CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

THE END OF THE WORLD — BILLIE EILISH
If there was five more minutes of air
Would you panic and hide?
Or run for your life?
Or stand here and spend it with me?

THERE WAS A heavy feeling that settled at the bottom of Stella's stomach as she and her friends docked the Phantom.

After leaving Barry and Rafe groaning on the floor of the boating garage, they managed to get the old cigarette boat into the water and miraculously the engine still ran. The entire ride from the garage to their meeting point, all Stella could think about was how John B's life was ruined and that she was moments away from saying goodbye to him.

Admittedly, John B and Stella didn't like each other when they first met.

John B thought that she was stealing JJ away from him and Stella didn't like the way he tried to push her away. They would butt heads frequently, always putting JJ into an awkward position and forcing him to mediate. When John B would try to distance himself and JJ from her, Stella would make it a point to never leave them alone. When Stella stood up for herself, John B would resort to ignoring her existence all together. It wasn't until she fell out of the tree JJ dared her to climb that John B realized he cared about the girl more than he originally thought.

She could still remember the look of concern plastered on his face as he rushed to her and asked what hurt. After he carried her to the school nurse, Stella knew that he would always have her back. Their differences were set aside, only to find that they had a lot in common, and their relationship flourished into what it was today.

Stella couldn't fathom a world without him. Nearly losing him after the fall at Hawk's Nest was scary enough, but this time it was real. This time, she was losing him to the law and to Ward Cameron. And while the group planned to follow him to Mexico in two months time, she couldn't tell if that was fantasy or reality.

She knew he had to leave, but God, how she wished he didn't.

Stella's thoughts were disrupted by Kie jumping off the boat and onto the dock. "Dude, where is he?" The curly-haired teen wondered, looking around at the empty space where John B should've been to meet them.

JJ looked up. "Give him a second," he said, eyes catching the nervous look on his girlfriend's face. "He'll be here. He's coming. He'll be fine."

Pope followed after Kie, but not before stopping to offer Stella a helping hand. She took with with a grateful smile and stepped off of the boat, letting go once she was safely on the dock.

From the corner of her eye, Stella could see the flashing lights of a Kildare Police cruiser and her face dropped. "JJ," she called warily, gesturing for him to start the boat again. "We've got company."

He looked over at her and swore under his breath. "Hey, yeah." He called out to Kie and Pope and nodded towards the Phantom. "Get back on the boat. Untie it."

While the teens moved as quickly as they could, they weren't quick enough because in the time between their first recognition and now, the cruiser had parked and the door had opened.

They all watched as John B stepped out fixing his backpack as if stealing a police car was an everyday occurrence.

"No way," Stella laughed, relief filling her senses. "No fucking way." She shook her head and headed down the dock to give him a hug.

"Shoupe let me take it for a spin," John B stated smugly as he let go of Stella.

Kie nodded with pleasant disbelief in her stare. "Okay, that's believable." She walked up to the pair and wrapped her arms around the tall boy. "I'll buy that for now."

The trio neared the boat and JJ tossed John B the keys. "It wasn't easy, bro, but I got the Phantom for you, and she runs like she was made yesterday. You ready to go?"

John B glanced around. "Where's Sarah?"

Stella and Kie shared a look before checking the police car and the surrounding area for their favourite blonde Kook. "She's not with you?" The latter questioned.

He shook his head. "No, we got separated in the swamp. She said she'd meet me here."

Pope gave him a sympathetic look. "No, we haven't seen her."

"Okay, well, I'm not leaving without her," John B stated defiantly.

JJ stepped down from the boat and wrapped an arm around John B's shoulders. "John B, look at me," he said, forcing the boy to look at him. "I know you feel bad for leaving, but there's no time, man. You've got plenty of gas, plenty of food. Once you get around that point, it's a straight shot across the sound to Dismal Swamp, okay? Once you get there, lay low, alright? Hang out for a couple of weeks and then go overland, cross the border at Brownsville, you got that? Brownsville."

At her best friend's lack of response and distant expression, Stella reached over and patted his cheek. "Hey," she called, "you got that?"

John B shook himself free from his thoughts and stepped away. "Yeah, yeah. Brownsville."

Once he was on the boat, Stella followed after him to make sure he had everything he needed, pointing out where they had stored the food and water. When it was time for her to leave him, she dug through the pockets of her shorts and gave him a weak smile.

In her hand was one of the matching friendship bracelets she made for the group.

John B lifted his arm and watched as she tied it around his wrist. "Hey, Stella?" he called once she was done.

"Yeah?" When she met his stare, she saw that he was looking at her with the threat of tears on his lash line.

Just as much as Stella viewed John B as a brother, he viewed her as a sister. Leaving his friends was hard enough as it is, but the thought of leaving behind Stella brought a heavy cloud of sadness to the air above his head, even if it was only for two months.

He didn't know what he'd do without her long-winded science tangents or weird opinions on Disney princesses. He didn't know what he'd do without her calling him out on his bullshit or reminding him to eat. He didn't know what he'd do in a world without Stella Marx.

"Tell me a fact," John B requested, his voice shaky. "Tell me about one of your papers, you know, one for the trip."

Stella let out a breathless laugh and tried to ignore the prickling sensation in the corners of her eyes. She nodded and racked her brain for a suitable piece of information. "Um, I read this study once that said your brain reacts the same way if you or your friend is in danger," she stated, her voice faltering as the reality of their goodbye set in. "So be safe, okay? For me?"

Tears fell from her eyes as John B nodded and pulled her into a tight hug.

"I love you, B," Stella said as he kissed the top of her head, "even if you annoy the hell out of me sometimes."

"I love you too, Stel." He pulled away from her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Take care of each other, 'kay? And tell Mama Marx thank you for everything."

She nodded and wiped her tears away before anyone could draw attention to them. When she turned to leave the boat, JJ jumped up to help her down and gave John B a brief embrace.

"Alright," JJ said, pushing the boy towards the helm. "Saddle her up, saltwater cowboy. Let's do this."

When Stella and JJ were back on the dock, they wrapped their arms across Pope and Kie's shoulders.

With one last look, John B took a mental picture of his friends. "I'm sorry for basically throwing us off a cliff with this whole treasure hunt thing," he said, a tear falling from his eye.

JJ just shook his head. "Hey, John B, yo... we were bound to run off a cliff at some point, right?"

"At least we did it together, though," Pope spoke, causing a chorus of sniffles to sound.

Stella nodded and squeezed her friends' shoulders. "Pogue style."

"Pogue style," they chorused back.

"Now get out of here!" Kie exclaimed, waving him away. "Please. Now."

"We'll see you in two months, down in Mexico!" JJ reminded. "Love you!"

The four remaining Pogues watched as their friend pulled the boat away from the dock.

John B paused and his frown deepened. "Hey, wait... wait a second. Tell Sarah I said goodbye, okay?"

Stella nodded and gave her friend a reassuring look. "We've got her, JB," she promised, knowing that Sarah would be crushed that he left without her.

"Don't forget," JJ spoked again. "Cross the border at Brownsville, okay?"

"Stay safe! Love you!"

And with a final parting wave, John B turned and drove the boat out of view.

The silence was tense as the absence of John B's presence set in and they dropped their arms from each other.

To everyone's surprise, Pope reached out for Kie and sent a discreet look to Stella, wordlessly asking for some space.

She nodded, taking JJ by the hand and tugging him over to the grass.

"You okay?" Kie asked, confused by Pope's sudden want to be near her.

Pope took her wrists in his hands. "I'm sorry for acting like a dumbass," he said, remorse present in his voice. "I was just upset, and I was acting petty... and I just..."

"It's okay," Kie forgave.

"...Just wanna be friends again."

Stella and JJ watched with raised brows as Kie placed her hands on Pope's cheeks and softly shook her head, silently telling him to shut up before kissing him.

JJ and Stella turned to each other with the same shocked expression before the latter lifted her hand and lightly hit the former's chest. "Would you look at that?" She mused, a smug smile growing on her face, lighthearted like they hadn't just said goodbye to their best friend. "Looks like someone owes me a fiver."

"Yeah, alright," JJ grumbled with an expression of false annoyance. He dug through his pockets for the crumpled bill he had gotten as a tip the week before and he held it up for Stella to take. "Don't spend it all in one place, Mrs. Maybank."

He then turned his head to the side, his body freezing when he saw a squad of police vehicles pull up. "Hey, guys, I'm sorry to ruin the party, but we gotta go right now."

But it was no use. By the time Kie and Pope realized what was happening, the four remaining Pogues were surrounded by cops and state agents. They held their guns high, urging the teens to put their hands up.

"We're too late," Shoupe realized, punching the air in frustration. "He's gone. God, damn it! Bratcher, have your guys stand down. Let me talk to these kids."

Spinning on his heel, the new sheriff neared the four teens. "Alright, where the hell is he?" he demanded, spit flying from his mouth. "Where the hell is he?"

He was met with silence as none of the teens would ever give up their friend. Their love for each other was tied with loyalty after all.

"JJ?" Shoupe called, rounding over to him. The blond paid him no mind and the only thing that indicated he had been heard was the clench of JJ's jaw. "I see you're livin' up to your name. Pope, how about you?"

Fuck the police, Pope had said two nights before.

"Stella?"

Stella did nothing but raise a bow at him.

"This isn't a fucking game!" Shoupe boomed, his spit hitting Stella's cheek. He looked at her as if she was his last hope, because in a way, she was. She was supposed to be the honest one, the good one, the golden one. If he could get through to her, the rest would follow. "You can do the right thing now! Where'd he go?"

Stella wiped her cheek with the back of her hand and with an icy glare, she exercised her right to remain silent.

When Shoupe realized none of them were going to give up John B, he cursed under his breath and brought his radio to his mouth. "Suspect has just left Station Twenty-Six in a small boat. Need marine patrol to respond."

He gave the four Pogues a look of disappointment as if his opinion meant something to them (it didn't) and waved a hand for the other officers to grab them.

The teens went silently, knowing when to pick their battles, and were separated into two squad cars.

The ride to the pop up investigation site was long and none of the Pogues could think straight knowing that their best friend was officially on his own, on the run without their help.

"Sit down. Don't move. We got a lot to talk about." Shoupe turned to an SBI agent. "Keep an eye on these kids."

The remaining four sat down and began their long wait. They weren't sure what they were waiting for exactly— Confirmation that John B had gotten away? John B's arrest? Whatever it was, they remained in their seats, not saying a word and shaking their legs as a way to cope with their anxiety.

And they waited.

And waited.

And waited.

They watched as the sun fell from the sky and was replaced by unforgiving storm clouds.

They watched as power to the island was restored, revealing the Phantom floating in the water.

They watched as orders were given out to detain them.

They watched as Ward Cameron was brought in as a last resort.

They listened to John B as he screamed his innocence over the radio.

And they waited for any news that their friends had escaped.

If Stella had learned anything in her years of roaming the halls of Kildare General Hospital, it was that the waiting was the worst part. Not knowing if your loved one made it off the operating table, not knowing if they were okay, not knowing if they were alive and breathing. The mind wandered to the farthest of places when it was waiting for news and often times, those places were flooded with pessimism.

She had watched countless families grow restless as time passed by and she saw what it could do to even the strongest of people.

She was well-versed in the art of breaking bad news.

The rules were simple. Be straightforward. Answer questions. Be honest.

She had watched her mother do it a handful of times and other surgeons countless more. Every single time, they wore the exact same look that Shoupe wore as he walked into the tent where she and her friends waited.

Stella didn't need to hear what he was going to say because she already knew. The way he looked at them with pity, the way his hands shook ever so slightly, the way she could physically see him scraping together his shattered pieces of courage.

She knew what he was going to say and she found that she'd much rather endure the dreadful waiting game than face the harsh truth that John Booker Routledge and Sarah Elizabeth Cameron were dead.

Pope, Kie, and JJ stood from their seats as Shoupe approached them, wringing his hands together as his nerves caught up to him.

The blond glanced back at Stella, wondering why she hadn't followed them. His eyes met hers, her lips trembled, and a tear fell.

He knew the truth as well as her, and it was in that moment his world came crashing down.

"Did you find them?" Pope asked, his voice cutting through the sound of harsh rain falling against the tent. He hadn't seen the small shake of Stella's head as she stared at JJ or the way JJ's breathing picked up.

Shoupe hesitated. "No."

"So, they got away?" Kie questioned with hope prevalent in her tone, completely unaware of the silent realization the couple was having behind her.

"We, uh... we lost them. I'm sorry."

Pope stilled. "You lost them?" he repeated. "What do you mean you lost them? Like, they're gone? What are you talking about?"

Shoupe held his stare. There was an inkling of regret in his eyes. Maybe if he looked a little closer, he'd see though Ward Cameron's facade. Maybe if he acted differently, two kids wouldn't be lost at sea. "They took an open boat into a tropical depression, Pope."

"So, they're dead?"

"We don't know."

Stella had once read that anger was a secondary emotion that followed the primary reaction of fear or sadness. First came the heartbreak, then came the vengeance. This was only proven further by JJ lunging at Shoupe with hatred in his eyes.

"You drove them straight through the storm, man!" JJ struggled against the two cops that held him back from attacking the new sheriff. "Are you kidding me? Come here! I'm gonna kill you!"

"JJ, stop!" Kie shouted in tears, looking over at Stella for help only to find that she was in shock.

Pope turned to Shoupe, eyes wide and full of conviction. "You bastard! You killed him! He didn't kill anyone, and you know it!"

Shoupe took their reactions in stride. "We're still looking for him, alright?"

JJ's shouts of ferocity, Pope's arguing statements, and Kie's pleads for them to stop blended into background noise as Stella's whole body started to tremble.

John B was gone.

Sarah was gone.

What would she do without John B's laugh or ambitious optimism? What would she do without Sarah's wit or sly smile?

How would she recover from this? How would her friends recover from this? How would they fill the hole John B and Sarah left?

When she lifted her gaze from the ground, she saw that JJ was now standing in front of her. His hands reached out for her, hesitating for a moment before pulling her into his arms.

It was the tightest that JJ had ever held her. He was holding onto her like she would disappear at any moment—like she was the only thing grounding him the earth. And as Stella broke down into uncontrollable sobs, he realized that he had more to lose than Stella. He had John B and his brother was long gone.

The couple looked up as they felt a pair of arms wrap around them, and were met with the grief-stricken expression of Emma Marx.

"They didn't make it, Mom," Stella cried, struggling to get the words out. "They— They're—"

"Sh..." Emma soothed, wiping Stella and JJ's cheeks with her two hands. "I know, my loves, I know."

Tears lined her eyes as the two teens buried their heads into her shoulders and wrapped their arms around her waist, the reality of outliving a boy she had raised hitting her like a truck.

The remaining four Pogues left the warm embrace of their parents and fell into each other, convinced that they would never feel okay again.

And just like that, their group of six had dwindled down to four.

...Or so they thought.

RAE SPEAKS !
on to season two, my loves!