𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐈𝐄 ¹- jj maybank

𝟎𝟐𝟖; 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘸𝘬'𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵

SEASON 1
EPISODE 5

"Please, someone help!"

»»-----　　-----««

THE CREW'S VAN rattled up the narrow road toward the Hawk's Nest, its headlights cutting through the murky night. The dense woods on either side seemed to press closer with every passing second. Gravel crunched beneath the tires as the van finally came to a stop, the faint smell of rain hanging heavy in the humid air.

JJ sprang into action the moment the van halted, sliding the side door open with a flourish. "Hit it, boys! We're goin', recon mission," he declared, his energy as unrestrained as ever.

Before anyone could follow, John B raised his hand, his voice cutting through the moment. "Yo, uh— so," he started, swiveling in his seat to face the group. "I think I'm gonna go this one by myself. Tonight."

The announcement hung in the air like a loaded question.

Kiara leaned back against her seat, her annoyance from earlier still fresh on her face. She didn't even bother looking at him, rolling her eyes as thunder rumbled faintly in the distance.

JJ, caught mid-motion, paused with one foot still out the door. He stared at John B, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. Slowly, he slumped back into his seat, tugging his cap off and tossing it beside him. "Really?" he asked, his voice heavy with skepticism.

"What?" John B shot back, gripping the steering wheel tightly as if bracing himself for the inevitable pushback.

"Nothing, brother." JJ leaned back, his tone casual but clearly laced with doubt.

John B exhaled, running a hand through his hair before continuing. "Look, I just don't wanna spook Sarah with the peanut gallery."

Kiara finally broke her silence, her voice sharp and cutting. "I just don't understand why we're involving her at all."

John B turned to face her, his tone defensive but steady. "Kie, we're not involving her. It's— it's just uh, like a— a business meeting."

Before anyone could respond, JJ decided to lighten the moment. He mimed a crude motion and winked at Victoria, who immediately rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a chuckle.

"Once we get what we need, we cut her loose, all right?" John B said firmly, glancing around at the group as if daring them to argue. "Plus, we need the map."

Kiara leaned forward, her gaze locked on John B's, her tone demanding. "Promise me nothing's happening between you."

"Nothing is happening, Kie," John B replied, his voice dismissive, as though the question itself was absurd.

"I'm for real!" Kiara pressed, her voice rising with urgency. "This isn't about you, and this isn't about us. This is about her." She paused for emphasis, her words deliberate. "Dude, she's gonna get inside your head. Just please promise me nothing's happening between you guys."

"I promise." John B raised his brows as he answered, his tone flat, almost careless.

JJ snorted, shaking his head. "That was really believable."

"A hundred percent believable," Charlie added, grinning.

"Anyways, um— I'm gonna take care of business." John B pushed open the door, stepping out into the damp night.

"Yeah, you are gonna take care of it so well," Victoria muttered, rolling her eyes.

"I tell you, we'll just sit here," Pope chimed in, his tone dripping with sarcasm.