⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ fantasy or reality ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)

the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

【 SEASON EPISODE 3 PART 2 】

The group arrived at the country club parking lot, the afternoon sun casting harsh rays down on the gleaming cars and pristine lawns. The air was heavy with a mixture of manicured grass and chlorine from the nearby pool, creating an almost surreal sense of calm that sharply contrasted with their urgent mission.

"All right, keep a lookout. We're behind enemy lines," JJ announced with a smirk, his voice dripping with playful intensity as he surveyed the posh surroundings.

Clara rolled her eyes with a grin, hopping out of the van alongside Kie. "Behind enemy lines. If they wanna fight, they can just have JJ bark at them," she quipped, nudging Kie with a chuckle, recalling JJ's habit of barking to intimidate the snakes they'd encountered earlier.

Pope snickered, shaking his head as he followed the girls out of the van, and John B came out last, suppressing a grin. JJ raised his arms in exaggerated exasperation, sighing with mock offense as he looked over his shoulder at them.

"You know, I'll take that as a compliment!" JJ yelled, making the group snicker as they walked across the lot towards the country club entrance.

They slipped through the door, blending in as best they could. With its white walls, plush armchairs, and polished wood fixtures, the country club looked like another world-starkly different from the Outer Banks chaos they were used to. Moving quickly, they navigated past the snooty patrons, ducking their heads as they crossed the marble-floored foyer and headed for the quietest place they could find: the library.

As soon as they stepped inside, Pope's eyes lit up. The computer sat untouched in the far corner of the room, its screen beckoning to him. "Sweet Lord, the internet! I've missed you," he exclaimed, rushing over and practically worshipping the device after days without Wi-Fi.

JJ, never one to miss an opportunity, slid in right behind Pope. "Let me get in there. Gotta check out my Insta models," he said with a mischievous grin, shoving Pope aside to take over the keyboard, his fingers poised to type.

Clara laughed, muffling the sound with her hand. But Kie cut them both a stern look, her voice a hushed warning. "We don't have time," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

Pope reluctantly nudged JJ out of the way and began to type, pulling up Google Maps. The screen glowed with the soft blue of loading coordinates, illuminating the focused expressions on everyone's faces.

"Hey. Hey! Hey! I got the map!" Pope exclaimed, a note of triumph in his voice as he glanced back at Clara and John B. "Coordinates, please?"

"34° 57' 30" north, 75° 55' 42" west," Clara answered quickly, her voice precise as she leaned over Pope's shoulder to make sure the coordinates were entered correctly.

The map zoomed in, and the location pinpointed on the screen in a few moments. Pope let out a satisfied sigh, murmuring under his breath, "Boom, continental shelf right there."

John B narrowed his eyes, analyzing the depth indicated on the map. "It's on the high side. It's only 900 feet," he observed, his tone thoughtful.

"That's not too deep," JJ interjected confidently, his gaze fixed on the screen, already plotting their next move.

Kie shot him a skeptical glance, eyebrows raised. "Is that doable or something?" she asked, sounding unconvinced.

"Yeah, totally doable," JJ replied, giving her a reassuring nod, clearly more confident than the others.

Pope wasn't convinced, though. He turned slowly, squinting as he looked at JJ. "Will we be taking your personal submarine?" he sassed, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

JJ ignored him, barely blinking. "The salvage yard," he said, a spark of excitement lighting up his eyes. "They've got a drone that can drop 1,000 feet. It's got a 360-degree camera and everything. It's for, like, deep dives and stuff. It's exactly what we need."

John B thought for a moment, then asked, "Can your dad get his grimy little hands on that?"

JJ snorted, shaking his head with a dry laugh. "Well, my dad's grimy little hands got his ass fired. Turns out the salvage captain frowns on showing up shitfaced. But the drone's there. It's in the impound yard out back."

Kie's expression turned serious as she glanced at Clara, the gravity of their plan setting in. "How much did you say was on the Royal Merchant again?" she asked softly, her eyes widening.

Clara swallowed, her voice low as she spoke. "500 million," she mumbled, the number almost too large to grasp.

JJ's eyes lit up with excitement, the enormity of the sum hanging in the air. "500 million dollars?" he repeated, his voice low, almost reverent.

Clara nodded, and the group exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. They knew the risks, but the thought of that kind of money was too tempting to resist. Without another word, they turned toward the door, ready to run for it, when suddenly Pope darted in front, blocking their path.

"No. Absolutely not. Absolutely not. No!" he exclaimed, his arms stretched wide, looking at each of them with pleading eyes as he positioned himself firmly in the doorway.

"Pope! Move," Clara said firmly, stepping forward with a steady gaze, trying to nudge him aside.

Pope shook his head stubbornly, his hands outstretched. "Guys, that's too-"

"Come on," Kie muttered, giving him a slight shove as she maneuvered around him, the others following quickly. The group burst through the door, leaving a reluctant Pope behind as they dashed into the daylight, their hearts pounding with a mix of adrenaline and anticipation, united by the thrill of the chase for something life-changing.

The van rattled down the road, dust kicking up behind them as Pope's worried rambling filled the air. John B sighed, gripping the wheel a little tighter and hitting it with a slight tap of frustration. "Pope, we're not stealing the drone. We're borrowing it," he insisted, a twinge of irritation in his voice.

In the backseat, Pope leaned his head back against the wall of the van, eyes closed as he let out a long, exasperated sigh. "Humans are the only animal that can't tell fantasy from reality," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

John B squinted, momentarily shifting his gaze to Pope in the rearview mirror, a puzzled expression crossing his face. Slowly, he turned his head to look at him directly. "Did you come up with that?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Pope rolled his eyes, a slight smirk pulling at his lips. "Albert Bernstein came up with it," he corrected, "but it applies to this whole treasure-hunting thing."

"So, which is it?" Pope continued, his tone more serious than before. "Fantasy or reality?"

JJ let out a sigh from the front seat, shaking his head with a slight grin. "Why are you so weird, Pope?" he teased, clearly unfazed by Pope's philosophical musings.

Kie chimed in, her voice light as she leaned forward, thoughtful. "It's fantasy, but possible reality," she offered, glancing around the group with a small shrug.

All eyes turned to John B, who hadn't lifted his gaze from the road. His jaw set in quiet determination, he replied, "Reality."

JJ rolled his eyes, trying to cut through the tension with humor. "Virtual reality," he muttered, attempting to sound like a smartass. Pope snorted, amused by JJ's typical antics.

But then Clara's voice broke through, soft but sure. "Fantasy," she murmured, staring out the window, her thoughts seemingly elsewhere.

Everyone turned to her, a bit taken aback. John B's face softened slightly, a hint of hurt flashing in his eyes. Clara noticed immediately, her cheeks flushing as she waved her hands defensively. "I like fantasy," she added with a shrug, hoping to lighten the mood.

Pope chuckled, and JJ, ever the jokester, lifted his joint in the air, extending it toward Pope with a mischievous grin. Pope gave him a slight smack on the hand in refusal, making JJ groan in exaggerated annoyance.

"You know what your problem is?" JJ asked, leaning back and looking at Pope with a raised eyebrow.

"You?" Pope shot back instantly, smirking as Clara stifled a giggle.

JJ rolled his eyes dramatically, huffing. "No! It's that you need to relax, man. You're always so tense!" he exclaimed, tossing his hands up as if making a grand revelation.

Pope scoffed, crossing his arms and turning away with a reluctant smile. "I'm not too tense," he grumbled, though his stubborn tone betrayed him.

As they finally pulled into the empty lot, John B brought the Twinkie to a halt, the brakes squeaking as they parked. JJ, Pope, John B, and Kie clambered out, stretching as they adjusted to the warm afternoon sun beating down.

Kie noticed Clara still in her seat, a thoughtful expression on her face. She leaned back in through the open door, eyebrows raised. "You coming, Princess Clara?" she asked with a teasing grin.

Clara shook her head, pulling her backpack up onto her lap and unzipping it. "Gonna write," she explained with a small smile, already reaching for her notebook and pen.

Kie nodded, giving her an understanding smile. "All right. Don't get too lost in your fantasy," she joked, closing the van door with a soft thud before joining the others.

Left alone in the quiet of the van, Clara let out a deep breath, letting the stillness settle around her. She flipped open her notebook, the blank pages almost taunting her, but she took a steadying breath, her heart pounding slightly. Her mind wandered to Sarah Cameron-the girl who had somehow managed to make her heart race, to make her feel things she hadn't expected.

After a brief pause, Clara put pen to paper, her hand moving almost hesitantly as she began to write a letter, words pouring out as she let herself be honest in a way she'd never been before.

Dear Sarah,

I don't know if I'll ever give this to you, but there's something about you that makes it impossible for me to keep pretending I don't feel anything. You're like a storm I can't escape, and part of me doesn't want to.

Every time you laugh, it's like the world stops for a second, and I know it sounds crazy, but you make everything feel lighter. I think you're a force, a hurricane of light that pulls everyone in, and maybe I've been caught up in it too. You make me believe in things I never thought I'd believe in, like maybe there's some kind of magic in all this chaos.

I wish I could just say it, face-to-face, without feeling like an idiot. I wish I could let you see how much you mean to me.

But for now, I guess I'll keep this to myself. At least until I'm ready to tell you the truth.

Clara stopped, her fingers hesitating above the page. She read over the words, her heart hammering in her chest. For a moment, she considered tearing it out, throwing it away, but instead, she tucked it back into her notebook, closing it gently.

With a sigh, Clara leaned back in her seat, her mind drifting back to the others outside, and to Sarah-always Sarah. The reality of their situation weighed on her, but for just a moment, fantasy felt like the better option.

Rain pounded the deck as the storm surged around them, thunder echoing above the crashing waves. John B, bracing himself against the boat's railing, yelled over the chaos, "All right, JJ! Pin it here!"

JJ grinned from behind the wheel, gripping it tightly as he adjusted their course. "Roger that! X marks the spot. All right, ladies and gentlemen-going full Kook!" he shouted, his voice carrying above the storm, and Clara rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her excitement.

She leaned over the edge, glancing down at the turbulent water before turning her attention back to the monitor she and Pope were watching. "All right, JJ, we're right over it! Ten seconds northwest," Clara yelled.

"Got it! Ten seconds northwest!" JJ shouted, steering accordingly as he fought the waves.

Kie, focused on the monitor, dropped the drone lower into the water. "One hundred feet!" she called, her voice tense as she adjusted the drone's depth.

Clara squinted, studying the flickering screen for any signs of the treasure. Suddenly, a squid darted across the monitor, making Pope jump back with a gasp. Clara shot John B an exasperated look as he dashed over, wide-eyed.

"What? What, what, what?" John B asked, breathless with excitement.

Clara shook her head with a smirk. "It was nothing," she shouted, trying not to laugh.

"Four hundred feet!" Kie announced as thunder boomed again, shaking the boat. Clara felt the force of the tide pushing against them and leaned over, gripping the railing. "The tide's turning!" she warned.

John B waved JJ's attention back to him. "Hey, JJ? Ten seconds easy-south-southeast!"

JJ hummed loudly, adjusting their heading as he called back, "Copy that!"

As the rope attached to the drone drifted closer to the propellers, Pope's eyes widened. "Kie! Keep the tether out of the prop!" he yelled.

"I'm trying!" Kie shouted, her fingers wrapped tightly around the control stick as she guided the drone.

"JJ, keep going!" John B urged, pointing forward.

"Is that good?" JJ hollered back, unable to see John B's thumbs-up.

John B confirmed, "We're good!"

"Seven hundred feet!" Kie called out over the rumble of thunder. The boat rocked violently as the waves grew harsher, making Clara yelp as she grabbed the edge to steady herself. Pope quickly reached out, his hand finding hers in a comforting grip.

"JJ, hold it steady!" John B shouted as the boat rocked beneath them, the storm intensifying with every second.

"Okay, nine hundred!" Kie yelled as the boat lurched harder. John B steadied himself, calling out to JJ, "JJ, we're gonna turtle in this storm!"

"Nine twenty!" Kie called, her eyes glued to the monitor.

"Crank it north by northwest! Ten seconds!" John B ordered JJ, then turned back to Clara and Pope, leaning on the table beside them. "Clare Bear, Pope-how we doing?"

"Almost there," Pope muttered, squinting at the monitor.

Clara gripped the tether line with Kie as the boat jolted from a sudden wave, the rope slipping against her hands. "There's too much current! We're gonna lose it!" Kie shouted. "Clara, help me out!"

Clara ran over, grabbing the line alongside Kie, wincing as the rope burned against her palms. Thunder clapped overhead as they struggled to keep their grip, their faces scrunched in concentration.

"South, southwest, JJ! Hard! Half speed! Steady at this bearing, JJ!" John B shouted.

He turned back to Pope, eyes wide with anticipation. "What do you got, Pope? Come on, man, what do you see?"

Pope shook his head, frustrated as he scanned the screen. "Nothing. A whole lot of nothing," he muttered, stepping back.

John B's face fell, refusing to believe it. "You should be right above it, brother." He turned urgently to the girls. "Clara!"

"Nine sixty!" Clara called, picking up on his cue.

"Nine seventy!" Kie followed a beat later.

"Nine eighty!" Clara shouted, a flicker of excitement breaking through as she spotted something in the distance. She let out a small cheer, looking to Kie, who glanced back at the monitor.

"We're at the bottom! We're at the bottom!" Kie exclaimed, her voice carrying an edge of disbelief.

"Okay, steady here, JJ! Steady here. Quarter speed, all right?" John B instructed, his eyes glued to the monitor.

Clara quickly tied off the tether to secure the drone, making sure it was anchored firmly before she and Kie rushed over to John B and Pope. Her heart raced as she watched the screen, the water dark and murky, until-

"There it is," she whispered, her eyes catching something glimmering in the depths.

"Wait, wait!" Clara pointed urgently at the screen, everyone falling silent as they focused on the image. Pope leaned in, squinting.

"Oh, good God," Kie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

JJ's voice rang out from the helm, oblivious to what they'd found. "See anything?"

Clara, Pope, Kie, and John B huddled around the monitor, their eyes fixed on the unmistakable figure of the lady carved at the bow of the structure.

"Holy fuck," Clara muttered, a breathless laugh escaping her as she stared in awe.

John B's eyes widened, his face alight with excitement. "It's the Royal Merchant," he breathed out, his voice filled with reverence.

ASH SPEAKS!

ladies and gentlemen... sarah and clara next chapter💋🤭

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)