riptide- outer banks

fifty-eight | screw you, jimmy

〰⋅〰⋅〰

Morning came much quicker than she would've liked, the sun just barely peeking above the horizon. She'd slept half-decent, but how well she'd rested meant nothing to her. What mattered was the sound of an engine hitting her eardrums as her eyes fluttered open.

"Guys, wake the hell up." Cleo exclaimed, quickly darting down the beach after Pope.

Kori turned on her side, an unpleasant look crossing her face as she attempted to eradicate all forms of drowsiness from her system. Logan caught her eye, his gaze pointed up at the sky. There was something in his expression she didn't recognize though. Maybe it was shock or reluctance or even relief. Whatever it was, there wasn't really time to dwell on it.

"Kor, wake up. Now." JJ voiced, jumping up from his makeshift bed in the sand.

She sat up, brow knitting together as her attention finally locked onto the sky. A plane was above them, flying around the island. Its engine roared loudly, causing her to realize that this was it.

They were gonna go home.

The blonde watched as John B jotted down to the shore, Logan quick to follow behind him. The two of them stood close to the water, eyes pinned on the sky. "Kie," Kori expressed, turning to the brunette to lightly shake her arm. "Kie, get up."

Kori watched as she noticed the plane, the two of them getting to their feet. "Hey, we're right here!" John B yelled, raising his arms up in the air.

The two girls, along with Sarah, finally reached the boys as Pope's distant screams filled the air. He and Cleo were further up the beach, posted at a higher point. Smoke began to fill the air from the fire they'd lit, Cleo's shouts accompanying the sound of the plane.

Kori stole a glance at Logan, swallowing hard. One look at his dark eyes and she knew he didn't want to leave either. They both wanted to stay.

"Hey!" John B boomed, arms frantically flagging down their only chance of rescue. "We're over here! Hey!"

"Hey!" Kie echoed.

The plane continued gliding through the air, flying further and further away from the island. That is, until it circled back around, changing course. Whoever was in that plane had seen them. They were going home.

"Guys, guys, he sees us." Kie realized, eyes shifting to all of them.

"Hey, he's gonna go to the pond. Come on, come on! Come on!" John B announced, breaking out into a sprint down the beach.

Kiara, Sarah, and JJ followed after him, but neither Logan or Kori moved. And the only reason he hadn't was because of her. He locked onto her jade eyes, the same aura of uncertainty in his own gaze.

"There goes paradise." She finally said, eyes flickering down to the sand before she took off after their friends.

There goes paradise.

Logan was only a step behind her, the two teenagers jogging down towards the pond. By the time they reached it, the plane had already landed. Flying Fish was painted on the side of the aircraft, the person to which it belonged still unknown to them. All they did know was that this was their way out. This was how they got home.

And to be completely honest, Logan didn't know if he wanted that. Kori was right. Poguelandia was paradise and soon enough, that happiness would be snuffed out by the lies and nightmare that was the Outer Banks. He didn't want to go back.

There was nothing left for him there anyway.

Pope and Cleo were cheering as they jotted down the bank, a semblance of relief ultimately settling over the group. Kori's eyes were pinned on the plane, doubt beginning to creep into the back of her mind just as the door opened and a man popped his head out.