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''Y'all might have given up, but I'm not done fighting. So, Shoupe, you want me? You're gonna have to come get me.''

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WE WERE SEATED in a rough circle inside the house, freshly showered. The room smelled faintly of soap and the lingering aroma of the dinner we'd managed to scrape together earlier.

Pope was leaning forward, elbows on his knees, as he spoke. ''It's a catacomb. There were skulls everywhere.'' 

''Jesus,'' Kiara murmured, pulling her knees to her chest. 

''The weirdest part,'' Pope continued, ''was that other people were down there, looking for the same thing we were.''

Cleo nodded from her spot on the floor, crossing her arms. ''It wasn't just anybody, either. It was the guy who killed Terrance.''

''And rats,'' Pope added, scrunching his nose in disgust. ''So many rats.''

''I hate that I missed that,'' Kiara replied, though her tone betrayed that she was far from envious.

Pope let out a bitter laugh. ''Yeah, not fun.''

John B, leaning casually against the couch, turned his attention to JJ, who was leaning against the open doorframe, staring out into the darkness. ''Where did you ghost off to, big guy?'' he asked.

It took JJ a moment to respond. He finally turned around, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. ''Oh, uh, just trying to help out the team. Quick cash grab, you know. But the plan fell through because it was Barracuda Mike.''

''Of course it was Barracuda Mike,'' John B remarked dryly, shaking his head. ''I'm not even surprised that didn't work out.''

''Hey, at least I tried,'' JJ retorted with a defensive shrug.

John B's focus shifted. ''Listen, I'm sorry about the rat stuff and everything,'' he began, only for Sarah to shoot him a pointed glare.

''But,'' he continued, undeterred, ''we've got that bullshit zoning hearing coming up tonight, and we don't have money for a lawyer.''

''Obviously,'' Kiara chimed in, rolling her eyes.

''Ideas are welcome,'' John B said, his tone almost pleading.

Pope leaned back, crossing his arms. ''Oh, sure, let me just study up on real estate law in one day, I'll just—''

John B cut him off. ''Sounds like a lot of sarcasm we don't really need right now, Pope.''

''Sorry,'' Pope muttered, raising his hands slightly. ''I was just rat swarmed, so.''

''What if we call people?'' John B suggested. ''The whole island's pissed about what they're doing. We rally them, pack the house. Maybe we've got a shot at winning this thing.''

''More the merrier,'' JJ agreed. ''I could get the surf squad from the beach.''

''Just make sure you come back,'' John B warned.

JJ held up his hands in mock surrender. ''I'll stay on mission. Promise.''

Cleo looked to Pope. ''Maybe you can call some of your family? Your Uncle Roger?''

Pope nodded thoughtfully. ''I can do that.''

The conversation shifted when Kiara suddenly pulled something from her pocket. ''Speaking of family,'' she began. ''This is gonna sound insane, but Rafe came by.''

Sarah straightened, her brows furrowing. ''What? Why?''

Kiara handed a business card to Sarah, shrugging. ''He said he wanted to help us.''

''And,'' she added with a raised brow, ''he also asked about Mavis. Like, ten times.''

All eyes turned to me. I blinked, caught off guard. ''Why?'' I asked, my voice laced with confusion.

Kiara smirked faintly, reaching for something on the counter. ''Said he was worried about your wound and told me to give you this.'' She held out a bar of white chocolate.

JJ crossed his arms stepping closer to me. ''And how the hell does he know you like white chocolate?''

I frowned, grabbing the bar from Kiara. ''Your guess is as good as mine.''

''Wow,'' Cleo drawled.

''Don't shoot the messenger,'' Kiara quipped, raising her hands in defence.

''Rafe loves to help, doesn't he?'' John B remarked sarcastically.

Sarah turned the card over in her hands, reading it aloud. ''Rafe Cameron, CEO.'' She raised an eyebrow. ''CEO of what?''

Kiara shrugged. ''Whatever. I'll hit him up. Maybe he can help us.''

''All right,'' John B said. ''Let's do this shit. Let's save Poguelandia.''

John B reached over and grabbed the chocolate from my hands. ''Also, Mavie, maybe don't eat that,'' he added.

I looked at him, incredulous. ''Why the hell not? I'm starving.''

''Because it could be laced, duh,'' he replied, tearing the wrapper open and taking a bite himself.

I shook my head in disbelief. ''You're an asshole.''

He grinned, his mouth full of chocolate. ''If it was poisoned, I took the hit for you, right?''

I rolled my eyes. ''Unbelievable.''

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

THE HUMID NIGHT air buzzed with tension as people milled around the town hall. It seemed like the entire island had turned out for the zoning hearing, a mix of Pogues, Kooks, and everyone in between. 

Ahead, Kie spotted her parents and straightened slightly. ''I'm gonna go say hey to my parents,'' she mentioned, glancing over her shoulder at us.

''Okay,'' Sarah replied, nodding in acknowledgment as Kie slipped away. 

JJ and I walked closer to the steps of the town hall, but our progress slowed when our eyes landed on Mike, who stood near the entrance, his gaze locked on JJ. The weight of his stare was hard to miss.

''Babe, just leave it,'' Anna urged, tugging at his arm. ''Come on. Let's go inside.''

JJ raised a hand to his forehead and gave a mocking salute. I jabbed him lightly in the side with my elbow. ''Don't,'' I warned under my breath, shaking my head.

''What?'' JJ asked, feigning innocence. ''That guy's a jerk.''

I didn't argue. Instead, I rolled my eyes and tugged JJ further inside. ''Let's just keep moving.''

Not far from us, Sarah was engaging with Topper. ''Hey, Top, can I talk to you for a second?'' she asked.

Before he could respond, his mother cut in sharply. ''Oh, no, honey. My son has nothing to say to you.'' 

Ruthie, who was lingering nearby, smirked. ''Good luck sticking it to the man,'' she quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she walked past.

As we made our way through the crowd, I noticed Ashley Brown standing near Kelce, her bright smile and easy posture immediately catching my attention. When she spotted me, her expression lit up, and she approached with Kelce trailing reluctantly behind.

''Mavis!'' Ashley greeted, pulling me into a quick hug. ''Congrats on the whole... gold thing. That's insane!'' Her excitement felt genuine, as always, but there was something wistful in her tone. ''I tried to reach out, but, well, you know, your house got sold, and... yeah.'' She gestured vaguely.

''I'm live with the Pogues now,'' I replied, my voice steady. ''It's been... an adjustment.'' I glanced at Kelce, who exhaled loudly, earning a sharp elbow jab from Ashley.

''Rafe asked about you,'' Ashley mentioned casually, as if it was just another piece of small talk.

I blinked, caught off guard. ''Okay, if Rafe wants something from me, he can come and ask me himself. I'm getting tired of all these messengers.''

Ashley raised her hands in surrender. ''Got it. Sorry. I'll let him know if I see him.''

As I turned to leave, I heard Kelce mutter under his breath, ''Rafe's blind if he thinks she's the one for him.''

I scoffed, not bothering to look back, and moved to stand beside JJ, whose hand instinctively brushed my elbow in a gesture of reassurance. His blue eyes flicked down at me, catching the frustration in my expression. ''You good?'' he asked quietly.

''Peachy,'' I replied

The mayor's voice cut through the hum of the room, bringing the crowd to attention. ''Before we move on with the rest of our agenda, I want to remind everyone to maintain civility and decorum throughout these proceedings. We're one island. Why don't we all try to act like it? Any disruption will warrant expulsion and potential charges. Understood?''

Pope shot JJ a knowing look, one eyebrow raised as if to say, ''You better behave.'' JJ, oblivious or intentionally ignoring the cue, began carving ''P4L'' into the back of the bench in front of us with his pocketknife.

''Without further ado,'' the mayor continued, ''we'll go on to the reports of our council members, starting with Council Member Lawrence.''

The councilman cleared his throat and began, ''Agenda 8A, ordinance 31, zoning for property located at the end of Roger's Point Road.'' He droned on, his words blurring together until one phrase jolted us back into focus: ''We have a resolution from the town of Pelican expressing support for the rezoning...''

Pope's head whipped around. ''Wait. Did he just say they already have a resolution?''

Kiara leaned forward, her brows knitting together. ''How are they already voting?'' she whispered.

Lawrence continued, ''...allocating the amount of $60,000 to begin transitioning said property...''

''I bet you wish we had a lawyer now,'' Pope murmured bitterly.

''No,'' JJ whispered back. ''I wish I had a fish bat.''

The council shifted gears. ''We're scheduled to hear from some members of the community, beginning with a representative from the occupants of the Roger's Point property, which used to be the Maybank property.''

Kiara turned to the group. ''Anybody feeling brave?''

JJ shot to his feet. ''I am. I got this.''

Before he could step away, John B reached out and pulled him back down. ''No. Sit down, okay?''

I reinforced the sentiment. ''Not you. Just stay put.''

JJ sank back into his seat, throwing his hands up. ''Not me, then. All right.''

The group exchanged glances, searching for a willing volunteer. ''So who?'' Sarah asked.

''Pope,'' Kiara suggested.

''No way,'' Pope protested immediately. ''I hate public speaking.''

Their eyes fell on me. Before anyone could say anything, JJ jumped in defensively. ''She's got bad social anxiety. No.''

The collective gaze shifted to John B. ''John B,'' Kiara prompted, Cleo nodding in agreement.

''You got it,'' Pope added.

''Me?'' John B asked, incredulous.

''Do you see another John B around?'' Sarah quipped.

With a resigned sigh, John B rose, holding up his hand. The room erupted in cheers, the Pogues and their allies whooping and clapping enthusiastically.

''John Booker Routledge,'' the mayor announced.

John B strode up to the podium, the cheers following him. ''All right! Go, John B!'' someone shouted.

''Preach it, brother J!'' came another.

I couldn't help but smile, my heart swelling with pride. ''Go get 'em!'' 

''Please state your name for the record,'' the mayor requested.

John B nodded once, gripping the edges of the podium. ''I am John Booker Routledge.''

''Damn right,'' JJ hollered. The Pogues erupted into cheers despite the stares of disapproval from the Kooks.

John B cleared his throat, his voice faltering slightly before finding its rhythm. ''Look, I—I'm— I'm... I'm not a lawyer, by any standard, but honestly, this doesn't make any sense. I mean, we bought the property at auction, and we have a fully functioning business and have had for some time.'' His voice grew steadier and stronger, as he continued. ''And... and now you have a motion for rezoning on our property?''

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd, Pogues nodding and murmuring in support. .

''And if it passes, we lose our business,'' John B pushed on, his voice climbing with emotion. ''And we lose our home.''

''Because of some bullshit!'' JJ hollered again, jumping to his feet. His outburst was met with cheers and claps from the Pogues.

''The fix is in!'' another voice called out.

The mayor banged his gavel. ''There will be order in this room. Take your seats.''

Mike, standing a few rows back, barked out, ''Sit down, let him speak, and shut the hell up!'' His sharp tone sliced through the noise, and the room quieted. Even JJ slumped back into his seat, albeit with a muttered grumble.

The mayor gestured for John B to continue. ''Mr. Routledge, you can proceed.''

John B took a steadying breath, glancing back at Sarah and me before returning his focus to the crowd. ''As most of you know, my partner Sarah, my sister Mavis, and I, we lost our fathers last year. All we're trying to do is rebuild a home.'' He paused, letting his words settle. Cheers erupted again, louder this time, and I felt my throat tighten at the raw truth in his voice.

''That's it,'' he continued. ''Sir, with all due respect, we're not looking for a handout. We just want to keep our home, all right? And we don't want to get it taken from us for some stupid club. I mean, how... how is that legal? How is that legal?!'' His voice cracked with frustration as the crowd roared again.

Dale Zeasy stood abruptly, waving his hand toward the mayor. ''Excuse me. Mayor? Mayor?''

The mayor banged his gavel again. ''Order!'' He pointed to Dale. ''Yes, Mr. Zeasy?''

''May I speak?'' Dale asked.

''Absolutely,'' the mayor nodded.

Dale stepped forward, adjusting his suit jacket as though this were some kind of business presentation rather than a heated debate over people's livelihoods. ''Thank you, Mayor,'' he began.

''There seems to be a misunderstanding,'' Dale continued. ''And I think I can clarify.''

''Oh, my God,'' JJ muttered beside me, rolling his eyes so hard it was a wonder he didn't tip over.

The mayor turned back to John B. ''Mr. Routledge, you have the floor. Are you willing to let Mr. Zeasy speak?''

John B nodded reluctantly, stepping to the side. ''If you can explain it a little better, Dale.''

Dale gestured toward the podium. ''Thank you, son. You can stand right there.'' He didn't even bother to hide the condescension in his tone, which made my stomach churn.

''What the current occupants of the land don't seem to understand is that there is an injunction to invalidate the most recent sale.''

Confused murmurs spread through the room like wildfire.

''What does he mean 'invalidate'?'' Sarah whispered, leaning closer to me and I shook my head confused.

Dale pressed on. ''There was a pre-existing promissory note from the original owner that was in the process of being finalized when the land auction took place. The bank wasn't legally allowed to go to auction.''

''Bullshit,'' JJ muttered under his breath, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of the bench.

Dale held up a folder, tapping it for emphasis. ''We have a promissory note right here from the original owner, signed before the auction, and finalized by Judge Holden.'' He gestured toward the back of the room, where Fletcher's grandfather sat. The Kooks clapped.

''That means our sale was invalid,'' Pope stated flatly.

''How can they even do that?'' Kiara asked, her frustration mirrored on her face.

The mayor frowned, scanning the room. ''Where is the original owner?'' he asked. ''And can he validate the authenticity of this document?''

''Yes, he can,'' Dale replied smoothly, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

The air shifted as a figure stood at the back of the room, removing a baseball cap. It took a moment for the reality to register, but when it did, the room erupted.

''Luke,'' I breathed, my stomach dropping.

''That's his kid!''

''JJ's dad!''

''Why even show yourself?''

''This is crazy,'' I muttered, gripping JJ's arm instinctively. He didn't move, his body tense like a coiled spring, ready to snap.

''I'm sorry, JJ,'' Luke uttered. JJ stood frozen, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought he might crack a tooth. His eyes were distant, as if he couldn't—or wouldn't—process what was happening.

''Can he do that?'' Kie demanded, her voice sharp with disbelief as she turned to the rest of us. ''Is he not a fugitive?''

Pope's brow furrowed deeply. ''Isn't it obvious? He signs a promissory note, and in exchange, he gets amnesty.''

''This can't be legal!'' Kie spat.

Dale Zeasy leaned back. ''Now, hang on,'' he started, raising a hand to calm the chaos. ''Unless I'm very mistaken, when this all shakes out, you nice young people will be compensated, of course.'' He smirked as the room erupted into angry yells, his words only pouring gasoline onto the fire. ''And... and... hold on,'' he added hastily, his voice drowned by the noise.

''And the land will be a club for all,'' he announced. The Kooks erupted in cheers, their voices filled with triumph.

''Hurrah, Kooks! We won! We got it!'' Topper's voice cut through the din, his laughter grating.

''It's not right, I tell you!''

''They stole it because they wanted it!''

''They just wanna kick us out!''

The mayor banged his gavel furiously, his frustration boiling over. ''Order in this room!''

I couldn't hold back anymore. I shot to my feet, the words spilling from my mouth before I even realised I was speaking. ''How can you say that?'' My voice rang out, cutting through the noise. ''After they do it to us, they're gonna do it to all of you. This is theft!''

I moved toward the front, anger propelling me. ''You know it, I know it.'' I could feel Kie following me.

''There will be order in this room,'' the mayor demanded again, banging his gavel with renewed force.

''No,'' Kie argued, standing beside me. ''You can't silence someone who's right!''

I spun around, my gaze locking onto Luke. ''And you?'' My voice cracked with fury as I pointed a shaking finger at him. ''I don't even know how you're doing this.''

The mayor waved to the sheriff, his impatience evident. ''Sheriff Shoupe.''

I didn't stop. ''JJ loved you.'' My voice caught, but I pressed on, my anger swallowing my hesitation. ''He shouldn't have, but he did. And you guys should be ashamed. All of you.''

The mayor had had enough. ''Bailiff, clear this hall!'' he barked.

The room erupted once more as people surged to their feet, shouting and protesting.

''That's my daughter!'' Mike's voice cut through as he tried to push past the men heading toward Kie, John B, and me.

''No, get away from us!'' Kie yelled, shoving one of the officers off her.

John B stepped in front of us, his arm outstretched protectively. ''Get away from them!''

Kie's voice was resolute. ''I'm not done talking!'

''Don't touch her!'' Mike yelled again, his voice frantic as he fought his way forward.

''No! Hey, get your hands off my daughter!'' Anna added.

The Pogues were in full chaos mode now. Shouts filled the air as Kie shoved past a gate, the officers' hands reaching but failing to hold her back.

Outside, the scene was worse. JJ was struggling violently against three cops. ''Get off me! Get off me, man!'' One of the officers slammed him against the hood of a car, and I could hear the sickening thud of impact.

''JJ!'' I yelled, panic surging through me as I ran towards him.

It took three of them to hold him down, but JJ