the distant flash of red and blue lights cut through the trees, accompanied by the sharp wail of a siren. ''That's a cop,'' JJ hissed, his voice dropping into panic mode. ''Go. Cop! Cop! Cop! Cop!''

The three of us dove into a ditch, flattening ourselves against the damp earth as the patrol car rolled past. I held my breath, my fingers digging into the grass.

When the lights finally disappeared, Kie let out a shaky laugh. ''That's what the decoy's for,'' JJ whispered.

''So, are we hitchhiking now?'' Kiara asked, raising an eyebrow at JJ.

''Not quite,'' he replied, springing to his feet. ''We missed Ward's plane, but I got another plan.'' He cupped his hands around his mouth, calling out into the night. ''Come on, man. Where you at, dude?''

The roar of an engine answered him, and headlights pierced through the darkness. A car skidded to a stop in front of us, its tires kicking up gravel. ''Here he comes,'' JJ said triumphantly, gesturing toward the driver. ''Dude, come on! Hurry up, man, come on!''

Kie squinted at the car. ''Who the hell is that?''

''Kie,'' JJ began, his grin widening, ''I want you to meet someone.''

Her eyes widened in recognition as the driver stepped out. ''Is that Barracuda Mike?''

''Yep,'' JJ replied, his tone smug.

Mike leaned against the car, his voice casual. ''Bus is waiting.''

''All aboard,'' JJ quipped, motioning for us to get in. ''Mike, Kiara. Kiara, Barracuda Mike.''

Mike tipped an imaginary hat. ''Hop on in there. Let me get the seat.''

Kie glanced at me, her eyebrows raised, before climbing in. ''Nice to meet you,'' she muttered to Mike.

''That bar's for safety,'' Mike joked, gesturing to the handle inside the door.

''Plane's ready, right?'' JJ asked, sliding into the back seat beside me.

''Plane's ready,'' Mike confirmed. ''It's been ready, dude.''

JJ let out a victorious whoop. ''Let's go! That's what I'm talking about!''

The car sped down the road. ''Direct flight to South America on Barracuda Airlines,'' JJ declared, throwing an arm over the seat. ''What more could you ask for?''

''Are you sure?'' Kie asked.

''You got somewhere else to be?'' I teased, smirking at her.

She grinned, shaking her head. ''Not anymore!''

''Next stop, El Dorado,'' JJ crowed, pounding his fist against the roof of the car. ''Let's go!''

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