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"Growing up, Luke would always tell me when he was drunk off his ass, 'If there's one thing I know, hell is other people.'" JJ says, "When I was a kid, I didn't get it. It didn't make any sense to me. But then one day, I just decided to ask him. I said, "What do you mean, hell is other people?" And he looked at me for a while, then he just said, "Just keep on living... and you'll find out." Luke's been wrong about a lot of things, but, man, was he right about that one."
Charlotte looks over at Kie for a moment as he continues, "Went from a fake dad... to a real dad who just tried to kill me." He shakes his head, "Yeah, Luke. Yeah, I found out. Hell certainly is other people."
He takes a sip from his beer as his eyes stayed locked on the fire in front of them. Estrella doesn't look away from him as he sets his can down. A sigh escaping as he reaches out for another.
•••
Estrella and JJ were left alone by the fire that had mostly fizzled out. The others sat together on the porch. Estrella sighs, "I just didn't think it got worse than Luke. But Groff? I'm sorry, I should have noticed-"
"Estrella. Estrella." He says turning with a can in his hand. A slight sway in his step, "Your sympathy, thank you, but it doesn't do anything. This does."
Estrella shakes her head, "I'm only trying to help, Jay. You can't rely on that forever."
He suddenly sets the can down. Estrella sits up as he rushes off, "Oh shit. Guys."
"What?" She says as the others look over
"Who's coming out here this early?" Pope asks
"It's the cops." JJ says
"How did they find us?" Kie says
"So what's the plan?" Charlotte asks
John B turns to them, "Follow me. Let's go."
As the others follow him, JJ takes the half full can of beer and tosses it onto the fire. He then grabs his knife and follows them into the water. They trail each other in a line under the dock slowly. They stop and crouch as the officers load onto the dock.
"JJ Maybank!" The officer says, "JJ, we don't want to hurt you. Come on out."
John B points ahead and Pope nods before proceeding forward. The others take slow steps as the officers pass above them.
"I have an arrest warrant for JJ in connection to the murder of Hollis Robinson."
JJ stops suddenly and turns. His eyes landing on Estrella who frowns, "Murder?"
He turns away and begins swimming. The others follow close behind without another word. As they approach the boat, John B speaks up, "We'll take the pontoon. It's ready to go."
