𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

𝘴 𝘩 𝘰 𝘰 𝘵

AS THEY MADE it into town, the night cast an eerie glow on the chaos that lay before them.

The Pogues had a clear view of the destruction: store windows shattered, car windows smashed, and debris littering the streets.

Teens were running wild, adding to the mayhem.

A power line was on fire, sending thick smoke into the air, and the sound of police sirens filled their ears, creating a cacophony of panic.

Ariella stares at the damage, a sick feeling churning in her stomach. She pushes herself out of Cleo's arms and rushes to a nearby bush, emptying her stomach.

The others look at her with worried eyes. Kiara quickly moves to her side, gathering Ariella's hair into a makeshift ponytail as she threw up.

When Ariella was done, she leans against a tree next to her, Kiara still rubbing her back softly. Kiara hands her a piece of gum, and Ariella gave her a small, grateful smile as she took it.

She glances around at her friends and then at the damage, watching as teens continue to wreak havoc.

"This wasn't JJ." Ariella shakes her head, her voice soft. "He wouldn't..."

The Pogues shares a subtle look that Ariella caught onto.

She shook her head more vigorously. "It wasn't. It was the kids that were with him! He wouldn't do this... not knowing it would leave Cora and I without him."

"We know." Kiara says gently, rubbing her back. "We just need to find him, okay?"

Ariella's eyes flicker from Kiara's to the chaos around her, desperately searching for her husband.

The destruction was overwhelming: shattered glass, burning power lines, and the cacophony of sirens and screams. She took a deep breath and started to move forward, the others trailing behind her.

"Do y'all see him?" She asks, her voice trembling with urgency.

"No." John B and Pope answer in unison, their eyes scanning the pandemonium.

It was nearly impossible to spot JJ through the mayhem.

People were running in every direction, smoke clouded the air, and the blaring sirens added to the confusion.

Ariella stood there, her mind racing with countless scenarios of where JJ could be.

The realization struck her like a lightning bolt: Zeasy Realty.

No one would expect him to hide there, but she knew him better than anyone.

That's why he would be there.

She just had to think deeper.

Without a word, Ariella bolts forward, her determination cutting through the chaos.

The Pogues rush after her, John B quickening his pace to catch up. "Where are you going? We have to stay together!"

"I know where he is!" Ariella exclaims, not even glancing at John B. "Come on! We don't have much time!"

Ariella's heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted down the street, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The world around her blurred into a chaotic swirl of colors and sounds. She could hear the shouts and footsteps of those chasing her, but she didn't dare look back.

Her only focus was on getting to JJ before the cops did. Every step felt like a desperate attempt to outrun fate itself.

Her legs burned with exertion, but she pushed harder, willing herself to go faster.