Perfect Storm | JJ Maybank [3]

seven

SLEEPING ON THE porch again was magical. Jo didn't think she'd be able to sleep comfortably here with her father in the next room and the threat of any of their enemies coming after them, but she slept like a baby. The frogs chirping and the insects buzzing were her lullaby, and even despite the sticky humid air she fell asleep comfortably.

Unfortunately, it was ripped away from her all too soon when John B's yelling filled her ears. She groaned and rolled over so she could bury her face in the hammock, but it didn't help. She had no pillow to cover her ears with.

"John B, shut up!" She whined.

"Jo, dad's gone." John B darted over to the hammock and shook her shoulder, forcing her to open her eyes. She sighed and tried to blink her exhaustion away, but apparently her reaction time wasn't fast enough. "He's not here!" John B raised his voice and Jo muttered under her breath.

"I heard you the first time," she grumbled. Pushing herself into a sitting position and swinging her legs over the side of the hammock, Jo sighed once more and swept her hair out of her eyes. It was then that she noticed Sarah standing behind her brother, a confused and concerned look on her face.

"Sarah?" Jo's eyes widened as the girl turned towards her. A small smile tugged at her lips and Jo rushed over to her.

"Hey," she giggled. Jo pulled her into a hug and closed her eyes in relief.

They made it back.

"You made it! Is JJ with you?" Jo asked urgently once she pulled away from the blonde.

"No, they just dropped me off," Sarah said with a frown. "JJ didn't think you guys would be back yet, so he went to his house to grab some things."

Jo's heart grew heavy at the thought. Everyone else got reunions with their parents, even her and John B. JJ and Sarah got nothing with their return to Kildare. Sarah didn't even have her house anymore.

"Okay, we can get JJ later," John B said. "We have to find dad."

Jo scowled at John B's sudden lack of concern over their longtime friend. She watched as John B ran around the yard and even down to the dock, where their boat was still secured.

"I'm sure he's fine," Jo sighed. "He was always off on treasure hunt quests before he went missing."

"Wait, so Big John is actually alive?" Sarah asked. She looked at Jo with wide eyes as she nodded.

"Yeah. Didn't you hear us on the phone?"

"No, it was cutting out," Sarah said.

"Jo, Singh could be after him," John B said, coming back up towards the porch. "What if he got him?"

"If Singh came here, I think we would've heard him," Jo deadpanned.

"Wait, Singh? The guy that kidnapped you and Kie?" Sarah squeaked.