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𝐑𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍

''JJ, please, they're not turning Pope into a humanoid.''

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AS SOON AS  daylight broke, Pope woke us all up. After tidying up the scattered tray of snacks from the night before, we piled back into the truck. The drive to Charleston was a quiet one.

Half an hour later, we crossed the bridge into Charleston. The morning sun shimmered on the water below, and JJ had his window rolled down, letting the salty breeze tousle his hair.

''Wonder where John B and Sarah are right now,'' JJ mused, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

None of us responded. The last we'd heard from them was the photo, and that felt like a lifetime ago. Anything could've happened since then.

Charleston itself was picture-perfect, but its charm only made my stomach churn. The pristine streets and polished houses screamed wealth and privilege, a stark contrast to the scrappy lives we lived back home.

''They're fancy people. They've had three governors in the family,'' Kiara explained as we neared our destination. ''They've run Charleston for, like, 300 years.''

JJ scoffed, leaning forward from the back seat to get a better view of the grand buildings. ''These Kooks make our Kooks look like Pogues.''

When we pulled up to the address, all eyes were drawn to the imposing mansion. ''You sure this is the place, Pope?'' I asked, staring at the towering gates and the perfectly manicured lawn beyond.

''Pretty sure,'' Pope answered, turning off the engine.

JJ wasted no time jumping out of the truck, and the rest of us followed suit. Standing in front of the tall, spiked fence, Kiara and JJ exchanged a look before JJ remarked, ''Talk about home security.''

''You think those spikes are to keep people out?'' Kiara asked.

''No,'' Pope said, his tone quieter as he gestured toward a smaller building near the main house. ''The slave quarters are over there. These spikes were to keep people in.''

The revelation sent a chill through me, but before I could dwell on it, Pope stepped up to the door and grabbed the heavy ring knocker. The echo that followed his three sharp knocks seemed to reverberate through the entire house.

He glanced back at us nervously. ''You think that was too much?''

JJ smirked. ''It definitely got their attention.''

A few moments passed, and the silence stretched uncomfortably. ''Maybe nobody's home,'' Kiara suggested. ''They did expect you last night, Pope.''

I rolled my eyes, frustration bubbling up. ''Yeah, because high school kids are supposed to make an eight-hour drive on time? Sure.''

Pope hesitated for a beat before raising the knocker again. He managed two more knocks before the door creaked open, and he stumbled back to join our line.

A man stepped into view, his sharp gaze sweeping over each of us before landing on Pope. His lips curved into a faint smirk. ''You must be Pope.''

''Uh...'' Pope stammered, shifting awkwardly under the man's scrutiny. ''Are you Mr. Limbrey?''

''Ms. Limbrey was expecting you yesterday,'' the man replied curtly.

Pope blinked rapidly, fumbling for an explanation. ''Oh. I'm... sorry. My car broke down on the way up here.''

JJ stepped in smoothly. ''Carburetor blew up in the middle of Nowheresville. Real pain, man. Sorry about that.''

The man didn't seem convinced—or amused. Tilting his head slightly, he added, ''Yeah, she was real upset when you didn't show up.''

Kiara chimed in. ''We tried to call, but there wasn't a number on the invitation. We got here as fast as we could.''

Ignoring her completely, the man kept his eyes locked on Pope. ''She also expected you to come alone.''

Pope started to explain, ''I mean, these are my friends. They helped me find the Royal Merchant, too, so I—''

''The instructions were explicit,'' the man interrupted coldly. ''Your friends can stay outside.''

''We're not letting him go in there alone,'' Kiara interjected firmly, stepping closer to Pope.

''Yeah, we're kind of a package deal, man,'' JJ added, his stance unwavering.

Pope turned to us. ''Guys, it's fine. I got this. I'll be okay.''

Kiara hesitated but eventually nodded, looping her arm through mine as we stepped back. ''We'll be right here,'' she reassured him.

JJ gave Pope a quick pat on the shoulder. ''Keep the car running.''

''Yep,'' I added, though my stomach twisted with unease as we watched Pope step through the threshold and disappear inside.

I shuffled my feet against the cracked cobblestone path, glancing at Kiara, who stood with her arms crossed tightly. JJ leaned against the fence, his fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on the metal bars as he kept his eyes on Pope's retreating back.

''You think he's actually gonna be okay in there?'' I murmured.

''Not really,'' JJ admitted with a wry grin.

''Thanks, you always know how to cheer me up.'' I replied rolling my eyes.

''Yeah no problem, Diva.''

JJ's fingers drummed rhythmically on the steering wheel as he kept the engine running, just like Pope had instructed him to. Beside me, Kiara shifted in her seat, her eyes glued to the front of the house as though willing something to happen.

I glanced at Kiara, who broke the silence.

''Look, if Limbrey is legit, then Ward gets arrested, and maybe Sarah gets the gold,'' she reasoned, though her words sounded more like she was trying to convince herself than us.

I turned my gaze back to the house, just as the front door creaked open. A woman, who I assumed was Mrs. Limbrey, stepped out, followed by Pope and another man. The stranger's hand gripped Pope's shoulder firmly as he guided him into the yard.

''Does that look voluntary to you?'' Kiara asked.

JJ leaned forward, his gaze narrowing. ''That would be a negative,'' he muttered, shaking his head.

The knot in my stomach tightened as I reached for the door handle, ready to jump out of the truck. Before I could, Kiara's hand shot out, grabbing my arm. ''Hang on, just wait. They're going into the alley.''

I nodded reluctantly, settling back in my seat as she turned to JJ.

''Go around the back,'' she instructed.

''Yeah. We'll meet them on the other side,'' JJ replied.

The truck lurched forward, JJ steering us carefully around the block. The tires crunched on the gravel as we scanned the fences, all too high for us to see over. JJ leaned forward, squinting through the windshield. ''What if they went underground?'' he suggested. ''You know, like in C.H.U.D., when they take people into the sewers and—''

''JJ, please,'' I mumbled, cutting him off before he could spiral into his conspiracy theories. ''They're not turning Pope into humanoids.''

''You don't know that,'' he began, but Kiara interjected sharply.

''Just shut up, both of you. Do either of you see him?''

We all scanned the area, our eyes darting between gates and alleyways. I shook my head, my heart sinking further with each passing second. We drove on, the silence punctuated only by the sound of the tires against the pavement.

''Slow down,'' Kiara urged suddenly, leaning forward. ''Do you guys hear that?''

JJ eased off the gas, and we listened intently. Faint shouting and the sound of scuffling reached our ears, unmistakable now. My pulse quickened.

''Is that Pope?'' Kiara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

JJ's jaw tightened. ''Only one way to find out,'' he muttered, parking the truck and leaping out.

Kiara and I exchanged a quick look before scrambling out after him. The adrenaline coursing through me blurred everything else as we sprinted down the street. JJ found a gate further down and pushed it open, motioning for us to follow.

Inside Pope was locked in a fierce struggle with the man from earlier, both of them grappling on the ground.

''Oh my god, Pope!'' I exclaimed, my chest tightening at the sight.

JJ acted quickly, kicking a taser lying nearby in our direction. Kiara snatched it up, shouting, ''Come on!'' as she motioned for us to help.

I ran to Pope, who was struggling to catch his breath, while JJ yanked him to his feet. ''We need to go. Now!'' JJ urged.

Without a second thought, we bolted toward the cement fence. I jumped, my hands gripping the rough surface as I hauled myself over. Kiara, Pope and JJ followed, all of us hitting the ground on the other side.

We piled into Heyward's truck, JJ slamming the door shut as he twisted the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life, and he floored the gas pedal. ''We're getting out of here,'' he announced.

''Who were those people?'' Kiara asked, her voice high-pitched and trembling.

Pope, visibly shaken, spoke up. ''Not now, okay? Let's just get far away, and I'll explain everything later.''

The truck swerved sharply as JJ pulled onto the main road. ''Here we go!'' he shouted.

''They're following us!'' Kiara yelled, looking out the rear window.

''I see them,'' JJ replied, pressing harder on the accelerator.

The tires screeched as he took another turn, the four of us sliding against one another. My shoulder slammed into the door, and I let out a pained grunt, but there was no time to dwell on it. The truck's engine sputtered ominously, smoke beginning to pour from under the hood.

''I thought you said he fixed it!'' JJ shouted, his frustration boiling over.

''He did!'' Pope shot back defensively.

''Well, he messed it up!'' I snapped, throwing my hands up.

With no other choice, we abandoned the truck and took off running. ''Go, go, go!'' JJ shouted, and we sprinted down the alleyway, the narrow walls making every footstep echo like thunder.

''We have to split up!'' Kiara suggested breathlessly.

''No way!'' I protested, my legs burning with every stride.

We rounded another corner, narrowly avoiding a collision with a delivery man. Parcels flew everywhere, but we didn't stop to help.

Bursting out onto the next street, we skidded to a halt, narrowly avoiding a motorised taxi bike. My heart nearly stopped as my eyes locked with the rider.

''John B? Sarah?'' I whispered.

I ran forward and threw my arms around John B. My grip was tight, and I buried my face against his shoulder for just a moment, letting the relief wash over me. He was alive. We both were.

''John B,'' I breathed.

He barely had time to react, but his arms circled me briefly before he pulled back. ''Mavie, we gotta go! Come on!'' His hand closed around my wrist as he turned and led me back toward the cart, where Sarah was already climbing in. ''All of you, get in! Get in!'' he ordered.

I scrambled in beside Sarah, who was bracing herself against the side, her breath coming fast. John B jumped onto the bike, frantically pedaling. ''Come on, come on,'' I muttered, glancing over my shoulder at the men chasing us. They were getting closer, and my chest tightened with panic.

JJ and Pope didn't wait to be told—they jumped off and moved to the back of the cart, throwing their weight into pushing it forward. ''Push! Push! Push!'' JJ shouted, his voice ragged as he leaned into the effort.

''Pedal faster, John B!'' Sarah pleaded, gripping the side of the cart, her knuckles white.

''What do you think I'm trying to do?'' John B snapped, his voice strained as he fought to keep us moving.

Suddenly, I heard a thud and turned to see Pope stumble, his foot catching in the uneven dirt. He went down hard but managed to roll onto his knees and he tried to get up. ''Pope, get up! Let's go!'' John B hollered.

I didn't even think. The second I saw Pope stumble, I rushed forward, grabbing his arm and yanking him up with all the strength I could muster. My breath hitched as I pulled him onto the cart just in time, my fingers gripping tightly before letting go.

''You good?'' I asked, trying to catch my breath as I looked him over. He nodded quickly, his chest heaving. ''Yeah—thanks,'' he panted, squeezing my arm before we both turned our attention back to the chaos behind us.

The man chasing us made a wild grab for the back of the cart, his fingers grazing the edge. But his momentum betrayed him, and he tumbled hard into the dirt, rolling as we sped away. ''See you later, asshole,'' JJ called out.

''See you later, alligator!'' Pope chimed in.

''Suck my dick!'' JJ added, throwing up a victorious hand gesture as the cart finally surged forward with enough speed to outpace the rest of the pursuers.

''Blowin' you a big kiss!'' I called over my shoulder, unable to resist. 

''Whoo!'' Sarah cheered as we turned the last corner, the beach coming into view. 

My focus locked on the boat ahead. John B and Sarah were the first to reach it, working together to shove it back into the water. ''Get in!'' John B barked, glancing over his shoulder to make sure we weren't followed.

JJ and Pope were right behind me, the three of us grabbing onto the sides and helping push the boat until it floated free. ''Move, move, move!'' I yelled, hopping in and pulling JJ up after me.

''Everyone in?'' Sarah asked, looking around as John B started the engine.

''Yeah, yeah, go!'' JJ shouted, collapsing onto one of the seats beside me. His chest heaved as he leaned back, flashing me a grin. ''Admit it, Mave, that was pretty badass.''

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my lips. ''Just another day with you guys,'' I replied, shaking my head as the boat picked up speed.

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