𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

Don't Leave

ALL FIVE teens were now at Rixon's Cove, the flickering campfire casting dancing shadows on their faces. The night was cool, but the warmth of the fire and the comfort of each other's presence kept them cozy.

JJ wraps his arms protectively around Ari, their connection palpable even in the silence.

It wasn't official, but it didn't need to be; they belonged to each other in a way that words couldn't capture.

Ari smiles up at JJ, her eyes twinkling as she kissed his nose and nestled closer into his embrace.

Pope broke the silence, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Hey, guys. So, like, my dad's already gonna kill me. What's the mandatory meeting about?"

JJ exchanges a look with John B, a silent conversation passing between them.

"Might as well tell him, man, before we're gaffed." JJ says, his tone serious yet tinged with excitement.

John B took a deep breath, looking at each of his friends. "So, the gold never went down with the Royal Merchant."

Ari's eyes widen as she looks between JJ and John B. "Please tell me you're not lying?"

"He's not. Just hear him out." JJ reassures her softly. Ari nods, wrapping her arms around his waist, grounding herself in his presence.

"It's on the island." John B continues, not sparing many details but enough to spark curiosity.

"Are you serious?" Kie questions, her skepticism evident.

John B nods, his gaze unwavering. "Yeah."

"Wow." Ariella gasps slightly, her amazement making JJ chuckle softly.

Pope raises his hand, his voice cutting through the moment. "I'd like to voice my skepticism."

"I'm sure you would, Pope, but let him present his evidence first." Ari says, her tone firm but gentle.

"Thank you, Ari. So, in my backpack, I have a letter from Denmark Tanny." John B pulls out the letter from his bag with a sense of reverence.

"And who the hell is that?" Kie questions, her curiosity piqued.

"Denmark Tanny was a slave who survived the Royal Merchant wreck. Now check this out." John B explains, unfolding a piece of paper.

"What?" Ari raises her eyebrows, leaning forward with JJ to get a better look. John B handed the paper to Kie, who then passed it to Ari. JJ and Ari examined it closely, Pope coming around to see as well.

"Okay, slaves weren't mentioned as crew members on the ship, but my dad, he found the complete manifest. That was his big discovery." John B began, his voice filled with excitement and a hint of reverence.

The firelight flickers on his face, casting shadows that danced with the intensity of his words. "So Tanny used the gold from the Merchant to buy his freedom. After that, he bought his farm. Drumroll, please, that farm is..."

The four other teens eagerly slapped their thighs, their eyes wide with anticipation, the rhythmic sound echoing in the night.

"Tannyhill Plantation." John B reveales, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper.

"Tannyhill?" Kie echoes, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

John B nods, his expression serious. "Yeah. So, after that, he used his money to free even more slaves, and then he sold a shit-ton of ronde, which pissed off all the white planters. And then, they decided to lynch him. On the day they were coming to get him, he writes a letter to his son as a farewell, and in the last line of that letter, there's a coded message about where to find the gold."