𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃─𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

one hundred five.

─☼☼☼─

THE FURTHER THEY  got from the mainland, the eerier it seemed to become. Despite the fact that it was a sweltering day, Charlotte could feel a chill settle in her chest as her eyes landed on Goat Island. 

"Does you guys know anyone who has actually been here before?" Kiara asked, her eyes locked on the island like her sister's. "'Cause I don't."

Everyone shook their heads in denial. Despite the fact that Goat Island could be seen from Kildare, it was rare to ever meet someone who was brave enough to make the trek across by boat. There had always been rumours of groups who ventured over, seeking a thrill or a good story to tell, but Charlotte had never actually met somebody who had stepped foot on the island...or lived to tell the tale. 

"Hey, Charley, Sarah, you guys must know somebody who's been here, right?" Pope asked, earning confused looks from both of the girls, "I mean all Kooks, they...they know each other. They go to the same parties."

Sarah shook her head, "Are you kidding me?"

"Yeah," Charlotte agreed with a shudder, "You've heard the rumours, right?"

JJ squinted under the sunlight, "Oh, yeah. About the daughter. I mean that she drowned with her baby? That's what I heard."

Charlotte nodded, "That rumour has been around since I was a kid. One version of it is that she was possessed or something...basically, whatever happened wasn't an accident."

"And then I heard...that was all bullshit because what." Pope immediately poked holes into the stories that had been told amongst groups of kids for years. Charlotte shot him a look, crossing her arms over her chest. "I still believe it." She muttered. 

Cleo looked at them like they all head three heads. "So, remind me again why we're doing this?"

Pope and Sarah spoke simultaneously, "Because we need the money."

Shore was approaching, a decrepit looking boathouse was their welcome. In front of it, stood a lone man, unmoving as he watched them approach. 

"This place has been around for 200 years and there's still not a road that doesn't go underwater twice a day, " Pope informed, his eyes surveying the island. 

Kiara locked eyes on the man, "You check in...you don't check out."

"That's...ominous," Charlotte muttered, steadying JJ from where he stood on the stern, preparing to tie them up once they reached the dock. John B brought the H.M.S. Pogue to a slow stop alongside the dock, just as the man moved to greet them. 

The daunting looking man stood on the dock, staring back at the seven of them without saying a word for what felt like too long. After meeting each of their eyes, he gave a small nod, "Welcome to Blackstone."

The man beckoned the group of them to follow him, leading them through the boathouse and up a winding trail that led toward the house. 

"So, what have you been diggin'?" JJ wondered, nodding at the shovel that was in the man's hand. 

He didn't look back when he answered, "Ditches."