COMFORT CROWD [3] , jj maybank

3. livin' in ruins of a palace

☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆

STAYING IN PLACES WITH crumbling walls, hiding from people trying to kill us has become our forte at this point. An abandoned building is where Cleo has led us. It makes me think back to that house last year. My random kick of needing to find that couple. I wonder if the house is even still there. How much has Outer Banks changed in a mere month or so?

My back is pressed to a column with vines wrapped around it, surely destroying the structure of this building. Bailey slides down a wall, "Guys, we need to get Kie. Anyone have any fucking ideas?"

"We can't storm the fort. We can't call the cops," Pope reminds us. "Not helping, Pope," I say, resting my heavy head against the column. "We can't negotiate. We have no idea what they want. It's gotta be about the cross or the gold," Pope adds. It always is. The idea of getting rich off of a treasure once seemed so good. The idea was so far away, almost out of reach. I was enduring so much more than just the hunt for the gold, still am. But, alas, I've pulled a Nathan Drake and managed to fuck myself over, ending up on an unknown island. At least me and Nathan both have a hot blonde attached to us.

"Guys like Singh, it's always about money," Cleo says, staring out of the gap. The guards surround us. "Honestly, the only ideas I have are....not safe," I say, one eye closed. "Mhm. No surprise there," Cleo pulls a smile, "Like boyfriend, like girlfriend."

My gaze drifts to JJ who stands on the other side of the room, his eyes already on me. Exactly, Cleo. We're the same. Which is the best and worst thing at times. That's been proven time and time again.

"We need to rest. Even if it's just closing our eyes—we need to rest," Pope sighs. The sun is gone at this point, just the dark Barbados sky overlooking us. If we weren't running from crazy kidnappers, I'd mention how peaceful the view is but instead my head is racing and I keep convincing myself I hear ATVs. I swear I do though.

Sarah ties a bandana around her head, "Best I got as a pillow."

I slide down, head resting next to a window sill, "I doubt I'll sleep." The familiar noise of JJ's heavy boots get closer to me and he takes a seat on the window sill my head is rested on, "At least try, sunshine."

I don't say anything back, just close my eyes as my head is now rested against his thigh. After a few minutes of overhearing the chatter of plans, tiredness consumes my body.

SOMEHOW, I LET MYSELF fall asleep. Not the best sleep, in fact probably the worst sleep I've ever gotten. My whole body hurts, especially my neck as I groan myself awake. Head still rested against JJ's thigh, I look up at him and I can just tell he hasn't slept.