Infinite darkness surrounded them only a small flashlight illuminated their way. Dogs ferociously barked in response to the chaos of police officers racing down the streets and the tons of people yelling as they ran down the streets. Sarah led them down a street close to the bell tower. They ran towards a house that was for sale. Liz looked down at the sign noticing the realtor on the front was no other than Sarah's stepmother, Rose Cameron. "We can hide in here," Sarah said.
"Are you sure it's safe?" John B questioned, the house was not too far from where they were almost caught. The police would check this place.
"Yeah, it's Rose's listing." She led them to the front door where a padlock kept a key inside. While she squatted down to put in a code Liz stood on edge looking for anybody that could see them. The last incident came too close it was messing with her mind she also hadn't slept well all day. She flinched swiveling her head at every noise."My dad's birthday," Sarah revealed when the lock clicked open allowing her to take the key out and unlock the door.
They all flinched hearing an officer from down the street. "Let's check this street. They can't be far."
They cursed running inside. Sarah locked the door back and turned off her flashlight. They sat on the floor leaning against the door away from the window. "Check the porch." Liz clenched her eyes shut tapping her fingers on her knees to keep her calm. Someone walked up to the door with a flashlight shining brightly into the small window on the door. They knocked on the door a couple of times and then tried to unlock it. When there was no answer or sign of movement the officer walked away to check another house. "They're probably headed over to the cut." The officer said. There was complete silence after a few seconds. They all sighed in relief. They were safe once again. Liz tiredly leaned her head against the wall barely able to keep her eyes open. She was in so much pain and completely exhausted.
"Let's go upstairs." John B whispered. He tugged Sarah up from the ground then turned to head upstairs. When he noticed Liz not following him, he turned around seeing her half asleep with her face pressed up against the wall. Silently he picked her up carrying her up the stairs.
Sarah led them to a room in the house. The couple decided to let Liz have the bed, it was best they all stayed in the same room in case something happened. John B tucked his sister in the bed making sure she was comfortable. She deserved a good nights sleep. He couldn't help but stare at her feeling guilty for all the trouble he caused. This wouldn't have happened if he wasn't so curious about the treasure.
Sarah came up behind him gently placing her hand on his shoulder. "Come on. It's not your fault." She led him over to the small pallet she made on the floor with large pillows and a huge comforter she got from the master bedroom. They got distracted hearing a shout outside. They looked from behind the blinds watching Rafe and Kelce storm down the street on high alert for them. "I can't believe that's my brother." She shook her head in disbelief. Sighing, John B walked over to the room door, sliding it closed.
They got into their makeshift bed cuddling up close beside each other. They exhaled finally being able to relax from the stress. Sarah pointed her flashlight to the ceiling where the stars and constellations were creatively painted on the ceiling. "Wow." John B mused.
"Sweet, right?"
"Yeah." He looked over at her. "Did you know the bottom two stars in the Little Dipper point to the-"
"The North Star?" Sarah completes his sentence with a small smile. "Yeah. That's the center point. Everything else spins around." A yell from outside followed by some dogs barking caused John B to shoot up in alert, panting. She reached forward gently guiding him to lay back down. "It's okay. I got you." She whispered to him. She held him close listening as his heart rate started to slowly calm down.
"Could you remind me of the happy ending?" He whispered.
"Yeah. We're gonna meet the crew at the dock tomorrow. Then they're gonna have the getaway boat."
"Then we're gonna go to Mexico."
"And you're gonna be a fishing instructor." She added to lighten his mood.
"You're damn right." He nodded.
"And I'm gonna have a sandwich shop. Liz will also have her bookstore with a cute little cafe that everyone will come to because she is adorable. Most importantly everything is gonna be okay." She allowed him to drift asleep. She still held onto her heavy heart knowing what her father and brother had done.
The next morning Liz woke up feeling the sun shining in her face. She groaned stretching her arms out. She didn't know how she ended up in a bed but she wasn't complaining, she slept amazing. She turned to her right looking down at the floor where John B sat holding a paper looking distressed. "Where is Sarah?" She croaked out, swinging her legs over the bed to face him.
"She went to go tell the police what happened." He groaned. He stood up handing Liz a light blue t-shirt Sarah had left for her along with some new mini shorts.
They waited anxiously in the bedroom for a few hours. There were still police sirens zooming around the block they also noticed a few helicopters up above. If they are still searching then things didn't go well with Sarah. Liz hung her head but stayed by the window.
Footsteps sounded throughout the house. John B walked over to the stairs, leaning over the banister. He was on edge expecting an officer to come storming up the stairs. Sarah's head of messy blonde hair popped up from the stairs he immediately calm down. "Sarah. Where have you been?" He asked. He held his arms out to her noticing her distraught and bloodshot face. "It's okay. It's okay." He brought her into his arms as she started to sob.
Elizabeth walked out of the room rubbing Sarah's back. "What happened?" She asked.
"It's getting really bad out there." Sarah explained. A siren whooped from inside the house. They peeked outside to see a police and fire rescue car with two officers in the driveway. They all crouched down away from view.
"We gotta go." John B led the way down the stairs. They ran out the back door making a run for it while also trying not to look too suspicious. They took some surfboards from the neighboring house. Placing them in the water they stayed low paddling away from the house.
+OBX+
They paddled for an exhaustingly long time. Elizabeth had to push through, the bandages Kie had wrapped around her shoulder were getting soaked by the water. She was positive the cuts on her arm from breaking the van window were infected. Sarah and John B had to keep nudging her to stay awake before she fell into the water and drowned. She was exhausted and with every passing moment, she longed to escape reality in Mexico where they could start over. Sarah noticed Liz start to drift off again. "Maybe we should take a break." She panted out, nudging Liz. The younger girl jolted awake almost tipping her board into the water. John B stopped paddling, all of them taking a moment to catch their breath. "Do you think they'll be able to steal the boat?" Sarah asked.
"Well, JJ's involved so yeah." John B said. He had full trust in his friends. There was nobody else he would want to help them escape. They would pull through.
Sirens wailed from a distance. They had to keep moving. John B led the way paddling his board. "John B, where are you going? The boat ramp's this way." Sarah nudged her head the opposite way of where he was heading. Liz silently looked between them, whatever happened she was going with John B she always did.
"Look Sarah, I've gotta go home." John B turned back to look at her.
"What?"
"JB are you crazy?" Liz tilted her head at him. Their house is crawling with police officers and SBI agents just waiting for them to come back to their house.
"No. There'll be cops crawling all over there." Sarah sat up on her board having the same opinion as Liz.
"That's okay. Look...I don't want you to come." He also sat up. Liz came over to the other side of John B sitting up on her board.
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked.
"The gold from Crain's house. It's at the Chateau." He explained. Sarah looked away she knew there was no way to stop John B from doing something if it had to do with his family. "My dad's been looking for that for years. It's all I have left of him. I gotta get it plus we're gonna need the money."
"You'll get caught." She tried to reason with her boyfriend.
"Okay, then I get caught." He shrugged.
"Don't be stupid John B if you get caught it will be for nothing." Liz shook her head.
"No, it's not. Both of you just listen to me, please! I need you guys to go to the boat dock in an hour." He said earning a negative uproar from both girls.
"JB you're crazy if you think I'm letting you walk in there alone!" Liz threw her arms up in exasperation.
"I'm coming with you," Sarah said.
"Sarah, you're not coming with me!" He raised his voice slightly. "It's too dangerous. take Elie and go to the boat dock. I'll see you in an hour." He said softer. Sarah seemed to given in not wanting to sit here and fight with him anymore.
"What about me huh? You think I'm gonna let you go somewhere alone where you're guaranteed to get caught?" Liz yelled.
John B rolled his eyes turning to her. "Don't be like that Elie you look like shit and you're tired!" He yelled back.
"Oh boo, who! I've made it this far you're not gonna send me away like I'm some defenseless little girl!!"
"Elizabeth just listen for once in your damn life and go! It's my job to look after you."
She balled up her fist clenching her jaw. "I'm coming with you whether you like it or not. You not my father John B, my dad died. We're siblings you look after me and I look after you." She glared at him with as much determination as she could muster. "So for the last time get your head out of your ass because I'm coming."
John B ran his hand down his face with a long groan. Despite his annoyance he couldn't help but be a little proud. When Liz was in elementary school getting bullied by Rafe she would never stick up for herself. She was right. She isn't some defenseless little girl anymore. "Fine, but if I get caught then you run for the hills, deal?"
"Deal." She grinned. They gave one last look to Sarah, Liz giving her a sympathetic smile. Together they paddled off praying for the best situation to happen at the Chateau. They would get the gold and then get out with no complications.
It took them 10 minutes of exhausting paddling to reach the chateau. Liz made sure to keep her mouth shut and to stay awake. They ditched their boards a few feet from the Chateau behind some trees. Together they ran up the side of the house hiding behind the shed. They watched as Shoupe walked out with a plastic bag while he talked to Officer Thomas. Liz squinted her eyes seeing the melted down gold in the evidence bag. "It was 400 million in British government gold bars. They have a little replica down at the museum." Shoupe could be heard saying while he made his way to the police truck.
"Oh yeah, I've heard about that." Thomas followed after him with his cardboard box filled with stuff they stole from their house for investigation.
"You should check it out when you get the chance." They watched Shoupe slide into the driver's seat while Thomas put stuff in the truck. Shoupe put the gold into the glove compartment. "They got all kinds of cool nautical shit in there." Shoupe closed the door without locking it walking back inside. Rookie mistake.
They siblings made eye contact communicating with their eyes.
"Is he that stupid to put gold in an unlocked car?" Liz rolled her eyes.
"Stop Elie! Focus. On my signal." He shook his head gesturing towards the truck.
They waited until the officers were back inside. John B gestured with his hand, they carefully sprinted across the lawn to the truck keeping their footsteps as light as possible. Liz grabbed John B's bookbag that was left in the trunk. John B got in the driver's seat grabbing the gold from the glove compartment. Liz climbed into the passenger seat, opening the bookbag so she could zip the gold inside. John B hit the start key button but nothing happened. Shoupe had taken the keys inside. John B angrily hit the steering wheel. There is no way for them to steal the car without Shoupe and Thomas noticing them.
Liz's eyes sparked when she saw the microphone to the car speakers. She picked it up bringing it to her mouth, "Shoupe you there buddy? I think you know who it is. Come on out." She teased. John B looked at her bewildered but stopped when he noticed the spark in her eyes. Liz may be a Pogue but she isn't stupid. If she was making a risky move like this then she had a plan. Shoupe walked out onto the porch cautiously, surprised to see the two wanted teenagers sitting in his truck. Thomas followed behind him his had dangerously close to his gun.
John B noticed Thomas hand holding onto his gun holster. "Wait wait! Don't shoot!" He threw his hands up shielding his sister. Shoupe signaled for his trigger-happy partner to back down a bit. "We just wanna talk."
"All right take it easy," Shoupe warned still on edge also with his hand over his gun.
"I didn't do it, Shoupe." John B said, keeping his hands up.
"Calm down. Keep your hands up where I can see the, all right?" Shoupe stepped down a little closer. John B nodded. "Now, I'm gonna approach the vehicle and you don't run and I won't chase." He explained.
"Okay." John B said, his voice shaking. Liz mentally applauded him for the act he was putting on she almost laughed at how scared he sounded. When Shoupe started getting closer she prepared herself. "Listen listen! I didn't do it. It's not what you think it is."
"I'm listening." Shoupe walked down the steps onto the dirt road. "You gotta take your hands--" he pointed to John B's hands.
"Take your hands off your gun." John B interrupted him, pointing at their hands still clutched onto their guns. "Both of you please I have my sister in here." Shoupe was quick to lower his hand away from his gun.
"Tell him to get his hand off his gun." John B nudged his head towards Thomas.
"Take your hand off your weapon." Shoupe turned to his partner. Thomas glanced at Shoupe then slowly took his hand off. Liz watched them carefully. "All right, so we gonna talk right?"
"Yeah. I wanna tell you everything." John B played along. When Shoupe got close enough Elizabeth pushed the button at the same time John B mashed the break. The officers noticed too late the siblings started the car speeding off in the car turning the sirens on.
"Woo! I thought we were gonna die." Liz laughed leaning back in disbelief. They listen to the police radio as Shoupe has to embarrassingly admit that the suspects they are chasing have stolen his car. They smirked heading to meet their friends.
+OBX+
They pulled up to the dock with the sirens blaring. There was thunder rolling in from the storm that was approaching but they didn't have the time to worry about the weather. They got out to see all their friends staring at them in disbelief. "Shoupe let us take it out for a spin." John B smiled walking up to them.
"Okay. That's believable. I'll buy that for now." Kie embraced John B in a hug then Liz. The two girls stayed with their arms slung over each other.
"It was my plan that got us the car." She explained.
JJ cheered from his spot in the boat. "That's my partner in crime!" He smirked causing her to laugh and give him a salute.
"Now that I believe." Kie proudly ruffled her hair. Liz pushed her away groaning.
"It wasn't easy but I got the Phantom for you, and she runs like she was made yesterday." JJ got off the boat, tossing John B the keys. "You ready to go?" He asked.
John B looked around noticing the absence of a person. "Where's Sarah?"
"She's not with you?" Kie furrowed her eyebrows.
"No, we separated in the swamp she said she was gonna meet us here," Liz explained.
"No, we haven't seen her." Pope shrugged.
"Okay, well I'm not leaving without her." He protested.
"John B look at me." JJ stepped up. "I know you feel bad for leaving but there's no time man. You have plenty of gas and plenty of food. Once you get around that point it's a straight shot across the sound. Once you get there you and Liz lay low, okay?" JJ pointed out towards the water but John B kept anxiously looking around. "Hang out for a couple of weeks and then go overland, cross the border at Brownsville you got that?" He turned to Liz with a pointed look, "Brownsville." He then turned to John B noticing how he wasn't paying attention. "Hey! You got that?"
John B snapped out of it looking at his best friend. "Yeah, yeah Brownsville." thunder grumbled loudly.
JJ nodded climbing back into the boat. "All right. Saddle her up, saltwater cowboy and M'lady" He helped Liz into the boat. "Let's do this."
The siblings stood on the front of the boat. They paused seeming to realize that this would be the last time they would see their best friends for a while. John B turned around just as they were gonna start pushing the boat away from the dock. "Hey wait." Everyone paused looking at him. "I'm sorry for basically throwing us off a cliff with this whole treasure hunt thing." He sniffed, his eyes beginning to tear up. Liz couldn't bear to watch all her friends standing there on the dock looking at them broken-hearted.
"Hey John B we were bound to run off a cliff at some point, right?" JJ joked his eyes just as watery as the rest of them. Everyone laughed shaking their heads.
"Yeah." Liz nodded.
"At least we did it together, though." JJ wrapped his arms around Pope and Kie pulling them close. "Pogue style."
"Pogue style." John B held Liz's hand the both of them taking in all their friends.
JJ took a deep breath stepping away from the two for a second. "Wait Liz before you head off um I'm sorry for walking off on you and stuff. I just... You look up to me and I don't want my little sister walking down the same path as me. I guess I also had to realize that you're not just some little squirt following us around anymore." JJ looked down at his feet.
Liz jumped off the boat engulfing him in a tight hug. Tears were falling uncontrollably down her face. He hugged her back just as tight. "JJ It's okay. You're my brother I look up to you because you are the most loyal and kind friend. There is no better person for me to want to model myself after." She squeezed him tightly. "Besides who else would teach me to get away with stuff? Pope?" The two laughed at that thought. He pulled away poking her side. She playfully pushed him away
"Keep an eye on JB okay?" He sniffed trying to wipe away the salty tears falling down his now red cheeks. Usually, he would try to keep up his tough facade but around Liz, he never felt like he had to.
"Of course." She giggled. Liz turned to Kie, she didn't know why but something in her brain was telling her she needed to say bye to all of them properly. "Kie... oh my gosh I love you so much." She broke down again. Kie smiled pulling her into her embrace.
"My baby..." Kie teased holding her tighter. "I'm gonna miss you so much I can't believe you're leaving me with these two idiots."
Liz laughed shaking her head. "Just keep them out of trouble okay?"
"Of course." Kie pulled back tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
She turned to Pope. She could never stop being impressed him. "Po I would say do great things but I know you are, you do every day." He playful rolled his eyes pulling her in for a hug. He looked the most heartbroken out of them all with his bloodshot eyes and tears rapidly falling down his cheeks, she could feel the droplets falling onto her as they hugged.
"Stop talking like you aren't coming back, okay?" He nudged her back. "You'll be back and when you do we can take a trip to the library." She nodded whipping her eyes with her shirt.
"Right, I'm sorry. I'll see you guys when I get back." She stepped back onto the boat her eyes lingering on them all. The remaining Pogues hugged each other again watching the siblings engage in their side hug.
"Get out of here! Please." Kie said.
"Now! We'll see you both in two months down in Mexico." Pope agreed.
"Love you!" JJ yelled out.
Liz smiled at them climbing down to the steering wheel. John B stayed up there for a second. "Tell Sarah I said goodbye, okay?" They nodded. It must be hard having to leave behind the person you love. John B took over the steering wheel. They looked back at their friends once more as the boat drove away down the channel. Liz kept her eyes on them for a moment longer feeling a pit in her stomach.
"Everything will be okay right?" She looked over at John B.
He pulled her into his side keeping one arm on the steering wheel. "Of course." He kissed her temple. Despite what he said a small part of him didn't believe it. As they drove the waters started to get harsher, small waves knocked against the side of the boat. The sun was pushed away by dark storm clouds in the sky the rumbling of thunder started to get louder. As they approached the docks near Figure Eight a figure came running down the dock.
"John B!" Sarah yelled out trying to get to the edge of the doc before the boat passed it.
"Sarah!" John B yelled back in surprise. He slowed down the boat pulling over to let her get on. "Hey. What are you doing? I didn't think you were coming. You weren't at the dock." He said. Liz grabbed Sarah's hand helping her get into the boat.
Sarah walked up to John B wrapping her arms around his neck. "You were just gonna leave without saying goodbye?" Sarah smiled. They both chuckled engaging in a kiss. "Don't ever leave me again."
Liz smiled crossing her arms beside them. "Ugh if this is how it's gonna be then you guys can just leave me here. I rather get caught by Shoupe than deal with you two." She teased. They broke apart looking at her with smiles.
"We can drop you off right here I'm sure they'll come and find you." John B pointed to the dock.
Sarah stepped away from her boyfriend. "Looks like little warrior made it." She joked. Liz and Sarah embraced as John B pulled off heading towards Mexico.
"You know I had to! I can't let John B escape without me." She giggled. The boat drove up the coast the darkness of the night started to creep in. They kept the lights off trying to stay hidden.
They started to drive past the lighthouse. There was large white tents set up with all types of police vehicles and helicopters stationed near the water all flashing their blue and red lights. They are being hunted. Liz stood beside John B as he steered the boat. She felt uneasy.
"It's like the entire sheriff's department." Sarah stared at the scene in shock. They're doing all this just to find John B for something he didn't do. "Holy shit."
"We'll go dark and let the tide pull us out." He explained. Sure he was a little nervous seeing everyone that was there looking for him but he couldn't get caught now he was determined not to. He turned off the power to the boat hoping to remain off their radar. As they drifted past they all huddled together crouching down a bit. Lightning cracked through the sky which was a good sign, the police couldn't detect them if the lightning was blocking their scanners. "We're clear." John B said after a few minutes of drifting in anxious silence, they made it past the lighthouse.
Liz didn't feel much better, the wind was knocking her hair into her face, and her hands shaking constantly as she gripped tightly onto the railing of the boat. She gazed down at the dark water below her she whimpered slightly. "Hey! We're gonna make it." Sarah said, reassuringly. She assumed the girl was anxious about being caught but they are pretty much in the clear. That wasn't it though to Liz something... didn't feel right.
"Yeah, we just gotta go north through the swamp, then we follow the North Star." John B turned to his sister to give her reassurance.
She nodded taking a deep breath. "O-okay yeah, you're right." She tried convincing herself. But she kept her grip firm on the railing.
The couple looked up at the North Star which seemed so illuminate even in the dark stormy night. "What everything spins around." Sarah reminded him about their conversation the other night. Sarah turned around gasping when she saw the lights all over the Outer Banks start to flicker back on. With the power on the island back on they could be easily spotted in the water. "John B!" To add to their problem the lighthouse light flickered on shining brightly into the water. "Wait. no, no." Sarah began to freak out.
"Get down!" John B pushed them down when the bright light turned towards their boat reflecting it brightly in the water. They could hear people start to yell from on land, they had been seen. John B jumped up trying to turn the boat on.
"It's not turning on."
Liz groaned, running her trembling hands down her face.
"What do we do?" Sarah stressed.
"Check the engine!" John B pointed to the back of the boat. Sarah ran towards the engine to check it out. Liz stayed with her brother trying to look for any other way to start the boat.
"What am I looking for?" Sarah asked.
"Check the choke! The little ball!" John B yelled frantically still trying to start the boat with the key.
"What's the choke?" Sarah yelled back. Liz ran over to her gently nudging her out of the way, they didn't have time for a boat lesson. She squeezed the choke like her dad taught her. Sirens of police boats were heard approaching where they were. "Is it working?" Sarah asked just as John B cranked the key and the engine roared to life. Liz and Sarah ran back over to the cabin of the ship sitting down. Their boat sped off. Police boats were starting to close in on them on both sides side. Heavy rain rained down heavily on them.
"Hold on, hold on, hold on!" John B warned. The girls grabbed onto any rail they could. "Ready?" John B increased the boat's speed swerving the other direction the cops weren't going.
"If we keep going this way we are heading right into the storm!" Liz warned.
"They're coming from around the cut!" Sarah said, looking at the boat's satellite detector.
"We gotta go south into the storm!" John B said. Liz looked at him then back at the boats quickly approaching them. She didn't like the idea but she knew the police weren't crazy enough to follow them out into the raging storm. Lightning crackled down louder from the sky followed by loud rumbles of thunder. The waves got rougher slamming into the side of their boat. Liz screamed over the crashing waves feeling the harsh wind start to push her body back.
John B tried to reach over to her to keep her steady. "No! Hold onto Sarah I'm fine!" She shook her head holding on tight to a railing with both of her small hands.
"John B?" A voice crackled in over the boat's radio, it was Ward. John B looked over at Sarah. "John B, I know you are there, son. I know you can hear me, and if you love those girls- especially me daughter like I think you do then you will turn that boat around and come back." John B stared forward at the waves approaching them. Beside him Liz had her head down between her arms, trying to block her face from all the water rushing at her. "You are going into a storm that you cannot survive. John B, please I will make it right. I promise you, come back."
"No!" Sarah turned to him. "Don't listen to him! He is a liar."
"Yeah we'll be fine!" Liz agreed.
"John B, I am begging you." A large wave crashed into the front of their boat. It was a fast boat but it was small and not built for big storms like this. Liz lost her grip with one of her hands and stumbled back. She groaned using all her strength to steady herself back. John B glanced at her but she shook her head denying help again. Sarah needed more help. "Think of her and turn around." Ward continued to talk. John B looked at the two girls and then picked up the radio.
"John B, what are you doing?" Sarah asked.
"Ward Cameron, do you hear me?" He spoke into the radio.
"Yes, son. I'm right here. Please bring her back, okay? We'll work it all out when you get home." Ward answered.
John turned to look at the girl he loved then back at the sea. "You killed my father! And you framed me for a murder I didn't commit. You took everything from me!" He yelled into the radio. Elizabeth started to get emotional just hearing how broken he sounded. "But I'm still here and I swear to God Ward I will come back one day and take what's mine! So you listen to me alright? I'm coming for you." He swore.
"What would you do if I wasn't here?" Sarah asked.
"Look I'd rather die than go to jail, Sarah." He looked at her.
"I rather die than be without you." She revealed. The two where about to kiss when a loud gut-wrenching scream stopped them. They turned around just in time to see Elizabeth go flying off the side of the boat into the water. Her small body was quickly over taken by the waves, she could barely be seen in the dark water.
"ELIZABETH!" John B screamed running to the side of the boat. He search the water as the waves continued to crash into the boat. Sarah leaped forward pulling John B away from the edge of the boat before he also went plummeting into the dark waters. She used one hand to tug him back from jumping into the water and the other on the steering wheel.
"Stop John B! You might be a good swimmer but if you go in there you will only put your self at risk." She tried to reason with the frantic boy. His lifeline- the person who he couldn't spend more than a day without just tumbled to her death in the dark waters. He turned back to Sarah to explain to her he couldn't leave his sister when a monstrous wave overtook the boat sending them into the depths as well.