⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ the phantom ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

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【 SEASON 1 EPISODE 10 】

The house was silent. The kind of silence that pressed down hard, making the walls feel heavier, the air thicker. Outside, the rain hadn't stopped since the night before, a steady drizzle that pattered softly against the windows, blending with the occasional creak of the old floorboards under Clara's restless shifting.

They had found the house after hours of running, soaked through from the storm, hearts racing from the sound of sirens echoing somewhere behind them. Sarah had spotted the "FOR SALE" sign half-buried in overgrown grass and mud, the lettering faded, the white paint peeling. It was perfect in its abandonment. A forgotten colonial tucked at the edge of the woods, just far enough from town that no one would think to search here-at least not yet.

The lock had been easy enough to break. Clara wasn't sure if that was a good sign or a bad one.

Now, the place felt even emptier than it had the night before. The living room was bare, stripped of anything useful except dust and shadows. The walls were yellowed, the floral wallpaper peeling at the edges, and the hardwood floors were scuffed and warped in places, as if the house itself had started giving up.

Clara stirred awake slowly, blinking against the dim morning light filtering through the cracked blinds. Her back ached from sleeping on the floor, her denim jacket folded under her head for a pillow that offered zero comfort. She could feel the dampness still clinging to her clothes, her skin cold and sticky from the storm.

For a moment, she stayed there-disoriented, the world around her blurry. Something felt wrong.

The space next to her was empty.

Her stomach twisted sharply.

Sarah?

Clara sat up too fast, the ache in her neck flaring as she scanned the room. No sign of her. The pale gray light cast long, jagged shadows across the floorboards, making the space feel more unfamiliar. The silence was louder now.

Then she saw it.

A folded piece of paper.

It sat where Sarah had been lying, positioned so neatly it almost looked deliberate, like she'd made sure Clara would see it first thing. The handwriting was hurried, almost frantic, scrawled across the page in thick, uneven marker strokes.

Virginia,
Only the truth can save us now.
Don't move till I get back.
-Val <3

Clara stared at the note, the words pressing into her mind with a strange, uncomfortable weight.

Virginia?

Her heart twisted again, faster this time.

The message made no sense.

What truth? Save us from what?

Clara clenched the note tighter, the dampness from her fingertips making the edges curl slightly. Something felt wrong. More wrong than before. The whole house felt wrong now-too quiet, too still.

And then-

A sound.

Low. Unnatural.

It wasn't the rain.

Clara stilled completely, heart hammering in her chest as she turned toward the window. The noise grew louder, a mechanical hum like engines cutting through water.

Careful, she crept closer, staying low to avoid the windowpane as she lifted the corner of the blind just enough to peek outside.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Boats.

Dark figures moving across the gray water beyond the trees. The rain made it hard to see clearly, but she recognized the sheriff's emblem on the side of the largest boat. There were at least three of them, steadily drifting closer to shore, officers standing on the decks, scanning the banks with flashlights and binoculars.

They're searching.

For her. For Sarah.

A flashlight beam swept across the tree line, and Clara dropped down fast, heart slamming into her ribcage. She pressed herself flat against the floor, clutching the note against her chest as if it could shield her.

Stay calm. Breathe.

The paper crinkled against her trembling fingers. She didn't feel calm.

Where the hell was Sarah?

And why did it feel like the walls were closing in?

The rain pounded steadily against the roof, a dull, rhythmic tapping that filled the eerie silence of the dark house. The place felt colder than when they'd first snuck in, its emptiness pressing in on Clara like a weight on her chest. She sat cross-legged on the dusty hardwood floor, knees drawn up, clutching the crumpled note she'd woken up to-Sarah's handwriting scrawled in smudged ink, the paper damp from her shaky grip.

"Virginia, only the truth can save us now. Don't move till I get back. -Val <3"

Clara's stomach twisted with a sickening knot.

Only the truth? What truth? What did Sarah think she could fix out there alone?

The window across the room was cracked just enough to let in the salty scent of rain and ocean air. Through it, she could hear the hum of boat engines in the distance.

Patrol boats.

Clara stood cautiously, crossing the floor with her heart pounding harder with each step. She peered out the window.

Searchlights cut through the fog rolling in off the water, sweeping over the shoreline like pale ghosts. From here, she could see three boats, all clearly police or coast guard. The beams scanned the dock, the trees, the edges of the marsh where they'd crept in the night before.

She ducked back, pulse hammering so loud she swore they could hear it.

They're getting closer.

Clara's breathing turned shallow, ragged. She pressed her palm to her chest, trying to steady it, but the thought kept looping in her head-they're going to find me, they're going to find Sarah, we're trapped-

And then-

The door creaked.

The soft groan of rusty hinges.

Clara's blood turned to ice.

She whirled around, heart slamming against her ribs, bracing herself to run-

"Clara?"

It was Sarah.

Clara practically collapsed with relief, her knees buckling as Sarah stepped through the door, soaked to the bone. Her blonde hair hung in dripping strands around her pale face, her clothes clinging uncomfortably to her skin. She looked...shaken.

Clara didn't hesitate-she crossed the room in three strides, arms wrapping around Sarah, clutching her tightly. She could feel Sarah trembling in her arms, the way her face pressed into Clara's shoulder, the sharp, shaky breaths she was trying to suppress.

"Oh my God-where were you?" Clara whispered, voice catching.

Sarah didn't answer right away. She just held onto Clara tighter, as if she was afraid she'd disappear if she let go.

When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.

"It's getting so bad out there," she choked, her voice cracking. "There's cops everywhere-I thought they saw me, I thought-"

Clara gently pulled back, cradling Sarah's face in her hands, wiping away the rain and tears mixing on her cheeks.

"Hey, hey-breathe. You're okay. I've got you. But what the hell were you thinking? I woke up and you were gone. And the note-what does it even mean, the truth?"

Before Sarah could respond-

Whoop.

The sharp pulse of a siren cut through the air like a blade.

The girls both whipped around toward the window.

Red and blue lights flashed faintly through the rain, distorting in the fog. Several cop cars were parked just beyond the treeline now, flashlights sweeping methodically back and forth.

Sarah's grip on Clara tightened instinctively, her voice barely a whisper. "Clara...they're here."

Clara felt her stomach twist. They had to move. Now.

"Come on," Clara whispered, tugging Sarah's hand. They crept out the back door, the rain soaking into their clothes instantly. The muddy ground sucked at their shoes as they made their way down toward the water, sticking to the shadows as best as they could.

The old dock loomed ahead, barely visible through the mist. Most of the boats were tied up, but Clara's eyes landed on a stack of surfboards leaning against the smaller boathouse.

"This way."

Sarah followed, shivering as the rain pounded harder against the water. Clara grabbed two boards, tossing one to her.

"We can't take a boat," Clara whispered. "They'll hear the engine. If we just float out-stay low-they won't see us."

Sarah nodded hesitantly. Together, they slid the boards into the water. The cold bit at Clara's skin as she lowered herself flat, her hands gripping the edges of the board as they drifted farther from shore. The rain softened the sound of the water lapping against the wood, but every small splash felt too loud.

Once they were a safe distance out, Clara turned toward Sarah, her voice hushed but urgent.

"Listen to me."

Sarah blinked, eyes wide with fear. "What?"

Clara's throat felt tight, but she forced the words out.

"I need you to stay here."

Sarah's brows furrowed. "What? No. No, I'm not leaving you."

Clara swallowed hard. "I have a plan. I'm going to take Phantom-JJ's dad's boat-and get out of here. I'll keep going. Open water. They'll follow me, not you."

"Clara-"

"You have to stay, Sarah. I'm not letting you get dragged into this mess. It's my fault we're even here. Tell John B, tell JJ and the others-if they need me, if you need me-" Clara's voice cracked, her heart aching, "come find me in the Bahamas."

Sarah shook her head violently, her voice breaking. "No! You're not doing this alone again! I can't-Clara, I can't lose you too."

Clara's chest tightened painfully.

Sarah's voice dropped, barely audible. "You're my Virginia."

Clara bit her lip, her heart breaking at the desperation in Sarah's voice. The sirens echoed faintly in the distance now, but the danger still felt close-too close.

Finally, Clara whispered, "Fine. Meet me at the Bell Tower Dock tonight. After dark. We'll figure it out then. But for now-please. Go. I'll draw them away."

Sarah stared at her for a long moment, then nodded, though tears were already welling in her eyes.

Clara reached across the space between them, fingers brushing against Sarah's just long enough to feel her warmth.

"Stay safe, Val."

Sarah nodded. "You too, Virginia."

And with that, Clara turned her board and paddled off into the mist, her heart aching with every inch she drifted farther from the girl she loved.

The rain pounded harder against the rusted metal roof of the storage unit as Clara approached, her soaked hoodie clinging uncomfortably to her skin. Her heartbeat was a hammer in her chest, echoing in her ears louder than the rain. She was supposed to grab Phantom, get out, and leave this all behind. But now-

Now, there were voices. Raised. Shouting.

She pressed herself against the cold metal siding, breath fogging in the damp air as she strained to listen.

"Pope, stop!"

That was JJ. His voice was tight, panicked-desperate.

Another sickening thud followed. Then a pained grunt.

"You're gonna kill him, Pope! Stop it! He's already down!" Kie's voice this time, raw with panic.

Clara didn't think. She moved.

The sliding metal door screeched open, and the scene inside hit her like a gut punch.

Rafe Cameron lay slumped on the concrete floor, barely conscious, his face bloodied and swollen. His chest heaved in shallow breaths as blood trickled from his split lip, staining the floor beneath him.

A few feet away, Barry-the drug dealer they'd been tangled up with-was completely unconscious, sprawled on his side with his cheek pressed to the wet concrete, unmoving.

And then there was Pope.

Pope was kneeling over Rafe, fist clenched so tight his knuckles had split open, blood smeared across his skin. His face-usually calm, controlled-was twisted into something raw and unrecognizable. Rage. Blinding, all-consuming rage.

His fist was raised-about to strike again.

Clara didn't hesitate.

"Pope!" Her voice was sharp, cracking through the chaos.

Everything seemed to freeze.

Pope's trembling fist hovered in the air for a heartbeat longer before he finally looked up. His chest was heaving, his face pale beneath the streaks of rain dripping from his soaked hair. He blinked at her, almost like he didn't recognize her at first.

JJ spun around next, his face pale and wet, relief flashing in his eyes.

"Clara?" Kie whispered, her voice trembling as she turned, just as soaked and disheveled as the others.

For half a second, Clara just stared at them-soaking wet, bruised, and exhausted-and something inside her cracked wide open.

She stumbled forward, and Kie caught her first, practically pulling her into a hug. Clara clung to her like she might disappear, her whole body shaking. JJ was there too, wrapping his arms around both of them, pressing his forehead against hers.

"Y-You're okay," Clara choked out, the words barely audible.

"We thought-" JJ's voice broke, and he just hugged her tighter.

But then she remembered why she was here.

Clara pulled back, wiping the rain and tears from her face. "I-I can't stay. I need to go. I'm taking Phantom."

Pope had dropped his fist completely by now, his breathing slowing. The rage in his eyes had faded, but he looked wrecked-like he was only just realizing what he'd done.

"That... that was the plan," JJ finally said, voice rough.

Clara blinked, confused. "What? What plan?"

JJ exchanged a glance with Kie before explaining carefully. "John B's distracting the cops at the Chateau right now. He's buying you time. We were supposed to grab Phantom, have it ready for you-"

"But then they showed up," Kie added, motioning towards the bloodied bodies of Rafe and Barry.

Clara's eyes narrowed. "And Pope?"

JJ hesitated.

Pope finally spoke, his voice hollow. "They started it. But I-I didn't stop." His gaze dropped to his bloodied knuckles, shoulders slumping. "I lost it, Clara."

Clara exhaled shakily, heart twisting at the broken look in his eyes. She'd never seen him like this. Not Pope.

Still, she forced herself to stay focused.

"You guys were just gonna let me leave?" Clara's voice cracked, shaking with disbelief. "Alone? What the hell were you thinking?!"

JJ looked away.

"It's not like that," Kie whispered. "We didn't want you to leave, Clara. But we knew you were going to, no matter what we said. So we tried to buy you time. To keep you safe."

Clara shook her head. They didn't understand.

"No. No, this is exactly what I didn't want," she said, voice trembling. "You're already in danger just being here with me! If I stay, it's Sarah, John B-all of you. They'll come after you next. I won't let that happen."

Silence.

Pope's voice was hoarse. "We're in this together, Clara. We don't leave each other behind. Not ever."

Clara's heart clenched painfully, her hands balling into fists at her sides as her chest heaved.

But she had to do this.

Her voice was softer now. "If I stay, you'll be in danger. I can't drag you down with me anymore. I won't."

The words felt like glass shards in her throat.

She looked at each of them, memorizing their faces-her friends, her family-knowing she might never see them again.

"If you need me... or if I need you... I'll be in the Bahamas." She paused, swallowing hard. "Find me."

And with that, she turned toward Phantom, blinking back tears as the rain poured harder, each step away from them feeling heavier than the last.

The dock creaked under Clara's boots, the rain soaking her through as she stood in front of Phantom, heart pounding painfully in her chest. The boat rocked gently in the water, packed and ready for her escape.

Her friends gathered in a tense, heart-wrenching circle around her, rain dripping down their faces, mingling with tears that no one wanted to acknowledge.

Clara forced herself to stay strong, even as her chest ached with the weight of what she was about to do. She had to leave them. She had to protect them.

She turned to Pope first. His face was still pale, the blood on his knuckles washed away by the rain but the haunted look lingering in his eyes. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"Pope," she whispered, voice trembling. "You're so much better than what just happened back there. You're the smartest, strongest person I know. Don't let this-" Her voice cracked. "Don't let this make you forget who you are."

Pope swallowed hard, nodding as he hugged her back. "I won't. Just... come back, okay? Promise me."

Clara hesitated. She couldn't promise that. Not truthfully. So she only whispered, "I'll try."

Next was Kie.

Kie practically fell into her arms, clutching Clara so tight it was hard to breathe.

"Don't do this alone," Kie whispered fiercely, her voice shaking. "You don't have to. We're stronger together, remember? Just-just come back, okay? You're family."

Clara squeezed her tighter. "You're my family too. And I need you to keep everyone safe. Take care of Pope, okay? He needs you."

Kie nodded, blinking back tears as she pulled away.

And then came JJ.

"Goddammit," JJ rasped, voice cracking as he pulled her in. His hug was crushing, desperate, and his hand came up to cradle the back of her head.

"JJ-"

"No, don't say anything. I get it," he muttered. "But just so you know... this is the dumbest idea you've ever had." His voice wavered, but he forced a shaky laugh. "And I mean, like, top five stupid."

Clara managed a wet chuckle, clinging to him for a moment longer.

"Tell John B..." Her voice trembled. "Tell him I love him. And that he was a great brother. The best."

JJ swallowed hard. "I will. But you can tell him yourself when you come back."

She didn't correct him this time.

JJ cleared his throat and forced some levity back into his voice. "Hey, I packed Phantom with enough supplies to last you weeks. Water, food, even that stupid protein powder Pope likes-"

Clara let out a shaky laugh. "Seriously?"

JJ smirked weakly. "Yeah, well. Just in case you miss us that much."

The rain was still coming down hard, but Clara could barely feel it anymore. Her heart was hammering, everything feeling too heavy, too final-

Until her eyes scanned the dock again.

"Wait... where's Sarah?"

As if summoned by her words, a distant voice shouted, "Virginia!"

Clara's head whipped around, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.

Sarah was there, sprinting down the dock, soaked to the bone with rain, arms waving frantically as she closed the distance between them.

Clara exhaled in relief, her body sagging with it. But before she could run to her, Kie beat her to it.

Kie grabbed Sarah by the shoulders the moment she reached them, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Keep her safe, Sarah. Please. She's stubborn and reckless and thinks she can take on the whole world, but she's not invincible." Kie's voice broke. "Don't let her go through this alone."

Sarah nodded fiercely, gripping Kie's arm. "I won't. I swear."

Kie softened, then added quietly, "And... don't break her heart. She loves you."

Sarah's face crumpled. "I love her too."

And then Clara was there, standing just a breath away from Sarah, the world fading around them.

"Val-"

"I'm here," Sarah whispered, stepping closer. "I'm not letting you do this alone."

Clara felt her resolve crack, her breath hitching as Sarah cupped her rain-soaked face, their foreheads nearly touching.

"You're so stupid," Clara whispered, trying to sound mad but failing miserably.

Sarah smiled softly, tears blending with rain as she leaned in.

"I know. Let's be stupid together."

And then Sarah kissed her.

It wasn't frantic or desperate. It was soft, trembling with all the unsaid words, the fear, the love pressing between them. Rain dripped down their faces, mixing with the salt of their tears as Sarah pulled her closer, like she never wanted to let go.

JJ cleared his throat loudly.

"Uh-we're still here, you know."

Clara broke the kiss with a breathless laugh, turning back to the others, who were all awkwardly looking away but clearly emotional.

She nodded once, eyes sweeping over her friends.

"Thank you. All of you."

And then, with Sarah's hand in hers, she stepped onto Phantom.

The engine roared to life, and as they drifted further from the dock, Clara watched them shrink into the rain-soaked mist, her heart breaking with every inch of distance.

But she wasn't alone.

Sarah was with her.

And together-they would figure this out.

The sky above Clara and Sarah grew darker as the last remnants of the day disappeared behind the swelling clouds. The wind whipped violently at their faces, carrying the scent of saltwater and something more dangerous-the promise of a storm. Every time Clara glanced over her shoulder, the faintest light from the distant shore blinked like a warning, but it wasn't enough to distract her from the urgency of the situation. The boat cut through the waves, each one bigger than the last, the sound of the engine loud enough to drown out everything else.

But the quietness of the vast ocean only made Clara's nerves worse. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, even though Sarah had insisted they were too far out for anyone to follow. But Clara's gut told her otherwise. She knew they had to get farther, faster.

"I'm not looking back," Clara muttered, her eyes scanning the horizon. "We need to keep going. We can't stop now."

Sarah didn't answer immediately, her eyes locked on the churning waters ahead. She was so still it was almost as if she were holding her breath. Clara wanted to reach out to her, to assure her that everything would be okay, but the unease inside her was gnawing at her. The storm was closer now. It could be over them in minutes.

Then Clara heard it.

A distant sound, faint at first, but unmistakable. It was the sound of engines.

She whipped her head around, and sure enough, in the distance, she saw the flashing lights-a police boat chasing them, cutting through the water with speed. Clara's heart skipped a beat. There was no way they could outrun them like this. The storm was already tearing the waves apart, and the police were getting closer.

"Shit," Clara hissed, slamming her hand against the throttle and accelerating the boat into a sharper turn. The engine growled, straining to carry them further. "They've found us."

Sarah was silent, her hand gripping Clara's tightly, knuckles pale as she looked over her shoulder. "What do we do?"

"We go dark," Clara responded, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart. "We shut off the engine, coast. They'll lose us in the dark. We can hide until they pass."

They both crouched low, trying to minimize their presence. The boat drifted, silent but for the storm around them. The wind howled louder, and the waves became more erratic. Clara's mind was sharp, calculating every possible escape route. She didn't want to think about the consequences of being caught, but it kept creeping in, like an invisible weight pressing down on her chest.

The boat's motion slowed, but Clara couldn't let herself relax. The sounds of the ocean grew louder-rushing water, the slap of the waves against the hull, and then...

A harsh beam of light sliced through the night, blinding them both. It was like a spotlight, blinding them to everything else, and for a second, Clara thought her heart had stopped.

"Go!" Clara yelled, her voice drowned by the wind as she yanked the throttle forward. The boat surged forward, its engine roaring back to life, the propeller slashing through the water with fury. Behind them, the lights followed, closing in faster than Clara had anticipated.

Sarah grabbed her arm, fear written all over her face. "Clara-"

"We're going to make it. Just hold on," Clara shouted, her voice shaking as she fought to keep the boat steady. The ocean was a living thing now, slamming against the boat with every passing wave. The boat rocked violently, tilting at an angle that made Clara's stomach lurch.

They could hear the police now-shouting, their engines thundering behind them as they fought against the storm. The world felt smaller as the boat rocked harder, waves crashing over the side, drenching them both. The rain had started to fall, thick and cold, stinging their faces.

Then, through the chaos, a voice crackled over the radio, sharp and clear, cutting through the noise.

"Clara?" Ward Cameron's voice, deep and full of authority, blasted through the static. "Clara, I know you're out there. I know you can hear me."

Clara froze, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. She hadn't expected this-didn't know how to respond. But she had no time to hesitate. His words were too familiar, and they cut through her like a blade.

"I know you can hear me, Clara," Ward continued, his voice tinged with false concern. "And if you love my daughter like I think you love my daughter, then you'll turn that boat around and come back. You're heading into a storm you cannot survive. Clara, please. I will make it right. I promise you. Come back. Think of her. Turn around."

Clara's heart raced in her chest, each word from Ward a gut punch. For a moment, everything inside her screamed to listen to him, to turn around, to stop running. But she knew better than that.

"No," Sarah's voice broke through the tension, urgent and firm. "Don't listen to him! He's lying, Clara. He's a liar!"

Clara's fingers trembled as she reached for the radio mic, every part of her shaking with anger and desperation. She pressed the button, her voice sharp and full of defiance.

"Ward Cameron," she spat into the mic. "You are a liar. You killed my dad! You murdered him and framed me for a crime I didn't commit. You've been lying to everyone about my family. You've been lying about John B and spreading your lies about him hurting you."

Her words were like fire. They felt cathartic, like they were ripping through all the lies Ward had spun and leaving them in the dust. She let the anger fuel her, pressing her thumb harder against the mic as she spoke.

"No. I'm not turning back. I'm not coming back. Neither is Sarah. We're going to the Bahamas. We're leaving, and there's nothing you can do to stop us."

As she finished, the boat pitched violently, the storm's fury crashing against them with renewed strength. The winds howled like wolves, and the rain stung against their skin. The boat tilted dangerously to one side, the waves threatening to capsize them. The world seemed to spin in chaotic, dizzying motions, and Clara held onto Sarah tightly, as if holding on to something solid would keep them grounded.

The storm seemed to explode around them, waves rising higher, the boat rocking uncontrollably, but still, Clara and Sarah held on to each other. The water rushed over the sides, splashing them both, and the boat groaned under the weight of the storm. Their breaths were ragged, and Clara's heart thundered in her chest.

The radio crackled again, but this time, there were no words. Only static.

Then, as Clara and Sarah screamed together, holding each other as the storm tore them apart, the boat tilted one final time, and everything went black.

The rain pounded against the canvas tent, the relentless drumming matching the erratic rhythm of John B's heartbeat. Every drop that hit the fabric above felt like a cruel countdown, a taunting reminder that every second passing meant Clara and Sarah were either further away-or lost for good. The storm had been brutal, merciless, and now the silence inside the tent was just as unforgiving.

John B couldn't sit. He couldn't stay still. His soaked clothes clung to his skin, his damp curls plastered to his forehead, but he barely noticed. His legs paced back and forth, the mud squelching beneath his feet as he wrung his hands, glancing every few moments toward the entrance as if he could will someone-anyone-to walk in with good news.

But no one did.

Kie sat hunched in the corner, hugging her knees to her chest, her face pale and streaked with rainwater-or maybe tears, John B couldn't tell anymore. Her bottom lip trembled, but she was silent, rocking slightly as if she was trying to hold herself together. JJ was next to her, elbows resting on his knees, head down, his face obscured by his dripping blonde hair. For once, he wasn't running his mouth. He just sat there. Still.

Pope was the only one who had been moving, restless like John B, pacing in tight circles near the center of the tent. His fingers pressed into his temples, lips moving as if he were whispering prayers to himself.

It was suffocating.

The air in the tent felt thick, like all the oxygen had been sucked out, leaving only tension and dread.

Suddenly, the tent flap whipped open, rain spraying into the already damp space as Sheriff Shoupe stepped inside. His boots squelched in the mud, the weight of the storm dripping off his soaked raincoat. The thunder rumbled in the distance, low and menacing.

John B's heart leapt, his chest tightening as he surged forward. "Shoupe!" he choked out, voice cracking under the strain. He felt the sting in his throat, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered except the words he was desperate to hear. "My-my sister. Did you-did you find her?" His voice fractured with hope and fear all tangled together.

Shoupe didn't answer right away. He exhaled, slow and heavy, as he reached up to peel his rain-soaked hood back. His face was grim, brows furrowed deep, lips pressed into a tight line.

That wasn't good.

Pope had moved to John B's side, his face tense. "Well?" he pressed, voice sharper, demanding. "Did you find them?"

Kie stood too, stepping forward, her damp hair hanging in loose strands over her face. "They got away, right?" Her voice was trembling. "They- you have to tell us they made it out. They were on the Phantom-they know how to handle a boat-"

Shoupe's gaze dropped for a moment. The pause was too long.

John B felt it like a punch to the gut. "Say something!" His voice cracked, fists clenching. "Tell me they made it!"

The rain outside seemed louder now, a dull roar muffling the silence that stretched painfully.

Shoupe finally spoke. "No."

John B blinked. "What?" The word barely left his lips.

Shoupe shook his head. "We lost them." His voice was grave, heavy, like he didn't want to say the words but knew he had to. "The last sighting was past the southern inlet. The storm-it was too strong. Their boat..." He trailed off, unable to finish.

John B's stomach dropped. His body went numb.

"No."

It came out a whisper, barely audible, but it echoed in his head like a scream.

The storm outside raged on, but the noise felt distant-muted beneath the roaring silence that filled the tent.

His sister. Gone.

Sarah. Gone.

He couldn't breathe.

Kie's face crumpled as she shook her head violently. "No-NO!" Her voice broke, and she stumbled back, clutching at the edges of her jacket as if trying to physically hold herself together. "They wouldn't-they couldn't-"

Behind him, Pope let out a choked sound. "Oh my God." His knees buckled, and he collapsed back onto the crate, his face buried in his hands. His parents rushed in, their arms around him as he sobbed openly.

JJ, who had been silent this whole time, suddenly exploded. "You didn't try hard enough!" he shouted, voice raw, breaking as he lunged forward and shoved a nearby supply table. It clattered to the side, medical kits and lanterns spilling onto the muddy ground. "You were supposed to- You just gave up on them, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?!"

Shoupe didn't argue. He didn't even flinch.

John B barely registered any of it.

He felt like he was floating, untethered, like everything was happening around him in slow motion but he couldn't connect to any of it. His legs gave out, and he sank to his knees, staring blankly at the ground.

Clara's face kept flashing in his mind.

The way she used to laugh.
The way she always had his back, even when she was scared.
How fiercely she loved.
How fiercely she fought.

Now she was just... gone?

All he could hear was Shoupe saying those words again.

"We lost them."

A sob tore from his chest.

JJ's voice broke through, hoarse and shaking. "They have to still be out there. They have to-"

But John B couldn't hear it anymore.

His sister was gone.

And so was the last piece of his family.

The first thing Clara noticed was the sound of waves.

A steady, rhythmic rocking, gentle but persistent, like the entire world was swaying around her. The scent of salt lingered in the air, strong and sharp, making her head feel even heavier as she blinked open her eyes.

The ceiling above her was white, unfamiliar. Not the Phantom. Not the sky.

She tried to sit up, a sharp ache slicing through her head, making her groan as her hand flew to her temple. Everything felt foggy. Wrong.

Where-?

Footsteps.

The door creaked open, and suddenly there was Sarah, standing in the doorway, windblown and sun-kissed despite her tear-streaked face. Her eyes went wide with relief as she rushed forward, nearly tripping over herself as she dropped to her knees beside the bed.

"Clara!"

Clara barely had time to react before Sarah threw her arms around her, holding her tight, fingers trembling as they tangled in Clara's damp shirt.

"Oh my God, you're awake! Thank God. Thank God," Sarah whispered into her shoulder, voice thick with emotion.

Clara, still disoriented, blinked in confusion as she hesitantly returned the hug, though her muscles felt weak and shaky. "Sarah? What-what happened? Where are we?"

Sarah pulled back, her hands still cupping Clara's face, her thumbs brushing over her cheeks as she checked her over like she couldn't believe she was really there. Her eyes were red-rimmed, puffy from crying, but there was nothing but overwhelming relief in her expression.

"We-we lost the boat," Sarah stammered, voice shaky but urgent. "Clara, you were out cold. You hit your head when we-when the storm hit us. The waves-they were too strong, and I-"

She stopped, swallowing hard, as if the memory of it was too much.

Clara's heart pounded faster as fragmented flashes came back. The storm. The Phantom tilting. The icy waves slamming into her. The radio. Ward Cameron's voice. The panic.

"The Phantom..." she whispered, dread sinking into her chest. "Is it gone?"

Sarah nodded, biting her lip. "Yeah. Yeah, it-it sank. We were lucky. After the boat flipped, I-God, Clara, you weren't moving. I thought-" Her voice cracked, and she shook her head, pressing her forehead to Clara's as she whispered, "I thought I lost you."

Clara exhaled shakily, reaching up to cup Sarah's face, brushing damp strands of hair from her cheek. "You didn't. I'm right here."

Sarah nodded, sniffling, before her expression softened with a small, tearful smile. "I saw a ship. After the storm. I-I waved them down, and they picked us up. We're safe, Clara. We're on our way to the Bahamas. We made it."

The Bahamas.

It felt surreal.

Clara blinked hard, the fog starting to lift from her mind. "We made it?" she repeated, voice barely above a whisper.

Sarah nodded, leaning closer, her voice softer. "Yeah... Yeah, we did."

Clara could feel her pulse racing beneath her fingertips, matching the wild rhythm of her own heartbeat. She felt Sarah's breath on her skin, close enough to taste the salt on her lips.

"You saved me," Clara whispered, voice breaking. "You saved us."

Sarah shook her head, smiling faintly through the tears. "No. We saved each other."

And then, without hesitation, Sarah closed the space between them and kissed her.

It wasn't desperate or rushed like before. It was soft, steady, as if anchoring them both back to reality after everything they'd just survived. Clara melted into it, her hand sliding into Sarah's damp hair, clinging to her like she was the only thing keeping her grounded.

The boat rocked gently beneath them, the storm long gone. But the calm was just beginning.

They had made it.

Together.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

changed things up a bit!! i wanted to change the scenes since i didnt want to change all john bs scenes to clara!

onto s2!!!! :))

ill post s2 intro chapter in a day or so!

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im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up bt votes not its hard for my motivation!