𝐒𝐓𝐘𝐋𝐄 || 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘

THE FIRE crackled and popped, casting flickering shadows across the sandy dunes at Rixon's Cove. The Pogues sat in a loose circle around the flames, their faces illuminated by the warm glow. The salty breeze carried the scent of burning wood and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. Avery Street sat cross-legged on an old blanket, her long hair spilling over her shoulders as she lazily poked at the fire with a stick. She wore a faded hoodie now that the evening chill had settled in, though her low-rise shorts still hinted at her casual confidence.

JJ Maybank sprawled next to her, his long legs stretched out as he leaned back on his hands. He couldn't help but steal glances her way, his smirk twitching every time her hair caught the firelight.

Pope broke the silence, his tone heavy with skepticism. "Hey, guys. So, like, my dad's already gonna kill me for being out here, so... what's this mandatory meeting about?"

JJ sat up slightly, his voice laced with mock seriousness. "Might as well tell him, John B, before we're all gaffed."

John B, who was crouched near the cooler grabbing another drink, stood and faced them with a mischievous grin. "You ready for this?"

Pope raised an eyebrow. "I guess?"

John B leaned closer to the fire for dramatic effect, his voice dropping as if revealing some forbidden secret. "So, the gold never went down with the Royal Merchant."

Kie groaned loudly, tossing a marshmallow she'd been holding back into the bag. "Oh my God. Here we go again with this."

"No, no, no!" JJ piped up, sitting forward and holding up a hand. "Wait, hear him out this time!"

"It's been here the whole time," John B continued, his grin widening. "It's on the island."

Pope sat back, folding his arms. "Are you serious right now?"

Kie rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Oh my God."

Avery raised her eyebrows, intrigued despite Kie's obvious disbelief. "Okay, hold on. This sounds juicy. Let's hear him out," she said, her voice teasing but supportive.

JJ shot her a grateful look. "See? Avery gets it."

Pope sighed. "Fine. I'd like to voice my skepticism, but... proceed."

John B straightened up, clearly pleased with himself. "Thank you, Pope. All right, check this out." He walked over to his backpack, rummaging inside before pulling out a weathered piece of paper. "This is a letter. From Denmark Tanny."

"Who the hell's that?" JJ asked, leaning closer with an exaggeratedly puzzled expression.

John B ignored him. "Denmark Tanny was a slave who survived the wreck of the Royal Merchant. My dad found the complete manifest, which wasn't public knowledge. That was his big discovery before he disappeared."

He handed the letter to Pope, who held it carefully, his brow furrowing as he read.

"So," John B continued, pacing now as he spoke, "Tanny used the gold from the Merchant to buy his freedom. After that, he bought his farm-drumroll, please."

JJ obligingly slapped his knees, grinning. "Drumroll!"

John B pointed at them triumphantly. "Tannyhill Plantation."

The group fell silent for a moment, the weight of the revelation sinking in.

"Tannyhill?" Kie finally said, her voice tinged with disbelief.

John B nodded. "Yeah. After buying his farm, he used the money to free more slaves and sold a ton of rice, which pissed off the white planters. They lynched him."