THIRTY-NINE THE GREATER GOOD

◥✥◤

After an increasingly frustrating interview with the police where Norman tried to get them to see the truth (to no avail), Norman was let go. By the time he stepped outside the police station, the sun was rising. He had a text from Alisha from the previous night telling him that she was going to bed and they were all staying at the Wreck over the night. He sighed and began jogging in that direction. It seemed as he knocked on the door everyone was just waking up as it took a while before JJ opened the door, looking groggy.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" JJ asked with a grumble, rubbing sleep from his eyes as Norman entered the restaurant. Alisha was sitting with her feet on the table, scrolling through her phone when she realized who it was. Her face lit up as she ran towards the boy, hugging him. Without a second thought, he picked her up and swung her around in a hug before putting her back on the ground and letting go.

"Oh, my God, Rocky! What happened? Why are you here?" the girl asked, surprisingly energetic for the early hour. God, he could sleep for a week after this.

"They thought John B took me as a hostage for some reason so I was the distraction so John B could get away," Norman explained as briefly as possible, "And... I feel like shit for leaving him."

Kie came up to them with her hands on her hips, shaking her head at him as she comforted, "You did what kept him safe and that matters more. You did what you had to."

"I know, it just sucks," the boy sighed, running his hands through his short hair. Alisha looked up at him with pity in her eyes so he rushed to change the subject, "Have you called Lila or any of the others to let them know what's happening?"

The girl nodded, "Yeah, Lila called me last night asking where I was and I told her what was happening. It's been radio silence from the others, I think Lila mentioned something about Gemma and James... but I don't know. I feel so disconnected from them and it's only been a couple of days, it's insane."

"After this is all over," he said like it was going to be easy, "we'll hang out and we'll pretend this never happened, okay?"

"Something tells me that's not gonna happen," Pope interrupted with a sigh as he walked over where JJ was standing by the window. The sound of sirens passed them by.

"He's pinched for sure, man," JJ spoke worriedly, his eyes glued to the view from the window.

Pope shook his head, "No. They wouldn't still be patrolling if they caught him. Besides, Rocky, last you saw him, he was fine, right?"

Norman nodded, "As far as I know they got away."

"They?" Kie asked with a raised eyebrow.

The boy nodded again, "Sarah's with him, she came to help us and got caught up so she ran with him. I don't know where they are now."

"Fuck," Kiara muttered, pulling out her phone presumably to call the girl. When it went to voicemail, she cursed again, turning to the group, "You know, we were in that car. They're probably looking for us, too."

"Well, if we're gonna be outlaws, we might as well help John B," Pope spoke matter-of-factly with a determined glint in his eye.

JJ looked concerned as the boy grabbed keys out of his bag, "So, what? Find him before they do?"

Pope shrugged, "I'm gonna grab gas for the boat."

Kie stopped him before he left, saying, "Hey, be careful. Okay?"

"Meet me at the dock at three. Don't be late," was all Pope said in response, speaking more to the group than to Kiara.

"And please for the love of God, don't do anything stupid," Norman added as he exited the restaurant, sighing as he said, "I have a bad feeling about this. All of this."

Kiara's face looked distraught as she followed Pope out, but the other three of them stayed put. Whatever was happening with Pope and Kiara was not their business, not right now. They had bigger fish to fry.

"Yeah, no shit," JJ scoffed, "John B is a literal fugitive right now."

Moments later, Kiara returned with an exasperated look on her face, "Please tell me you guys are gonna at least help me get some food ready for the boat? Help me take my mind off of this mess and Pope going AWOL, please. Not to mention he confessed his love for me last night."

"I thought it was established that you and Sarah were together?" Alisha asked, her tone confused, "God, men."

The dark-haired girl nodded along with that, saying, "Yeah, tell me about it."

JJ shrugged as he asked, "You sure he wasn't just being weird Pope? He is kinda weird."

Alisha nodded, "He is."

"It wasn't really the kind of thing that needed interpretation," the girl sighed, running her fingers through her hair as she placed some food down on the counter, "Is that enough food for them?"

The blond looked at what she had brought down, saying, "I mean, for a couple of weeks, and that's all they need so... "

"I think I actually hurt his feelings," the girl continued, "But like, did I, in any way, make it seem like I was available to him?"

"No, not really," Norman cut in, shaking his head, "I mean, I think it's okay to have feelings for you, but acting on them when he knows you're in a relationship is... definitely questionable."

"Yeah, but he was also stoned out of his mind," the girl added, "This is just like... the worst possible time for something like this right now. I mean, John B is on the run for homicide and he wants to smoke a bunch of weed and tell me he's in love with me?"

"Worms for brains," Alisha muttered, but it seemed like Norman was the only one who heard her as the two shared a small smile. She cleared her throat and spoke up so the other two could hear her, "Kie, don't stress too much about it. Boys are stupid, but I'm sure he'll get over it. If he doesn't, that's his problem."

JJ nodded along with this as they packed up the food in boxes and headed outside, "Don't beat yourself up too much over it. It's been like Jekyll and Hyde with him in the last 24 hours, he's completely changed his feels."

Kie sighed, leading the charge as they packed up, "I hate to say it but I miss the old Pope. At least I knew what to expect from him."

They were stopped as an older woman who looked to be Kiara's mom stopped in front of her, "Where you been?"

Kie looked taken aback as the other three began packing the food into the car, overhearing the conversation as the girl said, "Uh, I'm fine. I slept here."

"Well, we were up half the night scared to death, lookin' for you. Were you even gonna tell us?"

"I'm telling you now," Kie argued casually as the three gathered behind her.

The woman noticed them, asking, "What the hell are you four up to?"

JJ cut in, saying, "I'm sorry, miss Anna, we gotta go."

The woman looked angry at this as she shook her head, "No, absolutely not. Have you even heard what's going on?"

"Mom, I'll explain later," Kie attempted as she headed towards the drivers' side of the car.

"Have yous seen the storm?" Anna continued, sounding concerned, "It's not safe."

"I'm sorry, mom, I have to go!" the girl exclaimed as she slammed the door shut and started the car, making sure the rest of them had gotten in and were settled.

Her mother reopened the door, yelling, "These cops are armed, you'll get shot."

"I need to go, John B needs us!"

"You need to stay here," Anna insisted.

The woman continued arguing as Kiara slammed the door again, locking it before she could open it again. She banged on the window until Kiara drove off with a deep sigh, looking back to make sure she wasn't following them.

"Fuck," the girl mumbled.

"Are you okay, Kie?" Norman asked, breaking the tense silence as everyone reveled in what had just happened. It was always awful to listen to people who wanted the best for them and then defy them for the greater good. He couldn't imagine how the girl was feeling right now.

However, Kiara brushed him off, instead asking, "Where to next?"

I cannot believe the next chapter is the last I'm actually so sad I love this story so much I wish y'all could know how sad I am about this story ending