Audacious//JJ Maybank (Outerbanks)

Chapter 122

The storm outside is picking up speed, and the boat is starting to lurch and rock side to side as the waves grow rougher. Inside, we're all huddled together trying to keep our balance. John B and Kiara are upstairs, probably trying to secure things, while Sarah and I are down in the galley, trying to keep some sense of normalcy amidst the chaos.

I glance at JJ, who's still sitting at the table with a bottle of alcohol in his hand. He's barely acknowledging any of us, his eyes distant and unfocused.

"Can you please do something, JJ?" I ask him, my voice thick with frustration. I'm done with his silence, with him shutting us all out.

He doesn't even look up at me. I can feel my patience wearing thin. Without thinking, I grab the bottle from his hand, my fingers tight around the glass.

"Give me that," I snap. My voice is sharper than I mean it to be, but I don't care anymore.

He looks at me blankly, then shrugs. "What's the point?"

I shake my head, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on me. "I don't know what to do," I whisper to Sarah and Cleo, hoping they can offer something more than just silence.

"Hey, rude boy. Group activity," Cleo says to JJ, trying to lighten the mood, but there's no getting through to him.

The boat starts rocking harder now, and I stumble, my feet losing balance as the waves start crashing against us. My stomach twists with nausea, and before I can catch myself, I fall to the floor with a loud thud.

"Jackie..." JJ's voice sounds urgent as he stumbles toward me, but I push his hand away without a second thought.

"Just leave me alone," I mutter, struggling to sit up, but the dizziness is overwhelming. I feel like I might throw up any second.

Rafe's voice cuts through the chaos. "I'm drowning!" he yells from upstairs, his panic evident in his voice.

"I'm going to untie him," Kiara says, rushing toward the stairs to deal with the situation.

I'm barely processing it all when the storm worsens—wind howling, rain pelting against the boat like nails. The waves are growing more and more violent, slamming against the hull of the boat. I hear Sarah call for John B, and my heart races.

"Sara—" I start to shout, but she's already heading outside. "Sarah, don't!" I shout after her, my voice panicked, but it's too late.

I follow her outside, grabbing onto the doorframe as the boat rocks violently. I see Sarah lose her footing, tumbling to the ground as the storm rages on.

"SARAH!" I shout, fear crawling up my spine.

"John B!" Sarah calls out, her voice strained. She's trying to get to him, but the storm is relentless.

Suddenly, a massive wave surges toward us, bigger than anything I've ever seen before. My stomach flips as I watch Sarah get swept off her feet. Time seems to slow as she's sucked into the churning water.

"SARAH!" John B shouts, his voice raw with desperation, running toward her.

And then, I see it. Sarah's body is pulled under the water, caught in the wave, her form nearly disappearing into the chaos.

"Sarah!" I scream, my voice a mix of terror and disbelief.

JJ stumbles out beside me, his eyes wide with horror as he sees Sarah in the water, struggling to stay afloat. Without hesitation, without a second thought, JJ runs to the side of the boat, grabs the nearest buoy, and throws it overboard.

"JJ, no!" I shout, reaching out, but he's already made up his mind.

He jumps into the water after her.