Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

41

"So you're living with Sarah Cameron." Kie spat as she grabbed drinks for us.

"Look, the only reason I'm living there is because her dad bailed me out. Right? And it's way better than foster care, which, by the way, is where I was about to go if Ward didn't-"

"Hey, so do you have membership to the clubs now?" Pope interrupted John B as I leaned back and drank from my cup.

"I don't know, Pope." John B grunted as he sat down, his wrist in a cast.

"What about those golf carts they drive around? You get one of them?" JJ asked making me grin.

"Ooh, yeah, we should roll around in one of those now versus the Twinkie." I added to the teasing.

"Yes, ooh, does it come with a sweater vest or do you have to buy one on your own?" Pope added on.

"Look, you promised. You said you weren't with her." Kie looked down at him as JJ leaned against a pole.

"Bro, just own it. She got you." I dipped my head at JJ's words.

"Look, if you want to hangout with her, that's fine. But I'm letting you know now that I'm not doing anything with Sarah."

"Do you guys see her here? No, right, now, a little focus would be fantastic. We've got the map, right?"

"It's out of whack 'cause the guy was ganja'd when he drew it." JJ spoke as we all looked at the map Pope had.

"It's cause the coast has changed." Kie remarked both of our eyes rolling at JJ's comment.

"So we just have to look for landmarks that haven't changed." Pope sighed, staring at the paper.

"Are there any old forts?" I asked moving from my chair to peer over Pope's shoulder.

"Yeah, Battery Jasper." Kie's suggestion had Pope dragging his finger along the map. He stopped at as Kie set her finger near the top of the map.

"Well, I guess we're heading out." I rose and grabbed my bag. And my helmet. "Y'all coming?"

______•*•*•*•_______

We stood at the outlook on a hill. A small wall of stones in front of us. Really disappointing for it being a fort.

"We're in Battery, right here." I stood beside JJ on top of the wall my leather jacket unzipped as I let the wind keep me cool. "So if this is parcel nine, then it's somewhere northeast of here."

I looked up, covering my eyes over my sunglasses as I looked to where the sun was. My eyes drifting as I made my compass circle with my hands before pointing in the direction which would be northeast of us.

"So, roughly over there." I asserted, jumping over to the other wall of stone where Pope, Kie, and John B were standing behind.

"Right. Easy there." Pope cautioned as I stuck my arms out to balance myself.

"Over there? Guys, that's not Tannyhill, that's a subdivision." JJ argued as I moved to stand over the map.

"Tannyhill Plantation was the entire island. It got sold into smaller pieces over time." I laughed.

"Real Estate and population growth, bound to happen." I mocked as Pope started to trace around the map.

"So we're just looking for an old stone wall." I pursed my lips, slowly getting off the wall and rounding back to the other side.

"Right, shouldn't be too difficult." I shook my head at JJ, laughing silently.

How'd I end up here with a bunch of dorks.

"I'll follow." I called over my shoulder as I zipped up my jacket and grabbed my helmet. "Try not to have too much fun in the Twinkie." I joked, straddling my bike and snapping my visor down. The purple and blue shine of the undercoat glistened in the sun as my bike roared to life.

"You know, I think Xena may need some company." JJ started drifting towards me.

"Uh-huh. Nice try, Hot-rod. Get in the Twinkie." Kie scolded grabbing the blond by his shirt and pulling him towards the Volkswagen. I gave her a thumbs up as I pulled on my gloves, waiting to take off.

Pope stuck his head out and waved, throwing a thumbs up to see if I was ready. I smirked under my helmet and sent him a thumbs up back, playfully revving my engine.

Pope pat the side of the door and they were off. My feet kicking up the stand as I quickly followed them.

We went back down the hill we came, a glare settling over my features as John B dusted me while he drove. The pavement couldn't come fast enough.

I stayed low to my bike as I turned with John B, winding through the streets as we entered a neighborhood area. Only to take a side road which was unfortunately dirt again.

"Motherfucker." I hissed as John B took a sharp turn to the left. A cloud of dust was kicked up and I had to drive through it.

I pulled up to the passenger window as John B stopped the car, putting the Twinkie in park.

"Hey, you think next time you can try not to throw dust clouds my way?" I piped, sliding my visor up.

"Sorry, thought we were racing." I rolled my eyes as I moved in front of the Twinkie, parking my bike. The rest of the Pogues slide out of the vehicle.

"Are you kidding me?" I was patting my dust covered jacket as I walked up to them, all of us staring at the stone wall.

"Worst case scenario."

"Uh, guys?" I started but clearly not loud enough.

"Why'd it have to be here of all places?" I gave JJ and Pope a side glance.

"What's so bad about this house?" I asked cutting into the silence. All four heads turning to stare at me. "Y'all forget it's been barely a year since I got here. I don't know all the lore."

"Right. This is the Crain house. Only living resident is Old Mrs. Crain. Crazy bat." Kie explained as I listened intently.

"I heard that Mrs. Crain buried her husband's head on the property." I rose an eyebrow at JJ.

"Okay, but what's so weird about that?"

"She's the one who killed him, supposedly." I turned back to the stone wall, eyes tracing upwards to the roof that was stories above us.

"Well shit. So we're about to break in to a supposed murderer's property. Sounds lovely."