"Look, it was right here, and this is where that maniac claimed his next victim," Kie says aggressively to Shoupe as we stand on the construction site. "Right there," She says again, pointing to the spot on the floor. "Uh-huh, his next victim?" Shoupe asks disbelievingly. "Yeah," She nods. "Right," He sighs. "How long ago did you say it happened?" He asks as JJ squats down, feeling the floor where Gavin laid not to long ago.
"Forty-five minutes ago, Shoupe," JJ says, standing up. "Okay," He says, writing some notes on a pad. "And so, Ward Cameron just popped one off and shot him?" He asks again. "Yes," Kie sighs. "Execution style?" He asks. "Then... cleaned it all up in forty-five minutes?" He sighs. "Yeah," I nod shakily. "Obviously," Pope nods. "We filmed the entire thing," Kie says. "You filmed it?" He asks.
"Yes, but we can't show it to you because I stepped on JJ's hand and then he kicked Pope, and then Pope dropped the camera cause it's a piece of shit, and then it broke," She sighs hysterically. "Officer, this is a telephoto, and we needed to get a long-distance image, and... and I fell, and it broke, and the video is basically unusable, but.. but we were there, and we're-," Pope rushes to explain. "So the dog ate your homework?" Shoupe cuts him off. "No, Shoupe, I know how it sounds-," Kie pleads. "Look, I don't know what you kids expect me to do with this. Alright, you drag me out here in the middle of the night for a whole lot of nothing!" He shouts. "No it's not, no it's not nothing!" Kie defends.
"Except for some crazy stories about how Ward Cameron's out on a random killing spree!" He says. "We're not making this up, Shoupe!" JJ shouts. "It's not a random killing spree!" I scream. "Gavin was his pilot!" Pope backs me up. "Okay, he was-he was paying him hush money because he was there on the tarmac that day," Pope says.
"Gavin was blackmailing Ward because he had the gun that Rafe used to kill Peterkin!" Kie shouts. "And then he called him here and tried to pay him off," JJ says. "But it wasn't enough and then- so he shot him!" I finish our explanation. "Exactly," Pope sighs. "Alright, with the murder weapon!" JJ shouts. "How do you know that?" Shoupe asks. "Well, Pope did this thing with his phone!" Kie says.
"He, like, put it in his car, and-," She says. "I heard their whole conversation," Pope says, tears in his eyes. "You wire tapped him?" Shoupe asks. "Is that bad?" Kie asks quietly. "Don't- stop. Just stop," He says. "I've had enough," He says once we're quiet. "What are you talking about Shoupe!" JJ yells when he starts walking away. "Are you just gonna look the other way again!" I scream after him. "You ever heard about the boy who cried wolf?" He asks.
"Shoupe how many times-," JJ starts screaming. "Why would we make this up!" Kie asks as we follow him down the stairs. "Why can't you believe us for once?" JJ screams. "Why would we lie?" I yell after him. "Waste of my goddamn time," He sighs, ignoring our shouts. "Shoupe, I know it sounds crazy. I know that!" Kie yells. "Alright, there's nothing up there. False alarm. Let's all go home!" Shoupe shouts to his men.
"No, no, please don't go home!" Kie yells. "Pack it up!" He calls. "No, why would we make this up?" Kie yells. "Can you just do your job for like 20 minutes?" She screams. "Hey! I... I know you're upset!" He says. "Just listen, it makes sense!" Kie pleads. "I know you're upset. And I know you think your friend was innocent," He says. "He is!" I scream. "But you weren't there," Shoupe argues.
"The only actual witnesses who are above ground say the exact opposite, alright?" He asks. "And both of them have a hell of a lot more credibility then any of you right now," He says. "I saw your little art project on Ward's wall," He says to Kie. "Oh, come on," She sighs. "Do not do that again!" He scolds. "Alright?" He shouts. "Gonna make things a lot harder for both of us," He says. "Go home," He waves us off as he gets in his car.
"At least... at least look for him!" Kie calls. "Someone died tonight!" She cries. "Get on home to your parents now!" He calls. "I told you this would happen!" JJ sighs angrily as we walk away. "Like, you're the one that had to drop the camera!" He snaps at Pope. "You just had to!" He says. "It was your fault!" Kie screams at him. "Oh, that was my fault?" He snaps.
"Yeah, it was your fault!" She yells. "Why do you always take his side? Like, why do you never take mine?" JJ screams. "Guys, guys hey!" Pope yells. "Shut up!" Kie screams at JJ. "Hey!" Pope says again. "We're not out of this yet," He says. "We can still go get the gun," He whispers, looking at the drain.
~~~~~~
"You know, that was a really, really stupid thing to do," JJ tells me as he trails patterns on my stomach with his finger. We're laying out on the dock, unable to sleep. "Ward could've killed you," He whispers, putting his lips against my ear. "Maybe I just wanted to do something stupid, you know?" I ask. "I'm so sick of having to be so careful and safe all of the time," I say. "I'm stupid," He whispers. "Next time just do me," He shrugs.
"John Maybank," I hiss at him, flipping over onto his chest. "You didn't," He whispers. "Oh, I did," I say, kissing him deeply. I pull away, laying my head on his chest. "I can hear your heartbeat," I whisper, tracing what I think is his heart with my finger. "Hey, look at me," He whispers. I do as I'm told, raising my head slightly so we're making eye contact. "I love you so, so, so much," He says. "Promise me you won't get yourself killed, okay?" He asks.
"As long as you're still promising not to ever leave me," I say. "y/n," He says. "I promise," I say. He reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. "Now, kiss me," He whispers. "Mhm," I hum, pressing my lips to his. "I'm sorry," He whispers, pulling back from me again. "For what?" I ask. "All of this shit," He says, running his hands up my arms. "You have no idea how much I wish we could just live a normal life and hang out all of the time," He says sadly. "But we do hang out all of the time," I say. "You know what I mean," He whispers.
"I want you to know me, everything about me, and I want to know you, I want-," He says, but I cut him off, pressing my finger to his lips. "I do know you," I whisper. "Oh yeah?" He asks. "When you're mad or upset, you take your hat off," I whisper, pressing my lips to his. "When people are yelling or arguing you get stressed and put your hands on your head," I say, kissing him again.
"You always sleep on your stomach, unless you're cuddling with me," I smile, planting a third kiss against his lips. "And secretly," I say. "Yeah?" He grins, biting his lip. "You love hugs," I whisper, laying against his chest and pulling him to me. "I know you even better," He smiles, running his hands up my back.
"Yeah?" I ask. "You love physical touch because it makes you feel safe," He whispers against my ear, running his hands through my hair. "And you hate being alone, even when you're sad," He says, kissing my forehead. "You only get high when you need a distraction," He says. "And you're a backseat girl," He whispers, tilting my chin to kiss me again. "And for some shitty reason you always think I'm gonna leave you," He whispers, kissing me for a few seconds.
"I'm lucky I even got you!" He shouts. "I'm built like a twig," He says. "Oh, I'm glad to know you think so highly of yourself," I laugh, running my hands up his biceps. "I appreciate that you have enough confidence in me that you think I can pull another girl like you," He says. "Let's not pretend," I giggle as he kisses me. "I really can't!" He defends. "You are stuck with me," He says. "Good," I smirk, planting my lips on his.
"I don't even know how you put up with me half the time...," He says. "I don't either," I laugh. "I'm lucky you even looked in my direction," He says. "So what do you mean bout I'm bout to leave you?" He asks. "Where am I bout to go, Walmart?" He asks, bringing his lips to mine.
"Kie will kill us if we aren't up in time to search through trash tomorrow morning," I whisper, shifting the blankets on the dock so we have room to lay down again. I roll off of his chest and kiss him one more time before snuggling into his side. "Okay, baby, I love you," He whispers. "Love you too," I yawn. "What?" He asks. "What?" I say, confused. "I love you," He says again. "Love you too," I nod slowly. "I love you!" He yells. "Love you too!" I laugh, still confused.
"Who? Who loves me?" He asks. "I do," I say, shocked. "Then say it," He says. I roll my eyes, laughing. "I love you, JJ Maybank," I whisper, closing my eyes. "I love you too," He smiles happily.
