𝐒𝐓𝐘𝐋𝐄 || 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊

𝐒𝐈𝐗

THE MORNING SUN blazed over the Chateau, casting long shadows on the dock as the Pogues gathered, their usual camaraderie replaced with tension. The air was heavy, the kind of heat that pressed on your chest and made everything feel a little more suffocating. John B leaned against one of the dock's wooden posts, his arms crossed over his chest. JJ paced back and forth, his boots thudding on the wooden planks, a storm brewing just beneath the surface. Avery stood a few steps behind JJ, her arms crossed as she silently watched the unfolding argument, her gaze flicking between the boys.

John B was the first to break the silence. "Look, I'm callin' it off. All right?" His voice was sharp, his frustration evident. "Peterkin said, if I stay out of the marsh, she'll help me with DCS."

JJ froze mid-step and turned to him, his expression incredulous. "And you believed her?"

"Yes, I believe her, JJ," John B snapped, standing straighter, his jaw tight.

JJ let out a short laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "An actual cop, John B. You believed a cop."

John B's hands flew up in frustration. "All I gotta do is stay out of the marsh for a couple of days, and she'll help me out!"

"It doesn't help that *your ass* was the one shooting a gun," John B added, his tone accusatory.

JJ's face darkened, his voice dropping to a low growl. "You know what I should have done? Just let Topper drown your ass."

John B froze, narrowing his eyes at JJ. "Topper was gonna drown me?"

JJ met his gaze, unflinching. "Sure looked like it."

John B let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. "Funny."

JJ took a step closer, his eyes blazing. "Have you looked in a mirror?"

John B bristled. "Tell me some more. Come on."

JJ's voice cracked as his frustration reached a boiling point. "They always win, don't they, man? Kooks versus Pogues. They always, *always* win! Goddamn!" He kicked at a loose board on the dock, sending a splinter flying into the water.

"Look, it's okay!" Kie said, stepping forward in an attempt to defuse the situation.

"No, it's not okay!" JJ roared, spinning to face her, his voice echoing across the water. He pointed toward the marsh, his hand shaking slightly. "They don't want us to go down into the marsh. That means there's something valuable down there, and you know it!"

He turned to Pope, jabbing a finger in his direction. "And I understand why you don't wanna go. You're the golden boy. You got way too much to risk."

JJ's gaze shifted to Kie, his tone growing colder. "And you... I mean, you're already rich as fuck anyway. Why would you bother?"

"JJ-" Avery started, her voice calm but firm, stepping closer to him.

But JJ's focus snapped to her and John B, his intensity unrelenting. "But you and me, and you, Avery," he said, gesturing between the three of them. "We got nothin' to lose! That means there's something valuable down there, and you know it!"

John B's jaw tightened as he stepped forward, his voice rising. "We really don't, all right? JJ!"

JJ shook his head, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "And I know it didn't use to be that way for you."

John B's face hardened as he turned away slightly, refusing to meet JJ's gaze. "I don't want to talk about this. I don't want to talk about it."

"So that's it?" JJ asked, his voice cracking slightly as he threw his arms out in frustration.

"Just get out of my way, bro," John B said, his tone low and final as he tried to brush past JJ.

JJ caught his arm, pulling him back. "John B, listen to me!" His voice was urgent now, his anger giving way to desperation. "I have a plan."

John B hesitated, his eyes narrowing. "What plan?"

JJ let go of his arm and stepped back, his energy shifting as he launched into his explanation. "You got the key to Cameron's big boat, right?"

John B frowned but nodded. "Yes. There's scuba gear."

JJ's voice picked up speed, the excitement building as he laid out his plan. "We borrow that, and then we go down to the wreck this afternoon."

Avery tilted her head, studying him closely. "And then what, JJ? You think that's going to fix everything?"

JJ turned to her, his eyes meeting hers, a flicker of vulnerability cutting through his frustration. "Yes, because that's what's gonna save him." He looked back at John B, his voice soft but steady. "You don't see rich kids going into foster care, do you?"

The dock fell silent. Avery's gaze lingered on JJ, his words hitting harder than she expected. John B stood frozen, his jaw clenched as he processed everything JJ had just said.

Avery was the first to break the silence, her voice quieter now but firm. "He's right, John B. We can't just sit here and wait for things to get worse."

John B finally nodded, exhaling slowly. "Fine. Let's do it."

JJ's grin broke through, triumphant. "That's what I'm talkin' about."

Avery shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "If this goes sideways, Maybank, you're taking the fall."

JJ shot her a wink, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way, Ave."

She rolled her eyes, but the smile stayed as the group began to mobilize, their plan taking shape. The tension hadn't completely evaporated, but there was a sense of determination now-a reckless energy that bound them tighter as they prepared to risk everything once again.

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