𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐞 || 𝗷. 𝗺𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

-26- 𝐈𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞? -26-

The six of us drove down the street in the afternoon the next day as we were heading over to speak to Pope's great-grandmother.

The vibe in the van was tense and unnatural.

Usually we would all be laughing and being carefree but it seemed as though everyone had a bone to pick with at least someone in the car.

John B and Sarah were the most odd because they weren't as clung together as the usually were.

I could tell that they had been arguing earlier about the whole Topper situation.

But to be honest I really didn't want to get involved and dragged into the middle of their situation.

I still hadn't seen my parents since the day I was basically disowned and I was still mad at JJ.

It just wasn't looking all to good for the six of us.

We were all caught up in one thing or another that no one was really being themselves.

Sarah was sitting next to me in the back seat along with Pope and Kiara as JJ and John B sat up front.

The drive was quiet and tense as nobody said anything as John B drove.

"Guys, the thing that Limbrey said, I don't think she meant to let it slip" Pope says after awhile.

I look away from the window and turn my attention over towards him.

"She said the key leads to the Cross of Santo Domingo" Pope finishes.

"Wait, can I see that?" JJ asks towards Pope as he holds out his hand.

"Are we supposed to know what that is?" Sarah asks flatly.

"I'm guessing it's some sort of historical artifact of great importance" Pope replies.

"Well, according to the interwebs, it was a gift from New Spain to the Spanish king" Kiara reads.

"New Spain? Is there an Old Spain?" JJ asks from the passenger seat.

"Shit, talk about over-gifting. Look at that thing" Kiara snorts, turning her phone so everyone could see.

"Looks like there's a person standing next to it" Sarah says.

"So it's a giant-ass cross" JJ adds.

"It was widely considered at the time to be the most extravagant tribute ever from the provinces. It was lost of the coast of Bermuda in 1829" Kiara reads.

"—Did you just say Bermuda?" I ask.

"—Oh, no. Not the triangle" John B mutters.

"It always leads back to the triangle. Like everything single time something's weird, it's Bermuda" JJ says.

"What does a key found above your mee-maw's pharmacy have to do with any of this?" Kiara asks towards Pope.

"—Yeah" Sarah mumbles in agreement.

"—Where do we come in?" I ask.

"I don't know. That's a good question" Pope replies lowly.

We finally pull up to Shady Acres retirement home as John B puts the van in park and Pope gets out.

Kiara starts to get out before Pope turns towards her.

"Hey, actually, I think I'm gonna do this one by myself" Pope states.

JJ eyes me and I look over at Pope seriously wondering if he's okay.

"Are you sure?" Kiara questions.