PROMISE-ME ☼ outerbanks

chapter 5

"You took empty tanks?" Kie looked at John B, "I didn't have time to check them, Sarah was there, and I played it off like I was moving them for work" he said in defense. "I mean this one's a quarter full" I lifted the cord to the tank, "It's enough for one of us" Kie sighed, standing up.

"Does anybody know how to dive" JJ opened a beer; it was silent between us five. "It's kind of a Kook sport" I pulled my sunglasses up into my hair, "I read about it, if that helps" Pope turned towards John B.

"Great, Pope read about it, so someone's going to die" Kie groaned, putting her head in her hands. "Look, you put the thing in your mouth and breathe. How hard could it be?" JJ tried lightening the mood, "If you come up too fast, nitrogen gets in your blood, and you get the bends" Pope explained, "bends? Like bend over and.." JJ demonstrated smiling, "the bends kill you" Pope gave him a 'what the fuck' look, making me laugh.

"I can dive" John B stood up, not wanting to waste anymore time, "ok I'm cool with that" JJ happily clapped his hands.

Pope did some calculations on how long JB had until he loses oxygen, "make your safety spot at ten feet" he said. Kie tied her shirt down to the anchor chain to show John B his stop. "Breathe as little as possible" Pope said showing him the air amount.

"Think zen, you know?" JJ gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"Diver down" JB said.

"Diver down" I spoke pushing him back into the water.

Minutes later we heard a siren, "Oh shit JJ" I said watching as the police bogey approached us. "Guys just act freaking normal" Kie rushed, sitting down and grabbing a water.

"Evening Officers" Pope greeted the deputy, "How you kids doing? You know the marsh is closed?" he eyed the boat, "Oh no, sorry" Kie frowned, "how come Deputy" I asked, my leg bouncing like crazy, a habit I have when I'm hella fucking anxious. JJ noticed and sat down next to me, putting his hand on my knee to stop it. I gave him a small smile.

"A boat went down, y'all haven't seen anything, have you?" "No sir, nothing but some trash here and there" JJ said, "I'm going to check your little boat out here" Deputy said, stepping onto the boat.

We all stayed out of his way and remained cool, JJ kept me calm by sticking with me, "Where's your friend you always hang with? He here?" "No sir, he's working" Kie said, he stepped to the front of the boat looking over into the water. I started sweating, nervous as hell, JJ grabbed my hand squeezing it for comfort. I was thankful for him in that moment.

"Beautiful day" Deputy spoke, "Sure is" JJ smiled, "Alright well, let us know if you see anything" he began to step off into his own boat, "will do."

"Fuck that, where is John B? He probably drowned waiting for them to leave" I freaked out, "He's fine Chlo" JJ said as John B's head popped to the surface. "Thank god" Kie and Pope said.

"Did you find anything?" JJ helped JB back onto the boat, "Did I find anything" John B smiled, throwing a black duffle bag onto the floor of the boat. "Yeah, there we go! That's my boy!" JJ laughed, dabbing up JB. "You good?" Kie said as Pope helped JB take the tank off, "Yeah, I ran out of air."

"You kinda missed the show though, cops were here" "Yeah, but we got rid of them" JJ smiled, slinging his arm around my shoulders.

"Hey guys? Bogey, two o'clock" Kie pointed out, "anyone recognize it" Pope said, "never seen it" JB eyed it. "Let's not stick around to find out" JJ said, pulling up the bowline, "Lets go guys!" I kinda urged them out of fear. We notice the boat clearly following us, "John B go into the marsh" I went up to him, looking back at the unknown boat. "Go faster" JJ yelled, "I'm going!" JB yelled back, "Guys.." I said nervously, then a shot rang out straight for us.