LAST NIGHT I ran until I found somewhere to hide and it just so happened to be that shed I found the day I went missing. By the time I'd gotten there I couldn't hear the sirens anymore but every so often I would hear the odd round. I couldn't tell if it was my imagination though, my ears just ringing because I'd been subjected to hearing the damn sound for so long that it was imprinted in my memory now or not.

I locked myself in the small shed and I hid as far as I could into the corner and pulled my knees tightly to my chest, holding JJ's jumper to my nose and inhaling the scent of it to try and keep myself calm.

I was on edge. I don't think I'd ever felt so anxious in my life and I had to constantly remind myself to breathe normally, in through the nose and out through the mouth. My breaths were rapid, they were staggered and there were several times where I thought I was going to have a panic attack.

I dreaded each hour that passed when I checked the time on my phone, the cell now without a SIM card after I tossed it last night. As I watched the hours pass the sun was rising somewhere, reminding me that the next battle was going to be as twice as hard.

Trying to evade the police in the dark had already proved hard enough but in the light? God, I was going to have to be downright lucky if I was going to have any chance of making it to the dock by the dump without being caught.

Especially on foot.

When the sun eventually did rise I didn't leave the shed, not even when I heard the sound of a helicopter flying over me. Instead I just squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head, that feeling of impending doom punching me hard in the stomach.

If they had helicopters out looking for us now we were actually screwed.

I never saw myself as a pessimist but at the moment I couldn't help it. I'd used all my hope and positive thoughts when we were finding the Merchant and her gold, now I'd ran out of that.

I didn't honestly know how I was going to get half way across the island undetected without passing out from lack of food, drink and sleep or being shot dead. My weak legs were a reminder of the lack of rest I'd had, lactic acid swimming around in my muscles from all the running I'd done. My dry mouth reminded me I hadn't had a drink since yesterday morning or food since Wednesday.

It was Friday now.

I felt like the world was against me, like I wasn't supposed to get away from this. Almost as if it was my fate to actually get arrested and go down for murder.

I shook my head to myself and rested my forehead on my knees. My old English teacher had once held me back after the lesson had ended. It was one of those rare days that John B and JJ turned up to school and the three of us just sat at the back of the class and messed around, creating a disruption. When I stood in front of my teachers desk after she released the rest of the class and my two best friends she warned me that I needed to find myself some better people to hang around with. She warned me that if I stayed with John B and JJ I'd find myself on the same path as them.

I understood fully what she was saying to me. I was fourteen so it was only two years ago and it was around the time we started getting caught by security guards for trespassing or something little like that. I remember clearing my throat and telling her there was no way I'd end up on that part and neither would either of my friends because we were better than that.. yet here we were.

All three of us were on said path, John B and I much further down it than what JJ was and we were stuck. JJ wasn't — yet. He still had time to turn around and walk back up that path and onto a right one but for John B and I? Well, the end of the path was life in jail and with every passing second we scooted closer and closer towards the end.

I picked up my cell phone and pressed the home button, checking the time. It was just after 10 and I didn't know how much longer I could go on hiding in here. I'd been staring at the same four walls of this shack for 11 hours, unable to sleep and I was going crazy. I think I was starting to crack up. Not to mention it was getting hotter in here with every passing second.

I leaned my head against the wall, I wanted nothing more than to be sitting opposite JJ right now with my legs in his lap while we shared a joint sitting in the hammock or going out on the marsh fishing. I couldn't have that, probably not for a long time if I managed to get off the island or never again if I got caught.

I'd given up thinking Shoupe would believe my story. If I got arrested it would be my word against Ward's and I knew which way a jury would sway — they'd go for the rich businessman over the sixteen year old girl any day.

My dry mouth started watering, my stomach twisting in the same way it did yesterday. I got up quickly before I was sick and pulled the door open, the old wood slamming against the wall before rebounding back. I stepped out the shack and leaned over, my hand against the old wood as I wretched and vomited.

It wasn't just once, or twice, I kept on being sick and then when I was eventually done I was wrenching at the sight of my vomit.

I looked away and up at the sky, the bright light causing me pain and I lifted my head up to shield my eyes somewhat. I looked up to see grey clouds rolling in and I frowned, the air was thicker today than what it had been lately. The humidity was almost just as bad as the day before Agatha hit.

I saw thunder cracking in the clouds that were approaching and I groaned.

There was a storm coming in.

I went back into the shed and grabbed my bag, tying JJ's jumper around my waist and putting his cap back on. I slung my bag over my shoulders and started walking, it might've been early but I didn't know how long it was going to take for me to walk to the dump.

If John B and I had any chance of getting out of here we had to be out on that water before that storm rolled in otherwise it'd crush us.

• • •

The pain in my head was one I hadn't experienced ever before and I had to take refuge in a small pile of built up trees for a while. I didn't know how long I'd been walking but I was back on the cut and every ten steps I took I was going dizzy. The light was hurting my eyes more and more and I almost passed out not long ago.

I really didn't know what was going on with me at the minute but I was scared. I didn't want to sound dramatic but I felt like I was dying. My head was hurting so bad, it felt like someone had put me into a vice and they were twisting it tighter and tighter with every passing minute. I couldn't remember my head ever hurting this bad before, not even after I fell and cracked my head open on Heyward's boat.

I checked the time on my cell phone again to see it just passing half two in the afternoon. It had taken me four and a half hours to make my way across the island on foot. Yes, I was having to hide every so often when a police car drove passed me or I was having to seek refugee under a shelter of trees to sit down every ten or so minutes but I couldn't believe it had taken me this long.

I also couldn't believe I hadn't been caught yet.

"God." I murmured to myself, using the tree I was leaning against to push myself up and off the ground. My feet started throbbing, the reminder that I'd been running around on them for way too long. The soles were actually burning and I felt as if my feet had swollen inside my worn out converse. I leaned back on the tree for a minute, letting my body catch up with itself after I stood up. I wasn't surprised when I went dizzy, I just tightened my grip on the tree instead while I waited for it to pass.

Once I was sure I was all right — or as all right as I could be — I pushed off the tree and walked back out on to the side of the dirt road. I tried to stick to the trees as much as I could but in the Cut the closer you to got to the marsh water or the ocean the sparser the trees got and the roads turned into dirt tracks.

I was fairly positive the cops wouldn't be focusing much of their search around here, if they were looking in the Cut they'd be looking further in towards Heyward's and the dock. Or at least I think they would be.

I held to the straps of my bag pack tightly as I walked, keeping my head down and my eyes on the road. There mightn't of been any cars passing but there was still shacks out here and I couldn't risk being caught by a passer by or someone living here.

The only thing I could think about at the minute was John B getting to the dump. We'd been separated last night at that damn church and if I hadn't gone for air, if I'd of been able to keep my shit together, we wouldn't of been. Hell, I didn't even know if he was actually still out here or if it was just me the police were looking for now. I didn't know if they'd caught him last night or if he'd somehow managed to make a quick getaway.

It wasn't as if I couldn't drive a boat because I could, I just couldn't imagine going on the run by myself. I'd lose my mind to paranoia being alone, it was just something I didn't want to do. I wouldn't know the first thing about laying low in a different country, not like I can imagine John B would either but if he made it at least we would have each other and Sarah if she was still with him.

There was so much uncertainty at the minute and I hated it. I liked knowing exactly what was going on, having a rough plan so I knew what I was doing but I had nothing right now. I couldn't even come up with a little bit of a plan because I didn't know if I was going to make it to the dump, if John B would be there. I didn't know where we were going to go if we made it off the island or how we were going to live. I had no money and I was almost sure John B wouldn't have anything either so there was that.

I carried on down the road, my mind just trying to process everything my thoughts were rolling out quickly. I tried to tell myself to stay positive and such but I didn't notice a cop car behind me until it was too late.

The siren sounded only once and when I turned around it was literally right behind me. My eyes widened as I swore in panic, my heart rising quickly as I scrambled to run back into the trees as the car pulled up right next to me.

"Mally!"

I stopped dead in my tracks on the grass, my body frozen. I wanted to turn around but I was too shocked. Was that just my mind conjuring his voice as a form of comfort or was that actually him?

"Mally! It's me."

I slowly turned my head to see a Kildare County squad car parked at the side of the road and hanging out of the drivers window was John B.

I couldn't believe it at first. I was genuinely shocked that he was here, never mind sitting behind the wheel of a cop car. My eyes widened and I let out a surprised scoff that progressed into a disbelieving laugh.

"John B?" I muttered in surprise, "Dude.. what the fuck?"

He nodded, chuckling in amusement and tapped the steering wheel of the car, "You getting in or what?" He asked me, "We haven't got all day and we're already late."

I shook my head to myself and chuckled shortly under my breath in shock before looking both ways and jogging over to the car. I chucked my bag down in the foot well by John B's and climbed into the car, closing the door as he pulled away.

"Dude." I muttered to him, "How the hell did you get a cop car?"

He laughed and I savoured the sight. It had been a long few days and seeing John B smiling as if nothing was wrong — as if we weren't evading the police — was everything and it brought me so much comfort.

"I swung by the chateau." He explained as we drove down the dirt track, the police lights flashing, "Shoupe was there, he let me borrow it."

I grinned in amazement and looked out the window, "I can't believe it." I sighed in relief and looked to my friend, "And I can't believe you haven't been arrested yet."

He rose his brows and nodded, "Hey, I could say the same about you." John B said to me, "Where the hell did you go?"

"Topper pulled the bell and I heard Rafe and Kelce. I didn't fancy hanging around, once I heard the police sirens and I just legged it."

"I don't blame you." John B replied to me, his eyes on the road, "Topper saved mine and Sarah's asses."

"He did?" I asked in shock.

John B nodded, "He went out in my jacket to distract the cops so Sarah and I could make a run for it."

"Wow." I murmured. Topper, my stepbrother who had it out for John B had actually helped him? It was definitely a shock to the system but I was happy he had chosen to help us out. Whether he was doing it to prove himself to Sarah — because that was a Topper thing to do — or because he actually believed what I had said to him I didn't care. It was just nice to know we had someone else on our side.

"Wh-where's Sarah now?" I asked John B, turning my head to him.

"We had to split when I went to the chateau, I told her to meet us at the dump." He replied to me.

"Okay." I nodded, "Why did you go to the chateau again?"

"We can't get anywhere if we've got no money." John B said with a grin, "I went back for the gold, it should keep us going for a while."

"A while?" I scoffed, "It should keep us going period."

"Yeah." He nodded, "I just hope JJ got the Phantom."

"He will of." I said confidently, thinking of him. I turned to look out the window as we neared the dump, "I know he will of."

I felt John B place his hand on mine and I looked over at him to see him smiling sadly at me. I knew it had to do with us leaving JJ behind. Yeah we were leaving Pope and Kie too and of course I was going to miss them but JJ..

I couldn't remember a time in my life where it hadn't been John B, JJ and I and because of that it was all I knew. It was always us three against the world, we could conquer anything. The three of us had a big impact on each other's lives and I believed it reflected on the people we were today.

The harsh reality that in less than twenty or so minutes John B and I were leaving this island was setting in. It was hitting me square in the face. I didn't think about it much when it was thrown out there two days ago because I saw a complicated path of actually surviving long enough to escape but now we had and we were actually about to leave it was starting to feel a lot more real.

It was real that our group of five — who I thought I'd be with for the rest of my life — was about to split. It was real that John B and I were about to leave and with that, leave JJ behind and if he wasn't up for destruction of property I'd of been begging him to come with me but now I didn't even want to say the words because I knew he'd jump at the chance.

There was a large part of me that truly believed if he hadn't took the bait for Pope and he wasn't already in trouble he'd be leaving with John B, Sarah and I tonight. There wasn't anything for him here besides us and if we were leaving what did he have going for him? His dad was a piece of shit, he wouldn't of given a rats ass whether JJ decided to leave or not — hell it would probably take him weeks to notice he'd even left.

"I can't believe this is actually real." I found myself murmuring. I could feel my emotions levelling, some surpassing others. The thing was, I didn't want to cry when I parted with my friends because then that would just make it as twice as hard as what it was already going to be. I either had to get it out now or hold it in until we had left.

John B gulped and he exhaled loudly, "Me neither." He replied to me quietly and he glanced to me, "I'm sorry."

My brows furrowed as I looked at him, "What for?"

"For grabbing your hand and pulling you into the VW." He responded, "If I'd of gone on my own—"

"—John B." I interrupted, shaking my head, "Shit happens... and honestly? I'm glad you pulled me along because god knows what you would've done alone out there." I tried to make a joke, an emotional smile coming to my face as I looked to him through tearful eyes.

He chuckled at my attempt to bring some lightheartedness before his face dropped again, "I feel like I'm tearing you and JJ apart.. especially after it's taken the both of you so long to find each other."

This time it was my turn to gulp and I looked down to my hands, "We both know he's going to want to come with us."

"He can't." John B shook his head definitely.

"No." I agreed, "He has to stay and he has to stand at that trial and hopefully the charges are dropped and he can come find us in a few months but for now he has to stay."

There wouldn't be any way for us to find out if JJ was found guilty or not at trial, to find out whether he went to juvie or even prison or not. We would literally just have to wait and if he didn't find his way to us within six or so months we'd know.

That didn't sit well with me, not at all. I wanted to know if he was in the all clear or not but instead I would have to sit and game it out. I'd have to wait and see — literally. I had plans to be sitting at that trial, as close to JJ as I could possibly be to reassure him that everything was going to be all right as my mom sat by his side and defended his case. That wouldn't be happening anymore, not unless Shoupe somehow magically believed that Rafe killed Sheriff Peterkin within the next ten or so minutes and he cleared John B and I's names.

But that wouldn't happen, things like that only occurred in movies and television shows.

"He'll be all right." John B nodded to himself. I wasn't sure of who he was trying to convince though, "He'll have Kie and Pope to keep him straight and your mom is on his side."

I clenched my jaw as I nodded, tears pricking at my eyes, "He'll be fine." I croaked, trying to keep my voice from cracking. My eyes became watery but I wiped them before any tears could spill.

"He's got this." John B reassured.

"He's stronger than what we give him credit for." I said — and it was true. JJ was incredibly strong, he held so much close to his heart and to himself and it turned him into person of strength. I don't think he knew it himself yet, however, but I did. He took everything and put it under his belt, using it as experience and a way to move on in life. JJ was going to be just fine without John B and I for a couple of months but us?

JJ was like the glue that held the three of us together, he was constantly patching us up and repairing us when we were broken because we couldn't repair ourselves. Without our glue John B and I would surely fall apart unless we learned how to live without glue — it would be something we would have to find.

"We're here." John B told me and I pulled my head up, tearing my eyes away from my bloodstained hands and looking through the window to see the Phantom docked — our three friends stood on the boat.

They looked panicked, clearly stressed at the sight of a cop car.

I grabbed John B's bag and passed it over to him with a weak smile, "Are you ready?"

He was silent for a few seconds until he nodded but as he looked to me his eyes screamed no. He took his bag and opened the car door and I did the same, getting out the passenger side and putting my bag on to my back while we walked away from Shoupe's car.

"Wait.." JJ muttered as he saw John B and I, "No way."

"No f'ing way." Pope said in astonishment.

"I'm sorry—" Kie recoiled in confusion.

I couldn't help but smile slightly at my friends reactions. It had been over twenty four hours since we'd last seen each other and they'd been sitting with the uncertainty of not knowing if we'd been caught or not. They had to retrieve the boat, get us food and water and gas not knowing if we were going to turn up or not. Now seeing the both of us, not only still evading the police but showing up in a cop car, they were clearly very dumbstruck.

"You've got to be kidding me." JJ chuckled in amusement.

Kie laughed slightly, "Uh.."

"Shoupe let us take it for a spin." John B said to them, pointing back to the SUV

"Okay." Kie smiled, "That's believable, I'll buy that for now." She said, embracing John B.

Pope gave me a quick hug and I saw JJ still stood on the Phantom over his shoulder. When he pulled away Kie walked to me and she embraced me, sighing in relief while I tucked my head into her neck, "There was a part of me that thought you were going to turn yourself in." Kie whispered to me, "To try and clear your names."

"Trust me I thought about it." I replied shakily.

"It wasn't easy, bro, but I got the Phantom for you." JJ said to John B, "And she runs like she was made yesterday. You ready to go?"

JJ tossed the keys to John B and he caught them as I pulled away from Kie, "Where's Sarah?" He asked.

I felt my heart slowly sinking down into my stomach as JJ jumped over the railings on the bow of the Phantom and on to the dock. Sarah was supposed to be coming with us, her and John B would be running away together and I was going to third wheel like mad.

"She's not with you?" Kie asked.

"No-no, we got separated in the swamp. She said she was going to meet me here." John B said quickly.

"No, we haven't seen her." Pope replied.

I was about to say something to John B, some ill thought out words of consolation or something but I was knocked back by a strong force instead. I was forced to take a few steps back as JJ wrapped his arms around my waist tightly, pulling my body so close to his and squeezing me. He lifted my feet off the ground with the force, burying his head into the crook of my neck and I wrapped my arms around his neck in response. I met John B's eyes over his shoulder as I tried with all my might not to cry.

"I thought you'd been pinched for sure." JJ said. His voice was shaky and quiet, his breath hot on my skin.

I tried to laugh it off but it sounded like a sob instead, "Your faith in me is appalling JJ." I replied, trying again to lighten the dim situation we were in.

"I'm not leaving without Sarah." John B said to us, talking over JJ and I.

He put me down and removed his head from my neck and when I looked at him the golden glow of the sun scattered across his face. The way he looked under the sun would be something I'd treasure forever. That sight enough was enough to make my eyes water but when I saw tears in his own eyes.. that's when my bottom lip started to tremble.

JJ was clenching his jaw tightly and he walked over to John B but all I wanted to do was grab his hand and pull him back to me, "Look at me. I know you feel bad for leaving but there's no time, man." He urged, "You got plenty of gas, you got plenty of food. Once you get around the Point it's a straight shot across the sound to Dismal Swamp, okay?" JJ said to him, "Once you get there, law low, all right? Hang out for a couple of weeks and then go overland, cross the border at Brownsville— you got that?"

While JJ spoke I leaned into Kie's shoulder and she wrapped her arm around me. I reached for Pope's hand behind her back and squeezed it gently, a tear dropping down from my eyes and landing on Kie's shoulder.

"You—Hey!" JJ tapped John B's face lightly, forcing him to look at him, "You got that?"

"Yeah, yeah." John B nodded, somewhat distracted, "Brownsville."

Thunder rumbled and it reminded me of the storm that was rolling in, nearing us with every passing second we stood here.

"Kie, look out for him.. please." I whispered faintly to my friend.

"Of course." She replied just as quiet, rubbing my arm.

"Don't let him get into any trouble."

She met my eyes and I saw them watering as she nodded, "I promise."

I nodded, clenching my jaw as I locked eyes with her and Pope before turning away from them.

"All right, saddle her up salt water cowboy." JJ muttered, "Let's do this thing."

John B climbed on to the Phantom and I took my bag off my back, tossing it on to the boat as I walked the few steps to JJ. His back was to me and I grabbed his hand, tugging him to face me and without even hesitating I pressed my lips against his.

Kissing JJ was something I hadn't grown used to but it never bothered me. I loved that feeling, it was fresh and it was fleeting — it made me feel alive and excited. I felt him tense somewhat before he completely relaxed into my arms and he reached up and cupped my cheeks gently as I kissed him slowly. He ran his fingers into my hair and, for once, allowed me to take control. It was the first time he'd ever done this and I continued kissing him slowly, remembering the feeling of his lips on mine, the faint taste of weed lingering on his lips.

I remembered everything about him.

I felt something wet fall onto my cheek and when we pulled away I saw him crying. I had to use every ounce of willpower I had not to cry but I was failing miserably as my eyes started to water. I reached up and brushed one of his tears away with my fingertip before I cupped his face, "You'll be all right." I tried to smile, "Okay? My mom is going to help you out and you're gonna take that money to pay for the restitution, okay?"

He nodded, choking on a short and breathy laugh as I looked into his red-rimmed eyes, "Yeah, okay."

I reached up and pulled him into a final embrace, wrapping my arms around him as a tear dropped down my cheek. I clenched my jaw, trying to control my watering eyes as he buried his head into my shoulder one final time.

"Okay, you—you have to go." He stuttered after a minute or so and he pulled away. I nodded as he held my hands tightly, looking at me and I ran my eyes over every part of his face trying to remember every detail about him.

I reached up and took his favourite red cap off of my head and placed it on to his head backwards how he always wore it. JJ closed his eyes as I did it, another tear slipping down his wet cheeks and he let go of both of my hands and reached up to his neck. He unclasped his shark tooth necklace, taking it off and putting it on around my neck instead — giving it to me and when it was on and I felt the pendant against my skin he leaned his forehead against mine, "I love you."

I pressed my lips together and nodded, "I love you."

"Go." He forced out, "Before I jump on that boat and come with you."

I smiled sadly at him, "I wouldn't let you."

He laughed under his breath and nodded, "Bye, Mal."

I shook my head, "This isn't a goodbye." I told him, looking into his eyes as they teared, "It's a see you later."

He nodded, clenching his jaw, "Then I'll see you later."

I kissed his cheek, squeezing his hand one last time before walking away from him — trying my best to ignore the empty pit in my stomach that grew with each step I took.

I walked on to the dock, hopping over the railing on the bow of the Phantom and jumping aboard. John B was waiting for me and he gave me a sad smile, it looked like it would be just us on the run while trying to fix our broken hearts.

"Hey.. hey—" John B said out loud as I picked my bag back up. He was looking to our friends on the dock and I took my place next to him on the boat, "I'm sorry for basically.. throwing us off a cliff with this treasure hunt thing." He apologised, tears in his eyes too.

"Hey, John B, yo.. we were bound to run off a cliff at some point, right?" JJ replied and we all chuckled breathlessly through our tears.

"Yeah." John B nodded while he exhaled shakily.

"At least we did it together though." JJ said proudly, looping his arms around Kie and Pope's shoulders, "Pogue style."

"Oh god." I muttered under my breath, tears dripping down my cheeks as I exhaled shakily. John B wrapped his arm around my shoulder in response, biting his bottom lip to try and stop himself from crying.

"Pogue style." He nodded.

"Get out of here! Please." Kie urged us, "I love you guys but seriously you're giving me anxiety right now."

I smiled through my tears and shook my head as Pope agreed, "Now. We'll see you in two months.. down in Mexico."

"Love you." JJ said and I physically couldn't hold it back anymore. I could feel myself seconds away from bawling and I turned away to walk into the cabin of the old cigarette boat.

"Hey, wait—wait a second." John B said, "Tell Sarah I said goodbye okay?" He asked.

"JB the storm." I said to my friend softly as thunder rumbled.

He nodded and followed me into the cabin but I had one last thing to say as I turned to my friends, "Please.." I choked on my words and exhaled slowly, "God, tell my mom and dad I'm sorry and that I love them."

The three of them nodded, "Yeah we will.. now get out of here." Pope said to me.

I nodded and turned away, "Don't forget, cross the border at Brownsville, okay?" JJ reminded us.

"Got it." John B nodded. The three of our friends untied the mooring line and pushed the boat back as John B started the engine and then we were leaving, getting further and further away from the dock.

I leaned on the side of the boat and bit my lip harshly, dropping my head as John B turned to look back at our friends one final time. I wanted to, god I wanted to look back, but I couldn't because I knew I'd just jump off the back of the boat and swim to the docks. I never wanted it to come to this, I didn't want to leave the island but I had no choice. The cops were pushing us out, they were forcing us to do this because they weren't going to listen to us. John B and I were running out of fear .. and call us cowards but it was either this or we faced the potential of being shot dead for a crime we didn't commit.

A single sob forced itself past my lips and John B placed his hand on my back and the engine of the boat roared around us as we drove off. My single sob kick started what I'd been holding in and within a matter of seconds I was bawling my eyes out loudly, tears cascading down my face and I couldn't control it.

I couldn't control my knees as they shook underneath me, struggling to hold my body weight as I cried.

John B pulled me into his chest and I collapsed into him, wrapping my arms loosely around his body as I sobbed into his shoulder. He didn't say anything, he just held me and allowed me to cry and I thanked god that I had him and I wasn't alone right now.

And while Pope said they would be down to see us in two months he didn't speak for my parents. I would probably never see them ever again and that absolutely crushed me. I would never get to give my dad one final hug or sit in my moms office while we spoke again — and they would be left wondering what the hell happened to their daughter, not knowing if she really did aid her friend in the murder of the Sheriff.

I felt like I had let them down and that harsh feeling made everything ten times worse than what it actually was.

• • •

A/N; I bet you didn't expect that one huh? And yeah, I'm crying too.