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

⤛ 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕟 ⤜

JJ crouched low in the bushes, along with the rest of the group, with his eyes fixed on the armed men gathered around the campfire. There were two smugglers stationed at the entrance of a cave, holding their weapons loosely. JJ's heart pounded in his chest as he observed them, trying to figure out the best course of action.

"It has to be in there," John B whispered, nodding toward the cave, his eyes filled with awe.

Despite the guards' apparent ease, JJ could tell that they were vigilant, as evidenced by their weapons and the fire they had built. He could only imagine what lay beyond that entrance and what treasures or secrets they were guarding so fiercely.

"I don't see Noa," Talia said, her hushed voice tinged with concern as she scanned the area for him.

The excavation site was surrounded by dense foliage, with the shadows of the trees encroaching upon the scene below. The moon cast a pale light over everything, and the sound of crackling fire and men's laughter filled the air. The guards were relaxed, but JJ knew better than to underestimate them. He couldn't see what they were guarding, but he could sense that it was powerful and dangerous.

"Maybe they took him inside," Sarah whispered.

JJ held his breath as he continued watching the smugglers patrolling around the cave. A chill ran down his spine. This was no ordinary excavation site, and whoever or whatever was inside that cave was not to be reckoned with. But they had come too far and risked too much to let fear and a few armed douchebags stop them.

He surveyed the area, counting at least six men. Although their numbers were evenly matched, they were at a worrisome disadvantage in terms of weaponry. The disadvantage, of course, being that they had absolutely no weapons. Taking a deep breath, JJ swallowed nervously.

"Okay, here's the plan: I'll distract them, and you sneak into the cave," he said.

"No! Are you crazy?" Kiara whispered angrily.

Pope stared at him, concerned. "Do you have a death wish?"

"Do you have any better ideas?" JJ shot back.

They crouched there in silence for a moment before Pope spoke up again. "Actually, yes-"

"Oh, this should be good," JJ rolled his eyes.

"I'll sneak around to the other side. Kie, you wait here for my signal. Then, we'll throw rocks in that direction," Pope pointed to the clearing opposite the cave. "And draw them out."

"What if they don't all take the bait?" Sarah asked, concern glinting in her eyes.

Pope gave a pained smile. "They probably won't, which is why John B and JJ will go down there before you guys and neutralise whoever is left - silently."

John B raised an eyebrow. "You want us to... neutralise full-grown, armed men with military vests on?"

"I don't see how anything could possibly go wrong in this situation," JJ shrugged.

"Maybe we shouldn't do this, I don't know..." Talia's face was barely lit in the moonlight, but JJ could see her puffy eyes. A flash of anger shot through his body, and the words came out harsher than he had meant them to.

"You wanna find your boyfriend or not?"

Kiara shot him a look. "JJ..."

He ignored her, locking eyes with Pope as he nodded. "Your plan, Pope. Lead on."

･༺༒༻･

JJ crouched behind a bush next to the cave at the excavation site, waiting for Pope's signal. He watched as two men stood guard in front of the cave, while others patrolled the area. JJ glanced over towards where Talia and Sarah were hiding up the hill, trying to spot them but it was too dark to see them clearly. He felt a pang of guilt for his earlier reaction towards Talia, but he had more pressing issues to worry about.