"𝐈 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐞𝐭,
𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝."

THE CICADAS CHIRPING WAS THE ONLY THING COVERING THE SILENCE. We all sat together in front of a small fire John B, had done for us. Everyone just waiting for someone to speak. Eventually Pope, being the one to take amends with the situation.

Pope: "Hey, guys. So, like my dad's already gonna kill me. So what's the mandatory meeting about?"

June: "Thank you for asking, Pope." -I said, pounding my fist with the boy.

We all glanced at each of us, John B suddenly doing finger guns to JJ, so he could continue the conversation.

JJ: "Might as well tell him, man, before we're gaffed."

John B: "You ready for this?" -he asked, looking towards, me and Kie.

Kie: "Yeah."

John B: "So, the gold never went down with the Royal Merchant."

Pope: "Oh, my God. Here we go again with this." -the boy said, his tone coming out annoyed.

John B and JJ, both shut it the boy up. The pair placing their finger on their mouths, making Pope, look at them slightly confused.

JJ: "No, all right, wait. Hear him out, alright?"

John B: "It's been here the whole time, it's on the island." -he finished, everyone's eyes widening after his sentence.

Kie: "Are you serious? Oh my God."

June: "How do you know that?" -I asked, slightly smiling, filled with excitement.

All of us just stared at John B, surprised, looking over to Pope, for his reaction. Which wasn't quite good since he seemed to be not convinced yet.

Pope: "I'd like to voice my skepticism."

June: "He's kinda right, John B. Like, where did you found this information? Where were you at yesterday?" -I asked, looking at the brunette one for answers.

John B: "I'm sure you are all slightly feeling skeptic, but, can I please present you with my evidence, ladies and gentlemen?"

We all nodded, the boy standing up from the log to glance at everyone.

Pope: "Proceed."

John B: "All right. So, in my backpack, I have a letter from Denmark Tanny." -he began explaining, all of us listening to everything. 

Mostly focused on the piece of paper on the boy's hand.

Kie: "Who the hell's that?

June: "I've heard from him before, wait, he's related to the Royal Merchant?" -I asked, a letter being handled to, me and Kie.

June: "To answer Kie's question, Denmark Tanny, was a slave. He sadly went through a lot of stuff, not many people talk about him though."

John B: "Yeah, the thing is, he survived the Royal Merchant's wreck."

Kie: "What?"

June: "Wait, really?"

John B: "Yup. Slaves weren't mentioned as crew members on the ship, but our Dad, he found the complete manifest."

June: "Holy shit, that was his big discovery, right?" -I asked, reading the list with Kie, who only read everything in shock.

John B: "Exactly! So Tanny, used the gold from the Merchant to buy his freedom."

The curly head later on passed the letter towards, JJ and Pope. All of us focusing on everything that John B, was explaining.

June: "And after that, what?"

John B: "After that, he bought his farm."

June: "A farm? Really?" -I asked, making John B, laugh as he nodded.

John B: "Yeah. Drumroll, please, because that farm is..."

We all slapped our knees rapidly, the four of us waiting excitedly for his response.

John B: "Tannyhill Plantation." -he responded, a slight smile forming on his face.

Kie: "Tannyhill?"

June: "Holy shit."

John B: "Yeah. So, after that, he used his money to free even more slaves, and then he sold a shit-ton of rice."

John B: "Which pisses off all the white planters, as then they decide to lynch him." -he finished, everyone else sat silently.

We were practically still shocked over everything that was happening, John B, had gave us hope once again. I was praying in my head that this could be true, and nothing will go downhill.

June: "Is there any other information?"

John B: "Yeah, so, on the day they were coming to get him. He writes a letter to his son as a farewell."

John B: "And in the last line of that letter, he leaves a coded message about where to find the gold." -he replied, approaching Kie and I, slowly.

Kie: "Where?" -she whispered, a smile plastered on her face.

John B: "Harvest the wheat in parcel nine, near the water. Except...there's no wheat."

John B: "You see, wheat is a code for gold. Check this out." -he explained, walking towards Pope, to read the letter with him.

June: "So you're saying, the gold is in parcel nine, near the water?"

John B: "That's exactly what I'm saying, J-Bee." -he asserted, my mouth widening as Kie, laughed excitedly.

Pope: "Holy shit." -he mumbled, still reading the small paper.

John B: "All we need is an original survey map of the property, and we've found the gold."

Both JJ and I, stood up from our seats, walking towards John B, who opened his arms to embrace us into a hug.

June: "You're a freaking genius!" -I exclaimed, hugging the boy who laughed.

John B: "I am a genius."

JJ, pushed the boy back holding his face, me on the other hand just looking at them slightly confused.

JJ: "I'm so proud of you right now."

John B: "Thank you. That's really sweet of you." -he replied, pushing the boy away slightly.

Pope: "Okay, so, guys. What's the plan?"

John B: "Good question." -he answered, pointing at the boy.

Later on he began to walk towards Pope, all of us waiting for his answer.

John B: "So, Sarah Cameron's coming tonight. She's going to bring an original survey map-"

Kie: "Wait, wait. Hold on, Sarah? Wh-why? Sarah?" -she stuttered, looking at the boy confused.

Everyone else stood awkwardly, waiting for John B, to reply as he looked around slightly nervous.

John B: "Um."

JJ: "This is gonna be good."

June: "I'm also slightly confused, like, how did you guys sort of started to talk? Cause, Sarah's like my best friend and she didn't told me anything about you guys...talking."

June: "So like, what the hell? -I asked, crossing my arms as I stared at the brunette one.

John B: "Sarah, um, she got me into the archives in Chapel Hill yesterday, and that's where I got the letter."

June: "That's where you were at?!" -I asked, looking at the boy with widened eyes.

Kie: "You were in Chapel Hill with, Sarah Cameron?"

John B: "Yeah, um."

JJ: "He was mackin' on her." -the boy interrupted, all of us looking at him disgusted.

John B: "I wasn't macking."

JJ: "You were totally macking, Sarah Cameron. Am I or am I not right, June?" -he asked, looking at me for approval.

June: "Yeah, he's right. You kinda agreed when we asked you about it earlier today."

John B: "I wasn't macking on her, okay? I was using her for access." -he replied, my eyes widening after he explained.

June: "You're using her?!"

Kie: "Did you tell her about the treasure?" -she asked, not paying attention to the question I did to, John B.

John B: "I was trying to get into the archives!"

Kie: "Is that a yes?!" -she asked, her tone coming out harshly.

The rest of us just looked at the pair argue, me trying to come up with something to get them to stop from arguing.

Kie: "You let a Kook in on our secret? What about Pogue Life? What about the T-shirt company, bro?!"

John B: "I was just using her for information."

Kie: "Why don't I believe you?"

June: "She's right, that's totally a lie to be completely honest with you." -I commented, walking towards John B, who only glanced at the both us annoyed.

John B: "I'm trying to make us filthy rich here. Okay, so that we can pay off a boat, or send you to autopsy school to study dead bodies."

John B: "Or buy you, your artifact store!" -he ranted, pointing at me as he finished.

Kie, only stared at the distance, her body language seeming to be uncomfortable by the whole thing. I keep wondering why she dislikes Sarah, so much. What could've happened between the two girls to make them hate each other so much?

June: "John B, just tell us the truth. Remember, we said no secrets with each other."

John B: "Look, you guys know me. Do I look like the type of person to fall for, Sarah Cameron?" -he asked, instantly making me tilt my head to come up with a not so honest response.

Cause he actually does seem like a guy to fall for her, he does.

JJ: "Uh."

Pope: "Do you want us to answer that? Or?"

John B: "Just...just stop." -he demanded, placing his hand up to try and shut the boy up.

Kie: "Look, you don't know her yet. June and I, do! I know for a fact June, that you know that we can't trust her."

June: "I'm not gonna give an answer to that." -I mumbled, proceeding to try and walk away.

Kie: "Why? Cause you know I'm right? Just accept it, June! Sarah, is a fake friend."

She argued, looking at me with teary eyes as I only stood silently. Well, I genuinely didn't know what to say. Don't get me wrong, I love Sarah, so much. But sometimes I feel like I'm so distant from her, and I am. I genuinely don't really know how she is now, has she changed the same way that Rafe, has?

Pope: "Her brother did hit me in the back with a golf club."

John B: "Rafe and Sarah, are two different human beings." -he commented, making Kie, scoff.

JJ: "What did she do to you, exactly?"

We all quickly glanced at Kie, waiting for her response which she was quick to sort of give.

Kie: "She's like a- like a spitting cobra. First, she blinds you, and then-"

Pope: "This is a bad analogy."

Kie: "Listen to me! Whatever we get, she's gonna try to take."

We all stood there silently, the curly head quickly storming off as she finished. Leaving the rest of us alone, awkwardly looking at each other.

June: "You should talk to her, John B." -I mentioned, making him sigh.

Later on, he walked away in search for the girl. Now, what the hell are we going to do now?
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After a while, John B, drove towards the location where we were going to be meeting up with, Sarah. He stopped at the entrance of the place, JJ, quickly opened the door to let us outside.

JJ: "Hit it, boys! We're going."

June: "Whoo-Hoo!" -I exclaimed, beginning to head outside of the van.

John B: "Yo, uh...so, I think I'm gonna do this one by myself...tonight."

We all stared at each other awkwardly, the brunette one glancing at Kie, who only death stared the boy.

JJ: "Really?"

John B: "What?"

JJ: "Nothing, brother." -he replied, slightly annoyed as he glanced towards the distance.

I headed back inside the van, sitting down beside Kie, as I crossed my arms.

June: "I thought we were doing this together, John B."

John B: "Look, I just don't want to spook Sarah, with the peanut gallery." -he replied, looking at everyone for approval.

Kie: "I just don't understand why we're involving her at all."

John B: "Kie, we're not involving her, okay?"

June: "We are actually, why can't you accept it?"

John B: "She's not getting involved, all right?" -he replied, looking towards the outside.

Kie: "Than what is it exactly?"

John B: "It's just like like a business meeting thing."

I glanced back at JJ and Pope, as they both joked around making me slap JJ's neck.

John B: "Look, once we get what we need, we cut her loose, all right?" -he requested, making me sigh.

Even though I was trying to respect Kie's decision about Sarah, I couldn't help but feel bad for the blond one. Maybe she's actually trying to help out, I want to believe she's actually trying her best to help us out instead of just using us.

Kie: "Promise me nothing's happening between you two."

John B: "Nothing's happening, Kie."

Kie: "I'm being serious." -she whispered, her tone coming out firmly.

John B: "Okay!"

Kie: "This isn't about you, and this isn't about us. This is about her, dude, she's going to get inside your head." -she mentioned, the rest of us listened to the girl attentively.

Kie: "Just promise me nothing's happening between you guys."

John B: "I promise!" -he exclaimed, looking at the girl quickly.

We all squinted our eyes, automatically not believing the boy's response at all.

JJ: "That was really believable." -he said sarcastically, looking at Pope, who also agreed.

Pope: "A hundred percent believable."

June: "Just go, Sarah, must be waiting already for you." -I finished, pointing over to the spot where John B, was supposed to head to.

John B: "Yeah, um, I'm gonna take care of business."

JJ: "You're gonna take care of it."

June: "Good luck!"

Pope: "We'll just sit here...in the hot-ass car. While it's lightning, great."

The brunette one, hurried out leaving the rest of us alone on the van. Eventually JJ and Pope, bursting into laughter. Kie, on the other side still seeming to be mad.
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It had already been a couple of minutes after John B had left to meet up with, Sarah. The two boys only talked to each other, their conversation being about the past couple of arguments with, Rafe. I only glanced outside the window, looking up to the sky too see the different lightning. Storms terrify me, mostly because of the thunder and lightning. But something about hearing the rain, is actually comforting to me.

Kie: "Wait, do you guys hear that? Sh." -the girl asked, suddenly interrupting my thoughts.

I glanced towards the curly head's direction, the rest of us trying to listen to whatever the girl was hearing.

June: "I don't hear anything, just the thunders."

Kie: "Just listen." -she remarked, everyone else beginning to listen once again for a couple of seconds.

Sarah: "Please, somebody help!"

My eyes widened after I heard the loud plead for help, everyone else quickly opening the door of the van.

JJ: "Oh, wait, no, I hear that."

Pope: "Shit."

Kie: "What the fuck?!"

June: "Hurry up, guys!" -I demanded, all of us running out of the van.

We ran as fast as we could to where the shouting came from, soon after stumbling across Sarah who laid on top of John B, who seemed to not be moving at all.

June: "John B!" -I shouted, tears quickly rooming down my cheeks after I noticed that the railing from the tower was broken.

Pope: "Sarah! What happened?"

The girl sobbed loudly, as I laid beside her. I took a hold of John B's face, trying to make sure he was still awake.

June: "Sarah, what the hell happened?!" -I shrieked, my voice breaking as I stared down to the boy.

Sarah: "I don't know what to do. He needs help, Topper, shoved him."

I looked around, trying to find Topper, anywhere near the area. Anger rooming through my veins, only wanting to seek for revenge.

JJ: "Where the hell is he?"

Sarah: "No, please, please, please get help. I don't care who, just call someone." -she begged, as she placed her head on my shoulders.

June: "John B, can you hear me?! Please answer! Don't leave me please! Pope, hurry up!"

JJ: "Go. Go!" -he demanded, the other boy quickly running off to call for help.

June: "Guys, he is not responding. What the hell do we do?! Please do something!"

Kie: "Pope, hurry!" -she shouted, looking down at, me and Sarah.

I felt a pair of arms hugging me from behind, my loud sobbing getting covered thanks to the embrace.

JJ: "He's going to be fine, June. Don't worry." -he reassured, as I held onto John B's hand tightly.

I could hear Sarah, speaking to the boy, she whispered something to him. The wind and the rain beginning to fall quicker, making it hard to hear anything.

JJ: "Pope! Come on!"
________________________________
HOSPITALS, POSSIBLY ONE OF MY WORST NIGHTMARES. I began to hate them actually a couple of months ago, I woke up in one the last day I remember seeing, Dad. For some reason, I can't remember how the rest of that day went. What did I do with him? How did I went from being in Outer Banks to being back home with, Mom? I've always questioned what could've happened, I don't have the answer to that.

Mom, has never told me the reason. I don't even know if she knows the truth, she's very secretive. Kinda convinced she got that from Dad, maybe that's a trait she gained from dating him.

I was currently on my way to head outside of the hospital. Recently I had gotten the news of both me and John B, being adopted by, Ward Cameron. I'm grateful, don't get me wrong. I'm just not too comfortable with the idea of living in the same walls that Rafe, lives in. It doesn't sit right with me, at all. Not after what he has done to us, especially, Pope.

I was told to leave by Ward, he told me that a driver was going to take me to his home. Which I tried to deny, I wanted to stay for when John B, woke up. But, he begged me to go and rest at his home. So I did, even though I didn't wanted to.

Making my way to the outside of the hospital, a couple of people entered quickly. Part of the group pushed past, making me stumble towards the ground. I grunted as my body impacted the floor, I tried to stand up but suddenly I felt a hand grabbing my shoulder.

June: "I'm okay, don't worr-"

Rafe: "Here, give me your hand." -the boy interrupted me, taking a hold of my hand to stand me up.

I got his grip away from my hand, standing up myself from the ground. Glaring at the boy with nothing but pure disgust, I only began to walk away hearing his rapid footsteps behind me.

Rafe: "June, wait, hold on!" -he shouted, suddenly stepping in front of me.

This one stopping me from walking further, only to make me try pushing him away but couldn't over how much force he did.

Rafe: "Just, here me out. All right?"

June: "I don't care about anything you need to say, I don't need to talk to you." -I argued, passing beside him to make my way to the parking lot.

Rafe: "I'm the one who's going to drive you home!"

I stopped my tracks, quickly looking back to the boy confused.

June: "What?!"

Rafe: "Dad, told me to drive you home." -he responded, showing me the vehicle's keys.

I only sighed, continuing to walk away from the blond one.

Rafe: "You can't just walk back to Figure Eight!"

June: "I've done it before, what makes you think I can't do it again?!"

Rafe: "Just get on the bike already, June. I promise I won't talk to you or ask anything, just let me do this for you." -he finished, gently grabbing my wrist to pull me towards his bike.

We both stopped in front of the red motorcycle, making me sigh as he sat down on the small couch of the dirt bike. He passed me a helmet, not even speaking to me at all.

June: "I thought we were gonna go on a car...not this."

Rafe: "I don't have a car, yet."

I sat down behind the boy, trying to find a spot to hold onto. He had began to turn the engine of the motorcycle on, I quickly took a hold of his waist. In my head I was screaming for help pretty much, this is the one thing I did not wanted to do at all.

The boy drove for a while throughout the streets of the island, eventually arriving towards his house after what felt like possibly forever. I didn't wait any seconds and began to head out of his bike, making my way towards the big entrance of the home. This one where at the moment, I noticed Rose, looking at me slightly confused.

Rose: "June? Honey, it's good to see you." -she commented, approaching me to pull me into a hug.

June: "Hello, Rose. It's good to see you too, Ward, told me to come over."

Rose: "Everything okay? I heard about what happened with your brother."

June: "Yeah, everything's fine. Is there any room I can put these in?" -I asked, showing my bags to the woman.

She quickly nodded, motioning me to follow her inside. I looked back one last time seeing Rafe's expression, he seemed sad or disappointed. It's still hard for me to not feel something deep down for him, as much as I'm trying to avoid him he sort of comes back like a magnet or something. But I'm not betraying my friends like that, as hard as it is. I won't do it, even though I still want him sadly.

We both walked upstairs, the home sort of smelled weird today. The surroundings of the home had sort of a earthy, herbal or even woody scent around. It was familiar, it reminded me of The Château.

June: "Are you baking something, Mrs. Cameron?" -I questioned, looking at the woman who was quick to chuckle over my question.

Rose: "No, I've also been smelling that recently. I don't know what it is to be honest, sorry if it bothers you."

She then opened a wooden door, allowing me to see the insides of the room she had chosen for me. I smiled slightly towards the blonde one, placing my backpack down to run straight to a bay window inside of the bedroom.

Rose: "Hope you enjoy it, sweetheart. You can also start decorating it as soon as you want, we don't really use it."

Rose: "So, you can put whatever you'd like inside."

June: "Thanks, Rose. This is more than perfect, I'll see what I can do." -I grinned, eventually staying alone on the space as the woman left the room.

I peeked once again towards the outsides of the home, looking at the large backyard. Slowly I realized what was happening now, and part of me couldn't believe what was going on. Me and my twin brother, were adopted.

Adopted by probably the richest family on the island, which I have known since forever. Now, my best friend is dating my brother, which also sounds really weird to say. Like, how did they even decided to talk to each other? How did their first conversation even went? There was too many questions inside my brain at the moment, none of them couldn't be answered now.

I suddenly was startled by my phone beginning to ring, making me turn around to find it quickly inside of the bag.

June: "Hello?"

Unknown Voice: "Hey, what's up? How's John B?"

June: "JJ? You had a phone this whole time?" -I asked, as soon as I recognized the boy's voice.

JJ: "That's kinda of an offensive question, but yeah I did. Now, answer my question."

June: "Yeah he's fine, I think." -I replied, quickly regretting my response.

JJ: "You think?"

June: "No! I meant, yes! He is okay, I just needed to leave the hospital."

JJ: "Why? What happened?" -he questioned, only making me sigh as I walked towards the bed.

June: "I'll wait for John B, to tell this one. I'm sort of in shock right now, I don't think I'm ready to answer now."

JJ: "What? What is that supposed to m-"

I interrupted the boy's question, hanging up the phone call quickly. My eyes looking up to the ceiling to think about everything, that at least John B's okay. I seriously don't know what would've happened if I lost him too, I wouldn't have been able to continue. And now that I think much deeper into this whole treasure hunt thing, I'm really scared to loose him. He's the only family member left for me, Mom, told me to never come back.

Dad, is possibly dead, and other distant family members don't even give a shit about us. John B, is the only one left, that terrifies me.

My eyes slowly began to close, my inner thoughts became slower and more sluggish. My  body slowly started to release my tension, which caused my body posture to change. Suddenly feeling this sort of calm/serene state of mind. I haven't felt that in a while, I barely get any sleep now. It's hard to when your life has taken one of the craziest turn ever, always running from something or someone.
________________________________
Two days had already passed after what happened, I had been keeping contact with John B, and today was finally the day he was coming to the Cameron's home. Officially making us civilians from, Tannyhill.

I made sure I decorated my room with what I could find just like Rose, told me to. It was pretty fun, I finally had a comfy bed to sleep in after a while of not having one. Also, thankfully succeeding to avoid Rafe, which I feel really proud of.

Sarah: "Before you freak out and say "where's John B?" he's downstairs having a private conversation with my dad." -the girl said, quickly entering my room.

My eyes widened completely, the blonde one getting startled as I ran rapidly towards her.

June: "You are back!" -I exclaimed, pulling the girl into a hug.

Sarah: "Hell yeah! How are you? Rose, told me you haven't really been getting out of your room. Why is that?"

She asked, a slight smile plastered on her face as she looked down at me. I sat on a small hanging chair, inside the room smiling back to the girl.

June: "I've been heading out a couple of times but only to eat and buy some stuff for me, that's it."

Sarah: "Everything okay?" -she wondered, her smile fading.

June: "It's just that I've been trying to avoid, Rafe."

Sarah: "What did he do?"

I could've sworn the girl's ears started to let out smoke, they way she quickly grinned her eyes after my sentence. This making it very clear how mad she was already getting.

Sarah: "I'll be right back." -she reassured, heading out of the room rapidly.

I only realized what she meant a couple of seconds after, only making me run after the girl to stop her from whatever she was about to do.

I ran across the hallway, making my way down the stairs to see Rafe's room open. Yelling coming from inside, only making me sigh as I approached the wooden door.

Sarah: "The one thing I asked you to do, is the first thing you did?! What is wrong with you, Rafe?!" -she shouted, pushing the boy back towards a desk.

Rafe: "Sarah, just calm down."

Sarah: "No! What? You told me you wouldn't hurt her and you did! That's why there's so many reasons why I don't trust you."

She began to walk off, pulling me out with her. She stopped her tracks mid way, looking sort of stunned at something. I glanced towards where her eyes were looking at, only to smile brightly as I saw John B, standing in front of us.

John B: "Hey." -he whispered, chuckling as he approached me.

I hugged him tightly, the boy slightly grunting over how hard I was embracing him.

June: "I'm so glad you're okay."

John B: "Trust me, I'm also glad." -he replied, pulling me away to take a look at my face.

He started to laugh as he noticed how my eyes were teary, only to make him kiss my forehead.

June: "That's new."

John B: "Shut up." -he responded, shuffling my hair as we both laughed.

June: "So, what are we doing?"

John B: "I need to go meet up with the Pogues, want to come too?" -he asked, looking at me for approval.

June: "Sure, let me go get my backpack."

He nodded, as I ran off to the upstairs to get some of my stuff quickly. The pair stayed behind, both of them talking about some of the papers John B, found.

I made sure I grabbed everything needed, grabbing extra clothes and shoes. I've noticed that every time I go to the Cut, something ends up getting me dirty or wet. So those extra clothes were just for precautions, emergency even.

I headed down the stairs rapidly, meeting up with John B, once again.

June: "Hey, you coming?" -I asked, grabbing Sarah's shoulder.

Sarah: "No, I prefer not to. I'm pretty sure Kie, won't be happy to see me. Maybe another time, okay?"

June: "Oh, okay. We'll be back soon, don't worry." -I replied, receiving a nod from the girl as John B, gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Later on we walked off, approaching the Twinkie. I looked at John B, with my mouth wide open making him laugh as he noticed.

John B: "Yup, Ward, brought it over with a tow truck." -he mentioned, heading inside of the van followed by me.

June: "So, is our adventure starting today, again?"

John B: "Yeah, officially today."

June: "Then let's get going!"

We both laughed, John B, quickly drove off heading straight to the Cut. Hopefully he's right, that this is where everything starts officially for the better.

End of chapter.

5022 words<3
Sofia's notes:
So, this chapter I feel like it was sort of boring I don't even know, I also wanted to show y'all someone that will show up for the next chapter!!

Here's Bailey Martin, Barry's sister 🤍