Now or Never ⇀ John B Routledge [1]

vi. if walls could talk

Ashtyn paced back and forth, rubbing her temples from frustration as she unwillingly listened in on John B's conversation with Ward from the top deck of the My Druthers. She'd been in hiding for approximately two hours now, silently concocting a plan to sneak off the yacht without any bystanders noticing, but it seemed to be prime time at the docks. People were walking to and from the small shops at a steady rate, leaving the girl to second guess her idea of jumping through the window and making a run for it.

The longer she could avoid being located by Peter and Claudia, the better her chances of seeing Luke were. She no longer cared what her older brother had to say. He could tell her to go drown at the bottom of the ocean, but if it meant she got to hug him one last time, it would be worth it.

"I have to let you go." Ward's disappointed words caused Ashtyn to stop in her tracks, shocked that he would fire a kid for something so minor. Yes, he 'borrowed' scuba equipment without asking first, but he came forward and told the truth when asked. Shouldn't that count for something?

For as long as Ashtyn could remember, Mr. Cameron had always had a heart of gold for those around him. He was her brother's saving grace on most days, talking Claudia down from meltdowns whenever she would have to pay Luke's bail amount and cover the damages he and Rafe would create in Greenville. Ward took full responsibility for her brother's actions though, always blaming Rafe for Luke's wrong doings.

The older male believed that Luke was acting out to fit in with the 'cool kids' in his year, but when Ward remarried and decided to move his family back to Kildare, Luke's actions didn't cease like we expected they would. Instead, he found a new group of friends, took on Rafe's role as their leader, and continued to finish what the duo had started.

Luke longed for caring parents, wanting a relationship with Peter like Ward had with Rafe as a child, but the reality was that Peter didn't know how to be compassionate. He wouldn't know love if it hit him right in the face and as a result, neither do his children. Luke and Ashtyn view abuse as a form of parental love, so the girl can only imagine how far they'd let an abusive relationship go before finally saying 'enough is enough'.

Ashtyn let out a sigh, pulling herself free of the dark internal thoughts. Her attention returned to the discussion from the deck above, fully expecting to hear John B retaliate as she pushed the rectangular window open. When the young teens met a year ago, she was attracted to his relentless personality. He is passionate about everything he puts his mind to.

She knew that John was probably up there cursing the ground she walked on, believing she or Sarah ratted him out. If she were in his shoes, she'd automatically blame herself as well...

Without so much as a thought of the possible repercussions, Ashtyn slid her feet out to the wooden deck below, praying that no bystanders caught her in the act. At the rate she's going, she'll be able to earn a certificate in 'runaway children tactics'... All that's left is fleeing the country, and that idea didn't seem too far fetched.