P4L | Outer Banks | JJ Maybank

The Hospital

"Look, we can't take her home," John B argued.

"Why not?" Sarah asked.

"Her dads a piece of shit," John B explained. "And we can't take her with us to get the gold."

"Come on!" Cory groaned, trying to argue, but she could barely focus with the throbbing pain in her foot.

"No, no arguing," John B scolded. "You can't help us get the gold."

"What about a hospital?" Sarah offered.

John B glanced at Cory, who looked on the verge of passing out.

"She can't afford a hospital, Sarah," John B said.

"My dad can," Sarah offered.

"How are you going to explain that to him?" Pope asked. "That she got shot in the foot because we were getting mugged by a drug dealer, whom JJ then robbed?"

Sarah shook her head. "I don't care at this point. She needs help."

"JJ," Cory mumbled, her eyes fluttering open and closed.

The others were silent as they looked at her with pity.

Pope sighed. "I will help take her to the hospital. But Sarah, none of us can afford that. Especially not her."

"I will handle it," Sarah said. "I promise."

"Alright," John B said as Pope moved over to Cory, helping her to her feet. "Meet back here tomorrow afternoon. Stay safe."

Cory had never stayed in a hospital before. She'd never been able to afford it.

But with Sarah there, she felt so much better. They had immediately begun to treat her, taking her into surgery, and for not a moment did Cory worry. She knew that Sarah would handle the money issue.

And when Ward had arrived, per Sarah's request, he had immediately agreed to pay off the hospital bill.

"Anything for Kelce's future sister-in-law," Ward said, which made Cory wince when he had turned his back, but at least he paid off the hospital bill.

Sarah hadn't stuck around for long, though. Soon after, John B had visited, pulling Sarah away from a quick date.

Cory had let him steal her, knowing that she was okay. They had gotten the bullet out of her foot, and stitched the hole right up. Made her look like she was Frankenstein's monster, but that didn't change that she wasn't actively dying.

Not long after, she had an unexpected guest.

The door creaked open, and there was her father.

He had a nice smile on his face. Only... until the nurse had shut the door, leaving the two of them alone.

His polite smile turned into a frown.

"So," he said, his voice rough. "Got yourself shot, huh?"

"It's okay, dad, I'm fine–"

"Who do you think is gonna pay for this?" he snapped.

A tear threatened to escape her eye. "What?"

"You think I'm gonna cover the bill for your stupidity?" he asked.

"Dad, I–"

"No, no, Delia," he snarled. "I didn't ask to have a piece of shit daughter like you... constantly doing stupid shit with your friends."