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"Follow Plumb to that tent." Shoupe instructed. Deputy Plumb led the four of them to the tent and the friends sat down in silence.
"Sit down. Don't move. We got a lot to talk about." Shoupe said. "Keep an eye on these kids."
"Blockade is up at the marsh and Masonboro, and all other inlets from Shem Creek to Breach Inlet. I want eyes on all coastal access points, people. Let's get this guy."
After that, Claire, JJ, Kiara and Pope sat in the tent and waited for what felt like an eternity listening to every single officer, coastguard, and anyone who was there looking for John B and Sarah–they listened, and waited, and waited, and waited. Claire's mind was swimming in circles with a million questions and no answers.
Claire knew her mother was surely wondering where the hell she was, and there was no way Jackie hadn't heard about the search, so Claire wondered what was going to happen when Jackie did eventually find her. She wondered if anyone had actually contacted her mother to let her know that Claire was here, and safe. She wondered whether their flight would be cancelled because of the storm. It most likely would've been and Claire was beyond relieved that she had just a little more time. But most of all, as she sat there with her friends–sad, exhausted and hungry–she wondered whether John B and Sarah really would survive out there in the storm or not. The thought scared her to death but it was true.
And after more waiting and more tears being shed, Sheriff Shoupe and Deputy Thomas and Plumb finally re-entered the tent, wearing their high-vis coats, soaked and looking solemn.
The four friends stood and walked up to the officers.
"Did you find them?" Pope asked.
"No." Shoupe said.
"So they got away," Kie said hopefully.
"We, uh...we lost them. I'm sorry."
Tears stung Claire's eyes, "what do you mean you lost them?"
"They took an open boat into a tropical depression." Shoupe said.
"So they're dead?" Kie asked.
"We don't know."
"You don't know?" Claire repeated, clenching her jaw and walking up to Shoupe. "How can you NOT KNOW?!" She screamed. He didn't flinch. "You were the ones who drove them into that storm! All of you! And you made us sit here for hours while you were out there doing FUCK ALL, except forcing a sixteen year old kid straight into the thing that you knew would kill him!"
