Do it by hand.” She instructed the workers.

The small team of men hopping into the shallow ditch they’d dug, removing the dirt manually. “This has gotta be the cross…” She hoped — her, Rafe, and Renfield standing around as the men dug and dug.

Their conversation became hushed, mere whispers in the wind when suddenly they backed up as the men crawled out of the ditch, bringing a large, wooden object up with them. Rafe and Renfield helped to lift it as the six of you watched them remove it.

“They got the cross?” JJ was the first to speak, his voice small and hushed. “What do we do? What do we do?” He asked frantically, shaking Pope.

“What can we do?” John B countered.

“That’s not a cross.” You interrupted the two boys, eyes never leaving the object. It was old-fashioned, sure. But after your father’s funeral, you could spot it from a mile away. “That’s a casket.”

“...Are you sure?” Kiara asked, her face set into a heavy frown as you all watched the men grab tools to pry the box open.

You nodded mindlessly, watching these people possibly deface a grave. “I’m positive.”

“Maybe the cross is inside?” Sarah threw out, but you shook your head.

“Based off of Denmark’s descriptions and drawings? The cross would be too big to fit into something that small…” You informed, watching as the top of the box popped off, the men tossing it to the side. Even from feet away, you could see the way each and every one of their faces fell.

“...It’s just a corpse.” Renfield sighed, almost angrily.

“...We must’ve missed something.” Carla said, refusing to believe this was the end.

“Of course it’s just a dead body- Jesus!” Rafe exclaimed.

“We just got the wrong place.” Carla said, breathing heavily as she over-exerted herself to make it back to her vehicle. “We just need to go back to the island room- We’re going back!” She announced. “It’s not over!”

The men all shared looks, not believing her words but she was probably offering them enough money to want to stay on the job. So, they all piled into their trucks and cars, the group of them exiting the premises as the six of you crept closer to the tree, hearing the cars get further and further away.

Pope was the first one to reach the tree, almost sprinting out from the bushes.

You were right. It was a casket. And inside was nothing but a pile of bones.

“Cecilia…” Pope sighed, looking down at the name tag inside of the casket. “Cecilia Tanny. Denmark’s wife.” He said sadly, looking up at the tree. “He wasn’t talking about the cross.” He realized, voice wavering.

“The true treasure...” Kiara said, a solemn smile on her face.

“...He was talking about his wife.” You added, looking down into the casket. You realized they couldn’t have known it was a grave, but to discover something so sacred and then leave her bones so exposed in her final resting place…

It was unconsciously evil.

Pope sniffed, holding back his tears and crouching down over the casket, the rest of you following. “...Denmark was hung for burying his wife,” He said, voice cracking under his suppressed emotions. “And now they defiled her grave.” He said, his voice just above a whisper.

But his eyes seemed to find something within the box, not a care in the world as his fingers reached inside the woman’s casket, brushing dust and ash off a hidden object. It was circular and shining in some lights, Pope dusted it off with his fingers to reveal the gold underneath — a ring.

“...This must’ve been from Denmark.” He said. “Her wedding ring.” He examined the object, twirling it in his fingers. You didn’t miss the look of regret and longing shared between John B and Sarah at the mention of the ring.

Pope sighed and placed the ring back into the casket gently. “We can’t leave her like this.”

“We won’t.” You assured him, planting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it for emphasis as you all stood — the three guys lifting the top of the casket and replacing it back in its respective position, sealing Cecilia’s grave.

Taking the tools left behind by the crew, JJ and John B hammered the casket back closed, making sure it was secure as Pope gathered a small bouquet of flowers, placing them softly on top of the wooden structure, putting the woman to rest for the second, and hopefully last, time.

THE BOYS HAD SPENT THE LAST HOUR REBURYING CECILIA, only just now reaching a point where the ground was once again leveled, no longer able to tell there was something buried underneath.

“I just don’t get it.” Pope pondered. “You guys saw the map. He hides his gold so nobodies finds it for one-hundred and seventy years.” He ranted, walking in circles. John B and JJ were laid on the ground, exhausted from the digging while you, Sarah, and Kie sat in a circle in front of the large Oak Tree. “And then he sends a message to his son Robert to come here to his mother’s grave, but the message never gets to him. And Denmark wanted him to find the cross.” Pope explained, throwing his hands in the air. “I know we’re in the right spot…It just feels like-”

“Like we missed somethin’?” JJ interrupted, all eyes going to the blonde who was staring absentmindedly up at that tree. “Guys…” He trailed off, walking swiftly towards the tree — climbing on top of the parked van for a boost. “Wasn’t there a keyhole in the painting in the island room, princess?” He asked, eyes darting to you for a second who was now crowded around the elevated boy with the rest of your friends, holding a hand out to bring you up on top of the vehicle with him.

“Yeah. Why?” You asked, face twisting in curiosity as your boyfriend helped you up. Balancing yourself, that’s when you saw it — a hole in the bark of the tree. “You think that’s…?”

The boy simply shrugged, a smug smile on his face as your four friend looked up at the two of you. “It’s worth a shot, right?” He asked, the rest of the group agreeing. JJ was quick to turn to you, motioning his head in the direction of the black hole. “Go for it.”

“What?” You asked, repulsed. “No way. I went in the storm drain. It’s your turn, blondie.”

“She did go in the storm drain.” Pope backed you up, Kiara humming in agreement.

“Okay, yeah. I’ll do it. I’m gonna do it, it’s just…” JJ rambled, stepping closer to the tree cautiously, shaking his hand in preparation.

“He’s scared.” You whispered, looking down at your friends.

“I’m not scared.”

“You seem scared.” You smiled behind the blonde’s back, watching his hand getting closer to the hole. Eventually, he stuck it in, the black hole managing to fit half of his arm as he fished around to see what, if anything, was inside.

“...There’s somethin’ in here.” JJ said after moments of silence.

“Can you grab it?” You asked, offering potential assistance.

“Nah, I got it.” He waved off, digging his arm deeper. “Wait…”

“Wha-”

“AAH!” JJ bellowed, his arm now shoulder deep into the tree as it looked like he struggled to pull it out. His screaming caused the rest of you to flinch and scream as well. Your four friends on the ground began to attempt to climb the van and render aid as you grabbed onto the arm that was lodged in the tree, tugging vehemently.

JJ continued to yell and shout as you attempted to pull him out of the tree, breaking a small sweat as you did so when the boy’s pleas for help turned into a small fit of laughter, your concern slowly dwindling along with your friends.

The blonde continued to breathlessly cackled as your expressions of concern morphed into annoyance. Pope was the first to scold him — slamming his palm against the roof of the van. “Oh, you asshole.” He scoffed as the four of them returned to the ground, you letting go of JJ’s arm and standing back with your arms crossed.

“That is so not funny.” You mumbled, the boy placing a peck on your cheek before removing his hand from the tree — a gold tube clutched in between his fingers.

“...Let me see.” Pope demanded, holding his hands up for JJ to hand him the object. He wasted no time in taking it and wiping away any dust and debris, revealing letters engraved onto it, reading ‘H.M.S Royal Merchant’.

You and JJ hopped down off the vehicle — him going first in order to help you down before standing next to Pope. “Wait, let me see.” He said, gently taking the item from Pope’s hands and into his own and pulling it apart, the object elongating by twice it’s size before he put it to his eye. “It’s a spyglass.” He joked, waving it around wildly before John B and Pope took it from him.

“There’s something on the ends…” Kiara added, standing in between John B and Sarah.

“An inscription, right there…”John B caught on, pointing for Pope to see. “Look at that shit.” He chuckled.

Pope smiled, huffing out a laugh before reading. “You’ve come this far. Do not falter. The cross is on the…Freedman’s alter?”

Freedman’s alter, you pondered. Why did it seem like you had just-

“The church.” You blurted, all eyes on you. “Freedman’s Church, we passed it at the entrance.” You explained, a smile on your face as you met each of their eyes. “The cross is at the church!”

“What are we still doing here?” JJ joined in, a smile on his face.

“We got it!” Pope celebrated, collapsing the telescope. “Come on!” He urged, being the first one to hop in The Twinkie, the rest of you following.

“AH CRAP. THE TIDE…” Pope exclaimed from the backseat, wedged in between the two seats up front as John B came up on the road you’d all just barely passed the first time.

“How deep is that?” Kiara asked peering out the window.

“Dunno.” John B replied simply. “The road’s gone.” He observed, the previous tire tracks no longer visible, hidden beneath the shallow pool of water.

“Uh, John B, how high are the spark plugs?” JJ asked.

“...They’re good. We’re fine.” The boy assured, not meeting any of your eyes and looking straight ahead, actively avoiding your gazes.

“How high are they?” You all asked in unison, pressing him further.

“Oh, um…” He cringed, ducking his head out of the driver’s side window. “Just above the tail light.” The van filled with silence, save for the running engine, until Pope spoke.

“So, that’s…what, three feet?”

“That’s three feet, yeah.” JJ said with disappointment lacing his tone.

“That…can’t be three feet deep.” Kiara doubted, throwing an arm out in the direction of the windshield.

“Then what’s the problem?” John B asked the collective.

“No problem. Not a problem at all.” JJ shook his shoulders, patting John B’s in assurance. “We’re good. She’ll make it.”

“Yeah…” The brunette boy said to mainly to himself, shifting gears and adjusting in his seat. “Fasten your seatbelts, hold onto something-”

“There are no seatbelts back here.” You mumbled, looking around along with everyone else crowded in the back. JJ stifled out a chuckle, wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling your body against his firmly.

“There’s your seatbelt.” He laughed lowly, the close proximity making your face heat up.

“We’re going into hyperdrive.” John B breathed out, the vehicle rumbling back to life underneath the six of you. He pressed himself into the driver’s seat and put his foot hard down on the pedal, the wheels of the van spinning on themselves before The Twinkie lurched forward, basically hydroplaning straight through the puddle of water.

You’d made it halfway through, almost to the otherside. The group of you began cheering when suddenly the vehicle nearly tipped over veering itself to the right, lodging itself deeper into the water as the engine died.

“No, no, no, no, no, no…” John B panicked, flipping switches and pressing buttons.

“I think we miscalculated…” Pope said.

“...Everyone out. We gotta take the weight off before she sinks…” JB sighed, killing the engine completely and removing the keys from the ignition, frustratedly pushing the driver’s side door open. “Gah!- Dammit…” He exclaimed, noticing the foot of water that he’d have to step in.

Sarah followed suit, getting out of the passenger seat while the rest of you unloaded the back, groaning in disgust as your sneakers filled with water going up mid-calf.

“Ew, ew, ew…” You mumbled to yourself, face twisting in disgust as you walked around to the back of the van with your friends. “Oh God, my socks are brown.” You heard a familiar chuckle behind you, shooting a mean glare at the blonde. “It’s not funny. This is disgusting. There’s probably flesh-eating fish and gators and shit in here…”

“Here, c’mon.” JJ said before a hand was reaching out to stop you from walking further, both of his hands going under your arms so he could quickly pick you up and swing you around to carry you on his back as your legs instinctively wrapped around his torso, your arms around his neck — the boy not seeming to care about the water that was now staining his upper half as well.

“That was sexy.” You said absentmindedly, silently cursing yourself when you realized that you had said it aloud. The blonde let out a hearty chuckle, lifting you higher on his back to sit more comfortably.

“If you thought that was sexy, just wait until I whip out my other tricks.” He laughed out, walking towards the group as an optimistic Pope spoke.

“Maybe we can walk from here?”

“What?” John B was quick to argue, throwing his hands out. “And leave The Twinkie? The tide’s coming in.”

“So, then what are we supposed to do?” Sarah questioned.

“Not stay here.” Kie said.

Silence filled the air for a few moments, everyone in their own heads trying to come up with solutions before your voice broke through the air.

“I can take my car.” You threw out, shrugging.

“What?” JJ asked, trying to look at you over his shoulder. “Absolutely not, I spent weeks fixing that thing-”

“And you fixed it for good reason.” You smiled, kissing his cheek as he grumbled under his breath. “It should be able to fit all of us, if need be, and JJ replaced the tires, so it should ride pretty smooth.”

“We’re gonna need somethin’ to pull her out.” JJ brought up, motioning towards the van stuck in the mud. “There’s a winch at The Chateau.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad.” Sarah backed up, eyes mainly on John B who was visibly distressed. Sometimes you all forgot how much the van meant to him.

“Okay, if you’re gonna do it, let’s go, okay?” John B breathed out, eyes wide and pleading. “Tide’s coming. Twinkie’s going underwater.

“Alright,” JJ said, hiking you up once again. “Let’s roll, princess.”

“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU CARRIED ME ALL THE WAY HERE ON YOUR BACK.” You smiled, rolling your eyes playfully as JJ sat you down on the gravel on the grounds of The Chateau. “I could’ve walked.”

“I know but I like the feeling of you wrapped around me.” The boy flirted, stepping closer and planting a quick kiss on your lips.

“Go away, you flirt.” You joked, lightly pushing the blonde back as an equally bright smile broke out on his face.

“Alright, princess. You go start up the truck and I’ll grab the winch.” He said, hopping on his feet before turning around and walking backwards. “And you may wanna feed Marley really quick while we’re here!” He shouted quickly before disappearing into the Surf Shack.

You figured he was right — skipping up the steps to the front door and swinging it open, you walked inside, immediately spotting Marley curled up on the couch.

She hadn’t exactly been herself since you picked her up from Barry’s trailer. She seemed…gloomy. Different. She didn’t seem hurt when you got her back but you were starting to wonder what she’d gone through while she was there…

Quietly walking over, you placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head before heading towards the kitchen and filling her bowl to the brim with food and water for when she woke up.

One last glance over your shoulder and you were exiting the home, snatching your keys off of the kitchen counter and walking towards your car — the boxwood green Ford Bronco sitting perfectly parked and untouched.

Unlocking the vehicle you hopped in the driver’s seat, too busy putting the key in the ignition to see JJ walking towards the car…with his dad. The only thing that alerted you to the presence of a third person was the sound of the back door opening and slamming shut, almost in unison with the passenger side.

You perked up, eyes spotting the older man in the rearview before your eyebrows pinched together, whipping around to find Luke Maybank in the backseat of your car. “What the fuck?” You muttered, eyes shifting between JJ and his father. “...No.” You shook your head, killing the engine. “Absolutely fucking not.”

“Just start the car.” JJ said, voice flat. You scoffed, getting out of the driver’s seat and walking around the back of the vehicle. You heard JJ sigh before his own door was opening and closing, the blonde meeting you around at the back of the truck.

“He’s not coming.” You said firmly, trying to push past him.

“I know, okay?-” He said, hands on your shoulders.

“If you know then why is he in the backseat of my car?”

“Listen to me-”

“What the hell is this?” You pressed.

“Just listen.” JJ hissed, hands firmly on both of your arms, his jaw clenched in frustration. “I need to get into the marina at the Island Club. There’s a boat there that he can take. You still have the sticker on your truck.”

“There’s no telling if they’ll even let me into the parking lot with everything going on with my mom-”

“Twenty minutes.” JJ cut you off, eyes boring into yours. “That’s all I need.”

“All he needs, you mean.” You retorted. “The Twinkie is gonna be underwater in twenty minutes, JJ. Your dad-” You sassed, making direct eye contact with the older man before turning back to JJ. “Can handle whatever this is on his own. Leave him and we can come back! If we come back-” You raised your voice as JJ walked away and back around to passenger side.

“The cops are after him!” JJ replied, slamming his fist against the truck. “If I do this now, maybe I’ll never have to do it again.” He told you, voice softening.

“You’re putting a lot on that maybe.” You shot back, JJ getting into the passenger seat silently as you rounded the vehicle to get back into the driver’s seat, shooting Luke a mean, pointed look as you got in and slammed your door shut.

YOU’D BEEN DRIVING FOR TEN MINUTES, losing patience and getting further away from The Twinkie that was probably half-way underwater by now. If it were up to you, Luke Maybank would be camping out on the shore of The Marsh, but if you didn’t help JJ, he’d do it himself. And that wasn’t going to happen, whether you supported him helping his dad or not.

“Hey,” Luke’s raspy voice filled the void in the vehicle after a long period of no one speaking. “Pull up to the Home Foods here. I’m gonna need provisions.”

“Piss in a jar.” You spat, eyeing him in the rearview. “There’s your provision…” You mumbled.

“Y/N.” JJ called your name, eyeing you as warning to just not engage. You scoffed, sharply making the turn off the road into the parking lot of the Farmer’s Market. Pulling the car to a stop, you looked back at Luke, motioning for the man to get out and get what he needed.

“I can’t get out, darlin’. I’m a fugitive.” He said, a smug smile on his face.

"That's just not my problem." You shrugged, drawing your lips into a thin line before turning to JJ.

“Look, I’ll give you the cash. Can you go in and buy it?” The blonde requested to which you nearly choked on nothing.

“And leave you in here with him?” You asked, your mind flashing back to the day you and JJ got out of jail and what you saw when he got into the car with his father. “No way. No.”

JJ sighed. “Then we’ll both go.”

“And leave him here to jack my car? Yeah, no.” You denied firmly, looking ahead. JJ licked his lips, eyes fleeting between the two of you before he leaned over the console to whisper in your ear.

“I don’t want to leave you alone with him.” He said, you turning to the side to look your boyfriend in the eyes.

“I’ll be fine.” You assured as he sat down in his seat, unbuckling his seatbealt. “I promise.” You nodded, the boy sighing once more and quickly exiting the truck, his father calling out of the rolled down backseat window.

“Crackers and baked beans and tuna! Alright?” He shouted his request across the mostly empty parking lot. “And some salt ‘n pepper!”

“Yeah...” JJ replied back, annoyed.

“Five days worth!”

“I know.”

The car filled with silence following JJ’s absence, the only sound being the faint music flowing from inside the establishment. Not even a full minute after his son had gone inside, Luke Maybank made it his mission to become a nuisance for however long it would take for JJ to come back — playing the drums on the back of your seat like a child.

You ignored him for as long as you could, pretending like the incessant knocking sound and irritating vibrations against your back weren’t prompting your fists to curl in on themselves before you decided to let go.

“You’re a piece of shit.” You spat, not even looking at him as you said it. “You know that, right?”

“Yeah, gon ‘head. Preach it to me.” He chuckled, leaning back in his seat as his drumming ceased. “Set me straight.”

“Just because you’re a lowlife with nothing but a penny and a few beer cans to his name doesn’t mean you have to try and turn your son into the same monster you are.” You gave it to him, no sugar coating. “You have no idea how amazing he is...” You pondered. "...and how much better off he'd be without you."

Luke just scoffed. “He’s a thief, is what he is.”

“And what are you?” You scoffed back. “Some kind of model citizen?” You laughed. “You’re just another deadbeat, wasted local salt who never did shit with his life but hustle people and get doped up on…Ambien, was it?” You spat.

Luke just snickered in the backseat. “Yknow, you sound just like your daddy.” He threw out, the mention of your father falling from his lips boiling a whole new pot of anger. “He was just like you in high school. Always thought he was better than everybody else just ‘cause he was had a little heart to him and played by the rules. But I bet you? You're more like your mama…” He trailed off and you could hear him shift closer in the back seat. “Slumming with bad boys? Or the rich ones who just want a night with an easy, southside chick? I seen you with that Cameron boy all those months ago. Does my boy know about your little summer fling?” He laughed, having no idea the shit he was stirring.

“Nah, you wouldn’t tell him. Just like your mama, all about reputations. Little Miss Figure Eight…but not so much anymore, huh?” He carried on. “Mommy’s in jail while you ride around your dead daddy’s truck-” His rant was cut off when you turned around and punched him square in the nose, all within the same second — sending the man thumping against the back seat, holding his face.

“Don’t ever talk about my father.” You spat. “And don't act like you know shit about me. I am nothing like my mother.” You spat, face twisting in disgust as you turned back to face the windshield, watching JJ come out with bags in his hands. “And JJ’s nothing like you.”

The silence resumed as JJ got back to the car, tossing the bag in the back with his father and getting into the passenger seat. He must’ve felt that something was off because he paused in buckling his seatbelt to eye the both of you, but you spoke before he could say anything. Shifting the gears and adjusting your seat.

“Let’s get this over with.” You said, hands on the steering wheel as you practically whipped out of the parking lot.

PULLING IN FRONT OF THE PELICAN YACHT CLUB, JJ hopped out of the passenger seat as Luke handed him the bag of provisions. The older man was quick to lean in between the two seats in the front, voice next to your head.

“Hey, when you go and visit mommy in prison, why don’t you tell her I said hi-”

“Shut up.” JJ warned his father, pulling the backseat door open, motioning for him to get out of the car. “Come on.” JJ urged the man, Luke getting out of the car with that same smug grin as before as he slammed the door shut. “I won’t be long.” JJ assured you, leaning through the passenger side window.

“Five minutes.” You clarified. “That's it. Any longer and I’m coming to find you.” The boy simply nodded, turning around to walk with his father who shot you a victorious smile. “Yo, Luke.” You called out, the father and son both turning around to face you as you took both of your hands and flipped the older man off, a smile on your face.

There was a pause before he attempted to walk back to your truck, JJ standing in his way and nudging him forward. “Don’t. Go...” JJ pushed, his father still trying to walk back towards you. “Go.” JJ raised his voice slightly, pushing his father with more force this time — the man giving in and walking away.

You watched the two men disappear, your mental countdown immediately starting. You sat in your car, listening to the low sounds of the music from the stereo. When it hit four minutes, you got out of your car — leaning against the vehicle to prepare yourself for when it hit five. You considered pushing it to six, giving JJ time with his father, but your gut went against that idea. Once the fifth minute hit, you didn’t hesitate to follow after their footsteps, power walking through the grass and down the marina.

You immediately spotted a boat sailing away, a certain blonde standing at the edge of the dock watching it leave. You slowed in your steps the closer you got to him, hearing JJ sniffle as he stood there, unmoving.

It wasn’t long before he turned around, throwing what looked like two pill bottles into a wastebin on the dock and walking towards you. You opened your arms, offering a warm embrace to the boy — your boy, who accepted the gesture gratefully.

You two stood there, swaying in each other arms as he breathed what sounded like a sigh of relief into your hair.

“...I love you.” He said, voice watery and wavering but the statement remained loud and clear.

You sighed, hugging JJ tighter before pulling back and cradling his face in your hands, wiping his tears away and kissing his lips. Pulling away, you looked him in his eyes. “I love you.” You smiled, the boy returning it in full before the both of you turned around to leave the dock, a hand slung over each of your shoulder’s.

“OH, LOOK!” Pope’s voice traveled as you reversed the truck in the direction of the nearly fully submerged Twinkie. “The turtle and the tortoise.” He threw out. “Where the hell were you guys?!”

You looked to JJ, not saying a word. It was his choice.

“Luke was at The Chateau.” He sighed, grabbing the tools and the winch from the backseat.

“Oh, great!” Pope scoffed. “While you two were having family time with your pops, John B got bit by a gator.”

“Wait, for real?” JJ paused, standing with the tools swinging in his hands.

“I was just about to ask…” You trailed off, pointing at John B and Sarah, who was tending to his leg — The four of them sitting on top of the van.

“Does it look like we’re joking?” Kiara replied, pointing to the large gash on JB’s leg.

“How the hell did that even happen?” You asked, walking closer to the group with JJ trailing behind.

“How did it happen?” John B asked incredulously. “I got bit by a gator!” He repeated Pope’s words.

“I don’t know why I’m getting yelled at, no one told you to drive your van into a pond!” You defended – you, Pope, and John B’s voices merging into one.

“You’re being yelled at because it’s been twenty minutes-!”

“-Since when did two miles turn into two hours?!”

“We got here as fast as we could-”

It was voice on top of voice until one overtook everyone else’s. “Shut up!” JJ bellowed, the loudest you’d ever heard him yell. Everyone fell silent at his outburst, looking down at their shoes or at the blonde in shock. “Seriously, guys, I can’t take it anymore, alright?” He said. JJ was never the serious one of the group, so this was a bit nerve-wracking. “Everyone, just…cut it out for a second.” He sighed, setting the tools down and leaning against a tree.

“...Look, I just helped my dad leave this island for good.” He scoffed, a small smile on his face. “Like, he’s not ever comin’ back. He’s straight up like the Spanish. Just, “Bon voyage.” The five of you shared a look, noting his mistake but you shook your heads, choosing not to acknowledge it and let him speak. “All we got…I know for a fact, all I’ve got is you guys, okay?” He said, eyes drifting towards you. “You’re it. And I’ve come too close to losing you,” He said, eyes leaving you now to look at everyone else. “All of you.”

“I mean, shit,” He said, pointing to you. “You almost drowned. Plus…some other shit we won’t mention for sensitivity purposes.” He said, a small smile spreading across your face as he shifted his focus. “Pope, you were kidnapped. Sarah, you’ve been shot. And John B, you were just almost dinner for a fuckin’ gator, bro.” He listed. “So, this blaming each other is some Kook-ass bullshit, alright?” He said, walking over to you and throwing an arm over your shoulder. “We don’t do that. Okay? We’re Pogues.” He finished, silence clouding the air around you all. “Sorry. That was…a lot, right now…”

The five you eyed each other, smiling before clapping for JJ’s speech.

“Well done.” Pope smiled.

“I gotta be honest, that was the best freakin’ speech you have ever given.” John B laughed. “Also, you should think about, like, a Rosetta Stone because your Spanish and French are flip-flopped.” He said to which JJ flipped the boy off with both hands, the clapping dying down.

“We should Bon Voyage out of here.” Sarah joked, raising her hand in the air.

“Agreed.” Kie chuckled.

“Alright,” JJ waved off, picking up the abandoned tools. “Let’s get this damn Twinkie out of here.”

THE DOORS OF FREEDMAN’S CHURCH CREAKED AS YOU PUSHED THEM OPEN, dust kicking up from the small action as moth’s fluttered around you all.

“Okay, you’re tellin’ me Denmark Tanny decided to hide the cross here?” JJ asked, being the first to walk further into the church.

“Okay, everybody, just spread out.” Kiara suggested.

“If I was an old cross and wanted to be hidden in an old church, where would I hide?” John B spoke absentmindedly. Pope paid none of you any mind, on the prowl for anything. He was even on the floor, looking at the cracks in between the wooden planks.

“Are we sure that Denmark hid the cross here?” JJ questioned, hands on his hips as he looked around the nearly empty, worn down church. “Like, are we at the right church?”

“It’s gotta be here somewhere, guys…” Pope assured, standing to his full height. “It has to be.”

“I can’t see where they would hide a giant cross in here.” John B said, throwing his arms out as you stood in the middle of the small building, looking around at any and everything.

“No.” Pope shook his head, voice rising. “There’s no way he would set us up on a wild goose chase-”

“I get it, I get it-” John B tried to calm.

“-To a church that has nothing!”

“Yes, I get it!” John B defended, shoulders square as Pope paced. “I don’t know what to tell you, man…”

“The clues led us here.” Pope stood firm. “The cross is in this church.” He said, sitting down on one of the worn pews. You continued to look — if Pope said it was here, then you were inclined to believe so.

“Pope, it’ll be alright.” John B tried to soothe. “We’ve had setbacks in the past and we’ve figured it out. We’re gonna find it. We’ve just gotta think about this logically…” John B offered as you looked, walking slowly around but there was nothing. Nothing on the floor, on the walls, on the… “Where else would you hide a seven-foot-tall cross made of gold?”

Ceiling.

“Up there.” You and Pope said in unison, shooting each other a look.

“What?” JJ asked, neither of you responding as you just focused your sights on the structure above your heads — the beams holding up the roof of the church were shaped like three crosses. The rest of your friends followed your gazes, quickly catching on to the observation the two of you had made.

“Oh my God…” Kiara said softly.

Unlike you, however, Pope was quick to spring into action — your eyes catching him as the boy seemed to spot holes in the wall, perfect for climbing. “Pope.” You called once.

“Hey, Pope, no.” JJ called.

“Now, Pope’s climbing the wall…”

“Pope, this church is old.” Kiara warned, but he never stopped climbing, reaching the height he needed to climb onto the support beam. “Like, really old. This isn’t safe.”

Pope ignored all of your protests, the wood chipping and falling underneath his feet. He managed to stabilize himself on the beam, hugging the wood before knocking on it — a simple thudding sound ringing out. “Okay, this one’s solid wood.” He cleared, beginning to climb over to the next one. “I’m gonna try the other beam.”

At this point, your protests had died down, accepting the fact that he was already up there and he wasn't coming down. Once he made it to the other beam, he knocked again — the same thudding sound ringing out.

“I hate to break it to you but that’s solid wood.” JJ called out as Pope tried to manuever his way to the third cross.

“It has to be here.” Pope stuck by his statement. “I know it.”

“Okay, Pope, just please be careful of the giant wasp’s nest above your head, please.” You warned, the boy glancing above his head to spot the insects buzzing dangerously around their hive.

“Just move slow, alright?” John B added, Pope doing as he advised. Attempting to put his foot on the third beam had a sizeable chunk of wood chipping off and falling to the floor.

“Whoa, hey!” JJ protested, the five of you backing up and shielding your eyes from the dust and debris falling.

“...Look.” Pope said, looking down at the group of you and back at the beam. “It’s hollow.” He whispered to himself. “Go get me a crowbar!” He instructed. Sarah, being the closest to the exit, immediately ran to go get one.

“What’re you gonna do, Pope?” JJ asked, face twisting in uncertainty. “I don’t want this whole church to collapse on top of us. That’s all I’m sayin’...”

It wasn’t long before Sarah returned with the crowbar in hand, quickly tossing it up to Pope who caught it with ease — this is the most coordinated he’s ever been in all your years of knowing him.

“Okay, Pope, just go slow. Watch out for that nest, okay?” John B warned once more.

Pope nodded and began hacking away at the wood, small planks falling to the floor as you all shielded your eyes from the dust until it settled — watching your friend chip away at the beam.

“...Do you guys see that?” You were the first ask, noting how the small stream of sunlight coming through one of the windows illuminated something inside of the support post — making it gleam and glitter. Wood doesn’t do that. But gold does…

Pope continued to hit and beat the wood, eventually hooking onto a large, weak section — rendering him able to pull an entire section off, revealing the intersection of the cross. The Cross of Santo Domingo.

“Holy shit…”

“It’s here. Oh my God…”

Pope stared at the object in awe as you all got more excited with each passing second — smiles and laughter filling the emptiness of the church.

“Yeaaaah!” Pope basically roared, chipping away at more of the wood.

“I thought you were crazy!” Kiara laughed out, watching as Pope revealed the entirety of the cross.

“We did it!” The boy cheered from the ceiling, the five of you jumping into each other and cheering.

But all of the noise and commotion must’ve ticked off the wasp’s above Pope’s head. “Ah- okay, they’re stinging now.” He said, swatting his hands around his head. “Ow!” He exclaimed, dropping the crowbar to the floor and aimlessly swinging his hands around.

Trying to swat one away from his ear resulted in the boy knocking himself off balance and falling off the beam, now swinging by his hands.

“Pope!” You exclaimed along with the rest of your friends. “The pews! Move the pews and get the cushions!” You instructed, the five of you pushing the pews into the corners of the church and taking the dusty pillows and piling them under Pope’s feet. “Just hang on, Pope!”

“I can’t!” He said, one of his hands giving out, now leaving the boy hanging by one as he continued to get stung by a family of angry wasps. “I’m slipping guys!” Was the last warning he gave before he fell from the ceiling and onto the bed of cushions you all had made.

Crowding around him, he didn’t say anything as you all looked him over. It was only seconds before his eyes went wide and he rolled to the side — the five of you confused before looking up and seeing the cross tumbling down and ducking out of the way.

You all took a few breaths before going back over to Pope who was curled up in a ball on the floor.

“Pope? You okay?” Kie asked.

“Yeah, I’m good.” He exasperated, making no moves to sit up. “Just gimme a second to catch my breath.” He requested, all of you backing up a few feet.

You, Sarah, and Kiara sat in front of Pope, keeping an eye on him as JJ and John B examined the cross that lodged into the floor, sticking up.

“You did it, Pope…” JJ cooed, trailing the cross with his fingers.

“The details are insane…” John B noted. “And here’s why Limbrey wanted that key so bad.” He said, crouching down and rubbing his thumb over a keyhole just below the center of the cross.

“How much do you think she’s worth?” JJ discussed with John B as you three helped Pope sit up straight, noting the swelling on his face. “Like, if we melted her down? I’m thinkin’ high millions.”

“No, this belongs in a museum.” John B argued.

“What? So, no one sees her?” JJ countered, the boys going back and forth.

“In a museum where everyone sees it.”

“It’s not up to you.” You cut in, both of your friends turning to you. “Either of you. It’s Pope’s family. It’s his choice.”

“Right.” JJ backed down. “Okay, okay.”

“This is bigger than money.” Pope spoke, even though it seemed like he was struggling to. “The world’s gotta know the truth.”

“Yes,” John B agreed. “And if we don’t get this shit out of here before Limbrey gets here, nobody’s gonna know.” He reasoned.

The five of you agreed, crowding around the large, gold object and each grabbing an end. On the count of three, you all lifted the cross — the solid gold heirloom being even heavier than you could’ve ever anticipated. With the six of you lifting it at full strength, you could make it to the car. But that wasn’t the case, considering Pope could barely see.

“Guys, I can’t…” He breathed out, his end of the cross getting lower and lower as he lost the willpower to hold it up.

“Pope, just hang on.” JJ tried to coax, but it was no use. In the next few seconds, Pope would completely let go of the cross and collapse against one of the pews — the entire cross falling to the floor without the extra support as you all let go.

“Dammit, yo!” JJ exclaimed, throwing a hand out in Sarah’s direction. “You almost dropped it on my foot!”

“Because I’m the only one lifting it!” She argued.

“Guys!” Pope cut in, groaning. “Guys, I’m not okay…” He struggled out, the five of you slowly crowding around him. “I’m not okay, I can’t-” He cut himself off this time, taking a huge gasp of air in his lungs. Or at least attempting to.

“What’s wrong?” Kiara worried.

“How many times did he get stung?” You wondered aloud.

“His face is all puffy…” Sarah noted.

“I think I’m - *gasp* - having an allergic reaction.” He said, continuing to gasp for air.

“Okay, we need to get him help.” You urged, the first one to lift his body from the pew, slinging one of his arms over your shoulder as Kiara got the other. “He’s probably going into anaphylactic shock.”

“Okay, c’mon. JJ, hide the cross.” John B directed, the blonde throwing cushions and whatever over the cross in a pointless attempt to hide it as you escorted a wheezing Pope out of the church.

“JJ, come on!” You urged, getting Pope to the car as fast as you could.

“I didn’t hide it well enough!” He called out, closing the doors to the church since he was the last one out.

“It doesn’t matter!” You reprimanded. “We need to get Pope some help.” You reminded — you and Kie loading Pope into the back of you truck, Kie jumping in beside him as John B and Sarah jumped in The Twinkie, JJ hopping into the passenger seat.

“Just hang on, Pope! We’re goin’!” JJ tried as you went around to the driver’s seat. A branch breaking in the woods caught your attention for a brief second — pausing in your tracks, hand grasping the door handle as your eyes fleeted across the wooded area suspiciously. “What’re you doing?” JJ asked, voice full of panic as he pulled you from your thoughts.

Your head whipped to him, then to the woods as you squinted your eyes, then back to him. “I thought I heard something.” You said simply, shaking it off and jumping in the driver’s seat, turning on the ignition. “Sorry. Just hang on a little longer, Pope.” You said, pressing your foot against the pedal as your truck sped off. “Just a little longer…”

next chapter>

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