The Secret of Us

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Mason made his way around the Cameron residence, he braced himself for the gust of winds that were about to cause mayhem in Outer Banks. As he wiped his sweat off his forehead, he made sure to secure the last boat. The Camerons were always prepared for the storms, or at the very least prepared as prepared for a family with money and very little regard for their employees.

"Hey Mason! Are you okay?" Sarah Cameron asked from the balcony of her room, her blonde hair whipping her face.

Mason glanced up, he gave her a wildly enthusiastic thumbs up. "Yeah, just making sure your dad's boat doesn't end up in another county!"

Sarah laughed while shaking her head. "I appreciate it, M! We would be lost without you."

"I know. It's quite a burden I carry but I do what I can" He responded, the small grin on his face giving away his sarcasm. He walked around the property for a final inspection before making his way to the front of the property. Ward was already there, he nodded his head with approval as Mason approached him.

"Good work Mason" Ward said, handing him an envelope. "There's a bit more than usual in there. Make sure you and your brother are safe tonight, alright?"

"Will do, Sir" Mason replied, slipping the envelope in his back pocket. "I'll see you on the other side" He gave a quick salute and without another word he turned around. Heading out of Figure 8 and towards the Cut.

As Mason rode his rusty blue truck back to the Cut, the sky was getting darker and the rising wind nearly drowned out the familiar sound of the engine roaring. Tonight, he knew he needed to be with the Pogues. Specifically, in John B's place, where their typical storm ritual was probably already going underway.

The others had already arrived as Mason pulled into the driveway. He wasted no time getting off his truck and walking to the back of the Chateau. Over the wind, John B's voice could be heard barking out orders like a captain preparing his men for a storm.

"Hey! The calvary has arrived!" Mason shouted while walking towards the other pogues.

While struggling to get a tarp over the window, John B paused long enough to give Mason a quick smile. "Great timing, Man. We were just about to batten down the hatches"

"Just what I love to hear," Mason said, sarcasm dripping in his voice as he took a corner of the tarp to help. "Nothing gets your blood pumping like preparing for a hurricane."

"You know you love it, " JJ shouted from the porch, lounging with a beer in his hand. Already partially drenched from the storm. "It keeps you on your toes, M"

"Yeah, right, doesn't mean it'll get you out of helping out" Mason shouted back, gesturing to JJ over. "Grab a rope or find something to do before you end up in Kansas"

With an exaggerated sigh, JJ got up and walked over. "Fine only because you asked me so kindly," he said causing Mason to roll his eyes in response.

The windows were secured, and anything that couldn't be nailed or tied up was hauled inside, the group had finally gathered in the living room. Pope had managed to get an old radio working, a static-filled weather update could now be heard from the speakers.

"So what's the plan, Captain?" Pope glanced at John B.

John B shrugged, a lop-sided smile forming on his lips. "As usual. We hope we don't end up swimming, light some candles, tell ghost stories if the power goes out."

"Sounds like a solid plan" Mason murmured, groaning as he fell onto the couch. "Especially the part where we don't end up swimming. Thank you very much. I'm trying not to wrestle with a gator tonight"

JJ responded, "Come on, M," and lowered himself next to him. "Where is your sense of excitement?"

"It lies between 'I'd like to stay alive' and 'I'm not an idiot like you, '" Mason replied, earning a laugh from John B and Pope.

The group huddled together, passing a cheap bottle of whiskey around, the candles cast long shadows on the walls. The wind howled and rain could be heard hitting the roof.

Mason turned to look over at JJ, who was occupied with a very dramatic story about a "fish the size of a boat" that he could most certainly guarantee did not happen. The eldest of the two smiled shaking his head. It wasn't a perfect place, but it was theirs. The storm could rage all it wanted, but in here, with his brother and friends. Mason felt like maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay in their lives.

Yet, as the night continued and the storm continued its fury. Mason couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing. There was a feeling of uncertainty and that this was only the start of something much bigger.