CRUEL SUMMER
025, botanical taste

" PAT WOMACK DID NOT GET HER CALF CHEWED OFF BY A GATOR!" Renee snorts a laugh in the middle of a scoff as she follows behind JJ in search of the angel oak.

Kiara humming, " yeah it was actually a car accident that injured her-" she says, both the girls noticing JJ is not listening to them whatsoever.

His head turning to look back at them " yeah, that's what the government wants you to think." he points at the two girls who look at each other in confusion, " live in ignorance then."

Kiara mouthing " the government?" to the blonde who shrugged her shoulders in reply as they followed behind JJ.

Renee watched as he walked down towards the water, bending down to grab a stick " they like the brackish water." he told them, Renee folding her arms just watching him in confusion to what exactly he is doing.

" wait-hold on! I see something!" JJ said, moving closer. Renee tilting her head " JJ, what are you doing?" She hummed.

He didn't answer, whatever silence broken by the sound of the stick crashing into the water. Kiara and Sarah rolled their eyes

" right, wake them up. that's smart." Sarah spoke as JJ turned around, looking to Renee who gently smiled at him.

" I was just making sure it wasn't a gator. That's all alright?" he tells them, dropping the stick onto the bank as Renee reaches a hand to place on his shoulder.

Moving it gently over his shoulder blade " come on Bear Grylls." she gently laughed, JJ looking at Renee in confusion.

" what did you just call me?" he watches as Renee's eyes widen and playfully nudge him.

Shaking her head " how do you not know who these people are!" hearing the softness of JJ's laugh as they walked up the bank.

The sound of machinery and voices evident the closer they got. Pope placing his finger on his lips to keep the other quiet, the five of them soon hiding behind a bush that looked onto the site.

" you sure this is the right spot?" Rafe's voice made the hairs on Renee's neck stand, subconsciously moving a bit closer to JJ as she watched Limbrey and her crew.

The older lady's voice caught their attention " the garment will in the cross." she announced " and the cross will be at the foot of the tree."

They all heard as the crunch of wood under the machines caused chaos — the pogues not really being able to hear anything from how far away they were. Renee watching as they all looked over a hole in the ground, where they had been digging.

They watched as they dragged something out of the ground, Renee looking to John B who stood the other side of her " is that a casket?" she hummed.

John B shook his head, keeping his eyes forward " I don't know Ren."

After a few more minutes of raised voices, everyone left. The pogues remained unseen but it didn't take long for Pope to make his way towards the site.

The rest of them calling for Pope to wait, unsure of the safety — the engines of cars still close by, it would be easy for them to be caught out now.

Renee followed her friend's lead, her fast pace halting as she stood beside Pope. Her eyes wondering down to the open casket.

She watched as Pope dropped down to his knees, keeping his eyes fixed on the opened casket and remains " Cecilia Tanny, Denmark's wife." he tells them.

Renee watched as his eyes travelled up to the tree they stood under, Pope standing up and watching it

" he wasn't talking about the cross." He announced, " he buried her at the foot of the angel."

Renee felt her lips push into a smile, looking at the tree. A bittersweet feeling taking over her as she nodded " his true treasure."

JJ turned his head, watching her — unable to stop the soft curve of his lips as she smiled towards the tree.

Renee walked towards Pope, as he crouched down in front of the head of the casket — hearing his gentle cries. Her hand reaching out to hold his, our fingers intertwining as she tightened them.

" Denmark was hung for burying his wife." Pope explained, Renee watching him " and now they've defiled her grave."

Renee shook her head, sniffling as she watched Pope reach in — grabbing a small silver pendant. Renee looking over his shoulder to see the 'Cecilia' engraved into it.

Sarah picking up a gold band as she smiled at it "this must have been from Denmark." she spoke softly, still holding it between her fingers as she looked at Pope " her wedding ring."

They didn't know why, but at that moment Renee and JJ lifted their gazes to the opposite side of the casket. Meeting one another's eyes in the process, JJ softly smiling at the girl who could feel her heart beating against her chest in that moment.

Pope looked around at his friends " we can't leave her life this." he said, Renee nodding her head as she leant her head on his shoulder.

" we won't P." she spoke gently " she deserves more than this." she told him, the rest nodding in agreement.

They all stood up, Sarah and Kiara watching as John B and JJ nailed the coffin shut again. Renee reproaching with a handful of flowers, smiling as she walked towards Pope.

" do you think she'd like these?" she hummed, Pope shrugging " why you asking me?"

Renee smiled " you're like her great, great, great grandson." she told him " maybe she passed her taste in botanicals down to you."

Pope felt the corners of his lips tug into a smile as he took the flowers as Renee offered them

" thank you."

RENEE LEANT AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE TWINKIE. Eyes watching as JJ placed down the spade and turned round looking at her, a small smirk etched on his face.

" like what you see?" he smirked, the girl rolled her eyes as her arms folded over her chest — wearing JJ's jacket as a placeholder until he wanted it again.

Renee hummed " so full of yourself." she told him as he walked towards her, gesturing for his jacket.

Renee turning around as she felt his hands take the collar of the jacket and slip it off, leaning in slightly " you didn't say no." he commented.

The girl turning back around as she looked at JJ, who just winked before walking away — slipping his jacket on in the process.

The blondes zoning back into Pope " I know we're in the right spot, it just feels like-"

"Like we missed something?" JJ interjected, head turning to look at the blonde who gazed up at tree, Renee trying to follow his gaze but couldn't find anything to lock her eyes on.

" guys." he said, beginning to climb onto the roof of the van, Renee subconsciously following after him.

The two of them stood on the thick branch of the angel oak tree — JJ pointing at the hole in the wood before turning to look at the girl behind him.

" that looks like—" he began as Renee nodded,

" The painting in the island room." She nodded, both of them looking down to their friends on the ground who were watching them.

JJ shrugging " it's worth a shot, right?"

JJ hesitated before looking back at Renee " go for it." he said, watching as the girls fade screw up.

" uh-uh, hell no." she stated, shaking her head at JJ, " I am exempt from all this shit after I almost died in the sewer." she announced.

Pope and Kiara nodded " she did go in the storm drain." At the same time John B and Sarah looked at each other in confusion, not having heard about this before.

JJ nodded, " Yeah. No I'm gonna do it. It's just..." he approached the entrance closer, although it easily readable that he was anxious.

Renee smiled gently as she looked down at her friends " I think he's scared." she whispered.

" I'm not scared!" he rebutted, his tone a little defensive, Renee nodding " well, you seem scared."

Renee peaked over JJ's shoulder as he placed his arm into the hole — " there's something in there." he says, still wiggling his hand around.

The instant sound of his shouts made Renee reach for him; panic settling in as she began to try and pull him back. The shouts of their friends evident as they tried to climb the van as well.

It was silenced by the sound of JJ laughing, Renee shoving him as she folded her arms "JJ, you're such an ass." she scoffed.

He laughed " Oh, I got all of you on that one." he said as Pope shook his head, " wait, but seriously there's something on here."

They all watched as he pulled out a spyglass, JJ soon handing it down to Pope as he and Renee made their way back to solid ground.

"HMS royal merchant." Pope read out, although he didn't hold it for long before JJ took it from him again.

" Give it to the captain." he said, pulling the spyglass and placing it over his eye " here we go, it's a spy glass."

Renee who now stood by Sarah, watched as Kiara looked at it " there's something on the ends."

John B ran his fingers over it " an inscription right there, look at that shit."

The blonde looking over John B's shoulder " P, what does it say?" she hummed,

" you've come this far, do not falter." he recited " The cross is on the Freedman's altar."

Pope took a couple steps forward, looking at them all " the cross is at the church!" he announced, Renee smiling as she looked at him.

" What are we doing here guys?" JJ said, looking around at everyone, " Come on!"

Renee smiled as they all began to pile back into the van " bless Denmark Tanny and his riddles."

ELLIE SPEAKS🪄
oh we are so back.