Rogue | outer banks

014 - Alive or Dead?

Kiara's POV:

As the ferry cut through the waves towards Charleston, a nagging worry gnawed at the edges of my mind, threatening to unravel the thin thread of optimism that held our little group together. We hadn't heard a word from John B, Sarah, or Amelia in what felt like an eternity. Despite Amelia's assurances that she'd keep in touch, her silence hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow of uncertainty over our journey.

I tried to push aside my concerns, burying them beneath a façade of nonchalance as we navigated our way through Pope's new findings.

"Topper stopped me the other day," I confessed to Pope and JJ. "He was asking all sorts of questions about Lia."

Pope's attention remained fixed on the letter in his hands, his brow furrowed in concentration as he absorbed its contents. "And what did you say?" he inquired, his voice steady despite the underlying tension that crackled in the air.

"That she's with the Camerons," I replied matter-of-factly, though the words tasted bitter on my tongue.

The truth was, I had no way of knowing for sure where Lia was or what she was doing. All I could do was cling to the hope that she was safe, wherever she may be.

But JJ's question cut through the fragile veneer of normalcy, his words sharp and unexpected in the quiet of the ferry. "Alive or dead?" he asked, his tone casual as if he were discussing the weather.

My head snapped towards him, my eyebrows drawing together in a frown of disbelief. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I demanded, my voice edged with a mixture of anger and concern, and JJ's nonchalant shrug only fueled my frustration.

Ever since Lia's departure for the Bahamas, JJ had become withdrawn, his usual chatter replaced by a brooding silence. It was clear he was wrestling with his emotions, attempting to bury whatever had transpired between him and her beneath a façade of indifference. But to me, it seemed like a futile effort, a misguided attempt to deny the undeniable truth that lingered between them.

"Apparently Aunt Jo wants to come and check up on them," I continued. "Talking about some boarding school."

JJ's response was swift and adamant. "There's no way Lia is going to accept that," he declared, his voice tinged with defiance.

"Exactly," I agreed, nodding in solidarity. "They'll have to kidnap her."

"And you think they won't?" Pope pressed, his tone laced with concern.

A steely resolve settled over me as I met Pope's gaze head-on. "Well, we won't let that happen," I stated firmly, my determination clear in every word.

The thought of anyone trying to tear Amelia away from us, to force her into a fate she didn't choose, ignited a fierce protectiveness within me. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we would face them together, united in our determination to safeguard the bond that bound us as family.

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As we drove towards the wharf, anticipation coiled tightly in my chest, each passing moment tinged with urgency as we neared our rendezvous with Terrance and Cleo.

"How much time do we have?" I asked, my voice betraying the edge of anxiety that gnawed at my composure.

"Not much," John B replied tersely, his eyes fixed on the road ahead as if willing it to stretch out just a little longer.

"Shit, cops," Sarah's voice cut through the tense silence, her words jolting us into alertness as we spotted the flashing lights ahead.

John B's grip tightened on the steering wheel, uncertainty flickering across his features as he weighed our options. "Should I turn?" he asked, a note of desperation creeping into his voice.