𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 - JJ Maybank

Chapter 84: El Dorado

"Looks like we're good. You guys ready?" John B asked once the rocks were finally cleared away from the pit.

Grace nodded at him while Sarah replied, "Yeah."

"Let's do it."

"I'll never fit through that wormhole. You three go," Big John said drawing all eyes to him.

"What are you talking about?" John B asked incredulously. "Dad, we finally found what we think is El Dorado, and you're just gonna sit this one out?"

Grace knew Big John was right. As much as it hurt to leave him behind they really didn't have a choice. It sucked for John B though. He'd spent his life hunting treasure with his dad, to leave him behind at the last sprint felt wrong.

"Gotta take the training wheels off sometime, kid," Big John's gruff voice answered, "It's time. I'll hold down the fort out here, but before you go, listen. There was one last part of the message that I didn't tell you."

Grace looked up at John B to see his jaw clench slightly.

"Always keeping secrets, huh, Pop? Shocker," John B grumbled.

"I'm sorry. I'm telling you now. The last part, The true and patient seeker needs not light to see. You got it?" Big John turned to the girls as he spoke.

They both nodded.

He turned to his son as he repeated, "The true and patient seeker needs not light to see. That's it."

John B nodded to himself as the trio committed the words to memory. "Okay."

Big John worked quickly to pull open his backpack. "I've got these three flares. They're waterproof. I doubt those flashlights will survive the swim."

John B took the flares from his outstretched hand and stored them in his backpack.

"They're 20 minutes each," he continued, "And you don't wanna get stuck down there without them. You'll never find your way out. Alright?"

"Yeah, we've got this." Grace smiled despite the fear prickling at the back of her neck.

"I'm passing the baton over to you kids," Big John laughed his usual breathy laugh as he smiled at his son. "You got this, boy."

He turned to his honorary daughter. "Gracie."

She grinned at him, deciding that suppressing her fear was for the better and instead embracing optimism. "Pops."

"You've got this," he said.

Grace's smile didn't falter. "'Course I do. You didn't raise a loser, Big John."

"Hell no I didn't."

He turned back to his son, serious expression returning. "I'll be okay. I'll see you when you get back..." he looked to Sarah, "all of you."

Sarah, Grace and John B waded towards the opening not before Big John muttered a, "Thank you, Sarah."

He'd been there. He'd seen how hurt Grace had been when she lost the Camerons. And he knew Grace. He knew she was sad that she lost her dad but he also knew how much she loved Sarah. When she and the Camerons had been on good terms he'd hear all about the turtles they saved or the sleepovers they'd have. It was nice to see the sisters reunited even if he had been hesitant at first. Plus, he could see it in his son's eyes. His kid was in love and who was he to come between that?

"You sure you're good?" John B asked, eyes darting towards his wounded side.

"I promise," he replied staring into his son's eyes to show that he wasn't lying. "Now go, find that city of gold, boy."