SIERRA WASN'T SURE at what time she'd left the station and made a long journey, on foot, to The Wreck. Maybe it was the fact that her mind was completely exhausted of all regular thoughts and was instead filled with pain and dizzying delusions. With every step against the hard pavement she'd convinced herself that she was closer to reaching some sort of sanctuary. It wasn't until she attempted to shove the locked doors open that she'd snapped, banging relentlessly and sobbing into the night until someone finally came to the door.

JJ unlocked the door with squinted eyes, adjusting to the dark atmosphere as he stared at the girl in front of him. "Sierra—Jesus." He muttered, pulling her in and embracing her tightly. She let the silent tears drip on to the buttoned shirt he had on, darkening it's fabric with every droplet that fell. His hands soothingly ran through her hair, mutter sweet nothings into her ear until her quicken breaths began to slow. "You look like shit."

"I know." Sierra mumbled, sighing as she made her way behind the bar of restaurant and into the kitchen where a few rags laid, she of course picked the clean one and turned the sink on. JJ walked in just soon after, watching as she dipped her fingers under the running faucet to check if the water had warmed up.

"Did talk to him?" JJ questioned, taking the rag from her hands and running it under the warm water. The thick tension that suddenly built up on her shoulders gave JJ the short answer that he needed. "So, I'm guessing the Sierra charm didn't work on him."

Sierra chewed on her chapped lips,
contemplating if she should speak as JJ began to wipe up the dirty markings on her hands and chest. Slowly, removing all the remnants of the last few days. Sierra could only wish it also worked with wiping her memories but for the moment, she'd have to stay with them. "The Sierra charm did not work, gave me some bullshit about how life isn't fair and called it a day."

"Asshole." JJ scoffed under his breath, releasing the Sierra's hand which he was holding, and grabbing the other one, repeating the actions of cleaning them."I hope he's still out there, with a  really fuckin' good hiding spot."

"Amen to that." Sierra muttered back, glancing  around, "Is there any alcohol in here? Kie must have a secret stash some where."

JJ reached in his pocket, pulling out the silver flask and handing it to her. "Take the rest."

The girl took the flask, unscrewing the top and raising it to her lips, as soon as the strong liquid carried itself down her throat she scrunched her face up. Nonetheless, she downed what was left, which wasn't much since both JJ and Pope had been sharing the thing all day. JJ rung out the access water, dropping the rag into the sink and planting his hands against the edge of it firmly.

"I don't see a way to live our lives normally after this, J." Sierra muttered sadly, a frown beginning to indent her features.

"Sierra Ray when have we ever lived a normal day in our lives?" JJ chuckled humorously, infecting the girl and making her let out a few giggles of her own. "We just gotta let the astrology signs determine the future of this."

"The astrology signs?" Sierra raised a brow, chuckling lightly as the boy proudly smirked.

"Yeah, I heard that's what all the girls nowadays use to determine the future 'nd shit." JJ nodded, seemingly approving himself while Sierra held back a smile.

"Yeah, yeah, letting the astrology signs determine John B's fate."

After a beat of silence, JJ let out a sigh and pushed himself off the sink edge, "Well, I'm going back to bed."

"Shit, everyone else is probably sleeping here too." Sierra winced, realizing that her slight lunatic state earlier must've caused a few shifts in Pope and Kiara's slumber.

"Yup, Pope is knocked the fuck out and Kiara has been weird." JJ shrugged, taking the girls hand and leading her to the dining area of the restaurant where the scene proved JJ's words. There was a group of tables pushed together, creating a make shift place to rest on.

"Damn, this yo' set up right here?" Sierra questioned with a teasing smile, feeling the thin table cloth that was draped over round tables.

"Nice and cozy just for you, princess." He whispered back with a wink, returning the smile.

"Did no one think to just sleep in the car like we've been doing the past few days?"

"Well, the car is on the wanted poster, so we just wanted to make sure to be away from it in case some one try to report it, cause then we'd be fucked."

Sierra nodded, understanding the reasoning as she sat atop the tables, patting a spot next to her. "Then we better get comfy on these things."

JJ grew a small smile, rushing to cuddle close to her as the crickets chirped rhythmically outside, making the couple doze off.

—

Dawn had rose, the rays of sun blinding and illuminating its surroundings with a golden cast all over. The air was crisp and refreshing, free of the usual warm humidity that the Outerbanks constantly faced. Sierra would've declared it a beautiful morning, despite being the number one hater of mornings. But the blaring of sirens every few minutes smashed all the relaxing sensations that made that morning joyous. The radio static from patrolling cops was like a broken record repeating itself.

Sierra couldn't find it in her to get anymore rest, instead she joined JJ as he glared out into the world, silently cursing everything that put them in that situation. But she soon moved over to Kiara as she began to awake from her rest. "He's pinched for sure, man." The repetitive clicking of his lighter opening and shutting created a distraction, something to keep his hands occupied.

"No." Pope replied back, rising from his position and leaning again a wooden support beam. "They wouldn't still be patrolling if they caught him."

"Let's hope." JJ dejectedly replied, glancing over at the boy.

"You know, we were in that car, they're probably looking for us too." Kiara shrugged, occasionally looking down to make sure the braid she was creating in Sierra's hair was just right.

There was a pause in the air before Pope spoke up, "Well, if we're gonna be outlaws, we might as will help John B." He pushed himself off the support beam, rummaging through JJ's bag.

"So, we find them before they do?" JJ questioned, stopping his movements with his lighter and stepping closer to the boy who didn't bother to answer. "Pope?"

"I'm gonna get gas for the boat." He stride to the door was quick and determined, but Kiara's words stopped him.

"Hey, you be careful alright?" Her soft tone covered up whatever look she had twinkling in her eye, though she was only met with a glare before he quick walking resumed.

"Meet me at the dock at three, don't be late." He shoved past the door, making the three glance at eachother, Kiara's hands stopped its work mid braid to chase after the Heyward boy.

"Christ, you give him a little weed and suddenly he goes all angsty." Sierra huffed, dropping her hands into her lap as she listened to aggressive revving of an engine and Kiara's muffled protesting. Soon the engine's roaring had faded away, hard steps trudging back into the restaurant with a thick tension. "So what the hell happened?"

—

After leaving the restaurant and arriving at Kiara's house, the trio was faced with a big issues. Parents. And despite the shitty relationship that most of the Pogue's had with their own, Kiara was lucky enough to be free of the curse.

To simply put it, Kiara was blessed with rich and caring parents, but with that came the consequence of disappearing for days. A heated argument had broken out between Mrs. Carrera and her only daughter after Kiara stepped into the home for some supplies. She'd gotten caught by the annoying Ring doorbell which lead to the shouting and pleading that JJ and Sierra found themselves stuck in. The older woman voiced her fears for Kiara's safety, begging for her to stay home until things were clear but the curly haired girl had to make the hard decision of ignoring her wishes.

The couple glanced at eachother, a pool of guilt forming in their stomachs as they realized just how bad things were getting. And they were only getting worse.

The croak in Kiara's voice as she shut the car door and drove off was one you could only take pity on. The road through the trees and dirt road was full of silence, Kiara's sight only set on what was in front of her up until the car came to a halt.

JJ's 'home' stood in front of them. Despite how much Sierra disapproved of being there, she couldn't put in any argument again since the literal key to the whole plan was within the house. Kiara turned over at JJ who was staring down at his lap sadly. Sierra leaned forward between the two front seats, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"I can go in with you if you need me to." Sierra softly said, making the boy raise his head and look at her with gloomed eyes.

"No," JJ cleared his throat, swallowing the lump that had formed, "no, I can do this." His words were more so to comfort himself and give him the courage to walk through the familiar door.

Despite everything in Sierra's body telling her to hold him back from ever entering the hellhole, she bit her tongue and allowed him to slip out the vehicle. Hesitantly he walked in, giving her once glance over his shoulder before the door closed behind him.

Perhaps Sierra's perception of time completely altered within the moments she sat waiting in Kiara's car but she grew unusually impatient. Eyes looking at the handle longingly as she contemplated her next moves, "Fuck, this is taking too long." She shoved the car door open, ignoring Kiara's weak attempts to stop her before she entered the home. There, she was met with unexpected scene, Luke Maybank tenderly holding his son in his arms as JJ held back the tears that filled his water line.

The man pulled back at the sound of the door shutting, a foreign smile rising onto his lips. "Sierra! Look at you." He beckoned her over, making the girl slowly, and hesitantly, step closer to him with a confused look. "Listen, I know you two love to play best friends but how 'bout we cut the shit and you guys kiss eachother, huh?" The couple looked at eachother, unsure on how to proceed with the situation as Luke smirked at the two, nudging his son. "C'mon, JJ, I know you like her, don't try to hide it from me."

JJ suppressed a small smile, reaching over to hold Sierra hand as he cleared his throat. "Uh, actually, dad, we..we're together now, officially."

"Well look at that." Luke chuckled, words beginning to slur slightly as he planted a firm hand on his son's shoulder, "Keep them close, don't loose the people you love, I'm proud of y'all." His eyes began to fluttered closed, words morphing together into one syllable before his body titled back. JJ leaned forward, helping the man settle and pass out once more, and for that small moment JJ absorbed the loving exchange he'd had with his dad. But as quick as it came, he went to serious, holding back the tears and snagging the key from around Luke's neck.

"Let's go." JJ pulled the girl with him as he walked out the home, making his way towards the car where Kiara anxiously awaited. "I told you that I could do it."

"And you know that I never give a shit." Sierra said back, quickening her pace to catch up to him. "Especially when it comes to that asshole." JJ only replied with a huff, pulling the door open and climbing in silently.

"How'd it go?" She asked, glancing at the two in worry.

JJ simply raised the key intertwined between his fingers with a triumphant smirk, hiding the the glossed over eyes that threatened to spill over.

—

The hum a soft reggae song playing through the radio filled the silent car. Pools of orange light beaming into the car as they made their way down down the dirty road. Oblivious to what followed close behind them, the car came to a stop in front of a large storage unit. There was hardly any security—no, there wasn't any at all. Everybody had fled from their jobs once the news of a murderer running around Kildare County hit the radio stations, now all hid in there homes.

JJ pulled up the metal gate covering the entrance, revealing the old, dusty boat in all of its glory. "There she be." JJ mumbled, staring at the vehicle admiringly. "Hey, girl." He reached up to tug away the sheet covering the front half, "A 1983 Formula 402 SR1—The Phantom."

Sierra gave him a tight-lipped smile as he turned back to her proudly, clearly appreciating the old boat while he dusted off the sides with his hand. "The first boat to make the run to Bermuda in under sixteen hours." He placed a form hand, looking back at the two girls wildly, "Forty years old! Forty."

"Yeah, okay, we get it." Sierra interrupted before he could start up another history lesson about the boat. "This old junker is fast and cool, can we get a move on now?"

"Really?" JJ placed two firm hands on his hips, "She's standing right there, Si. She can hear you—but let's just put it this way: you," He pointed a finger at Kiara who glared in annoyance, "would not be smokin' weed right now if she never existed." His finger then directed itself towards Sierra. "And you, wouldn't have all of this." He motioned towards himself, "And this." His hands lowered to his junk, making Kiara scoff in disgust.

"Ugh, seriously." The girls hands flew up to her face, walking away with a scrunched up expression.

Sierra glared at him, holding back a smile. "Can we just cut to the chase, this thing can run and get John B outta here, right?"

"Can she run?" JJ scoffed under his breath, unlocking the chains that secured it to the metal platform, "Of course she can run, she's faster than any cutters the boys in blue got."

"Okay, the fact that you're really getting into this whole boat thing is starting to make me question things a little." Sierra placed a hand on JJ shoulder, leaning close in a hush whisper. "Do you have a boat fetish?"

"Shut up, I do not." JJ shrugged the girl's hand off his shoulder, a small smile playing on his lips. "And that's really gross."

"Only speaking on what I see, you're not in love with her," Sierra motioned towards the boat with her head, faking a worried expression, "are you?"

"No, of course not." JJ shook his head, a smile so big that his pearly canines were on display. "She's just a friend."

"Oh, you're an asshole." Sierra shoved his shoulder, the two giggling in unison. Kiara could only watch, completely grossed out until she heard tires screeched against the pavement. The girl bounced up from her position against the wall, heading towards the source of noise with a relieved expression.

"Pope, finally!" Kiara steps halted, her face morphing into fear when the heavy footsteps of Rafe Cameron trudged in.

"Hey, there, what's goin' on?" His voice was low and menacing, JJ hadn't even heard it over the clanking of the chains until the boy called out. "JJ," He smirked, climbing atop of the metal platform.

"Shit." Sierra muttered backing up and towards the car for a quick escape, but she was pushed back harshly by another familiar face. "Shit."

Barry whistled, a teasing smile displayed his gold encased teeth, "Well, well." Sierra's breathed hitched as she noticed the gun held in Barry's hand, even worse when he cocked the weapon and raised it to the JJ's chest. "See, don't think I forgot about me and you on the side of the road." He pressed the end of the gun against the fabric of the Maybank boy's shirt, leaning in close. "I'm here because I want my motherfuckin' money!"

Now, right as victory was at there fingertips, everything had to go to shit, again. Sierra watched in fear was Barry kicked the boy to the ground, Kiara's attempts in fighting him prevented as Rafe held her back.

"It's not you we want, Kie." Rafe held a tight grip on Kiara's arm, making the girl pull back in anger. "Where's John B?"

"I don't know!" In the heat of the panic and fear, the girls arm raised to slap Rafe across his face, instant regret hitting her as the deranged boy glared back at her.

"I really wish you didn't do that." Sierra's feet finally moved forward, pushing Barry away from JJ's body, kicking him and punching with all her might.

"Fuck off!" The girl shouted, landing a good kick on his stomach as Barry toppled over with his arms tightly over his abdomen. Rafe turned away from the girl in front of him, his gaze now focused on her. "I know what you did," Sierra whispered, "You murdered Peterkin you psychotic fucking asshole!"

Before Rafe could step towards her, Barry stood up, pulling her against his chest and raising the gun to the side of her face. Sierra gasped, a single tear trickling down her cheek. "Oh, you little bitch, I remember you too." His warm breath fanned against the shell of her ear. "You know you're momma did owe me some money before she died. How 'bout we make a deal." JJ weakly sat up, attempting to fight but was kicked back down by Barry. "Stay down, boy!"

"Where's John B!"

"I don't know!"

A mixture of screams echoed into the unit, every single one of them making Sierra head pound with pain. A ghostly burning sensation coming from the side of her face, right where Barry's gun held itself. Sierra shut eyes, hoping for everything to go away, and in a sense, it almost did. Her eyes snapped open when a loud thump caught her attention, Rafe was bent over in pain as Pope stood in front of him with a metal bar. She was shoved aside like nothing, making her fall onto the floor.

Barry stepped towards Pope, hand tightly gripping the gun before JJ caught his foot, causing the man tumble to floor and release his grip on the weapon. In a havoc of hits and punches, the clouds cleared and they were safe, but Pope didn't stop. He continued to swing his hands onto Rafe's face causing blood to spill out of his mouth. It seemed as though Pope tuned out the rest of the world and let out all his frustrations onto him.

Sierra wasn't going to step in—the asshole deserved it—but she only observed with comically wide eyes. The other two Pogue's worked on releasing Rafe from the grips of death, pulling Pope hands away from the boy. The Heyward boy suddenly snapped out of his trance, as if his body was on autopilot, he stared emotionlessly at his hands and the blood that painted his sight.

"Stay out of the cut."

—

Kiara paced nervously on the dock, snapping her head towards the slightest hit of noise, she was growing impatient, and scared. Her car was parked near the edge of the terrain, allowing the boat to float on the gentle waves of the water. JJ worked on stocking up the boat with the scrap food they could muster up and making sure it fully ready for departure. Sierra sat at the end of the dock, one leg hanging off the end, barley grazing the water with her shoe.

Time wasn't something they had a lot of, every second counted, and Sierra lived by that message. More than ever, she repeated those words in her head like a praying with each passing moment. John B was either caught or taking his time in arriving.

Kiara let out a throaty groan, throwing her hands down in exasperation. "Where the hell is he?"

"Give him a second, he'll be here." Pope replied quietly, staring off in the distance, his tone unconvincing which did nothing to soothe Kiara's worries.

"He's coming, he'll fine." JJ nodded from the boat, jumping off and onto the wooden planks below him. "He's John B." He offered out a hand to Sierra, taking her attention away from the lowering sun.

The familiar sound of wailing sirens rang through the air, something the four would've ignored if it wasn't growing closer. A flashing of red and blue lights clashing against the orange hue of the beaming sun.

"Shit." Kiara cursed, the four of them unmoving from there spot as panic filled their veins. The blonde boy acted quickly, ushering everyone to the boat before the door to the blue and white truck opened. Instead of the khaki uniform of the Kildare County police, John B's worn out shoes and tousled hair met their eyes.

Sierra gasped, a smile overtaking her features as the boy slammed the door. Behind her a sound of approval and shock followed.

"Wait, no way!"

"No fucking way."

"Wait, uh." Kiara chuckled, being the first to approach the Routledge boy with a relieved smile. Her mind fighting against crying with happiness or utter confusion as to how he landed in that situation.

"Shoupe let me take it for a spin." John B teased, the corner of his eyes crinkling as his grin widened, a pair of keys jingling around his pointer finger.

"Okay, that's believable, I'll buy that for now." Kiara breathed, taking the buy into her arms, possibly the last hug she'd ever give him. She cherished it, lightly swaying their bodies from side to side before releasing him to JJ.

"Wasn't easy, bro, but I got the phantom for you." The blonde tossed the keys towards the boy, smirking softly as he patted the hard metal. "She runs like she was made yesterday"

John B nodded, confused eyes glancing around in a panicked hurry. "Where's Sarah?" He walked closer, head twisting all around in hopes of catching his lovers face.

Kiara immediately frowned, "She not with you?"

The boy shook his head, "No, no—we got separated in the swamp. She said she was going to meet me here." He sputtered out frustrated, looking over at the teens in hopes that'd they'd magically have an answer to his worries.

"We haven't seen, like..at all, we all assumed she was with you." Sierra replied, packing a comforting hand on his tense shoulder.

"Okay, we'll, I'm not leaving without her." John B shrugged off her hand, shaking his head as he spoke.

"John B, look at me." JJ sternly spoke, both hands slapping down to grip his arms. "I know you feel bad for leaving, but there's no time, man." it was apparent in Routledge boy's face that he wanted to argue back, stubbornly wanting to follow what his heart desired. But in the situation that they sat in left no opening for time or mistakes. "You got plenty of gas, plenty of food. Once you get around the point it's a straight shot across the sound to the Dismal Swamp, okay?"

His blues eyes tracked John B's brown ones each time he attempted to look in frustration. Sierra stepped in, tone soft as she wanted to send a subtle message. "Lay low, okay? Hang out, drinks a couple beers and save some for us, 'kay? 'Cause we'll be by your side, maybe not physically, but always in there." The girl poked his chest, right where his fast beating heart laid.

Silence followed after, the boy nodding his head in appreciation as tears brewed his eyes. "That was a little corny, not even gonna lie." He chuckled through the crack in his voice.

Sierra held back a smile, rolling her glistening eyes as she pulled him in for a hug. "Shut up, Birdshit."

JJ followed soon after, tight embracing nearly suffocating his best friend. "Once you get overland you cross the border at Brownsville, you got that—Brownsville."

JJ laid a soft pat on John B's cheek, causing his distant eyes to flicker towards his. "Yeah, yeah Brownsville."

"All right, saddle her up salt water cowboy, let's do this." JJ nudged, a saddened smile on his face as he watched his best friend climb into the boat, hesitating when he neared the steering wheel.

He turned around slowly, messy hair whipping in the light breeze, "Hey, i'm sorry for basically throwing us off a cliff with this whole treasure hunt thing."

"John B, yo...we were bound to run off a cliff at some point in our shitty lives anyways, right?" The blonde chuckled, spreading a warmth in everyone's chest as they let out breathy laughs. "At least we did it together though." He held out his arms, hooking them around each one of the teens shoulders. "Pogue style"

John B huffed out a feeble, "Pogue style." As he stared at each one of his friends, a memory of how they first met blinking through his mind.

"Get of here, please." Kiara ordered, ever so stern in such a sentimental moment. Her worry stricken face softening a bit. In clear that in her eyes that she just wanted the best for John B's future. Staying another moment in the cruel island wouldn't do any good, especially with everyone against him.

"We'll see you in two months, down in Mexico." Pope added on with a reassuring grin, waving goodbye as John B began to ready the boat.

"We love you, Johnny! Hate to see ya leave." The Pirate raised her hand, waving with a sentimental look that dragged her bright eyes down.

Just as the engine of the boat rumbled in the quiet air John B spoke up once more. "Wait, if you see Sarah, tell her I said good bye, okay?"

Sierra stared at his tearful eyes, giving him a tight smile. "Aye, aye, Captain."

"Aye, aye." John B nodded, turning away with a quiet sniffle.

"Don't forget, cross the border at Brownsville." JJ reminded, waving as the boy began to slowly pull away from the dock.

"Got it."

The four Pogue's watched as the boat pulled away from the dock and faded away in the sunset. The only evidence of it ever being there were the ripples of golden water that followed after it. Then it was gone, just a spec in the distance. Sierra didn't fully comprehend it until her eyes lost sight of the boat, it was then that she let out a tear.

The teen turned away from the water, hiding her face in her hand as her shoulders shook with silent cries. JJ looked at her sorrowfully, not even thinking before follow her steps and placing his comforting arms around her. In a peaceful moment, they lightly swayed in the wind. That's as until Sierra heard JJ's chest lightly vibrate with a chuckle, tapping her side to gain her attention.

She turned around with furrowed brows, nearly gasping as she watched Kiara and Pope kiss. She switched between staring at them and looking at JJ in confusion.

"Wanna make out?"

"JJ!"

"What? If they can do it, so can we." He argued with a smug smile, shrugging as the girl glared at him. "Just a smooch, sweetheart." He puckered out his lips dramatically, leaning down to her height and planting a sweet kiss on her lips.

"You're insufferable, Jay." Sierra giggled, shoving him away before he could do any more, but he simply pulled her back to his chest. His soft lips tickling her neck as she attempted to escape.

But the dreadful, yet familiar sound of approaching sirens caused Sierra to freeze. "JJ, cops."

He pulled away from her neck, turning around tot he noise, "Shit." He scrambled to the passenger side of the car, calling out behind him.
"Hey, guys, sorry to ruin the party but we gotta go, now."

Even before Kiara and Pope thought about taking a step a swarm of police cruisers and blinding lights trapped them in

Along with them was multiple black SUV, an unfamiliar groups of SBI agents coming out with a gun already raised and pointed. "Don't move, hands up!"

The newly appointed sheriff let out a huff, throwing his hands up in frustration at the sight of the empty dock. "We're too late, he's gone, god damn it!" The agent scoped out the scene behind them, glaring at the still water. "Bratcher, have your guys stand down. Let me talk to these kids."

"I coulda' made you're job way easier." Sierra raised her arms, shrugging with a scoff. "But you didn't want to listen, so."

"Sierra, this isn't a game!" Shoupe sternly shouted, glaring between the group of Pogue's. "You could do the right thing, now, where'd he go?"

Sierra smiled, giving the older man such a sweet look that contrasted against the serious situation. "I'd like to speak to a lawyer."