𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐫, 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐫 | 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤

42. vroom vroom vroom.

F O R T Y - T W O
Vroom vroom vroom.

The dirt roads we wind through don't seem to have been travelled down in years; trees, shrubbery and other plant life are slowly stealing back what was taken from them.

After one branch smacked me in the face, JJ made the executive—and unappreciated—choice to shut the window. When I tried to compromise that we could half close it, he just pulled a leaf from my hair and wound the window all the way up. And, while I'd sooner be crushed under a redwood than admit it, with how many branches keep hitting the glass, he did make the right call.

Between the branches smacking the window, JJ humming the Grey's Anatomy theme tune—something I can really only blame myself for, I created that monster—and the potholes that make my stomach lurch with the worry this time we will fall through Earth's core, I'm glad when the drive is over.

"There it is, Angel Oak," Kie announces as we approach.

Looking out the window, I see what will probably be an issue in actually getting to this tree, water has risen to cover the road. This is definitely going to be a problem. I can imagine that whatever vehicle Limbrey and Scruffy are driving is slightly better quality than the ol' faithful Twinkie. God love her and all, but this isn't an ideal situation.

The dirty, brackish water taunts me.

Of course, this couldn't be smooth sailing.

I swear if my shoes get wet, I'm rioting; with my luck, I'll get trenchfoot, sepsis and become an amputee.

"Oh, shit!" John B slams the brakes on, the sound they make sends a shiver down my spine, that is not the sound healthy brakes make. "Tide's coming in."

Pope sits up further in his seat, craning to get a better view of the situation. He's allowed his window down, lucky fucker. He takes a second to observe the scene, never one to make a rash choice. "They already came through here," he observes the tyre tracks that mar the roads. "Those have to be Limbrey's tracks. Guys, we gotta go," he decides.

"Mmm, what do you think, chief?" JJ asks John B.

"I'm thinking it's looking a little dicey," John B answers.

"Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with that statement," JJ says.

"Okay, clearly they made it. No?" I point out. "Just go quick, make sure you're in the right stick position and vroom vroom vroom." I gesture forward.

JJ looks at me quizzically, then leans in. "Are you high?" He mumbles the question.

I scrunch my face up, offended at the question. I'd never get high alone—except for the times I did, but they are in my past and shouldn't be brought up. "No, I'm just contemplating how I got here. Now, focus on the task at hand," I redirect him.

He does as told, obviously. "In a two-wheel drive? I don't know about that," JJ shoots me down.

That wasn't what he was meant to do, he's meant to agree with me without question.

'Yes, Mabel, good observation. Vroom vroom vroom it is!'

I also want to point out that, last I checked, this car did have four wheels. But, after the disaster of my boat pop quiz I decide I'm probably missing vital information. To be fair to JJ, vehicles are something he knows a thing or two about. He fixed my Mum's radiator a few days ago, it was incredibly attractive.

Sarah makes eye contact with me and rolls her eyes, not impressed with the conversation. With every passing minute, the tide is only getting higher. "Why are y'all acting like you're not going to do it anyways? Like when have y'all ever done the safe thing?" Sarah pipes up from her seat across from me, I snort at her question because she is really speaking the truth.