𝑃𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠

Chapter Forty

Ruby coughed from the smoke, backing up but she was surrounded by fire, her heart hammering in her chest as she searched for an exit.

Outside the pogues were doing a count, John B helping Sage nurse a burn on her leg from one of the beams that had fallen.

" she's in there- fuck man she's in there!" JJ yelled, ignoring the pogues cries of protest as he ran back inside.

"Ruby!" JJ called out, coughing as he searched the flames for her, "JJ! I'm over here!!" Ruby yelled, she was by the screen door, her eyes frantically searching for him.

Carefully JJ made his way over, automatically taking Ruby into his arms, doing a quick once over before they both ran outside, jumping off the porch just as it collapsed.

Ruby laid in the grass, struggling to catch her breath as the chateau completely collapsed in on itself, there was nothing left to salvage.

She sat up on her arms, tears streaming down her face as her childhood home was now gone, the place where so many memories were made was now no more.

JJ held her in his arms, repeatedly kissing the top of her head, everyone was in too much of a state of shock to say anything.

Later in the morning, they had decided just to get on the plane as soon as possible, Sarah had gotten ahold of Ward and the jet was in fact waiting for them.

They were all exhausted, covered in dirt and fire soot, they all looked like they had gone through hell and back, the happiness they felt just a few hours prior was now long gone.

"Okay uh.. I'm gonna take John B to mine, see what all we can pack. Let's all meet at the airstrip at two" Sage said, leaning against John B as he helped her to the Twinkie.

Pope and Cleo got on his bike, Sarah and Kiara walked to her condo. Which left JJ and Ruby on the docks.

She put her hand in his as they walked through the woods to his house, the two making their way inside as they began to pack.

Ruby grabbed her duffle bag, checking over it as she stepped off the back porch, twirling her truck keys around her fingers.

JJ was still inside, packing the last of his things and probably saying goodbye to his childhood home as well.

Ruby made her way over to her truck, pausing as she saw and old station-wagon in the driveway.

"Hey uh JJ! C'mere!" Ruby called out, getting back on the porch, he automatically came out and she pointed to the car.

The two shared a confused look then paused as they saw two men in uniforms making their way over to them.

Oh god..