𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍, ʲʲ ᵐᵃʸᵇᵃⁿᵏ

𝟭𝟵. the cross

Hazel POV

"Well, hello, princess." JJ said as Sarah walks in as I give her a hug as she's hugs me back.

"What's up?" Kiara said getting up from the sofa as I let go of Sarah. "Shouldn't you be on Figure Eight with your little group of polo players? Or did you break up with Topper?" John b said.

"We're just friends." Sarah said as she's starts walking but John b said something so she turns around to face him.

"He's just a friend. You have a lot of friends, Sarah Cameron." John b said as Sarah turns to him. "Yeah, and it seems like you're got some of your own too." She said.

"All right, what are you doing here?" John b asked. Sarah signs. "I'm here for Pope." Sarah said as pope gives her a wired look. "I think I found the island room." She said as he's gets up.

"Guys, listen to this. The diary says the cross holds the most holy relic in all of Christendom, the Garment of the Savior." Pope said.

"So wait, he saying there's a holy garment inside the cross?" Kiara asked. "Yeah. It says the garment is capable of healing the sick from any malady." Pope said.

"Mmm, yeah. If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." JJ said as we all look at him. "What? I went to Sunday school." JJ said.
"Sure." Kiara said.

"Well, that explains why Limbrey would want the cross so bad. She thinks it can heal her." Pope said. "What else does it say?" I asked.

"Many feel that we have sinned to steal such a sacred thing, and God will strike His vengeance on us." Pope said. "Thing is, God did have His vengeance." Kiara says.

"He sent a hurricane to sink the ship. Only Denmark survived." Pope said.

"There it is, Angel Oak." Kiara said. "Oh, shit! Tide's coming in. John b said as he drives. "Hey, wait a second. Look. They already came through here. Those have to be Limbrey's tire tracks. Guys, we gotta go." Pope said.

Mmm, what do you think chief?" JJ said. "I'm thinking it's looking a little dicey." John b said.
"Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with that statement." JJ said. "Yeah." John b said.

"Okay, clearly, they made it. No?" I say. "I'm a two-wheel drive? I don't know about that." JJ said. "Why are y'all acting like you're not gonna do it anyways? Like when have y'all ever done the safe thing?" Sarah said with a smile.

"She's got a point." John b said. "Alright. Speed is your friend here, okay? So, put her down in second and hammer down, brother." JJ said. "Stick to the ground in the middle." Pope added.

"All right, ready? Here we go." John b said as he starts to drive again. "I told you we'd make it." John b said as we made it to the other side of the dirty road. "That's my girl." JJ said.

"Angel Oak is right through here." JJ said as he's gets out of the Twinkie. "All right, so word to the wise, definitely know that gators nest back here, so keep your eyes peeled, okay? You don't wanna step on a mama gator. That's the last thing you want." JJ said as we started walking.

"They have nests?" Kiara asked. "Seems like a good place to park." Sarah said. "All right. You don't wanna be a Pat Womack. She had her calf chewed off by a gator, right? You know that, right?" JJ said as I hit him in the arm as he laughs.

"That's actually not true. Pat Womack was injured in a car accident, but I hear you." Kiara said. "Okay, just live in ignorance. But like, she had her calf chewed off by a mama gator. I know that for a fact. They like the brackish water." JJ said.

"Wait. Hold on. I see something." JJ said. "What are you doing?" Kiara asked. JJ splashes the water with a stick.

"Right. Wake them up. That's smart." I say. "I was just making sure it wasn't a gator. That's all, all right." JJ said as he takes my hand.