Chapter Thirty-Three

"Guys, this is from Denmark's Diary," School had ended and we're now back at the Chateau hanging out on John B's porch. "August 15th, set sail from Port-au-Prince on calm seas. Came upon the Spanish ship San Jose on fire. The entire deck was aflame. And we could hear the screams of men trapped below. The Spanish Captain cared about only one thing, his valuable cargo, the Cross of Santo Domingo and countless bars of Gold. Once the cargo was on board, we went to help the crew, but Captain Limbrey ordered us to pull bayonets and not to let any of the Spanish crew on board. He robbed them and left them to die."

"So it didn't go off Bermuda." JJ was lying on the couch, flipping the lighter and I sat next to him, beside Kie.

"And it was a Limbrey stealing shit again." Kie sighed.

"I'm gonna make a diary," I declared. "You know what I'm gonna call it? The Pogue Diary."

"I hope you write about me in it." JJ winks over at me.

"Oh, I'll have a whole page dedicated towards you, JJ Maybank." I winked back, smirking as I leant back in my chair.

"Guys," Pope cuts JJ and I off. "This Diary proves that both the gold and the Cross of Santo Domingo were on the Royal Merchant."

"Why didn't we find it in the well then?" JJ brings up a good point. "I mean, if Denmark was able to get this, like, bedazzled cross off of the Merchant to shore, why didn't he just hide it with the gold?"

"Because it was too big." John B pointed out.

"You're right." Pope nods at John B. "He had to hide it someplace else."

"But where?" Kie asked.

"Right before he was hung, Denmark said he'd buried the treasure at the foot of the angel," Pope mentioned.

"Wait. I thought that was about the key." JJ had said.

"Right. So, what's the connection?" I asked.

"The path to the tomb begins in the island room." Pope continued.

Kie throws her head back. "But what is the island room?"

"That sounds magical," I respond. I looked up to nothing in particular. "The island room..."

"You know what helps me figure shit out?" JJ asked, standing up and grinning down at me.

"Oh boy." John B sarcastically said. "Here we go."

"Smoking beers and drinking weed." JJ grinned. "The ideas just pour out of me. If we just sit here and try to figure this out, we're gonna get nowhere. But if we get creative and go to this bonfire tonight, maybe we get somewhere."

"You know what, J? I'm quoting that in my diary," I laughed. "Smoking beers and drinking weed. I'll be an infamous quote."

"Well, I just got disowned by my parents," Kie had announced. "And I'm an official member of the I-have-nothing-to-lose club."

"Storm?" JJ looked down at me.

"I have no parents." I shrugged. "I'm in the I-have-nothing-to-lose club, too."

JJ grinned at me and turned to Pope. "Pope?"

"We're so close." Pope whined.

"Look, look," JJ continued and sat down beside him. I leant close to them, grinning. "Think about how much you could think if you just gave your brain a rest." Kie, John B, and I make a face.

"Okay, fine." Pope quickly said.

"Yes!" I kicked my legs in the air two times and jumped up. "Let's get fucked tonight, ladies and gentleman!"

"Okay, wait." JJ had said. "We gotta shotgun before we go."

I turned to JJ quickly. "Loser has to swim in the Marsh when we come back?"

JJ grinned at me, pulling me towads the beers. "You've got a deal, baby,"

✫✫✫

Night had soon fallen over and I was already tipsy when we had arrived to the bonfire. The bonfire is an Outer Banks tradition. It's the same weekend every year. Everyone went.

And I mean everyone.

John B's van had pulled up and we all climbed out of it and we stared at the bonfire pit. Pope and Kie branched off together, JJ and I clung to each other.

"I'm also going to write about tonight in my diary," I continued to slur out to JJ who was nodding his head down at me as I clung onto him. "And the time we had sex on the ferry, when—when you killed that chicken—when—" I cut myself off, I wasn't sure what I was going to say next. "Can I get another beer? I'm gonna get another beer."

I had branched off of JJ and walked around, dodging people who were scattered everywhere. I walked over to the keg and got a plastic red cup. I poured myself a class.

"Stormy Cameron?" I looked over and saw Peyton standing there with a hand on her hip and she had her friends behind her. "I'm so sorry about your Dad."

"Shut up, bitch." I muttered, shoving my shoulder purposely into her. I spent a good five minutes trying to look for JJ and the others, but I ended up giving up and forgot what I was doing as I sat down on a seat and drinking away my sorrows.

"Stormy Cameron?" I froze at the sound of the voice I hadn't heard in so long.

I looked up and saw that Ethan, my 10th-grade ex-boyfriend looking down at me with concerned eyes.

"Ethan Eastwood," I replied, a small smile forming on my face. "You've certainly grown up, haven't you?"

Ethan takes a seat down next to me, a smile forming on his own face. "You have too, Storm." I bite my lower lip, trying to hide my smile. I shouldn't be this happy to see him. But I guess that's the alchol kicking in. "You're a bit excluded, don't you think?"

He's right. I'm sitting up on top, looking down at everyone. "Yeah." I frowned sadly. "I was trying to find my friends. But, I gave up."

"Hey, I'm sorry about your father, by the way," Ethan had moved to put his arm around me. I was going to move it away, but I figured it was a friendly gesture.

I let out a shaky breath. "That asshole deserved it."

Ethan looked at me, baffled. "What?"

"I'm sure you've heard the rumours, it's true," I confessed. "I saw my Dad murder Gavin. He's admitted to murdering Big John. Fuck, he's even trying to take the blame for Peterkin's kill but we all know it's Rafe that did it."

"What?" Ethan replied, completely shock, his eyes widening.

"Forget I've said anything," I stammered. "I—I know the reason why you broke up with me, Ethan."

"He told you?" Ethan questioned, raising an eyebrow. "He's a dick. I love you, Stormy Cameron, I really do."

"Do?" I muttered, noticing that he wasn't using past tense. I glanced at him and our closeness was making me uncomfortable now.

"I still love you." He confesses quietly.

"You can't just do that." I pushed him off me, glaring at him. "Can't you see how happy I am with him? I love him, not you. If you really did love me, you would've kept fighting for our relationship. But no, you let it burn to crisp."

"He—He—"

"No." I shake my head. "Not him. You. You're a pussy, Ethan Eastwood."

"I can't believe you're taking his side." Ethan grew angry and I could see it on his face, it almost reminded me of Rafe. "He's the manipulating son of a bitch around here, not me!" I slapped his face, hard. He inhaled sharply, stunned. "Did you just hit me?"

He had snatched onto my wrist, gripping it hard. "Ethan," I warned, trying to back away from him but he pulls me close to him.

"I asked, did you just hit me?" Ethan glowered at me and I gulped nervously. I forgot how low his tolerance was.

"It was barely a touch," I spat, glaring at him. I tried to show I wasn't afraid of this man. He suddenly rises to his feet, dragging me up with him and pressed me against the tree. "What are you gonna do, strangle me?"

"You really did just read my mind," Ethan growled out and his hands grabbed my neck and let out a gasp.

"Ethan, Ethan stop, seriously," I pleaded, tears swimming in my eyes and I felt his cold hand against my throat. He was cutting on my air as he pushed me further up the tree.

He then goes flying to the ground, being pinned by someone and I let out a gasp, bending over as I hear some fighting.

I finally had the courage to look up and my saviour was JJ and I let out a breath, watching as JJ was caving Ethan's face in.

I watched until I think he deserves it. 

"JJ!" I had pulled JJ away from Ethan who was on the ground, his head tilting to the ground, blood oozing out of his mouth. "JJ." I sobbed and he pulled me into his arms and I grip onto him.

"You're okay, you're okay," JJ cooe's me softly, tightly holding onto me. "I was so worried, Storm. I didn't know where you went."

"I lost you," I mumbled, nuzzled into him. "He and I were just talking. Then he insulted you and I slapped him... And then he got physical with me."

"I'm so sorry for leaving you." JJ apologised. "If I hadn't had left, that bastard wouldn't have even laid a hand on you."

I smiled tearfully at him and he wipes away my tears. "Thank you for being my saviour." I hugged again and he kissed my forehead.

"I'll always be there for you, Stormy, no matter what," JJ told me gently, almost rocking me back and forward.

Ethan groaned and went to sit up. "What the fuck, man?"

JJ turned to him sharply and gripped onto his throat, pinning him back to the ground, keeping me behind him. "If you lay a finger on her again I'll make sure you're dead next time, you got that?" Ethan makes a few choking sounds and JJ releases him, smashing his head into the ground. JJ was absolutely fuming as he turned to me, his jaw clenching.

"Baby, babe," I whispered, grabbing onto his hand. "Can we please just go?" I glanced down at Ethan, who was suffering. JJ nods his head and kept me close to him as we returned back to people and I felt better already.

I kept close to JJ the entire time we were there. I had walked over to Kie with JJ. Kie eyes us both. "Oh, my God, you guys look like shit. What happened to you?"

"Ex-boyfriend issues." JJ glanced at me, eyeing my neck. I crossed my arms. I already knew I was going to have a bruise around my neck. I looked down at the ground, feeling self-conscious. "Moving on from the conversation."

The others had brought up another conversation and I wasn't listening, I spaced out most of it.

"You really don't look okay," Pope told me as he sat down next to me.

I glanced at Pope nervously, trying to give him my best smile but I felt tears swimming in my eyes and I looked away. "No, I'm fine, really." I felt my breath hitch as Ethan Eastwood greets his mates and was gesturing towads his face. I moved closer to Pope, trying to create some sort of barrier between us and them. I'm really not in the mood to have a fight tonight.

Pope placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We've got your back, don't worry, Stormy," Pope told me and I shifted my gaze away from them and made eye contact with him.

"I know, Pope." I gave him a fake grin. I looked over to John B and another girl flirting, which caused my blood to boil. Sarah has dumped him for a day, what the hell does he think he's doing? I flicked my hair over my shoulder, sending how uncomfortable John B looked around her. "I've got a boy to save."

I had jumped up and JJ quickly takes my arm. "Stormy, where you going?" JJ asked, looking at me worriedly.

"Don't worry, I'm going to save John B from that bitch." I glared over at the dark brunette haired girl, Yvonne who was way too close to John B for my liking. I strut towards them, flicking a piece of hair behind my shoulder and I placed a hand on John B's shoulder. "Hey, John B." I looked up at Yvonne up and down. "Yvonne."

"Hey, Storm." John B greets me, giving me a grateful smile.

"Hi, Stormy," Yvonne greets bitterly and she looked at me up and down. "Shouldn't you be with your sister?"

"Shouldn't you be literally anywhere else but here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm the one that invited John B." Yvonne continued to argue lightly.

"What, like it's your party?" I scoffed. "News flash, bitch, it's tradition." Yvonne looked like she could yell at me any moment. "And by the way, John B's way too nice to say it, but he's uncomfortable around you. He just got broken up by my sister and would like some time to himself, so do us all a favour and back the fuck off."

"If he's uncomfortable around me, why doesn't he just say it?" Yvonne raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.

"Weren't you listening?" I asked, chuckling. "He's too nice."

"Hey, uh," John B cuts in. "I'll be right back, okay?" Yvonne nods. "Come on, Storm." Yvonne glared at me as John B pulls me away. He lets out a sigh. "Thank you for the save there, Storm."

I shrugged. "Aren't I the best best friend in the world?"

John B wrapped an arm around me. "The best." He studied me for a moment. "Hey, what happened to your neck? It's bruising."

I placed a hand on my neck. "Eh, I'll explain later... Hey, wanna dance?"

"Awe, I thought you would never ask," John B pouts and I laughed, glancing around and spotting JJ and Pope by the wall, while Kie was on the dance floor. John B began to twirl me around and we danced, but then he stops momentarily, looking up. I followed his gaze and saw that Sarah and Topper were dancing by the edge.

"Don't worry about her, John B." I told him gently. "She's just confused. I can tell you now, she's not getting back with Topper anytime soon."

"Huh?" John B turns to me. "Did she tell you that?"

I shake my head. "Nope. It's a twin thing." I looked back at Sarah, seeing she was smiling with Topper. I gazed at John B sadly. "I know I'm literally properly the last person you want to hear this from because I'm her twin and all, but let's just get you away from her for a bit, okay? Sarah wants space. You owe her that much."

"You're right." John B muttered before ditching me to go back to Yvonne and I sighed. Is this boy dumb, or what?

I froze realising I'm left alone. I'm vulnerable now and Ethan could come pouncing at any moment. I glanced around, noticing Sarah moving towards me alone. She had a downcast expression.

"Hey, Storm," she greets me in a hug and I hugged her back tightly, wrapping me up in a big bear hug.

"I've missed you," I told her, pulling away. "Is everything okay? You and Topper seem..."

"It's not like that." Sarah shakes her head. "He's getting me another drink and I saw you looking lost. Where's JJ?"

"He's with Pope, by the wall." I nodded over towards them and Sarah glances quickly.

She gasped suddenly, moving close to me. "Your neck. It's bruising. Who did that to you?"

I sighed and looked down. "Ethan..."

"Ethan?" She spat out angrily and if looks could kill, he would be dead. "Where is he? I'm gonna—"

"Calm down, tiger." I quickly told her. "JJ rescued me and it's fine. I'm fine. Everything's good, I'm alive."

"Hey, is that John B?" Sarah looked over to see Yvonne and John B dancing together quite closely.

"Oh, yeah." I shrugged.

"And Yvonne?" She scoffed. "I can't believe this." She had walked over to them, leaving me behind.

"Wait, Sarah—" I run after her as she approaches John B from behind.

"Sancho." Sarah eyes John B then Yvonne. "Hi! Are you gonna introduce me to your friend?"

"What are you doing here?" John B asked Sarah as they break apart.

"Same thing you're doing here it looks like." Sarah eyed John B. Topper then approached us. "Hey, Top!" Topper wrapped an arm around her.

"Hey, Sarah," Topper spots me and smiled at me. "Hey, Storm."

"Hi, Top." I greeted back.

Topper leans to Sarah. "Hey, I think we should go."

"I don't know what you mean." Sarah looked at Topper. "I think we're just getting started."

"That's a good idea." Yvonne had intervenned. "You should go, Sarah. And why don't you go while you're at it too, Stormy?"

"Did I ask you?" Sarah turned to Yvonne.

"Yeah, no one asked, Yvonne." I fired back.

"You don't own everything, Princess." Yvonne spat. "You aren't even together."

"Why are you still talking?" I asked her, placing a hand on my hip and glaring at her.

"Relax!" Topper had yelled over the top of us. "Do you have a little respect? Their Dad just died."

"Shut up, Kook!" Yvonne snapped. "Back off!" She shoved him. "Don't touch me!"

"What's your problem?" I asked stepped in between them, crossing my arms. "Why are you even talking right now? Seriously? Just back the fuck away from me and my friends, got it?"

"You shut the fuck up, Princess." Yvonne continued her rampage. "You're such a selfish little brat, you know that?"

"Are you mad because I took John B away from you?" I pouted and she glares at me heavily.

"Okay, seriously, what is your problem?" Topper cuts in and the three of us began to aruge with each other. Topper and I were throwing insults towards Yvonne which was rather fun, to be honest.

"Did I mean anything to you?" Sarah had asked John B and Topper walked over to Sarah, pulling her away. "Did... Did you tell her?"

"Come on, let's just go," Topper had urged Sarah. "You wanna start this right now?" Topper had asked John B.

"Do I wanna start some shit?" John B argued right back and a crowd around us formed.

"Come on, John B, kick his ass!" I heard someone in the crowd shout.

"We all know what happened last time!" Topper had taunted and Sarah shoves John B back.

"Just get out!" Sarah snapped. "Just go!"

"Get out of here, Topper!" John B had called.

"He started it, Sarah!" Topper had exclaimed.

  "Don't even think about it!" Sarah yelled back.

"Hey, hey, she doesn't want you anymore, bro!" Kelce had stepped in between.

"Shut the hell up!" John B growled as he turned away.

"What you gonna do, John B, kill me like you killed Sheriff Peterkin?" Kelce taunts and my fists clenched. "Do something!" John B turns around and strikes him in the face.

Topper grapples John B, then slams him on the ground. "Topper, stop!" I had snapped. Two others boys had started to fight each other and my eyes widen. People were filming this. Yvonne shoves Sarah off a small ledge and I let out a gasp. "Oh, no you didn't!"

I shoved Yvonne back, getting aggressive with her. I wrapped my hands around her throat and tossed her to the ground. She lets out a gasp. She grabbed onto my hair and pulls me down with her. I let out a yelp as she grabbed a chunk and I felt myself go to the ground.

"Bitch!" Yvonne had snapped as she got back up.

"Move, bitch! What's your problem?" Kie had shoved Yvonne back, glaring at her. Kie had helped me up. "You okay?" I nodded and looked over at Sarah.

"Aer you okay?" I asked her and she nods her head, staring up at us.

"What the hell?!" Yvonne yelled at Kie. "Who's side are you on?"

"They're my friends!" Kie had gestured towards us.

"You belong with us!" Yvonne had snapped.

Pope and JJ had rushed over to us, JJ prying Topper off of John B, Pope punches Kelce. "Go fuck yourself, Yvonne!" I had snapped angrily, patting down my matted hair. "Seriously, just jump off a bridge already!"

Yvonne went to pounce at me again but Kie had punched her across the face. "Stay the fuck away from her!" Kie had yelled angrily. Kie turned to me. "We gotta get out of here!" Kie pulls John B, JJ, and Pope away from the group that was fighting. "Come on!"

"Stormy!" JJ had come up to me, quickly examining me. "Are you good? Are you good?"

"I'm fine!" I snapped and began to jog away from the scene and back towards John B's van. I ran into the van, feeling completely shaken up and sore. JJ had finished a beer.

"Well, that was a little unexpected," JJ spoke.

"Was it?"

John B was lying in his van, looking completely heartbroken. "Hey, maybe she'll come around," JJ told him.

"It's like everything that happened to us didn't matter." John B speaks, his voice sounding flat and I felt bad for him.

✫✫✫

At the Chateau, John B, JJ, Pope, Kie and I sit around our own bonfire outside, roasting marshmallows. My marshmallow was on a stick, going crispy brown.

  "I've had more black eyes in the last month than I've ever had," Pope commented.

"Vouch," I muttered, my hand cupping my neck lightly.

"That was building up for years," JJ said. "Rumble in the jungle."

Kie sat with John B as JJ sat down next to me. I held out my marshmallow, admiring it. "Damn, look at this beauty," I had said, gazing at my marshmallow. "I'm a chief."

"That shit's golden." JJ complimented and I turned to make eye contact with him. I smiled. He pecked my lips gently, smiling.

"Your so golden..." I sing under my breath, turning my head towards the flames.

"Did you really stick up for Sarah?" John B questioned Kie.

"Of course I did." Kie nods her head. "She's not a real Kook."

"Right." John B muttered. "Yeah, tell that to Topper."

I had JJ my marshmallow and his eyes light up as he grabbed onto it. "Ouch!" He hisses as it was still hot. I giggled as he eats the marshmallow and his eyes widen. "Fuck."

"I just want one bite." John B steals Kie's marshmallows. "Hmm."

"What are you doing? No, stop." Kie cried, her eyes widening as John B inhales her mashmellow.

"You're not having any of mine," JJ told John B.

"I spent the last of my money on that,"  Kie whined.

"I thought you were gonna share." John B teased.

"Sixteen years in most federal prisons." John B smirks.

"I'm stealing your marshmallow," Kie announced.

"I believe that's not even a fair trade." Pope shakes his head.

"It's not at all. Not even close." Kie scoffed and I smiled at my friends. I rested my head on JJ's shoulder and he fed me one of his marshmallows.

"Hey, hey," John B shushes us and I frowned. John B looks over at the back. "Somebody's here."

JJ tenses beside me and John B rises to his feet. "You don't think that Topper would..." Kie suggested and I shake my head.

"I wouldn't pass him," JJ speaks. JJ stands up, pulling me up with him and keeping me behind him.

"Do you have your gun?" Kie asked JJ.

"Oh, now she wants the gun?" JJ rolled his eyes and my hands wrapped around his biceps.

"Oh, now you don't have the gun?" Kie fires back.

"No." JJ hisses.

"Isn't that your secret weapon?" Kie mocks.

"Shut up." John B tells the two. JJ had grabbed onto a metal like rod, holding it up in the air as we inched closer.

"Goddamn, now she wants the gun," JJ muttered to me.

"Hey, who's out there?" John B sternly asked.

"You Kook's better not try anything." Kie had yelled out. A man holds his hands up in the air. It was Limbrey's employee, who is it, Renfield, I think...

"Hey, how y'all doing?" Renfield asked, keeping his hands raised as he slowly approached us.

"It's this piece of shit," Pope muttered. "You gotta be kidding me."

"Lovely evening we're having." Renfield remarks and I let go of JJ. "Look, I uh... I don't hold a grudge with any of y'all, all right? But this can go hard—" He spins with jacket held open, showing us that he doesn't have any weapons on him. "Or lets go easy. You know what I'm here for."

JJ steps in front of Pope, holding the rod. "Let me give you a little demonstration." Renfield continued. "You see that swing?" I eyed the swing that was hanging from the tree in front of us. "I got the best bowhunters in the Army Rangers with me." Suddenly, Renfield whistles and I gasped in shock as an arrow comes flying right by my face and into the tree, taking the swing with it. I grasped onto JJ's arm tightly.

"Now, they're out they're out there," Renfield said as he past JJ and towards Pope. "They'll stick you just as soon as I say so." JJ winds up and Renfield whistles, an arrow hits the ground between him and Renfield. Renfield turned to JJ. "We clear?"

JJ lowers the rod. "Now, I'm not gonna give you a countdown or any bullshit like that." Renfield spoke. "I'm just gonna whistle." Renfield grins at Pope.

Pope eyes us before pulling out Denmark's key. He clutches it as Renfield reaches for it. "No," Pope muttered softly.

"Oh." Renfield raises an eyebrow.

"This key belongs to my family," Pope strongly said.

Renfield looks back at us for a moment and laughs, turning back to him. "I'm losing you my patience with you, Pope." Renfield raises his fingers to his lips and Pope unclutches the key. Renfield takes it, causing anger to boil up inside me. "Did the right thing, kid. Knowing you don't have a choice is underappreciated talent. You be safe." Renfield turns to JJ. "Easy there. Y'all have a good night."

I glared at Renfield who makes eye contact with me. He winks at me making me uncomfortable and I could feel JJ tense again. If looks could kill, Renfield would be dead in a matter of seconds.

I watched Renfield leave, he whistles, letting the hunters know we were done. "I'm so sick of this shit," Pope whispered. Kie frowns, and Pope walks away Kie following.

"Are you okay?" JJ asked me softly, taking my hands in him as he drops the rod. I bite my lower lip, nodding my head.

"I agree with Pope." I glanced behind me. "I'm so sick of this shit."

A/N

AH I KINDA LOVE THIS CHAPTER SM. Stormy runs in with her ex... She has a couple of fights... JJ saves her once, JJ being utterly protective of her <3 ITS SO CUTE. And TYSM for 5K reads!!