EDEN sits at her island, eating breakfast.

The entirety of her night had been dedicated to finding Pope Heyward. She had walked through the Cut, searching high and low for any sign of her friend. Eden knew she, based on location, was the least likely to find him, but she didn't want to risk it. Not with the condition Pope had been in. Not with the gun missing.

Hours of searching and Eden doesn't find him. She heads back to Heyward's shop to find JJ just as unlucky at finding the boy. They sit and wait in silence for any sign of his return, not wanting to worry Heyward and his wife, but growing more sick every minute that Pope doesn't come up the steps.

After what seems like forever, Cleo is the one who returns with Pope.

He went inside with no words spoken to any of his friends. Cleo, holding the gun in tired hands explains that he was found outside the marina with the stolen gun pointed at Rafe Cameron's head. His hands were shaking, his eyes were tear rimmed. He'd been filled to the brim with pent up anger and frustration. He'd been a mess.

Eden thinks it's good that Cleo found him when she had. And that Cleo is the one to find him in general. It seems the Heyward found a soft spot for the girl, made a connection with her that they only seem to understand.

Knowing Pope was safe with Cleo, Eden ends up back at her own home.

With John B. having a stick up his ass, it's the only place she can go.

Once more, the Routledge had been M.I.A all day. He didn't know that Pope had quit school, or that he'd been on the verge of shooting Rafe. He hadn't been there to comfort or search. He wasn't there for anything.

He was just off doing whatever he'd been lying about. Off with his dad-chasing the ghost of a man who'd been absent for so long, yet suddenly demanded all his attention.

For once, the Bexley could give two shits about his location. Genuinely, she doesn't think she's been so mad at him. There was when he brought Sarah in to the whole gold mission, sure, but none of that compared to now.

She was pissed at him for lying. She was pissed for what he said about her mother. She was pissed for how he seemed to be pushing them away for the sake of Big John, and how the older man was winning that battle.

Eden knows she can't judge him. Big John is his father, a man he thought was dead. They had been close before he got 'lost at sea'. She knows that after doing everything for him, John B. is more than willing to follow after his dad's lead once more, even if it meant brushing off his friends. He misses the recognition he used to get from the older man.

But he just hadn't been there. He hadn't been much of a Pogue.

He didn't know JJ was getting evicted. He didn't know Pope had ditched his future as a coroner, that he'd been moved down to regular classes and realized it was all pointless-that he'd about killed Rafe. He didn't know that they'd almost lost JJ for a fake cross.

He'd told Eden to go away, and as childish as it was, it did hurt in a way. Eden doesn't know the last time she'd been pushed away by her best friend.

JJ doesn't follow her back to her house, instead insisting that he wanted to be there for John B. if he came back home. Any other day, Eden's sure she would have followed suit, but she doesn't. She tells him that she has to check on Sarah, anyways, but it's a weak excuse to cover that she simply doesn't care if John B. comes home tonight.

Sarah isn't at the Bexley residence when Eden gets there, much to her surprise. With nowhere to go, the Bexley was sure she'd find the blonde girl showering, or at least a note on where to go. But there's nothing. No sign she was even at the place in general.

But, Sarah is smart. Eden trusts that wherever she is, she's safe and okay.

For the first time in forever, Eden gets a decent amount of sleep and doesn't find herself downstairs for breakfast until nine o'clock. When she does make her way out of bed, her father is already in the kitchen, making himself breakfast. He offers to cook for her, too, but the girl instead reaches for the box of Lucky Charms.

She still wasn't used to it just being her and her dad. Eden's almost waiting to hear the click of heels against the tile, to see Isla's polished red nails over every surface. As much as she hated the woman, it was different without her presence. Too okay.

Why was her father offering to cook her breakfast? Her mother should be screaming at her.

The sizzling of food against grease takes up the silence between the two Bexley's. Eden slurps her cereal, legs dangling underneath the island seat. Tom cooks himself breakfast, but interrupts the quiet morning with, "Kiara stopped by again yesterday when you were out. Asked if you'd be able to help her set up for her parents anniversary party today?"

Eden swallows. The Carrera had been on house arrest for the past few days, and she's sure that setting up for her parents party is the one time she's allowed to be out in the OBX. No wonder she wants someone to do it with-it's her one excuse to have social interaction with her friends. Eden's the one Anna and Mike like the most.

"Yeah, I'll help her out." the Bexley nods with a small shrug. It would be nice to see Kiara. Maybe get her mind off of John B. "Did she say when?"

"I'd head over after you finish eating." Tom replies, recalling his brief interaction with Kiara Carrera. "We're going to the party anyways. Anna and Mike were rather helpful when you all were...." He trails off, almost refraining from saying 'missing'.

Eden stiffly nods. She doesn't doubt it.

The ringing of the doorbell interrupts the conversation. Eden moves to get up, but Tom brushes past her and makes it to the door first, opening it without much hesitation. It's probably Kiara, already ready to get out of her house.

"Oh, uh, hi Mr. Bexley!"

Eden feels her eye twitch. It's not Kie.

It's John fucking Routledge.

"John Booker, right?" Tom truly had never met any of the kids her daughter hung around. He knew faces and parents. Not them. John B. must nod in confirmation because the man proceeds, "How is your dad doing? So good to hear he's on the island."

Eden wants to tell her dad to stop talking. To just shut the door right in John B's face.

"Oh....he's good." John B. sounds hesitant. "...Yeah."

JJ Maybank's voice cuts through, "Is Eden here, sir?"

Eden feels relieved when she hears JJ, but she grows tense again as Tom steps back, allowing the two Pogues into his home-unaware of how distant the Routledge has been in the past day. "She's in the kitchen."

"Thanks," John B. steps through the threshold of the house

The Bexley stares down at her cereal, refusing to look at her best friend. She hears the shuffle of boots against the floor and knows that the two boys are waiting for her attention. But, she doesn't provide it.

John B. starts, "Eden-"

"Get out of my house, John Bastard." Eden knows she's being more dramatic than she has to be, but she's simply over John B. and his total ignorance of the past few days. "JJ can tell me."

JJ winces, "Well, actually-"

John B. knows he somewhat deserves Eden's irritation. He'd been a dick, he'd been totally M.I.A and he hadn't been present within the Pogues. He had picked his father over his friends and snapped at them when all they did was try to understand, try to help.

He'd been so desperate for his dad to just be his dad, desperate for the paternal attention he'd been yearning for for years, that he hadn't even realized how badly he'd been pushing away his real family.

But, he won't lie and say he wasn't slightly hurt when he showed up at the Chateau to see only JJ sitting there waiting for him. Eden Bexley always waited for him. He knows he fucked up if she wasn't.

Eden finally looks at John B., giving him narrowed eyes. "Don't you have something to do with your dad?"

The Routledge sighs, hands in his pockets. "Look, Eden, I'm sorry. You're right for what you said to me because I....I did stretch the truth a little bit. I've been shady, and I haven't been here at all-"

"Dude, you were lying." Eden sends him an unimpressed look at how he was phrasing it. Who was he trying to defend?

"Yeah, yeah I was. But I'm coming clean right now because I need your help." John B. finishes, staring at the girl with desperate eyes. He really needed his best friend.

Eden could hear the true desperation and apology in his voice. She glances at JJ, who gives a curt nod, persuading her to just hear him out. So, the Bexley lets her guard down with, "What do you need?"

"Okay...." John B. hadn't planned out how he was going to tell the Bexley what happened. He glances back, making sure Tom wasn't behind them before admitting in a hushed tone, "My dad shot two guys."

Eden's gaze immediately softened and she felt her anger trickle away. Big John killed someone?

Big John always felt like father to Eden, as often as they bickered. He ruffled her hair, laughed at her comments, and had real heartfelt conversations with her at times. If his nose wasn't in a map and he wasn't off for days on end leaving John B. to care for himself, he was a good dad. A good man.

After what he said, she wasn't a fan of the older man, but she'd never pin him as a killer. He wasn't like Ward.

Eden opens her mouth to reply, but John B. adds, "Before you say anything, he was trying to protect me."

Protection. The Bexley wants to say it makes the situation better, but the same could be said in defense of Rafe for shooting Peterkin. He had just been protecting his father.

"....Okay." Eden slowly nods, processing the information. "Okay, that's, like, the last thing I expected to hear. Who-who were these guys?"

"It was two guys from the Coastal Venture. They came here looking for Denmark's diary." the Routledge swallows down the lump in his throat at the recollection of what had happened. Eden frowns at the thought of Big John killing someone over treasure, as obsessed as he was. "And then Singh showed up."

Eden's lips thin at the mention of her kidnapper. "Singh?"

"Singh." John B. stiffly nods. That wasn't even the worst part. "They took my dad, and then they tried to kill me. Then they took him to South America, and-"

Eden can't help but guffaw, "Wait, wait, South America?"

"Yes." John B. shallowly nods, clenching his fists. "South America."

"Oh my God." Eden's suddenly sorry for how much of a bitch she'd been because John B. saw all of that and now his father was being kidnapped to a different continent. "I'm actually.....wow. This is a lot."

JJ nods in agreement to the Bexley. He too had been in immense surprise at the news that Big John had shot two guys. The news still sat sour in his chest-apparently he can't have a good dad in any life.

She gets off the island and paces to the side before halting. "So, what are we doing about it? I don't think you two are here to tell me we're letting Big John stay down there?"

"Right." JJ nods. For the past few hours, he'd been hearing a half-shit plan created by the Routledge boy on how they can get his father back. "There's not a full answer to that yet, but-"

"-but, I think I have something." the Routledge finishes off, staring at the Bexley. "So, the Charleston archives weren't totally a dead end. Before getting kidnapped, my dad and I went to this professor's house that he knew. Said guy is now also dead, but, when we were with him he was telling us about the idol. I think if we go back there, I could find something that can help find my dad."

Eden has no clue what he'd find in a dead professor's place to help him find Big John. So, instead, she drew, "Or I could try and talk to my dad. He's our one way of getting to South America with legal tickets."

"Or...." John B. drags out, mimicking her tone. "We can follow my plan because I have a really good feeling about this."

On any other day, the Bexley would try and get him to side with her. But John B. has had a day and she decides maybe she can give his idea a shot.

"You know what? Fine." Eden gets up and sets her empty bowl in the sink. She maneuvers past the boys and towards her staircase. John B. smiles and JJ can't help but look happy at her agreement. "Get back in the Twinkie and I'll meet you out there in five."

Climbing up the stairs, Eden just hopes John B. knows what he's doing. If they were dealing with Singh....it wouldn't be good if they messed up.

Eden should be helping Kie set up Anna and Mike's anniversary party.

Yet, here she sat, in the back of the Twinkie, listening to her boys talk about what was about to happen.

After getting dressed and warning her dad of her departure, Eden hopped into the backseat of the Twinkie to listen in to the full story of what happened to Big John and what they were really doing to get the older Routledge back.

Apparently, after speaking with Eden, the two Routledge's had dispersed to some professor's house-Big John had ties to him, refused to be apart of his corrupt academic system anymore and left him high and dry. After finding him, rather jumpy and erratic, they showed him the idol. He revealed that if put in the right place at the right time, it would reveal directions to El Dorado.

No wonder Singh showed up. He would do anything for the trail.

The professor had started reading the ancient language engraved on the object when he suddenly warned Big John to step away from the mission. Big John forced it out of him and the man showed them a piece of paper with where the idol had to be sat. Before he could reveal anymore, he was hit in the neck with a dart. Slumped over in seconds.

John B. and Big John tried to hide but got separated, Singh's men ultimately capturing both of them. Singh cornered them and held the younger at gunpoint, leaving with the idol and Big John in his grasp.

So, now, somehow, someway, they had to travel to South America and find a lost idol in exchange for Big John's life.

Which is why the trio sat in the Twinkie, speeding down the road to the dead professors house in search of information.

"So, walk me through it one more time." JJ holds a map of South America in front of his face.

As he drives, John B. pulls one hand away from the wheel and jabs it into South America, "Okay, right there. That's where they're taking him. That's the site of the idol."

Eden leans forward, craning her neck to get a good look at where John B. pointed. Brows knit together, she comments, "Okay, you literally just pointed to the whole continent."

John B. looks back at his best friend to stiffly say, "Yep."

JJ's eyes widen as he scoffs, "That's all you know? It's just-he's somewhere in South America?"

"Listen, that's why we're going to the professors house, alright?" John B. tries to ease the two into trusting him. He knows there's not a lot of information to go off of, but this was their best shot at getting somewhere. "Look, he was at the site."

"Okay." The disbelief is clear in JJ's tone as he concedes. "So happy we have the map, then."

"Personally, I just don't know what information we're going to get if this man is dead." Eden states, looking at the Routledge.

JJ's eyes suddenly widen as he remembers a clear detail in the professors story, "Whoa, whoa, whoa-we're going into a house right now with a dead body in it? That's....that's where we're going?"

John B. hesitates, "Yeah-"

"And if the cops show up, you know what that makes us look like?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Just making sure." JJ clicks his tongue, unamused. "Can we make it quick, though? Just in and out?"

John B. doesn't reply, instead hitting the brakes. The Twinkie rolls to a stop in front of a navy blue house. The paint is slightly chipped and it seems worn out. The overgrown grass and vegetation only adds to the messy exterior. Clearly, this professor hadn't been so into presentation.

Doors open and close and the three teens run through the overgrown grass towards the front door. John B. leads the way, opening the already unlocked front door and peeking his head through before stepping through the threshold with light footing.

Eden follows behind him, footsteps light as she slides through the door. JJ is last, shutting the door with a creak.

The Routledge steps forward into another room, while Eden stands and examines the perimeter. It's messy and cluttered to the brim, historical shit all over the place-the walls, tables, anywhere it can fit; it seems more museum than house. The windows are all drawn tightly closed, a yellow aura dawning the room. There's even the distinct sound of a fly buzzing.

"His body's gone." John B.'s voice cuts through the cautious silence. Eden stops glancing around the room and walks until she's standing next to the boy, meeting his gaze at a certain spot on the floor. "Sowell was right here."

JJ peers into the room, looking at the floor. "And Sowell was...."

"The professor."

"Well, great." Eden claps her hands together with a smile full of everything but amusement. "Somebody has already been here. Just our luck."

JJ is quick to agree with the shorter girl. If Sowell's body was gone, someone had already walked through. Cleaned up. There was probably little to no evidence left for them to even search for-or, maybe, the Maybank is just searching for a reason to leave the sketchy site because, as much as he trusts his best friend, searching a dead man's home is sketchy.

"They probably decontaminated this entire room." JJ states loudly, glancing around. "So, there's probably nothing left here, John B. We should probably just get out of here- "

John B. reasons for them to stay, "Maybe there's-maybe there's something!"

"Okay, what are we looking for, then, alright?"

Vaguely, the Routledge answers. "Anything that has to do with an archaeological dig."

"Oh, thanks, John B." JJ murmurs sarcastically, "That really narrows it down."

The Routledge sputters, "I'm-I'm trying."

Eden runs a hand over her face. JJ walks away, glancing into a stack of papers. "Anything. All righty. Fricking anything-seriously, man?"

There's a lot within the room to get caught up on, and Eden starts examining the different drawings of symbols on the walls. None of them bring any recognition to the front of her mind-maybe they'd have better luck if Pope was here.

John B. moves into the closet and starts to examine something. The Maybank is quick to sputter, "Wait! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don't leave your finger tips, bro." He whips out his bandanna and wipes down a globe his elbow had merely brushed like a clean freak. "This is a live crime scene, dude-Eden, that counts for you too."

Eden dramatically shoves her hands into her pockets. "Got it."

The Routledge starts to rummage through a box of files, fingers nimbly hunting for something. Eden walks in circles around the room, eyes moving from ancient symbol to ancient symbol. JJ feels useless.

"Yeah, you know, actually, I'm just gonna look in the kitchen. Alright?" JJ states aloud, though his friends aren't paying him much attention. Truly, he's just in need to get out of this sketchy ass room. "No one ever checks the fridge."

John B. gives a half ass reply, "Yeah, go for that, man."

Eden's almost reminded of when her and the boys searched the motel room at the beginning of summer.

JJ walks into the kitchen and John B. continues to look for whatever he's looking for. The Bexley strips her eyes off the walls, finding no use in looking at the historical decorations for help. "I know you don't really know what we're looking for here, but anything in this room could be put towards an archaeological dig. It's all history."

"We were right here." the Routledge turns around, wheels turning in his mind. It wasn't adding up. He brushes past the Bexley and puts his hands on the table, muttering, "Dad, Sowell, the idol..." A finger trails over the chair as he repeats. "The idol."

Eden doesn't want to get in the middle of whatever is happening to her best friend. Clearly, he's locked into some flashback, brain wracking for answers. Arms crossed, she backs up to give him space to think.

"Temalacatl." John B. mutters, crouching down. Eden's brows furrow but she refrains from asking what his prior murmur meant. He'd tell her when he had it all put together in his head. The brunette stands back up with a sheet of paper in his hands. His eyes widen and he beckons Eden over, "Ed'."

Eden paces over to the boy, peering at the paper in his grasp. It's a drawing of kinds, giant stones sitting amongst woods. At the bottom it reads Solana.

John B. calls for his other friend, "JJ."

There's no answer.

Eden huffs and walks into the kitchen, looking at the blonde boy hunched over inside the fridge. "JJ."

At the Bexley's tone, the Maybank quickly whips around. "Hm?"

Within his grasp is not information, but a chicken wing. The blonde swallows, clearly signaling he'd been eating.

"Seriously?" Eden gives him a look. He was eating now of all times?

Following his friend into the kitchen, the Routledge deadpans when he sees JJ eating. "What is this? Snack time? What-what are we doing?"

"You know what?" JJ exclaims, words muffled due to the food in his mouth. "I feel very judged right now."

"Sure."

"Alright? There's an entire bird in here that's just gonna go to waste, okay? I'm not gonna let that happen. It's not like I'm stealing it. No one else is gonna eat it, so I was like, 'I'll take the nutrients that this beautiful bird gives me and fill the tank' alright? I haven't been able to eat something in, like-"

John B. stops listening to his rant halfway through, instead lurching forward to grab a newspaper clipping from the wall. Eden turns away from the blonde boy, wanting to see what the Routledge had found.

The newspaper clipping reads 'Local Expedition Team Departs for South America'. There's a photograph of six people.

"For starters, you literally ate at my house two days ago." Eden states, before ushering him over with his hand. "And secondly, we found something."

JJ scurries for his friends, chicken wing still in hand. He peers over at the clipping as John B. reads it off, "'Local Expedition Team Departs for South America'."

"Are one of these guys Sowell?" the Maybank asks.

John B. points to one of the men smiling happily. "Right there."

"Alright.."

There's a beat of silence. "Holy shit."

"What?"

"Neville." John B. replies, as if Eden and JJ are to have any clue what he means.

Eden sighs, "You have got to be more specific because I doubt you're talking about Neville Long bottom from Harry Potter."

"Neville." the brunette boy repeats before explaining why he'd uttered the name, "The last thing Sowell said to me before he died was Neville."

JJ tried to follow, "Neville, meaning...."

John B. points to above the photo. "Right there.

Eden scans over the list of names identifying people in the photo. Besides expedition guide, the name reads 'Neville Persaud'.

"Neville Persaud; expedition guide." JJ reads off, before his eyes suddenly widen. His jaw drops and he stares at John B. like he just saw God, fumbling to find the right words to express himself.

"So, Sowell said, 'five people on the expedition', right?" the Routledge begins, wheels in his head turning.

"Right."

"Three of those people died." John B. holds up three fingers, before dropping one to leave two remaining. "Which leaves us with two."

JJ grabs John B.'s fingers, pushing one down as he lists, "Sowell."

"Mhm."

Eden pushes down the remaining finger. "....Neville."

"He's the last one alive." the Maybank states.

"Yeah, I think Sowell was telling me to warn him." John B. says.

JJ is eager to move now that they have real information. "We need to find Neville."

They all run out of the professors home, eager to find and warn whoever this Neville man was.

Apparently, JJ Maybank knows Neville.

Well, maybe.

Once in the Twinkie, the Maybank starts to spew about an encounter he had with a man with then last name Persaud last summer, 100% sure that if they went to find said man from last summer, they'd be able to find Neville too-because, certainly, if you have the same last name, you were automatically family.

As much doubt as there was over the plan, John B. ends up following JJ's direction to a farm. The sun is set high in the sky by the time they get there, and as they pull into the grassy terrain, Eden spots many different farmers watering crops, seeding ground, and preparing fresh fruits.

Less sketchy than Sowell's house. She'll take it.

"Okay, now, so, let me get this straight." John B. begins as the trio gets out of the van, doubt in the front of his mind. "So, because you know a guy with the same last name as Neville, you think they've gotta be related. That's your master plan?"

"Right. Okay." JJ tries to think of something to defend his plan with. He's blank for a few moments because now that he thinks about it, was the guy's name even Persaud? "How many people do you know with the last name Persaud?"

Eden shrugs. John B. stays quiet. They didn't know anyone else with Persaud as their last name, but it didn't mean there wasn't anyone.

"I met a guy here last summer with my cousin, 'cause we were doing the growin' business. Last name, Persaud." JJ suddenly stops in his tracks, doubt washing over facade as he says, "Or wait, was it Percett?"

The Bexley whips around. "Are you shitting me?"

John B. feels even more doubtful of this plan and clutches JJ's t-shirt. For all he knew, his dad was already dead in South America. There wasn't time to make mistakes. "You think or you know, JJ? 'Cause this is my dad's life we're talking about-"

"No, no, no, no, no-I know Mr. Persaud." JJ states confidently, brushing away any dull recollection of last summer. It was totally Persaud. Totally. He grabs John B.'s shoulders before patting the boy's chest. "Trust me. It's cool."

The Maybank walks up to one of the men working. Eden shakes her head, looking at John B, "Your dad is actually screwed."

John B. blankly nods. "I know."

"Hey, uh, Mr. P, right?" JJ's voice booms as he steps forward, eyes set on a man with a green hat atop his head.

The man breaks into a smile and chuckles, "Hey!"

"Yeah. I told you." JJ side eyes his two friends before smiling at the colored man, coming over to give him a fist bump with an exaggerated smile. "Yeah, yeah, yeah! What's going on, man? Yeah." He cuts straight to the chase. "Hey, so we're looking for....we're looking for Neville. Is he still here?"

"Nah, nah, nah." The man shakes his head, pointing to the side. "He's out there."

The trio all look to the side, seeing nothing but woods.

The man references where Neville's been holding up, "Been holdin' up near Doe Creek."

JJ slowly nods. "Doe Creek?"

"In his house boat. Way, way, back." The man finishes.

Eden puts on a appreciative smile and looks at the man, "Thank you for your help."

"Ah, yeah, you're the man, Mr. P!" JJ exclaims, backing up.

The three Pogues quickly walked towards the direction the man had pointed them in. The sun beats down on their backs as they tread through overgrown vegetation, and after a solid fifteen minutes, ultimately the trio ends up wading through water-much to Eden's dismay, even if it was a boathouse.

Birds caw. Water ripples. Leaves ruffle. The sun sits high in the sky and doesn't seem to get any less hot as they hike through the leafy terrain, world becoming less human and more wildlife as they continue.

"Why do you ever doubt me?" JJ states as they begin to wade, feeling more than cocky. The water starts to reach his kneecaps and he halts, looking to either side.

John B. shrugs, "It's just-the idea was a little far fetched, that's all I'm saying."

"99% of your plans fail." Eden deadpans, huffing as the water soaks through her jean shorts. "Do I have to remind you of appendicitis?"

John B. can't help but snicker at the plan that JJ used to try and get him out of jail. The Maybank ignores her comment, instead inquiring, "Alright, so we're looking for.....a houseboat."

The Routledge boy glances to the side, pointing at an object sitting in the water. "That looks like a houseboat."

Eden cranes her neck past the branches of the tree beside her, eyeing up a decent sized boat sitting in the water. It sits a few feet away, matching what the man earlier had said to them.

"Well, you think he's there?" JJ asks.

"Do you see any other houseboat?" the Bexley retorts.

"There's only one way to find out." the Maybank bluntly shrugs before cupping his hands around his mouth. Voice rough and abrupt, he screams, "Neville! Hey! Nev-""

Eden's eyes widen and John B. scurries to slap a hand over the blonde's mouth, "Stop it!"

JJ goes into fight or flight mode, ripping off his best friend's hand. "Dude, what?!"

"What are you talking about, what?" the Routledge looks at his best friend incredulously. "He thinks people are trying to kill him. He's probably packing."

"Ah, okay." the blonde boy replies, "It's a death trap."

"Yeah, but unfortunately, we don't have a choice. He's the only guy alive who knows where my dad is."

Eden steps further into the water, preparing to swim. "The things I do for you."

The three Pogues dive into the murky water, swimming in the direction of the houseboat. Other than the rippling of the water as they stroked, the trio stayed relatively silent as to not scare Neville any more-though, JJ certainly did the job already.

Within minutes they make it to the side of the boat, soaked. John B. is first up the ladder, water dripping down the damp strands of hair that stuck to his face. Eden pushes herself up next, clothes sticking to her figure. JJ is last, hair damp and unruly.

"JJ, keep it down." John B. mutters.

Deathly silence fills the boat as the three teens step quietly forward, breaths baited. If Neville was being hunted, the last thing they needed was to scare him with their sudden appearance. Eden and JJ stay back, John B. treading hesitantly forward to bring his hand over a small stove.

"The stove's warm," He grits out, halfway behind a wall. "He's still here."

JJ paces away and glances outside the boat, voice raising. "Maybe he split when he heard us coming-"

"Devils!"

A machete goes flying for JJ's head, but the Routledge is quick to react, swinging the blonde backwards before he can be taken out by the weapon. JJ slams into the side of something, and John B. comes forward to attack.

The man wielding the machete-who Eden hopes is Neville-swings it at John B., who dodges it by leaning back into the nearby hammock. JJ comes running forward in an attempt to help, but catches a punch square in the face, and reels back with a grunt.

"Uh, Neville, sir!" Eden doesn't know what she's doing, but maybe talking to the man will make him stop attacking her friends. As John B. restricts the man from swinging, she rushes, "We just want to talk! We're not here to hurt you!"

In a heat of the moment thought, JJ yells, "John B! Trip line! Trip line!"

The blonde puts his leg out, urging his best friend to shove the man backwards. Without hesitation, John B. does as he's told, pushing Neville back. The man goes flying right for the next room, arms flailing as he trips.

However as he goes back, he manages to snag Eden's arm, the Bexley getting yanked backwards, too.

She barely yelps before she's hitting the ground hard, muscular arms slamming her against a metal side. Air is knocked out of her lungs at impact and the Bexley is given barely a second to recollect herself before Neville discards the machete. One hand shoots out for her neck, fingers wrapping around the tanned skin.

Shit is the only coherent thought running through Eden's mind

His other hand shoots out and manages to grab ahold of her wrists, pinning her into place.

Eden feels her feet writhe against the wooden floor, Converse scraping for freedom. Her body twists and turns but somehow Neville manages to keep her locked. Her air feels trapped within, the pressure on her throat rising the panic that was already blooming in her chest.

"Oh shit!" John B.'s voice echoes, eyes widening as he sees his best friend on the floor. His gaze flickers to JJ for a mere seconds before he's scrambling to her aid. "No, no, no, no, no-"

JJ manages to beat him to it. He jumps to his feet from the doorway and lunges at the man. He wraps a bicep around Neville's neck, head-locking him with a rough grit of, "Let her go!"

"Stop, stop, stop!" John B.'s brown eyes flicker to Eden's widened and panicked ones, brain wracking for anything that will let Neville know they aren't here to kill him. "We know Professor Sowell!"

Neville's grip on the Bexley only gets tighter at the familiar name. He shoves her harder against the floor. "Who gave you that name?!"

JJ strains to hold Neville back, seething, "Let her go, dude!"

"Orinoco." Eden chokes out, looking at Neville with her tear rimmed eyes. It was hard to speak with the constricting contact around her neck, but she had to try. "You were in Orinoco."

Neville's eyes widen, fear rising within his body. How did they know. "How did you know that?"

"Let go." John B. demands, eyes firm. He flickers between Eden's figure and the man's tight grip. "Let go."

JJ isn't letting go until he does. "Let it go! Let it-"

Neville finally rips his hands off of Eden's throat and wrists, the girl wrenching away with a ragged breath. The Bexley backs herself against the wall, hand shaking over her heart as she tries to get herself under control again.

JJ is swift and grabs the machete from where Neville had dropped it to attack Eden hands on instead. He takes a fistful of the man's shirt and shoves him back into a counter. The blade is held inches from his throat. "We're on the same team, home dog, okay?"

"Look, we don't want to hurt you, okay?" John B. steps forward. His words mean little when the Maybank stands threatening him with the machete. He places one hand on Neville's chest, the other on JJ's machete. "Put it down."

The Maybank boy retreats, lowering the machete. "Jesus."

Neville's shoulders lose only a small bit of tension. The Routledge begins to explain, "Look, we were just with Sowell yesterday."

JJ disappears from John B.'s side and moves to where Eden's sitting against the wall. He offers her a hand, "Come here-you good? He get you at all?"

Eden clasps the boys hand, pulling herself up with a slight grunt. Her heart is racing and she's sure her throat is red but she's okay. She offers the blonde a meek nod, "I'm fine."

"He, uh...." John B. trails off, thinking of his encounter with Sowell. Neville was the only one left alive from the mission. "He didn't make it."

Neville's brows furrow. "He's dead?"

JJ pants, "Yeah."

"Yeah." John B. repeats, "I'm sorry."

He lets go of Neville. The man lets out a shaky exhale, grabbing a hold of an item sitting behind him for support as the realization hits him hard. "I'm the last one left."

"Yeah. That's why we had to get to you before they did." JJ explains, before adding. "If we found you, they can too."

The Routledge pulls out a soggy piece of paper from his pocket-the drawing-and shows it to Neville with the hopes that the man would understand what was illustrated. "I just have a few questions." He nods at the drawing. "Solana. You've been there, yeah?"

Neville shakes his head. He knew all too well. "That is a place of evil."

"Okay." John B. points to the stone piece in the middle. "That stone piece right there. Me and my dad found the thingy that goes in the center."

"The gnomon?"

"Gnomon?" JJ inquires, brows furrowed. "What's a gnomon?"

"The gnomon-hey, I got it. I got it." The brunette places a hand on JJ's chest briefly. He bends down to meet Neville's gaze. "Listen to me. Now, there's some bad men who have taken my father to this place and they're gonna kill him." He taps the drawing to show how serious he was. "So I need your help to find this place, Neville."

Neville shakes his head, "No, no, no, no."

Eden furrows her brows. "No?"

"The curse has already done enough."

John B. can't afford to lose Neville. He needed his dad back. "No, no, no. Look, it's not a curse, okay? I understand that it's dangerous, but I need your help."

"Neville, his dad was missing for an entire year. Lost at sea. We thought he was dead." Eden tries to get through to the man. They needed his help. She can't afford another year of John B. hunting relentlessly; of his sulking. He deserved to be happy with his old man. "And a few days ago, he showed up again. I've never seen him happier. But now, he's gone. They've taken him and he's about to lose his dad for a second time. Please-"

Before she can finish, JJ's hand is over her mouth. "Stop talking."

Eden's eyes narrow and rips the Maybank's palm away, "What-"

"Sh." JJ hisses, "Just stop talking."

They didn't have time to stop. Big John's life was on the line. John B. shakes his head, "No-what? What is going on?"

"Shut up! Shut up!" JJ rushes, gaze flickering between his two friends. John B. closes his mouth and Eden puts her hands up in defense, signaling her lips were sealed for the moment. Once sure his friends were silent, the blonde turns to the man. "Hey, Neville, how much traffic do you get on this river?"

Neville looks at the Maybank like he was silly for asking such a question. "Nothing."

"Neville! Neville Persaud!"

The group can't even react before bullets are being shot.

Glass shatters. Eden is on the floor before she knows it, hands hovering over her ears. Her heart pounds in her chest as items clatter and shatter on the ground. She's reminded of when Rafe shot up the Chateau. Her hands shake a little harder.

Bullets continue to ricochet through the house boat, hitting different items and bursting fragile objects. JJ and John B. end up on the floor too, scrambling for cover amongst the attack. JJ lays sideways with a hand over the side of his head as the Routledge almost hovers over him, arm outstretched to block potential ammo striking.

"Jesus!"

"Oh my God!"

"Get the anchor!"

Eden doesn't know what's happening. She's still on the floor with her hands wound over her head when JJ and John B. are dragging her up, not seeming to care. Her legs work on autopilot. Everything is a blur for a few moments.

"You're fine. Come on, we gotta go-"

"Ed', listen to me, we have to move-"

"Go!"

Before she knows it, she's on her hands and knees crawling for the ladder. JJ pushes her in front of himself, machete in between his clenched teeth. John B.'s helping her down the ladder and her body suddenly seems to realize it has to move when it makes contact with the water.

As quietly as possible, the three Pogues swim over to the new boat that has appeared at the side of the house boat. A man sits near the steering wheel, rifle firmly in his grasp. He's ready to shoot.

John B. hauls himself onto the boat and crawls forward as inconspicuously as possible, hand reaching out to grab the keys from the ignition. He almost gets them, but as he tugs them out, there's a light jingle.

The rifle holding man whips around and the Routledge tousles with him, the gun going back and forth. The brunette slams the weapon against the man's face, who goes falling right over the side of the boat into the water below. The keys go with him.

"Shit." John B. murmurs.

JJ climbs onto the boat. Eden manages to get herself up next, still not appreciative of the way her clothes are clinging to her.

The Routledge comes up to the Bexley, murmuring, "Get the gun. We'll get him out of here."

Eden peeks through the small crevice between boats and sees a gun discarded at the front. Despite her pounding heart, she has to make herself useful somehow and gives a weak nod. Moving nimbly, she slips into Neville's boat again and dives for the weapon.

A foot steps directly on to her hand.

Pain shoots up her arm, burning hot. A sound leaves the back of her throat and she looks up to see a man standing above her-from the boat she's sure. He wears a hat and a cruel sneer on his face. He presses his boot harder into her hand, smiling at the sound he elicits from her lips.

Seething, Eden jolts her other hand out, grabbing the gun. Simultaneously, the man kicks her backwards.

Clenching the gun, the Bexley manages to pull the trigger.

Her back slams against the wood as she's thrown back. The gun clatters out of her hold. Her hand burns. She recovers as quickly as possible, jumping onto her feet, but she didn't manage to shoot the man.

He stands in front of her, the gun now in his hands. A sick smile twists its way onto his face as he aims it at her.

The Bexley tries to stay calm, one hand outstretched to signal for him not to shoot.

"Not this time, my friend." The man amusedly chuckles, smiling at her weak attempt. His eyes flicker to the floor below. "Down."

Eden's eyes dart around the perimeter, and she has to hide her smirk as JJ Maybank stalks right behind the man. They make eye contact as she slowly gets on to her knees.

The man smiles at the sight. The Bexley raises her hands-one redder than the other-above her head. It's the last thing he sees before he's yanked backwards into the water below.

Eden gets up, shaking her hand. The Maybank and Routledge climb up the ladder and join her on the front of the boat, JJ throwing the latter the machete, "Cut the line! Cut the line!"

The brunette runs to cut the line connecting the two men's boats to Neville, doing so in a swift movement. Neville's boat starts to move forward-he must have gotten within the drivers seat in the time it took JJ to throw the man off the boat.

The trio all run to where Neville sits, nervously steering his home away from it's current residence.

"Go, go, go!"

"You gotta go!"

"Yeah, I'm going! I'm going!" Neville rambles. It's quiet for a moment as the three Pogues all catch their breaths. Eden examines her hand-it reddened and she's sure there will be some marking tomorrow, but for the moment it's okay. "Are they coming?"

JJ shakes his head. "Nah, we're good."

"You owe me an anchor."

"You're welcome."

Neville takes them back to the Chateau.

Quietly, Eden, John B., and JJ put together a decent plan. They get the HMS Pogue, they go to The Wreck for the Carrera's anniversary party so they can retrieve Sarah and Kiara, they go to South America.

JJ doesn't have a passport. John B. hasn't spoken to his girlfriend since he made her cry. The Carrera's are most certainly not letting Kiara out of their sight once they see the Maybank on their premise.

It'll work out swell, Eden thinks.

Kiara is already going to kill Eden for not helping her out. The least she can do is actually show up for the party-albeit, in soggy clothes. Maybe if she tells the Carrera that she was shot at again, she'll get a free pass.

The drive is slow and the sun begins to set, the sky gaining an orange hue. Neville is in no hurry to return the kids back home-he hasn't even thanked them for saving his life. He just stands silently at the wheel, unamused with how his day has gone.

Eden sits quietly to herself, fiddling around with her bracelets. She hopes the Carrera's have some sort of alcoholic beverage on the ready.

"Look, Neville, they're taking my father there." John B. restarts for the thousandth time that drive. After getting interrupted earlier, he's been trying to get Neville back on his side. They saved his life, he can help save Big John's. "You're the only person who knows where it is."

Neville doesn't even blink. He looks like he could give less shits about Big John.

"Neville, they are going to kill him unless you help us."

The man sighs, "They're going after the gold."

"Yeah." JJ lazily replies. It seemed to be the only thing anyone wanted the last few months. "I mean, what else are they gonna be going after?"

"Then they'll die anyway." Neville casually replies. "Unless they can pass the test, which they won't if they can't translate the idol. You know the story."

They actually don't. Or, at least, Eden doesn't. She's sure it's something John B. heard when he was off with his father. Truly, she knows little about El Dorado and this whole idol thing other than small bits and pieces the Routledge has chosen to share. She's just tagging along.

JJ looks at the man with an incredulous expression as he scoffs, "No."

"El Dorado was found by a Guajiro king, and when it came time for him to slip his mortal coil and meet my greats on the astral plane, he wasn't just going to give the gold to his sons. It was the source of his power." Neville retells the famous myth, the three Pogues listening intently. "It had to go to the wisest man, and to ensure this actually happened, he set up the test of the gnomon."

"So, there's, like, some test now." the Maybank holds back an eye roll. "Okay.."

John B. shakes his head. "There's always a test."

"Whoever passes the test gains access to the gold." Neville states in simplicity, "You fail the test, you die. If you somehow get to the gold without taking the test, then you die."

"Oh, that's really cute." Eden offers a fake smile to the two boys. They sure weren't passing this test. Big John was dead. "Your dad is like, officially, cooked, John."

JJ shakes his head, "Nah, Ed', he's lying. Right? 'Cause, there's no way that can actually happen, right?"

"Why would he lie?"

"Why not lie?"

Neville replies, "Tell that to the crew of the San Jose and the Royal Merchant."

"We don't want the gold, Neville." the Routledge states.

JJ holds up a finger, meekly muttering, "Well..."

Eden sends the blonde a side eye. Now was not the time to reveal that it wouldn't be entirely bad to get more treasure. They were here to save Big John. Their era of treasure hunting had died with the cross, surely.

"I just want to save my dad."

Neville curtly nods. He steps away and nods at JJ, "Take the wheel."

"Yes, sir." the Maybank hops off where he'd been sitting, passing behind to steer for the time being.

The man comes next to John B. and starts scribbling on a sheet of paper the directions. "You must go to the port of Tres Rocas. From there, find ferry passage from a river guide called Jose. He will take you up the Orinoco to El Tosoro. It is there. In the bush, you will find a site."

"Tres Rocas. Jose. El Tosoro." Eden mentally notes the two locations and names that had been stated. "Easy enough."

JJ glances at his two friends, "Guess we're back in the G game?"

"Make yourself pure of heart, pure of mind." Neville reprimands, "You are there to save your father. The gold kills everyone."

Eden knows he meant the El Dorado gold specifically, but he's not wrong. The gold hunt had changed the Pogues immensely-some things for the better, some things for worse. After all, Eden isn't the innocent sixteen year old she once was. As much as she wishes she was, she simply wasn't. The gold fucked her up; changed her.

The Pogues didn't just hang out anymore. They were always searching. Running. Hiding.

Eden wants it to be over, but she doubts it is. With El Dorado in their minds, she knows they'll end up doing more than just finding and saving Big John.

They'll end up caught in this gold chase, even if it killed them.

mara's misc!

it's been a few weeks but i've given up on waiting for mvybanksss to read the four chapters she owes me so!!!!

tbh i actually haven't written for ss in a hot second so maybe comments will give me motivation to try and get a little further before s4pt2 drops 🤷

i just wanna drop that i was literally mid shower yesterday night when kensie called me but still answered and let her talk. just sums us up as a friendship and me up as a person tbh. 

guys the urge to rewrite act one of this book grows stronger every day ESPECIALLY after i read the most stunning intro to another obx fic. after i finish act four i'm gonna but like i'm so close to just doing it now bc that act is in DIRE need of a redo.

low-key i do not know what i'm going to do when the eras tour ends because mastermind is an actual addiction i have. physically i cannot sleep when she has a show because i NEED to know if i got points or not (no do not want to discuss what last nights guitar surprise song was i was in SHOCK). 

hope you enjoyed <3 see you back for chapter 74!