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''I like the mad-dogging part,''

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KIARA SHOOK ME awake, her hands gripping my shoulders with urgency.

''Mavie, get up!'' she urged, her voice barely above a whisper but still loud enough to break through the haze of sleep. My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, everything was a blur—the golden rays of morning light peeking through the thick canopy above, the humid air pressing against my skin, and the distant sound of rustling leaves. Slowly, my surroundings came into focus.

Pope and Cleo were gone, and just beyond the clearing, I saw JJ walking off. My body felt heavy, but then I noticed something unusual. A plane, gliding through the sky.

''Hey! Hey, we're over here!'' John B's voice tore through the silence. He waved his arms frantically.

''Over here! Hey! We're right here!'' Kiara joined in, her voice high-pitched.

''Hey!'' I yelled, jumping to my feet despite my groggy state.

The others' shouts echoed mine as we tried to make ourselves seen.

''He sees us,'' Kiara breathed, her eyes wide as she tugged on my arm. ''Guys, he sees us!''

''He's gonna go to the pond. Come on, come on!'' John B hollered, already sprinting towards the water. The rest of us followed. 

When we arrived at the pond, the plane had already landed. The stairs unfolded with a metallic creak, and a man stepped out.

''Whoo!'' Pope's cheer broke through the moment, and I couldn't help but smile at his excitement. He and Cleo bounded up to the edge of the water like kids on Christmas morning.

''Hello, hello,'' John B greeted.

''Hey there,'' the man responded, his voice warm yet businesslike. He stepped fully out of the plane, his boots splashing slightly in the shallow water.

Pope turned to us with a grin so wide it could've split his face. ''Hey! We're getting out of here. We're finally getting out of here!''

''Well, what do we got here?'' the man asked, taking a moment to survey us. His eyes flicked from face to face, lingering briefly on each of us as if sizing up the group.

''Uh... you know, just some castaways,'' John B replied.

''Well, I'll cross that off the grocery list,'' the man quipped, a faint smirk playing on his lips. ''Hang on. I got just the thing for y'all. Just one second.'' He disappeared back into the plane, leaving us standing by the water, exchanging glances.

John B leaned closer to Sarah, his brow furrowing. ''Hey, no. Look at this guy. You think he works for your dad?''

Sarah's lips tightened as her gaze followed the man's movements.

A moment later, he emerged holding two items: a first aid kit and a bottle of rum. ''Two things you need on a deserted island,'' he announced with a grin. ''First aid and rum! Incoming!''

The bottle sailed through the air towards Sarah, who instinctively ducked, letting it splash into the water instead.

''Hey, here you go,'' he said, tossing the first aid kit towards Pope, who caught it with ease. ''So, what's the story? You guys sink a boat?''

''Jumped off one,'' John B answered, glancing at Sarah before adding, ''Her dad's.''

Sarah's glare could have burned a hole through him.

''In-laws, man,'' the guy chuckled. ''They're tough. Well, have no fear. Jimmy's here. I got you.''

''Well, all hail Jimmy, guys!'' Cleo exclaimed, her voice carrying over the water as she began to move towards the plane. ''Let's go.''

''Welcome aboard the Flying Fish,'' Jimmy said with a dramatic bow. ''I'm Jimmy Portis. I'll be your captain today.'' 

''Is this all? Seven of you?'' Jimmy asked, counting heads as we began climbing aboard.

''Uh, yeah. That too heavy?'' John B questioned, his voice tinged with worry.

Jimmy shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. ''Nah. Uh, technically, maybe, but I think old Fish here'll be okay. We could always throw somebody overboard, right?'' He laughed at his own joke, though none of us joined in.

''See you, island!'' Cleo called out as she settled into the plane's interior.

Pope clapped Jimmy on the shoulder. ''You're the dog, man.''

''Pleasure to have you,'' Jimmy replied with a nod, ushering the last of us aboard.

I lingered for a second, casting one last look at the island that had been our purgatory. The sun glinted off the water, the gentle waves rippling against the shore. It felt surreal to be leaving, I took a deep breath and stepped onto the plane.

I squeezed into the seat beside JJ, the cracked leather groaning under our weight. Across from us, John B and Sarah sat close, their heads nearly touching as they whispered. Pope, Cleo and Kie were in the row behind us.

''Yeah, just tuck on in. Let's, uh, get this shit going,'' Jimmy called, flashing a grin over his shoulder. His tone was casual, but something about his energy made my skin prickle.

The engine sputtered to life. JJ glanced at me, his blue eyes sharp, as if sensing the same unease. I shrugged, trying to shake the feeling off, and rested my hands on my lap.

''So, what were you doing all the way out here?'' JJ asked, leaning forward slightly.

Jimmy fiddled with the controls. ''Got a little guide outfit in Saint Vincent. I was spotting fish. You know, the usual. Wahoo.''

JJ and I exchanged a glance. His brow furrowed, and I knew we were both thinking the same thing. Something about Jimmy's story didn't add up. Wahoo? In September? In the Caribbean? I glanced at John B and saw him and Sarah catching on too. 

Jimmy adjusted his headset again. ''I'd hang on to something. Gets a little spicy on takeoff.''

The plane jolted forward, the roar of the engine swallowing up any chance for conversation. Cleo and Kiara shifted closer together, bracing themselves. JJ leaned toward me, lowering his voice so only us could hear.

''Wahoo don't run in September. Ever. All right? So whoever this guy is, he's not a fisherman.''

Pope overheard and leaned forward. ''Maybe the run just starts earlier out here.''

I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath. ''Pope, I seriously thought you were the smart one out here. We're in the Caribbean.''

Sarah leaned over her seat. ''No, I know what this is. He's working for my dad, and he's probably been looking for us the entire time.''

''All right, we gotta find out,'' JJ said, his voice dropping. He gestured toward the cockpit. ''Start looking for some sort of...'' His words trailed off as his eyes locked on Jimmy's satchel dangling from the back of his seat. ''Clues.''

He tapped John B's shoulder, a silent signal. John B nodded, leaning back casually to peer into the cockpit. ''Hey, Jimmy,'' he called out. ''How long you had this bird?''

''Oh, about ten years now,'' Jimmy replied.

''How long you been flying?'' John B pressed, keeping the conversation going as JJ reached for the satchel. He moved with practiced stealth, his fingers deftly rifling through the bag. My heart thudded in my chest as I watched him.

JJ's hand emerged, holding a weathered book titled The Loss of El Dorado. He opened it, revealing a postcard tucked between the pages. His eyes widened as he showed it to the group. Sarah snatched it from him, her breath catching as she recognized the image.

''The Coastal Venture. Oh, my God,'' she whispered. ''This is the boat we were on. With Eberhimi and the cross.''

''So he was looking for us,'' Cleo said, her voice hushed.

''Exactly,'' JJ affirmed.

Sarah's face tightened. ''He's working for my dad.''

The plane jolted suddenly, throwing us all off balance. Jimmy's voice crackled through the headset. ''Hey, y'all better hold onto something. We got some unexpected turbulence up here.''

Outside, the horizon shifted, the silhouette of land coming into view. ''Guys, whatever it is, it's happening fast. Look,'' Kiara said, nodding toward the window.

We all turned to see jagged rocks lining the shore, waves crashing against them.

''That looks like Barbados. I've been there with Terrance,'' Cleo explained.

''Okay, there's seven of us, one of him. You know my vote. We storm the cockpit,'' JJ whispered, his jaw set.

I shook my head, lowering my voice. ''So we can crash the plane? No thank you.''

''I've seen Pope fly simulators,'' JJ countered, his tone deadpan.

''I crop-dusted for my uncle last summer,'' Pope added defensively. ''This is not the same thing.''

''We don't have time to pretend that's a real option,'' Kiara interjected, her tone clipped. ''Do you have an idea?''

''Something safe,'' Kiara suggested.

Pope nodded, trying to steady his voice. ''Why don't we just wait until the plane lands somewhere safe, and then we sneak out? And if somebody comes to mess with us, we mad-dog them.''

''We have a high risk of dying if we attack the pilot and a high risk of getting caught and dying once we land,'' I stated bluntly, laying out the reality.

''I like the mad-dogging part,'' JJ muttered.

''Just put that back,'' Kiara hissed, gesturing to the items JJ still held. ''Be cool.''

JJ scrambled to return the book and postcard, signaling John B to keep Jimmy distracted. ''Hey, Jimmy, is that Burning Man? Right there?'' John B asked, pointing out the window.

Jimmy's head jerked toward the direction John B indicated. ''Yeah! That's Burning Man, all right. That was my first time.''

JJ shoved the items back into the bag, but the movement caught Jimmy's eye. His face twisted with anger as he turned, his hand snapping toward JJ. ''Hey, man! What the hell are you doing?''

Jimmy lunged at JJ, the plane jerking violently as his hands left the controls. ''That's mine!'' he shouted.

''Who are you really?'' JJ demanded, shoving back.

''Focus on the piloting part!'' I yelled, grabbing JJ and yanking him toward me, away from the flailing pilot.

''Fly the plane!'' Sarah screamed.

Pope's voice cracked with desperation. ''Please fly the plane. Please fly the plane.''

Kiara snatched the book from Jimmy and hurled it at his head. ''Now fly the plane!'' she barked.

Jimmy swore under his breath, scrambling to regain control. ''Come on. Come on, Fish. Come on, Fish,'' he muttered to himself, gripping the controls.

The plane lurched again, the nose dipping dangerously. We all stumbled, clutching onto whatever we could as the ground rushed up to meet us. 

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" JJ yells.

Everything happens too fast. The plane lurches forward, and we all scream as it crashes into the water. My head slams against the side, and for a second, I can't hear anything but ringing. Cold water rushes in, climbing higher, faster than I can think.

"Guys. Guys!" Kie's voice pulls me back.

"Is everybody good?" Pope asks, his voice trembling.

"Yeah..." Sarah answers weakly, her wide eyes darting around.

"We gotta get out of here," Pope urges, already unbuckling his seatbelt.

"Before it sinks," JJ snaps, shoving at the door.

I glance out the window just as John B mutters, "Oh no." His tone makes my stomach drop.

I follow his gaze. Men—too many of them—scramble over the rocks on the shore, weapons glinting in the sunlight.

"They don't look friendly," John B adds.

"No, they look very unfriendly," Pope agrees grimly.

"Go, go, go!" John B urges, holding the door open. Cleo doesn't hesitate, leaping out into the water, and Sarah follows close behind.

"We gotta get out. We gotta go now, come on!" JJ barks, his hand pressing against my back, trying to push me out.

I grab Pope's arm and shove him toward the door instead. "You first!"

"Go, Pope," John B agrees, and Pope doesn't argue this time. He jumps out, followed by JJ.

"Kie, Mavie, let's go!" John B calls, his voice laced with panic.

"We're coming! Go!" Kie snaps back, her voice sharp enough to convince him. He disappears out the door without hesitation.

"Kie! Mimi!" JJ's shout jolts me. "Get out before it sinks! Come on, go!"

I take a step toward the opening, but then I look back at Jimmy. He's slumped over, unconscious, water creeping up around his legs.

I freeze.

He was a bad person. Everyone knew that. He'd caused so much harm and worked for Ward. But if no one helped him, he'd drown right here.

My chest tightens. I've already killed one person. I wasn't going to let another life end because of me.

JJ's voice cuts through the roaring in my ears. "Mavie, what are you doing? Go!"

I swallow hard, guilt wrapping its claws around me. The others are safe—I know they are. And if I die trying to save someone else... well, maybe that's something I can live—or die—with.

Without thinking, I push Kiara off the plane and move toward Jimmy.

"Mavie, what the hell are you doing? Get out!"

I wasn't about to let someone else die because of me. Not again.

"Mavis! Come on!" Kiara shouted, her voice trembling as she halfway climbed inside the plane. She had one hand on the doorframe, the other reaching out to me.

My gaze darted back to Jimmy. ''He's gonna drown,'' I muttered.

JJ's head snapped towards me from the water, water dripping from his hair. ''Screw him, Mave! He tried to kill us! Let's go!''

''Go! I'll catch up!'' I shouted back, already moving toward Jimmy.

The water was ice-cold against my thighs as I waded to him. My hands trembled as I grabbed his arm, trying to haul him upright. He was heavier than I expected, dead weight as I struggled to pull him free from the seat. The water was rising fast, lapping at my waist now.

''Come on,'' I gritted through clenched teeth, giving one last desperate tug. His body shifted, slumping against me. I stumbled backward, nearly losing my footing.

''Mavis!'' Kiara's scream echoed.

"I'm fine, just go!" I yelled back, though my voice cracked. My arms burned as I dragged Jimmy toward the exit, the plane's interior tilting with the incoming water. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, but I didn't stop. I couldn't.

I swam as hard as I could, my arms burning with every stroke and Jimmy's weight dragging me down. He was unconscious most of the way, his head lolling back as I struggled to keep us both afloat. I wasn't even sure why I was doing this—for all I knew, Jimmy deserved every ounce of trouble coming his way.

Finally, my feet touched sand beneath the water, and I pushed forward with everything I had left. My legs felt like jelly when I stumbled onto the shore, coughing and gasping for air. A couple of strangers rushed over to help.

''Take him. Take him,'' I managed to say, gesturing toward Jimmy.

They didn't hesitate, each grabbing one of his arms and pulling him onto the sand. I collapsed beside him, the grains sticking to my wet skin as I struggled to catch my breath.

''Thank you,'' Jimmy rasped, his voice weak but still there.

I turned my head toward him, narrowing my eyes. ''Cut the shit and tell me who you are.''

Jimmy groaned, his hand clutching his side. ''Oh, God.''

Before I could press him further, the low hum of engines caught my attention. I whipped my head around and saw guys on ATVs, speeding over the dunes towards us.

''You must get out of here.''

My eyes darted around, searching for the others. No sign of JJ, John B, or anyone else. I hoped they'd listened to me and hidden. The last thing I needed was for them to be dragged into this mess.

I stood up, my legs shaking as I bolted. The sand slowed me down, but I didn't stop, weaving between two rusting ships until I found a small opening under a boat. I ducked inside, pressing my back against the cold, damp wood as I tried to steady my breathing.

The shouts and growls of the men filled the air, closer now. I stayed as still as possible, my heart hammering against my ribs.

A shadow passed over the barrels near my hiding spot. One of them leaned down, peering between the gaps. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a split second, we just stared at each other.

Adrenaline took over. I swung out with all the force I could muster, landing a solid hit to his jaw. He crumpled to the ground, clutching at his face, and I froze, staring down at him.

My hands started trembling as flashes of blood and screams filled my mind. The memory of that man on the ship, the way his body had gone still after I—

''She's over here!'' a voice shouted, snapping me back to reality.

I crawled out from under the boat. Before I could take more than a few steps, a pair of rough hands grabbed me from behind.

''Get off me, you ugly fucks!'' I spat, thrashing against their grip.

I twisted, kicking one of them square in the jaw. He stumbled back with a grunt, but another one grabbed my arm, wrenching it behind my back. I fought like hell, my nails digging into flesh and my feet kicking out in every direction.

A rag was shoved into my mouth, muffling my screams. The taste of oil and dirt made me gag as three of them pinned me down, their hands gripping around my arms and legs.

''Hold her still,'' one of them barked, his voice harsh and impatient.

I bucked against them, but it was no use. They tied my hands roughly, the rope biting into my wrists. Before I could even think about my next move, I was hoisted into the back of a pickup truck and thrown down like I weighed nothing.

I lay there, staring up at the sky, before sitting up and taking the rag out of my mouth.

The rough texture of the truck's bed scraped against my legs as I shifted uncomfortably. My wrists ached where the ropes dug into my skin, but I ignored it.

I glanced down at the rag I had pulled from my mouth earlier. It was crumpled in my lap, damp from where it had been tied too tight. My stomach churned—not from fear, but frustration. This was my fault. I'd let my guard down, and now I was stuck here. Now the Pouge have to come for me, and that was the last thing I wanted. They don't need more trouble.

The sound of boots crunching on gravel pulled me from my thoughts. Jimmy appeared, his face flushed and nervous as he hesitated by the truck.

''I saved your drowning ass,'' I blurted out, narrowing my eyes at him. He needed to understand how much he owed me. If I hadn't pulled him from the water, he wouldn't even be standing here.

Jimmy flinched slightly but nodded, his voice low. ''I know. I know. I'm sorry.'' His eyes darted around, checking for anyone watching. ''I'm gonna try to help you out, okay?''

I raised an eyebrow, sceptical but willing to hear him out. ''You better, because you're the only hope I've got,'' I muttered, leaning forward just enough to meet his gaze. I wasn't begging—never that—but I needed to make sure he understood. If he didn't follow through, there was no backup plan.

Jimmy's expression softened, almost like he regretted being part of this mess. ''I promise. Please, just take my advice—do what they say. Good luck.'' His words were rushed, his voice barely above a whisper as he stepped back. He didn't look at me again as he disappeared.

The truck's engine roared to life, rumbling beneath me as