between the raindrops ✫彡 outer banks

xxxxii. goodbye

Isis couldn't stop shaking. So, reluctantly, they let her stay and rest at the Chateau while they were going after John B. JJ found it difficult to leave without her, but was forced to do so when she insisted herself. They would be more efficient with him.

She spent the rest of the day lying in the hammock, and went back in as soon as the night fell. She fell asleep in one of the rooms, and woke up less than an hour later, alerted by a voice. She straightened up and pricked up her ears.

"Pope? Kie?" called the voice from the living room. "Izzy?"

"John B??" she immediatly recognized.

She stood up and went to him.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"I'm here," she said, getting to the living room.

She didn't dare come any closer, the memory of his previous anger still in her mind. But she saw that he was sobbing, and her throat choked.

"Hey..." she whispered, slowly walking to him. "It's okay. I'm here."

John B couldn't look up at her.

"I'm so sorry, Iz... I- I shouldn't... I shouldn't have yelled at you. You didn't deserve this..."

"Hey, I said it was okay..." she appeased, hugging him. "I forgive you."

"I'm sorry..." he maintained, surrounding her with his arms. "So, so sorry..."

"Shht, John B... Don't worry. I'm still your little peanut," she said smiling at him.

He locked his eyes in hers, before bursting into tears again, falling on his knees. Isis listened to his sobs, stroking his back, kissing his head.

"I miss him..." he then said in a broken voice.

"I know."

She waited for him to calm down, and watched him build a little wooden raft, putting a candle and his dad's photo on it. Then, they went out on the dock. They sat down at the very end of the platform, and John B put the raft in the water. They watched it stray away from the shore in a comforting silence.

"Goodbye, Dad," whispered John B.

Isis looked up at him. His face was void of all emotion, but she could see the gloom in his eyes. She softly put her head on his shoulder and took his hand. John B stroked her fingers with his thumb.

"Thank you," he said.

She briefly smiled, sharing his sorrow.

"I'm always gonna be there for you, John B. I hope you know that."

He looked down at her, and they shared a glowing look, full of affection for each other.

"I know," he replied, wrapping his arm around her. "I'm so lucky to have you."

His voice broke on the last words, and Isis felt something in her chest.

"What is it, John B?" she asked, worried. "Is there something you haven't told me yet??"

He looked down at his feet, his eyes shining with tears.

"It's Sarah. I tried to tell her about her dad, and mine... but she didn't believe me. She called me a liar."

Isis felt anger rising in her chest. She clenched her jaw, but had to calm herself down and hold her grudge for now. John B needed the wise Isis.

"You know..." she started, breathing in heavily. "It must be hard for her. No one likes to hear these kind of things about their dad. Give her some time... She'll understand you're telling the truth."