TUESDAY MORNING

"Today is a very devastating day here in the Outer Banks. Today we are commemorating the deaths of the following. Kiara Carerra, Topper Thorton, Sarah Cameron, Cleo, and our latest addition yesterday morning, Rose Cameron," the news lady says into the camera.

"Currently, there is one big funeral going on with close friends and family. With everyones permission, we were able to go and ask everyone some questions, so let's go to Dean and see what they have to say."

"We are here with John B, Pope, Sofia, JJ, and Rafe. Can one of you tell us how the deaths of all these loved ones are affecting your day to day life?" the news reporter asked.

"Well." John B starts, "It has been very hard on all of us and it's definitely caused a tear in some of our friendships," he pauses as JJ and Sofia look down. "But we are all still grieving since all this has happened in less than a month," he finishes.

"Rafe, what about you? Word on the street is you are hanging out with a few of these pouges?"

Rafe hesitates but goes on anyway, "Yes I have. They welcomed me when Sarah died, and we didnt have the best relationship but it still took a toll on me and these people helped me get through."

"Tell me more on how they helped you," Dean tried to pry for more information. "I'm not replying to any other questions regarding these deaths. Next question," Rafe says, glaring at him and the camera.

"Let's go over to our island's couple. How does it feel to have Rafe a part of the group now?" the reporter asked, shoving the mic in JJ and Sofia's face. "Well," Sofia starts but Dean cuts her off. "Are you two the reason there is a tear in the friendship?"

"If you would let me- Do you know the reason Sarah killed herself?" Dean interrupts for the finally time. "Enough!" Sofia yells. "We won't be answering any more questions about this because this is certainly nobody's business but ours," Sofia gestures to the other four around her.

"The only thing you need to know is that eventually the police will get to the bottom of this situation," Pope finally says. "Even then that information will only be for us and nobody else," JJ chimes in.

After an agonizing half an hour later, the five finally finished all the questions thrown at them. "That was so stressful," John B says, snagging a drink off of the table. "Real. I wanted to punch that man so bad," Sofia says, still staring at Dean.

"I just wish he wasnt so personal with the questions," Pope says, shuffling a little closer to Sofia. Noticing what he was doing, Sofia excused the two of them, leaving the others to conversation. Finally away from everyone, Pope pulls her into the tightest hug ever.

"I miss you Sof, it get's boring with just John B," he whispers in her ear, making her giggle. "I'll try to be around more often, I'm sorry," she says, smiling at him.

"I'm not trying to guilt trip or anything, but I feel like the last time we were all together was when Kie died," he says, eyes blurring at the mention of their friend. Sofia hugs him tighter.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what happened but the four of us will all hang out soon I promise."

Pulling away from the hug, the two go back to find the group still talking. Before going over, Sofia holds Pope and whispers, "I think we should let JJ and John B catch up a little before we all hang out again."

"That sounds like a good idea," Pope agrees, and leaves the two alone, dragging Rafe as well.

"How about Thursday we all hang out and have a fire like old times. Maybe even finish looking for the treasure," Sofia nudges Pope's shoulder, keeping the second part a little quieter.

"Id'e like that," he smiles as they bid goodbye.
"You should come with us, Rafe, it's fun," Sofia urges. "I'll think about it," is all he says before getting in the car and driving off

__________

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

JJ'S POV:

I can't believe it's been this long since me and JB have been apart. We have been inseparable since third grade. The only reason we became friends was because someone stole his lunch on the playground.

It was also the first time I got in trouble, since then it's been worse, but it's all to protect John B even though he can protect himself now.

"You want a beer?" JB asked, throwing me one anyway, knowing my answer. Lying down in the hammock, we just sat there and stared at the marsh.

"This has been a long month," I finally broke the silence. "Yeah," John B sighs. "I miss you and Sof. I'm pretty sure Pope is sick of it just being us," he laughs but I can tell it pains him.

"I miss them too JB," I say looking at him. I know one of them was sorta my fault but I had to do what I had to do. Sarah's death I know definitely broke him. I'm not sure how Pope is handling this but I don't want to think of that right now.

"So how have ya been?" John B asks, trying to change the subject. "It's been okay, nothing really happened. Sof still refuses to let it sink in that everyone is gone," I didn't mean to bring that up but I did.

I'm not telling a lie either. She refuses to believe she killed one of her best friends. "Can't believe you guys are hanging with kooks now," he said, taking a sip of his beer.

"Yeah I don't know how that happened man," I say because if I tell the truth, the jig is up and who knows what will happen. "I mean things have changed in the past month so," he trails off as we change the topic again.

"Didn't you and Sof get married?" John B asked. I look down at the ring on my finger and smile. "Yeah. I'm sure she told Pope already," I say. Those two were always really close. They are like me and John B if you think about it.

When John B is about to say something, my phone dings in my pocket.

BIG MAN: I have the next mission.

Mentally rolling my eyes, I apologize to John B and leave.

__________

THURSDAY MORNING

JOHN B'S POV:

"DCS! I know you're in there!" JJ yells, banging on the glass, startling me, making me roll off the couch.

Groaning, I get up and open the door to find JJ laughing at me. "You should have seen your face. Your face was like..." JJ makes an overdramatic reaction of what I actually looked like.

Rolling my eyes, we get ready for the day. Today me, JJ, Pope, and Sofia are going to some sketchy as fuck mote. For good reason obviously. The whole point of us going there is so we can try to find my dad.

We haven't been together that much so let me fill you in really quick. My dad's been gone for a while now and while everyone around me thinks he's dead, I know he isn't and I won't give up looking until I find him.

Okay that's really it.

Once there, we decided that Sofia and Pope would stay in the van and have some catch-up time while me and JJ went over to Lana's house. So that's where we are now, walking up the dirt path.

"I'm telling you man, your fathers compass in Scooter's boat, that's freaky," JJ says as we get closer. "Yeah. That's why we're going to talk to Ms. Lana, figure this whole thing out," I say as we get closer.

"I'm sure she would just love to talk to us. Not like her husband just drowned or anything," JJ says sarcastically.

Once we finally get to the house, we hear a bunch of loud noises. "Bullshit!" yells someone from inside, making JJ flinch. "Maybe we should come back," he trails off, getting ready to turn around when I grab him by the shirt.

"Tell me where it is, or I'll fuck you up." says another man. "I'll sink you in the fucking..." is all we hear before another crash erupts and what we assume is a screaming Lana.

"Your huriting me," she screams. "Come on," I say, already walking but realizing JJ hasn't moved from under the window. "Come on," I usher, waiting for him to move.

"Where the fuck is it, you bitch?" Someone yells as a sobbing Lana replies, "I dont know."

After more back and forth, JJ still is trying to leave, but I can't. I need to know what happened to him. "Dude, arent those the guys you said shot you and Pope?" JJ asked, watching them drive away in the truck.

"Yeah," I say as we run into the house and find a sobbing Lana in the corner huddled next to a bunch of broken glass. "Ms. Lana?" JJ asked but got no answer.

"Ms. Lana? You okay?" I ask, taking a step closer, causing her to back up even more if that's possible. "Dude she's tweaking," JJ says, taking a step back.

"Call the sheriff's department," I say to JJ. Just as JJ is about to pull out his phone, Lana stops him by saying not to call the cops.

After more interrogation, we found out some useful stuff but not a lot. At least we get to go back to the chateau now.

"And all we hear is just, 'Bam! Bam! Bam!' Knocking paint off the wall, G! From the inside. Wait, first off, look at this shit. Look at it," JJ says running fingers through his hair revealing the paint chips on his head.

"That's dandruff," Sofia says, rolling her eyes. "Then that's some big ass dandruff," Pope says, taking our side. "Whatever," Sofia mumbles.

"It's paint. At that point, I was just like.. I'm waiting for death," JJ flops down next to Sofia, wrapping his arm around her.

"Did you see the guys who shot John B and Pope?" Sofia asked JJ. "Blury," was all he said and I knew that wasn't a good response.

"That's not very helpful," Sofia blurts and moves from JJ as he stands up.

"I can tell you with full confidence, these boys are killers," JJ said pointing at Sofia and Pope. "They're square groupers," he finishes off.

"They'er square groupers, like narco square groupers," Pope says, clearly not convinced.
"Yeah man," JJ says. "Not everything is a kingpin movie," Sofia says, knowing she would rather be anywhere but here right now.

"Do you know what these people looked like?" Pope asked. I think this is the first logical question that's been asked since we got back.

"Specifically?" JJ asked, pacing back and forth.
"You don't know what to look for!" Sofia yells, standing up. "I wasn't taking little mental Polaroids the entire time. I was under duress, okay?" JJ says, running a hand through his hair.

After more arguments about everything, and talking about the compass, I realize something and run to my dad's office. "Where are you going?" Pope yells, as the three of them follow me to my dad's safe space.

"He always kept it locked because he was worried about his competitors stealing his Royal Merchant research," I say, holding onto the doorknob. "We used to laugh at him like he was gonna find it. But now that he's gone, I've just kinda... I just left it as he kept it."

I didn't think talking about him would make me so emotional, yet here we are. Finally unlocking the door, we head in and find the compass straight away. "There's that lucky compass, right there," JJ says, patting me on the back as I sit down.

"Actually, he was shot after he bought it," I say, scratching the back of my neck. After explaining the backstory behind the compass, we find something on the compass that I know is my dad's handwriting.

"How do you know it's his?" Sofia asked, taking the compass from me and looking at it for herself. "He does this thing with his R's."

After trying to find out what it says, Pope notices a truck coming up. "I told you this compass was bad luck," Sofia scolds. "John Routledge!" One of them yells, causing a string of curses to come out of everyone.

"Where's that compass!" Another one of them yells. We hear the footsteps approaching and realize we need to get out sooner than later. "Window," Pope says, as we all run over to try and open it.

"Guys it's painted shut," I whisper yell.

"Routledge!" We hear one of the men yell, getting closer. "Where the hell's that compass!"

There is crashing going on outside, as Sofia finds a knife in the drawer and gives it to Pope to try and get it unstuck while me and JJ go and hold the door. "Check the office," one of them commands as we hear them get closer.

"Pope please hurry up," Sofia pleads, pulling at the window with tears in her eyes. The door starts to rattle, as me and JJ hold them off as long as we can. "You better not be in there boy!" They yell and what I can assume is a gun, hits the door just as the window opens.

Pope is the first one out, then it's me, then JJ, and finally Sofia. The four of us run to the chicken coop, but when we are all in, we realize Sofia isn't there.

"Sof!" I whisper yell, trying not to draw attention to the coop right now. Although that's hard considering these chickens won't shut up. Suddenly, a scream erupts from outside and we shuffle over to where we can see and find Sofia thrashing against the square groupers.

"Let me go!" She yells, struggling to break free. All we can do is watch as she gets taken away. I know we all want to do something, but we can't risk all four of us being taken away by them.

"Will someone shut that goddamn chicken up!" Pope whispers as JJ takes the chicken and slowly sufficates it, letting it die. Whiping the bloody hand on his face, he watches the love of his life get taken away and we can't do anything about it.

We watch as she gets free for a moment but not before getting captured again and thrown into the back of the truck.

Driving away, we hear her yelling and banging on the glass, but it's no use. On top of trying to find my dad, we need to find Sofia first.

__________

THURSDAY EVENING

"Where are you taking me," Sofia demands in the back of the truck. "We are taking you to your boss," one of them says, looking in the rearview mirror at Sofia.

Realizing what he said, Sofia starts to panic and tries to open the door. "No," she whispers. "Please don't take me to him. I can't," she tries the door one more time but knows it won't budge.

"Can't go anywhere sweetheart," the man in the passenger seat smiles with his rotten teeth at her.

FLASHBACK

"Can't go anywhere sweetheart," Sofia's dad smiles from the driver's seat as she tries to escape. "Let me out!" She yells, trying harder on the door.

Pulling over, he grabs a needle and injects her with the mystery liquid. "Night night sweetheart," was the last thing she heard before everything went black.

^ I promise nothing happened to her. I will explain what happened in another chapter.

END OF FLASHBACK

Looking all around the truck, she noticed that maybe she could get out from the back window of the truck if she was lucky. Noticing there was nothing she could use to break the glass with, all she could use was herself.

Before she could throw herself at the glass, she noticed a water bottle in the cupholder and decided this was her best option.

"If I can't go anywhere then can I atleast have water please," she begs. "Well we can't have you passing out on us before you get there can we?" The man in the driver's seat asked, passing the water bottle back to her.

Opening it, she pretends to take a drink from it and closes the lid tight. Next thing she's hitting the back glass with the bottle trying to get free. Noticing what she's doing, the guy in the passenger seat tries to grab her, but she's too far away.

Banging faster, the glass starts to break. But nothing is this easy since the man in the passenger seat, turns around and grabs Sofia's hair and drags her to the front, grabbing the water bottle from her.

Trying to get away, she kicks her feet in an attempt to break the glass more, but comes up short when she realizes it's too far to reach. The truck keeps rocking side to side as she fights against the hold.

Finally working up the courage, she spits in his eye, temporarily causing him to get rid of her. Using her shoulder, Sofia slams into the glass and breaks it a little more. She does it again and it finally breaks just enough that you can feel the air from outside.

Breaking it as fast as she can, she gets halfway out before getting dragged back by the feet, making her get a few cuts along the way. Screaming, she kicks her feet trying to hit one in the face and thankfully it works.

Rushing out, she is not in the back of the truck with blood trickling down her face and body as she pants and takes in the air for a second. Not knowing how she will get down, she knows the only way is to jump.

Taking a step up on the ledge, she jumps and lands on the hard road. Getting up before they can turn around and get her again, she starts to run.

It feels like forever before she can find somewhere to hide. Finally finding a house she knocks on it as a woman opens the door. "Oh my goodness what happened. Come in," she ushers Sofia inside and makes her wait on the couch.

"I have clothes for you but first you need to wash all that dirt off and I can clean your cuts," the lady says, guiding a shaking Sofia upstairs to the bathroom, laying clothes on the toilet for when she's done.

Taking a nice long shower was the last thing on Sofia's list of things to do today, but then again, getting kidnapped wasn't a part of it either so things changed. Once done, Sofia gets dressed and goes back downstairs and is met with the lady holding a first-aid kit.

"Sit. Now," she says, gesturing to the chair in front of her. Sitting down, the woman cleans up her cuts. Not knowing what to say Sofia stays quiet. "Thank you," she whispers looking at the kind woman.

"Anytime. If you don't mind me asking, how did you end up all the way over here like that?" she says, putting a bandage on a cut. "You woudn't believe me if I said it," Sofia laughs, but regrets it as it hurts.

"Try me," the woman says as Sofia explains everything that's happened today. "Yeah you are so right I woudnt have believed you. No way that can all happen in under twenty four hours," she says, putting away all the First-Aid stuff.

"Yeah," Sofia says, not really knowing what to say next. "I mean a lot has been going on this month you woudnt even believe," Sofia goes on to explain some other things that's happened.

Soon the two are on the couch sharing stories. "No way you went to Chilie that sounds so fun," "Quinn, the woman who helped Sofia said. "Yeah way, but it was not fun at all let me tell you that. I wish I could say more, but there is only so much I can say."

"Oh my gosh I should have asked this a long time ago," Quinn says getting up to get a phone. "You need to call someone and tell them they are okay!" "Thank you so much Quinn, you have no idea how much I appreciate you right now," Sofia says, going to hug her.

Smiling, she returns the hug whispering your welcome. After calling JJ to tell her that she's safe, JJ tells her that they will be there to pick her up soon. "So who did you call? I'm not trying to be nosy or anything."

"My husband. I can't believe that I said that. Did you know me and my now husband got married in Vegas after we went to Chilie?" Sofia says handing the phone back to Quinn who just stands there with her mouth open.

"Your life seems so cool," she gushes over Sofia, asking to tell more stories about her life. Telling more stories and Quinn still fawning over her life, a knock on the door interrupts them. "That must be them," Quinn says sadly.

"Hey what's wrong?" Sofia asks. "Nothing. It's just I've never had this much fun in my life. Plus in the short time we had together, I considered you my friend," Quinn smiles at Sofia as she pulls her into the tightest hug.

"I'll miss you Sofia," she says as a tear rushes down onto each others shirts. "You can call me Sof and," she says, pulling away. "Why dont you come with us? I'm sure they won't mind."

"Are you sure?" Quinn asked as Sofia went up to open the door. "I'm sure. I think you are exactly what we all need right now anyways," she says smiling as Sofia and JJ give each other the longest hug and kiss ever.

"I missed you"

"I missed you too"

__________

FRIDAY MORNING

"So, where is my room?" Quinn asked, holding her duffel bag of clothes in one hand, and the biggest stuffed animal in the other. As Sofia thinks of a free room, JJ takes her stuff and goes down the hall.

"Where are you going!" Quinn yells, running after him, Sofia following. Once there, the two girls stood there with their mouths wide open. "When did you do all this?" Sofia questions.

"I have my ways," he winks at her as they watch Quinn quickly make herself at home and looks around the room. Closing the door so she can make herself at home, JJ and Sofia head to the living room.

"Okay now how did you actually get this done when all three of you were in the twinkie?" Sofia asked, moving closer to him. Wrapping an arm around her, he pulls Sofia closer and says "Rafe."

Lifting her head, she looks at him. "Like Rafe Cameron Rafe?" "No Rafe Spall," JJ says, rolling his eyes. As a result of that, Sofia punches him in the chest.

"Oww," he whines. "I'm sensitive over there." "That's what she said," they both whisper at the same time as Sofia breaks into a fit of giggles. Hearing a noise, they know it's Quinn coming out in a pair of shorts and a tank top.

"I'm so excited to be here. It got boring by myself sometimes," Quinn says, standing awkwardly. "You can make yourself at home you know," JJ says, motioning for her to get comfortable.

Going to the couch, the three talked and got to know Quinn more until it was late. Getting ready for bed, the two say good night to Quinn while she heads to her room.

"You do know what we have to do next week right?" Sofia says, climbing in bed, waiting for JJ to join her. Sighing, he gets in bed and spoons her. "Yeah I know," he says, pulling her closer.

"I don't want to either but we have to. And we have to make sure Quinn doesn't question anything," Sofia whispers.

"I know but everything will come out somehow even if we are careful," JJ says, closing his eyes as Sofia stares at the ceiling.

"Yeah I know," she says, placing a kiss on his cheek. "Night," JJ says, wrapping up in the blanket. "Night. I love you," Sofia replied.

"I love you too, now get to bed. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

⋘ Deadly duo ⋙