≫ ──── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ──── ≪

''You know who you're gonna have to trust right now? Papa J. Okay? I got this. 100%.''

≫ ──── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ──── ≪

WE STOOD UNDER the sweltering heat of the airstrip, the sun pressing down so hard it felt like it was trying to melt us into the pavement. I glanced at John B, his brows knit together in a tight line of worry.

''I—I don't know about this,'' John B muttered.

''Bro, you're worrying way too much about this, okay?'' JJ countered. ''It's just farmers who brought organic seeds from South America that we are gonna unload.''

''Yeah, yeah, why don't you just call it what it is? It's a drug smuggling operation,'' John B retorted, crossing his arms.

''Do you wanna get your dad or not?'' JJ snapped back, his smirk fading for a moment.

John B's shoulders slumped, and his voice cracked slightly as he replied, ''Yes, I do! Okay? Look, this has to work out, all right? I doubted him, and I blamed him. And all this time, he was just trying to protect me. And now he's been abducted, so I kinda need a bit of a—''

''John B, no! Okay, listen, listen.'' JJ stepped closer, his hands gesturing wildly like he was trying to physically push John's doubt away. ''You know who you're gonna have to trust right now? Papa J. Okay? I got this. 100%.''

''Please don't call yourself Papa J,'' I whispered, unable to hold back a dry laugh. JJ shot me a mock glare, and I rolled my eyes in response.

John B sighed, rubbing his temples. ''I mean, 60% would be good, honestly.''

We walked towards the plane. The closer we got, the more surreal it felt. ''Holy shit, look at that thing,'' John B muttered.

''Yeah, dude, it's like an RV with wings,'' JJ remarked, shoving his hands into his pockets as if trying to appear nonchalant.

''Shit, they're already unloading,'' John B observed.

''Oh, shit,'' JJ hissed, his eyes darting to the workers. ''Yo!'' he called out, motioning for us to follow as he jogged towards them. ''We aren't late, are we?''

One of the men, Mike, turned to face us, his expression unreadable. ''No, there was a change of plan, though,'' he informed us.

JJ cocked his head, his smirk returning, though it looked forced. ''Oh, uh, okay.''

Mike held out a set of keys, dangling them in front of JJ. ''You three are gonna drive the truck up to Elizabeth City to make the drop. The address is in the truck. There'll be a dummy car for you to use to come back. The plane'll still be waiting.''

''Right. Okay, so, um... you just want us to drive the truck?'' JJ asked.

''Correct,'' Mike affirmed.

Before JJ could grab the keys, John B stepped forward. ''Actually, can I borrow him for one second?'' Without waiting for an answer, he dragged JJ and me a few steps away. ''Hey, hey, this is not what we talked about. This is way more dangerous.''

''It don't matter what you talked about,'' Mike interjected, having followed close enough to overhear. ''You're in for a penny, you're in for a pound. You do this, you get your ride.''

''Yeah, it's just that—'' JJ began, but Mike cut him off.

''If not, you know how this works, right?'' Mike's tone turned colder. ''Now, Highway Patrol is changing shifts as we speak. This is the window. Take it to the drop house on Prospect. Directions are in the truck. Any luck, we'll have you back before sundown. Come on. Take the key.''

JJ hesitated for only a second before plastering on a wide grin. ''Yeah, no problem.'' He grabbed the keys with a quick nod. ''Get in the truck,'' he instructed, heading towards the driver's side.

John B climbed into the passenger seat, his jaw clenched. I slid into the backseat, the vinyl seat sticking to my legs from the heat. JJ hopped into the driver's seat and cranked the ignition.

''You really think this is going to work?'' I asked, leaning forward slightly.

''Mavie, trust me,'' JJ replied, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. ''Piece of cake. Like I said, Papa J's got this.''

''I'm begging you, stop calling yourself that,'' I muttered, shaking my head. 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

JJ'S KNUCKLES WERE pale against the steering wheel as he leaned forward, his eyes darting between the road and the side mirror. John B, seated beside him, had his arms crossed tightly. I was crammed in the back, wedged uncomfortably between some loose gear.

''Do you have any idea what's in the back of this truck?'' John B demanded.

JJ didn't even flinch. His focus remained on the road as he responded, ''Yeah, John B, I know what's in the back of this truck right now. And it's gonna be fine. It's gonna work out. Okay?''

''I am sick of your bullshit plans, man,'' John B snapped, sitting up straighter in his seat. His eyes darted toward the road ahead before flicking back to JJ.

''Goddamn!'' JJ growled, slamming a hand on the steering wheel for emphasis.

''No, I'm just saying, this might actually top the time you told me to fake appendicitis in jail,'' John B countered, not backing down.

''And that almost worked!'' JJ shot back. ''Get the map out. I have no idea where I'm going.''

From my position in the back, I could see John B digging through the mess at his feet, finally yanking the crumpled map out and unfolding it with a loud rustle. ''All right, we need to get to 158, okay?'' he instructed, holding the map up for JJ.

JJ grabbed it with one hand, tearing it slightly in the process. ''This one, man. You just ripped it out,'' John B huffed.

''There it is,'' JJ muttered, his eyes darting back and forth between the road and the paper. ''It's gonna be a nice—''

''Cop.'' John B's voice dropped suddenly. ''JJ, JJ, there's a cop.''

My heart skipped a beat. I twisted around, craning my neck to catch a glimpse of the flashing lights in the distance. A cop was parked on the side of the road, talking to someone he'd pulled over.

''Shit,'' JJ hissed, quickly shoving the map down onto the dashboard.

''Okay, play it cool, right?'' John B urged.

''I am,'' JJ muttered, but the way he gripped the wheel betrayed his nerves.

''Play it cool,'' John B repeated, glancing toward JJ suspiciously.

JJ shot him an annoyed look. ''No, you're not cool,'' John B pressed.

JJ bristled, puffing up a little. ''I'm totally cool. I'm as cool as it gets, all right?'' He threw one hand off the wheel and gave a mock wave, like he was practicing. ''See? Cool.''

''What are you doing? Don't do that.''

''I'm just gonna wave,'' JJ insisted, his grin twitching nervously.

''JJ.'' John B warned.

''Hi, officer,'' JJ said cheerfully, leaning slightly out the window to give a wave as the cop glanced in our direction.

''What are you—I told you—'' John B lunged for JJ's arm, yanking it back toward the wheel. JJ swerved slightly, the tires hitting the edge of the road with a crunch of gravel.

''Why'd you touch me?!'' JJ barked, glaring at John B.

''Don't wave at cops! Rule number one of driving a U-Haul!'' John B shot back, his voice rising in. ''We've been in the car for five minutes!''

I couldn't help but chime in. ''You seriously thought waving at a cop was a good idea?''

''It's called being friendly,'' JJ retorted, throwing a quick glance over his shoulder at me. ''Not that you'd know anything about that, Mave.''

''Oh, sure,'' I quipped, rolling my eyes. ''Because nothing screams 'don't look at us' like a big, suspicious grin and waving like a psycho.''

JJ huffed, returning his focus to the road. Then his eyes caught something in the rearview mirror. ''He's getting in his cruiser,'' he announced, his voice dropping.

''Okay, okay. Just act very, very calm,'' John B said, practically vibrating with tension as he sat upright in his seat.

The wailing siren cut through the air like a blade, jolting my heart. I swallowed hard, gripping the edge of my seat.

''JJ, what possessed you to wave at him?'' I yelled, leaning forward. The adrenaline pumping through me was making it hard to think straight.

''Shit, he's coming! He's coming! Shit! Damn it!'' JJ bellowed. He glanced back at us. ''Guys, goblin mode, all right?''

John B threw up his hands, his jaw dropping in disbelief. ''Goblin mode? What's that even mean, JJ?''

''It means we gotta lose him, okay? That's what it means!'' JJ snapped, his voice rising as he yanked the wheel hard to the left. ''Hang on! I got this!''

''JJ!'' John B warned, but there wasn't much time to argue. The truck swerved violently into the trees, branches scraping against the sides as JJ pushed it as far as it would go.

Suddenly, he slammed the brakes and threw the gear into park. ''Get out! Go, go, go!'' he barked, kicking his door open and leaping out.

I scrambled out after him, my boots slipping slightly on the soft dirt as I hit the ground. ''I swear to God, if we get through this, I'm going to kill you!'' John B snarled as we took off running, the sound of sirens growing fainter behind us.

''Well, you probably won't have to, because Barracuda Mike is gonna kill us first,'' JJ called over his shoulder.

''Positive spirits as always, JJ!'' I shouted, my chest burning as we sprinted through the dense woods.

By the time we got back to the Twinkie, all of us were drenched in sweat, our breathing ragged from the long trek through the trees. I collapsed against the van, my hands on my knees as I tried to catch my breath.

''Our dad is somewhere in South America right now, probably with a knife to his throat, and what are we doing?'' John B's voice cut through the stillness. He gestured wildly as he paced. ''Moving weight? In goblin mode?''

JJ scoffed, leaning against the van. ''How many times are you gonna complain about me trying to help save your dad? I don't hear Mavis complaining about it.'' he shot back.

''Help? Help is the exact opposite of what you're doing right now! And she's not complaining because you never listen to her anyway!'' John B exclaimed, his hands flying up in exasperation.

I stepped forward, holding up a hand. ''JB, wait—''

John B ignored me. ''You know what? You're right,'' he snapped, glaring at JJ. ''You're absolutely right. But you know whose fault that is? You and your treasure-obsessed father.''

JJ's smirk disappeared in an instant. ''Oh, okay! That's where we're going?'' he shot back, his voice dropping dangerously.

''That's where we're going,'' John B nodded.

''Yeah?'' JJ shoved John B hard in the chest. ''And it looks like we just went there too!'' He shoved him again, his movements quick and aggressive.

''JJ!'' I yelled, stepping forward to intervene, but it was too late.

John B shoved him back, and before I could stop them, they were on the ground, wrestling and shouting.

''Guys, what the fuck?!'' I shouted, my voice cutting through their scuffling. But they ignored me, too caught up in their anger to care.

''Get off me! Get off me!'' JJ growled, pushing against John B's weight as they rolled in the dirt.

I threw up my hands in frustration. ''So what? We're gonna start killing each other now?! Is that the plan?!'' My voice echoed through the trees, louder than I intended.

The sound of a siren wailing once again froze us all in place. We turned our heads in unison, and my stomach dropped when I saw Sheriff Shoupe standing by his cruiser, arms crossed and an unimpressed look on his face.

''Well, shit,'' JJ muttered, his voice barely audible as he dusted himself off.

''You think?'' I snapped, shooting him a glare before turning my attention back to the sheriff. 

''Howdy, kids,'' Shoupe greeted.

John B straightened up, dusting dirt off his shirt as he tried to look casual. ''What's up, Shoupe?'' he responded, trying to play it cool.

''You kids okay?'' Shoupe asked, his eyes darting between the three of us, his gaze lingering a bit longer on me.

''Yeah, we're, uh, you know, just, um...'' John B stumbled, scratching the back of his neck. ''We're... we're good.''

Without a word, Shoupe crouched down and pulled something off the bottom of the Twinkie. He straightened, holding up a small device between his fingers. ''Tracker. Makes it a lot easier to keep an eye on you hoodlums.''

I clenched my fists, feeling my blood boil. Hoodlums? 

Before any of us could reply, the crackle of his radio filled the tense silence. ''All units, evidence team is en route to the abandoned U-Haul. Over,'' the voice reported.

''Copy that,'' Shoupe replied, casually clipping the tracker to his belt like he hadn't just invaded our privacy.

JJ stepped forward, his grin as forced as ever. ''Sounds like duty calls. So, uh, we wouldn't want to hold you up,'' he quipped, gesturing toward the cruiser like he couldn't wait for Shoupe to leave.

Shoupe, of course, didn't budge. ''Hold on a minute,'' he ordered. He adjusted his hat, looking directly at John B. ''We just found a U-Haul full of drugs out near 158. Y'all wouldn't happen to be involved in that, would you?''

JJ let out an incredulous laugh, throwing his arms up. ''You see that? That's profiling, guys.''

''I know,'' John B chimed in, nodding along.

''And I really don't appreciate it,'' JJ continued. ''Just 'cause we're Pogues, you think we're drug dealers? No, no! We're not that desperate now, Shoupe.''

Shoupe raised an unimpressed eyebrow. ''You've been too busy beating people up and breaking up parties,'' he remarked.

JJ opened his mouth to counter, but Shoupe cut him off with a wave of his hand. ''I hate to break it to you, kid, but I've got a warrant.''

''What? A warrant?'' John B questioned, stepping closer, his brows furrowing.

''Topper's pressing charges,'' Shoupe announced matter-of-factly.

''Hold up,'' JJ interrupted, his expression twisting in disbelief. ''For what?''

''No, he started it,'' John B argued, his voice rising.

''He did start it,'' JJ agreed, nodding vigorously.

''I'm just being honest with you, Shoupe,'' John B added, his tone pleading now. ''Honestly, what did I do?''

Shoupe's response was to gesture toward the van. ''Hands up against the van.''

''Shoupe, this time, I didn't even do anything, okay?'' John B insisted.

I stepped forward, determined to reason with the sheriff. ''Shoupe, I know he's been causing trouble lately, but this time it really wasn't his fault,'' I urged.

''Do you know what Topper did to John B?'' JJ chimed in.

Shoupe sighed, clearly losing patience. ''I don't know, but I know what your boy here did. He beat him in front of the whole town,'' he pointed out, pulling out his handcuffs. ''And kept beating him after he was down. Topper may be a douche, but you know better than that.''

''Yeah, which is—'' JJ started, but Shoupe silenced him with a sharp look.

''Shoupe! Come on,'' JJ pleaded, stepping closer. ''He was messing with John B's girl. You'd do the same.''

''I get it, okay? I get it. But I can't be locked up right now,'' John B interjected, trying to regain control of the situation.

Shoupe only shrugged as he opened the cruiser door. ''Well, you should've thought of that beforehand.''

''Come on, man. We're doing this again?'' John B groaned as he slid into the backseat. ''I don't have time for this.''

''He didn't do shit,'' JJ muttered, his hands curling into fists.

''JJ, please,'' Shoupe warned. He turned to me. ''You two stay safe and stay outta trouble,'' he said before climbing into the cruiser.

As the car started to pull away, JJ jogged up alongside the window. ''Hey, John B!'' he called out. ''Listen, we're gonna fix it. We're gonna get down to South America and save your dad. I promise. Okay?''

John B gave a small nod, his jaw clenched.

I stepped forward, my voice firm but soft as I called out, ''I'll get Big John back to you, alright?''

The cruiser's engine roared, and Shoupe gestured for us to back off. ''Back it up, kids. We gotta go.''

As the car disappeared down the dirt road, JJ turned ran a few steps after it. ''You hear me, JB? We're gonna figure this out. We're gonna save your dad!''

The sun had begun to dip low on the horizon, painting the sky in muted shades of orange and pink. Shoupe and John B drove away a few minutes ago. Me and JJ stood in silence.

JJ was pacing a few feet away from me, his hands raking through his messy blond hair like they had a mind of their own.

''Mavie,'' he started, his voice quieter than I'd expected. ''Look, I'm sorry, okay? I thought... I thought I was helping.''

I didn't answer right away. My chest was tight, every muscle in my body coiled as if bracing for impact. I took a few steps back from him, my sneakers scraping against the cracked asphalt. 

''I know you meant good, JJ,'' I finally replied, my voice trembling. ''But I seriously can't stand this shit anymore.''

He froze, his shoulders slumping as if my words had knocked the wind out of him. His hands dropped to his sides, his expression unreadable, but his blue eyes flickered with something.

''I don't have any family left, okay?'' My voice cracked on the words, but I pushed through. ''My mom's gone. My dad... left. And if John B's dad dies, we're left alone, JJ. You get that? Alone.''

I didn't realise I was crying until I felt the wetness streaking down my cheeks, the sobs clawing their way out of my throat. I turned away from him, wiping at my face furiously, but it was no use. The tears kept coming, unstoppable.

I heard JJ's boots scuff against the pavement as he stepped closer. He didn't say anything right away, just wrapped his arms around me in a sudden, firm embrace. 

''We'll figure it out,'' he murmured against my hair. ''I swear to you, Mavie. We'll save John B's dad. Correction, we'll save your future-to-be dad.''

A small, involuntary laugh broke through my sobs. ''Future-to-be dad? Seriously?'' I managed between shaky breaths.

He leaned back just enough to look at me, a lopsided grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. ''Yeah. I mean, isn't that what Big John's basically gonna be?''

I sniffled, wiping at my eyes with the sleeve of my hoodie. ''You're such an idiot, JJ.''

''And you love me for it,'' he teased, giving my shoulders a playful squeeze before letting go. His expression softened. ''You're not alone, Mave. You've got us. Always.''

I nodded, swallowing hard as I tried to pull myself together. ''Yeah. Okay.''

We stood there for a beat longer, the street stretching out around us, empty and quiet. Then JJ clapped his hands together, his usual energy creeping back in. ''Alright, come on. We've got shit to do.''

''Like what?'' I asked, tilting my head as I followed him toward the Twinkie.

He threw me a mischievous glance over his shoulder. ''Find the others, regroup, save the day. You know, the usual.''

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the faint smile tugging at my lips. Climbing into the van, I settled into my seat as JJ started the engine. The Twinkie