In Between // OBX (K.C)

10

The teens all followed John B into his house as he rambled on about his dad and his office, trying to connect the dots between the compass and why the burly men, JJ's words, wanted it.

The group stood outside the office, "I've just kinda left it as he kept it," John B said quietly as he stopped in front of the door that had been locked for months, pulling out a key to unlock the door.

"Yeah for when he gets back," Kiara said trying to comfort John B. The four teens behind John B shared a look of cautiousness as John B unlocked the door.

"I've spent the night here like 600 times and I've never seen this door opened," Pope said as John B pushed the door open and the teens followed him in.

They all started to look at the random papers all over the office. Brenna's hand grazed over a map with markings all over it she didn't understand, a folder labeled 'the girl' caught her eye just but just as she went to reach for it John B spoke up.

"Here look," John B announced setting down a cork board full of pictures and labels.

Brenna turned around from where she had been, now standing beside Kiara as they all looked at the board.

"This is the original owner," John B pointed at a picture, "Right here"

"Robert Q. Routledge," Kiara read the tag, "1880 to 1920"

"There's the lucky compass," Brenna cheered pointing at the picture, "Right there"

Kiara smiled at the girl, knowing she was trying to be hopeful for John B just like herself.

"Actually, um," John B looked up at Brenna, "He was shot after he bought it"

"Oh," Brenna sighed, tucking her hair behind her ear. Kiara patted her lightly on the shoulder as a compliment for trying.

"Then the compass was shipped back to Henry," John B pointed at a picture under the last picture, "He was killed in a crop-dusting accident when he had the compass"

JJ and Brenna shared a look of concern across the table as John B continued to explain more deaths of the people who had previously owned the compass.

"Sounds like there's a reoccurring theme here," JJ pointed out.

"Yeah, you have a death compass," Pope said matter of factly.

"I do not," John B said in defense.

"You kinda do," Brenna sighed.

"Get rid of it," JJ pushed, "It's cursed and it made its way back to you"

"Shut up, JJ," Brenna mumbled, hitting the blonde on the arm as John B walked away from the desk, Kiara following him.

"Look, my dad used to talk about this compartment in here," John B took a seat, compass in hand, "Solders used to hide secret notes"

Kiara leaned on the desk beside John B, watching him twist the compass open. Brenna stood with her arms over her chest next to JJ who leaned on the desk in the middle of the room.