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''Look, I just don't wanna spook Sarah with the peanut gallery, all right?''

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THE VAN CAME to a bumpy halt near the edge of the deserted lighthouse grounds. Outside, the sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving a murky twilight settling over the area.

''All right,'' John B announced, glancing back at us, the edges of his mouth curving into a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. ''Hit it, boys!''

JJ raised his eyebrows and chuckled. ''We're goin' on a recon mission,'' he added with a smirk.

John B turned back to him, shaking his head slightly. ''Yo, uh... so, uh, I think I'm gonna do this one by myself tonight.'' Kiara, sitting beside me, crossed her arms and shot him a look filled with suspicion.

''Really?'' JJ looked at him.

''What?'' John B asked, like he knew exactly what was coming.

''Nothin', brother.'' JJ took off his cap, scratching his head before looking down, clearly not thrilled by the idea of staying behind.

John B sighed, shrugging his shoulders. ''Look, I just don't wanna spook Sarah with the peanut gallery, all right?''

I shared a look with Kiara, her eyes narrowing, frustration radiating off of her. ''I just don't understand why we're involving her at all,'' she remarked.

''Kie, we're not involving her, okay? It's—It's just, uh, like a—'' John B fumbled, waving his hands as if trying to pull the right words out of the air, ''a business meeting.''

JJ's eyes lit up with mischief as he grabbed an imaginary drink, pretending to chug it with exaggerated gagging noises. Pope and I couldn't help but laugh, while Kiara just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

''Look,'' John B continued, trying to steer us back to his point, ''once we get what we need, we cut her loose, all right? Plus, we need the map.''

She looked John B dead in the eyes. ''Promise me nothing's happening between you.''

''Nothing is happening, Kie,'' John B replied.

''I'm being serious! This isn't about you, and it's not about us.'' Kiara's voice grew more intense. ''This is about her. Dude, she's gonna get inside your head. Just promise me nothing's happening between you guys.''

John B took a deep breath and nodded, looking back at her. ''I promise,'' he said, but the words came out a little too quickly, too mechanically.

JJ let out a dramatic sigh. ''That was really believable,''

Pope chimed in with a chuckle, adding, ''A hundred percent believable''

John B shot both of them an annoyed look. ''Anyway, I'm gonna take care of business,'' he said.

JJ flashed a grin, giving him a light-hearted salute. ''You're gonna take care of it so well,'' he teased. 

I could feel the heat inside the van growing. Pope wiped his forehead, looking around with a groan. ''I tell you, we just sit here... in the hot-ass car...''

''Yeah, yeah,'' John B muttered, barely paying attention as he hopped down off the Twinkie and started walking toward the lighthouse.

Pope muttered under his breath as he settled back into the seat, ''...while it's lightning, too. Great.''

A low rumble of thunder rolled across the horizon, punctuating the quiet. I watched as John B walked off into the distance.

The van felt claustrophobic as JJ told us about the run-in with Rafe and Kelce at the midsummers.

''Rafe and Kelce followed me...'' JJ paused, his eyes darting around, suddenly alert. ''Wait, do you guys hear that?'' he whispered.

''What?'' I asked, straining to hear over the crickets and the distant rumble of thunder.

''No, I don't hear anything,'' Kiara replied, glancing at us with raised eyebrows, like JJ had finally lost it.

Then, faintly—just barely above the sound of the wind—came a desperate voice.

''Please, somebody help!''

My stomach dropped. It was Sarah. I didn't have to think twice. JJ was already on his feet, his eyes wide with concern.

''Oh, wait, no, I hear that. Shit!'' Pope muttered and we all leapt into action. The doors of the van swung open with a squeal, and we bolted toward the source of the cry.

We didn't know what to expect, but we sure as hell weren't prepared for what we found.

John B. was on the ground, unconscious, his body sprawled awkwardly on the dirt, and Sarah was kneeling beside him, her hands trembling as she cradled his head. Her face was pale, streaked with tears, and she was shaking, her voice cracking as she sobbed.

''Sarah, what happened?'' Pope demanded, his eyes flickering between Sarah and John B. He dropped to his knees beside her, looking helpless.

''I don't know what to do. He needs help. Topper shoved him...'' Sarah's voice quivered, barely above a whisper, like she wasn't even sure of what she'd just witnessed.

''Where the hell is he?'' JJ growled, fists clenching at his sides.

I moved closer, kneeling beside Sarah. My hands shook as I gently brushed John B.'s hair back from his face, trying to assess the damage. I could feel the weight of his hand in mine, still warm, but his skin was pale, too pale. I squeezed his hand tighter, trying to make sure he was still with us.

''Oh, please, please, please get help. I don't care who. Just call someone!'' Sarah's voice cracked as she touched John B.'s face.

''Go. Go!'' JJ barked at Pope, who immediately took off, running as fast as he could. His sneakers kicked up dirt as he sprinted.

''Pope, hurry!'' Kiara shouted after him. She grabbed my shoulder as if to steady herself, but her eyes were wild.

I kept my gaze on John B., trying not to let the panic take over. I needed him to be okay.

''John B., please stay with me,'' Sarah whimpered. She was touching his face like she could will him back to life, her tears falling onto his skin. I knew she was worried about more than just his body; there was something about the way she looked at him, the way she held on to him, that made it clear she wasn't ready to lose him. John B's promise in the van was a lie.

''Pope, come on!'' I called, my voice trembling as I held John B.'s hand even tighter. I had to make sure he was still alive—still warm. 

Sarah's sobs filled the air around us. I couldn't afford to lose John B. now, not with everything we'd been through.

Everything felt like it was spiraling, but all I could do was hold on and pray that it wasn't too late.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

AFTER WHAT FELT like hours, we finally reached the hospital. Sarah was holding John B.'s hand tightly as they wheeled him in, her face pale, eyes still red from crying. I felt hollow, like everything around me was too loud, too bright, and too much.

A nurse told us we should go home, that it would take time to assess him, but her words felt like they were miles away. Sarah stayed behind with John B., insisting she wouldn't leave until she knew he was alright. JJ and Kiara left, promising to be back tommorow.

I stood by the entrance, my hands clenched, unwilling to move. Pope put a hand on my shoulder. ''Mave, come on. They'll let us know if anything changes. You've been up all night.''

I shook my head, not ready to leave. ''I can't. What if something happens?''

He sighed, looking down the sterile hallway, then back at me. ''You're not going to do him any favours by exhausting yourself. Just a few hours, okay?'' He pulled me gently toward the waiting area, glancing at me with a worried frown.

''I'm not leaving,'' I muttered, folding my arms and sitting down in one of the plastic chairs, as uncomfortable as it looked.

Pope just watched me for a moment, not pressing further. He disappeared down the hall, returning a few minutes later with a packet of Skittles. My favourite. He handed them to me silently, and I bit my lip.

''Thanks,'' I said, peeling open the packet, even though I didn't really feel like eating. 

''Come on, Mave. I called my dad. He's on his way to pick us up,'' Pope urged gently.

I looked at the Skittles in my hand, then back at Pope. He was trying, and I could see he was just as exhausted. Reluctantly, I nodded.

We stepped outside, and the cool night air washed over me like a balm. Mr. Heyward's car rolled up a few minutes later, and Pope helped me into the back seat, keeping a close eye on me like I might crumble any second.

I knew he was hurting too, but he just never lets it show. John B is our best friend and I can't believe Topper would do something like that. I know he tried to drown him, but that fall could seriously hurt him and possibly even kill him.

As we drove home, I stared out the window, my fingers still clutching the Skittles packet. All I could think about was John B. in that hospital bed, and the fear in Sarah's eyes as she'd pleaded with us to get help.

Pope's dad pulled up to my house, and Pope turned to look at me one last time. ''Get some rest, Mave,'' he encouraged softly. ''We'll go back first thing in the morning.''

I nodded, giving him a small, tired smile. ''Thanks, Pope. Really.''

''Anytime,'' he replied, giving me a reassuring nod. I opened the door, stepping out onto the driveway, and watched as their car disappeared down the street before heading inside, where the emptiness of the house greeted me, even heavier than before.

 I dropped my bag by the door and headed upstairs, thinking only about crashing into bed and trying to turn my brain off for a few hours.

But as I stepped into my room, I froze.

''Chase?''

There, curled up on my bed, was my dog, his ears perking up as he spotted me. His tail started thumping wildly against the covers, and before I could even react, he leapt off the bed and bounded toward me, his paws landing on my shoulders as his tongue slobbered across my cheek. I laughed, letting the surprise sink in as I hugged him back tightly, feeling his warmth, his soft fur, and the familiar smell of him that I thought I'd never have again.

''Chase! Where did you come from?'' I asked, still shocked, scratching behind his ears. He wagged his tail harder, nuzzling into me like he hadn't been gone a day. I felt this swell of relief so deep I could hardly breathe.

Then I noticed the window. It was wide open, letting the cool night breeze drift in. Frowning, I glanced between Chase and the window. ''Did you... Did you come back on your own?'' I asked softly, half-laughing at the idea. Maybe he'd somehow found his way home. I was too tired to think clearly right now.

I walked Chase downstairs to the kitchen, still processing that he was really here, and filled up his bowl with food. He dove in, eating hungrily. I knelt down beside him, running a hand over his back as he ate, just trying to wrap my head around it all. Watching him devour his food, I couldn't help but feel so grateful he was back.

Once he'd finally had his fill, Buddy curled up on his side near my feet, resting his head on his paws. I sat with him, stroking his fur in slow, steady movements until his eyes began to droop. Soon, his breathing evened out, and he was fast asleep, safe and sound at last.

I slipped away quietly and checked every lock in the house, making sure the doors and windows were all secure. After everything that had happened, I wasn't about to take any risks, not with Chase here. I went back to my room, still buzzing with relief.

On my phone, I searched up dog crates and containment options, scrolling through listings. If I had to leave the house again, I wanted to make sure Buddy wouldn't wander off. The last thing I wanted was to lose him again.

Finally, as my eyelids started feeling heavy, I put my phone down. Chase was still snoozing peacefully by my bed, his breathing soft and steady, his paws twitching every so often like he was chasing something in his dreams. I pulled the blankets up around me, listening to his familiar sounds.

words: 2003

A/N

spoiler alert: the dog did not come back on his own