Kissing Coral's forehead JJ left her sleeping across one of the booth seats before heading to the restaurant door. Propping the back door open he listened to the sounds of the police sirens they'd been hearing all night long.
"Did you sleep?" Pope questioned as he made his way to where JJ stood.
"A little," JJ replied, "I was more worried about her," he said, glancing in at Coral.
"You know she's gonna have to leave with him?"
Biting the inside of his cheek, JJ just nodded, "She's not gonna go."
"She has to," Pope repeated, "We don't know what Ward is capable of, and if she's left here, she could get shipped off to God knows where courtesy of Ward, and then what? No one knows where she is. I mean his son just killed someone and he pinned it entirely on John B. It's plausible he could make her disappear too."
Opening her eyes, Coral stayed completely still as she listened to Pope and JJ talk. She knew Pope had a valid point, but she couldn't imagine leaving JJ behind.
Hearing another set of passing sirens JJ sighed, "John B could already be pinched. We don't know."
"No," Pope responded, shaking his head, "They wouldn't still be patrolling if they caught him."
"They could be looking for Coral now."
"I don't think so. If anything, they'd stop and make it known they have him to get her to come out of hiding," Pope reasoned out.
"You know, we were in that car. They're probably looking for us too," Kie said as she sat up and stretched.
"I'm sorry," Coral told them as she too sat up.
"Nothing to be sorry for," JJ told her.
"Well, if we're gonna be outlaws we may as well help John B," Pope decided before going to JJ's bag and snatching the key to his dirtbike.
"Where are you going?"
Giving Kie a brief look Pope turned his back on her before addressing JJ, "I'm gonna get gas for the boat. I'll meet you at the dock at 3. Don't be late."
"Pope, be careful," Kie pleaded as he simply rolled his eyes and walked out the door.
"What's up with him?" Coral questioned as Kie stood up with a huff.
"It's my fault," she said, storming out the door after Pope.
"Drama," JJ snickered as he and Coral followed them outside. Standing on the back deck they couldn't hear the argument Kie and Pope appeared to be having over Pope revving the dirtbike.
When he took off on the bike Kie turned around throwing her hands in the air, "I didn't mean to hurt his feelings!" she cried making her way back up the steps to where Coral and JJ stood.
Hearing a helicopter overhead the three looked up, "Who the hell is that?" JJ wondered seeing the large yellow SBI written on the side of the helicopter.
"Let's just get some food for John B and we still need to get the boat," Kie reminded them, pushing past them to head back inside.
"Everybody is fighting."
"It's what family does," JJ responded, wrapping Coral in a hug, "They'll be okay," he told her as they walked back into The Wreck.
Finding Kie in the kitchen already going through cabinets Coral asked if she wanted to talk about whatever happened with Pope.
Throwing cans into a box the curly haired girl rolled her eyes, "So, JJ tells you he loves you while high as a fucking kite. What would you think?"
"Ummm, I'm not sure I'm following," Coral replied, glancing at JJ.
"Pope! Pope got high and then tells me he loves me while we're standing in the middle of The Cameron's backyard last night!" Kie exclaimed.
"Oh, and you don't feel the same," Coral said, remembering the conversation with Kie and Sarah.
"I don't know," she replied, throwing bread into the box, "I mean he was high. He doesn't know what he was saying."
"Maybe he does, and he just needed a little help working up the courage to tell you," JJ suggested as Kie turned her glare on him.
"I blame you for even giving him the weed," she declared. Sighing, she looked at the box of food, "Do you think this is enough?"
"Yeah, this should be fine," Coral responded as JJ wisely kept his mouth shut.
Grabbing up JJ's backpack while he carried the box of food the three headed outside to the SUV. Lifting the back hatch, he placed the box inside as they heard a car pulling up. Pushing Coral to the passenger side JJ told her to get in while he and Kie went around the other side to see who had driven up. Slowly opening the back door Coral stayed low as she climbed inside listening to Anna arguing with Kie.
"Mom, he didn't do it," Kie argued as JJ got into the front passenger side and Kie got behind the wheel.
"No, Kiara, you can't go out there! These people aren't playing, they have guns," Anna pleaded with her daughter, "There's a storm coming in!" Wide eyed Anna caught a glimpse of Coral, "Coralina, they're saying your brother kidnapped you!"
Sliding forward Coral poked her head between the seats, "They're lying Miss Anna. They're lying about everything."
"Mom, we have to go," Kie said, putting the car in gear.
"Kiara, no!"
"I'm sorry!" Kie cried as she stepped on the gas leaving her mother yelling after them.
Silently Kie drove them out to JJ's house. Pulling up to his house, Kie turned the car off sitting in silence with the other two.
Sighing, JJ took a deep breath before reaching for the door glancing behind his seat when Coral opened her door too.
"No."
"You're not going alone."
"Coral, I swear to God. Stay here," he told her sternly. Pursing her lips she nodded, "Fine, but if you're not out in three minutes I'm coming in after you with a baseball bat," she warned him.
"Deal," he responded before leaving the girls in the car and heading inside his house. Watching him go, Coral felt her anxiety spike.
"He'll be fine," Kie whispered. Ignoring her, Coral steadily watched the house waiting for JJ.
After counting to 180 Coral jumped out of the car and headed towards the house ignoring Kie calling her name. Pushing the screen door open she moved cautiously through the kitchen towards the living room.
Turning the corner, she stifled down a scream when JJ stood directly in front of her, "Christ, JJ," she gasped.
"I told you to stay in the car," he responded, taking her hand and pulling her from the house.
"I gave you three minutes," she reminded him, "Did you find them?"
Holding up his hand with keys dangling from a chain he opened the backdoor before pushing her inside the car and climbing in with her, "Let's go," he told Kie.
Nodding, she started the car and headed for the boatyard.
"What happened?" Coral asked, watching his face intently.
"He was passed out. Took them right off him without him knowing," he answered with a slight shrug, "I don't want to talk about it," he whispered when she continued to watch him.
Sliding across the seat she wrapped him in a hug. Staying that way till Kie reached the boatyard. Hopping out of the car, JJ unlocked the garage and pulled the door up to reveal his father's old boat, The Phantom.
"There she be. Hey girl," JJ greeted the boat with a smile running his hand down the boat, "A 1983 Formula SR1, The Phantom. The first boat to make the run to Bermuda in under 16 hours," he told them proudly.
Exchanging a look with Kie, Coral smiled, "Did you want us to leave you two alone?" she asked, raising her eyebrow as JJ turned to glare at her.
"It looks kind of like a junker," Kie commented as JJ scoffed.
"Really, Kie, she's right there. You can't talk about her like that."
Snorting, Coral shook her head, "I just hope she runs."
"Oh, she'll run alright," JJ muttered going around the SUV to back it up to the boat hitch. After lining up the hitch to the trailer JJ came back around and began connecting the two together.
"Do you really think it's gonna get John B out of here?" Coral asked, looking at the boat again.
"She's faster than any of the cutters the boys in blue got," he answered, nodding.
Hearing a dirtbike approaching Kie smiled, "Pope's here. We may pull this off."
"Hey there. What's going on?" came the voice of Rafe Cameron as he strode into the garage.
"Woohoo," came another voice from the other side of the SUV as Barry came around the back, "Well, well," he said stepping over the trailer hitch as he aimed his gun at JJ, "Don't think I forgot about me and you on the side of the road. I'm here because I want my motherfuckin money!" he yelled, grabbing JJ around the neck and bringing him to the floor.
"JJ! JJ!" Coral screamed as Rafe picked her up around the waist and hauled her and Kie away from Barry and JJ, "Rafe, put me the fuck down!"
"Let go!" Kie cried, yanking on his arm.
"We don't want you two. You're gonna get yourselves hurt," Rafe told them, pushing them together and blocking their path to the two boys fighting on the floor.
"We know what you did!" Kie yelled.
"You murdered Peterkin and then you and your vile father framed my brother for it!" Coral cried, struggling to get past Rafe.
"I really wish you didn't say that," he growled, throwing Kie to the ground he grabbed Coral's shoulders and shook her, "You could've had a very different life, Coralina, but you chose this trash."
Kicking at him, she spit at him, "Fucking murderer," she hissed, crying out as he backhanded her. Hitting the floor, she lay there dazed after knocking her head against a workbench.
Pushing herself up she sat on the ground noticing Pope had joined the fight and was hitting Rafe while JJ had regained the upper hand with Barry.
"Coral, are you okay?" Kie was asking as she knelt on the floor next to her, "You're bleeding."
Blinking, she touched her cheek and then her forehead where she could feel the warm blood, "Pope's gonna kill him," she whispered.
"Shit!" Kie swore, scrambling up to go stop Pope.
"Babygirl?"
Reaching up for JJ's extended hand he helped her up before touching her face and bringing his bloody fingers away, "I'm gonna fucking kill him," he muttered, turning to where Kie was pulling Pope away from a bloody Rafe.
Glancing at Barry who was groaning on the ground, Coral grabbed JJ, "We need to go," she told him, pulling him towards the SUV.
Once all four were in the car, JJ drove them out to the dock to meet John B, "Where's my dirtbike now?" JJ questioned, looking at Pope in the passenger seat.
"Heyward's" the boy answered, "I took the gas to the dock already and then went to the boatyard looking for you guys."
"Thank God you did," Kie spoke up from the backseat where she was holding a napkin to Coral's forehead.
"Yeah, man, you almost killed the psycho," JJ remarked as Pope shrugged.
"I came around the corner to you and Barry, Coral on the ground bleeding, and Rafe choking Kie. I've had enough of these assholes. It's time we fight back."
"Amen to that," JJ replied.
As JJ and Pope worked to get the boat into the water Kie used the first aid kit from the boat to clean up Coral's head, "John B isn't even here yet," she remarked, "Do you think he got caught?"
Shrugging, Coral winced at the sting from the alcohol wipe, "I don't know, but we'll stay here all night in case he shows," she replied, as Kie finished playing nurse by putting a band-aid over her cut.
Standing, Coral thanked her before taking the first aid kit and jumping back into the boat with JJ who was storing the box of food, "You all good?" he asked, glancing at her as she put the kit away.
"Yep, is everything ready here?" she asked, watching Pope walk down the dock with two gas cans. Taking the gas cans JJ nodded, "We are now," he told her, storing the cans on the boat.
"Now all we need is John B," Pope stated.
"He'll be here," JJ said, plopping down on the captain's chair and guiding Coral to his lap.
Hearing thunder rumbling she looked up at the sky, "That doesn't sound ominous," she mumbled as he squeezed her tighter.
"I put some things in my bag for you," he whispered into her ear, pointing to his bag sitting on the seat next to them, "You have to go with him, Babygirl."
Pressing her lips together, she curled up into his lap pressing her face into his neck, "I know."
Holding her tighter they stayed that way till Kie eventually huffed stomping down the dock, "It's been almost an hour. I'm starting to get worried," she declared.
Hearing approaching sirens Coral jumped off JJ's lap as he too stood while Pope ran down the dock to where Kie stood. Seeing the Kildaire county police jeep coming around the corner JJ swore. Until John B emerged from the driver's seat.
"Dude, no effing way," Pope said.
"Umm, I'm sorry, what?" Kie questioned.
"You've gotta be kidding me," JJ said, rolling his eyes,
"Care to explain?"
Smiling at his sister, John B shrugged, "Shoupe let me take it for a spin," he answered, walking down the dock and hugging Kie.
"Yeah, that's believable," Coral retorted.
"Alright, well, we did it. The Phantom's ready. Plenty of food and gas," JJ said, throwing the keys to him as John B stepped from the dock onto the bow of the boat.
"Wait, wait, where's Sarah?" he asked, looking around.
"We haven't seen her since last night," Kie told him.
"We got separated in the swamp earlier. She said she'd meet me here," he told them, "I'm not leaving without her," he declared.
"John B, look at me. I know you feel bad for leaving, but there's no time. The whole of Kildaire is coming for you and for Coral. You guys need to go," JJ told him.
"You're not staying?"
Blinking up at her brother, she shook her head before turning and throwing herself at JJ, "I don't want to go. I don't want to leave you," she cried.
"It's only for a little while."
"Two months and we'll meet you in Mexico," Pope spoke up, looking at John B, "There's a storm coming in from the South so you've gotta head North. Once it makes landfall you should be able to skirt around it and then head South. Go for Dismal Swamp," he instructed, "Then cross the border at Brownsville."
"See, two months and I'll find you," JJ told her, pulling back and framing her face, "I'll always find you."
"I can't. I can't do this without you. On the water," she cried, shaking her head.
"Yes, you can," he told her sternly, reaching down and grabbing a life vest, "This will keep you safe," he said, placing it on the seat with his bag.
"Come with us!"
"I need to stay here. Make sure you guys get away. I promise you I'm gonna find you."
"You promised we wouldn't separate."
"I said unless we have too. We have too for right now. We'll stay here and work on clearing John B's name. You know those two can't do anything without me," he smirked, glancing at Kie and Pope.
Letting out a small laugh at the outraged squeak from Pope, Coral kissed JJ, "Two months," she whispered.
"And then we only have a year and a month," he responded, kissing her again before hugging John B and jumping back onto the dock with Kie and Pope.
"Alright, get out of here," Kie sniffled, wiping her face as tears fell.
"Yo, thank you guys. And I'm sorry for basically throwing us off a cliff with this whole treasure hunt thing," John B apologized to the three standing on the dock.
Snorting, JJ shrugged, "We were bound to run off a cliff at some point. At least we did it together," he said, putting his arms around both Kie and Pope, "Pogue style."
Nodding, John B jumped down from the bow to start the boat before looking up at his friends again, "Tell Sarah goodbye," he told them, tearing up.
"We will," Kie promised, "Now go."
"We'll see you in two months. Take care of my girl," JJ said as John B started the boat.
"Always," he promised as the three pushed the boat away from the dock.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Coral blew kisses, "I love you guys. JJ," she broke off choking on her tears.
"I know. I love you, Babygirl. Two months and then a year and a month!"
As John B steered the boat out into the channel, he told her to sit down, "The water's gonna get choppy."
Moving the life vest and JJ's bag off the seat she sat in the chair next to her brother before unzipping the bag to look through it, "When did he put my wallet in here?" she questioned, pulling it out and showing John B.
"Well, he was always a bit of a clepto," he answered.
Smiling, she continued rummaging through the bag finding a change of clothes that she had in her locker at The Wreck, two of his t-shirts, one of his long sleeve shirts, and her cell phone, that still had no service.
Pulling out his weed container she laughed, "Trust JJ to pack weed for our getaway."
Laughing, he shook his head, "Gotta be prepared for everything, right?"
"John B! John B!"
"Oh my God," Coral stood from her seat pointing, "It's Sarah."
"I see her," he responded, laughing as he steered the boat to the dock that Sarah was running down. Pulling up alongside of the dock Sarah jumped into the boat.
"What are you doing? I didn't think you were coming. You weren't' at the dock," he said, turning to look at her.
Shaking her head, Sarah smiled before running her hand down his face, "You were just gonna leave without saying goodbye?" Laughing, he cupped her face and kissed her, "Don't ever leave me again," she whispered.
Clearing her throat, Coral glanced up at the darkening sky, "As beautiful as this display of love is, we need to go," she stated, pointing up to the sky as thunder continued to rumble and flashes of lightning could be seen in the distance.
"We do," John B agreed, wrapping his arm around Sarah and using his free hand to move the boat back into the channel.
Keeping to the back waterways he made their way around the island coming around the point, "Shit," he swore.
Looking around him from where she sat by the stern Coral stood up, "Holy shit. It's like the entire sheriff's department," she said as the three of them stared across to the point. Several white tents illuminated by spotlights and police lights were set up like an army base camp.
"What if they see us?" Sarah questioned.
"We'll go dark. Let the tide pull us out," John B decided before powering down the boat.
Watching the chaos going up on the island Coral felt the boat drifting farther and farther away, "It's working."
"We're gonna make it," Sarah responded, taking Coral's hand and squeezing it.
"We just have to go North through the swamp and get around this storm," John B told them as the wind continued to kick up along with the thunder and lightning.
Nodding, Coral let go of Sarah's hand and went to sit back down stopping with a gasp, "JB! The lights!" Watching wide eyed as the lights on the island began to blaze through the darkness Coral realized the power had finally been restored to the island.
"Shit! The lighthouse!"
Horrified, the three watched as the lighthouse spun around casting light out onto them, "Get down!" John B told them as he tried to restart the boat. When the boat didn't turn over right away Sarah began to panic, "Why isn't it starting?"
"Check the engine!"
"What am I looking for?" Sarah questioned frantically leaning over the motor.
"Move," Coral demanded, hip bumping Sarah out of the way, "The choke," she told the girl as she leaned over the motor and squeezed the choke three times, "Try it now, JB!" she called over her shoulder.
"You got it back, Coral!" he yelled as the boat started.
"How?" Sarah asked, looking at her confused.
"You don't date JJ Maybank and not learn a thing or two about engines," she responded with a shrug.
"Sit down! Both of you sit down!" John B yelled, hitting the throttle he raced them out of the channel as police boats chased after them.
Gripping the seat next to John B and each other, the girls held on the best they could, "Shit!" Sarah exclaimed when more police boats joined the chase coming at them from the front, "They're coming from around The Cut."
"I know. Just hold on," John B said as he swiftly turned the boat to the left.
Sucking in her breath as it began to pour rain down on them Coral realized what he was doing, "Booker! You're heading right for the storm! We can't go South. Pope said,"
"I know what Pope said!" he yelled, cutting her off, "We have no choice! Get that fucking life vest on!"
Frantic Coral grabbed JJ's bag throwing it on her back before pulling the life vest over her head and buckling it, "Here," she said, pulling two more vests out and throwing one over Sarah's head as a large wave hit the boat causing the two girls to stumble into each other.
"Sit down!" John B yelled, pushing them both to the seat next to his.
"Get your vest on, Booker!" Coral exclaimed, shoving the vest at him. Struggling to control the boat he threw it over his head, "The straps Sarah!" Coral yelled as she struggled to buckle Sarah's straps with the rain hitting her in the face, "Do up John B," she told Sarah when she got the final buckle in place.
"We're not gonna make it, John B."
"Yes, we will."
Hearing the radio crackle Coral sucked in a breath as the voice of Ward Cameron came over the radio, "John B? John B, I know you're there, son. I know you can hear me, and if you love your sister and my daughter, like I think you do, then you will turn that boat around and come back. You are going into a storm that you cannot survive. John B, Coralina, please I will make it right. I promise you. Come back," he pleaded.
"No, don't listen to him!" Sarah cried, "He's a liar!"
"John B, I am begging you," Ward said over the radio, "Think of the girls and turn around."
Ducking as a wave came over the side Coral pushed her wet hair out of her face as her brother picked up the radio, "What are you gonna do?" she asked.
Swallowing, he looked at both Sarah and Coral, "Are you with me?"
Letting her tears mix with the ocean water and rain, Coral nodded, "Always," she answered.
"I am too," Sarah confirmed with a nod.
Pressing the button on the radio John B spoke to Ward, "Ward Cameron, do you hear me?"
"Yes, son, I'm right here. I'm right here. Please bring them back. We'll work it out when you get home."
"You killed our father, and you framed me for a murder I didn't commit. You took everything from us! But we're still here. And I swear to God, Ward, I will come back one day and take what belongs to my sister and me. So, you listen to me, all right? I'm comin for you!"
"And you say I'm a drama queen!" Coral yelled over the crashing waves around the boat. Laughing, John B hit the throttle harder, "Brace yourselves!" he yelled as they continued into the storm.
Water crashed over all sides of the boat as waves pounded the small boat. Struggling to see in front of them Coral sent up a silent prayer to her father when the boat went straight into a wave. Feeling her hands slipping from the railing she held onto she screamed as the boat went vertical in the air and capsized sending her into a world of darkness.
"Coral! Sarah! Coral! Sarah!"
Feeling water hit her face Coral gasped and then choked as the water went down her throat. Forcing her eyes open she realized the sun was shining as she floated on her back in her life vest. Hearing her brother calling again she rolled her head towards him, "John B! Booker!" she croaked out.
"Oh God, Coral!" he cried, swimming to her. Blinking, she attempted to focus on him as he ran his hands down her face, "You're bleeding. I think you hit your head."
"Feels like it," she whispered, "Where's Sarah?"
Bobbing in the water he turned his head towards the capsized boat yelling for Sarah.
"John B!"
"Sarah!" Pulling Coral with him he swam around to the other side of the boat where Sarah had a hold of one of the mooring lines from the boat, "You're okay. Everyone's okay," he said looking Sarah over as he helped Coral grab a hold of the rope.
She didn't know how long she bobbed in the water holding onto the rope in and out of consciousness before the yelling of John B and Sarah startled her. Turning slightly, she could see a freighter far off in the distance.
"They're not gonna hear you."
Pulling his vest off John B threw it up on the boat before yanking his bookbag off his back. Digging through it he pulled out the melted gold bars and held it up to the sun in the hopes that they'd see the sun glinting off of it.
"Look at you boy scout," Coral mumbled as the boat signaled back and blew its horn.
"They see us!" Sarah cried.
It took close to another hour of floating in the water with the sun beating down on them before the boat got close enough for them to swim to it. Coral was so exhausted that John B pretty much dragged her to the ladder, "Can you make it?" he asked as Sarah went up first.
"If it's the only way out of here, then yeah," she responded before removing her life vest and climbing the ladder with the last of her energy.
"Hey, hey, little lady. We got you," one of the crewmen told her, wrapping her in a blanket when she made it to the deck.
"Thank you," she whispered, clutching the blanket as John B came over the side.
"It's a good thing we came along," the captain said to John B, "Anybody I can call, let them know you all are okay?" he questioned.
"We don't really have anybody to call," he answered, clutching his own blanket as they followed the captain up to the wheelhouse.
"Well, where were you all trying to go?" he asked after settling Coral into the captain's chair and pulling out a first aid kit, "Ya, already had a knock to the head," he commented, "Looks like it opened up again."
"I had a band-aid. I lost it," she told him as he cleaned and bandaged her head again.
"Well, don't lose this one," he told her with a smile.
"Um, can you just drop us off at the next port?" Sarah asked, "It doesn't matter where."
"I'm heading to Nassau," he told them.
Lifting her head, Coral caught both John B and Sarah's gaze, "The Bahamas," Sarah said quietly.
"The gold," John B whispered.