𝓢𝓾𝓷𝓴𝓲𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓢𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓼 - 𝙹𝙹 𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚊𝚗𝚔

chapter six

   Back at John B's house, the group gathered on the porch, a mix of curiosity and worry etched across their faces. Kiara settled into an armchair, Pope took the sofa, and John B leaned against the porch railing, staring off into the distance. Gabriela perched on the arm of the sofa, watching JJ pace back and forth with restless energy, his hand shaking ever so slightly as he lit up.

   JJ took a deep breath, his words tumbling out.

- So, we're standing right outside, right? And all we hear is, "bam! bam! bam!" They're pounding on the walls from the inside, just wrecking it! - he shook his head, brushing off some dry paint that fell to the ground - Look at this- house was flaking off!

- Looks like dandruff. Gross. - Kiara squinted at him, unimpressed.

- Thanks for that, Kie. - Pope muttered with a slight eye-roll.

   Unbothered, JJ brushed more paint off his hair.

- Anyway, at that point, I was just, like... waiting for death, honestly. - his voice dropped, the bravado thinning as he took a long drag of his blunt, almost as if he were trying to calm himself.

- Wait, so you actually saw the guys who shot at us? - Pope leaned forward, trying to keep them on track.

- Did you get a good description? - Kiara chimed in, her eyes sharp with focus - Anything we can tell the cops?"

   Gabriela shook her head slowly, thinking back to the chaos.

- It's hard to focus when someone's literally crying for help. But they were... I dunno, burly. - she lifted her arms, flexing slightly to emphasize - You know, like... big.

- That's not exactly helpful. - Kiara gave her a skeptical look.

   JJ stepped in, his hands on his hips.

- Okay, well, no, listen- like the type of guy you'd see at my dad's garage. You know, how he made cargo hides for drug smugglers?

- Yeah, JJ. We know. - Pope sighed, nodding, but his expression showed a mix of irritation and concern.

- I'm telling you. - JJ went on, his voice dropping lower - These guys? They're square groupers.

- As in, Pablo Escobar square grouper? - Pope raised an eyebrow.

- Yeah, man. Exactly. - JJ crossed his arms, his tone defiant.

- Narco square groupers? - Kiara snorted, arms crossed - Not everything's a kingpin movie, JJ.

- What do these 'square groupers' even look like, specifically? - Pope pushed further, unable to hide his skepticism.

   Gabriela caught JJ's frustration, saw his hands ball into fists. She reached out, guiding him to sit in front of her. He let her, sinking down with an almost visible release of tension. Gabriela began running her fingers gently through his hair, one hand resting on his shoulder. JJ grabbed her hand, holding onto it as if anchoring himself.

- I wasn't exactly snapping mental Polaroids the whole time, guys. I was... under duress. - JJ's voice softened, words trailing off as he glanced down - But the way Ms. Lana was screaming? These guys are bad news. It's a heavy vibe.

- But why do they want the compass? - Kiara raised an eyebrow, her tone softer now.

- It's worthless. - Pope looked skeptical, shaking his head - Couldn't pawn it for five bucks. No offense, John B. I know it's important to your family, but-

- The office. - John B's head snapped up, eyes suddenly bright with an idea.

- What? - Pope blinked.