SUNBURN | JOHN B ROUTLEDGE

057

Gabriella fidgeted in her oversized black hoodie, her fingers nervously playing with the hem as she sat in the back of the Twinkie.

The air inside the van was thick with anticipation, every bump in the road making her heart race faster. Her black leggings clung to her legs, reminding her of the seriousness of their mission. John B was up front, double-checking everything, his voice steady but carrying the weight of their hopes. He ran through the list once more, making sure they had everything they needed for what lay ahead—going into the well and, hopefully, finding the gold that could change their lives forever.

The Twinkie came to a quiet, slow stop just outside the Crain house. The silence was deafening, the night dark and still, the kind of quiet that makes you feel like the world is holding its breath. But they had flashlights, their beams cutting through the darkness, giving them a sense of direction. One by one, they rolled out of the Twinkie, their movements eager yet cautious, each of them carrying the weight of what they were about to do.

"Let's go get rich, guys," JJ said with a grin, trying to inject some levity into the tense atmosphere.

"Yeah. Hell, yeah," Kiara echoed, her voice filled with determination.

Gabriella, trying to match their energy, added, "To going full Kook." There was a slight tremor in her voice, but the words were meant to hype herself up as much as the others.

"Right on," Pope said, his voice steady as they moved closer to the house.

John B suddenly stopped them, holding up a hand. "Wait, wait." He turned to face them, his eyes scanning the group—his friends, his family. There was a softness in his gaze, a vulnerability that made the moment feel even more real. "I wanna say thank you, guys. Seriously. It means a lot to me that you're here tonight."

"Of course, man," Pope said, his voice filled with sincerity.

"How could we not be here?" JJ added, his usual bravado softened by the gravity of the moment.

Kiara chuckled softly, touched by John B's display of gratitude. Gabriella, standing close to John B, felt a rush of affection for him. She reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Always," she whispered, her voice carrying a promise that no matter what happened, they would face it together.

With that, they stood there for a moment, united in their purpose, before turning back to the house. Pope excitedly whispered, "Let's get that wheat in the water."

JJ quickly replied, "Weed? I'm up for weed."

Gabriella added, "I could use some weed right now," referring to her anxiety of yet again, breaking and entering into the Crain house and the pain that is tingling throughout her wrist that's casted.

Pope seemed slightly annoyed, having to clarify that he in fact, did not say weed, "Wheat. I said wheat."

With their flashlights showing their every step, they headed to the basement. As they got closer to the house, the bright lights flickered on, catching the Pogues like they were a group of deers with headlights shining on them. In a rush, they all hid behind a bush, not wanting anything about their plan to be compromised.

"Shit!"

"Turn your fucking flashlight off!" Gabriella whisper shouted at the group. John B placed a finger to his lips, telling everyone to be quiet.

Pope couldn't help but state the obvious, "Okay, so she has motion sensor lights." However, JJ wasn't going to let some stupid lights get in the way for 400 million dollars worth of gold, "We could, uh... move really slowly, maybe?"

"That's not how it works, but good idea." Gabriella told JJ.

John B whispered, "Oh, shit. Let's throw a rock at it."