SUNBURN | JOHN B ROUTLEDGE

074

As night seeped through the sky, the darkness enveloped the Outer Banks, and the air grew colder. John B and Gabriella couldn't afford to stop, their legs burning from exhaustion as they ran through Figure Eight. Their feet pounded the ground, sprinting through backyards and cutting across people's lawns. John B helped Gabriella over a gate, and she whispered words of encouragement, "It's okay. You got this. We got this."

"Shit," John B muttered as the sound of sirens echoed in the distance, growing louder. They both knew they were running out of time. Spotting an open garage, John B grabbed Gabriella's hand, pulling her inside. "Come on, come on," she urged as the garage door began to close. The lights were on, so they skidded to a stop, frantically turning them off before collapsing onto the cold, concrete floor.

Breathing heavily, they tried to regain their strength. Gabriella leaned into John B, trying to comfort him, "Less than 24 hours, and we're out of here, JB."

John B grabbed her face, pulling her into a rough, desperate kiss, as if it might be their last. When they broke apart, Gabriella, despite her exhaustion, managed a weak smile. "What was that for?"

"I love you," John B whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Before Gabriella could respond, they heard small footsteps outside the garage. Panic flared in their chests as they realized a police officer was nearby. They could hear the faint crackle of his radio: "All units, reports of a white male and brown female running through backyards. Repeat, all units, neighbors reported white male and brown female running through backyards in the 100 block of Church Street."

With their hearts racing, they knew they had to move. Quietly, they crept inside the house connected to the garage, trying to stay as silent as possible. The house was eerily quiet, and as they turned a corner, they came face to face with Kelce in the kitchen. He was eating cereal, but the moment he saw them, he froze, the spoon clattering into the bowl.

"John B? Gabriella?" Kelce's voice was shaky, a mixture of surprise and fear as he tried to position himself defensively.

John B and Gabriella raised their hands in a show of peace. "Hey, man," John B said softly, trying to calm him down.

Gabriella added, "Kelce, just listen to us, please. Relax."

But Kelce wasn't having it. He got out of his seat, his breathing heavy, his eyes wide with panic. "Man, what are you doin' here?"

John B stammered, "I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

Kelce cut him off, his voice tinged with anger and fear. "I know what you both did."

Gabriella shook her head, her voice pleading. "We didn't—Kelce, we didn't do it."

But Kelce's fear had morphed into rage. "Get out of my house! Don't talk to me. I know what you did."

John B stepped forward, hands still raised in a non-threatening gesture. "No, no, no, no."

Kelce, now frantic, grabbed a sharp knife from the counter and pointed it at them, his hand shaking but determined. He waved it in their faces, the blade glinting in the dim light. John B quickly moved in front of Gabriella, shielding her with his body. "Yo, put the knife down."

Kelce took a step closer, his voice trembling with barely controlled hysteria. "You just invaded the homeland, bro. I'm warning you, man."

John B held out his hand, trying to keep the distance between them. "Put it down," he repeated, his voice calm but firm.

"You need to get the hell outta my house right now!" Kelce shouted, his voice cracking as he brandished the knife.

Without warning, Gabriella grabbed John B's hand, and they bolted down the hallway, Kelce's enraged shouts following them. The floor was slick under their feet, still wet from the rain outside, causing them to skid and slide as they ran. They stumbled into the laundry room, John B slamming the door shut and locking it just as Kelce began pounding on the other side, trying to break it down.