''JJ, get the bowline,'' John B directed.
''Yeah, yeah,'' JJ replied, already reaching down to pull up the bowline.
''Should we wait on 'em?'' Pope asked, his tone hesitant, but the answer was obvious from the nervous glances we were all exchanging.
John B shook his head firmly, patting Pope's shoulder. ''No, we're not gonna wait on them. Go get the stern. Go!''
''Are you joking? JJ, hurry up!'' Kiara urged, glancing nervously at the boat. It was getting closer now, and from the way the men were steering, it was clear they weren't just out for a casual cruise.
My heart rate picked up, a surge of adrenaline kicking in as I looked at JJ. ''JJ, hurry up!'' I echoed, my voice sounding sharper than I'd intended. I threw a quick look over my shoulder, then back at JJ, who was still fumbling with the bowline. ''Guys, guys, don't wait for me. Go!'' he shouted, still pulling, trying to get the line free.
''Pull out the stern!'' Pope called out.
John B's frown deepened as he looked back at the men gaining on us. ''I don't like this.''
JJ glanced up, wide-eyed. ''Are they... coming for us?''
Pope shot him a half-hearted shrug. ''Maybe they're just fishing?''
I let out a dry laugh, my nerves showing through the sarcasm. ''Yeah, just like we were spiritually fishing when the police showed up?''
''Go, go, go!'' he urged, waving a hand toward the open marsh as the men's boat came closer.
''Into the marsh!'' Pope shouted as I felt John B lurch the boat forward.
''I'm going, I'm going! Act natural!'' John B gripped the wheel, steering sharply as he tried to keep a calm façade, but his knuckles were white as he gripped the controls.
Kiara glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes widening. ''Guys... they're definitely following us.''
John B muttered under his breath. ''This can't be good.''
''Dude, you've gotta go faster!'' JJ shouted, leaning toward him as he clutched onto the side of the boat for balance.
''I'm going!'' John B shouted back, pushing the throttle as far as it would go.
''Gun it!'' JJ yelled.
''I am!'' John B snapped, just as a gunshot sliced through the air.
We all ducked instinctively, except for John B. Adrenaline shoot through me like ice water as I hit the deck, my hands covering my head.
''Holy shit!'' Kiara's scream pierced the air as another gunshot whizzed past us.
''John B, get down!'' I shouted, lunging forward but the bullet sliced through the air above us. I didn't dare lift my head, feeling the weight of fear push me down.
''Oh my god, we're gonna die!'' Pope's voice came from beside me, panicked as he curled himself up tighter against the floor.
''Shit! Pope, move!'' Kiara yelled as she leapt up, ignoring John B's call to stay down. She rushed to the back of the boat, grabbing a fishing net with both hands and hurling it into the water with all her strength. Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she watched the net spin out into the water. Miraculously, it snagged onto the pursuing boat, slowing the men down as they struggled against it.
''Oh my god! Whoo!'' JJ laughed. I took a breath and turned toward Pope, who was still crouched low.
''You good?'' I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He looked up. ''Yeah... yeah... I think so.'' I helped him to his feet, feeling a small wave of relief as he managed a nod and a shaky grin.
''Booyeah! Pogue god, man!'' JJ's laughter echoed across the water, his arms lifted triumphantly.
Kiara chuckled, still catching her breath. ''That was insane!'' she said, glancing back at the tangled boat receding in the distance.
''Whoo!'' JJ let out again as he joined us by the railing.
The boat finally docked, and as we all climbed off. Pope reached a hand out, helping me onto the dock, and I nodded in thanks.
We gathered around as John B placed the bag on the dock's worn planks. Kiara leaned forward. ''What do you guys think it is?'' she asked, her eyes flicking over each of us.
''Gotta be money, right?'' John B responded, tilting his head as he looked at the bag.
JJ crouched beside him. ''That or a couple of keys with street value in the low-to mid-mils!'' He laughed, nudging John B playfully.
Pope rolled his eyes, looking down at them. ''Can we please just open the bag?'' His voice was serious, and we all fell silent, turning to him. It was rare for Pope to sound that impatient.
John B raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. ''Wow, Pope,'' he teased. ''A rare outburst of emotion!''
''Okay, you guys are literally killing me with anticipation. Open the bag,'' Pope said as he leaned closer to John B, who seemed to savour the moment, opening the bag with exaggerated slowness.
He peeled back the fabric and JJ's eyebrows shot up. ''Jeez,'' he murmured, leaning in.
Pope let out a small scoff of disbelief. ''We almost died over this.''
''That is true,'' I muttered, stepping closer to Pope and peering over his shoulder, wondering what on earth could be inside. My own curiosity was nearly unbearable as John B reached in, slowly pulling out a small canister. The metal gleamed under the dock's light as he twisted the top open, tilting it until something small and solid fell into his hand.
A compass.
JJ let out a heavy, disappointed sigh, his shoulders dropping. ''Oh wow. Yup. That's about right. Good job, everybody. We found a compass,'' he said sarcastically, leaning back and raising his arms in mock celebration.
Pope walked away from the group, letting out a heavy sigh of disappointment. I exchanged a look with him, sharing his disbelief. This was all we'd risked ourselves for?
John B, however, was staring at the compass as if he'd seen a ghost. He turned it over in his hands. His lips moved, almost soundlessly. ''Oh my god.''
JJ gave him an incredulous look, brow furrowed. ''What, dude? It's just a compass. It's not worth anything.''
John B glanced up. ''This is my dad's.''
words: 4194
A/N
I feel like the chapters are too long but idk...
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