hell and back
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❤️‍🔥

The next day, the sun rises over the Chateau, casting a warm glow over the worn-out furniture in the backyard. Kie's fingers dance over the bongos, the rhythm a pulse that seems to sync with the beating of their hearts. The steady thump-thump-thump is a balm to their frayed nerves, a reminder of the simple pleasures they've fought to hold onto.

Myah sits cross-legged on the couch, her bruised nose a stark reminder of the night before. Her eyes are distant, lost in the horizon where the sea meets the sky. The salty tang of the ocean fills her nose, a scent that's become as familiar as the taste of fear and the metallic tang of blood.
She's quiet, the silence around her a stark contrast to the storm of emotions raging within.

John B's voice cuts through the calm, "Look, I'm calling it off, alright?" His words are a lifeline thrown into the turbulent sea of their conversation. "Peterkin said, if I stay out of the Marsh, she'll help me with DCS."

JJ's eyes narrow, the question in them sharper than a shark's tooth. "And you believed her?" he asks, his voice skeptical as the tide that ebbs and flows with the whims of the moon.

John B's jaw tightens, his eyes never leaving the horizon. "Yes I believe her JJ." The words as heavy as an anchor.

John B's eyes flash with anger. "An actual cop," he says, his voice a whip crack in the stillness of the morning. "You believed a cop."

"Hey, cut it out." Myah's voice snaps as she rubs her temples. "I'm hungover as fuck, and you two bickering is not helping."

John B turns to JJ, his eyes as cold as the early morning surf. "Look, all I got to do is stay out of the marsh for a couple of days, and she'll help me out." He says it like it's the simplest thing in the world, like asking for extra mayo on a burger at the local shack. But Myah knows it's not. It's like asking a dolphin to swim in a fishbowl. "And it doesn't help that your ass was the one shooting a gun."

JJ scoffs, his eyes flicking to Myah. "You know, I should've just let Topper drown your ass." His voice is like a gull's cry, harsh and uncaring. But the way his gaze lingers on her, the way his jaw clenches, tells a different story. It's like he's trying to hide the fact that he's still reeling from the fear of losing her.

Myah's eyes widen, the pain from her nose forgotten as she looks at him. "JJ, don't say that." She breathes out, her voice a soft wave against the shore of his anger. The words hang in the air, a plea wrapped in a whisper.

"Why not?" JJ snaps, turning to her, his eyes like the stormy sea. "They always win. They've got everything—the boats, the money, the respect. And what do we get? Shit jobs, hand-me-downs, and a world that looks down on us like we're nothing but the scum of the earth."

Kie's eyes flash with a sudden intensity, her voice cutting through the tension. "Okay, okay." She holds up her hands, the bongos silenced.

"Let's get real for a second," Myah says, her gaze bouncing between John B and JJ. "You think it's just about a couple of days in the marsh?" Her words hang in the air, the implication as heavy as a fog rolling in from the sea. "They don't want us down there because there's something valuable, and you know it."

John B's eyes flick to hers, a silent question in them. She nods, confirming his suspicion. "We've got to keep looking," she says firmly. "For Scooter's boat, for the treasure. It's bigger than just us now."

"Exactly," JJ says, his voice a sharp snap that cuts through the air. The word hangs there, a declaration of agreement that's as solid as the lighthouse that stands tall over the island.

"Now I understand why you wouldn't want to go." He turns to Pope, his gaze as piercing as the beam from that very lighthouse "You're the golden boy, with everything to lose," he says, his tone a mix of understanding and accusation. The words hit Pope like a rogue wave, knocking the wind out of him. For a moment, Pope's eyes flicker with something that might be anger, but it's gone as quickly as it came, replaced with a resigned nod.

JJ then turns to Kie, "and you, well you're already rich as fuck anyways so why would you bother." His voice is a jagged piece of driftwood thrown against the shore of their friendship, cutting through the calm.

Kie's eyes narrow, the cords in her neck standing out like the knots in a fisherman's net. "You think I don't have anything to lose?" she says, her voice a crescendo of anger. "You think I don't care about you all?"

Myah cocks an eyebrow, the question in her eyes as clear as the crystal waters of the Caribbean. What did Kie mean by that? Was it just the heat of the moment or something more?

But before she can ask, John B stands up abruptly, the springs of the couch creaking under his weight. His eyes are like the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, a silent promise of the tempest to come. He doesn't say a word, just turns and starts to walk away, his flip flops sinking into the sand with every step.

JJ watches him go, his expression a tumultuous mix of anger and regret. After a beat, he turns to Myah, his eyes searching hers. "I've got a plan," he says, the words coming out in a rush.

Myah playfully rolls her eyes and gets up to leave, "I bet you do," she says, her voice a soft laugh that's as sweet as the promise of a treasure chest. She wipes the dust from her shorts and starts to walk towards the house. JJ's gaze follows her, his mind racing with ideas.

Kie follows after Myah, her heart racing like the engines of a speedboat. She catches up to her just as she's about to step inside the Chateau. "Hey, Myah, can I talk to you?" Her voice is like the rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze, tentative and hopeful.

Myah turns around, her hand hovering over the fridge door. She grabs a beer and cracks it open, the hiss of the cap releasing the pressure. "Sure, what's up?" she asks, her tone as cool and smooth as the beer sliding down her throat.

Kie's eyes follow the bottle's journey, watching the condensation run down the sides like a river in the desert. "Do you like JJ?" she blurts out, the words coming out like a fish jumping out of water.

Myah's eyes widen, and she spits out her beer, the liquid spraying like a geyser. "Ew, Kie, why would you think that?" she sputters, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She stares at Kie, the question hanging in the air like mist before the dawn.

Kie's cheeks flush, and she shrugs, her eyes flickering to the floor. "It's just, you guys have always had that... spark," she says, her voice trailing off like the wake of a boat disappearing over the horizon. "And with everything that's been happening... I just thought maybe you might be into him."

Myah shakes her head, her laughter bubbling up like the foam on a wave. "Kie, you're reading too much into it," she says, her voice as light as a seagull's feather. "JJ's just... JJ. He's like a tornado that shows up when you least expect it and causes a mess everywhere."

But Kie's gaze is unyielding, her eyes searching Myah's like a treasure map. "I know you, Myah. I can see it in the way you look at him."

JJ slowly closes the screen door, the wood creaking like the protest of an old ship's planks. His eyes are on the ground, his shoulders tense like a bow about to release its arrow. He shakes his head, the gesture almost imperceptible, a silent denial to himself. He doesn't want to hear it, doesn't want to think about it. Not here, not now.

...

KATE SPEAKS!

short chapter today