𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞- 𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤

9.

🦋☀ 🌊 - 9

After waiting for what felt like forever with no sign of John B or Kiara, Olivia decided she couldn't just sit around anymore. She needed to know what was going on. Pulling her jacket tighter around herself, she headed toward The Wreck, the familiar route twisting and turning past empty streets and shuttered shops. Every few blocks, she half-expected to see flashing lights announcing her worst fear, but the streets remained quiet, unbroken except for the distant hum of a few cars.

The walk was long, dragging on painfully. She hated walking alone, missing the chatter and teasing of her friends. Every once in a while, she'd run into Kiara at The Wreck, helping her with the heavy lifting or chatting quietly while nibbling on scraps of food.

A thousand scenarios ran through her mind. Both her and Kiara's parents were wealthy enough to bail John B out if he somehow got arrested, but convincing them wouldn't be easy. The thought made her pace quicken.

She opened The Wreck's door, the familiar jingle of the bell announcing her presence, and froze for a moment when she saw Kiara's father at the counter. "Hey, Mr. Carrera! How've you been?" Olivia asked, forcing a smile. "Have you seen Kiara around?"

"She's in the back," Mr. Carrera said, smiling and motioning toward the prep area where ingredients were stacked and organized.

"Thank you!" Olivia said, relief washing over her.

"You came back to finish your job? Everyone's been asking about you. Workers were wondering when you'd return," he admitted, a warm look in his eyes. Olivia was the only person from the Pogue group he seemed to like-and she'd never questioned why. Maybe it was because she, like Kiara, had a little bit of kook in her.

"I'm back today, aren't I?" Olivia grabbed her apron, dusting off weeks of waiting and slipping it over her shoulders.

"Yes, you are. Better get to work," Mr. Carrera replied, turning back to the stove with a practiced flick of his wrist.

Olivia made her way to the back where Kiara was organizing ingredients. "You didn't meet at JJ's?" she asked softly.

Kiara jumped slightly. "Olivia! Hey."

"What happened at the lighthouse? Where's John B?" Olivia whispered, closing the door so no one else could hear them.

"He... got arrested," Kiara admitted, scratching nervously at the back of her neck. "But we bailed him out. I don't know where he went after that."

"What?" Olivia's voice rose in disbelief. She had expected trouble once the cops got involved at the lighthouse, but reality hit harder than she imagined. "What happened?"

"The worker called the cops after John B mentioned the compass. He freaked out about his father or something," Kiara explained, setting down a can and refocusing.

"God, that sucks." Olivia ran her hand through her hair, frustration mixing with worry.

"Yeah. I know," Kiara said, returning to her tasks. She glanced back briefly. "You're back?"

"I just came back to find you. But I guess I'll help out," Olivia said with a laugh, tying her apron securely.

"I'm just waiting for John B to show up," Kiara rolled her eyes. "I've got the compass."

"You do? Can I see it?" Olivia asked, peeking into Kiara's back pocket. She carefully lifted it out, examining the redfield carving. Her mind immediately went to the lighthouse. If it hadn't given them answers, what could this mean?

"I'm telling you, we should drop this..." Kiara muttered, worry shading her voice. She hated seeing John B dig himself into danger, pushing himself because of something he didn't fully understand.