riptide- outer banks

eighty-four | little brother, big sister

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Knowing that they could get lost down there must've made them move at a quicker speed, since their flare was still lit when they reached the last opening. John B still held it in his fingertips, leading the way for them through the darkness. Kori's eyes slightly burned as she kept them on the glowing red light, forcing her body through the small hole.

Her lungs ached as she pushed through the other side, head subsequently breaking through the top of the water. Oxygen flooded into her system as she inhaled, chest already beginning to heave up and down. But as her eyes squoze shut, then opened again, the sound of a safety clicking off loudly hit her eardrums.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" Singh warned, gun pointed on the four of them. He took a step forward, all of their eyes going round. "Easy now, young Routledge, easy! Go for a little swim now, did you?"

Kori's lips parted as she exhaled. "Yeah. Water's real lovely."

"Quiet now, Miss Maybank. I won't ask again."

So he did know who she was.

"Step out of the water and put your hands up, all of you." Singh ordered, pausing only briefly. "Now! Put your hands up."

Logan glanced at John B as the four of them hesitantly made their way to the bank. Water cascaded down their bodies, four pairs of hands raising in the air. John B still had the flare in grasp when they reached him.

"Drop the flare. Now."

"Okay. I'm gonna put it down." John B responded, slowly lowering it to the ground.

"Very good." Singh expressed, gaze flickering to the pack on his back. "Looks like you're carrying a load there, young Routledge. You want to tell me about it?"

Kori shook her head, decidedly speaking up. "Not particularly. We have supplies and—"

She flinched as the direction of the gun shifted to her, Singh's expression full of anger. "You say one more word, I will pull the trigger, Miss Maybank."

She closed her eyes, letting out a small breath. "Okay."

"Good." He paused, switching his attention back to John B. "Now, what is in the bag? Show me what's in the bag— both of your bags." He demanded, gun flitting to Logan's chest as it cocked.

"Okay, okay, okay!" John B exclaimed, subsequently slipping off his backpack. "Just keep it right here." He pleaded, opening it up. "You want it? Here you go."

Singh didn't hesitate to reach inside, hands curling around a rough rock-like object. A gasp fell from his lips as he pulled it out, eyes rounding. It was not a rock at all. No, it was gold. From El Dorado. Then he was laughing. "So you found El Dorado at last." He suddenly lifted his gaze, statement presumably directed towards a hiding Big John. "I knew I was right to keep you alive, you know. But unfortunately for your son, the celebration will be short-lived. You have three seconds to come out before I start firing."

As the gun cocked, Logan inhaled sharply. This was it. He was going to die. His hand instinctively reached for Kori's, hers doing the same. At least they were together. At least they were all together.

"One!" Singh paused. "Two!"

Before he could reach three, Big John stepped out of his hiding spot. "I'm here, Singh. Over here." He announced, everyone's gaze flicking down to the stick of dynamite he held. "You kill us, I'll make sure that thing blows. That roof won't hold, and you'll never see El Dorado. Drop your gun." He wavered as Singh stayed utterly still. "Drop the gun!"