One Stupid Thing

3:10:104

I successfully got away from the docks without Singh or any of his men seeing me. I don't know how because I probably stick out like a sore thumb, but I'll take the easy victory.

Back in the market square, I return back to where Pope and Cleo split off from the three of us. I honestly have no clue where I'm going, but I continue on through the center of town anyways. Asking around about them isn't an option, not when I don't know who I can and can't trust.

As I turn around a corner, I hear a crash come from behind me. I whip around but no one is there, however I have a feeling that I'm being followed. I lean back around the corner and start back in the direction of the noise.

"Now!" a voice commands. Before I have a chance to react, I am trapped in the grasp of strong arms. "Who are you and why were you following us?" the boy demands.

"Let go of me!" I hiss, writhing around in his arms. Amidst my struggle, my hood slides back off of my head, revealing my identity. His grip immediately loosens and I take the opportunity to get out of his arms. I turn on him, pulling the knife from my pocket and flipping it open, ready to attack.

"Woah, woah, woah!" JJ puts up his arms in surrender. "Hey."

I immediately drop my defensive stance and fold my knife back up in my pocket. "What the fuck, JJ! What was that for?" I shove him back angrily. Out from the shop that JJ must have sprung at me from, Pope, Cleo, and Kie hurry over.

"How was I supposed to know that it was you? You were the one following us," he shoots back.

"You were following me!"

"Okay, okay," Pope interrupts, ending the argument. "Enough. We don't want any unnecessary attention." He turns to me. "Where are Sarah and John B?"

I huff and cross my arms. "Heading upriver as we speak."

"I thought you were with them."

"I was."

Cleo glances at me curiously. "I feel like there is more to the story then you are letting on about." Everyone is staring at me expectantly. I feel like a weight is crushing on me and I'm cracking under the pressure of the knowledge about my parentage. I open my mouth to speak, but can't bring myself to form the right words.

A hand rests on my shoulder and Kie's warm gaze meets mine. "I think we should get moving before Singh's men find us again." I am grateful for her changing the subject and veering the conversation away from me.

"Great idea," Pope agrees. "JJ, what's the plan?"

"Well, Barracuda Mike said that he found a river boat that we can use...so, um, I guess let's find him."

"Hold on, hold on. Barracuda Mike? Who the hell is Barracuda Mike?" I ask.

"Don't worry about it," JJ shrugs me off. I roll my eyes and take a deep breath to calm myself down. If JJ wants to put his trust and all of our lives into the hands of someone named 'Barracuda Mike' then by all means. At least it won't be me who gets us all killed.

—

We meet up with Barracuda Mike just off the beaten path downriver from the docks where Sarah, John B, Big John, and Ward had set off earlier that day. For a guy whose nickname is Barracuda Mike, I would have expected someone a bit more hardcore, but he seems like any other average middle aged man that lives on Kildare Island. Although, he didn't seem too happy that the amount of passengers has grown by not one, not two, but three more people than he had expected.

He leads us through the woods towards the river and when the trees begin to thin, I can see the river boat docked up just ahead.

"Got anything to defend yourself?" Barracuda Mike asks us.