riptide- outer banks

119 | seasick

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Getting Pope's ankle monitor off had just about done Logan in. Boxed into a garage with a sheriff on the other side of the door? They'd barely gotten out. And now, instead of just having one fugitive to hide, they had two– JJ Maybank and Pope Heyward. He hated the plan that didn't even feel like a plan at this point. Get Kiara, find JJ, and then what? Have another crash out?

Logan's heart was racing in his chest as they reached the front lawn of Poguelandia. The twinkie wasn't there, meaning that JJ and Groff weren't back yet. He could only imagine how that field trip had gone between them. It couldn't have been easy. That's all he knew.

Pope and Cleo began to call out for Kie, making their way inside as the rest of them remained where they were. Kori's brow knit together as she glanced in the direction of the shop. "Kie! Where are you?" She shouted, slowly walking forward.

John B and Sarah were with her, Logan half a step behind them. Something felt off. He couldn't pinpoint what it was, but he just–

"Guys, is that you?"

Logan's eyes went round, his choice already made as he rushed forward. He could hear John B ask something to Sarah as he left them behind, but it didn't matter. He didn't even know where Kiara was or if something had happened to her, but it didn't matter. The terror in her voice had been enough for him. Something had happened.

"Kie! We're coming!" He yelled, haphazardly stumbling into the shop.

"Guys! Guys, I'm in here!" She cried out, voice entangled with pure fear.

"Holy shit." Kori breathed out, dropping her phone down on the counter as she came to a motionless stance next to Logan. "She's in the cooler."

Logan said nothing as John B reached him, both boys promptly dropping their hands to the lid to get it off. "Kie, we got you! Don't worry!" John B reassured her, pulling the lid back with Logan a moment later.

The second the lid was off, they were pulling Kiara out. Heavy breaths spilled out into the air as she sat up, utter panic rolling off of her in waves. "Oh my–" Her voice got caught in her throat as she stood, arms wrapping around her torso.

"What happened?" Kori asked, eyes wide.

"Are you okay?" Sarah echoed.

"Groff happened!" Kie exclaimed, head shaking. "He came here and he took the scroll. And...oh my God." She breathed out, bringing her hand up to the back of her head.

Logan was livid. Dark eyes swirling, he could feel the gears turning in his head. Groff had played them. And he'd hurt Kiara. Who knew what he was doing to JJ. Who knew what he would do to the rest of them to get to the Blue Crown first. And to be completely honest, he didn't give a shit about the stupid tiara. The only thing that mattered was his friends'–no, his family's–safety.

And Groff had just crossed a line.

"Wait, I dropped my phone." Kie said, immediately leaving.

"What?" Kori asked, turning to her.

"I dropped my phone! I think he's still with JJ!"

Without another thought, the blonde broke out into a sprint after Kie. She ignored Pope and Cleo as they exited the house, coming up next to her best friend. Her eyes scanned the grass, searching for her phone. If it had what she needed, they'd find it. After another moment, she let out a gasp. "There!" She remarked, bending down to pick the device up.

Kiara took it from her, quickly pressing on JJ's number. She brought it up to her ear, remaining in a state of sheer panic as it went straight to voicemail. "He's not answering." She sputtered, head beginning to shake as she waited for the beep. "JJ, can you call me back? Please."