Pᴏɢᴜᴇʟᴀɴᴅɪᴀ (3)
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"What the hell was that?" Pope says, "Why would they want to kidnap Kiara and Estrella? It doesn't make any sense."
"It's called bait." JJ says looking towards him
"I am so sick of this." Sarah says as JJ hits the building he was sat against. Sarah's eyes follow him as he stands up, "Do you think there's any way we could trust the cops?"
"The cops?" JJ scoffs, "You're joking, right? You seriously think your daddy hasn't called them already?"
"I have a crazy idea. Why don't we call my parents?" Pope suggests
"And say what, Pope?" John B asks
"And say we're alive." He says, "I haven't seen my family in I don't know how long. They're probably worried sick about me. We can just call and maybe ask them to wire us some money or something."
"And put them in danger?"
"I got a better idea." JJ says pulling a wallet out and holding it up, "And faster."
"Whose is that?" Sarah asks
"You think I'm gonna go through someone's backpack and not pinch their wallet?" He says, "Jimmy Portis, Cattle Wash." I bet that's where they got Estrella. All right? So, that's where we're going."
"Alright, that's conceivable." Pope says as John B takes the ID from JJ, "But can we at least think this through?"
"You got a better idea, Pope?" JJ says taking the ID back from John B, "Come on, Cattle Wash. That's where we're going."
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Estrella looks ahead as the truck they were in pulls up to a gate. Three men with guns stood aside as the truck came to a stop. One of the men approached the truck and looked around it before nodding.
"All right, let them in." He says. Kiara and Estrella look back as they pass the men up and continue on through the driveway. Seconds later, the truck stops and the men open the trunk door before pulling the girls out. Two men take their arms and lead them to the front door. Before they could knock, the door swings open revealing an older woman.
The men push the girls inside before shutting the door behind them. Estrella and Kie take a second to look around. They notice a few gold items on display.
"Take them upstairs." The housekeeper says, "The Orinoco Room."
"This way." A man says before snatching Kie's arm, "Up."
He then reaches over and grabs Estrella's arm before pushing the girls upstairs. He leads them down the hall before approaching a door and opening it. He pushes both girls inside before standing by the doorway.
"Why are we here? Who are you working for?" Kie says
"Dinner at eight." He says, "I'd clean up."
"Just tell us what they want." Estrella tries, but the guard simply closes the door before locking it. Estrella reaches forward and rattles the doorknob as Kie looks around the room. Estrella lets out a deep sigh as she lays her head on the door. She shuts her eyes as she takes a second to compose herself.
Kie walks over and takes a look out the window. Her brows furrowing at the amount of guards sitting on the front porch. She then walks over to the open closet to find four dresses sitting on a rack. Two red and two black.
"Estrella." She says
The girl turns as Kie holds a paper out to her. She walks over to her and takes it from her reading it, "Pick your size."
She then looks up and frowns at the dresses. While they were beautiful, there was a pit sitting in her stomach at the idea of putting them on.
"At least we get to take a shower." Kie says trying to lighten the mood
Estrella chuckles, but Kie could tell there was no real humor behind it, "Yeah. Right."
Kie sighs as she pulls the red dress off of the rack.
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"Really helps there's no names on the streets." JJ says
"Just let me handle it." Cleo says before approaching a house with a man on the porch, "101 Cattle Wash?" She asks and he points behind her, "Blue house? Thanks, I appreciate you."
"Let's do it." JJ says before following behind Cleo. It's not long before they make it to the house. The address written in black on a piece of wood, "This is it. Let's go around back."
After walking around the back, John B opens the gate and leads them into the backyard. Pope looks back as JJ hits the gate, "Shh!"
"My bad. Sorry." JJ says, "Hey."
"Window?" John B says
"Yeah."
"Here. You want some help?" Pope asks
"No, I got this." John B says before climbing the wall to the window
"Careful." Pope whispers as JJ looks behind them noticing the crabs in the grass
"Whoa. Yo, get off!" He says, "Get off! Get off! Dude, get o..."
JJ screams as the crab bites his fingers. The teens quickly shushing him as he cries out in pain.
"Shh!" Pope whispers harshly, "Hey! Shh! What are you doing? Does the element of surprise mean nothing to you?"
"It turned my thumb purple!"
"Shh. Relax." Cleo says, "It's just a crab, man."
"I'm being surrounded right now. Goddamn it. Damn little sea spider."
"Shh!" Pope whispers as they all enter the house
"I'll take the front. Take the back." Cleo whispers
"Kiara?" Charlotte whispers as they walk through the house, "Kie?"
"Estrella?" Sarah says entering a room
"Sarah, no one in there?" JJ asks
"No." Sarah says shaking her head
JJ turns to John B, "No one there?"
"There's no one in there."
"Okay. Well, if they're not here, where are they?"
As JJ leaves the room, Pope turns to a painting on the wall. His eyes widen, "John B. John B?" John B turns and walks over, "Recognize that?"
"What? Find something?" JJ asks walking over
"Holy shit." John B says
"It's a burning boat."
"This is San Jose. It's from Denmark's diary. This is the ship that Captain Limbrey stole the cross from." Pope explains. Charlotte and Sarah approach them.
"And the Merchant gold." John B says
JJ nods, "Great, whatever. It's just about the gold. It's not about Estrella or Kiara. It doesn't help us."
Sarah turns as JJ walks off, "Well, Portis is a treasure guy. This is too close to our boat."
"Just let it go. That's not why we're here."
Cleo whistles, "Guys, guys, guys."
"What?" Charlotte says running over and watching as a truck pulls in, "Shit. It's Portis."
"Shit." JJ says, "Yo, he's back."
"Do we run?" Sarah asks. Cleo shakes her head before walking off. The teens quickly catch on and hide as Portis approaches the house.
They hear him walk in before he stops, "Damn it. I've had it with you guys."
He looks around before JJ comes out and pushes him. Portis stumbles into Pope and the boy puts him in a headlock. John B tries running at him, but Portis pushes him back. Portis then elbows Pope before tossing him to the ground. As he runs out, JJ sticks his leg out and trips him.
"Get up!" JJ says grabbing him by his shirt
"Okay, okay." Portis says as the teens run out, "Okay."
"Sit down." JJ says pushing him into a chair while Cleo holds her knife to his throat
Portis grunts, "You guys really shouldn't be here right now."
"Where are they, Jimmy?"
"Answer the man!" Cleo yells
Portis scoffs, "You really don't wanna know."
"Talk." Sarah says holding a bottle up to his chin, "Who took them? Was it Ward?"
"Ward? Who's Ward?" Portis laughs, "You guys really don't understand who you're messing with."
"We'll call the cops."
"Sure, call the cops. See how far that gets you." Portis says as Pope grabs his bag from the table, "This guy owns the cops. He's got eyes all over the island looking for you. All of you. He's a big man, the Kingfish.
"The Kingfish?" JJ repeats
"Hey!" Pope says walking over with an envelope, "What's this?"
"Hey, take your hands off my shit." Portis says
"Hey, quiet down!" Cleo says
"Shut up." JJ mutters as they tighten their grip on him
"Quiet."
"What is it?" JJ asks as Pope opens the envelope. Charlotte's face drops as he pulls out money and hands it to John B
"Ah, man."
"What's that, Jimmy? Is that the payoff?" JJ asks, "Is that the payoff for them, Jimmy? Is it?"
"Talk!" Cleo grunts
"Hey, what's Vaux Hall?" Pope asks
"You really don't want to go there, man. That's the lion's den." Portis says
"That's it. That's where Kie and Estrella are. Come on, Pope." John B says before walking back into the house with Pope and Charlotte following him.
"You really don't want to go there!"
"Do we look afraid?" Cleo says
"You should be." Portis pants
"Let's go. Come on, it's not worth it." John B says, "Come on, Cleo. JJ, let's go! Come on! Portis, we're taking some clothes. Deal with it."
"Big mistake. You're just gonna make it worse for them!" Portis says, "Hey, I didn't tell you shit, okay? Remember that!"
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