╔═══━━━─── • ───━━━═══╗
— 𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗢𝗧 —
season one, episode one, part two

❝𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞'𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝.❞

─── • ───

As the Pogues pulled back into the Outer Banks marina, they noticed that the crowd of frantic residents had expanded since their last visit. This time, however, the dock was also littered with police deputies as they tried to oversee the crowd, blocking them from reaching a police boat behind them.

"What the fuck's going on?" Nick asked aloud, watching as the police deputies lifted what appeared to be a bloated, open-eyed dead corpse on a longboard and rested it on the concrete edge of the marina.

"Is that what I think it is?" Olivia shrieked, clutching her stomach in disbelief.

"Hey," John B called to Peeler, the local kid who loitered around on the dock. "Who's body is it?"

"Scooter Grubbs," replied Peeler. "He was out during the storm."

"Holy shit," cursed JJ, his eyes wide. "What kind of boat did he have, do you know?"

"Somehow that dirtbag had a brand new Grady-White," scoffed Peeler, shaking his head. "Everyone's looking for it."

And just like that, the Pogues fell dangerously silent as the crowd on the dock roared with cries of sadness, their faces riddled with shock. In the midst of the chaos, though, an upset woman forced her way through the crowd, and Nick vaguely recognized as Lana Grubbs, Scooter's distressed wife.

"Let me through, let me through," she cried, approaching the stretcher. "Where is he?"

But as she saw the corpse of her husband, her question seemed to be answered. Lana buckled with grief, sobbing uncontrollably and falling over the body.

"No, no, no, NO!"

"We didn't find anything," whispered Pope, as though he were trying to convince himself. "We don't know anything, okay? Let's go!"

Without having to be told twice, John B peeled off into the marsh for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, and the Pogues cruised along the water in silence until reaching the familiar shore of the Chateau. One after the other, they clambered out of the boat and ran towards the safe confinements of John B's front porch, a place in which they knew they could talk in private.

"We need to have total and complete amnesia," demanded Pope, ringing his hands out in nervousness.

"Pope's right for once," agreed Nick, sitting on John B's outdoor couch that he had on the porch. He winked at Pope, adding, "See, I agree with you sometimes."

"Then it's settled," hummed JJ contently, puffing a hit of his joint. "Deny, deny, deny!"

"Guys," Kiara reasoned, "we can't keep that money."

"Oh, please," scoffed JJ, coming to his own defence. "Not all of us can afford unlimited data plans, Kiara."

"We have to pass that off to Lana Grubbs," suggested Kiara empathetically. "Otherwise, it's bad karma."

"Bad karma to be implicated in a felony, too." Pope muttered, his tone laced with worry. "We got to go dark."

"If that means we get to keep the money," JJ looked pleasantly thrilled, "then I agree."

"Well, I agree with Kie," said Olivia icily, her arms crossed over her chest. "This doesn't end well for us."

"Of course it doesn't," Nick muttered darkly, "we're Pogues. We're the first people the feds look to when shit hits the fan, and that's not going to change whether we give the money back or not."

"I'm with Liv on this one," John B sighed, his hands held in a mock surrender.

"Big shocker there," JJ scoffed again, rolling his eyes.

"Shut up, man," John B waved him off, caught. He then cleared his throat, moving swiftly on, and said, "Just think about it, honestly just think. This is Scooter Grubbs we're talking about. The dude that bought individual cigarettes at the Porthole. Shit, one time I saw him begging for change in the Save-A-Lot parking lot because he needed gas. He was a dirtbag marina rat who never had more than forty bucks in his pocket, and all of a sudden, he's got a Grady-White? How exactly does that happen?"

"My money's on prostitution," said Nick sarcastically, picking at his fingernails. "Grubbs seemed like the type."

"No, I'm talking about square groupers, bro," John B corrected him. "Radar detection and aerial surveys aren't conducted during storms. So what do you think that means?"

"They were straight smuggling," JJ awed, catching on.

"That's right," beamed John B, his grin widening. "And I guarantee there's a serious amount of contraband in that wreck."

"Hell yeah!"

"Fish on!"

"Bring on the money!"

"It's our ticket, man," Nick hollered, thinking of the possibilities. "We could use that money to save John B's ass from the DCS, get him a proper lawyer."

"For the record, if that is a smuggling ship with illegal contraband on the inside of it," Pope started hypothetically, "then it probably belongs to someone else."

"Minor details, Pope," reasoned Nick. "Minor details."

"But they could come looking for it," said Pope urgently, looking frightened. "Taking it would be catastrophically stupid."

"Stupid things have good outcomes all the time," JJ reassured him, his tone as carefree as the wind. "All we need to do is figure out a way to get into the cargo hold of that wreck. Until then, we just lay low and act normal."

"If we act too normal, everyone will know something's up," said Pope seriously, his paranoia getting the best of him.

Nick laughed, "I think he meant normal for us, bubba."

"Which is what, exactly?" asked Pope tentatively, as though scared of the answer.

"Well," Olivia piped up, her lips curling into a smirk. "I think it's been far too long since our last kegger, who's with me?"

── • ──

The Pogues wasted no time on preparations for the upcoming party, and instead were sufficed when they stole a couple kegs from The Wreck's bar of supplies. Together, they carried the kegs across the sand, placed them down, and tapped them just as other Outer Banks residents came over the horizon in clusters.

You can't understand the Outer Banks without understanding The Boneyard – It's kind of like a three-layer bean burrito. There's us and our friends, the working-class derelicts from the Cut. Then there are the Kooks, the rich second-homers. They're mostly from poncey-ass boarding schools, just a bunch of rich trustafarian posers. And finally, there are the Tourons, or chum for the sharks, as we like to call them. Here for a week on vacation with their families. Totally clueless, and looking to hookup with any available salt-lifers they can get their hands on.

The Pogues found themselves an unoccupied rock on the outskirts of the party, resting on the coastline. Bringing his red solo cup to his lips, Nick watched as a group of sunbathed tourists, preppy rich kids, and working class fuck-ups danced together on the sand. The music was blaring loudly, drowning the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore behind them.

Each member of the tight-knight group of friends had scattered off since the start of the party, and possibilities of their whereabouts ranged anywhere from the mosh pit of sweaty dancers to the keg of foamy beer. Nick could see Kiara off in the near distance, flirting with someone, while JJ casually had his arm around a tourist girl. Olivia, Pope, and John B were caught in the centre of the crowd, laughing together as they tried to get a bonfire started.

Nick, on the other hand, had found himself occupied by one of the girl's he'd seen on the beach the day before. They were shamelessly making-out on one of the sea rocks, and Nick tried his damnedest to stay focused as a scrum of Kooks passed in front of him.

Unable to help himself, he locked eyes with the infamous Sarah Cameron as his date began to kiss along his neck. Sarah returned his gaze for a few more minutes before carrying on with her friends, and Nick still watched as the Kooks arrived at a rusted red buoy with a broken chain embedded in the sand.

His attention caught, Nick quickly excused himself from his date and walked closer to buoy, rejoining JJ and Kiara on the beach in the process. They began talking to him, but Nick was too transfixed to speak as Sarah Cameron began to climb the rusted buoy without a care in the world.

Kiara seemed to follow his gaze, because she let out an inaudible gasp, and said, "What the fuck is she doing?"

"Come on, Sarah," Nick heard the voice of a male Kook with blond hair in the distance. "Get down."

So that's Topper Thornton, Sarah Cameron's not-so-pleasant boyfriend. He's a real douchebag, in case you couldn't tell already by his frosted tips. Believe it or not, Topper actually thinks Pogues were bred to mow his lawn.

"I'm sure I saw it," Sarah was saying, her hand pointing towards something in the water. "The storm must've pulled them in."

"Bro, she's fucking crazy," JJ muttered, laughing, before he took another sip of his foamy beer. In typical JJ fashion, he held a beer in each hand, and the tourist girl had since disappeared and left him by himself.

Nick didn't say anything, but he did let out a small laugh in the moment. Him, JJ, and Kiara sat back and watched as Sarah, her legs interlaced the gridwork of the buoy, began to climb down into the arms of her boyfriend.

Listen, I'm not going to lie, we occasionally indulged in tribal provocations. But on this night, and I swear on John B's missing father, we were minding our own business. So before anyone gets it twisted, the Kooks came to us –

Without warning, the Kooks started to walk back the way that they came, with Sarah Cameron and Topper at the centre of the group as the golden couple. Nick shook his head, downed the rest of his beer, and started towards the keg again before the beginnings of an unexpected conversation seemed to spark.

"Hey, K," he heard Sarah call from behind him, and he turned to see her and Kiara in an awkward standoff.

Unable to help himself, Nick walked back to the group, standing next to JJ, as Kiara finally spoke.

"Hey."

"Haven't see you at the regatta lately," Sarah pressed on, trying to make conversation with a kind smile.

"Not really a regatta girl these days," said Kiara shortly, her arms crossed. "You should know that."

"Come on, Sarah," Topper beckoned her, pulling on his girlfriend's arm without sparing a look to the Pogues in front of him. "Let's roll."

But Sarah hesitated for a moment, and her big brown eyes found Nick standing behind Kiara. She opened her mouth as though she was about to say something, but with another pull on her arm, she started to follow Topper on command. Having noticed the intense gaze between his friend and the Kook princess, JJ smirked as a plan began to formulate in his head. He then took a step towards the Kooks, halting them in their tracks.

"Hey, hey, Sarah," he called, offering her his spare beer, "can I interest you in a tasty Milwaukee beverage?"

"No, thanks." Sarah declined politely.

"Oh, come on," JJ feigned a look of upset. "What, is it not fancy enough for you?"

"No," Sarah waved him off, "we were just leaving."

"Hey, you know what?" Topper spoke up, with a sarcastic smile, stepping up towards JJ. "I'll take it, I'll take it. Thank you, man. I appreciate it."

"That's nice, but I didn't ask you," JJ shot him down, his tone becoming aggressive. "If you said pretty please, maybe, but you didn't. You can have it, Sarah. But not you, big guy," he added tauntingly, pulling the cup away from Topper.

"She doesn't want it, asshole," Topper growled back in response, and Nick could see the tensions begin to rise. "Get that shit out of her face."

"You speak for her now, is that it?" Nick piped up, stepping up alongside JJ. He turned to look at Sarah again, then said, "Well, so much for that backbone."

Topper stepped further in front of Sarah, his chest puffed outwards, and he patted at Nick's chest as though he were removing him from the conversation.

"Shut up, man."

"Get your fucking hands off me," Nick spat hotly, swatting Topper's hand away. "Touch me again, and I swear I'll —"

"That's enough," cried Sarah, moving between them, trying to drag Topper away from the confrontation. "Come on, Top. Let's just go."

"All of this over a beer?" JJ asked rhetorically, unable to control his laughter. "Fuck, man. You Kooks sure are dramatic, aren't you?"

And with that, chaos ensued.

Having heard enough, Topper lashed out and slapped the beer out of JJ's hand, splattering it all over the blonde Pogue's feet. The Kooks shared a laugh at the interaction, hyping up Topper, though Sarah looked suddenly frightened. This was enough for JJ, and he lunged for Topper and almost connected with his nose before Nick caught him and dragged him backwards, unwilling to ruin the party for everyone.

"Hey, hey, hey," came the panicked voice of Pope, as he, John B, and Olivia came rushing over as though they had sensed the trouble from a distance. "We're supposed to be incognito, remember?"

"Babe," Sarah pleaded, trying to pull Topper away for a second time. "Please, let's go."

"Dirty fucking Pogues," spat Topper angrily, and as he made to turn around, Nick felt something inside him snap and he stepped forward to forcefully push Topper onto the ground, forcing him to swallow a mouthful of bitter sand.

"Goddamnit, Nick," said John B hotly, dragging his friend back before any of the other Kooks could intervene. "What did we say about laying low?"

"I don't give a fuck," Nick growled, his jaw clenched, seeing red. "I'll kill him with my bare fucking hands –"

"Then do it, bitch," Topper taunted him, rising to his feet with the help of his friends. "I'd love to see you try."

"Come on, Nicky," Kiara pleaded behind him, "leave it alone."

"It's not worth it, big brother," Olivia added, glaring at the Kooks. "Please, just calm down –"

But she was cut off as Topper's fist connected with Nick's jaw, blindsiding him completely. The crowd erupted into hoots and hollers as they all closed in around the two fighters, their camera phones in the air. In retaliation, Nick quickly recovered and tackled Topper into a nearby tidal pool, landing punch after punch at the Kook's head. The fight grew more and more intense, blood being drawn with every move.

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!" the crowd chanted.

"Stop! Stop!" Sarah cried in the distance, and for some unknown reason, her voice made Nick hesitate for a moment, his fist suspended in the air mid-punch.

This lapse in judgement was precisely what Topper needed, and he seized the opportunity and landed a sharp right hook to the side of Nick's face. The other Pogues tried to intervene, but were quickly stopped by their Kook counterparts who began to defend their friend in the centre of the chaos. Topper fought with fierce intensity, throwing Nick off of him and gaining the upper hand. He connected brutally with Nick's jaw once more, sending the Pogue back into the water before he even tried to stagger to his feet.

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Come on, Warren," said Topper tauntingly, standing over him. "Don't make me drown you like John B's old man, alright?"

This comment seemed to reignite the rage deep inside of Nick, and he tried to lunge at Topper in defence of his best friend. With one too many blows to the head, however, he was far too slow and Topper merely sidestepped before landing another punch that left Nick dazed, his knees buckling. Then, as the crowd grew louder with chants and protests, Nick felt Topper drag him back towards the water, and he barely had any time to react before the Kook grabbed at his hair and submerged his head completely.

"Stop!" shouted Kiara, trying to fight her way through the crowd. "You'll kill him!"

"Let him go, Topper!" Olivia pleaded, her voice cracking as she watched the Kook attempt to drown her brother. "Let him go, you fucking psychopath!"

"Nick!" John B shouted for him, panicking, as he and Pope tried to fight off the remaining Kooks. "Hang in there, man!"

"Topper, stop!" Sarah yelled loudly, and Nick tried to gasp for breath but ended up gargling more water. "Stop, stop, STOP!"

Then, as Nick's consciousness began to fade, the severity of the situation seemed to have set JJ off, his fear for his best friend removing any rational sense from his mind. Without thinking, he pulled the stolen handgun out of his pocket and dug it into the back of Topper's head.

"Yeah, you know what that is," JJ taunted the Kook, his finger on the trigger. "Your move, Broski."

As realization as to what JJ was holding dawned, the crowd erupted into screams of terror, and most of them dispersed, fleeing for their lives. His eyes wide, Topper immediately let go of Nick and raised his hands in surrender towards JJ, who had yet to lower the gun. Nobody but Sarah dared to move; she rushed over to pull a groggy Nick from the water, holding him until he managed to gasp for breath and splutter out the liquid that filled his lungs.

"It's okay, it's okay," Sarah repeated over and over, wiping the blood from Nick's bottom lip impulsively. She then cocked her head back, demanding, "Put the gun down, JJ."

"Did you say something, princess?" JJ bit back, far beyond reason. "Which side are you on, exactly? 'Cause I've got your boyfriend here held at gunpoint, and you're over there tending to the guy he almost killed. What the fuck is that about?"

"Nick," Sarah whispered pleadingly, and as his head settled in her lap, he started to rapidly blink in his senses. "Can you check your psycho friend, please?"

Sitting up slightly, Nick cleared his throat and contemplated for a moment, his veins still coursing with rage. He looked towards Topper and JJ, unsure of what to do as he tried to recover from his attack. Then, as a few moments of silence passed, he nodded towards JJ, gesturing for him to lower the gun.

"Cool it, man."

JJ's face fell significantly as he obliged.

"I was saving you, bro."

"It's okay, JJ," said Kiara quickly, as she and the other Pogues began to take slow steps towards the boy in question. "Just relax."

But JJ had had enough, and he raised the gun towards the sky, his index finger grazing the trigger.

"Okay, listen up!" JJ yelled after the Kooks. "Get the hell off our side of the island!" And without any warning, the impulsive blonde Pogue fired off two wild gunshots into the night sky.

"Holy shit!" Olivia cried, as those remaining in the throng scattered and ducked for cover, running as fast as they could to get away.

"Are you crazy?" Pope ran over and shoved JJ across the sand. "You idiot! Why would you do that?"

"Fuck," John B cursed, "so much for laying low."

"You're such an idiot!" Kiara yelled into JJ's face, shaking her head. "So stupid!"

"Yeah, sure," JJ scoffed again, pocketing the gun once more. He then pointed towards Nick, who's consciousness wavered again, "I just saved his fucking life!"

"We're fucked," Olivia panicked, her hands over her mouth. "We're so fucking fucked."

With the Pogues distracted, Topper seemed to sense that the opportunity for his escape was dawning, and he slowly staggered to his feet before reaching for his girlfriend. "Sarah, let's go." He demanded in a hushed whisper. "Come on, let's go!"

Sarah hesitated, her gaze fixated worriedly on Nick's evidently concussed head in her lap.

"B-But –"

"Now, Sarah," Topper cut across her, and he grabbed her roughly by the arm and pulled her up, letting Nick fall back onto the ground with a thud. "Fucking Pogues, they're crazy!" He cursed under his breath, pulling his girlfriend along with a sense of urgency.

And with one last look over her shoulder, Sarah mouthed a quick, "I'm sorry," before disappearing beyond where the rusted red buoy lay. Nick sighed as he watched her leave, and then raised his fingertips to his bloodied lip, with only one thought on his mind –

Why the hell did Sarah Cameron try to save me?

── • ──

The next morning came with a substantial headache for Nicholas Warren. Once the party was over, he and Olivia had snuck back into their little house by the lifeguard tower, and both of them managed to successfully tip-toe into their rooms without waking their parents.

The morning sunlight glimmered in through Nick's closed blinds, and he awoke to the sound of the seabirds twittering. For a moment, he laid in his bed and stared at the ceiling, bringing a hand over the cut on his bottom lip and his painful black eye. There was a chime from the bedside table next to him; his phone screen had lit up with a notification, and Nick sat up for a closer look.

With a yawn, he picked up his phone, opened it, and checked his messages. Once his eyes dared to focus, he read the message aloud in his head:

(John B) mandatory meeting @ the Chateau

(Nick) when?

(John B) ASAP

(Nick) omw

And with an exasperated sigh, Nick swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He crossed the room towards his closet and quickly dressed himself in a pair of shorts, a plain t-shirt, and a baseball cap to hopefully shield his black eye from view. Once he had gathered his stuff together, he slipped out from his room and conveniently met Olivia in the hallway, tip-toeing out of her room in a similar fashion.

"You get a text?" Nick mouthed to her, unsure whether his parents were awake yet or not.

Olivia nodded silently, brandishing her phone in her hands. The twins then crept through the house together, gunning for the front door. They kicked their way passed empty beer cans in the living room, and chose to ignore the unoccupied, make-shift bed on the sofa in front of the television – Daniel Warren hadn't slept in his bedroom with his wife in months.

With a sudden rush of urgency to leave, Nick silently placed his hand on the front door's handle and started to turn it slowly, though the rust on the hinges forced a loud creak that was hard to ignore.

"Where are you two off so early?" came an interrogative voice from behind them. "You can't just come and go as you please, you know."

"Good morning to you, too," said Nick lowly, retracting his hand and turning around. "We didn't realize you were awake, mom."

Natalie Warren crossed her arms over her chest, glancing between both of her children with a suspicious glare. She had to be in her late thirties, early forties, and while she had a striking resemblance to Olivia, her personality was nothing of the sort. If Daniel was the laidback parent, then Natalie was without a doubt the strict one of the pair. But her obsessive need to the know the whereabouts of her children often clashed with her ever-so-pitiful absence in their lives.

"We're just going to meet John B," Olivia told her swiftly, her tone unchanged. "Is that a problem?"

"Not a problem, at all," Natalie sighed, dropping her hands at her sides. "But," she added, taking a few steps back towards the kitchen, "I'd like for us to have breakfast together."

Nick felt his hand itch back towards the door handle.

"Maybe another time, we're going to be late –"

"It'll only take a few minutes," Natalie pressed on, beckoning them forwards. "The Routledge boy can wait, I'm sure."

And before another word of protest rang through the air, Natalie swept off into the kitchen and began laying out fruit and various drink selections on the dining table. The twins shared an immediate glance in the living room, reflecting the same look of dread back at one another, before finally letting their feet carry them into the kitchen, which faintly smelt of fresh coffee and burnt toast. Nick tipped his hat down a little more as he took a seat across from his mother.

"Where's Dad?" The oldest Warren asked, trying to make conversation.

"Who knows where your father goes these days," Natalie responded bitterly, and she raised her coffee cup to her lips before any further questioning. She swallowed, set the cup back down, then said, "Sheriff Peterkin came by this morning."

"Oh?" Olivia choked on a piece of the apple she'd bitten into, and both her and her brother stared wide-eyed. "What for?"

"To talk to you both," Natalie sighed, her leg anxiously bouncing up and down under the table. "I told her that you were still sleeping, that it'd be best to come at another time."

"What'd she want to talk about anyway?" Nick asked obliviously, pouring himself glass of orange juice.

"About your fight on the beach last night," Natalie responded matter-of-factly, glaring across the table at her son. "Locals called it in, apparently they heard a gun shot."

"Okay, so I got into a little dust up," Nick downed his juice in a single gulp. "But I don't know anything about a gun." He assured his mother, looking down guiltily.

"Let's hope not," said Natalie firmly, shaking her head. "Because I didn't raise either of you to be that stupid."

"It was nothing," Olivia told her in response, her eyes pleading with her mother. "Don't worry about it."

"When cops show up on my doorstep at the crack of dawn, I have every right to worry," Natalie shot back, leaning back in her chair. She looked to Nick once more, then said, "You got into a little dust up, is that right? Well, then, take off the stupid baseball cap."

Nick couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

"No, I don't think I will."

"Take off your hat, Nicholas." Natalie repeated, more firmly this time. "I want to see what kind of trouble you've gotten yourself into. For goodness sake, let's hope we needn't go to the walk-in clinic and –"

"No, no, you don't get to do that," said Nick icily, clenching his jaw tighter. "You don't get to play the concerned parent card after months of not giving a shit. It's barely a scratch, okay? No point in making this a bigger deal than it needs to be."

"Nick..." Olivia tried to warn, but it was too late.

"Excuse me?" Natalie looked taken aback suddenly, tempers rising. "You better watch your tone, because I refuse to tolerate such disrespect in my own home! Now, you can hate me all you want, but for a police officer to show up here at the crack of dawn –"

"I already told you nothing happened, alright? So get off my back," Nick cut across her, standing up from his seat. He gestured to Olivia, then said, "Come on, let's go."

Natalie had an incredulous look plastered on her face.

"B-But you haven't eaten –"

"We're not hungry," Nick straightened the baseball cap on his head. "Thanks anyway, though."

"Yeah, thanks," said Olivia lowly, following her brother out of the kitchen.

"You know," Natalie called after them, rushing over once she heard the front door swing open. "I'd really wish you both understand what I'm going through. Sooner or later, you'll realize that you're angry with the wrong person."

Nick hesitated, his feet frozen in place.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You blame me for what's going on between me and your father," said Natalie matter-of-factly, her eyes watering slightly. "But there's so much you don't understand, and I'm only trying to protect you –"

"Okay, okay," Olivia waved her off. "Can we just talk about this later? This is way too much family drama for a Thursday afternoon. We'll see you at work later, alright?"

And with that, the youngest Warren seized her twin brother's arm and yanked him out the front door, closing it behind them as quickly as possible. Nick sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, and pulled the surf shop's car keys from his back pocket.

"Oh, and by the way," Olivia added, laughing, as they walked to the car, "I was hungry, you dick."

Nick's face fell slightly, his guilt eating away at him.

"Fuck, Liv, I'm sorry –"

"Don't worry about it," Olivia reassured him, patting her brother's shoulder. "I'm always going to have your back, okay? Now give me the keys," she demanded playfully, holding out her hand. "I'm driving."

"Whatever you say, boss," Nick laughed, obliging to her request. They walked over to the car together, each of them getting in, and he said, "Just don't kill us, alright? I'm too young to die."

Olivia giggled, "No promises, big brother."

── • ──

The Warren twins arrived to John B's Chateau some time after ten o'clock in the morning. John B, JJ, Kiara, and Pope all welcomed them as they pulled up into the driveway, hooting and hollering from the confines of the front porch.

"It's about time!" Kiara groaned, feigning a look of distress. "We've been waiting for hours!"

"Shut up," Olivia rolled her eyes playfully, giving her friend a hug. "You could've started without us."

"No Pogue left behind," Pope saluted.

"Holy shit, bro," JJ indicated towards Nick's busted bottom lip, "that Kook got you pretty good, eh?"

"Yeah, unfortunately," Nick shrugged. "If only the moron with the gun did something earlier..."

"Damn you," JJ laughed, swatting at Nick's head. "Next time I'll just let you drown, then, how about that?"

"You two are ridiculous," Kiara shook her head, her arms crossed as she sat down on John B's outdoor couch. "What happened last night wasn't funny in the slightest."

"Oh, come on, Kie!" Nick sat down next to her and placed an arm around her shoulders. "It's just a bit of harmless fun."

"Whatever," Kiara scoffed at him, turning her head away from his slightly, but she didn't seem to do anything to remove Nick's arm from around her.

"Alright, alright," Nick pressed on, looking to John B, who had sat down upon the nearby railing. "What'd you call us out here for? You come up with a plan to secure the loot on that shipwreck?"

John B sighed, looking defeated and scared. "Listen, I'm actually calling it off." He replied, earning an inaudible murmur of shock from his friends. "Sheriff Peterkin told me that if I stay out of the marsh, then she'd help me with the DCS."

"And you believed her?" JJ questioned him, his eyes wide. "An actual cop, John B. You believed a cop?"

"Yeah, I believe her," John B replied, shrugging. "All I gotta do is stay out of the marsh for a couple days, and she'll help me out. I didn't exactly have much of a choice after you pulled out a fucking gun last night."

"Yeah, Peterkin heard about that." Nick told the others. "She showed up at our house this morning, too."

"Great, so she's just making her fucking rounds, is she?" JJ groaned aloud, his hands held on his hips angrily. "This is absolutely ridiculous."

"That's on you," John B heaved another sigh. "Our back's are against the wall now."

"They always win, don't they, man?" JJ asked rhetorically. "Kooks versus Pogues. They always, always win! Goddamn!" He yelled, punching the nearby post.

"Look, it's okay!" Kiara waved him off. "It's okay!"

"No, it's not okay!" JJ bit back, throwing his hands up. "It's not okay! If they don't want us to go into the marsh, then that means there's something valuable down there, and you all know it! I know you do."

He looked to Pope, "And I understand why you don't want to go. You're the golden boy. If I were you, I wouldn't risk it either. And you..." He turned to Kiara, "I mean, you're rich as fuck anyway. So why would you even bother?" He then shifted his glance to Olivia, "You can have anything you want at the drop of a hat. You're mommy and daddy's pride and joy, and don't get me wrong, I'd take full advantage, too." He glanced between John B and Nick, then added on, "But the three of us? Fuck, man, we've got absolutely nothing to lose! We really don't, alright?"

"I mean, he's not wrong." Nick muttered under his breath, earning an elbow in the ribs from Kiara. "Ow!"

"I don't want to talk about this," said John B firmly, hopping down from the railing. "I don't want to hear it."

"And I know it didn't used to be that way for you," JJ pressed on, his eyes pleading with John B. "But we're in the dirt together. So if you think Sheriff Peterkin or anyone else is going to help you, you're tripping."

"That's enough," John B demanded, annoyed, as he pushed his way passed JJ. "Just get out of my way, man."

"John B, listen to me," JJ called after him, and after a few moments of silence, John B finally came around. "I have a plan, bro. You still work on Ward Cameron's boat, don't you? Well, there's scuba gear inside. We borrow that, and then we go down to the wreck this afternoon, and that is what's gonna save you, man."

"It could work," Olivia thought for a moment, entertaining any idea that might save John B. "Ward's daughters typically have surfing lessons with Nick in the afternoon, so no one should be home."

"Hold on," Kiara shifted the conversation in a different direction, her interrogative eyes landing on Nick. "You're teaching Sarah how to surf?"

"Well, no, I'm teaching her sister –"

But before Nick could properly explain, JJ had began to cheer, hyping up the tight-knit group of teenagers over the success of the plan.

"Perfect, bro!" The blonde Pogue said excitedly, looking to John B once more. "Nick can stall the Kooks, while you sneak inside the Druthers. This'll fix everything! I mean, you don't see rich kids going into foster care, do you?"

You know, you'd think we would've learned a long time ago to never listen to JJ. He's full of bad ideas, like stealing from John B's rich boss. But this time, he was right. He, John B, and I had nothing to lose...

── • ──

Random thoughts rattled around in Nick's head as he drove down to the beach that afternoon with Olivia. The day was as beautiful as any other, with the sound of the seabirds chirping and waves crashing, but it proved hotter than normal. The twins pulled their boards from the rack on the back of the car, bidding each other a quick goodbye before dispersing on either side of the beach.

My Dad always used to tell me that the island was like America on steroids when I was younger. Haves and have-nots like any other place, but magnified and multiplied.

'That's just the way it is,' my Dad said. 'Fighting is for losers.'

For him, it was important to keep playing the game. You know, stay in school, work hard, end up on the winning side, or any other bullshit excuse our parents would tell us when we were kids. The way I see it, though, the game's rigged. But hey, maybe it always has been. And with no one looking out for me or John B, we've got no chance unless we make our own.

"Hey," came the surprised greeting of Sarah Cameron as Nick approached her and her sister. "Didn't think you were going to show, honestly. I'd half-expected you and your friends to be plotting your revenge."

Nick rolled his eyes. "Wheezie!" He smiled at the youngest Cameron, ignoring Sarah completely. "I see you've brought a board of your own today, that's good. Try putting some wax on it, okay?" He instructed her, taking a tub of surfboard wax out of his bag.

"Sure thing," said Wheezie eagerly, taking it from him, but not kinking an eyebrow in his direction once more. "Nice black-eye, by the way."

And before Nick could respond to the fourteen-year-old girl, she'd scampered off down the beach with her surfboard and the wax in her hands.

"Damn your little sister." The Pogue boy let out a little breathless laugh. "She sure knows how to point out the obvious."

"Are you okay, though?" Sarah asked him genuinely, her eyes plastered to the side of Nick's battered face. "That looks like it hurts."

"I'll manage," said Nick shortly, setting his surfboard down on the sand. "But you can tell your boyfriend that he won the first round, I'll get him next time."

"What, are you and your friends just gonna keep pulling guns on people?" Sarah scoffed, annoyed by his lack of empathy. "Because I'm sure that'll do it."

"I didn't know JJ was going to do that," Nick admitted, to her, shrugging his shoulders. "It was an accident."

"Sure, whatever you want to believe," Sarah gave him the benefit of the doubt, but her snarky attitude sparked again once Nick scoffed in response. "You know, maybe you should get better friends."

"Well, maybe you should get a better boyfriend," Nick retaliated quickly, titling his head in a teasing manner.

Sarah kinked an eyebrow at him, crossing her arms over her chest, and changed tact quickly, "So what, there's just gonna be a reign of terror on this island now?"

"Wars have been started for less, Sarah Cameron," Nick shrugged, and as he pulled his t-shirt over his head, he could've sworn he saw her gaze trail towards his abdomen. "Checking me out in broad daylight now, are you?"

"Yeah, right," said Sarah incredulously, but her cheeks brightened to an outstanding pink. She cleared her throat, then asked, "So any chance we could drop the whole Pogues versus Kooks thing? It is really stupid."

"You know," Nick took a step towards her, "that's easy to say when you're a Kook."

"Well, maybe I'm not what you think," Sarah retaliated, using his own words against him, and as Nick stared at her wide-eyed, she smirked victoriously. "But anyways," Sarah moved swiftly onwards, seemingly unbothered by their close proximity. "What'd your date think of the fight you got into last night?"

"My date?" Nick repeated, his eyebrows furrowed.

"The girl that was all over you," Sarah explained, shrugging, a hint of an unknown tone in her voice. "I saw you two together before everything happened."

Nick nodded, remembering. "Right, well, let's just say it didn't last much longer after that."

"How romantic," Sarah shook her head in disgust. "Is that how you talk about every girl you hook up with?"

"No," Nick laughed softly, "there are a few exceptions."

"Oh, yeah?" Sarah questioned him, her eyes alit with intrigue. "Name one."

With a cheeky grin, Nick leaned in closer towards Sarah and ghosted his lips over her left ear, sending instant chills down her spine.

"You."

He pulled back after a moment, and their eyes met upon instinct, deep and wanting. Sarah looked as though she'd been taken aback by his response, but the faintest hint of an interested smirk upon her lips let Nick know it had the impact he wanted it to. He reflected that look of desire back at her, and for a brief second in time, he'd forgotten that they were meant to be enemies.

"Well, I think –"

"I did it, Nick!" came the intrusive sound of Wheezie's voice, and Nick and Sarah quickly jumped away from one another. "I've finished putting wax on my board."

"That's g-good, Wheeze," Nick stuttered, spacing out for a moment. He shook his head free of meddling thoughts, then said, "Let's get in the water, then."

And without another word, Nick picked up his surfboard and brushed passed Sarah again in pursuit of the water, leaving her speechless as she watched him walk away. He thought he saw Sarah's mouth open slightly out of the corner of his eye, and briefly wondered whether she wanted to say something, but he couldn't bring himself to look back.

── • ──

"These are all empty," said Kiara matter-of-factly, indicating the scuba tanks, as she and the rest of the Pogues sat on the deck of John B's boat in the marsh maze the next morning. "You took empty tanks?"

"What about this one?" Olivia inquired, picking up the last scuba tank they'd had yet to check. "It says it's a quarter full."

"That won't be enough for all of us," Kiara sighed.

"I love it when the plan comes together," said JJ sarcastically.

"Who knows how to dive?" Kiara asked, glancing between her friends, who each looked at one another with hopeful expressions. "Anyone?"

"It's kind of a Kook sport." Nick muttered, shrugging.

"I... I read about it," said Pope quietly, his tone uncertain.

"Great," Olivia threw her hands up in the air defeatedly, "Pope read about it! What could possibly go wrong?"

"Someone's going to die," Kiara whispered darkly, sitting down beside Olivia.

"Look, you put the thing in your mouth and breathe," JJ said effortlessly, as though it was an everyday task that he was describing. "How hard could it be?"

"Well, if you come up too fast," Pope started, "nitrogen will get into your blood and you'll get the bends."

"Bends, like, bend over and...?" JJ seemed to need clarification, as he bent over and arched his back.

"The bends kill you," said Pope seriously, and the smile on JJ's face faded as he straightened himself again.

"I can... I can dive," John B sighed, volunteering.

"You can dive?" Nick asked him, cocking his eyebrow.

"He can dive," JJ confirmed with glee. "That works for me."

"Since when can you dive?" Olivia questioned John B, her face scrunched in confusion.

"I'll do it," John B simply repeated, trying to convince himself. "It's fine."

"Let me do some calculations real quick," Pope muttered to himself, and he began scribbling on his notepad.

"Oh, we're saved," said Nick sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Pope's doing some calculations."

"You can't be serious?" Olivia kept going on, her incredulous look targeted at John B.

"That boat's about thirty feet down," Pope concluded, sharing his thoughts. "It'll take about twenty-five minutes at that depth. Which means you need to make your safety stop at about... ten feet, alright? For two minutes."

"Piece of cake," Nick patted John B on the shoulder reassuringly. "You got this, bro."

"Yeah, yeah," John B shook him off. "Ten feet, two minutes. Got it."

With a sigh of upset, Olivia got up and walked to the prow of the boat, pulling her t-shirt off before jumping into the water and submerging her head under the surface without another word. Each of the Pogues left on the deck watched, confused at the sudden coldness from the youngest Warren twin.

"What's that all about?" Pope asked in a low whisper, his eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't know, but I liked it," JJ stared at the water, with a lovestruck grin on his face. "A lot." He then emphasized, which earned a harsh blow to the back of the head from Nick.

"You boys are completely clueless," Kiara sighed, shaking her head before directing her gaze onto John B specifically. "Especially you."

"Uh, anyways..." JJ moved on quickly, handing John B a brass cylinder with a notched end on a string. "When you're down there, you'll look for the cargo hold. Then you'll stick this thing inside and twist and pull, okay?"

"Stick in, twist, pull," John B repeated the steps, nodding as what Kiara told him rattled in his head.

"Yeah," JJ flashed him a goofy smile. "My dad moved weight back in the day."

Pope laughed, then said, "Who didn't?"

"I tied my t-shirt to the anchor chain about ten feet down," came the sound of Olivia's voice as she resurfaced, climbing back onto the boat in her bikini. "It's where you need to do your safety stop."

"Cool," John B mumbled under his breath. exhaling as he pulled on the scuba gear one piece at a time.

"Keep an eye on this," Pope instructed him, holding up the oxygen gauge that would indicate how much air was left. "You need to save enough air for your safety stop."

"Okay," John B nodded, "how much do I need?"

"That's unclear," Pope tapped on the gauge, but nothing seemed to happen. "Just breathe as little as possible, okay?"

"In other words," Nick felt the need to simplify Pope's need brain, "don't fucking panic."

"Zen," JJ encouraged him, giving his friend a thumbs up. "Think Zen, you know?"

"Be careful," Olivia whispered, placing a kiss on John B's cheek as he stepped up on the prow of the boat.

With a sudden boost of confidence, John B brought the scuba mask down over his face and placed the mouthpiece in-between his lips. The wavering image of the shipwreck below kept vanishing as the sun emerged from the clouds and reflected off the water. As John B inched closer to the edge, each of his friends stood watching him in anticipation.

"If you get caught out here in the marsh, you're fucked," Nick reminded him. "You better get on."

"Diver down?"

"Diver down."

And with a wave, John B jumped off the edge and splashed into the water. The Pogues on the deck watched as he submerged towards the shipwreck, staring in awe until their friend finally disappeared from view.

Then, as a few minutes passed, the approaching sound of another boat cruising along the water began to panic the five remaining Pogues on the deck. Nick looked up immediately, squinting his eyes into the distance to see the Sheriff's boat slide across the water beside them, their sirens whooping.

"Shit," Nick cursed under his breath, signalling to his friends. "Guys, that's the police."

"Oh, you've got to be kidding," Kiara groaned aloud, slightly panicking as the boat came closer and closer.

"I knew this was a bad idea," Olivia stood on alert, sharing a glance between her friends. "We're so screwed."

"Yeah, that's the police," JJ confirmed, stepping down from the helm. "Just act fucking normal, alright?"

And JJ, Nick, Olivia, Kiara, and Pope all began loitering around on the HMS Pogue's deck, trying to look innocent, as Deputies Shoupe and Plumb on the law enforcement boat pulled up alongside them.

"Evening, officers," Pope greeted them. "Evening."

"How're you kids doing?" Deputy Shoupe asked, peering at the teenagers over his sunglasses. "You know the marsh is closed?"

"Closed, really?" Nick asked obliviously, his brows furrowed in a look of confusion. "Why is that?"

"Well, we're looking for a boat that went down," Deputy Shoupe briefly explained. "Have you seen anything?"

"No sir, nothing," Pope answered for them, glancing towards his friends. "We were just fishing for some drum."

"Where's your friend you're always with?" Deputy Shoupe narrowed his eyes, interrogating. "He here?"

"No, sir." Olivia replied shortly. "He's working."

"You know how those rich people are with their boats," Nick piped up, keeping up with the lie. "Everything has to be perfect."

"Hm," Deputy Shoupe hesitated for a moment, an idea forming in his head. "Then I hope you wouldn't mind if I checked your little boat out."

"No, no, no problem at all," Pope said quickly, his voice laced with sudden panic. "Yeah, hop aboard."

As the boats rocked in the water, Deputy Shoupe took a step onto the HMS Pogue and began his inspection. His gaze carefully grazed over each of the teenagers, searching for suspicious activity, before he began rustling through the cargo-hold. He double-checked the compartments and the preformed safety procedures on each of the life jackets on board.

Then, with a shudder of nervousness, Deputy Shoupe approached the edge of the boat directly above the sunken shipwreck. Nick watched, though, as the sun emerged from behind the clouds again and reflected off of the water. The Pogues were silently losing their minds as Shoupe threatened to bust them, but the glare from the sun made it impossible for the Deputy to see anything below the surface of the water.

"Let us know if see anything on your way out," said Deputy Shoupe authoritatively, as he crossed the deck once more and clambered back onto the law enforcement boat.

"Will do, officer!" Kiara assured him, waving. "We'll be gone soon, I promise."

"Yes, you will," Deputy Shoupe nodded, and he and his work partner spared one last look at the Pogues before motoring off in the marsh, disappearing over the horizon.

The second the five Pogues saw the boat speed off into the distance, they wasted no time in rushing over to the side of the deck in which John B had jumped from. They each scanned the water, looking panicked.

"He's definitely out of air," Pope declared.

"I told you this was a bad idea," said Olivia anxiously, searching the water desperately. "I swear to God, if John B –"

Then, as though Olivia's prayers had been answered, John B resurfaced in the water with a gasp, peeling the scuba mask from his face so he could breathe.

"There he is!" shouted JJ, helping John B back onto the deck of the HMS Pogue. "Fucking A!"

"Don't scare us like that," Nick scolded his best friend, clutching at his chest. "Jesus fucking Christ!"

"You okay?" Olivia asked worriedly, kneeling down next to John B. "You scared the shit out of me."

"Yeah, I ran out of air," John B panted. "What happened?"

Kiara grinned victoriously, amused by the law enforcement's lack of ability.

"Shoupe didn't notice the boat right beneath him."

"Yeah," Nick laughed a little, "you kinda missed the show, brother."

"What'd you find down there?" JJ asked eagerly, his excitement bursting from the seams. "Anything interesting?"

"Found this," John B held up a small black duffel bag in his right hand. "Dunno what's inside."

"Yeah, there we go!" JJ cheered. "That's my boy!"

"Guys, it's been fun, lying to all law enforcement and all," Pope began sarcastically, yet he looked relieved that the plan had been fulfilled. "But let's get out of here."

"Yeah," Nick agreed, pulling up the anchor, "we've got to go before the cops show up again."

As John B took the scuba tank off his back, the others began to gather their things and prepare the boat for its return to the mainland. With Pope at the helm, Kiara stood on the prow of the boat and glanced into the channel of the marsh one last time.

"Hey, guys?" Kiara called out to them, pointing out towards the water. "Guys, bogey, two o'clock."

Sure enough, Nick cocked his head back to see a speedboat approaching at a ridiculous pace, and the deep, menacing chugging of the motor below sent ripples across the water. He instantly had a bad feeling arose in his stomach.

"Do you recognize the boat?" Pope asked the group, squinting for a closer look.

Kiara shook her head, "I've never seen it."

"What are they even doing out here?" Olivia asked, standing up next to Kiara at the prow of the boat. "The marsh is supposed to be closed."

"Let's not stick around and find out," JJ kinked an eyebrow, sharing a knowing look with Nick before he rushed over and helped him raise the anchor.

"Should we wait for them?" Pope asked worriedly, just as the unknown boat came closer and closer.

"Are you kidding?" said John B incredulously. "We've got to go now!"

"I don't like this," Kiara muttered, holding onto Olivia's hand for support. "Are they coming for us?"

Pope simply shrugged, "Maybe they're fishing."

"Yeah, or maybe they're looking for the shipwreck," Nick shook his head, pulled the anchor onto the deck, and took over on the helm of the boat. "Either way, I think we're better off leaving them to it."

And with that, Nick started the engine and motored off in the opposite direction as the speedboat kept cruising towards them in the narrow channel of the marsh. To everyone's utter surprise, the unknown speedboat mimicked every turn the HMS Pogue made.

"They're following us!" shrieked Kiara, hopping down from the prow.

"Shit," Pope cursed. "This can't be good."

"Dude, you gotta go faster!" JJ demanded of Nick. "They're gaining on us. Gun it, bro!"

"He's got dualies, man," Nick pointed out, steering the HMS Pogue through the marsh. "No way we can outrun them – wait!"

He cocked his his back towards his pursuers and made a violent left turn at a speed that almost threw everyone out of the boat. Nick steered through the narrow channel, carving dark water, but the speedboat behind them matched every movement.

"They're gaining on us," JJ shouted over the sound of the motor, and as the words left his lips, the group of tight-knit teenagers panicked at the sound of sudden gunshots rattling through the air.

"Holy shit!" John B yelled, ducking for cover, dragging Olivia down with him. "Everyone, get down!"

"Are they firing?" Pope covered his head. "Bro, they're shooting at us!"

"Motherfuckers," Nick spat hotly, as another round of bullets unloaded onto the small white boat. They ricocheted off of the metal of the helm, missing his fingers by mere centimetres. "Someone do something!"

The two boats cut and weaved through the marsh, and the dainty HMS Pogue gave all that it could to outrun the pursuing boat cruising behind them. With a burst of courage, however, Kiara stood suddenly and shoved Pope off the latch he'd been sitting on.

"Move it, bitch!" She demanded, and she opened the hatch to reveal a large fishing net with floaters. Nick watched as she pulled the net out, and he gunned it as fast as he could, cutting through an even narrower channel at the very last second; the men on the speedboat kept firing gunshots and missing terribly.

Kiara waited for a moment, ducking behind the prow of the back, before Nick cut a sharp angle in the water and she flung the net into the water behind them, casting it between the two boats. The pursuing boat made that same hard cut as Nick had done, only this time they'd caught the net with their propeller, falling into the Pogue's trap and slowing their engine.

"Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

Nick continued to steer the HMS Pogue out into the open waters of the intracoastal at a steady pace. From the safety of the marsh maze, each of the Pogues looked back to see an erupted glare burst from the disabled speedboat behind them, signalling for help.

"Who was that?" John B asked, panting.

"I don't even want to think about it," Nick clutched at his heart. He turned his head around, grinning, "Good thinking with the net, Kie."

"Thanks," Kiara blushed a little, smiling wide. "That was insane!"

"Boo-yah!" JJ cheered, raising his hands into the air in praise. "Pogue god, man! We're saved!"

"I saw my life flash before my eyes," said Olivia sincerely, her eyes wide. "Holy fucking shit! Whoo!"

"Keep driving, Nicos," Pope told him, his tone slightly panicked. "The sooner we get out of the water, the better."

"One step ahead of you, bubba."

── • ──

When they pulled into the dock of John B's Chateau on the marsh, each of the Pogues clambered out of the boat and relished in the sensation of solid ground. They stepped off the boat and ambled toward the shore end of the dock, huddling around the black bag that sat in between them on the wooden floor.

"There better be gold in there or something," said Nick seriously, sitting down on the ground. "We almost died for that fucking thing."

"What d'you think it is?" Kiara asked.

Olivia shrugged, and said, "It's got to be money, right? What else could it be?"

"That," JJ agreed for a moment, eyes wide, "or a couple of keys with street value to the low-to-mid millions!"

"Just open it already!" Pope demanded of them, with a hint of irritation in his voice, the suspension killing him.

"Wow, Pope," John B marvelled at him, laughing. "That's a rare burst of emotion from you."

"Sorry," Pope anxiously scratched the back of his neck. "You guys are killing me with the anticipation."

As a murmur of chuckled rang out amongst the group, John B seemingly obliged and opened the bag; his friends now staring in abrupt silence. He reached his hand inside and pulled out an air-tight, black container, almost like a thermos, with a screwed top.

Without wasting a single second, John B unscrewed the container, releasing the air compacted within as a quiet hissing sound rattled around them. The container flapped open with a rubber hinge, and all six of the Pogues strained their necks to see what was inside. From what he could see, Nick furrowed his eyebrows in disappointment, and everyone except John B seemed to mimic his look of utter confusion.

John B tipped the container towards him, letting the contents fall into the palm of his hand. With a small gasp of awe, he looked down to see an old compass, and nothing else. The brass compass inside was just scratched, battered, and not worth a damn thing.

"Oh, wow. Yeah, that's about right," said Pope sarcastically, throwing his hands up defeatedly. "Good job, everybody. We found a compass."

"Fuck, man," Nick scoffed aloud. "All that for nothing."

"Dude, what?" JJ hit John B on the shoulder, noticing that his friend had been staring at the old compass in silent admiration. "It's not worth anything."

John B looked up towards his friends. His expression was filled of wonder and joy, rendering him unable to speak for a moment as he gently ran his fingertips over the compass. His friends stared at him with confusion, looking at him as though he'd gone mad.

After a second or two, John B held the compass up again, and muttered something that would soon change the course of their entire summer vacation:

"This was my father's."

── • ──

author's note:
*this chapter was not proof read*

hope you enjoyed <3 we're officially done with the pilot episode ahhhh

I'm curious to know your thoughts on the Warren family, so please feel free to lmk!

[insert begging for comments and votes]

until next time,

xo, selena

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