Here's another one. Only two more chapters in this i think... maybe... who knows.
As i work through the next few chapters i do already have the next series for my AU of Outer Banks worked out and i am super excited to write it.
Yes i know medically the story is probably not accurate.
When Ricky returned, he had JJ and John B help me to a table off in the corner of the room. Helping me up, I laid back, putting my arm over my eyes as Ricky started looking at the gash again.
"Alright kid, I'm gonna have to clean the area before I can get this stitched up." He said putting gloves on and grabbing a few pads of gauze. I nodded looking away from him, not wanting to know when he was going to do anything, hoping it would lessen the pain I knew was inevitable.
"Somebody start talking," I said as Ricky started swiping at the area around my injury and I started to tense up. "Seriously."
"We figured out the secret message in the compass." Kie said quickly and John B nodded pulling out the gold object opening the back.
"Yeah, its not a place, it was a hint towards my great great grandma Olivia Redfield Routledge." John B added. I scowled as he explained what they had found but was distracted by JJ pacing behind Ricky his hand running through his hair. I was about to comment when I felt the cool liquid go around my wound before being placed in it.
"Son of bitch!" I said through clenched teeth closing my eyes fighting every instinct that told me to pull away from Ricky.
"Sorry, if you don't know its coming it doesn't hurt as bad." Ricky explained and all I could do was move my head to the side trying to blink the tears that came to my eyes.
"Okay…" I finally responded after a few deep breaths, blinking several times turning to look back at John B. "Okay so what does that mean?"
"We think Big John may have hidden something in the cemetery at his grandma crypt." I lifted my head as Pope made his statement.
"What?" Sarah and I both stated at the same time.
"Are you serious?" I asked looking to John B. I could see JJ still pacing as his cousin gathered a few items from his kit setting them on the table. I refused to look, I wasn't looking forward to what was about to happen. "Okay so you guys should go before it gets too late."
"What?" Kie asked standing up. "No way."
"Hear me out okay." I said putting my finger up to stop any further arguing. "Hold on Ricky, give me a sec… I will literally be no help, there is no point waiting around here and listening to me cuss Ricky out once he starts. By the time you go find what you need to Ricky will be done and we can move on from this whole ordeal."
"Rowyn…" John B started but I shook my head.
"Seriously, I don't need you all here watching this." I say, "John B this is about your dad, finish this."
"Okay." He said standing up coming up to me putting his hand on my shoulder. I took his hand and smiled. "If you're sure."
"Trust me, I am." I nodded with a smile, "and take him please." I point at JJ who finally stopped pacing and scowled.
"Fuck that…" he started.
"JJ you are about to walk a hole through the floor. You look like you are about puke. Come here." I instructed pushing myself up on my elbow, ignoring the ache at my side. JJ came around to the other side of the table palms down bowing his head. "Listen, you trust your cousin, right?" He didn't answer me, "Right?" I asked again. He still didn't answer but he did nod his head.
"Then so do I." I said.
"I am not leaving you…"
"You're not." I shook my head, "I am asking you to go with them. I would feel better if you were with them, you know 'properly protecting them'" I smiled at him thinking back to the conversation we had had the night we opened the case of gold. As much as I could see him fighting it, he smiled.
"I'll stay." Sarah spoke up squeezing John Bs hand before standing beside JJ.
"See I'll be fine." I shrugged. He knew he was defeated but I could still see how reluctant he was.
"Whatever you're in the middle of you Cuz, but I don't think there's any arguing with her." Ricky commented.
"Okay…" he sighed leaning over the table. He placed his lips on mine, his hand holding the back of my head fingers in my hair.
"Be careful okay." I whispered when he pulled away.
"So careful." He answered back and I could help but let the giggle escape my lips.
"Lets go Jay." John B called pulling on his shoulder. Nodding JJ kissed me again before pulling away his lips thin as jaw tensed.
"I got her." Sarah smiled her hand on his arm as he back up John B's hand on his shoulder still.
"She'll be fine JJ." Ricky tried to comfort but he only received a nod in response as him, Pope and Kie filed out of Ricky's ranch style home. Once they were gone Ricky turned back to me. "Alright Rowyn this is going to suck a lot before it gets better." Ricky said a syringe in his hand. With a deep breath I nodded and felt Sarah take my hand squeezing. 'Yeah' I thought. 'This was going to suck."
JJ POV
I sat in the back of the van with Pope as John B drove down the road. Blunt between my lips my head leaned against the back of the seat. 'She's gonna be fine.' I repeated in my head and as if on cue my phone went off in my pocket.
My Girl
Stop thinking. I'm fine. Promise.
Plus Ricky… Has some great "organic" pain management meds
Love you😉
I laughed and Pope gave me a look from his place beside me. I just shook my head and offered him a hit.
"I keep the signal clear." He said putting his hand up denying my offer. I shrugged and put it back against my lips. When we arrived at the cemetery we filed out. I grabbed my backpack and took the gun from inside and put it in my waist band at my back.
"Come one." John B said flashlight in hand as we slowly made our way cautiously thorough the cemetery.
"We're coming." Kie stated catching herself as she tripped on a tree root. "This place is creepy in the day, at night its just plain scary."
"Here we are." John B state holding his flashlight up at a stone crypt in front of them. Through the vines that snaked their way around stone I could make out 'Redfield' engraved at the top.
"Voi-effing-la." I said and Pope came up looking up at the stone nodding at my comment.
"Help me with the door." Passing his flashlight to Kie Pope and I stepped forward. Counting to three we tried to pry the door open, but it didn't budge.
"Are you pushing?" Pope asked as we continued to push at the door.
"Yeah, Pope I'm pushing." I state rolling my eyes.
"This door is like 700 pounds. It's not gonna budge," Pope said frustrated.
"We didn't come this far. Go through all the shit we've gone through just to get this far, we got this." I said out of breath and as I leaned down to push again a hissing pulled me from my determined thoughts. We all jumped back from the stone door and Kie shined her light at the area the hissing was coming from. "A snake!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Pope exclaimed.
"That right there… that's a moccasin." I said pointing to the snake as it slithered past us. I wanted to start barking, they are afraid of dogs, but I stopped the moment John B's hand reached for the stone door again. Yanking it away he glared at me. "Dude, if there's one, there's probably dozens."
"Guys stop." Kie frowned and I noticed the small tremble she had, either from fear or from cold.
"I'm not giving up." John B shook his head examining the door again.
"Look John B… we're not gonna get in there all right? It's not going to budge." Pope said grabbing both of John B's shoulder.
"I can get through." Kie said. Her flashlight was pointed to the upper corner of the stone door. A portion that was broken and open.
"What?" John questioned. "Hold on no, no, no, no. You think you're gonna fit through the hole?"
"That hole?" Pope agreed shaking his head.
"Kie…" I warned. I had already left my girlfriend bleeding at my cousins, I don't think I could handle losing Kie in a dark crypt. If she got hurt, or stuck, I don't know if we could get to her… And then there is the whole snake situation…
"Look this is about your dad," Kie said letting out a nervous breath. "Honestly I'm not convinced there is something in there, but you deserve to know the truth." She had already made up her mind and would get into the crypt with or without our help. With a defeated sigh John B and Pope both moved to pull back the vines on the crypt allowing her access.
"Alright, give her a boost." John B instructed and I nodded leaning my back against the stone door.
"Remind me again what I'm looking for?" Kie asked stepping up to me.
"You'll know when you see it," John B said his voice full of unwavering confidence. Bending my knees, I put my hands out linked together.
"All right, so put your hands right there." I instructed and Kie nodded putting her foot on my hand and using her momentum as she lifted her other foot, I pushed her up to the hole. She easily lifter herself into the whole and disappeared from view.
"I got it," Kie called, her voice echoing against the hollow stone walls. "Flashlight?"
John B and Pope both eagerly handed her a flashlight. I turned my back to them looking around the dark apace around us. The quiet was unsettling, and I resigned myself to keep watch, not wanting to think of the possible zombie like scenario we had put ourselves in.
"You alive? You go, like a heartbeat and everything?" John B asked, his question meant to lighten the mood.
"So far," we heard her sigh and I heard Pope breath out in relief. "I… uh… I need more light." John B lifted the lantern he held above his head so the light would filter through to the crypt.
"Do you see anything?" he asked. Kie had gone quiet as I assume she moved further into the small, enclosed room.
"Oh. My. God…" Kie could be heard saying and my heart started racing. We all turned to each other. Her expression didn't seem to be one of panic, but one of surprise or shock.
"What is it?" John B asked and in the next moment Kie was pushing a package through the hold handing it to him. "Holy Shit…. This… this is from my dad." John B stepped away from the hold and left Pope to help Kie out from the hole in the stone. As Kie came up beside John B to look at the package both Pope and I just looked at each other curiosity and relief meeting both of us. John B had been right, and his dad did leave him a clue. All doubt we had had before was slowly dripping away. Just as soon as we were able to feel that relief, I heard tires approaching.
"Code red." I said quietly, "Code red. Square groupers."
"Go," Kie stated, and we all moved to the other side of the stone crypt.
"That's the same truck from the Chateau." I said as we crouched down lower against the wall Kie whispering to us to turn the lights off.
"You sure this is the place?" The man that John B and Pope had disarmed at the Chateau said as they moved closer. Yeah, it was the groupers, the ones that chased us through the marsh, the ones that destroyed John B's home, shot Rowyn…These guys were really starting to get on my nerves.
"Who the hell are these guys?" Pope hissed.
"Boss said Routledge came here before the meeting." The other, Ratter, answered. They were getting closer.
"Screw this." Kie said darting away from the crypt. There was no hesitation as we followed her and ran towards the Twinkie. There were shouts behind us as we ran, the groupers moving quickly towards us.
"There!" Ratter shouted. We didn't stop as we got to the iron gate, and I quickly jumped up and climbed over followed by Kie.
"Hurry up!" I called as John B stumbled over the gate, and as smooth as the three of us got over Pope was yelling for help stuck on the top of the gate, hanging by his pants. If we weren't in a live or die situation, I would have been on the ground laughing.
"Shit," Kie cursed, turning back to help Pope.
"I'm stuck. I'm stuck, I'm stuck, I'm stuck guys." Pope was freaking out and my heart was racing in the fear of another person I cared about getting hurt as the groupers got closer. Kie was under him, her hand under Pope's feet trying to push him up. John B was quick to move up to them and I grabbed the gun from my back aiming it at the two-armed men still running at us. "You're gonna rip me."
"You're fine." Kie stated and the pants ripped, Pope promptly falling ass up on the ground. It didn't take long for him to regain his footing and run towards the van. Despite the intense situation I couldn't help but laugh as Pope in his tighty whitey underwear.
"Nice dude… it's like a little Tootsie Roll," I said, and Pope instantly tried to cover himself as we jumped into the van. John B went to start the van only for the engine to start clicking.
"Come on man we gotta go." Pope said frantically. We all jumped when a gun shot clanged against metal. Looking out the window, Ratter and Cruz were tearing the now broken chain around the iron gate from it and pushing it open. Cruz pointed to Ratter and their truck as he made his way towards us.
"Dude!" I yelled as John B continued to turn the key the engine refusing to turn over.
"I'm trying, I'm trying." He snapped at me quietly talking to his van begging it to start. As Cruz moved closer to us his gun raised, I grabbed my own opening the door and aiming it at him.
"JJ!" Kie yelled, but as if our luck took a turn, a van barreled into Cruz, and he went up the hood of the car and rolled to the ground. "Holy shit." Looking from the man on the ground to the driver of the I noticed familiar blonde hair.
"Sarah?" John B noticed too and ran from the van to the driver. She looked up and pulled her hands from the wheel like it burned her. "Are you okay."
"Dude you hit him." That was Rowyn in the passenger seat, eyes wide. She still looked pale, but I couldn't help the relief I had when I saw her.
"I didn't mean… he was just…"she stammered.
"Get in!" Rowyn yelled. John B turned to the Twinkie grabbing the package from his dad and Pope handed me the black case as we quickly jumped into the van. The man started to pick himself up and the black truck rounded the corner towards us as we filed in slamming the doors. Collecting herself for a moment she hit reverse on the shifter and backed the van up quickly, and without seatbelts we all slid into each other as the wheels of the car turned and the van spun around. Putting the van in drive Sarah hit the gas and we sped down the road.
"Good timing." Kie breathed out.
"How did you know...?" Pope started and Rowyn shook her head.
"We didn't." she interrupted.
"Whose van?" John B asked looking over the bland interior.
"Ricky's" Roe answered with a smile. "Asked him to borrow it."
"And he just gave you his van?" I asked raising an eyebrow to her.
"Yes…but I believe his words were 'JJ owes me'" i groaned but continued to smile. "Did you find anything?"
"Yeah." John B whispered holding the package from the crypt in his hands.
ROWYN POV
It had been sheer luck we arrived at the cemetery when we did. After Ricky painfully stitched up my side Sarah and I agreed we couldn't stay. After a few minutes of pleading Ricky eventually gave in and gave us his keys, with the only rule being I couldn't drive. Blood loss and high as hell, he said it would be irresponsible for me to be behind the wheel, which made both Sarah and I laugh.
Pulling into the cemetery we could see the other running from the cemetery two men closely behind. It only took a quick look at Sarah for her to put her foot hard on the floor and speed towards the man with his gun raised at the Twinkie. The moment the man impacted with the car we jerked forward, and I cringed as my side rubbed uncomfortably on the seatbelt. Closing my eyes, I tried to breathe through the pain as I heard John B call out to Sarah.
"Dude you hit him." I said my heart racing, opening my eyes looking at her. For a moment I let my gaze fall on JJ who looked both relieved and freaked out. Sarah stuttered as she tried to wrap her brain around what happened. Shaking my head, I looked out the open window at the other Pogues. "Get in!" They wasted no time jumping into the van, and as the man started to get up Sarah snapped from her daze and reversed the car and sped back down the road.
"Holy shit." I breathed out looking at the envelope in John B's hand. Looking up at him I looked to JJ who just shrugged. Kie had us pull into The Wreck to look at the envelope. The restaurant closed over two hours prior, and we were the only ones there. The group of dirty, tired teens slowly made their way into the building, but JJ held his hand out as I slowly slid from the seat to stand.
"'Sure you're okay?" he asked his eyes tracing over me falling on where he knew the stitches were. Ricky had given me a shirt after her cleaned and disinfected my injury, effectively tossing my torn and blood-stained tank top away.
"Yeah." I nod but my confidence was shattered as I made one step and instantly winced. The high and pain relief was wearing off and I could feel the tightness of the stitches pulling as I moved. "I promise. Just sore I guess."
He nodded and pulled me into him gently, his hand on the back of my head holding me still against his chest. I felt his heart beating in his chest and I settled into the rhythm. "Roe, im so sorry…"
"For what?" I pulled back to look up at him. "You didn't pull the trigger and you didn't know they would be there. This wasn't your fault… and actually you put yourself at risk to protect me, I should really be yelling at you for that." I pointed out with a scowl, but I kept my eyes soft as they staired into his.
"I just… I couldn't protect you." He shook his head closing his eyes.
"You did." I said softly touching the side of this face. There was a bruise along his jaw and his eye from the fight with Ratter. "JJ I love you, please don't go through the what if's. I am here and so are you, can we just hold onto that?"
He let out a shaky breath and nodded putting his lips to mine softly.
"Hey guys come one," Kie called from the porch of The Wreck. We both looked up at her as she disappeared back inside.
"We do this, then leave remember." I said kissing him again before slowly moving towards the stairs.
"Me and you." He nodded and I smiled. The smile fading as I held my side wincing with each step. JJ's hand was light on my back with each step adding a bit of pressure to ensure I didn't fall backwards. Once we were inside the others were gathered around a table Sarah sitting close to John B and Pope and Kie beside each other. I took a place in an empty chair breathing out as I could finally relax and JJ stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders.
"Hot Damn, let's do it." He said. John Bs eyes were focused the package as he ripped it open pulling out a map, file folder tied closed and a tape recorder. One the file folder were the words "FOR BIRD" Sarah took the map carefully and opened it up revealing the Outer Banks coast.
"Look X Marks the spot." Pope pointed at the map. Sure, enough there on the coast was an X. "you think that's where it was… the Merchant?"
"Latitude and Longitude." Kie said looking at the coordinates on the map.
"Its off the continental shelf." I nodded and could feel JJ squeeze my shoulders in confirmation.
"Whats that?" he asked as John B picked up the small black object.
"that's a tape recorder," Kie commented sarcastically, and I bit my lip to keep from laughing. I knew JJ was rolling his eyes at her for her smartass response, but I kept my eyes on the stoic look on John Bs face as he hit the play button.
"Dear Bird."
"Who's 'Bird'?" Sarah asked looking at us and back to John B.
"That's what my dad called me." He said quietly as the recorder continued.
"I hate to say, "I told you so", but I told you so. And you doubted your old man. I suspect at this moment, you're filled with guilt and self-loathing over our last fight, but… don't kill yourself just yet kid. I didn't expect to find the Merchant either."
We all held our breath hearing the familiar man talk. I looked at each of the Pogues, each with their own expression of shock on their faces. Big John, as absent as he had been, when he was around, he was there for everyone with out question, very similar to John B and how he took us all in as his family.
"You were probably right to call me out. Wasn't exactly father of the decade." The recording continued and the voice on the recording sighed, "What can I say kid… I could smell the barn and hopefully… we are listenin' to this in our brand-new sugar-shack down in Costa Rica, livin' off passive investments and pulling on permits." I couldn't help but give a tearful laugh at the comment. Big John had always talked about owning a shack somewhere, investing in different things. Kie gave me a wet smile, John B was just staring at the recorder as if Big John was going to come out of it. "If not and you find this for… less than optimal reasons, well… that's what the map is for and the file. I didn't find the gold alone son, I had help, or rather I helped them.
I knew early on that trusting them would be out of the question. The thing about gold and money… it can bring out the worst in people and the greed." There was a click of something on the other end of the recorder that sounded eerily like the cocking of a gun. The tense hands on my shoulders confirmed my suspicion, JJ hearing the noise to. "I have the proof in the file, all of it. My notes on the merchant, where it was, the log of finding. It proves the gold is ours, and if I go missing… if something happens to me… be careful of Ward Cameron son." I instantly looked at Sarah who had tears spilling down her face at the confession. She put her hands to her mouth and Kie moved to wrap her arms around the back of her.
"I love you Bird, even I I didn't always act like it… I'll see you on the other side."
The tape finished with static, and John B shut it off. We sat quietly not sure what to say. John B got up from the table leaving us staring at one another. I grabbed JJ's hand still resting on my shoulder looking over my shoulder up at him. He was biting his lip looking out at his friend. Pope was going through the file that was with the package.
"It's all here. It's all here timelines, photos…"
"Pope…" I said but he was still going through the folder, lost in all the information.
"Hold up… just wait." Kie stated putting her hand on the folder in front of him. He looked up at her and then followed her line of sight to John B leaning on the banister on the back patio.
"Shit…" he mumbled standing up a bit straighter. Kie had moved the chair John B had been sitting at closer to Sarah, her arm over shoulder. Sarah had her head on Kie's shoulder her eyes closed, silent sobs escaping her lips. My heart broke for her and John B, clearing my throat, I stood up with a small wince. I didn't let it stop my momentum as I went out and stood beside John B holding on to him tightly. He sobbed louder and I leaned on his shoulder, my own tears streaming down my cheeks silently. A moment later JJ was beside me his arms around me and John B.