⤜---⤛ 𝔽𝕀𝕊𝕊𝕌ℝ𝔼 ⤜---⤛ ▬▬ 𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕒𝕟𝕜𝕤 ∗ 𝕛𝕛 ▬▬

⤛ 𝔻.𝔻. ⤜

Talia watched from her cozy spot next to Kiara on the couch as John B sauntered into the living room. JJ was on the floor, cocooned in a pillow and blanket, with his eyes closed and his breathing deep and slow. Pope pulled out a chair for her brother, and John B sat down, the back of the chair facing the front of his body.

"Morning," he greeted them. They took turns greeting him back, with JJ only managing a low mumble from his spot on the floor.

"So, we have what, two days before Noa gets ahold of that camera footage?" John B looked at Talia for confirmation, and she nodded.

Pope leaned his head against his hand, which was propped up on the table. "Yeah, that's not a lot of time."

They had found the letter, courtesy of Talia's not-so-convenient house visit at Noa's the day prior. However, due to JJ's disappearance and the collective decision to wait until morning, the photo remained in Talia's phone, unread. She removed her phone from her pocket, opened it to the letter, and placed it on the table in front of them.

"Alright..." John B glanced around at them in nervous anticipation, and Kiara leaned forward to get a better look. "Let's see what this is all about, huh?"

It read:

March 21, 1829

My dearest daughter,

As I write this letter, I find myself with a heavy heart and a sense of foreboding for I fear that the journey I am about to embark on may be my last. The Royal Merchant, the ship that I am set to sail, carries with it a great deal of treasure. It is my belief that there may be some on board with impure intentions.

I have seen the greed and corruption that festers in some men's hearts, and I cannot help but feel that there are those who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the wealth that this ship carries. I do not trust them, and I do not believe that they will stop until they have taken what they want.

My dear, I am writing this letter to you as though it were my final one, for I fear that it may very well be. I have gone through great lengths to keep this treasure safe, but, should anything happen to me on this journey, I wish for you to know the truth. The gold on this ship is only half, yet even still, merely a taste of the true treasure I have discovered. The rest, I have hidden away in a place only you can truely understand. I pray that it will be enough to support you and your mother in case the worst should happen.

Please forgive me for not telling you more. I cannot risk anyone intercepting this letter and discovering where it lies in sanctuary. You must trust in your own strength and resilience, and I pray that this small fortune will give you the means to live a life of comfort and happiness.

I have never been more afraid in my life, my dear daughter. I cannot bear the thought of leaving you and your mother behind, but I know that if anything should happen to me, you will carry on with the same strength and grace that you have shown your entire life. You have fire in your heart, my dove, and must follow your head.

With all my love,

D.D.

"Holy shit," John B breathed.

Kiara whispered, her eyes wide. "No way..."

JJ stirred from the floor. "Huh, wassup?"

"The gold on the ship," Pope said, staring at the letter in disbelief. "It's only half."

JJ leapt up, swearing under his breath as he whacked his head on the underside of the table. "What? You said half?" He leaned his arm on the table, rubbing his head. "Half of what, like...?"