✯ North Star ✯

25 - Everything Changing

"That thing still working?" John B asks Pope as we walk.

"You hear it beeping don't you?" Pope shoots back.

The sound suddenly feels ten times louder, each pulse of it landing like a countdown against my nerves.

Sirens cut through the air.

"Hey hold on. This way," John B says, already breaking into a run.

"Go," Pope says, following him.

"Oh shit," I breathe, my legs already pumping to keep up.

"Wait no this way come on," John B says, then—

"Wait— John B, the garage. Come this way," Pope insists.

"What?" John B muttered, but we follow Pope anyway, sprinting inside just as the sound echoes closer.

"Stop beeping. Stop beeping," Pope whispers frantically.

"It's not a dog Pope it's not gonna stop," I whisper-yell back.

Cleo crouches down, tugging at the ankle monitor.
"Stay still, maybe I can slide it off."

"Stop that's not gonna work," Pope says, panic creeping into his voice.

"Shhh," I hiss.

"Stop ouch! Try to tear it off." Pope said

"Please be quiet," I beg, my whole body coiled tight, every siren pulse feeling closer than the last.

"Guess we gotta cut off your foot," Cleo mutters.

"What?" I ask.

Before anyone can respond, a cop starts talking right outside the front door.

My heart slams.

I glance behind us — and spot it.
Wire cutters.

I grab them without thinking and shove them into Cleo's hands. She cuts through the band in one clean snap, the sound sharp and sudden in the tight, breathless silence.

Then we take off.

We didn't stop until we're back on the boat, the engine roaring as we tear through the water toward the house, the wind whipping cold and clean across my face, finally shaking loose some of the terror still clinging to my chest.

"Hey, Kie!" John B yells as we jump off.

"Kiera!" Cleo shouts.

"Kie! Wasn't she supposed to be here?" I ask, dread already prickling up my spine.

"Kiera!" Pope calls.

"And JJ?" I ask, scanning the porch.

John B's jaw tightened.
"We'll check the surf shack."