Tidal Wave. | obx szn 1

To Going Full Kook.

When the pogues finally get Kiara back out of the tombstone, lights start flickering from a distance. It sounds like a vehicle is driving closer to them.

"Guys, that doesn't sound good."

"Turn off the lights!"

Everyone shuts off their flashlights and they all hide beside the gravestone.

"Nope, they've got guns!"

Kiara starts running away, everyone else follows. To everyone's surprise, Aurora is right beside Kiara— ahead of all the boys.

Aurora and Kiara swiftly jump over the fence. JJ and John B follow.

"Guys! Help! I'm stuck!" Pope exclaims from the top of the fence.

Aurora laughs loudly. Her and JJ help Pope down. First, JJ tears off Pope's shorts, revealing his tight underwear underneath his clothing. Aurora laughs louder.

Although embarrassed, Pope smiles. He got Aurora to laugh. A real laugh. He was proud of himself. He got his girl to laugh.

"It's like a little tootsie roll!"

"Shut up!" Pope says, covering himself.

Aurora pulls Pope behind her, still laughing.

"Stop laughing at me, Rory!"

They get in the Twinkie and Aurora laughs the whole way back to the Chateau.

༄

The pogues make it back to the Chateau safe and sound— surprisingly.

John B leads the way to the dining room. He places the envelope on the table before sitting.

JJ goes into the kitchen and attempts to find a source of food. Everyone else surrounds the table and John B.

"What's bird?" JJ asks. He carries a sandwich in his hand.

"Bro, that bread is literally molding." Pope states.

"It's fine if I eat around the mold."

Pope scoffs, nearly gagging at the boy's response.

John B doesn't respond to JJ's question. He stares at the envelope. It's almost like he's scared to open it. Scared to see what his old man left for him.

"Not what is bird. Who. It's John B. That's what Big John used to call him." Aurora answers.

John B looks up to her and nods.

JJ takes a bite of his sandwich and immediately spits it out. Aurora and Pope laugh.

John B peels open the seal of the envelope. Aurora leans against the table from beside John B. Pope and JJ stand across from her. Kiara sits at the head of the table.

Aurora looks up to Pope. They make eye contact that may have lasted a second too long. When they both realize it, they uncomfortably look away.

John B pulls out a tape recorder and a map from the envelope. He unfolds the map and lays it out on the table.

"What's that?" JJ asks.

"It's a tape recorder." Kiara answers.

"Dumbass." Aurora adds.

"X marks the spot." Pope comments, pointing to the 'X' drawn out on the map. John B nods.

John B presses play on the tape recorder.

"Dear Bird," John B's dad's voice starts playing on the recording.

"I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so and you doubted your old man. I suspect at this moment you're filled with guilt and self-loathing, but don't kill yourself just yet, kid. I didn't expect to find the merchant either. You were probably right to call me out. Wasn't exactly 'Father of the Decade' what can I say, kid? I could smell the barn. Hopefully we're listening to this in our brand new sugar shack down in Costa Rica living off past investments and prolong permits. If not, and you find this for less than optimal reasons, well, that's what the map is for. There she is. The Wreck of the Merchant. If something happens to me, finish what I started. Go for the gold, kid. I love you, bird. Even if I didn't always act like it. I'll see you on the other side."