Storm Chaser // JJ Maybank

75

JJ and I are on the highest outlook we can find.

"You know that, supposedly, if you find the blue crown, you get a wish," I tell him.

"Is that what they say?" JJ asks.

"It's the legend." I nod my head. "What's your wish? Don't say a truck."

"I don't know," JJ tells me. "Whats yours, Storm?"

"Save Poguelandia," I tell him.

"Good one," JJ says.

"If we could make it like it was, that's the dream," I tell him. "Now tell me yours."

"Well, that's the thing about wishes," JJ tells me. "If you say them, then they won't come true."

"You're really not gonna tell me?" I ask.

"It won't come true," JJ insists.

"If you give me a hint, it's not the same..." I start.

"Wait, wait," JJ tells me. "That's one of the Corsairs that kidnapped me and brought me onto his ship."

"He's definitely heading towards the boat," I state.

"I see it," JJ says as he starts to bang on the cannon.

I hear Pope hit a shovel on a metal drum before its drowned out by the call to prayer.

"They're never gonna hear us," I state.

"I know," JJ says. "Okay."

I nod my head. We make it down to the wharf as fast as we can. We make it to Kie and Pope.

"Where's Cleo?" I ask.

"I don't know," Pope tells him.

"She was with you," JJ argues. "That was your job!"

Pope starts running. "I'm gonna get John B and Sarah."

"Goddammit. Pope, come on!" JJ shouts.

"JJ are you okay?" Kie asks.

"Yeah." JJ nods his head. "Are you okay?"

"Guys, come on!" I shout.

Pope, John B, and Sarah have just made it back to us.

I hear a horn honk. Cleo is behind the wheel of a freaking jeep. I don't know how we're all gonna fit but it's our only option.

"How did you get this?" Pope asks.

"I stole it," Cleo states.

We manage to get away from Essaouira. But it doesn't take long for the engine to start smoking.

"Cheese on bread!" Cleo shouts. "If one more engine goes out on me, I'm going to be the one blowing it up next time."

Pope is looking at a map and pictures that John B and Sarah got from Terrance's boat. "So, yeah, putting together all those photos you found, definitely looks like they're going to this place, Agapenta. Looks like it's a straight shot."

"A straight shot as in how many miles, Pope?" John B asks.

"A hundred kilometers, give or take?" Pope tells him. "About 62 miles. We can definitely make it there. Can't guarantee we're gonna make it back, but we definitely can make it there."

I smile at Sarah as she hands me bread. "Where did you get this?"

Sarah points to a vendor. "Over there."

"You okay?" I ask. "Feeling okay?"

"Yeah." Sarah nods her head.

I smile slightly. "Maybe after this we all take a break. No more treasure hunts."