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Adria took ahold of the envelope, her eyes grazing over it before she wiped the dust off and handed it through the opening to John B.

"that's not gold" Pope sighed out.

"No, but it is something" Adria said as she began to pull herself out Kie came to her side to help her before the two walked up to John B, Adria wiping her hands on her shorts.

"Holy shit" John B muttered a smiling appearing on his face as he glanced at them for a moment "this is from my dad"

A smile appearing on Kiara's face as John B looked back down to the envelope.

"code red. Code red!" JJ spoke tearing their attention away from John B "square groupers, square groupers!"

"go, go" Kie ushered as they run behind the tomb "light"

JJ began to put his joint out on the wall causing Pope to role his eyes as he reached up and flicked the light off on the blondes head "JJ, turn your light off, man"

Adria flicked off the small light in her hand as she crouched to the ground

"John B your light" Kiara whispered to him as he fumbled with it before finally turning it off.

Kie glanced up to JJ and Pope who were looking over the corner "do you think it's them?"

"Homies got a gun" JJ spoke, his eyes still on the men.

Kiara shook her head "Screw this" she uttered out, the girl rising to her feet and broke off into a sprint the others following.

Adria's eyes widen slightly as she stumbles to her feet- being the last of them to catch on and rushes after them, her hands grabbing ahold of the wall her friends had already began to climb over.

She glances over her shoulder once she reached the top seeing the lights grow closer before she jumped down onto the gravel below her.

"guys, Guys!" Adria's attention turned to Pope who was up on top of the gate, her brows cinch together as she notices his shorts caught on the fence.

"I'm stuck, I'm stuck" the worry in the boys voice didn't go un-missed.

John B and Kiara rushed up to him just as Adria was about to, in the corner of her eye, she saw JJ who was now holding the gun up at Pope "Okay I got this, Pope don't move!"

Adria's eyes widen at him and takes his hand quickly lowering the gun "What the hell were you gonna do with the gun? Shoot him down!?" she exclaims with wide eyes.

JJ moved his head side to side "I mean, yeah" he shrugged.

her mouth hung open for a moment before she began to shake her head "just put the gun away, JJ" she spoke with a look as she ran towards the others who were trying to get the boy down

"wait, wait, you're gonna rip, you're gonna rip me!" he whisper-shouted at his friends.

"you're fine, come on" Kie spoke as the three continued to pull Pope by his legs.

a tearing sound filled her ears as Pope finally came down from the fence but his shorts were still there leaving the boy in just his underwear.

"Come on dude, it's a little tootsie roll" the teens begin run towards the Twinkie while JJ teased the boy.

Kiara and Adria share a look as they begin to laugh, piling into the van.

John B already beginning to drive before Kiara had shut the door.

──⇌••⇋──

The Pogues were now back at John B's place scattered through the house desperately waiting for him to open the envelope.

Adria walked past the kitchen before her brows furrow and takes a few steps backwards "Doesn't that bread have mold on it?" she questions.

"Like three days ago" Pope muttered as he walked past the girl causing a small smile to form on her face as she walked into the kitchen.

JJ glanced to her and paused what he was doing for a moment before shrugging "I'll just pull of the bad parts. Plus, Mold is good for you. It's just a natural organism"

Adria's brows raised "Sure" she sang out sarcastically.

The Monroe girl looking for some type of food that wasn't expired which ultimately failed. she shut the cupboard door and made her way towards the table where John B, Kiara, and Pope were already.

"You should really invest some of your money into food, JB"

Though Adria's comment barely seemed to faze him while he was tearing open the envelope.

"JJ" Kie called out to the boy who was still in the kitchen.

"yep, yep" JJ grabbed the sandwich he had just made, jogging over to the table "hot damn, let's do it!"

JJ took a bite from his sandwich and not even a moment later he gagged spitting the sandwich out. Adria glanced at him as she bit her lip to stop herself from laughing adverting her attention to John B.

The boy pulled out a map and laid it on the table causing Adria's brows to cinch together she noticed the small drawings on it with coordinates.

"Oh" pope spoke before pointing to the map his finger right above a small x written on it "X marks the spot"

"longitude, latitude" John B mumbled his finer dragging over the map "wait there's something else in there" John B reached into the envelope once again pulling out a tape recorder.

confusion covered the blonde Pogues face "what's that?"

Kiara looked to the boy "a tape recorder, dumbass" she replied before looking back at it.

John B looked it over for a moment before pressing play "Dear Bird." That voice sounded familiar to Adria but she couldn't quite figure it out until it hit her-

that was Big John

"who's bird?" JJ questioned again.

Adria turned to him "can you like not talk for ten minutes-"

John B's eyes didn't leave the tape recorder as he spoke cutting Adria short "that's what my dad called me"

"I hate to say I told you so, but.. I told you so" Big John's voice filled their ears, the four sharing looks besides John b.

"And you doubted your old man. I suspect at this moment, you're filled with guilt and self-loathing over out last fight, but don't kill yourself just yet, kid. I didn't expect to find the Merchant either"

Adria's brows raise a barely audible laugh of shock leaving her mouth as she shares a glance with Kiara.

clattering came from the tape before Big John spoke again "you were probably right to call me out. Wasn't exactly father of the decade. What can I say, kid? I could smell the barn." a sigh left his lips "and hopefully, we're listening to this in our brand new sugar-shack down in Costa Rica, livin' off passive investments and pulling on permits."

"if not, and you find this for less than optimal reasons, well, That's what the map is for. There she is, The wreck of the Merchant. If something happens to me, finish what I started. Go for the gold, Kid. I love you bird, even if I didn't always act like it" it went silent for only a moment

"I'll see you on the other side"

static crackles through the tape for a moment before John B turns it off, Adria's gaze softened as she looks at John B who had quickly gotten up from his chair and began to walk away but he didn't get very far as he collapsed onto the doorframe and began to sob.

"Holy shit, he did it! Big John he-- He found the Merchant"

Adria's gaze turns to JJ as she shakes her head "JJ" she waves her hand across her neck trying to hint him to stop talking

"Sorry" he mumbled, Adria watched as Kiara made her way towards the Routledge boy before wrapping her arms around him in a comforting hug while the boy sobbed.

They all knew that was Big Johns goodbye to his son.

.     .    .

The Pogues were now out on the dock enjoying the cool breeze now that it was night and the blistering sun was gone.

Kiara was strumming a tune on her ukulele, Adria's head rested against one of the beams, eyes closed as she listened to the melody Kie was playing.

"How much was it again?" JJ questioned gaining the girls attention as her eyes opened

"four hundred mil" Pope answered

JJ sighs "all right, let's talk the split. Now before we say evenly may I remined you that I am the only one that can properly defend us from those groupers who were after us" JJ waved the gun ever so slightly "protection? not cheep, okay"

"you haven't trained" Pope cut him off quickly before he could say anything else "you have zero training"

JJ shrugged "YouTube, bro. That's like a ten percent jump. Any objections?" he paused for a moment before shrugging "didn't think so"

Kiara looked to Pope "so what are you gonna do with your 100 mil, Pope?" she questioned changing the subject.

"Pay for collage in advance." he answered "and also, textbooks, those are expensive"

"what about you Kie?" JJ looked at the girl as Pope nodded "yeah what does a socialist do when she's rich?"

Kiara chuckles as she bunches her shoulders "I just wanna make a double album. About OBX, the Pogues you know, the way catch a fire is about Kingston. Record it at Marley studio, Peter Tosh producing"

Pope's brows cinch together "Peter Tosh is dead"

"yeah, I know" Kiara nodded her head with a smile "Spirit of Peter Tosh will never die" she raised her drink Adria nodded and clinked her own with hers "I agree"

"what are you gonna do with it, Drea?" Kiara asked the girl, JJ's gaze landing on her- almost studying her in a way.

Adria shrugged and sighed "I don't really know, I think I'd just enjoy it you know, travel the world or something and go surfing at every beach"

"Actually, I know what I'm gonna do" JJ spoke up as everyone's attention turns to him "I'm gonna get a big ass house on Figure Eight and go full kook"

"you're gonna go full kook?" Pope laughed slightly as JJ nodded "yep. Gonna get a marble statue of myself, and then I'm gonna get a koi pond."

Adria and Kie chuckle "put a bunch of those fish--" JJ adds

Kiara shook her head as she spoke "I'm never visiting" Adria raised her hand with a smile on her face "me either, I think a statue of yourself is a little much"

"I could get you a statue if you feel left out there, Drea-" JJ teased the girl.

Adria quickly raised a hand, shaking her head "No, no, no- I'm not that tacky"

Pope looked to John B "what are you gonna do, JB?"

He was silent for a moment as he looked to the group a smirk on his face "to going full Kook"

Smiles raise on each of the teens faces "to going full Kook!" they all repeated in unison raising their drinks

──⇌••⇋──

It was a new day which meant another new stupid thing or plan for them to do as John b pulled into a parking lot putting the Twinkie in park.

"Alright, keep a look out, we're behind enemy lines" JJ spoke as he held the gun up.

which caused Adria to roll her eyes as she opened the door "JJ, we don't need the gun"

"just put it back" John B huffed running a hand down his face in annoyance.

JJ shrugged "can never be to careful"

Pope came up to the window beside JJ resting his arm on the door as he inhaled sharply "Hey, I predict that bringing a weapon to a four star hotel will likely cause more problems then they solve" he gave him a look

John B motioned to the boy "thank you, Pope"

Kiara leaned in between the seats "I swear to god, I'm gonna throw that thing in the ocean, JJ. Put it back"

John B sighed heavily before grabbing it from his hands and putting it away, pope nodded motioning towards the brunette "there you go"

"you can't grab a gun like that" JJ shook his head as he reached forward "I can't forget my badge" he grabbed ahold of a card for the Pentagon as he climbed out of the car "professional busboy"

"so what are we doing again?" Pope asks as he looks at the group while they walk.

JJ glanced at him over his shoulder "we're getting on the internet because only rich people have electricity right now" he answered and pointed forward "this way"

The group of teens walked through the hotel's kitchen, JJ went to reach for some food on a plate but his hand was quickly smacked away by a cook with a spoon. They made their way from the kitchen and into the lobby.

"see, they got the backup generators going? Kooks don't miss a beat" JJ spoke as he opened a door and the five hurry into the room.

Pope rushed towards the computers in front of him "Oh sweat lord, the internet, I've missed you"

"Let me get in there, I gotta check out my insta models" JJ said walking up behind Pope.

Kiara sat down in the chair beside Pope and shook her head "we don't have time for that"

Adria stood beside Kie as she looked at the screen.

"hey, hey, hey, my dad's map" John B placed it down beside Pope on the table.

"Coordinates please"

"34, 57, 30, north. 75, 55, 42, West" John b repeated to him as he typed the numbers.

Adria watched as it pin pointed a location in the ocean "Boom, continental shelf right there" John b pointed to the screen.

"well, if it's off the deep end, it's not gonna be much of a treasure hunt, is it?" Pope sighed as he began to zoom in on the location.

"Shit, it's on the high side." John b shrugged "only 900 feet"

Pope's eyebrows cinch together as he give John B a look, JJ shrugged "that's not too deep"

Adria looked from him to Pope "is that do-able or something?" she questioned.

Pope went to say something but JJ cut him off "yeah, totally do-able" he nodded

Pope's gaze shifts to him "Okay, will we be taking your personal submarine?" his voice was laced with sarcasm.

"How do you know this Mr. Dive master?" John B questioned the blonde.

"the salvage yard" JJ deadpanned "they got a drone that can drop 1,000 . It has a 360 camera and everything, It's for like deep dives and stuff, exactly what we need"

John B tilted his head "and can your dad get his grimy little hands on that?"

"well, my dad's grimy little hands got his ass fired" JJ explained looking at his friends "guess the salvage captain frowns on showing up shitfaced, turns out"

John b sighed as he leaned against the desk "but the drone's there" JJ added "it's in the impound yard out back"

"how much did you say was on the Royal Merchant?" Kiara spoke up, her eyes still on the computer.

"uh, 400 Mil" John B replied, Pope looked between his friends noticing the looks on their faces and quickly shot up from his seat and ran to the door- attempting to block their exit.

Kiara's eyes widened with raised brows "400 million dollars?" she shared a quick knowing look with Adria as the two made their way to the door the others following

Pope had his arms outstretched over the door "No" he shook his head "no, absolutely not. No!"

"Pope move" Kiara grabbed his arm moving him aside

"Guys--"

"Pope it's 400 million dollars" Adria raised her brows at him as she wiggled 4 fingers in his face before shoving them in his chest lightly "four" she repeated and followed Kiara out the door.

"Can't we do anything legal for money" Pope sighed out.

Adria shook his head "come on Pope, what's the fun in that?" she said with a smirk on her face as she glanced over her shoulder.

the boys eyes widen "I don't know, maybe not getting arrested?" he exclaimed following after his friends.

JJ waved the boy off as he slung his arm over Adria's shoulders "Time to go steal a drone" JJ sang out causing Adria to chuckle while Pope's face was covered in dread.

──⇌••⇋──

"Pope, we're not stealing the drone, we're borrowing it" John B glanced at the boy through the rear view mirror of the Twinkie.

"Humans are the only animal that can tell fantasy from reality" The Heyward boy uttered.

Adria looked at Pope with furrowed brows "what?"

"did you come up with that?" John B questions a confused look on his face.

Pope shook his head "no, Albert Bernstein came up with that, but it applies to this whole treasure hunting thing"

Adria nudged Pope's foot with her own "come on, lighten up a little, if it's actually there we get four-hundred mill"

Pope nodded "yeah you made that really clear earlier when you waved four fingers in my face"

Adria shrugged with a smile while Pope looked over his shoulder to John B "so which is it? fantasy or reality?"

"why are you so weird, Pope?" JJ asked, his eyes never leaving the joint he was making. Adria bit her cheek to stop herself from laughing from his comment.

"it's fantasy, but possibly reality" Kiara answered from the passenger seat.

A smile curved onto John B's face  before he spoke "reality"

"virtual reality" JJ muttered as he went to light his joint but before he could Pope grabbed it from his mouth and flicked it onto an empty seat in the back "I'd keep the signal clear "

JJ's face falls as he closes the lighter giving Pope a look "you know what your problem is?"

"oh god, stop the car faster John b" Adria said as she stood up not wanting to hear this conversation between the two boys again.

John b began to stop the car and Adria quickly climbed out of the Twinkie alongside Kiara.

John B leaned outside the window "hey don't worry, you guys got it" Adria looked at the boy with slightly narrowed eyes and pursed lips.

The two girls share a look before they begin to walk backwards towards the car on the side of the road "it's not us that we're worried about" Kiara states.

"Nothing never ends well when it comes to you three" Adria added before fully turning around, following Kiara.

The Monroe girl took a breath as they begin to walk towards the gate of the salvage yard "Hello!" Kiara called out as she waved her hand a rather cheery smile on her face.

"excuse me" Adria added as she plastered a smile on her own face and linked her arm with Kiara's. A few moments later the security guard made his way out towards the gate

"can I help you?" he asked looking between the pair.

"Hi" Kiara spoke in a slightly higher tone then she usually does "Um, we actually have a flat tire"

"we were wondering if you could help us out?" Adria added as she tilted her head ever so slightly, batting her eyelashes with a chuckle "We have a long road trip a head of us and we don't really know what we're doing"

The guard looked between the two girls and the car before nodding "yeah" he turned around to open the gate, walking away.

Kiara leaned towards the girl next to her as she whispered "it's too easy"

Adria chuckled "like taking candy from a baby"

The pair put their smiles back on their faces when the man walked back out, the two girls walked towards the car "it's just this back one right here" Kiara pointed to the tire before resting her arm on the boat that was hitched to the trailer "I mean it must've been a slow leak or something"

The man glanced at her "or probably been sitting in the yard too long?"

Adria nods "yeah, how long has it been sitting there?" she turned to Kiara as the girl nodded "quite a bit" she chuckled softly

He nods "yeah, I- I got this"

"thank you" Kie smiled as he bent down and began to fix the tire.

After a moment or two Kiara looked at him and asked "got it?"

Adria looked around at the sound of a dog bark filling her ears, she and Kiara sharing a worried look. Adria put on a fake face once again to hide her worry.

The man looked up at them with furrowed brows "do you hear that?"

Kiara chuckled with a small smile and tried to play it off as nothing "hear what?"

He stood up and turned off the air that was filling the tire "Tebow's got something"

"it's probably just a racoon, maybe, you know" Kiara quickly

Adria nodded "yeah, they're terribly at my place knocking over the trash and everything, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about" she tried to keep a calm tone when the man looked at her.

"yeah" he said believing the two girls as he lowered back down to the ground.

Kiara turned to Adria as she mouthed 'wait here' to her before making her way around the car.

Adria rested against the boat as she gave the man a quick smile as he stood up "Um, what made you want to be a security guard?"

The man gave her a confused look as he began to walk around the car Adria on his trail "I don't know" he answered.

"is it any good, cause I'm stumped on what to do for the rest of my life--" Adria stammered out, trying to keep the older man distracted.

The girl was cut short seeing as the security guard caught Kiara red handed taking air from another tire "what are you doing?" he snapped at the girl.

Kiara ran a hand through her hair "this on looked a little low too, so" she tried making an excuse to keep his attention here and not on the three boys in the salvage yard.

But the guard didn't buy her story as he ran back towards the salvage yard.

"son of bitch" Adria muttered as Kiara stood up.

"wait, wait! shit, get in" Kiara pointed the the door beside the girl and Adria wasted no time in climbing in as Kiara got in on the drivers.

the engine sputtering to life putting the car into reverse as they drive a little ways down the road before pulling to the side to wait for the Twinkie with the boys in it.

──⇌••⇋──

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed thank you for reading, voting, and commenting, Love y'all <3

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