chapter sixteen
we know you

The next day, the group continued up the river, taking turns steering the boat while the other chatted amongst themselves or watched the sunrise or just doing mindless things. That was until, JJ spotted a small speck that looked like a boat in the distance, stating that he though it was Singh and forcing the group to put the boat in the bush and hide, scared that they would be looking for them.

"JJ, you were right. That's Singh and his men." Cleo stated as the boat sped past them. "But they're not looking for us."

"Yeah, they're moving real quick." JJ observed. "They're looking for John B and Sarah. They'll know where they're headed. We gotta go. They're gonna need us."

JJ moved to the engine, turning it on once more and getting them out of the bush. They began to follow Singh up the river.

"Stay back." Cleo warned. "Don't get too close."

The group continued all the way up the river towards El Tesoro. It was hours and hours full of nothing until they got to the end.

"Okay, guys, I think this El Tesoro." Kie stated. "The trailhead to the mountain is supposed to start here."

"Oh shit. That's one of Singh's guys." JJ commented as they looked over a the set up camp riddled with people, including a few of Singh's men. "What are we gonna do? We gotta get past them somehow."

JJ, Pope and Sage conversed for a few moments before coming up with a quick plan. JJ moved them to the other side of the river, hiding in a small shack. JJ found a fishing line, handing it to Athena so she could use it to throw a note that Pope had written into the boat that Singh's guy was led in. They watched as the guy read it before the boys and Sage set off something that sounded like a gunshot.

The guy yelped, jumping up. "Miguel! They're shooting at us! Where are they?"

"Is he buying it?" JJ asked. Athena nodded at them as her, Cleo and Kie watched the guys freak out.

They watched the guy turn and face towards the river, pointing his gun to where he thought the 'gunshots' were coming from.

"Oh shit. Oh shit."

"Get down!"

They all ducked as he began to shoot the river. Pope set another alight, throwing it right towards the boat causing the men to freak out and depart from the area.

"Bye-bye." Pope smiled.

"Think we're getting better at this." JJ complimented the two.

"Oh yeah." Pope agreed. "Welcome to the chaos Sage."

"Glad I could help boys." Sage nodded along as they did a small celebratory handshake.

"Hey, hey. Ain't no time for celebrating. We didn't do nothing yet." Cleo cut them off, walking out of the small shed.

"That's fair." Kie nodded as she followed.

"We got a long road ahead of us. Let's roll." Athena followed after, smiling at the three of them.

The three shared a look. "I thought we did something."

"We did."

"Oh yeah we did."

"Well done soldiers."

The group began to make their way up the mountains, trying to follow the path so they would end up in the same place as John B and Sarah. Cleo and Pope were up ahead, Sage and Kie practically racing each other behind them while JJ and Athena were behind them, Athena not being the fasted person alive.

"Come on Attie." JJ urged her along.

"Sorry, the Camerons aren't really a hiking family." Athena spoke, slightly out of breath as they looked around for any clues that their friends were there. "We're more of a boys goes golfing while the girls each lunch and drink prosecco at the country club kind of family."

"I see that." JJ nodded, grabbing onto Athena's outstretched hand and dragging her up the mountain.

"Hey, can we pause a second? Look how pretty it is here." Athena asked, throwing her arm around JJ's shoulder to stop him.

"No, Athena, we have to get to John B and Sarah, they could be in danger." JJ told her.

"JJ, they're okay."

"How do you know? Singh is right behind them." JJ questioned.

Athena turned to face him, pushing his hair out of his face and resting her hand on his cheek. "JJ, they're okay. They've got each other, they've always been okay when they've got them."

"Yeah, you're right." JJ nodded.

"I know." Athena smiled, hugging him for a few moments before pulling away. Athena looked out into the distance, letting out a small sigh as she leant against his arm.

"Come on lovebirds." Kie's voice pulled them out of their small little world.

"Says you, lovebirds!" Athena exclaimed, gesturing to her and Sage.

Kie turned to face the girl. "You told her."

"Of course I did, she's Athena." Sage shrugged. "She basically already knew."

"You're right." Kie sighed.

Athena moved to stand next to Kie, pulling her closer. "With this new relationship, Kiki Dee, just remember, I'll always be number one."

"Forever and always, Thens." Kie agreed.

"Good, let's continue." The four of them continued to climb, noticing Cleo and Pope stood on a bit, further up.

"Pope!" JJ called. Athena hit him when she realised he had interrupted Pope and Cleo kissing without realising it as JJ continued to push the long grass out of his path with the machete in his hand. "Hey. We couldn't find anything. You guys find something?"

"Love." Athena muttered making Sage laugh from next to her.

"Yeah. The path leads this way." Pope pointed to the path just behind him.

"All right."

"Okay. We're coming."

The group continued up the mountain, climbing over and under trees, trying their hardest to go as quickly as possible. They made their way to the top, noticing a group of people gathered around. They all ducked down, observing the group that they had identified as John B, Sarah and Big John with Ward stood in front of them with a gun.

"You get to go home, back to Kildare. Live happily ever after." Athena listened in to Ward's conversation with the man. "With your son that loves you. And my daughter... who hates me. I'm sorry, John. I don't think I can allow that."

Before Athena's brain could catch up with what she was doing, her legs were moving. She slowly got up, ignoring the Pogue's hushed calls after her as she grabbed Rafe's gun from her backpack. The girl ducked behind a tree out of sight as she waited for the perfect moment to enter the conversation.

"You're supposed to be dead. I think I liked you better that way." Ward stated, cocking his gun.

"Many people can say the same about you." Athena spoke up, catching everyone's attention. Ward spun around, dropping the gold that was in his hand as he came face to face with Athena pointing a gun at him. "Put the gun down."

"See now you've got my other daughter pointing a gun at me." Ward scoffed, glancing back at Big John.

"Yeah, threatening to shoot people must be a Cameron trait, I'll add it to the long list of quirks our family has." Athena tilted her head to the side ever so slightly. "You're not gonna shoot anyone."

"He shouldn't be alive." Ward muttered once more.

Athena gritted her teeth, looking between Ward's eye and then down to the shaky grip he had on the gun he was pointing at her. She knew he wouldn't be able to shoot anybody, he couldn't go through it. Athena turned, making eye contact with Sarah briefly. The two had a silent conversation before Athena nodded, looking back at her dad.

"Fine, kill him." Athena nodded, letting her arm go limp at her side. "I'll make it easier for you."

She then tossed the gun at the man, him catching it with ease and spinning, pointing them both at Big John. It was quiet for a moment before screaming came from behind them all. The sudden noise make them all jump, Athena moving to stand by Sarah as the pogues came out from hiding, pointing their machetes at Ward.

"Stay back! Stop right now!"

"Put it down!"

"Stay!"

"Put it down!"

"Stand back, stand back!"

"Come on! You're outnumbered, Ward."

"What are you gonna do, shoot us all?" Pope questioned him as Ward pointed the gun at each of them quickly.

"If you gotta shoot somebody, Ward, shoot me." Big John piped up once more. Ward turned around, pointing it at Big John once more when John B stepped in front of him.

"Or me." John B stated. Ward pointed one of the guns at Big John while the other was on John B as he contemplated what to do. Athena and Sarah shared another looked, moving to stand in between Ward and John B.

"Stop." Sarah ordered softly.

"Enough." Athena told him as the two stood so the guns were pressed firmly against their chests.

"Don't!" Ward exclaimed.

"You're not gonna kill all of us." Sarah commented as she held Athena's hand. "We know you won't. We know you."

"You forget that we know you." Athena added, tears in her eyes as her father looked between her and her sister. Athena placed a hand on the gun as Sarah did the same, Ward letting out a small sob. "You can't do this."

The two girls then removed the guns from his hand. Ward nodded frantically, placing a hand on both of their cheeks. "I couldn't, I couldn't do it."

"Yeah?" One of Singh's men's voices cut through their conversation, the distinct sound of a gun cocking making them all turn. "Well I can." John B held the gun that Sarah had just handed him up at the man, who in response pointed his at Big John. "Toss it."

"Take it easy, bud." Big John stated. "Your boss is dead. You got no reason to do this."

"I can think of a few reasons." The man responded. "Toss it!" John B held his hands up, dropping the gun to the floor as the man walked closer to them. "Thought you'd end up with the gold, eh? All right, nobody move."

Athena glanced over at JJ, sharing a worried look as he tightened his grip on his machete. The man looked over at Athena, who still had a gun in her hand. He laughed slightly, looking between her and Sarah.

"Twins? I love a package deal." He pointed to Athena's gun. "Give it to me."

Athena clenched her jaw, glaring at him but ultimately tossing him the gun. "Good. Now, my mate back there is dead." He looked directly at Sarah. "Because of you. You go first." He cocked the other gun, pointing it at Athena. "Both of you."

"No." Ward mumbled, making Athena and Sarah look towards him. He sent them a small smile, telling them both without any words what he was about to do. Athena squeezed Sarah's hand tightly as the man took off running.

Ward let out a scream, the man shooting him multiple times as he tackled him, causing them both to fall off the edge of the cliff and down onto the floor below. Athena dropped Sarah's hand, letting out a soft gasp at what just happened, her eyes filling with tears. The twins slowly made their way to the edge of the cliff.

"Attie." JJ stepped forward.

"Sarah." John B whispered softly, though both the boys were ignored.

Athena stood next to Sarah as they looked over the cliff, gasping at the sight of their father's dead body on the ground. Athena let out a small sob, looking up to try and stop the tears but it was no use. Her shoulder shook as JJ came to stand next to her, bringing her into his chest as she cried.

She didn't notice anything happening until JJ moved away from her to help John B with Big John and he was replaced by Sage, who hugged her tightly. Sage stroked the girl's blonde hair gently, having had multiple conversations with her about not wanting to lose anyone else.

Athena couldn't quite comprehend that her father had sacrificed himself to save her and Sarah, it didn't hit her as she cried with Sage or as the group made their way back down the mountain with a bleeding Big John or as they sat in the boat, desperately trying to keep pressure on his wound as he got weaker and weaker.

It still hadn't hit her when she was sat next to JJ, a hand rubbing up and down his back as Big John spoke to Sarah and John B.

"Bird, bird, bird." Athena tuned into the conversation.

"Dad, yeah." John B nodded.

"Hey, hey, Bird." Big John told a hold of John B's hand. "Hey. Sarah. Sarah."

"Hi." Sarah forced a small smile, placing her own hand on top of the two men's. "I'm here, Big John."

"Bird, you got to hand onto this one. I know that I wasn't any great shakes as a father."

"Stop dad."

"But you... you were the best son any man could hope for." Big John told his son. "I want you to know that..."

"You can tell me when we get home, okay?" John B sniffled, stroking his father's hair. "Almost there. Hold up. Look, Dad. Look. We did it." John B placed the gold they had found in El Dorado on the man's chest, so Big John could see what they accomplished. "You did it."

"I'll see you. I'll see you at him, kid." Big John stated before he went quick.

"Dad? Dad?" John B began sobbing over his father's dead body.

It still hadn't hit her when JJ grabbed onto Athena's hand, pulling her closer and wrapping his arm around her to give himself comfort. She hugged her boyfriend back tightly as he cried silently, having once again lost the only decent father figure in his life. Athena screwed her eyes shut, tears falling from them continuously.

The group set up a gravestone for Big John, it reading 'Big John Routledge. Explorer + Father. RIP P4L'. They all stood in front of it, as if they were having their own silent funeral. Athena stood next to JJ, her arm around his waist and head on his shoulder as he rested his head on top of her own.

Later, Athena and Sarah made a cross out of wood, putting it in the ground before finding flowers. They crouched down, placing the flowers on the floor before Sarah placed a photo of them all at Midsummers on it. Athena put her own photo next to it, a less formal photo.

It was all of them in the living room, silly outfits on as they posed for the camera, karaoke on the television behind them. Each of her family members were pulling a stupid face and it was one of Athena's favourite memories and photos. She had used Sarah's tri-pod and put her phone on a timer to take the photo.

The twins held hands as they stared at it for a moment before getting up and walking off. And that was when it hit her, when everything hit her all at once. She moved away from Sarah, taking a few steps away from everyone before she collapsed onto the floor. A person was there, however, catching her before she could reach the cold, hard ground.

She let out a loud sob, crying her eyes out as she realised that her father was actually dead, really and truly dead this time. She was never going to see him again. Kie held the girl up, stroking her hair in a calming manner and just supporting Athena as she sobbed.

Ward redeemed himself in the end, he was there for her, he sacrificed his life for her.

He became, at the end, the same man who used to bake brownies with her and help her with his maths homework. He was the same person that she would sing karaoke with and the man she would force to carry her shopping bags and eat lunch with all the time.

She was never going to see her father again, she was never going to talk to him or laugh with him or simply be in his presence. He was dead. Gone.

And Athena missed him already.

18 MONTHS LATER

It had been a year and a half since John B and Sarah found El Dorado, since Ward Cameron and Big John died, since the eight pogues' lives changed forever. And now the group were about to be celebrated in front of the entire island for their exploration.

"Okay Jayj." Athena spoke up as she stepped out of the bedroom and into the living area. After everything, JJ and Athena decided to buy Bluebell lodge – the same lodge Dorota had been renting while visiting OBX – they needed a place to stay, to call their own because they couldn't keep couch jumping between their friends' houses. And Bluebell lodge was the perfect middle ground between kook and pogue because neither of then truly wanted to go 'full kook'. "What about this dress?"

She had put on an ankle length primrose dress with a sweetheart neckline. It had a pleated bodice with side cut out accents and short ruffle sleeves. She did a little spin to show JJ the strappy back design.

The boy looked up at his girlfriend, tilting his head as he examined the seventh dress she had tried on. He placed down the pieces of paper back on the coffee table in front of him, the same coffee table that he had rested his feet on as he was already dressed and was now simply waiting for Athena to finish getting ready.

"I think this is the one." JJ nodded with a smile before gesturing to the paper he had just put down. "I like the design plans for the charity headquarters."

Another thing Athena had done with the money she had received was finally start up her charity. She had been fundraising, getting volunteers and buying a building to create a headquarters in. It was a long, stressful process but she was getting there and was now just finishing the designs for the inside of 'The Cameron Foundation' and so far it was something she was insanely proud of.

"Okay." Athena smiled. "I'm thinking the silver open toed heels. Simple. Classy. Not too high."

"I agree."

"Good." Athena grabbed the shoes, sitting down in the chair next to the sofa. "I just need to put some jewellery on and then we can go."

JJ nodded along to Athena's words. The blonde stood up, walking into their bedroom, and sitting down at the vanity. She put on her chain with her paper ring on the end – JJ remade her them every time she accidently ruined the one she had, each time doing a different doodle on them – her rings – including many of JJ's, a ring that JJ had bought with his money that had their initials engraved on the inside – and all of her friendship bracelets.

The girl looked at herself in the mirror, flipping her hair back and forth once to give the curls she had done earlier that morning more volume. Athena smiled before walking back out of the bedroom, stopping to look at the photos on the wall in the hallways.

There were some of her and JJ, obviously, a few of Athena and Ward, a few of Athena and Wheezie as well as a few of her and Rose. The rest were of the pogues, group photos of all of them, photos of Athena and Sarah, Athena and Kie, Athena and Sage – all from their kook days and their pogue days – Athena and Cleo, group photos of all of the girls, group photos of the original female trio (Sarah, Kie and Athena), photos of Athena and Pope, Athena and John B, JJ and Pope, many photos of JJ and John B – some even from when they were little – photos of JJ and all of the girls.

Athena and JJ had a fun time decorating their house, being able to sleep in the Charter boat that JJ had bought while the lodge was inhabitable. They made it theirs, it was their home — especially since Topper burnt the chateau down — and Athena was extremely happy with the final outcome.

She held her hand out to JJ, who grabbed onto it happily as they made their way out of their house, JJ locking the door behind them. The two walked down the road, hand in hand to Sage's house. The girl was stood outside when they arrived, leaning against her car with Kie stood next to her.

"Finally." Sage huffed, throwing her arms out. "How many outfits did she try on today?"

"Eight." JJ told the two girls, who nodded. "You guys been in the ocean all day."

"All day every day." Kie commented.

Sage and Kie had spent their time saving turtles down on the beach and trying to turn OBX more eco-friendly, one paper straw at a time. Athena was happy for the two of them. She was happy for every one of the pogues – her and JJ with their stuff, Sage and Kie with theirs, Pope was heading off to school, Cleo was still helping the Heywards and John B and Sarah owned their own surf shop.

The four hopped in the car, heading towards their ceremony to meet the others. When they got to the town hall, the four got out of the car, greeting John B, Sarah, Pope and Cleo, all of whom were waiting for them to arrive. They eight were rushed onto the stage, Athena sat in between Sage and JJ as the dignitary spoke to the town.

"An expedition of one man, John Routledge, and a group of teenagers, who are with us today. Locals, who grew up here and who succeeded where centuries of conquistadors, explorers and admirals failed." The man stated. "Today, we come together to celebrate these teens, friends from both sides of the island who came together to solve this 500-year-old mystery. Let's hear it for them!"

The crowd began cheering loudly, making the group slowly stand to their feet. Athena grabbed onto JJ's hand, leaning into his side and feeling the tension from his body quickly fade. He smiled down at the girl as she looked out into the crowd. Athena looked at everyone, from Kie's parents to Sage's parents to the Heywards that were one of the loudest people before she caught sight of Dorota in the front row, a very pregnant Dorota in the front row cheering for Athena, stood next to her husband Corey, who was the loveliest person alive.

The group were allowed off the stage shortly after, JJ sighing as soon as he left. "I need a reset. I need a reset right now. This is a lot. It's time to celebrate."

"I'll take one hit." Pope spoke as JJ grabbed the joint from the inside pocket of his leather jacket.

"One."

"Bad man now." Cleo commented with a small laugh.

John B and Sarah separated from the group, standing by one of the tables while the others stood next to a pillar smoking the joint JJ had. They laughed amongst themselves, Athena smiling as she stood hugging Kie.

"Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt." A man walked over to John B and Sarah, catching their attention.

"Uh, can we help you?" Pope asked as they began to gather around the table with the other. Kie wafted the smoke out of her face, her hand holding Sage's while Athena pointed to the glass, gesturing for JJ to put the joint in it and follow her, which he did with an awkward face.

"Yes." The man told them. "I wanted to tell you all it's remarkable what you all did. Royal Merchant, El Dorado, Denmark Tanny. Impressive resume, impressive."

"We had the Cross of Santo Domingo too but some dickhead melted it down." Athena smiled causing the group to shoot her looks.

"I was wondering if you would all be so kind as to look at an item of mine." The man continued, ignoring Athena's comment and placing a briefcase on the table.

"Oh yeah? What kind of item is that?" Cleo asked him.

"It's a manuscript. I would investigate it myself, but I'm too long in the tooth." The man explained. "I need partners, and you all were first on my list."

"May I?" Pope asked, holding his hand out to the man, who held the manuscript in his hand.

"I was hoping you would." The man responded, handing it over.

"1718. Jeez, this is old." Pope's eyebrows raised as the others looked over his shoulder at the book. "Exhibition notes, dates."

"This is a captain's log. This shows the exact position of the ship." John B stated.

"The exact location where the ship sailed and where it stopped." The man added.

"Who is the captain?" JJ questioned.

"Edward Teach." The man told them, pausing for just a moment to build suspense. "Blackbeard."

The pogues all shared looks, feeling a new adventure oncoming. Athena shared a smile with Sarah across from her, glancing at everyone's faces and knowing they were thinking the same thing.

"Hot damn."

( 💌 ) isobel's notes
this chapter was too short to split into
two chapters so this is now simultaneously
the happiest and saddest chapter thus far :)
this book is now finished and i'm sad
i miss jj and athena already 😭😭
obx 4 needs to come quicker!!! this book
currently had 600K reads and i'm eternally
grateful for each and every single person
who has read this book it is my greatest pride
and the only book i've actually finished and spent
a lot of time on because usually i get bored after
the second season of something

because i missed jathena i made some more
graphics so here are these instagrams

anyways...
goodbye

FOR NOW!!!