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"So based on the captain's log, Blackbeard's in his ship, the Adventure, somewhere out there, and they're being pursued by the British Royal Navy, right?" Pope says

"Mm-hmm." John B nods

"So he comes to shore, takes a bunch of hostages. They called it the, um, the..." Pope mutters

"Oh, the, uh, the Blockade of Charleston. That was eighth-grade history." John B says

"The Charleston Blockade?"

"What's the difference?"

"It's... It is different." Pope says, "Anyway, so guy's being pursued, but everybody knows he has a bunch of treasure aboard his ship."

"Mm-hmm."

"But somehow he's allowed to bring two of his dead crewmates ashore and bury them?" He says, "Now, listen to this. This is from the Genrette's log, all right? 'I've taken great care to ensure
that the caskets are secure and protected from the elements.'"

"Okay."

"Anyway, so he brings his ship down into the harbor somewhere out there." Pope points, "He docks, and he brings the people to shore from the Half Moon Battery inland."

"Half Moon?" John B says as he points around them, "Battery?"

"So, I guess we just head inland."

"Chop-chop." Cleo says walking forward

"Okay." John B says, "Okay. I have a question. So if we're talking about caskets, that doesn't mean that we're going to another cemetery, right?"

•••

"Check this out. They're talking about Blackbeard on this." Pope says as they approach a statue

"Come on." Cleo says

"I think we're on the right track." Sarah says

•••

"Pope, we've been walking for forever, and my feet hurt." John B says and he was right. They had been walking long enough for the sun to set, "What are we doing?"

"Listen, it's a treasure hunt. You hunt for the treasure. It doesn't come to you." Pope says

"You said you knew where we was going." Cleo says

"I said I knew the general vicinity." Pope says, "You know what's been bugging me?"

"What?" Kie asks

"Blackbeard has a treasure he desperately wants to keep. He's being pursued by the British Royal Navy." Pope explains, "They're blockading the entire city. Yet he finds time to make coffins
to bury his cook and his navigator?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Time out. Time out. Time out." John B says, "Dude, he definitely put something in those coffins."

"100%." Pope nods, "Half Moon, Half Moon Battery, where the living and the dead collide. Which I figure is a cemetery."

"Shit."

"All we have to do is figure out where-"

"The North Star is?" Sarah says as she stares up at the sky

"What?" John B asks

"That?" Sarah points, "Right there? That's gotta be the North Star."

"The North Star will guide the way." Pope says

"We're close now." Charlotte says

"Sarah Cameron, have I told you I love you lately?" John B says

"Pretty damn impressive. Here's the plan. Here's the plan. Listen up." Pope says before pointing to Cleo, Sarah, and Charlotte, "I'm gonna need you, you, and you for diversions. I need to check something in the church. You two are on cemetery duty."

"Wait, what?" John B says

"What the hell?" Kie frowns

"Look for the gatekeeper in the cemetery." Pope says, "The gatekeeper will guide the way."

"No. Hell no." Kie says

"Let's go." Pope says

"You just got benched." Sarah says

"All right, let's do it." Charlotte says following Pope

"No. I don't do well with graveyards, man." John B says

"You guys got it." Pope says with two thumbs up

"Yep." Kie sighs

"Keep a lookout." Pope nods. The four head up the stairs before Pope opens the door to the church. He holds the door open for the girls before entering.

"Good evening." A priest says passing by

"Hi." Pope mutters before turning to the girls, "Okay. So, we're look... We're looking for the entrance to a crypt."

"A crypt?" Charlotte whispers

"Yes. Okay." Pope says, "All these old churches have one. A place where the living and the dead collide. So, I need you guys to distract the priest while I look around."

Pope looks over at Sarah. He tilts his head noticing her staring ahead of him. He snaps his fingers, "Sarah. Hey."

"Mmm?" She hums looking over at him

"You with me?"

"Mm-hmm. Yeah. Distract the priest. Got it."

"Yeah."

"How hard can it be?" Cleo says following Charlotte and Sarah to the front of the church. The three look back as Pope bumps into a table. He scratches the back of his head as he walks off.

"Hi." Sarah smiles

"Can I help you?" The priest asks

"Yes. We were wondering if you would take a minute to pray with us over my friend here." Sarah asks holding Charlotte's arm. The blonde frowns, "She has recently been diagnosed with a terrible disease."

"Polio." Cleo says

Sarah's head snaps over, "Polio."

"But I thought polio had been eradicated. And you can walk." The priest says

"Very slow-moving polio." Charlotte nods

"Late, late onset. Tragic." Sarah says, "We... we need a miracle."

"Well, I'd be happy to lead you in prayer if you'd like." The priest smiles

"Thank you." Charlotte smiles

"Thank you, Father." Cleo says as the three move to sit

"Gracious and loving God, we come before you in prayer, seeking your healing power for all of those who are sick and suffering. Help us to trust in your divine plan..." He says. Charlotte gasps as he flicks holy water on the three girls, "and teach us to find peace in your promises. Grant this young woman your strength and support her and her friends during this difficult time as she faces late onset polio."

"Praise be." Cleo says

"We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen."

"Amen." Charlotte and Sarah say

"Amen. Thank you, Father." Cleo nods

"You're welcome to stay as long as you like."

"Thank you." Charlotte says as he walks away

The three turn and wave over Pope. Sarah whispers, "Hey. Come here."

"Come on." Charlotte says

"Hey. I got it. I think I got it." Pope says

"What?"

"All we got was wet, man." Cleo complains

"What?" Sarah says

"Hey, what?"

Pope stomps down. The three jump up, "Hey, hey, hey."

"What are you doing?" Charlotte whispers harshly

"In a lot of these old churches, the crypt's buried under the altar." Pope explains as he begins to move the altar

"Oh, I'm sure they won't mind." Sarah says sarcastically

"Okay, guys, this is like sacrilege." Cleo says

"Yeah. We've already sinned once."

"I think God will understand." Pope says kneeling down and pulling up the carpet

"What are you doing? You're ripping their carpets." Sarah whines

"Pope." Cleo grunts

Pope picks the carpet up and reveal an entrance, "I knew it. I knew it."

"How did you...?" Sarah mumbles

"Wait, okay." Cleo says

"Okay." Pope says as he leans down and pulls off the cover

"What are we looking for again?"

"The Blue Crown." Pope pants, "Blackbeard's most famous treasure."

"Apparently in a coffin." Charlotte says

"A coffin he buried 300 years ago. We gotta check it out." Pope says opening his backpack, "Okay, so here's the plan. Two of us go down there. Two of us stay here and keep watch."

"Not it." Cleo says

Sarah turns to Charlotte, "Rock, paper, scissors?"

Charlotte turns to her and the two play, "Rock, paper, scissors." Sarah puts down scissors while Charlotte puts down paper, "Shit.

"The stairway to hell. We'll stay back." Cleo says

Charlotte turns to Pope, "It's you and me."

"Miss Limbrey." Pope says handing her a flashlight. He turns his own on, "All right. Yell if anything happens."

"Like we'll be able to help." Charlotte mutters as he climbs down the ladder

"Don't worry. We already got prayed over." Cleo smiles

"For polio." Charlotte says. She looks down as Pope makes his final step.

He looks around before looking up, "Hey. Hey, come on. Charlotte."

"Coming." She says as she starts to climb down. The metal creaks above her as Sarah and Cleo close the entrance back up.

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