Salty Summer | JJ Maybank

Chapter Three

The Compass

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The following day, the Pogues gathered together at the château.

"Look, I'm calling it off, Peterkin said, if I stay out of the marsh, she'll help me with DCS." John B broke the silence.

"And you believed her?" JJ asked with a frown.

"Yes, I believed her, JJ."

"An actual cop, John B. You believed a cop." JJ continued.

"All I gotta do is stay out of the marsh for a couple days, and she'll help me out." John B defended, sighing as he knew JJ was too stubborn. "And it doesn't help that your ass was shooting a gun!" He added.

JJ looked up from his stool and said, "You know what I should've done, man. I should've let Topper drown your ass."

"Yeah, because Topper was gonna drown me?"

"Sure looked like it, I mean have you looked in the mirror, recently?" JJ pointed out, as he slowly walked toward the porch, leaning against a pillar.

"Come on, tell me some more!" John B spoke.

JJ's voice was laced with frustration as he let out a small chuckle, "they always win don't they, man? Kooks versus Pogues they always, always win! Goddam!" JJ gritted his teeth and punched a small hanging decoration.

Kiara looked up to JJ and said, "It's okay!"

"No it's not okay!" JJ's voice boomed through the group as he whirled around to face them. "It is not! They don't want us to go down into the marsh, it's because there's something valuable down there, and you know it." His tone softened slightly, as he turned to Pope. "And I understand why you're all  hesitant. You're the golden boy, you've got way to much to risk. And you two-." He turned to the girls, his eyes softening at the sight of Marley. "-I mean you're both rich as fuck anyway."

Kiara pulled a face. "Jay!" Marley tried, but he continued to talk, turning to John B.

"But you and me, man, we got nothing to lose! We really don't, all right? And I know it didn't use to be that way for you."

John B tried to avoid the conversation as he walked towards the exit, "I don't wanna talk about this. I don't wanna talk about it." He said nudging JJ aside, "Just get out of my way, bro." John B headed into the yard, but JJ followed him.

"Listen to me, John B. I have a plan." JJ informed, "you've got the key to the Cameron's big boat, right?" But John B remained silent and stared into the distance, JJ pressed on. "There's scuba gear, we can borrow it and go to the wreck this afternoon. And that's what's going to save you, man. Do you see rich kids going to foster care?"

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Marley playfully leaned into JJ, resting her head on his shoulder as they sat out in the marsh. Pope sat by the wheel, keeping a watchful eye on the water. Kiara let out a groan of annoyance.

"What's wrong, Kie?" Marley asked, sitting up.

Kiara shook her head, her eyes fixed on John B. "This is empty." She said, her voice dripping in frustration. "You took empty tanks?"