𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝟮𝟰/𝟳

Chapter 21

 Pogue Island, as JJ named our new home, was the perfect home.

There was a small lagoon close to the coast, which held plenty of fish and small crabs. If you were lucky, there would be a couple of clams underneath the rocks.

On the beach, we had parked our boat. There wasn't enough gas left to get us anywhere, and so we left it there as an emergency hide out. The beach connected to a huge wall of sloping rock, which was our cave and shelter. Sarah weaved a couple of matts and such for us, so we had a nice little home.

Into the real forest, we didn't venture far. Pope only knew a few simple varieties of plants, but the animals and jungle were dangerous, he warned us, and we weren't to go too far.

We were lucky. We had food, shelter, and water from coconuts. It was the paradise we wished for. No cops after us, no parents, just us Pogues, living our Pogue Lyfe. If only there would be a little weed or beer to add to it.

John B and JJ were the real pros at fishing, and caught us meals every night. Pope taught us plants and shit. Sarah weaved a lot.

Unfortunately, I was a real slug. I knew nothing, barely could weave a mat like Sarah could. At least Kie was a bit unhelpful, then I wouldn't look like a schleper. JJ made it his personal life story to teach me to "live of the wild", though I was awful at it.

"Would you hurry up?" He barked at me as I (once again) slipped on a rock. Of course JJ maneuvered the rocky shore completely fine. Yes, he currently had a concussion and had nearly drowned, but obviously he was way better at all this physical activity than I was.

Physical activity.

Heh.

Get your fucking head out of the gutter, Mercedes.

"Okay, we're here now." JJ announced, and I nearly collapsed onto the rock. We'd hiked a couple miles away from camp to the far end of the island, where the fish were the most "ripest", as JJ liked to say.

"We could've fished by the beach," I grumbled, massaging my sore calves.

"Yeah, if you're a pussy," JJ picked up his spear, preparing to hunt.

"Stop being a prick!"

"Stop being a Kook."

"I saved your fucking life, you know!" Why'd he always have to be such an asswhole?
"And I'm trying to save your own life."

"What—!"

"Teach a man to fish, and he can like, eat a lot." JJ said, in a very JJ—like way.

"That's definitely not the saying," I said.

"Well, I'm teaching you a life skill, so deal with it." He said snobily.

"And I'm not a man."

"I don't know that," he raised his brows.

"Just teach me how to fucking fish."

JJ demonstrated how to stab a fish. You had to make sure your shadow wasn't covering the school that swam by, and had to walk very very slowly, so you didn't kick up sand. Once they swam near enough—around your toes—you swooped in and stuck the stick into the swarm. If you were lucky, you stabbed one. If not, you missed, and tried again.

"It's easy," JJ popped up with one silvery fish wriggling on the end of his makeshift spear.

"For you, yeah."

"Your turn," JJ handed me his spear.

I quickly stepped into the small bay, walking as slowly and quietly as I could.