𝘛𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘖𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺 - 𝘑𝘑 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘬

𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘢𝘥'𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴

Here we are again, back on the HMS Pogue, breaking the rules once more. Usually, I thrive on the thrill of defiance and am always the first to jump in, just like JJ. But this time, hesitation creeps in. If we get caught, John B and I are completely screwed.

The marsh is off-limits for an official search, with dozens of volunteers combing the area for the wreck we've already discovered. I just hope we don't run into anyone while we're out here.

I sit beside Kie, watching her as she examines the two tanks John B managed to sneak off from the Cameron's boat. She tilts her head in confusion, her brows furrowing. "These are empty," Kie says, looking up at John B. "You brought back empty tanks?"

"I..." John B mumbles, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You didn't think to maybe, I don't know, check?" I huffed, shaking my head in disbelief. John B just shrugged in response.

"Okay, this one's a quarter full," Kie says, glancing between us. "It's enough for one of us."

"Love it when a plan comes together," Pope chimed in sarcastically from behind the wheel of the boat.

"Does anybody even know how to dive?" I asked, scanning the faces of my friends and brother. "Anyone?"

"It's kind of a Kook sport," JJ admitted, running his hands through his hair.

"I... read about it," Pope muttered, raising his hand tentatively in the air.

"Great. Pope read about it, so someone's gonna die," Kie says sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

JJ strides over to Kie and me, picking up the mouthpiece attached to the gear and shrugging. "Look, you just put the thing in your mouth and breathe. How hard could it be?"

"If you come up too fast, nitrogen gets into your blood, and you get the bends," Pope informs JJ.

"Bends, like..." JJ starts, the rest of us watching as he bends forward, sticking his butt out in a joking manner. "Bend over and..."

Pope cuts him off. "The bends kill you."

JJ straightens up. "Right."

"Jesus Chri—" I sigh, standing up. "I'll do it."

"No chance," JJ says sternly, shaking his head in disapproval. "Did you not just hear what Pope said?"

I raise my eyebrows at JJ, shaking my head slightly, waiting for him to make his point, "It can kill you."

John B, Pope, and Kie exchange confused glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and disbelief. I can't remember a time when JJ actually cared about safety—until now. I sneak a look at Kie, who's sporting a slight smirk, clearly enjoying the tension between JJ and me.

"I can—I can dive," John B says, glancing at me.

"Why? I'm more than capable, John B." I turn to my brother, furrowing my brows at him.