#aliester rourke

[swampwitched]

more lines from book 2

it’s ENDLESS SUMMER time

[bruiseorbebruised]

[cue Lizzo’s Boys] I like them Boooooooooooooys!

To match my female set I also tried t o draft up what the boys of ES would look like if they were in this art style. 

[endless-vall]

The map - part 10 - Endless Summer fanfic

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Summary: Aliester hopes that bringing Jake and Taylor together, would bring back their memories of each other. But their reunion doesn’t go as planned, and Aliester’s plan starts to fall apart altogether.

Author’s note: We’re in chapter 10! Could you believe? 

And it’s not even the end! I think i’m aiming for 15 chapters total, so five more chapters to go! Are you ready?? I’m so excited.

I apologize in advance for not bringing Jake x Taylor back just yet, but it’s worth the wait 😉

Rating: T for language, and the next part is much, much darker, so brace yourselves!

Tagging @endlessly-searching-for-you @mariamatsuo @endlessflame @writtenbycandy​ @diamond-dreamland @asprankle Comment on this post to let me know if you wanna be tagged as well.

Taylor scoffed loudly, startled by their rude guest who apparently knew Mike.

“Mike? You know this ass?” She turns around, making an annoyed loud step with her foot to make sure to point out how unhappy she was with him.

“Oh... My.” Mike’s jaw drops. “Jakey?” He doesn’t waste another moment, walking over to him and pulling him into a warm hug.

Jake hugs back, unsure how this could be really happening, but too happy to question it, at least just yet.

“I missed you so much!”

“Me too, pal.” They smile at each other, finally breaking apart.

Taylor stands in the corner, her hands folded over her chest.

She looks between the two, and finally, sighs.

“Wanna come inside?” Mike asks, gesturing to both Aliester and Jake.

Jake takes the invitation and strides inside, while Aliester hangs back and walks over to Taylor.

“Everything’s alright?” He asks her, checking up on her.

Taylor’s eyes light up in surprise, but she nods reassuringly.

“Yeah, I just got a little taken aback by this... Wild guest.” She concludes. “I don’t like him.” She makes a point, and then motions for Aleister to follow her.

She misses the face-palm he gives himself, and he follows her suit.

They share a coffee with their guests, Mike and Jake catching up after being years apart.

It’s like they never left each other’s side.

Aliester and Taylor fall into another conversation, the plan going remarkably wrong.

Eventually, night time falls and they have to say goodbye, promising to visit back soon.

As they walk to the car, Aliester promising to drive Jake back to his mother’s place, he sighs deeply.

“Oh, right!” Jake exhales.

“What is it?” Aliester asks, even though his spirits are down. He really did think that reuniting Jake and Taylor would work, would solve all their problems.

“The girl,” Jake notes.

“What about her?” He has a fraction of hope, if only for one second.

“You wanted me to do something with her? To help her?” Jake’s eyebrows furrows and Aliester rolls his eyes.

“Honestly? I’m not sure you can.” Aliester shrugs.

Jake blinks at him, studying his features. “What do you mean?” He asks, finally.

“Tell me Jake, what did you feel when you looked at her?”

Jake takes a deep breathe, trying to sort out his thoughts.

He thinks that whatever answer Aliester’s looking for... Well, he couldn’t supply it.

“Well, I have to admit I barely interacted with her, I was so busy with-”

“Mike, yes.” Aliester cuts him but continues. “But try, just for a second, to think of her. To imagine her in your head. Do you feel something?”

Jake doesn’t see any use in that but he does as he’s told.

A very clear picture of Taylor forms in his brain.

He’s a little surprised how good he remembers her, in how much detail.

He barely had seen her once and he didn’t really dwell on any detail, to be honest.

Her long, blond locks laying on her delicate shoulders, her deep green eyes reminding him of tropical areas he’s been to, and her smile, who was definitely not directed at him, able to light up the whole room.

And yet...

He feels nothing.

“Jake?” Aliester calls him back into reality, awaiting reply.

Jake shakes his head, sighing. “Nothing.” He admits.

“I feel nothing.” He looks over to Aliester. It’s definitely not the answer he’s been expecting, it’s written all over his face.

Aliester nods. “So I feared.” He says, barely out loud. So low it was more of a whisper.

And while Jake wants to question him, to ask why was this girl so important, he doesn’t.

He can see the driveway to his old house, instead, and is eager to get out of the car.

To get out of his old life, even.

Aliester parks the car, and they share one last look.

“I...” Aliester speaks up first. “I took the liberty to inform them of your innocence.” He tells him. “Just so that they won’t freak out when you appear in their doorstep.” He adds, sending Jake a light smile.

At first, he isn’t sure how to respond. But a few second later he smiles back. “Sure. I appreciate it. Thanks.” He extends his hand towards Aliester.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” 

Clearing his name, going all the way to Costa-Rica to get him, bring him back to the states and bring him together with both Mike and his family?

Aliester clasped his hand with Jake’s, nodding at him approvingly.

Didn’t go without saying. Aliester did that extra mile for him. So...

Jake could do the same.

“And don’t give up hope just yet.” He tells him, before getting out of the car.

“About Taylor.” He makes sure to note, as he strides his way towards his house.

Aliester nods, watching him go.

He can see Jake knocking nervously over the front door. Then an older woman opening it, and throwing her arms around him, collecting him into a warm and tearful hug. 

Another girl joins the hug, and Aliester drives off knowing he left Jake in good arms.

[terrible-choices]

thank you for coming to this week's session of 'life lessons with aleister and fallon'

[bobasheebaby]

Tags: @speedyoperarascalparty @liamxs-world @annekebbphotography @syphaxs @hopefulmoonobject @itsstillnotwhatyouthink @riseandshinelittleblossom @cocomaxley @ao719 @blackwidow2721 @katurrade @leelee10898 @stopforamoment @akrenich @cora-nova @gardeningourmet @daniv2278 @bella-ca @gibbles82 @choiceslife @tornbetween2loves @sleepwalkingelite @carabeth @traeumerinwitzhelden @blackcatkita @boneandfur @bobbersb @endlessflame @kadencantarella @innerpostmentality @imma-winchester-addict @strangerofbraidwood @darley1101 @sirbeepsalot @itsalliepg @likethetailofacomet @salt-n-burn-em-all @debramcg1106 @blackcoffee85 @super-secret-fandom-blog @badthingshappenbingo

Departure- The Rise chapter 1

Pairing: Sean x F!MC (Coral Grady)

Written for @badthingshappenbingo Fandom: Choices Endless Summer  Square filled: Thwarted Escape

Word count: 2,209 Warnings: angst, dark!fic?, gore? Summary: The catalysts head home only to find everything has changed. A/N: My MC is Coral Grady and she is dating Sean. This happens after the start of the apocalypse. Thank you to both @itsstillnotwhatyouthink and @blackcatkita for proofreading for me. The dialogue and a lot of the set up comes from Endless Summer Book 2 chapters 13 & 14. This chapter is fairly mild.

Series Warnings: death, rotting flesh, gore, blood, biting, turning, blood consumption, may get NSFW. It’s zombies, it ain’t gonna be pretty! By requesting to be tagged you acknowledge you are at least 18 years old and can stomach the gore.

If you need to avoid The Rise postings, filter #choices zombie au or #the rise to ensure you won’t see my zombie fic posts.

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist. Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters, I’m simply borrowing them for a bit.

Keep reading

[flochisms]

one more minute - a quinn x male mc fic

i’ve noticed that quinn is quite underappreciated within the choices fandom, so i decided to write this, enjoy!

summary: luke and the rest of his friends finally find a way to escape la huerta, but what happens when his connection to the island and relationship with rourke may prevent him from going?

[[this actual chapter hasn’t come yet, it’s just a fanfiction sdjhs]]

word count: 838 (1,012 with alternative ending).

“luke, hurry!”

sirens blasted around luke as he ran, panting within every breath. his eyes searching for one person and one person only.

her.

luke ran to catch up to quinn and the group, but the metal doors slammed in front of his face.

“no!” he yelled, slamming his fists onto the door. he heard something, or someone ram into the door and saw a pair of eyes looking through the small glass window.

“i’ll be alright, craig,” he assured as he heard craig let out a pained sob.

luke looked through to see all of his friends smiling sadly at him. he noticed diego sniffling as varynn held him, zahra rubbing her thumb across craig’s brusied knuckles as michelle cleaned up some of the scrapes, jake and mike embracing, everyone just comforting each other.

they were a family, a broken one, but a family.

time had finally caught up with reality. everett rourke was more determined than ever to turn luke and his friends into lab rats, but luke was making sure that his friends got off the island safely.

his wife-to-be walked up to the glass, placing her hand on it gently. luke smiled sadly at her, wondering how she was always so optimistic, even in the saddest of situations. he placed his hands against hers, only meeting cold plastic rather than soft skin.

“i love you, quinn. i love all of you,” luke stated. the group started to recompose themselves, “and that is why you all need to go, now. i’ll catch up, i swear-”

“no!” estella shouted, running for the metal door as sean and jake held her back. tears ran down her face as her hair fell to her eyes.

“yes,” luke said, “go.”

estela looked up at her friend, eyes bloodshot red. with a small nod, she turned and began to lead the group. raj and grace gave luke a small wave, hoping they’d be able to see him again.

with a deep breath, luke turned around and heard stomps approaching. he looked back one last time to meet quinn’s eyes.

“i love you,” she whispered, sighing as she ran to catch up with the group.

everett rourke opened the door from the other side, smirking as he saw the boy. tetra and fiddler entered shortly after.

luke glared at rourke. “rourke, enough is enough. it’s time you and i have this conversation, alone.”

the businessman rolled his eyes, shooing his workers away. “oh, how i have waited for this moment,” rourke smirked. “sure, the rest of the group is interesting, but you, luke, you are quite different from the rest.”

luke ignored the chills that went up his spine, standing tall against the man whom he loathed. the man who was taking everything from him. with clenched teeth, luke found his fist connecting with the man’s jaw. he was sick of everything. he just wanted rourke to leave him alone.

rourke stumbled back, surprised by the sudden contact. however, he only smiled and punched luke in the stomach. “stop. fighting.” rourke commanded. luke scoffed. “i’m not like your other toys, rourke. you can’t control me.” he punched the man in the nose and heard a crack.

however, the metal door with the glass door suddenly opened and luke ran through, the doors shutting immediately. “come on!” zahra shouted. luke grinned as he saw all of his friends.

“luke!” quinn yelled, running to him. he grinned as she leaped into his arms, his arms instantly tightening around her. “you’re okay,” he sighed happily. “you’re all okay!” she smiled and caressed his cheek. “did you really think that we would leave without you, that i would leave without you?”

luke grinned. “i couldn’t imagine it any other way.”

aliester coughed awkwardly in the background, causing jake to smirk. “sorry to break up your little...reunion, but we’ve got places to go,” the blonde stated. luke put his lover down.

“we found an exit. we don’t know if it will work, but we have to try,” michelle said. sean smiled at her, nodding. he was proud of the woman she had become. “we can get there in ten minutes if we move quickly,” sean stated.

“well, what are we waiting for then? you heard him, let’s go!” jake said, running in the direction michelle was pointing towards. the group found themselves at an odd portal shortly after, one that looked nothing like the one they had found months ago.

“where does it lead to?” craig asked. luke grabbed quinn’s hand, smiling at her. diego grabbed his other and smiled at his best friend. varynn grabbed diego’s hand and the whole group eventually found themselves lined up with one-another.

“only one way to find out.”

the group jumped in and found themselves spinning through time. everyone began to float as rainbow swirls danced around them. luke’s lips found quinn’s and whether the two of them made it home together or not, luke just wanted to hold his fianceé for one more minute.

[end].

ALTERNATIVE ENDING (just continue on from the previous sentence):

luke felt time separating them apart. “quinn,” he whispered, a tear falling from his eye. he didn’t want to leave her, not like this, not ever. this was the woman he had been planning to marry. “n-no!” quinn shouted as she lost his grip. “i love you,” luke declared.

the group hit the ground and found themselves staring at a sight that seemed all to familiar.

“we...we’re home!” craig grinned, looking at the hartfeld football field. sean clasped a hand on his shoulder. “not all of us, buddy...”

the group turned to see quinn sobbing. michelle knealed down next to her. “quinn...he, he probably just landed somebody else. he’s here, don’t worry.” 

quinn shook her head. “the island...he’s at the island,” quinn said softly. michelle frowned while jake walked over to quinn. “ariel...i’m sorry.”

quinn’s body shook as she cried, thoughts becoming fuzzy. she didn’t hear everyone pitying her. she was only focused on the small ring against her chest. “i love you too, luke,” she whispered, a tear falling onto it.

[sophie-summer]

All I need

Universe : Endless Summer

Pairing : Jake x MC

Prompt : Travel

Tagging : @hollyashton and @angelschoices

Author’s Note: I hope I’m still on time for the prompt. I didn’t have too much time in the week, so I had to do this as fast as I could. Sorry if you find some misspell. Enjoy it.

When the cell phone vibrated the second time, I was awake. When the music started, I was about to turn off the alarm. 5:30 am. I wasn’t a morning person, rather I was just the opposite. Everything that was before 10:00 a.m. seemed to me too early and my mood depended directly on the time I got up, the later, the better. But since the night before I was anxious about the trip, suddenly I was the 8-year-old girl who was unable to sleep because of the excitement of what awaited her the next day, and in the few moments of sleep, the only thing present in them, were related to the trip, what would happen and in all the scenes that my mind had imagined being awake. Checking in the calendar the days waiting for the one marked with red letters. So when the time indicated by the alarm arrived I was more than willing to leave the warmth and comfort of my bed.

It seemed incredible, but somehow everything returned to normal, returning only a week had passed, the same time we had to spend there. As it is logical to suppose, we decided to keep the secret, anyway it’s not as if someone would believe anything we said. Time travel, mythical and prehistoric creatures, a tribe of blue people with exceptional abilities? No, I don’t think so, that would definitely have bought the 11 of us a trip to the insane asylum, but not one back.

We didn’t see each other as regularly as we thought, but sometimes I gathered with the girls to catch up, went to games to encourage Sean and Craig, attended some parties together, we managed to have each other class in common. We even had some slumber parties in the apartment where Michelle and Quinn now lived.

But that day was different. The group was never complete, not really. Ever since we came back to the USA, it was always missing a person, someone with blue eyes and a crooked smile. Whose absence always dimmed a little the brilliance of such quietness.

Upon our return, Aliester and Grace, with the help of their influence in belonging to the Rourke and Hall families respectively, were trying to prove Jake’s innocence. However, things were not so simple, it had taken time and still had not been achieved. If he tried to return to the country he would be arrested immediately … as long as the authorities find out. I was not the only one tired of not getting results, and although it was fun to go to Costa Rica in any vacation period, it wasn’t enough, we all wanted things to be resolved.

Jake struggled to hide everything under a lopsided grin and with his unequaled sarcasm, but every time it was time to go home, the fun of his smile wasn’t reflected in his eyes, the glow of them was softened and his sarcasm it became empty.

But that day, that day was different from the others. That day we would finally meet the 12, there in our home. I don’t know how, but Aliester made arrangements so Jake could come a few days undetected, because what was the use of power if you didn’t use it in your own convenience from time to time.

I loved the beach. Everything in it made me feel safe, happy, free … the sand on my feet, the warm breeze caressing my skin, the saltpeter sticking in my nose, the sound of the waves breaking on the shore, the way the water changed its color depending on the sky. Not even all the craziness we went through at La Huerta could change that. So when Aliester gave us the news of Jake coming to the country, one thing led to the other and plans were made.

When I was ready and had assured myself for the tenth time that nothing was missing, I took my things and left the dorm. We’d been meeting in the apartment that Quinn and Michelle shared, there, the bus that we rented would pick us up.

7:15 am. I hurried forward, that 15 minutes late was ensuring a good reprimand from Michelle. The place where they lived was near the campus, so it wouldn’t take me more than 10 min to get there on foot.

“Do you want a ride?” A car pulled up beside me, and in the driver’s seat I recognized Sean.

“Oh! you’re my lifesaver, if I come with you Michelle isn’t going to murder me.” I smiled at him and approached the car. “Will you help me with the door?” I lifted the container.

“Sure.” He reached back to open the door, and I managed as best I could to sit in the back seat.

“Hey Princess.” Every hair on my body reacted before the sound of him voice. Sean and Craig were together everywhere, so I assumed who was in the passenger seat was him, but Jake was the last person I was waiting for.

The last time we saw each other, we had agreed not to continue with our relationship, it didn’t do us any good. I only lived in the few days that we spent the one in the arms of the other, the other days were a blurred intermediate between the times that I went to Costa Rica. He told me that he wanted me to have a normal life, to go out with kids of my age, who go to college just like me. But when he said that he didn’t know that my life without him was not life, that I didn’t care for any other man than him, and that I spent a whole month crying after that.

“Hey Jake.” And I couldn’t say anything else after that.

Almost all of them were there, except for Craig. And we had to wait for him to arrive during two hours. We spent the first 20 minutes joking … after that, well everyone began to despair. In that time we were able to prepare the food that was missing, to go and buy breakfast for everyone and to put our things in the vehicle. There was even time to go and buy the domino game that the boys had forgotten. Finally after half an hour more waiting, Craig showed up with in the apartment with a huge cooler.

“Why the hell did you take so long?” Zahra shouted at once.

“I was looking for something important, babe.” Craig replied.

“What is so important to have us all morning waiting? … and do not call me babe”

Craig’s face brightened with a smile, as if he had been waiting for that specific question. He opened the cooler and out of it he took out a six-pack of beer.

“Booooooze!” He yelled.

“Beer, Craig? Really? “Complained Michelle.

“Don’t worry Meech, I brought everybody’s favorite.”

“You’re already forgiven.” Jake said, patting Craig on the back.

With Craig finally there, there was only one thing to do. We all settled into the seats. I was one of the people who believed that if you went somewhere, the fun started from the time you got up, and that was just what we did. The trip was full of laughter, Craig had to put up with jokes at his expense for being late, and Zahra took care of much of it, we sang at full lungs the songs out of tune, there were many stolen kisses and silly giggles. And many, many photos. Although none of that compared to the looks that Jake and I were throwing during the entire journey. Some things never changed.

The sheen of the sea greeted us when we arrived. The view was incredible. Miles of white sand that contrasted perfectly with the water. Blue and white. And around that, there were numerous palms giving away their shadow here and there. The sky had been stripped of any cloud to let the sea reflect its color with great intensity. I could almost feel the water surrounding me. I just had to take a few more steps and I would be there. Best of all, that part was completely empty.

The boys were in charge of accommodating the heaviest things, chairs, table, the cooler. And we took the food, though Aliester as always didn’t want Grace to raise her own purse. If it hadn’t been for my control, my feet would have led me to the water immediately.

We finished fixing what was missing and did what we most wished, at least I was wanting it more than anyone. I took off my clothes as fast as I could and didn’t resist the temptation any longer. The others soon joined me in the water, except for Estela and Zahra. Each of them looked as happy as I felt.

After a few minutes arguing, Sean, Jake, and Craig headed to the waterfront. Though only Craig could take over of Zahra, it was a good idea that two took over Estela, because despite twisting, fighting and protesting as much as she could, they both ended up in the water.

We spent a lot of time playing, sprinkling water on us and we also tried to make a pyramid, and I say we tried, because on the third attempt Craig thought that maybe I needed a little push to go up, and that’s how Quinn, Grace and I fell on the others in a mixture of hair and limbs. Aliester almost had a heart attack and from that moment he didn’t let Grace take more than two steps if he wasn’t beside her anymore. Raj received a poke in the face from Quinn. And I was the one that had better luck, most of the impact of my fall was caught by Jake, but I knew it wasn’t luck at all. After checking out no one had broken any bones, Michelle made sure Craig thought twice before doing any other nonsense that day.

Afterward, no one had the courage to continue in the water, and with the roaring stomachs we decided to take a break to eat. The food was delicious. And surprisingly, my part wasn’t so bad. When everybody had eaten, some of the guys installed the domino game.

The rest of the afternoon passed the same, for times we went back to the water, went out, played, or just basked in the sun.

Craig fell asleep face down on the sand. And Zahra, believing that no one saw her, laid down on him and stayed like that for a long time. Of course nobody missed the opportunity to make a million photos of that scene. Sean and Michelle disappeared for two hours, and only God knew where they had gone, and what they were doing. Estela and Quinn defeated me and Grace playing Volleyball but it was a lot of fun anyway.

At the end of the afternoon, the bus picked us up again and we prepared to leave that piece of heaven on earth. The return trip wasn’t as energetic as the one out. We were all tired and those who hadn’t fallen asleep already, soon would. Curled up against each other, Michelle and Sean, Craig and Zahra, Quinn and Estela, Grace and Aliester. Raj was sprawled in a single seat, snoring like a tractor.

While it was comforting to feel Diego’s arms encircling my shoulders, I would have given anything for feeling Jake’s instead. To cradle me in his chest. Let him rest his head on mine. And stroked my hair until I fell asleep with the sound of his heartbeat as the only cooing.

“How long do you plan to keep the farce?” Diego whispered in my ear. “Because honestly, the sexual tension between you and Jake is almost visible. Did you see how he undress you a little while ago? Besides, now that you were looking at him you had those eyes of lamb.”

“Diiiego!” I pushed him trying to hold back the laughter. “First, you’re not supposed to say that sort of thing, you’re my friend! Second, it’s already too difficult for me to have to pretend I don’t notice those things and third, I wasn’t looking at him like that.”

“No, that’s exactly the kind of thing I should tell you. When do you think to stop pretending that you’re not dying for each other? And let me tell you that you are not better than him faking. ”

“It’s just that …” I could not find the words to describe how I felt at that moment. “It’s just that we both agreed, and we knew it was not going to be easy for any of us when we saw each other again. Besides he was the one who wanted to finish this, it’s not like having sex is going to fix things, and if he wants everything to be like before, isn’t he supposed to be the one who tells me?

"So, you’re telling me that the only thing that stops you from make it right here is you pride?” He said after a few seconds.

“I’m a fool, ain’t I?”

“Definitely.” His eyes flashed with mischief. “But that’s why you got me.”

“What-” He didn’t even let me finish the sentence. Before I know it, he was on his way to where Jake was. “Wait Diego.” I whispered in vain. From my place I saw them exchange a few words, but I couldn’t understand what they said.

But what happened to these guys? First Michelle and now Diego? Did they want to make my life more miserable than it already was?

A raised eyebrow from Jake and a nod from Diego was all my heart needed to pump blood faster than it’d ever been able to.

Jake stood up. I closed my eyes. I could feel every part of my body vibrate with anticipation. Breathing became a very complicated task suddenly. Air in. Someone settled down beside me. Recognizing his warmth was not difficult for me. Air out. He turned to me. Air in. We weren’t touching. I hadn’t even opened his eyes. But for goodness sake! I knew his eyes pierced every inch of me. Air out.

“I know you’re not asleep, Princess.” I forgot how to breathe. I opened my eyes, but didn’t look at him. “How long are you going to stay this way with me?”

“Like what, Jake?” I turned to look at him.

“Like that!” He said and pointed at me. “I know I’m an idiot.” He ran a hand through his hair as if he did every time he despaired, “You know there’s no way I can be away from you for so long, that the only thing keeping us apart is that I’m still a wanted man. We don’t know when it’ll be solved, damn it, we don’t even know if it’ll ever be solved. That’s why I said what I said, I don’t want you to spend your life waiting for something that may never happen. But I can’t bear a second without touching or kissing y-”

"Then do it.” I said in a slight voice, almost begging him to do it, and It was like he knew the words that were going to go out of my mouth, because when I pronounced them he wrapped me in his arms and kissed me.

I put in that kiss each of the seconds of torture that I had to spend during the day wishing it and his lips responded with the same intensity. At last we became one. This time, nothing would separate us again.

In Jake’s arms, the dream was slowly invading me, with that pleasant fatigue that provides so much fun. A warm tingle gripped my chest. I guess happiness felt like that. And I couldn’t help smiling at that thought before falling asleep.

[mollyannice]

Here is a question for every one:

why did Everett rourke protect Lila from her actions of killing Olivia? Why did he hire her when she wasn't someone that had that great of a background? Also why does she look a lot like his dead wife? Rourke is a sentimental man. It's why you constantly see him use aliester's birthdate. It's why he keeps his wife alive in Iris. It could be he keeps Lila around because she is his dead wife's daughter.

I also think that the closer we are to Lila, the more likely she is going to later betray Rourke for us. Lila continues to protect us all and the closer we are to her, the better.

[beserked2]

Sometimes a Memory is not Enough

Entry for round 8 of the ‘Choices Creates Carnival’

Prompt: Friendship

Relationships: Diego and MC (Endless Summer)

Hosts: @hollyashton @firefly-hwufanficwriter

A/N: I read the deadline for the Round 8 entry wrong, so this is late. It’s also long. I wanted to brush off the rust and start writing again, so I wrote this thing because Diego is awesome.

Set just after the group skip into the future and find Rourke in that hybernation pod.

***

Its Estela’s idea to post sentries, because of course it is.

It’s Zahra who groans and says she’s too tired for it, tells Estela to do it herself if it’s that important to her.

Their bickering – if you could call it that – is as snappy and quick as it is to end. It’s Sean that shuts it down, because of course it is.

It’s Grace who figures out who’ll work sentry when. She draws up a timetable in messy scribbles, her eyes darting over to the elevators every few seconds.

It’s Quinn who worries aloud if Jake, Michelle and Aliester are alright upstairs with Everett Rourke. Though with the way Grace is acting, you guess Quinn’s not the only one.

It’s you that watches it all and you know, you know there’s more you should be doing.

You’re not upstairs with the others, waiting for Rourke to wake up from his post-hybernation pod slumber.

You’re not out there, scouring the jungle for Diego and Raj like your heart longs to. The rest of the group would come after you and you won’t do that to them. That’s not your particular brand of stupid.

You’re just there, standing stock still in the middle of The Celestial’s lobby, hating how it’s Craig by your side and not Diego.

You can’t look at Craig, at the rigid set of his shoulders or the tight balls of his fists because that anger is on you. It’s on all of you. Not going back for Raj settles a guilt so deep in you that you’re not sure you’ll ever be able to reach it; to grab it and scrape it away, even if you do manage to get him back. Anger has more use and you almost envy Craig his; wonder at how it is he got past all the other stuff and landed there. Meanwhile all you’ve got in you is your useless guilt and the ache of Diego’s loss.

“I’ll take first watch,” you say, because this isn’t you. You don’t just stand around watching other people work at the problem, no matter what you’re feeling.

The way Sean looks at you is soft, the hand he lays on your shoulder, comforting. “No,” he says gently. “I’ve got the first shift. You should… get some rest.”

You let him have it, because you can see how he wears the weight of losing Raj to the Watchers; how it leeches some of the light from his eyes and you know he carries more than his fair share of the guilt.

Sean wants to say something more, you can see him figuring out how to and you know this is about more than Raj, the Watchers or Rourke. He’s here, comforting you when Quinn is the one with lashes that are still wet from tears.

You take a step back and let Sean’s hand fall from your shoulder. You don’t want to hear it, whatever it is he has to say about Diego; about losing him. Since arriving in La Huerta Diego’s bonded with the group plenty, but Sean doesn’t know him – not the way you do. It’s not fair to Sean, to any of them, but the memory of Diego slipping away from you is still too fresh, too raw, for you to care.

You turn away before Sean can say anything, and it’s not just his eyes you feel watching you leave.

Watching Rourke sleep is about as appealing as standing around the lobby, so instead of making your way to the others, you head towards your room.

Except – God.

Diego had died in your arms in that room and you hesitate outside the door. It hadn’t mattered so much when you’d been given a second chance; when you’d gone back and saved him. He’s gone now though, and there’s no magic necklace for you to grip tight and rewind time. You’ve got nothing to get back the six months he’s spent locked up with the Watchers or worse – dead.

You can’t go in there.

You stand in the hallway, at a loss until something knocks at your shins. You look down to find Furball tugging at the hem of your jeans, trying to pull you along. You don’t know much about the tiny creature, but you know enough to trust him.

It’s not like you’ve got anything else to do, so you follow his bushy blue tail down the hallway. He leads you along to the East Wing and up two flights of stairs before halting in front of the busted in door of Diego’s room.

You’ve kept your room as clean as you found it but Diego’s is the kind of mess that would’ve driven your last foster mother into hysterics and you know it isn’t all the fault of ransacking Watchers.

Empty chip packets and an inordinate number of socks litter the floor. Dirty dishes and discarded clothing cover nearly every other available surface. The mattress has been overturned and on the bare base of the bed you spy Diego’s portable hard drive, battered and cracked open.  

Everything is cast in a gentle blue glow from the aquariums that line the walls; the dead fish in them floating somewhere near the ceiling. It’s fitting, you think, to be find a place that looks as sad and as lonely as you feel.

You take one step forward, then another and another and surround yourself with Diego’s things. Furball is busy freezing the dregs of soda in the bottles stacked by the bathroom and you sit down on the floor at the edge of the bed, turning the broken hard drive over in your hands.

Diego would be heartbroken, with actual tears in his eyes if he could see it. Hours and hours he’d spent selecting the best, most absolutely necessary, movies that he had to have with him when he left the house. Just in case. Hours more, he’d spent downloading and copying them onto the thing.

Carefully, you tuck the battered plastic into the pocket of one of Diego’s hoodies and fold it up on the floor next to you, to take when you leave.

Not ten minutes later, Furball is nudging something out from between the bed and end-table. Diego’s phone slides face-down on the carpet, towards you.

A sad smile curls your lips. Diego can’t go more than a couple hours without the thing. He’s the type of person that has six apps running in the background and endless notifications littering his lock screen. He’s that person that snaps dozens of selfies and captures every memory like holding it in your head, in your heart, isn’t enough.

You almost wish you were that person too, because right now the memory of him isn’t enough.

You reach for the phone and find it’s still connected to the charger but it’s powered off. The loud melody it makes when you turn it on slices through the quiet like a knife and the luminescent screen is so bright it makes your eyes water.

When they clear it’s a picture of Furball’s face poking out from the head of Diego’s Batman robe on the lockscreen. Your smile is warm this time because yes, Diego would bring his ratty Batman robe to a tropical island.

“His wallpaper used to be a picture of Wonder Woman,” you tell Furball as he clambers onto your lap. You tilt the phone down so he can see. “It takes someone pretty special to dethrone an Amazonian warrior princess, you know.”

“Gotta say, I wouldn’t have pegged you as the comic-book type.” The sound of Jake’s voice startles you so bad you have to fumble to keep ahold of the phone.

You look up to find him leaning in the doorway to Diego’s room, arms folded across his chest, the side of his mouth kicked up in his trademark smirk.

This would be the part where you’d tell him that you’re a woman of many mysteries or that comics were filled with enough awesome they were everyone’s type.

“Diego’s my closest friend,” you say instead, like it’s an explanation, and in a lot of ways it is.

The smirk slips from Jake’s face and he jams his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Yeah,” he sighs. “Yeah, I know, Princess.”

“No you don’t,” you reply quietly. “You don’t even know Diego.”

“Maybe not,” he replies, “but I know you.”

You snort, want to laugh but you can’t. The number of people that really know you amounts to one, and you’d let him slip right through your fingers.

“You don’t think I know you?” Jake asks and you can hear him moving closer but you can’t bring yourself to look at him.

“I know you,” he says again, with more force this time. The toes of his boots edge into the field of your vision. When he crouches down before you, your vision goes blurry – and oh look, there are those tears you were looking for earlier.

“Hey.” Jake’s voice is too quiet – too tender. Heat envelops you as he moves to put his arms around you but you jerk back, away from the warmth, from the comfort he’s offering.

“No. I can’t –“

“Okay,” he says, in that same tender tone and settles beside you instead. “Okay.” He’s close enough that his shoulder is pressed up next to yours; far enough away that you’ve got room to breathe.

You sit in silence for a good long while, the both of you pretending to ignore the tears that roll fat and heavy down your cheeks, the sniffles that are the only things that break the quiet. You were looking for them before, when you were alone and now that you’re not, here they are. You try and will them to stop but typically, they just won’t quit.

Your eyes are so bleary it takes you four attempts to enter the password to Diego’s phone correctly and the picture of Furball is replaced by Diego dressed as Indiana Jones and you as Gandalf. Affection sweeps through you and though the tears don’t stop, they slow.

Beside you, Jake snorts. “You never told me you were such a nerd.”

I thought you said you knew me, you could say – you could tease. That’s too much just now though, and you don’t have it in you to be zippy either.

You tap through to the photo gallery. “I met Diego at a costume party,” you tell Jake as the pictures fan out before your eyes. “It’s our thing.”

“Yeah?” He asks, leaning closer. “Tell me there’s one of you in a princess c-“

“There isn’t,” you reply too quickly.

Jake raises one brow and ever so slowly, the corner of his mouth ticks upwards. “Liar,” he breathes and before you even have the thought to tighten your grip on the phone, it’s plucked from your fingers.

You lunge forward sending Furball leaping off your lap, but Jake’s too fast and he pulls his arm back out of reach.

“What is it, huh? Frilly dress with pink taffeta? Sexy Princess Jasmine? Slave Leia? ”

Your cheeks tinge pink and your efforts redouble. Jake scrambles to his feet, holding his arm above his head as he dances backwards. You follow and the two of you stumble and trip on the overturned mattress, going down in a flurry of limbs.

“Oof,” he grunts as you land atop him. “Those are my kidney’s you’re crushing.”

Uncaring, you climb up the length of him and just as your fingers brush the cool glass, the speakers cackle to life.

“SURPRISE!” Diego’s voice shouts tinny and loud.

Beneath you, Jake freezes but you know this memory, you know it. You pull the phone from Jake’s slack hand and see yourself standing in the doorway to your apartment as Diego throws bits of Christmas wrapping paper at you from behind the camera.

“Why are you throwing rubbish at me?” asks the you in the video.

“It’s confetti!” Diego replies brightly. “Homemade, because that’s how much I care.”

The smile that stretches your lips mirrors the one you wear on the screen.

You don’t need the video to remember this, but you let it play anyway.

***

(Five months earlier)

The wrapping paper is that foil stuff and it glints in the low light as Diego continues to throw at it you from behind his phone. He’s wearing a blonde wig, a red tank that looks awfully familiar and light wash jeans.

“Are you wearing my clothes?” You ask, squinting at him.

“People dress up as Jesus on his birthday. I can dress up as you on yours,” he says, throwing confetti over himself.

He’s the only other person in the room, but you realize then, that this is a surprise party. It’s the giant strip of butcher’s paper hanging behind the television that you notice first. ‘Happy Birthday’ it reads in Diego’s elegant cursive.

Your eyes scan the rest of the apartment and find a white plastic table-cloth patterned with streamers and polka dots taped to the studs of the plaster-less wall that separates your bedroom from everything else. Brightly coloured paper plates are stuck to the other walls in the shape of wonky ‘20’s and crepe paper dangles down from at least a dozen balloons on the ceiling.

“It’s nearly four a.m.” you tell him. The words are curled around a smile as big as the sparkling thing that sits on the counter in front of Diego. “Is that – what is that?”

“Any time is party time and this,” he says, rolling the papier mache over, “is a piñata, also homemade. I’m an awesome friend.”

It looks more like a giant blob of congealed glue rolled in glitter but you love it because not only did he have the thought to give you something like this, he’d made it.  He’d made the effort – gone to the trouble of doing something nice just you on your birthday.

He’d come all the way over here at four in the morning on New Year’s just for you.  

“No,” you tell him, striding forward to wrap your arms around him. “You’re the best friend.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he sighs. “Tell me that when I haven’t just handed you a giant paper ball filled with candy.”

“You threw me a birthday party,” you say more to yourself than to him. “I’ve never had a birthday party before.”

“I know.” His tone is disbelieving. “The only thing sadder than that is this party.”

“It’s great,” you say, pulling away to look around properly. He’s stolen his Uncle’s chilli-pepper lights and wrapped them like boa-scarves around his life-sized cardboard cutouts of Han Solo and Ripley, making them glow an ominous red and the party hats he’s stuck on them, sparkle.

“Prettiest fire hazards you’ve ever seen, right?” He asks. “I know the decorations are ugly, but I thought Han and Ripley’s pretty would take the edge off.”

“It looks amazing, Diego.” You turn back towards him so he can see just how much you mean it. “I love it.” You say it to reassure him, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

“You love the party because you’ve never had one before,” he points out with a roll of his eyes.

You consider your next words carefully. He’d covered his insecurities with humour and faux bravado only moments ago, but he’s letting you see them now and you know this is your chance. You’ve been trying to help Diego with his insecurities for a long while but assuaging them with words alone is surprisingly difficult.

“Maybe not,” you hedge, “but I’ve had friends and I’ve had family and none of them have ever done anything like this for me.”

He already knows it, but he needs to be reminded of the kind of friend – the kind of person – he is. It’s hard to find any as thoughtful or as sweet as he is.

Diego winces. “Stop trying to reassure me. It’s just depressing the both of us.”

“Not me,” you say brightly.

Now that you’ve come around the counter you can see the craft supplies on the table; the little tubs of facepaint that looks like Diego’s already had a go at and yeah, you see it now, the photo of you and him on the bookshelf has been defaced.

“I got bored waiting,” Diego offers in explanation.

“It’s New Years,” you say softly. “You didn’t have to waste it waiting around here for me.”

“The only thing that could make this party worse is if you got off work early and came home to all of this,” he says, swiping a party blower off the table, “with no one here.”

That he didn’t want you to be alone on your birthday goes unsaid.

There’s a warmth that has settled in you since laying eyes on all of this. It swells in your chest now, and you can feel it as it works its way up and out. Your smile broadens, your cheeks lift and for the first time in a very long time, you feel tears – happy ones – pooling in the corners of your eyes.

The sight of them brings Diego up short. “Umm,” he stutters, patting at his wig nervously. “Way to kill the mood.”

You laugh, turning away to swipe at the wet on your cheeks. He’s not comfortable putting things like emotions out in the open; doesn’t like to talk about them at all, if he can help it.

“So, what? Facepaint first?” You ask thickly, trying to lighten the mood for his sake.

“Noob,” Diego sighs, reaching for the bucket full of water next to the couch. “If you’re going to go bobbing for marshmallows, you put the facepaint on after.”

***

The video cuts out there. Water and electronic didn’t mix, Diego had said before tucking the thing away in the bra he’d worn beneath your tank, because, well. Because he was Diego and if he’s going to dress up, he does it right.

“That was the ugliest damn piñata I’ve ever seen,” says Jake.

There’s a lot Jake could have said and your heart warms because of all the things he didn’t.

“The one he made me this year was even uglier,” you say.

Your tears have stopped, but wet still clings to your lashes and with both hands, Jake reaches up to thumb it away.

“Better?” He asks.

You didn’t need the video to remember that night, but seeing Diego’s smile, hearing his voice? It soothes the ache in your heart.

You smile at him, small and wavering. “A little.”

[thebeaumontboys]

1. Maxwell, Michael, Dom

2. Hana, emma, Val

3. Maxwell, Diego, Whitlock

4. Murderking, Tull, Everette Rourke

5. Endless summer, hero

6. Maxwell

7. Corgi, wolf in Tcatf, cat in ilitw

8. Aleister, Adder

9. Grace x Aliester, nerdy sister x Audrey, zahara x Craig

10. Most wanted, endless summer book 2, royal romance book 2, hero

11. The crown and the flame, endless summer, high school story

Choices Community Awards 2017

I don’t know if someone is already doing it ( if yes, link me). If not … I’ll be hosting the Choices Community Awards ( CCA in short ) 2017.

What is CCA?

The Choices Community Awards is your regular VMA, AMA, Grammy, Oscar but for Choices.

Why should I participate?

You want to prove that your Prince Liam is superior to Drake ? Make him win a category ? Or you want to show that Rules Of Engagement (is not crap) ahem is better than the other books. Again vote and make it win its category. Plus it will be a fun event.

How does it work ?

I will first hold a nomination phase in which anyone in any book (or any book/series) can be nominated for a few days. Then I will form a pool featuring all the nominated candidates and you will vote for the winner.

How do I nominate an item?

You can either re-blog this or reply to this post or write a post yourself. However tag it with #CCANoms and also tag me ( @choicesaholic ) on it.

What are the categories ?

There you go :

Best Male Love Interest ( Nominate up to 3 persons. 7 will be nominated for final phase)

Best Female Love Interest ( Nominate up to 3 persons. 7 will be nominated for final phase)

Best Supporting Main Character ( Nominate up to 3 persons. 5 will be selected)

Best Antagonist [ Who was the best villain](Nominate up to 3 persons. 5 will be selected)

Best Main Character [ Which Series’s MC is the best] ( Nominate up to 2 persons. 5 will be selected)

Funniest Character (Nominate up to 3 persons. 7 will be selected)

Cuttest Pet Character [Don’t hate me]( Nominate up to 3 pets. 5 will be selected)

Best Anti-Hero ( Nominate up to 2. 5 will be selected)

Best Side Romance [ Who has the best romance. MC must not be part of the ship. And it must be a canon ship]( Nominate up to 3 . 7 will be selected)

Best BOOK [Not series]( Nominate up to 4. 8 will be selected )

Best SERIES [Not book]( Nominate up to 2. 5 will be selected)

An Example Please ?

#CCANoms @choicesaholic

1.-Liam, Lucas, Raydan

2.-Leah, Quinn, Estella

…

10.- Endless Summer 1, The Freshman 3, It Lives In The Wood 1, Rules Of Engagement Newlyweds

11.- Rules Of Engagement, The Freshman

So please . Re-blog and participate. Please don’t let this flop.

Date Limit for posting who you want to nominate is :

24 December 2017 - 23:59 GMT time

[rightchoices]

grace and aliester were with rourke escaping in a helicopter?? before the explosion iirc. and ik it seems like aliester is a traitor. but i think he did it to save them from the arachnids killing them on escape. rourke no longer needed them alive and it wouldve been easy to take them all out on the gondola

were they?? i totally missed that part omg but yeah i can see that point. i think he let his dad get into his head tho bc either way his dad's plan was to kill them in the end imo so to just turn his friends in didn't look good for him esp when rourke ordered lila to kill them despite telling aleister he wouldn't so it seemed like aleister's only reason for turning them in was to ensure grace was safe which is the reason he did it

[endless-vall]

The map - Part 7 - Endless Summer fanfic

<< First  < Previous , Next >

Summary: Even without their memories, the gang is set up on bringing Rourke down. But is he even the man they think he is? Or did he turn a new page in life?

Author’s note: The story is finally progressing into the turn I’m aiming for, I hope you’ll like it.

If it wasn’t clear until now, I’m pointing out that everyone lost their memory... But they are starting to get it back.

When they need it the most, it’ll become clear. But the bonds they created on La-Huerta... Are stronger than memory-lost can control.

Tagging @endlessly-searching-for-you & @mariamatsuo @endlessflame since they’ve asked! ^^ Comment on this post to let me know if you wanna be tagged as well.

Deciding that trusting Rourke’s son, who betrayed them numerous times, wasn’t a risk worth taking, Jake burned that letter to the ground.

He got back into his cabin, lit up the fire place, and threw in the letter, not thinking twice about it.

After he saw it eaten up by the flames, Jake sighed in relief.

Not all of his memories came back to him, but some things started to become clearer...

Taylor presented her croak-board to Mike.

“Woahhh, Nice!” He commented, his fingers grazing against the rough material.

She grinned at him widely, taking out all of their investigation’s material.

“Ready?” She asked.

“You bet!” He nodded, and they started pinning things down to the board, feeling more motivated and confident in the investigation than ever.

Jake decided it was time to put his curtains up. He promised himself he’d do it, and it was time.

He didn’t know how right he was, that morning, when he decided something was gonna change.

He fumbled with them for a bit, until finally succeeding. 

The light blue curtain danced from the wind outside the window, throwing Jake into another vision of long, lost memories.

Memories of snow, of camping and of... Love-making in a tent.

“I love you...” He heard his own voice saying... but he couldn’t make out the face of the stranger...

Or maybe, it was no stranger, at all.

“I love you too, Jake.” Was all he was sure of.

He heard it loud and clear, in a mellow, warm, loving voice.

He could swear he loved the woman this voice belonged to, even though he didn’t know who the hell she was.

A knock on the door startled him awake, from his day-dreaming.

Shaking his head, as if coming back into reality, he let that dream fade out of existence.

Who could be knocking on his door in this time of day, anyway? He furrowed his eyebrows and rose up from his bed.

He cautiously moved and grabbed the pistol from under his pillow. He tried to make as little noise as possible.

Until he stepped into a cricking tile in his floor and cursed under his breathe.

“Jake, open up! It’s me.” A familiar voice called, and Jake sighed in relief.

He completed the rest of his way and opened up the door. “I almost shot you!” He warned Ben, who came by.

“Wait, you were really gonna shoot me?” Ben furrowed his eyebrows, then his gaze drifted towards the gun in Jake’s hands.

“I guess I can’t really blame you.” He shrugged. “Can I come in?”

Jake shoved his gun into his waistband and moved aside, letting Ben inside. “Sure.”

Ben caught him up on his findings. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

Rourke was the CEO of “Rourke Internationals” until recently an affair he had with one of his scientist was revealed, and he fled.

The whereabouts of his wife, or the scientist were unknown, as were his...

Until now, Jake thought.

But the worst thing that they managed to find out, was actually the scientist’s work.

It turned out that Rourke Internationals didn’t really do what they claimed to be doing, but were possibly conducting illegal experiments and more sinister deeds.

After finishing explaining his findings, Ben eyed Jake. “You’re the only one with whom I could trust this information...” He hesitated. “What do you want to do?” He asked Jake.

“I?” Jake frowned.

His gut, and it seemed his mind, too, were trying to tell him that Rourke did much more than what they found out till now.

It’s as if he knew, for sure, that Rourke was evil and had to be stopped. At all cost.

“Well, people come here from all sorts of backgrounds, and I accept them. I give them a second chance... But Jakey... I have a bad feeling about this guy.

And I trust you.” Ben concluded.

“So it’s up to you. Make a decision, and I’ll follow your lead.” 

Jake hesitated, for a mere moment. But then, he got filled with emotions he didn’t experience for a long time.

Determination, and hope.

The next time he spoke, there wasn’t a grain of hesitation in his voice. 

“We have to bring him down.”

After a few hours of brainstorming, and deciding what was evidence worth saving and which one were mere coincidences, Mike and Taylor stood before an impressive croak-board of incriminating evidence and a trail that could lead them towards the answer they were seeking.

Where the hell was Everett Rourke, and what was he after?

They weren’t sure yet, but they were getting there.

“Woah,” Mike gasped, looking at their almost-masterpiece.

Taylor rose her hand towards him. “High-five?” She suggested, feeling calmer than she did this entire semester.

“High five.” Mike clasped his hand in hers and held onto it.

“Were really good in it.” He commented.

They spent almost the entire weekend coming up with every bit of information worth saving, but it was damn worth it.

“If this whole college thing doesn’t work out, we could work as private investigators!” Taylor chuckled.

“Totally.”

After him and Ben deciding on their game-plan, Ben headed back to his bar.

Jake agreed to meet him there later that day, and start their ‘official’ investigation.

They couldn’t just “take care” of Rourke.

They had no evidence he wasn’t the man he claimed he is.

Well, they kind of had, but they needed to make sure they got the right man.

And an irksome grin wasn’t enough to go by.

They just needed to get him before they he got them, that’s all.

Jake got out of his cabin at sundown, walking over to Taylor’s, as promised.

He still couldn’t place his finger on why the name of the bar had made his heart skip a beat, now than ever before.

Just as he got closer, he saw Everett, or rather “Alaric”, getting out.

Alaric sent him a friendly smile and a nod, and started getting away.

He needed to follow him, he decided, and just in the entrance of the bar, he made a turn.

“Don’t bother.” He felt a firm hand over his shoulder, and froze in his place.

The voice of the figure hovering behind him was familiar, and Jake wondered what he just got himself into.

Jake turned around, as slowly as possible. But he noticed that the hand that was holding him down, wasn’t set to hurt him...

It felt comforting, rather than aggressive.

He gulped, as he recognized the person standing behind him.

“Aleister.” He mouthed. “Why not?” He continued, asking, trying to pull himself together. He was very confused at the moment...

“Because he doesn’t remember a thing.”

[endless-vall]

The map - Part six - Endless Summer fanfic

<< First  < Previous , Next >

Summary: Something shady is going on, both in Hartfeld and Costa-Rica.

Will the gang be able to figure out and solve the mystery in time?

Author’s note: I chose to write from a different perspective this time, featuring Jake’s POV and what happened to him, since leaving La-Huerta.

Jake woke up to another useless day.

His days didn’t get any better, though, admittedly, they didn’t get any worse either.

He groaned as the light rays hit his eyes through the closed window, cursing himself for not putting those curtains he promised himself he’d put up.

He looked to the side of his rustic room, eyeing those curtains.

Today, he promised himself once again, he’d put them up. He’d be productive... Today, he vowed, something would change.

He got out of bed, and into his bathroom. He tied his messy brown hair into a ponytail, and washed his face. His fingers lingering over his stubble, as he wondered whether he should shave it or not.

Eventually, he shrugged, dropping it.

He was digging the new look anyway.

As he got out of his cabin, he headed towards Taylor’s. Taylor’s was the name of the bar he currently was getting most of his jobs through.

The bar worked as a Cafe’ in daytime, though it didn’t have as many visitors as in night-time, for obvious reasons.

He couldn’t possibly let anyone contact him directly, and the owner was kind enough to offer his help in sponsoring for him. Then again, Ben was sponsoring for half the town, most of them being fugitives, like himself. 

Ever since getting back into Costa-Rica, Jake has worked with the man. He didn’t know why he specifically decided to work with him, nor did he know why the place had drawn him in, but he didn’t dwell on it either.

He suddenly stopped in his tracks, hands flying towards the sides of his head, clenching it as a furious headache roamed his mind. Getting back from where?

The question stayed hanging in his mind, but he couldn’t remember...

Shutting his eyes, Jake sighed. It probably was the whiskey’s fault anyway...

After regaining his cool, Jake continued towards the bar. Taylor’s was in a walking distance from his cabin, and Jake has almost made the entire way,

before stopping for the first time today, and appreciating the view.

He looked into the horizon. The sea level was low, yet calm. Calmer than it had been in a while.

Jake watched the deep blue water, mesmerized by it’s beauty.

He rarely stopped to appreciate the beauty of nature, let along since being on the run.

But today was different, he could feel it.

A few more long moments and he made it. Striding into the Bar-Cafe’, he greeted Ben.

“The usual?” The older man asked, already taking out a whiskey glass for Jake.

“Nah.” Jake dismissed him, taking a seat on the nearest bar stool.

“I’m having a headache, and I’m suspecting all that whiskey and rum might be the cause.” He shrugged.

“How about some coffee, then?” Ben asked.

“Sounds good.”

In no time, a warm cup of freshly brewed coffee was presented in front of him.

Many things could be said upon meeting Ben, most of them would have ties towards the shady business he was running under the radar, but...

Jake couldn’t deny it. The man made killer coffee.

He took a sip, savoring the semi-bitter taste.

Just what he needed. He sighed in relief. The coffee seemed to clear his head, and the headache was gone as if it never existed.

“You have some work for me?” He asked, instead, when Ben approached him again.

��Actually, no.” Ben shrugged. “Sorry.” He added.

“Don’t worry about it,.” Jake winked. Maybe he could just enjoy the taste of his coffee, for a while longer.

“But...” Ben hesitated. It was clear something was heaving on his mind.

“What is it?” Jake got closer, as he understood Ben was afraid of someone listening in.

The shop wasn’t swarmed with people, but a few sat in their usual seats.

“I have some mail for you.” He told Jake.

“Mail?” Jake questioned. He didn’t get many postcards these days but what was even more disturbing was how Ben was acting regarding it.

Why was Ben worried about a piece of paper Jake got?

Ben pointed with his eyes towards the newest addition to their not-so-called gang.

The fugitives usually didn’t really interact, unless they had to. Every man to himself, they said.

It was easier that way. No strings attached. No one knowing too much about you.

“Alaric? What about him?” Jake eyed the man.

Despite not making friends, it was important to know everyone by name. Who knew what might come in handy, one day.

“Well, for starters, his name isn’t Alaric.” Ben explained.

“And secondly,” Ben drew out the letter. “The letter you got is from his son.”

Jake gulped nervously.

Maybe he spoke too soon when he figured something would change today.

Or maybe he was right... But the change wasn’t in his favor.

He wasn’t an assassin or some kind of mercenary, so what could possibly Not-Alaric’s son want from him?

Jake took the letter from Ben’s hands, stuffing it in his jacket. He’d read it later, it was too dangerous to read it out here.

He turned back to Ben. “What’s his real name, then?” He wondered.

“Well, after getting some fishy vibes of that dude, and getting that random letter, I’ve done some research and-” 

Suddenly, Ben’s expression completely changed. His lips spread over to a fake smile Jake knew all too well, and his eyes were alarming Jake, making him stay on alert. 

“You know what, why don’t I make you that coffee to go?” Ben asked, prompting Jake to raise up from his stool. He almost bumped into Not-Alaric.

“-Woah there!” He spit out before he even knew it.

Not-Alaric threw his hands in the air, as if admitting innocence. “My bad.” He smiled at Jake.

An almost innocent smile, indeed. But now that Jake knew there was something shady about him every move he made seemed calculated and a part of a bigger scheme.

“Sure.” He turned to Ben, and was already presented with a To-Go cup of flaming hot coffee. “See you around.” He nodded and left the bar before anything else could happen.

Jake realized Ben must’ve left Not-Alaric’s name somewhere over the To-Go cup, and turned it in his hands. Finally, on the lid, he saw the name.

The name struck Jake’s mind right into the headache he had prior to that, now coming back in full-force. Jake furrowed his eyebrows as memories seemed to flood back to him.

Suddenly, the name made sense.

The name, and the man he knew he was facing right before leaving.

Everett Rourke.

[endless-vall]

The Map - Part Sixteen - Last Chapter, The End.

<< First  < Previous .

Summary: The final battle takes place, but the future has never been brighter. 

Author’s note: This is it. This is the final chapter of my multi-chapter Endless Summer story, “The Map”. 

I hope you’ll like it. 

I know it took me a long time to finish it, and even more to post it. I want to take this chance and thank everyone who supported me, and read this story. Although I started writing it after the book ended, the response and the support  was amazing. I never thought there’ll be so much love and appreciation for my post-final story, so I want you to know you all are amazing and dear to me! <3

Endless Summer is finished, but it’ll always be in our hearts. Our precious gang deserve it’s happy ending, and here they finally have it. 

Tagging: @writtenbycandy​ @meeraaverywalker @asprankle​ @liam-rhys-x-mc-x-constantine​ @dandeservestheworld​ @endlessly-searching-for-you​ @quacksonlover​ @kamybelen-blog​ @endlessflame​ @truekender​ @princesstopgun​ @nekkidmolerat @mysteli . I hope I got everyone who asked to be tagged! Comment on this post to let me know if you wanna be tagged as well.

La-Huerta was indeed a normal island now. It didn’t have the Celestial anymore and some parts of it’s abnormal zones but it was La-Huerta nonetheless.

It was secluded from the outside world, mainly so the watchers would be safe. Not appearing on any map beside the one embedded in Varynn’s memory.

“This place is still one of the most beautiful things I got to witness.” Diego told Taylor, who was sitting next to him on the plane.

Just like their journey began, this is how it was going to end.

But an ending isn’t the sad part, because it just means they’ll get to start a new chapter.

“Yeah,” She nodded, her heart fluttering in her chest.

This was it. This is where everything started.

And this is where it ends, and they start a new chapter in their lives.

“But isn’t… The island’s heart kinda useless… Right now?” Craig furrowed his eyebrows., still trying to make sense out of everything.

“Yeah, it is.” Varynn confirmed, shrugging.  

“But Rourke’s a wacko.” Aliester explained. “So he still wants it.”

“We could just… Give it to him.” Mike popped his head into the passengers area, noting.

Everyone exchanged baffled looks between each other.

“What do you mean-” Before Raj could complete his question Taylor jumped in.

“That could actually work.” She said.

A moment of silence passed through the group.

“You want to… Trick him?” Zahra asked, not waiting for a response. “Sick! I’m in.” She flashed a grin, fist-bumping Craig.

“Yeah… That could… Actually work.” Aliester and Estela nodded too. 

They seemed to be the most skeptical beside Taylor, so if they agreed on it - this plan was worth trying.

Everyone else exchanged looks once again. It seems they were in agreement.

“Let’s do this.”

Taylor rose up, exchanging a brief look with Mike. He nodded and she flashed him a smile before climbing into the cockpit of the plane.

Jake was flying the plane now. Remarkably so.

“Hey princess.” He smiled as she sat beside him.

“Brings you memories, hotness?” She couldn’t believe she could ever forget the man sitting in front of her.

But to be fair - she had a part of her literally taken away. And she still found him, still remembered him in the end.

“Actually, yes.” He shot her a wink before looking back at the sky ahead.

They fell into light conversation, until Jake announced they were getting close and Mike came back, switching his seat with Taylor’s.

Getting to La-Huerta turned out to be easier than expected, and soon the gang was setting foot on the long-lost island.

But, unfortunately, getting there was the easy part.

“What now?” Michelle asked, voicing everyone’s thoughts.

“Here,” Varyyn pointed into the distance. A group of Vaanti soldiers were drawing near them.

“Even though I remember everything, it’s still kinda fricky to see all of it in person.” Craig commented.

“I’m right there with you.” Zahra calmly stated, her hand nervously finding it’s way to Craig’s. He blinked at their linked hands, but didn’t complain. A pinkish color decorated his cheeks instead, but he shook his head and himself out of it, giving Zahra’s hand a tight, reassuring squeeze.

“Yeah, dudes.” Raj added, and Taylor turned towards everyone.

“Okay, guys. We need to focus.” She reminded them.

“Right.” Jake gulped, standing next to her staring into the skyline. The Vaanti finally reached the gang, and reported back to Varyyn. 

They’ve narrowed down Rourke’s possible location and had the main area surrounded.

“We were waiting for you.” Seraxa finished explaining. “What are you’re orders?” She asked.

“Ask them,” Varynn smiled, gesturing towards the group. 

“We have a plan.” Taylor stepped to the front. 

Seraxa shot her a knowing smile, happy to see her again. Taylor smiled back at her, for a moment before continuing.

“Take us to Rourke.”

“will he ever give up?” Michelle complained while on their way, clearly annoyed but eager to stop him.

“No, apparently, he’ll never. Which is why I think we should think this through. How do we wanna act? Do we really want to just capture him?” Aliester stepped up.

Taylor arched her eyebrows. “What’s the other option?” She asked, even though she had an idea.

A silence fell through the group, everyone hanging their gazes at each other.

“… We could kill him. End this once and for all.” Estela said what everyone were thinking, but too afraid to say.

“Let’s hope it won’t come to that.” Taylor answered, shaking her head.

“Are you serious?” Zahra countered, siding with Estela. “After everything he’s done, the baster deserves it!” She continued.

“But are we really the judge for it?” Quinn narrowed her eyes at them, defending Taylor.

“Of course we are! Who else could?!” Zahra raised her voice, having enough of that.

“Guys, guys! Let’s calm down!” Taylor placed herself between the two sides of the group, worked up.

“Catalysts, are you ready?” A warrior of Seraxa’s asked them, calming the atmosphere.

Taylor hanged her eyes on him, her expression falling unsettled. “Not really.” She shrugged.

“Too bad for you.” Suddenly, the ground beneath them shaking. A huge robotic shape burst through the ground, carrying countless weapons on its hands and back.

“Ahhhh!” The gang was caught off-guard, everyone falling and being thrown away into different directions.

“Taylor!” Without giving it much thought, Jake threw himself over Taylor, defending her with his body.

“Taylor??” Most of the gang got to safety, hiding behind blocks of wood and shields the Vaanti had supplied.

“I’m alright!” She let them know, pulling Jake with her to hind behind a broken branch. It wasn’t much comfort but it was better than nothing.

The robotic mechanism hovered in the air, firing its weapons without an aim. Peering inside there, was seated - without a doubt, Everett Rourke.

He had an unshaved messy beard, and an even messier hair, and a chaotic, crazy look in his eyes.

“He lost it completely, haven’t he?” Taylor asked rhetorically, speaking mainly to herself.

“He needs to pay for what he’s done to Ben.” Jake clenched his jaw, balling his fists until his knuckles flashed white.

Taylor looked at him worriedly. “And he will.” She placed a comforting hand over his shoulder.

They haven’t had a chance to decide on their course of action or plan, but there wasn’t much time left at the moment.

But even Jake had to agree, that doing the dirty work himself wasn’t Rourke’s style. Maybe he had lost every ounce of his sanity.

“But we need to think this straight. Charging in without a plan will only result in someone getting hurt.” She ran her hand down his back, and could feel his body relaxing - just the slightest - under her touch.

“We need to regroup with the others.” He didn’t let his emotions to get the best of him, as he initially did.

Taylor smiled at him, weakly. “Exactly.” She said.

“Follow my lead.” Jake had a determined look in his eyes, and Taylor gave him a nod.

He charged out, leading them through the open space, using the smoke screen Rouke’s shooting created as a diversion. Somehow, they managed to get to the group unscratched.

Reuniting with the group, a few Vaanti warriors surrounded them with shields. “We need a distraction,” Seraxa barked out. 

“Any volunteers?”

“Rourke! Stop shooting! We have what you want.” Taylor was the bait, as per usual.

Jake grabbed her shoulders and kissed her forehead before sending her on her way, only after she’d promised she’d make it back safe.

She was waving her arms, holding a glowing purple orb in her hand.

Was that the Island’s heart? Not really. It was just some cool rock Varyyn had given her. But it should’ve been enough to trick Rourke,

long enough for them to seize him.

They still haven’t worked out what they wanted to do with him once they have him under lock, but that was something to worry about later.

They’ll cross that bridge when they get to him. And as long as everyone’s on board. and safe.

“Rourke!” She shouted once again, and the rain of bullets finally ceased. 

From inside the huge, mechanic creature, Rourke was squinting his eyes, trying to make out if she was telling the truth.

“It’s the island’s heart. Really. You can have it.” She spoke with her tone up. extending her arm for him to ‘see’ better.

“But only if you stop this madness and come down here to get it.” She made it clear.

They needed him out of his armor, if they wanted a chance.

“Get down there? Never!” He swung one of his robotic arms at her, but the attack was stopped before it reached her, held down by a number of Vannti warriors, that managed to grab it with some forest vines.

He was fuming, furious, but didn’t have too many choices.

“Will you really hand it over, no fighting?” He asked. His voice suddenly sounded rugged, helpless, desperate. Taylor almost felt bad for him.

Rourke has lost his sanity in an attempt to bring back his wife, but he also committed murder and various other crimes, trying to become the emperor of the Earth. So Taylor’s compassion could only go that long.

“Really.“ She placed one hand over her heart.

Yes! He bought it.

She wasn’t entirely lying. She’d give him whatever she was holding in her hands. It’s just that it wasn’t really what he was looking for.

He got out of his suit. The ground under them finally stopped shaking, and the insane amount of shooting ceased.

It was obviously a trap, but Rourke wasn’t exactly… Sane anymore.

The bags under his eyes indicated he hadn’t slept in days at a time. The scratches on his hands and chest hinted he was injured, maybe even sick. His hopeless attempt at retrieving the Island’s heart gave them a sense of what was left of the man’s brain and… It was not good.

But lying to Rourke, never went as planned. The moment he realized their trick, he pressed a button on top of his glove, blowing everything in the radius of ten meters around them up.

The man was anything, but unprepared. Even when he’d lost his mind, he had a backup plan up his sleeve.

Taylor was standing right next to him. He might’ve taken the blow too, but she sustained the outburst. Most of all, she was thrown away in the air and down a cliff.

While rolling down the hill, Taylor’s instincts kicked in and her hands fought to grab anything in her way.

Finally, she managed to lunch herself onto a brunch that was sticking out of the pillar, rocks and sticks brushing past her and into the long, deep void.

She forced herself not to look down, focusing all her might on hanging onto the branch.

“Taylor!! Jake’s voice hurried to come, and he abandoned his post in favor of helping her.

Quickly, but carefully and calculatedly, he slid down until he was almost able to reach her.

"Jake, no!” Someone yelled at him, scolding him for leaving himself out in the open, leaving himself vulnerable to Rourke’s doings.

But the cry for help went by with no use, Jake would risk his life without giving a second thought for the people he held dear.

“Jake” Taylor mouthed helplessly.

“Hold on! I’m almost there!” He grind his teeth, stretching as far as he could until his fingers brushed against Taylor’s hand.

Her breathe came out ragged, uneven, as she fought not to fall for her death. Her eyes remained fixed on Jacob. That man gave her power she didn’t know she had. He gave her hope, he was she sole reason she kept holding on.

He brushed against her hand a couple of times, but was unable to catch her in his grip.

It was so hopeless, that even Rourke didn’t bother shooting at them.

“Taylor,” He begged, furrowing his brows in concern. “You have to reach up, and take my hand. I can’t reach down any further, but if you hoist yourself, even just slightly–” He explained, and Taylor nodded, cutting him off.

“I got it. I’ll… try.” She answered, the fatigue already audible in her voice. Panting, she tried to reach up. She felt as her other hand slid down, as she tried to grab on to Jake.

“Almost there…” He encouraged her.

Her hand gently patted Jake’s, a huge, relived smile spreading across his lips. “Yes, I got you–”

Just when her hand slipped off the tree branch. “No!” Jake shouted.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

It took her a couple of moments, before she grabbed onto the next available spot. This time she held onto the cliff-side, and she hoisted herself far enough to roll over and lay on top of the rock, her hands finally getting a break from trying to hold on.

“Taylor!” Jake’s voice sounded now a lot further than before.

“I’m… fine.” She breathed out. “Maybe.” A pounding pain in the side of her body suddenly pierced through her, now that she wasn’t trying to hold on to dear life and the adrenaline started to tone down.

“Taylor, I’ll-” The inside of his eyes glossy, as he tried climb further down without falling.

“Jake.” She cut him off. The look in her eyes suddenly determined and decisive. “Just leave me here, Jake. You can’t get down here without slipping and falling. The cliff is too steep and we’ll only end up with two casualties instead of one. Just concentrate on taking down Rourke, according to our plan and come back for me later!” She urged, her eyes scowling at him.

“I’m not leaving you!” He countered, still trying to climb down. A few rocks rolled down his path as his steps became more and more dangerous, dangling and threatening to join Taylor’s fate.

“You’re being unreasonable! It’s crazy! Just come back for me later!” She begged.

“Of course I’m being crazy! I already lost you once! I just got you back. I’m not losing you a second time.” He was as decisive as her, and the nickle finally dropped in her brain.

“Jake…” her voice soft, she felt her heart beats growing stronger in her chest. She finally stood up on her feet.

The distance between them didn’t seem as much as it did a few minutes ago.

Maybe it was Jake’s unbelievable stubbornness, or the fact that whenever they combined their power, anything seemed possible, but suddenly hope was set in the horizon.

Jake was closer than ever, and Taylor clutched to her side with one hand, and tried hoisting herself up with the other.

“Almost… there-” their hands linked, and Jake was pulling her up. Only god knows how he managed to do it, but quickly and surely enough they were all the way up the cliff.

They rolled over each other, getting further from the edge, both panting if relief. “I… can’t believe we just did that.” Taylor confessed, immediately bursting in giggling.

“I can.” Jake noted, 

burying his face in the crook of her neck and joining her contagious laugh. 

The mere fact of having her in his arms once again was enough to send Jake to the stars, and he’d enjoy it a few seconds further before joining their mission back.

The rest of the gang left them be, both driving Rourke away and trying to seize him.

“We should join them.” Taylor sat up, looking into the direction they most likely went to.

“We should. But you’re injured-” Jake stared at her worriedly.

“I’ll manage, Michelle could take a look at it, all the more reasons to catch up with the rest of the group.” She bit down on her lower lip.

Jake was right. She was injured, and weakened. She was used to be the first in the line of fire, the leader of the group. It’s not that she didn’t trust them to succeed without her, but she was worried someone else might get hurt, and that was the last thing she wanted to see happen.

“Okay, let’s go.” Jake finally agreed, at her convincing. He stood up first, then gave Taylor a hand. After helping her up, he threw her hand around his shoulder and supported her waist.

It might slow them down, but it’s the only way he can be sure Taylor will be 100% fine.

Rejoining the group, Michelle and Grace ran up to them. They took Taylor out of Jake’s arms, sighing in relief while starting to tend to her wound.

The cut wasn’t too deep, but it needed to be looked into.

“Where is Rourke?” Jake questioned, seeing the Vaanti and their friends fighting Rourke’s robot pawns in the distance.

Rourke, on the other hand, was nowhere in sight.

“He’s inside that cave over there. The robots are guarding it, it’s impossible to get past them.” Grace explains, while helping Michelle however she can to treat Taylor.

“Impossible…” Jake frowns, looking at the fight ahead.

It was true, in a sense. There were more robots fighting than people on their side, and unlike robots, the group and the Vannti actually got tired, throughout the fight. It was only a question of time.

“Unless…” Taylor suddenly spoke up, gaining Jake, Michelle, and Grace’s attention.

“Unless?” Jake repeated after her.

“He left his mecha-suit, all the way over there.” Taylor said, pointing in the right direction. “If one of us wears it, he can definitely take all of those robots out and turn the scales in our favor!” She explains, her plan, as always, so crazy it might actually work.

“I’ll do it.” Jake jumped, determined, and decided with a nod.

“It was my plan, it only makes sense that I go-”

“You, young lady, are not going anywhere.” Michelle frowned at her.

“Young?? We’re literally the same age.” Taylor’s eyebrows rose up, as she blinked at Michelle in disbelief.

“A-a-a-a-ah!” Michelle pointed a finger at her scoldingly. “Nope. You don’t have a say in this.” She added.

Taylor’s gaze drifted pleadingly between Garce and Jake, but both stood tall alongside Michelle.

“I’m doing it and that’s it.” And with that, Jake disappeared from Taylor’s sight.

She raised a hand to her chest, clutching over her heart.

Oh lord… please bring her Jake back safe and in one piece.

And, as planned, Jake arrived, flying in, a couple of minutes later, just when it looked like the gang was about to lose hope. He wiped out Rourke’s army of robots.

He landed near everyone, while Grace and Michelle helped Taylor to walk over as well.

“Woah!!! Dope!” Despite his exhumation, Craig still managed to get excited over Jake wearing Rourke’s mecha-suit.

Jake opened his helmet, lifting the glass window for his eyes and nodding. “So where’s the bastard? We have some unfinished business…”

"Bring me Taylor Astra. Bring her to me now." Rourke demanded. "You're in no place to be setting ultimatums." Jake threatened, holding his mecha-arm equipped with a gun pointed at Rourke. They had cornered him, inside the cave. Once all his robotic pawns were taken care off, Rourke was left with no line of defense, and capturing him seemed to be fairly easy. They'd chasen him off until they hit a dead end, the only thing that was behind Rourke was a giant hole in the ground, and he had nowhere left to go.

"No, it's okay." Taylor stepped in front of the group. Michelle was still supporting her side in her first few steps, before Taylor assured her it was fine and walked alone.

"Taylor, n-" Everyone started protesting, but she shook her head.

"This is it," She ignored them. "This is the end, Rourke." She told him, her voice calmer than ever. The hint of a smile appeared in the corners of her mouth. A comforting one, almost promising a good ending. For all.

He blinked at her, his oh-so-determined look of his eyes finally wavering.

"Bu- But I was so close... I could have had her... Could've saved everyone..." He fell to his knees.

Taylor nodded, as if understandingly, sympathetically.

"Don't go too near him-" Diego begged, she could hear the caution in his voice.

She took a couple more steps, standing right in front of Rourke.

"I know... But this is not the way. It never was. She wouldn't have wanted it that way." She comforted while putting a mirror in front of him.

"You... Know that. Don't you?" She questioned.

Rourke gulped, slowly but surely - nodding at her.

"You knew that all along?"

"I guess..." Something in his eyes changed. As if his conscious, his sanity, was getting back to him. "I did." He confesses.

A look of great grief passed through his face, when he realized all the harm that he's done. Every single person he hurt in the process. All his crimes and evil doings.

Throwing a look behind his shoulder, and into the huge pit-hole, he sighed. In some sort of closure and acceptance, he shot a quick smile at Taylor, and everyone behind her. He paused on Aliester and gave a firm nod to Estela, before turning back to Taylor.

His last words, echoing in her ears. "I guess there's only one thing left to do now." 

He spread his hands to both of his sides, and stopped fighting. He let his body fall back.

"No!" Taylor tried grabbing onto him. Her instincts acting faster than her mind could wrap around, but she was still too slow.

She watched closely as Rourke fell to his death. 

For the first time in years... He looked in peace.

"This is over. This is really over."

Bonus :

“So, should we get going back to the states?” Sean asked, his hand wrapped around Michelle, who nodded as if she was joining the question.

“I guess so?” Jake shrugged, looking around. A few long minutes had passed, everyone were catching their breath. Everyone were still calming down, trying to let their mind wrap around the fact it was truly over. Around the fact they succeeded, and could finally turn a new leaf in their lives’ journey.

His eyes fell on Taylor - On his wife, who he couldn’t stop calling that way. He was so in love with her. 

She was patched up and taken care of. She was still a bit shaken from everything, but she was there. And his. 

From now on - till forever.

He couldn’t believe he ever forgot her - but it was the way thing had to go, in order for them to reunite eventually.

In his heart, he always had strong feelings for her. Even if in the beginning they weren’t exactly positive.

“We could use the same plane we took on the way here. Heh, it’s the first time you didn’t destroy an aircraft we used!” Zahra was standing hand in hand with Craig, but she sent a wink in Jake’s way.

Everyone shared a laugh, before Jake grinned, turning to Mike. “It’s because I had my co-pilot this time.” He assured them.

“Well, from now on - You’ll never lose him.” Aliester spoke up. Grace was curled up under his arm. 

Everything seemed to be in place. Right.

Home.

Everyone exchanged the same looks on their faces. Happiness, pure bliss. 

“Are we ready to go?” Mike asked.

Suddenly, the sound of heels echoed in the cave's hallways. 

Shadows of two figures appeared behind them.

The gang members turned around, not even having enough time to get their guard on, only to be shocked to find two woman, standing side by side, smiling at them.

Two woman who supposedly should’ve hated each other - but right now seemed to be getting along pretty well, holding each other's hand.

Olivia Montoya and Imogen Rourke stood there, in front of the gang, smiles smeared over their faces.

“Do you have some extra space in that plane of yours?” Olivia asked, sending a warm smile to Estela.

“Mom!” Estela didn’t question it, neither did she answer her. She just ran up to her, wrapping her in a crushing hug, teary-eyed.

“Mom?” Aliester took a cautious step forward. Grace gave him a nudge, pushing him in support towards her.

“Come here, my boy.” Imogen opened her arms, throwing them to the sides. Aliester proceeded towards her. He was still wary but his pace quickened until he was in her arms.

After Olivia, Estela, Imogen and Aliester shared that touching reunion, they turned around to face the gang.

“Now we’re ready.”

[endless-vall]

The map - Part 13 - Endless Summer fanfic

<< First  < Previous , Next >

Summary: Recruiting Estela doesn’t seem too hard, but who’s side is she on?

Author’s note: Going back into a lighter pace/storytelling, we’re closing in on the ending.

Tagging: @mariamatsuo @writtenbycandy @asprankle @liam-rhys  @endlessflame @endlessly-searching-for-you @truekender @princesstopgun @quacksonlover. Comment on this post to let me know if you wanna be tagged as well.

“Estela Montoya.” Mike notes, as a sleepy Taylor barely sits up in her bed.

“You’re up early.” She comments, furrowing her eyebrows at him.

Did he recite some sort of name at her?

“Couldn’t sleep too well. If what you’re saying is true, we have to solve this mystery fast.” Mike explained, munching on a leftover piece of cold pizza left from last night.

He threw one Taylor’s way and she was lucky enough to catch it before it gracefully hit her in the face.

She shook her head, but bit in the cold pizza, savoring it’s taste.

There was something about college food that made it both disgusting and delicious at the same time.

She chuckled to herself as she continued. “You were saying?” She asks, getting back into Mike’s previous words.

“Estela Montoya.” He notes again.

“What about her?” Taylor knew her from around campus. They might’ve had a few classes together, too.

A quiet yet intimidating girl, that seemed to have just the right amount of scary in her.

“She’s our next lead.” Mike shows a photo of her, even though Taylor already knows how she looks.

“Why?” She asks.

“She’s the daughter of the scientist Rourke was fooling around with. And from what I’ve gathered... She hates his guts.” 

“I have a class with her today.” Taylor points out after checking her timetable.

“Then I’ll talk to her.” She added. Mike nodded, agreeing.

“It’s almost semester’s break, so we should work fast.” He tells her.

“Already?” Taylor’s eyes widen in shock. She barely blinked and the semester was almost over.

It feels as if just yesterday she first confided in Mike with her weird dreams.

Now look where it got them.

Mike nodded, and laid back on his bed. They didn’t have classes for at least an hour, and could rest a little before actually getting up.

Taylor rested her head over her pillow as well, as memories of the last night flooded back to her mind.

She had more, of those dreams, lately.

She didn’t tell Mike, though. Not because she didn’t trust him - Nothing like that, but because they were getting more and more ridiculous.

Time travel? Yetis? Ice foxes and blue people? Sabertoothed tigers?

She could remember more and more details, too, but nothing that made sense. 

She still couldn’t make out the faces of her friends, in those dreams.

Oh, and one last thing.

She was pretty sure she was married in those dreams.

But that couldn’t be true, right?

She wasn’t even in love... With anyone.

So get married?

Nah.

She shook her head to herself, and wrapped up in the blanket, setting an alarm clock for a little bit later.

She’ll have a nice nap and forget about all of this.

---

"Vanuu! Answer me!” Taylor hears her own voice once again.

A clear figure makes its way towards her, and Taylor takes once hesitant step back.

“Vanuu?” Her voice wavers.

The figure glows with something, and presents it to Taylor.

Taylor looks down at his hand, and then back up at the figure’s face.

In the spurt of the moment, she takes them in hand.

Looking down at her hand, she sees it. Dog-tags. 

Why would Vanuu give her dog-tags, anyway?

Before she can wonder, Vanuu speaks, but she doesn’t see their lips move, just hears a voice inside her own head.

“Protect him”

Right after that, she jolts awake.

Gasping for air, she tries to wrap her mind around her newest dream.

It was different than before, but still... Equally weird. It gave her the sensation it was related to the others, but at the same time something was more important about this dream.

She had more dreams lately and yet all of them faded into the background in comparison to this one.

Who’s Vanuu? Who does he want her to protect?

Those are questions she’d have to put off for later, since she has to get ready and head to class already.

She headed to class. More confused than before, but determined with a mission.

She suddenly heard an engine roaring beside her, and saw a dark haired girl on a motorcycle passing beside her.

She caught a glimpse of the girl and then her eyes lighted up. Estela!

She watched as Estela parked her bike, and walked over to her.

“Estela Montoya?” She asked, maybe a little too formally.

Estela raised her gaze to her, startled.

After a few seconds of studying her up, Estela got off her bike and faced Taylor.

“Yes,” She nodded.

“Hi. I’m Taylor. We have history class together. Wanna walk with me?” She extended her hand.

Estela hesitated but grasped her hand, lightly, and shook it.

She seemed as if she didn’t know herself why she did it, but just rolled with it. 

“Sure.”

Jake stood in front of his mirror in his old house.

It was so weird being here again, and yet - So exciting.

He was filled with a warm feeling of joy whenever he stepped inside his house, knowing he had a loving family who supported him, that he was finally free to visit.

Also, the fact that Mike was there, not that far away from him, was the best thing that could’ve possibly happen.

Not only that Jake got to be happy, reunited with his family, but so did Mike and hadn’t the whole story with Rourke in Costa-Rica happened, maybe Jake could’ve been truly one-hundred percent happy for the first time since he left the army and escaped Lundgren.

He sighed, before reaching for his razor.

Time to say goodbye to his beard.

His mom urged him to shave it.

“You’ll never get a date with that rusty beard of yours.” She teased, and felt a teen all over again.

“Who said I was planning on scoring a date?” He frowned at her but his mother was a stubborn woman, and the beard probably reminded her of all the time Jake was away.

He understood why she’d want that away.

Smirking to himself and starting to shave it off, he finally listened to her advice.

“Mom, I’m off,” He said, walking down the stairs.

“Again??” She asked, almost saddened.

“Yeah I need to meet a friend.” He tells her.

Well, he could call Estela a friend - if she actually remembered who he was.

Somehow, Jake doubted it would be an easy task…

The moment he’s at the bottom of the stairway, his mother’s whole face lights up.

He shaved the beard.

She collects him into her arms, and Jake chuckles nervously but hugs back.

“See you soon.” She smiles, and lets go off him.

He nods and goes on his way.

“So, this is gonna sound weird, but I was wondering if you could tell me anything about your mother?” Taylor asked, her eyebrows arching upwards into a hesitant but hopeful expression.

Had she had the luxury of time she would’ve taken her time, got to know Estela, got past her walls and friendly asked her about it, but she didn’t have that luxury, so desperate times called for desperate measures. 

“Anything at all?” She added.

Not only she suspected Jake, Aliester and their friends, but she also had a really, really bad gut feeling that something was about to happen soon,

And both she and Mike would have to work fast to stop it from happening.

Estela looked her up and down, as if she was seeing her for the first time.

Usually, Estela was this quiet, distant and a little hostile girl, who everyone were both mesmerized by but terrified off.

Most people preferred to stay away from her, since she was too much for them to handle.

But as far as Taylor could remember, she was always nice to Estela. Their interactions didn’t go past sharing a couple of pens during exams, but it was a beginning, right?

She looked Estela up, studying her features. Her glance was unreadable, her lips sealed in a narrow line, and face stiff.

Taylor thought she’d made a mistake, she bet all she had and lost everything, before Estela’s eyes glistened in something familiar, and her confused and stern expression broke into a grin.

Was that a yes?

“Sure.” She said. “But why don’t you tell me about yours first?”

Taylor gulped.

Well, that was an unexpected turn of events, but Estela wasn’t being unfair.

Fine.

She took a deep breathe. “She passed away my freshman year.” She admitted.

The memories flooding her mind, only...

That something felt incredibly forged with the images in her mind.

She remember it happening to her, but... It felt as if it had happened to someone else. It felt as if Taylor was witnessing someone else’s loss.

Her grief and pain were real, but the memories seemed wrong, somehow.

She shook her head and ignored it.

“Oh.” Estela looked as if she regretted asking, but Taylor hurried to reassure her. “I’m sorry--”

“-It’s okay. My aunt kind of took care of me. Me and Mike visited her over the course of the last holiday season. We really had a blast.” She smiled at her.

There was something melancholic about her smile, but it was an honest one.

Estela must’ve seen that, before she nodded. “Okay.”

After that, it seemed Estela was ready to cooperate completely. “What do you want to know?”

Jake made his way towards the local Hartfelt cafe. It seemed Aliester and the gang from La-Huerta really liked spending their time there.

He walked through the doors and was surprised to see Taylor was there as well.

He spotted her sitting in a distant corner along with Estela, the person he was supposed to get to first.

Well, screw that.

Maybe he still had a chance, though.

Aliester waved him from the other side of the cafe and Jake made his way towards him.

“What’s up?” He asked, sitting down.

After ordering something and getting an update from Aliester, Jake sat back in his chair and waited for the right moment to approach Estela.

“So you think she remembers?” He asked Aliester, wondering how hard is it gonna be to convince her to help them.

“I talked to her earlier today. She agreed to meet up, and while she didn’t really give away whether or not she has regained her memories... Well, she was awfully nice to me.”

“Then she must remember.” Jake snorted.

“I thought so too.”

Estela told Taylor everything she wanted to know.

Even the things she didn’t really like.

She told her about Olivia and how she worked for Rourke for years.

She told her what an outstanding scientist she was. She told her about the... Less legal work Olivia got to do for Rourke Internationals.

She also told her how Olivia didn’t agree with Rourke’s course of actions, and how eventually she turned against him - even though she had an affair with him at one point.

“So, Roruke didn’t run away because the news about his affair got out, he ran away because-”

“My mom almost exposed him, yeah.” Estela nodded, confirming.

Taylor gulped. “Can I ask...”

“He killed her.” Estela shut her eyes, still pained and furious with Rourke...

But the memories of La-Huerta and how she’s grown past that soothed her. She took a deep breathe, and reopened her eyes, sending a weak smile towards Taylor.

Taylor took her hands in hers and thanked her.

“That couldn’t have been an easy story to share.”

Estela just shook her head. “You’re going after Rourke, aren’t you?” She asked, in a half smile.

“How did you know?--”

“Whatever helps you in your investigation.”

Taylor nodded, maybe a little too fast but at least she was getting somewhere.

She was about to continue the conversation with Estela when she noticed a familiar figure striding their way.

She was so deep in conversation with Estela prior to that, that she never even noticed him coming into the cafe.

“Ladies.” Jake approaches them, his signature smile smeared over his lips.

She looks up to him, and something’s different about him.

He shaved off his beard and suddenly Taylor’s chest filled with a warm, confusing feeling.

Wait, what? No you can’t do that, don’t be silly!!

“Wow… You- You look-” Taylor mumbles, before she can stop it as she examines him thoroughly.

“I look?” He smirks at her.

He doesn’t know what gotten into him, but he uses a mischievously flirty tone.

Maybe to annoy her even more, now that he knows she doesn’t like him.

He didn’t have to try to ‘impress’ anymore, so he could let loose and have fun all he wanted.

She blushes. “Different.” She blurts out.

Plan worked.

Jake snorts and walks past her, leaning over the table closer to Estela.

“May I have a word with you, please?” He asked nicely, sending Estela a knowing look, making sure Taylor wouldn’t see that.

Estela considered for a second before agreeing.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” She promised Taylor, and took off with Jake.

[endless-vall]

The map - Part 14 - Endless Summer fanfic

<< First  < Previous , Next > 

Summary: With Estela’s help, the gang finally gains Taylor’s trust back.

With all the pieces of the puzzle together, will the gang be able to complete the map that’ll lead them to Rourke and their happy ending?

Author’s note: A new character joins the gang, and they get on their way to stop Rourke.

We’re almost done! just two more chapter to go 😄😄😄

Tagging: @writtenbycandy @mariamatsuo @asprankle @liam-rhys @endlessflame @truekender @princesstopgun @quacksonlover. Comment on this post to let me know if you wanna be tagged as well.

Estela gets back to the table, where Taylor’s waiting for her.

Taylor is eager to ask what was that about, what Jake could’ve possibly want from Estela, and wonder whether she could even trust Estela, given she might’ve worked with Jake too, but before Taylor could even say something, Estela offered a hand to her.

“Mhhm?” She looks up at her, but takes her hand. Slowly, and cautiously, but takes it.

“Do you trust me?” Estela asks.

Taylor hesitates but she’d lie if she said she didn’t.

“Admittedly, yes.” She confesses.

Estela flashed a big grin, one Taylor was yet to see on her. “Then I need you to trust me on this.” Pulling her with her hand, Estela and Taylor make their way towards the table where Aliester and Jake are seated.

Taylor starts to think maybe this was a bad idea, after all, but Estela speaks up again.

“Just like I knew you’re going after Rourke, I know you can trust those guys.” Estela tells her.

“And I’m supposed to just believe you, just like that?” Taylor arches an eyebrow at her, all while Aliester and Jake are looking hopefully at her, almost like they’re begging her.

“Just hear us out, okay?” Jake bursts in, and Taylor is a bit taken aback.

Reluctantly, she sighs. “Fine. Let’s hear you out.”

“You probably saw this article on my phone, right?” Jake flashes the article of Ben’s death.

Taylor nods, appearing unimpressed.

“After some digging, you found out it was Rourke, who killed him. Am I right?”

He was laying out the facts quite right, but Taylor remained unconvinced.

He was too cocky, and those were always the ones not to be trusted.

“You figured i’m working with him, didn’t you?” Suddenly, Jake’s tone turned from a arrogant one to a more soft, caring one. He was talking directly to Taylor, as if there wasn’t anyone else in the room.

Meeting his eyes, Taylor gulped. “Yes” She breathed out.

“Taylor...” Something sounded awfully familiar in the way he said her name.

Taylor could’ve sworn she heard it a thousand times before.

“I’m not working with him. I’m after him. Just like you.” Jake admitted, and suddenly it clicked.

“You’re after him?” She asked.

It would’ve made sense just as much the opposite did.

“I want to take him down. Badly.” Jake’s gaze hardened and his eyebrows furrowed, turning that beautiful face of his into a frown.

Taylor scowled at herself for calling his face beautiful, and tried concentrating on the important matter at hand.

Was her sight blinded by the new feeling of excitement in her stomach, the one she tried to ignore and deny, or did everything just turned out the right way?

She had to take a leap of faith, and she shut her eyes.

What was her gut telling her?

Could she trust them? Could she trust Jake?

Protect... Him... The words echoed in her mind. She shot her eyes right back open.

Jake was still in front of her, eyeing her. Waiting patiently for her.

Her eyes wandered down, and then she saw it.

“Dog tags?” Without thinking about it, or asking for permission, her hand flew towards his neck and she grasped his necklace. 

Jake didn’t flinch back, but he did look at her in confusion. “What about them?”

Taylor blinked at him.

“I think I’ve made a huge mistake.” She admits. 

Jake, Aliester and Estela’s faces turn into a hopeless scowl, but Taylor hurries to prove them wrong.

“No, no... I mean by not trusting you earlier.” 

“Oh.”

Next thing she knew, they were texting the whole group, and inviting them to Taylor and Mike’s condo.

She had to text Mike, too, and inform him she was deeply wrong.

They arrived in their apartment, and Mike presented their elaborated evidence boards.

The rest of the group slowly started coming in, each greeting Taylor with a smile.

She didn’t know yet, but she felt she could fully trust them, now.

Whoever Vaanu was, he was telling her in her dreams she could trust them, all along. Taylor just didn’t interpret them the right way.

They had enough material to convict Rourke for a lifetime...

The only problem was catching him, first.

“Woah...” Aliester gasped as he looked around. “That’s way more than we have.” 

“Do you even have an evidence board?” Mike asks.

“Let me guess, it couldn’t have been your idea. So i’m guessing Princess here brought it up?” Jake asked, the words leaving his mouth on his own.

“Actually, yes.” Mike high-fived Jake, and Taylor tried to push as deep as possible the way Jake made her feel by calling her ‘Princess’. They had work to do. They had a bad guy to catch.

To think all of this started with her dreams...

Or maybe, just maybe - It didn’t.

“So we’re guessing Rourke couldn’t have gotten too far away from Costa-Rica.

He’s still a wanted man, even without all of the evidence we have here.

But... We don’t know where exactly he might be.” Mike was explaining.

“Actually, I think you’re wrong.” Estela interrupted. All eyes flew over to her, and she shifted uncomfortably, like she was hiding something.

“Okay.” Mike gulped, unsure what to make of it. “Where do you think he’d be, then?” He added, asking.

“Searching for La-Huerta, most likely.” She answered, clearly nervous. Everyone’s eyes widened, but Taylor and Mike were too concentrated on Estela to notice that.

After a quick search in his phone, Mike frowned at Estela. “There’s not ‘La-Huerta’ anywhere on the map.” He said.

“You won’t find it on the map.” She said, now regaining her cool and determined tone back.

“How can Rourke search for a place that doesn’t exist on any map? How does he know about it, anyway?”

“Admittedly, I don’t think that place exists.” Aliester jumps in, and Estela lets out a breathe, relieved she’s not the only one walking around the subject they all tried so hard not to tell Taylor about.

“Not anymore, at least.” Estela shrugged, agreeing with him.

Mike and Taylor were confused now. Too confused. But they were also trying their best to understand what was going on and trying to give Estela’s theory a chance.

“So?” Mike asked, prompting them to continue.

“Well, Rourke isn’t the kind of person that’ll let a small detail like that stop him.” Estela bit at her lip. She, too, wasn’t sure what should be their next move.

“Small detail?” Taylor was unconvinced.

“The place he’s searching for doesn’t exist. Anymore. How is that a small detail exactly?” She asked, gulping.

She stared at the gang, passing her gaze through all of them.

There was something they weren’t telling her - She was sure.

“What is it?” She demanded to know.

They passed uncertain glasses between them but no one spoke up.

After a long while, Michelle raised her gaze towards Taylor and opened her mouth.

“Just... Trust us on this one?” She asked. “We could hire a small plane, let Jake fly us there -- That place’s special. We’re sure there’ll be something there.

Something Rourke wants, and mustn’t fall to his hands-” Michelle tried explaining but gave minimum possible information.

Taylor took into consideration the pleading look over Michelle’s face. But it wasn’t enough.

“No. I’m sorry.” Taylor shook her head, unconvinced. “I’m trusting you a whole lot already. You’ll have to do better than that.” She said.

Mike nodded, standing beside her.

Finally, Jake took a step towards her. “Look, princess.” He said.

“That place... La-Huerta... Is special.” He told her.

“I already heard that.” Taylor’s gaze didn’t waver. Her eyebrows were furrowed into a serious expression. She was doubting trusting them in the first place.

She didn’t even notice the way her heart fluttered when he called her ‘princess’.

“We were there.” He said.

Taylor’s eyes widened. She looked at the gang once again, seeing them nodding and exchanging wary glances.

It was like they lacked a leader and no one was sure what exactly they were supposed to say. How much they should’ve told her and how much they should’ve kept to themselves.

“All of you?” She asked, looking at Jake.

He raised his hand, scratching the back of his neck.

“Yes,” Estela jumped in. “And you were there too.” She added.

A look of surprise and disbelief crossed Jake’s face, too - Not just Taylor’s.

She questioned what it could mean but she was too busy trying to let her mind wrap around the idea.

It sounded absurd. She should’ve remembered if something like that had happened...

But deep inside, it didn’t sound that absurd.

Her gaze finally softened, dropping to look at the floor.

“Taylor?” Mike put a comforting hand over the back of her shoulder.

“I... I don’t know what to say.” She raised her eyes, looking at Mike with a troubled expression.

“I don’t think they’re lying... But how can I not remember being there?” She asked.

“We all forgot.” Zahra burst into the conversation.

“We’re not sure how or what happened, but we’re pretty sure it has something to do with you.” Raj jumped in too.

“Me?” She asked.

“Yeah. You saved us. Somehow. We’re not sure how.” Diego said, joining in too.

“No... No. It can’t be.” She shook her head.

Can it?

It... Could explain her strange dreams.

Nothing made sense anymore... Only that it did.

“Maybe this will convince you.” A new voice joined in. A man was standing at the door, and everyone’s gaze turned to look at him.

Well - a “man” was a stretch in describing him. Since... He had blue skin.

“Oh my... Varynn?! Is that really you?” Diego didn’t waste any moment, and ran towards the stranger.

They hugged for a moment, staring into each other’s eyes before breaking away and staring at Taylor.

She gulped.

It was certainly convincing...

“Rourke’s on his way. La-Huerta is merely a normal island right now, but he’s out to find the island’s heart. Or what’s left of him, anyway.

My people are protecting it at the moment... But the prophecy clearly says that only you can stop the Hydra.” The blue man-- Varynn, explained.

“Prophecy? Hydra? Are we in a video game or some kind of Marvel movie?” Taylor’s eyebrows furrowed.

“No, I wish.” Diego said. He took a tentative step towards Taylor, placing an arm over her shoulder.

“It’s true. I promise. Come with us, please?” He asked her.

She still had some doubts, obviously. She wondered if everything they told her was real, and where were her memories if so.

She wondered how come she’d ‘saved them’, and how did she end up here.

But those were questions she’d never get answers to - if she didn’t go with them, she figured.

“Okay.” She finally nodded.

“You’re right. I believe you. Let’s go.”