The waves are getting higher and higher. Crashing down into white foam. The normally crystal-clear calming sea now is a whirlwind of dark blue nightmares. It's a storm that no one could possibly sail through. A storm that John B and Sarah try to sail through. And it looks, maybe just for a moment, that they might make it. Afterall, John B is one of the best people in Outer Banks. Someone who deserves to be lucky for once in his life.
The waves may be getting higher, but the Phantom is the illusion of a much stronger ship that could survive any storm in the world. Luke Maybank's prized possession. It's the best hope they've got to get through the arm of water, crashing around them. It looks like they're going to make it. They keep getting further and further out until they can no longer see the land where people are praying to the gods to keep them safe. They are safe. They've made it.
It's only then that a tsunami of waves come crashing towards the Phantom. John B and Sarah cannot do anything other than stand and watch the incoming waves. The waves are now monsters attacking the boat. The Phantom begins to live up to the meaning of its name- a figment of imagination of something greater than it is. The monsters are vicious, not holding back even when the Phantom is rocking back and forth, threatening to capsize. But it doesn't. The Phantom stays strong even though the people sailing it are no longer stood with such confidence.
One more attack from the colossus monsters knock them. John B and Sarah cannot stand straight anymore. They fall, knocking their heads on the side of the boat whilst they fall deep into the water. Blood trickles behind their bodies, making the water around them form a sea of red.
They sink deeper and deeper.
Until they can no longer keep their eyes open.
...
Kiara wakes up from another restless night. She is breathing heavily, trying to continuously remind herself that it's just a dream. But they are still gone. It takes Kiara a moment to realise where she is. She looks around and realises that she must have fallen asleep. And then she feels a warm presence pressing down on her leg. She almost jumps but then remembers the night before. Finding a puppy underneath the porch steps is not what she had thought she would find when she came to the chateau. But here she is, looking down at the small boy.
She looks down at the pup that looks a lot smaller than he had when she had found him. His cut is still weeping but it looks like it probably will scar over in a couple of days. He's still fast asleep, probably just a heavy sleeper like Kiara is. His little snores are the only sound highlighting the emptiness of the chateau.
There is no collar around his neck indicating that he probably is a stray, longing to find a home. Kiara wonders if the shelters will be open later in the day. Maybe she could go and give him to the shelter so he could find a home. The only issue is that Outer Banks is filled with snobs. Kooks are the only people in Outer Banks to go and buy a dog and Kiara knows that no Kook will choose a damaged puppy. And besides...
She can't leave him.
Her parents will go ballistic, she knows this. She imagines taking the puppy home with her and trying to convince her parents to take him in, to save him. Her mom would definitely say something along the lines of 'that dog will make a mess', 'he is from the cut! He's probably feral.' Kiara's dad would agree, just like he always does.
Kiara remembers the first time that her parents met the Pogues. Anna especially was horrified. She kept looking them up and down and hiccupping out her words. It never made sense to Kiara, as her dad was from the cut. Anna learned to love him so why couldn't she have an open mind about Kiara's friends from the cut? Mike kept asking them questions and checking that they weren't going to force her into anything that Kiara didn't want to do. Kiara remembers rolling her eyes because she has always been able to control her boys. As soon as the boys had left, Kiara overheard Anna and Mike speaking about how this was all 'just a phase', 'Kiara will learn.' Boy were they wrong. A small, scruffy puppy would probably be treated just like her Pogue boys if she takes him home.
But she can't leave him in the storm. It's at this moment that Kiara knows that she will have to force her parents into agreement with her. She needs to save her puppy even if it's the last thing that she does. She needs to save someone and this puppy deserves to be saves. This puppy cannot be swallowed up in a storm. He cannot be overcome by the same monsters that have already fucked up Kiara's entire life.
Tears threaten to break Kiara's calm persona as she looks down at the fragile puppy she is now dedicated to protect. Her tears cause her to hiccup back the emotions, causing the sleeping puppy to wake up and look at her. He has sad eyes, looking like he has gone through hell already in such a short life. She cries even harder, wondering what could have caused the gash on his head. Maybe someone did own this puppy. Maybe the owner was a fucked-up person in which took pleasure in seeing an innocent soul suffer. Maybe his owner kept hurting him over and over again, now the puppy can only see the pain from the world. "It's just you and me now, pup." Kiara whimpers out, brushing away her tears.
No more pain.
...
The bedroom door for John B's room has been closed ever since he disappeared. It doesn't feel right to go into the room of someone who had such a massive impact to her life. With the door remaining shut, Kiara can go on pretending that everything's fine in the chateau. His door being closed makes the chateau look just like it used to when Sarah had spent the night at the chateau. This makes Kiara laugh. She can easily go on pretending that John B is not really gone if that door remains shut.
That's why Kiara finds herself heading into the other bedroom, across the hall from John B's empty room. Kiara has been visiting the chateau occasionally but hadn't been in this room since the night they disappeared. The night that JJ was there for Kiara in ways that she didn't know she needed. The room is exactly how they left it. scruffy and heaped. The sheets are thrown haphazardly on the bed, probably in the same position they ended up in when Kiara awkwardly ran out of the chateau to avoid the decision that they agreed on making. She doesn't regret it though. They needed each other even if it was just for one night. It was just two best friends engaging in sex to grieve their best friend. Nothing more.
Now, Kiara is shaking off the memories of that night to focus on her current situation. She needs to get ready for the day before heading back home to convince her parents to let the puppy stay. She doesn't really know what she will do if they say no, but she knows that she will not leave his side. She quickly grabs a faded blue t-shirt from inside the wardrobe and slides it over her head. Her parents are going to freak with her wearing the Pogue's clothes but she has no other option. She's use to the judging looks that come from parents whenever the Pogues are mentioned.
She looks at herself in the mirror. She looks a mess but it's the best she can do. She decides to keep on the shorts from the previous day, knowing that none of the boys' shorts will fit properly. Her hair is in knots and doesn't look like it has been brushed in weeks but she doesn't care. Her appearance is not the situation at hand. So, she just brushes her hand through her hair and begins to make her way back to the door of the bedroom.
"Fuck." A voice comes from the living area of the chateau. Kiara freezes. What if someone is here to rob the place? Then they see a fragile girl in yesterday's clothes and want to take everything from her? It won't be good. She stands still to try and listen out if the stranger says anything more. There is just the sound of shuffling echoing into the bedroom. It sounds like it is getting closer and Kiara doesn't know what to do.
She thinks about jumping for the window but then remembers that Big John had painted them all shut. She's stuck in the room, knowing that the person is getting closer and closer. Kiara looks down to a pile of clothes to see the puppy chewing on a thrown away sweater.
Now would be a perfect time to become a guard dog.
But the puppy keeps playing with the sweater, not really noticing the danger that they could be in. His tail is wagging back and forth and it's the first time Kiara has seen him presumably happy. It almost makes her smile before she remembers what is happening in the chateau. She shakes off her fear to remember that she is Kiara Carrera, she cannot be afraid of the shadows that move in the dark. She can take care of herself after all. She moves back to the frame of the door to peak out and see if the stranger is still in the room. No one is there.
This confuses her. Maybe she is just hearing things again. Or maybe she is still stuck in her never-ending nightmares. But even in her nightmares, someone is usually there to end the night in screams of terror. Kiara shuffles slightly before walking into the corridor. This time, the puppy doesn't follow her as he is still contempt with the strings on the sweater.
Definitely not going to be a guard dog.
She walks towards the kitchen before hearing a sound come from the bathroom. No. Kiara definitely isn't hearing things this time. The door begins to open and Kiara wonders if she should just attack and ask questions later. But she doesn't have to wonder this for long as the person looks to the floor and walks into the corridor. His blond hair reflects the dim light coming from the windows. It's the same blond hair she has grown up seeing. He is still not looking up but Kiara knows that this isn't an attacker. It's JJ.
Where has he been the last four months? Why hasn't he said anything to anyone? Why is he all of a sudden here, in the chateau on a day of a storm? The questions don't matter to Kiara because he's here. He hasn't fallen off of the edge of the earth. He is still here.
Frozen, Kiara watches him. Kiara remains scared that if she speaks, she will just make him run again. He's gripping his head, eyes glued to the floor. Kiara wants him to look up. Kiara wants him to see her to see that she hasn't left either. They're both still here, frozen in time with the memories of the Pogues surrounding them. JJ shuffles slightly and Kiara lets out a breath that she didn't realise she was holding. The shuffling is slow and limp but he keeps his eyes down, almost like he is scared at looking at the walls around him. Kiara can't blame him. The chateau has pictures after pictures of memories of the Pogues, Big John, John B... memories of better times.
He keeps shuffling until he lets go of his forehead. It looks like it happens in slow motion to Kiara as she watches a drop of blood fall to the ground. She should say something. She should see where the blood is coming from. See how damaged he is this time. But she can't. She's still frozen to the spot, unable to even breathe normally.
Another droplet of blood hits the floor of the chateau and it is too much for the both of them. Kiara watches as JJ tries to step forward only to nearly fall over. Kiara rushes forward like some shitty spell has been broken given her the chance to move again to move and catch JJ before he hits the floor. The sudden touch shocks JJ as he stands straight, holding onto the wall. He stutters backwards until his back is plastered onto John B's bedroom door. He finally looks up to Kiara where Kiara can finally see the injuries surrounding him.
His sea foamed eyes are overshadowed by scurries of dark bruises and cuts. A particularly large cuts is on his forehead which makes Kiara gasp. It only gets worse when Kiara looks down to JJ's neck to see hand prints imprinted into his skin. The bruises are all faded into one, hiding the fact that some of the bruises may be old. She steps closer to JJ, wary of her movements. He's so weak that she knows he won't be able to walk alone. Kiara carefully grabs his arm and motions them to move into the bedroom to sit on the side of the bed.
"JJ..." Kiara pleads. But JJ is quick to cut her off.
"Relax, Kie."
"JJ what the hell?"
"I'm fine, Kie." He squeaks out, trying to hide the pain behind his voice. But Kiara hears it. Kiara moves her hand closer to the gash on JJ's forehead. He is quick to move away but Kiara remains determined. "Just let me help you, JJ." He presents a subtle nod and looks down the entire time that Kiara assesses his injuries. Kiara cringes at the fact that JJ doesn't react. It's almost like he is so used to the pain that nothing affects him a anymore. "Why are you here?" He whimpers out.
"I should be asking you the same question" She doesn't mean it to come out harsh but it does. "Where the hell have you been?" He doesn't say anything but motions to his injuries. It becomes obvious to Kiara. He's been going home. "Why?" Kiara needs to know.
"Why?" JJ begins to get angry and swipes her hand away from his cuts. "He's my dad, Kie. I need to go home sometime. And I couldn't come here or... or anywhere else without feeling fucking useless all over again." Kiara can see the tears forming in his eyes which is rare. Kiara has only ever seen JJ cry once. And it was for the same fucking reason.
"We're all hurting right now JJ. But you can't just go home and get a beating to avoid hurting." Kiara starts. "We need each other. We need to protect each other."
"Why do you fucking care about protecting me?"
"Because you're my best friend!"
The volume of their voices causes the puppy to skip to Kiara, making jJ jump at the sight. Kiara looks down at the small creature who is now looking up to her with pleading eyes. She reaches down to the soft ears of the puppy. "I can't lose you too." JJ is still sat straight, watching the puppy with confused eyes weary of what his actions may be. "You got a dog?" JJ asks, giving up on his confusion.
"No." He looks at Kiara, the confusion not disappearing him any time soon. "He was under the porch when I got here. He doesn't have a collar."
Kiara goes on to tell JJ the whole story of the puppy all whilst he keeps looking down at the puppy, trying to take in the information. "I'm going to look after him." Kiara finishes her story.
"You can't save everyone Kie."
"I'm not trying to." Kiara takes a deep breath. "But it doesn't mean that I'm going to let a puppy back into the cut with no place to call home."
"No one from the cut has a home. He'll be fine."
"JJ. I can't leave him." Kiara is getting angry. Of course, she is going to keep the puppy. Everyone deserves a chance at life and this puppy hasn't had a chance yet. Kiara would give him a chance. "I'm not leaving him." The puppy begins to whimper when Kiara looks down at him. He's using his paws to reach up to his head and mess around with the still healing cut. JJ is watching him too. "I'll just go then." JJ stands up and begins to limp to the door. Kiara stands up after him. "You don't need to leave."
"You were here first, Kie. I don't want things to be awkward so I'll leave."
"And what?" Kiara reaches for JJ's arm. "You go home to him again and take another beating?"
"Stop it Kie."
"No JJ. I won't stop. Stop going back to him! Stop letting him hurt you over and over again." Tears are spitting out of her eyes all whilst JJ tries to ignore her. "You don't deserve it, JJ."
"Maybe I do." Kiara shakes her head. This has always been JJ. JJ has always found an excuse to why he deserves to why his dad hits him. There is always a reason to why he should be bruised or a reason why he deserves nearly being beaten to death. "You don't deserve it." Kiara repeats. She knows how hard it is to break down JJ, but today she is determined.
"You can't save me, Kie." JJ manages to get out between the tears.
"No. But forcing you to stay away from your dad is a step in the right direction."
"Kie..."
"Please, JJ"
...
JJ knows that if he goes home, Luke Maybank may take a real swing at him again. The cut on his head was from a knife to the face after JJ stupidly asked his dad if he needed any help with the motor he was working on. It was stupid sure. But it was JJ's fault. JJ knows that his dad doesn't need any help. JJ shouldn't have tried to help him. After the strike, JJ decided to get out of the house that he has been in for four months straight even though the storm was getting wild. He didn't want to bother anyone so he went to the place that JJ knows has a first aid box and no occupants- the chateau. He hadn't expected running into Kiara Carrera again.
He didn't plan to ignore everyone. But as soon as JJ went home, Luke wouldn't let him leave again. If JJ tried to leave, Luke would give him a new bruise. So, he stopped fighting it. But the bruises kept coming. The beatings kept coming. JJ kept telling himself that he deserved it all. He should be feeling the pain after what he kept putting everyone else through.
JJ sits on the pull-out, waiting for Kiara to return. His gash is still bleeding and Kiara decided that it needed more than just a wipe over. Whilst Kiara was gone, JJ thought about running out of the chateau to avoid hurting her. He keeps ruining everything and he doesn't want to drag Kiara down with him. The thing that stops him is the brown and white puppy that is sat next to him on the pull-out. He smiles slightly at the sight of a similar gash on the puppy's head. It almost mirrors his own gash. This puppy is just as damaged as he is.
The puppy must catch JJ's smile because he is moving closer to JJ. JJ loses his smile and looks down at the fragile creature worried that if the puppy gets too close, JJ will hurt him. But the puppy moves until he is leaning against JJ's perched hand on the pull-out. It's comforting. JJ lifts his hand and puts it on the coat of the puppy. Soft fur brushes up against his harsh palms. The contrast is soothing. "Who cut you up?" JJ asks and waits for a moment to see if the puppy replies. Of course, the puppy doesn't reply. But JJ can't stop thinking about how cool it would be if JJ was the reason for the first ever puppy to talk. They could do shows. The puppy gives off the biggest of yawns that JJ mirrors. "You're safe here. You can sleep." Talking to a puppy makes JJ so calm that he doesn't sense Kiara coming through the door.
"He sleeps all day." Kiara speaks, breaking JJ's attention from the dog. "I kind of like it."
"What did you name him?"
"I haven't." The puppy loses interest in JJ and waddles around the pull-out. Kiara sits next to JJ. She hesitates but then moves a piece of material up to JJ's cut. It stings him but he forces himself to keep a straight face. Keeping a straight face is a skill of his. JJ looks at her, catching her eyes with his in the process. He quickly looks away and clears his throat. JJ steals the cloth away from Kiara, continuing trying to heal himself. "Are we seriously still going to be awkward?" Kiara whispers.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Us, JJ. Are we still going to be awkward?" Honestly, JJ doesn't know. He doesn't want it to be as he doesn't regret sleeping with her. She is his best friend and they helped each other at the time of need. That's all it was. "We can pretend like nothing happened?" Kiara continues.
"Then, nothing happened." It makes Kiara smile. JJ forces out a smile and nods at her. This is the right decision. It is obvious that they both miss each other and need each other.
It goes quiet again, with Kiara tending to JJ's cut and the puppy waddling around the pull-out. But for once, there is no feeling of something heavy in the air. Everything feels eerily normal. JJ even fakes a sting of pain when Kiara leans her hand on a bruise on his cheek. She playfully rolls her eyes, knowing that he's lying. It felt nice to be able to joke again whilst JJ laughs back at Kiara. "You're so annoying." Kiara jokes.
"And you've only just realised that?"
"Oh, no. It's something I've always known Maybank."
"And yet, you're still here Carrera."
"Yeah. Only to remind you that you're annoying." They're both laughing loudly with a puppy jumping around their laps and for the first time that day, the chateau is filled with a sense of normalcy. They'll be fine. Because they're JJ and Kiara. They annoy each other to hell but always come back for more. They heal each other at the sense of pain, asking for nothing in return.
Everything is going to be alright.