Turns out the wreck was the only safe place you and your friends can stay at the moment, that's where you all spent the night waiting to hear from John B. Then again, hearing no news right now is better than hearing that he had gotten arrested. Pope and Kie are the first ones to fall asleep even with Kie fighting her exhaustion and insisting she stay up with you until JJ reassured her that he'd be with you. You stayed up the entire night with him though he wasn't speaking to you. You thought he would've calmed down by now but you guess that with more time to yourselves, the more it got him thinking leaving you with the silent treatment.
The early afternoon sun was up now and the world was awake, though you never slept and the police certainly didn't, eager to catch the supposed killer of the beloved sheriff. Not knowing they were hunting down the wrong guy.
Police sirens, a familiar sound throughout this entire week, echoed into the restaurant causing a stir where Kie and Pope slept on separate table benches.
"Do you think they caught him?" Your leg bounced with anxiety as you asked openly.
Pope's now awake form came to stand beside JJ at the open window, "They've got to have pinched him by now." Said JJ.
"No, they wouldn't still be patrolling if they caught him." Pope denies calmy.
"Let's hope."
"You know, we were in that car they're probably looking for us too" Kie brings up a whole new wave of anxiety for you. Since you were there, would Ward have mentioned you to the cops? Twisted the story to make it seem like you and John B had both done this. It was doubtful since there were no wanted posters with your name on them but it was a thought.
"Then, if we're gonna be outlaws we might as well help John B," You declare. Pope grabs keys from the bag at the table you were sitting next to, "Where are you going?"
"I'm gonna go get gas for the boat." Pope reaches the door when Kie says, "Hey, you be careful. Okay?"
He stares at her for a second not responding then turns and points to JJ, "Meet me at the dock at three. Don't be late." Kie goes after him, you and JJ share a look. You and JJ stay inside while they hash things out outside.
You muffle your laughter with your hand so they couldn't hear it from outside, "I'm sorry but did Pope actually just do that?"
The question was directed to the only person inside with you, it seemed like he was set on ignoring you. "Seriously? You're just gonna give me the silent treatment because I fucked some guy!"
His jaw was clenched shut and you could tell he was refraining to comment probably something he'd regret. You weren't going to back down though, "Alright fine, be a bitch then like I care maybe. I'll have you know it was my first time and it certainly won't be the last so you better get used to me being around guys other than you assholes."
"I don't think you get how extremely messed up that sounds, Y/N." His voice was not in the same tone he was speaking in earlier, it was rough and raw.
"You mean the truth?"
"I mean the part where your first time being with Rafe Cameron."
You roll your eyes, "Wasn't my best moment but what's done is done. It's not like losing my V-Card was on the top of my list of priorities but it's not like I had a line of suitors waiting to wine and dine me."
"He doesn't deserve that part of you Y/N, and if you would open your fucking eyes you'd see that you're worth way more than him,"
If only he believed that about himself then you'd both be happy, he steps closer to you with a look in his eyes that you did not want to confuse for something else but the face he was giving you made it seem like he wanted to kiss you and you weren't sure what to think.
"Y/N, I-"
The door swung open snapping you both out of the daze you were both in.
Kie walked in with a solemn face and said, "A helicopter just flew by guys, we need to gather supplies for John B quick."
You went to work scavenging the kitchen and pantry of Kiara's family restaurant for food that didn't have to be refrigerated. Bread, Cans of fruit and beans, water, etc. you all fall into a steady rhythm setting everything in boxes to be put into Kie's car when you were done.
You noted Kiara's silence after a while of her not calling out demands, "Hey, are you okay?"
"Depends on the definition of okay at the moment, really I'm just annoyed" She sighed. "Pope is acting differently."
"You sure he wasn't just being weird Pope?" JJ asked from the customer side of the counter.
"It wasn't really the kind of thing that needed interpretation," She passed JJ the last package of food.
"Is that enough food for them?" You glance at it.
"For a couple of weeks and that's all they need, so..." JJ grabs his bag and the rest of the food.
"Look, I think I actually hurt his feelings," Kie frowns.
"Don't beat yourself up too much, he's completely changed his feels. The past 24 hours have been Jekyll and Hyde." JJ tries to make her feel better.
"I mean, JJ's not wrong but imagine how it must feel like to be rejected by someone you like especially when you confess in a vulnerable state, it must've fucked up his feelings even more." You offer up your advice.
"I guess," She shrugs and you all follow her out to her car. "I hate to admit it but I miss the old Pope, at least I knew what to expect from him."
"Two words Kie," You hold two fingers at her, "Character development."
You stand next to JJ by Kie's trunk when Mrs. Carrera walks up to Kiara, her voice stern and commanding "Where have you been?"
"Um-- I'm fine, I slept here" Kie points to the restaurant and suddenly you were glad not to have parents to make excuses for.
"Well, we were up half the night scared to death looking for you," Her mom's voice dripping with anger. Her stance scream 'mom' with hands on her hips and unwavering voice. "Were you even gonna tell us?"
"I'm telling you right now."
"Alright what the hell are you three up to?" She glances at Kie, you, and JJ.
"I'm so sorry, Miss. Anna but we have to go," You tell Kie's mom. She begins to protest as Kie's mom apologizes insisting she leave with you two but she isn't letting Kie go anywhere as far as you can tell.
"Kie we can go, you stay with your parents," You tell her slipping a hand into hers to grab her keys. She looks at you pleading but she understands she has to stay. You walk backward to the driver's seat and mouth the words 'meet us later.' She stiffly nods and walks to her mom apologizing for making her worry, playing her part so she can sneak out to see John B when he leaves.
She walks away with her mom, you weren't sure how her mom felt about you taking Kiara's car but you knew that as long as Kie was with her and not out with you guys she was more than okay.
"Can you even drive?" JJ asked though he knew the answer and the answer was no. You did not know how to drive but you were the one who got the keys.
"Is it cause I'm a woman?" You fake feeling offended, "It'll be fun and this will give me more experience."
"Seems like that's what you're all about these days," He exhales as you pull out of the parking space.
You suck your teeth, "Yup definitely gonna be a fun car ride."
"I'm just saying you've been putting yourself in a lit of risky situations lately," You don't know what he could be insinuating considering everything 'risky' you have done, he has mostly been there with you.
You stop at a red light staring at him with a brow raised, "You're the king of taking risks J, I would think you of all people would enjoy these things."
"Maybe I just don't like when you're the one taking all of them." The hell does he mean by that? You and JJ have always been the same, in the sense that anything he liked, you did too and vice versa including getting into your fair share of trouble. Sure you were more careful than he was when getting into dangerous situations but now it's like the roles were reversed. The light turned green and instead of responding your drove on.
The driving wasn't as terrible as you thought, the concept was there but you did need more practice which JJ promised he would give you once all of this was over.
"Home sweet home," JJ said once you put the car in park at the back of JJ's house.
"Do you want me to come with you?" You offered though you knew JJ wouldn't want you to be anywhere near his dad. He rubbed his hands through his hair stressfully, "No, This will only take a second."
He shuts the passenger door after him and walks up to the door looking back at you, you send him a reassuring smile even though there's not much you could do to reassure him for whatever happens inside that house.
It really didn't take him long in that house but you couldn't help but worry, "How'd it go?"
He held up the key with a sad smile and wet eyes, you could tell he was holding back tears. You didn't mention it to not put him off and pull out of the house.
"Last stop?"
"The Phantom."
The leg you're not using to drive was bouncing like it did when you got anxious, "It'll be fine. With the phantom it'll be fine, she'll get him out of here quick."JJ states, Three police cars zoom past you making you more anxious knowing you're driving without a license or permit even though you knew they had better things to do.
"They're still looking, it's a good sign," You tell him more to ease yourself than him.
"Yeah, listen Y/N..." You quickly look at him nervous by the softness in his voice. "Whatever happens to John B, I got you. You know that right?"
"Of course I know that J, you didn't exactly show me signs that you were going to abandon me not until this morning at least."
"Good to know your sense of humor is still intact."
"Kind of has to be at times like this," You chuckle lightly.
~~~
JJ opens the large sliding door to where the Phantom is being stored. It was anticlimactic, you didn't know what to expect of the boat but it was certainly a lot more than what was in front of you. The way people spoke of it made it seem like it would at least look something more special than what was right in front of you.
"Hey girl," JJ whipped off the tarp covering the front half of the Phantom. "A 1993 Formula 402 SR1, The Phantom."
"I was gonna ask if you really thought I know what you meant, but I'm glad you summed it up for me."
"The first boat to make the run to Bermuda in under 16 hours, Y/N, forty years old! Forty!" He speaks in awe of the vehicle in front of him, "And still, the fastest thing that Kildare's ever seen."
"Impressive," You say flatly. "Yet still not much of a looker."
JJ steps aside and stands there with the most serious, offended face you've ever seen him with. "Really? She's right there, Y/N. She can hear you and you talk a lot of smack for someone who barely knows how to drive a car much less a boat."
You couldn't help but laugh loudly, "Those are fighting words, J."
"Oh yeah?" He smiles. "Maybe later, but right let's put it this way, you would not be smokin' weed right now if she never existed, okay?"
"And what a terrible terrible thing that would be, minors not smoking the devil's lettuce," You smile at him. "It's been in here forever so how do you know if it runs?"
"Oh no, she'll run all right, she's faster than any of the cutters the boys in blue got."
A sound of a motorcycle pulls up and you're relieved to see that everything is going according to plan. You jog to the side entrance to meet with Pope only for Rafe to show up around the corner.
"Hey there Angel, what's going on?" Rafe looks around the warehouse, "JJ. How you are guys doing?"
You stood there wide-eyed, slowly backing away from him, turning around and there's Barry. He cocks his hand-gun at JJ and he puts his hands up. "See, don't think I forgot about me and you on the side of the road. I'm here because I want my motherfuckin' money!" Barry punches him to the ground.
You rush to help him calling out his name, "JJ!" Rafe carries you away from around your waist. "Rafe, let me go!"
"He's not who we want, Angel, okay?" He grabs your face by your chin with one hand, "Where's John B?"
"I don't know!" You slap him. Your anger at seeing him was making it harder to keep your composure now that you know how dangerous he is. The question running through your mind, Would he hurt you? After everything, would he? You would hurt him, no question. After everything, he betrayed you. He betrayed your trust by letting his father frame your brother, by shooting Peterkin in front of you, by letting you believe that he was capable of love.
"I really wish you didn't do that," He stalks toward you. Each step he takes forward you go back. Your voice is shaky, flashbacks of the moments you spent together particularly that morning pop into your mind, "I cared about you Rafe, I really did even though I tried not to. You fucked that up like you fuck everything up. I thought after everything we've been through you could change and grow to be a better person but now I know how much of a monster you truly are. You murdered Peterkin!"
He grabs you by your throat squeezing so tight you couldn't breathe, that answered your previous question then. You guessed that could mean he never cared about you at all, anyone who says they care about you and then hurts you never actually ever does. You truly are an idiot.
"Don't you ever say those fucking words again, I fucking loved you!" He squeezes harder, "Understand me? I loved you! I thought we understood each other. The moment you left the airstrip, you should've seen the look on my face when I realized you left me then I realized you never loved me for who I am, Y/N."
He was fucking deranged, you were a fool to ever think you could trust him and you couldn't breathe. "Now that we got that out of the way, Where is John B?"
"I don't know!" You cried out, "I don't know!"
Rafe is then keeling on the floor and Pope is hitting him with a crowbar, you step away not wanting to get involved in this fight. "Don't touch her!" He hits him again. Rafe somehow recovers and manages to smack Pope across the face. Rafe swings a fist that Pope dodges and sends hit directly to Rafe's face. Pope punches him one after the other not giving Rafe a break, and he shouldn't.
Barry tries to walk over with the gun but JJ grabs ahold of his ankle and lets him fall to the ground, the gun slides over and you kick it to the side. While you let JJ handle Barry, Pope is still punching the shit out of Rafe. You shouldn't but you worry about Pope killing Rafe.
"Pope? Pope that's enough!" He ignores you and sends Rafe falling backward onto a wooden table. "Pope he's good!"
Pope wraps a skinny long rubber tube around Rafe's neck and begins to choke him, JJ runs up from behind him to get him to snap out of his rage. He tightens his grip to the point where Rafe is red from the lack of oxygen.
"Pope that's too much!" You yell at him, "Get off of him!"
JJ comes behind Pope and puts his arms around Pope's neck to get him to stop and Rafe falls to the ground when Pope lets him go. You stare at Rafe with his bloody mouth and red face trying to breathe in air. No, you wouldn't feel bad, he deserved it.
~~~
Kie was at the meeting spot when you all showed up with the boat. She helped you all set the food in a storage compartment of the Phantom and JJ checked the fuel and anything else that needed checking on so that everything would be good for John B and Sarah.
It was getting late, the sun was starting to go down and it's been a while since the set meeting time.
"Dude, where is he?" Kie questioned.
"Give him a second, he'll be here." Pope said, "He's coming he'll be fine." JJ agreed. None of their assurances made you feel better but you couldn't tell if they were reassuring you and Kie or themselves.
A cop car showed up and you were almost sure you three were done for. That was until John B walked out of the cop car.
"No effing way," JJ said from the boat.
"Did you just-" Steal a fucking cop car is what you wanted to say.
"Shoupe let me take it for a spin," You all laughed at the fact that he robbed a cop. You ran up to him and hugged him tightly. Kie hugged him right after and you were still staring at him in disbelief.
"It wasn't easy bro, but I got the phantom for you, and she runs like she was made yesterday, you ready?" JJ told him.
"Where's Sarah?" John B asked.
"Weren't you coming with her?" You replied in confusion. You were positive that was the original plan.
"No, we got separated in the swamp, she said she was gonna meet me here." He looked around frantically.
"We haven't seen her," Kie responded.
"Okay, well I'm not leaving without her."
"John B look at me, I know you feel bad for leaving but there's no time, man. You've got plenty of gas, plenty of food, once you get around that point it's a straight shot across the sound to the dismal swamp, okay?" JJ directed him. "Once you get there, lay low all right? Hang out for a couple of weeks and then go overland cross the border at Brownsville, you got that? Brownville."
John B didn't look like he was listening at all, must have still been thinking of Sarah until JJ grabbed his face to look at him and repeat his destination. "All right, saddle her up cowboy, let's do this." John B followed the command reluctantly switching places with JJ onto the boat.
"Hey, I'm sorry for basically throwing us off a cliff with this whole treasure hunt thing," You could the red rimming his eyes as he spoke.
"We were bound to run off a cliff at some point, right?" JJ laughs. "At least we did it together though." He drapes his arms around Pope and an arm around Kie who were closer to him, Kie wraps her arm around you so you wouldn't be left out. "Pogue style."
"Pogue style," John B repeats in a whisper. It broke your heart to see your brother leave and to know that you were going to officially be alone. No parents, no brother, alone in an empty house on the "wrong" side of the island struggling. You debated going with him and taking Sarah's spot but you couldn't do that to him. He'd have to watch over you even if you didn't need him to, but he would just like he had his entire life and right now he needed to take of himself.
"Okay now get out of here!" You yelled in fear of the cops showing up before he has a chance to escape. "Please."
"We'll see you in two months, down in Mexico," Pope said.
"Love you!" JJ called out to him.
He made to leave but turned to say something, "Hey, wait a second, tell Sarah I said goodbye, okay?"
You nodded at him one last time before helping push the boat off the dock, now there the three of you were watching John B escape into the sunset. He had a decent head start before the sirens wailed close by, you all ignored them thinking it was just the usual police officers searching around the island looking for your brother who was now, hopefully, long gone.
You walked a couple of paces away turning your back from Pope and Kie who were now talking again, and JJ. Hot tears flowed down your cheeks from the absence of your brother. You barely believed in anything with so many things going wrong in your life, but always making the best out of situations on your own, yet now you prayed that he's successful in escaping. He doesn't deserve what would happen to him if he didn't. You choked back on your sobs when you decided you were going to be fine, you weren't going to cry right now, you would have plenty of time to do that later when you were alone.
You wiped your tears with the inside of your wrist, a pair of arms snaked around your waist and hugged you from behind. It was JJ, the distinct ocean smell hitting your nose before you could see who it actually was.
"I got you, remember?" He whispered to you, then turned your body to face him. You were glad you suddenly decided to stop crying, not wanting him to see you in that state right now.
"Yeah," You gave him a weak smile. He moves to stand next to you with an arm around your shoulder looking at Kie and Pope talking with the sunset behind them. It looked like a romantic movie setting, Kie hugged Pope, you couldn't hear them talk but you see Kie move in towards him and suddenly they were kissing.
"Holy fucking-" Your jaw dropped, you quickly glanced to JJ not knowing how he would feel about Kie and Pope kissing. "Are you-"
"I'm sorry to ruin the party but- uh we gotta go right now." JJ looked at you once and waved them over so you could all leave but it was too late. Another cop car stopped behind the stolen one and Shoupe was already out of it. Two other vehicles pulled up and several police officers and a bald man lead them all pointing a gun at you demanding for you all to put your hands up.
You all did what you were told as he weaved through you and your friends in search for John B who left in the nick of time.
"Bratcher, have your guys stand down. Let me talk to these kids," Shoupe came right up to JJ. "All right, where the hell is he? JJ I see you're livin' up to your name. Pope, How about you? This isn't a fucking game!"
He moved in front of you, "Y/N, He's your brother but you can do the right thing and tell me where'd he go?"
You flinched a small bit as he yelled but didn't respond to him only glaring at a man who wasn't doing anybody any justice. None of you spoke a word as they corralled you into the cars and took you to where they camped out with tents and more than fifty people working on catching John B. If only they knew who the real killer was or maybe they did and just didn't care.
They led you four into a tent with almost no people an empty table in front of you. "Keep an eye on these kids," Shoupe tells a police officer that was suited up with protective gear and a large gun. In the connecting tent were more people working on computers tracking boats on the water.
JJ placed a hand atop yours that was on your bouncing leg, a move that gave you little reassurance that you would be okay. They couldn't catch John B, they couldn't. John B would leave the island and run from the storm safely.
~~~
Shoupe came into the tent where you were left waiting with two other officers in bright yellow rain jackets, all four of you stood.
"Did you find them?" Pope asked. Please say no, please say no.
The look on Shoupe's face was one that was way too familiar, "No."
"So they got away?" Kiara looked at all of you with hope.
Shoupes tone was regretful "We, uh- we lost them. I'm sorry." This was worse, way worse. Not only was your brother gone but he was dead. Never to be seen again.
"What do you mean you lost them? Like they're gone?"
"They took an open boat into a tropical depression, Pope." Shoupe looked apologetic but he will never understand the damage he did. Kie was about to burst into tears but asked, "They're dead?"
"We don't know."
You couldn't hold the waterfall of tears once you heard JJ rage, "You drove them straight through the storm, man! Are you kidding me? Come here!"
JJ grabbed Shoupe by his jacket and shook him, "I'm gonna kill you, you bastard!"
"This is your fault!" You shouted at Shoupe once officer Thomas carried JJ away from Shoupe. You pounded onto his chest, "This is your fucking fault, he never killed anyone and you know it!"
Shoupe grabbed you by your wrist to stop you from hitting him even more, "We're still looking for him, all right?"
"Y/N, Pope, just stop," Kie begged you, you backed away into Pope who was still furiously yelling at him. Kiara's parents came through and went straight to her, the same went for Pope and his parents. Suddenly there you were standing alone with no parents to comfort you, just JJ. You looked up at him through teary eyes, barely able to see when he engulfed you in a hug. You sobbed against him, both of you shaking in each other's arms, you couldn't breathe.
You stared up at him to find comfort in the eyes, the only other boy you have loved your entire life. He mirrored your stare leaning his head down so your foreheads were touching, a mutual understanding of pain. Your cheeks were tear-stained and flushed with anger, he looked the same. That moment when your eyes met, your heart was no longer still breaking with the news of your brother but with desperation to feel something else entirely. He broke the stare glancing down to your lips then back to your eyes as if asking for permission. You took that as all the encouragement you needed to press your lips against his.
His breath hitched, your eyes were closed so you couldn't see his reaction but you were surprised to feel him return the kiss. This wasn't the moment you'd always dreamed your first kiss with JJ would be but it was still everything you expected and more. His lips were soft but slightly chapped, the kiss tasted salty in the mixture of both your tears. It ended almost as quickly as it began when Heywards pulled you into his family hug.
~~~
Kiara's parents insisted you stay at their house so that you wouldn't be alone, and though it was appreciated you needed to be. The events of the day were overwhelming you to the point where you didn't want to accidentally lash out at the people who graciously offered you their home. They dropped you off at your house, your cold and empty house. JJ didn't come with you knowing how Kie's parents feel about him but promised to come around later on.
There were leaks in the roof from the heavy storm that mercilessly murdered your brother, the thought of it brought back the pain you had previously numbed yourself. The death of your dad was hardly something you could bring up but with your brother gone now too, the loneliness was threatening. With the thoughts of the emptiness surrounding you, you broke. You tore through your home letting all your anger out with every glass you shattered, every pillow you ripped open. You screamed and cried with no one to hear.