FUMES [2], jj maybank

28. ENJOY YOUR YOUTH

"Finally! Hey! Guys, don't tie up. Stop it!" JJ yells as we run down the dock to Kie and Pope. My arm feels so sore, I'm surprised I can move it. "What?" Kie yells. "We gotta go!" I tell them as JJ and I turn the corner. "Wait, why?" Pope asks. "Sam, your arm. What happened?" Kie points to my injury as Bailey helps me into the boat.

   "Rafe and Barry know we're here. Rafe shot up the damn place and a bullet grazed me—"

"What?" The two shout. "I'm fine!" I try to convince them but I literally wince in pain every two seconds. "What happened last night?" John B asks as he helps Sarah down the dock. "We slept on the break. What's up?" Pope replies. "Slept. Right. Yeah," JJ laughs.

I raise my eyebrows at Kie who just shrugs and looks away. "We couldn't sleep!" Bailey yells. "We gotta leave, like, now!" Sarah stumbles down. "Okay, yeah!" Kie unties the boat and we drive to a secluded part of the island and take a seat. "You good?" Sarah asks after I wince in pain, again. My arm feels like it's burning, like I was just grazed again sometimes.

   "Really? You were the one actually shot. I'm fine, Sarah," I shrug it off.

"Look, if Rafe and Barry know, it's only a matter of time," Kie sighs.

  "Before everyone knows," John B finishes for her. This is bad. Really bad. The whole island still wants John B dead. JJ scoffs,"I told you! We should've just gone south, man!"

"Just stop it!" John B cuts him off. "Why does no one ever listen?" J shouts.

"J, take a breath!" I shout at him. "I get it. I get it. I understand!" John B tries to calm JJ down but he starts pacing in front of me. "I have an idea," Sarah starts, "With me back, my dads going to have to choose between me and Rafe."

  There's silence. I'm scared to tell her I think he'll choose Rafe. I didn't even tell her he slapped me. He'll do anything to not be in trouble.

"Sarah. Sarah—"

"He's gonna choose me!" She shouts. "Just please listen," John B pleads, "Ward keeps lying to you, Sarah." I swallow and look down at the ground. "He won't agree after all that's happened," Kie tells her. "No. I....I know it sounds crazy—"

"Yeah, it does," Kie shouts.

"I know!" Sarah yells.

I sigh and lift my head up, "He'll do anything to not go to jail, Sarah. He tried to make me put all the blame on Weston in exchange for protection again—"

"What?" JJ shouts. "Why didn't you tell us?" John B asks. "Guys—"

"He could've hurt you!" Bailey shouts at me. Little do they know, he already did.