Baby Blue // Outer Banks

The truth

The sun beams down on Blue as she waits at the busy dock for the boat with JJ by her side. She'll only be gone a few days, but to her it will feel like a life time. Not once has she spent a day away from her friends especially JJ and John B. Even on her family trips the two boys would tag along, but a little normalcy is what she needs right now.

"So obviously you can still stay at home, and use as much of the money my mom left that you need. Please make sure you eat and keep everyone safe." Blue says to JJ who's hair reflects the sunlight beautifully, adding one more reason this boy is perfect.

"I got it. Don't worry about a thing, baby, just go have some down time. We'll all be in one piece when you come back, I promise." He smiles pulling closer by wrapping his arms around her waist and leaving gentle kisses all over her face. The sound of the boats horn takes their attention away from one another, but the fear of letting go prevents both from moving. "Okay, I've got to go. I'll see you in five days. I love you, J." She says throwing her arms around his neck holding him tight. "And I love you, baby Blue." He smiles into the hug. "I'll see you later." Blue says before walking off to board the boat.

Blue sits on the upper level of the boat basking in the sun, with her nose in a book. Already curious as to what her friends are up to, but they're probably sitting at John B's coming up with a new plan and JJ's only just got there. Blue gets up from her seat deciding to walk around the boat. Her hand grazes the side railings as she walks the perimeter, stopping only once she's at the front of the ship. Breathing in the fresh ocean air, she admires the scenery. Small waves crashing against other ships, the blue ocean that seems to go on and on forever and birds flying high in the sky.

The boat comes to a stop at the dock, everyone walks off. Blue searches for her mom or dad. She spots her dad standing in front of a black SUV. "Dad!" She shouts running to him. As soon as she gets close enough her dad wraps his arms around her tightly. "I missed you." Blue smiles. "Your moms back at the house making lunch, we better get going."

The ride to the house was full of laughter and Blue telling her dad stories and all the things that have happened over the month her dad has been away. They drive along a gravel driveway and finally reach the house. Blue sees her mom standing on the porch waiting. She immediately jumps out and runs to embrace her.

"Blue darling it hasn't been that long." Shauna chuckles hugging her daughter. "I know I just missed you guys." Blue grins. She looks over at her dad who carries her bag and is talking on the phone.

"Okay, I'll call you back in a minute." She overhears him say. Blue brushes it off assuming it's work related and heads inside. The house isn't one that Blue is familiar with, only having spent a couple weeks here every summer. She goes upstairs to her room, plain and simple, like a guest room. The house used to belong to her dads parents, just like the house she lives in used to belong to her moms parents. Neither too big nor too small, perfect for a family.

Blue wanders downstairs and outside to see what her mom is up to. She sees her watering the flowers and garden. "Where's dad?" Blue asks. "Oh you know your dad, workaholic, he took the week off to spend with you, but of course he has some things to deal with." Shauna rolls her eyes. Her parents were never the stereotypical loving married couple, well at least for as long as Blue can remember. To Blue they just seem like partners, only together for their daughters sake. They never really kiss or hug, or say caring words to each other and live apart for most of the year. But who knows.

Blue takes a seat on the chair on the front porch admiring the scenery. It's calm and beautiful, but nothing like the view from the porch at home. There's no ocean view or breeze, no reflection of the sun off the water. Just green. Trees and grass. It's a different type of beauty.

"No Ward. I told you last time was the last time!" Blue overhears her dad yell. She stands up and walks over to the window to her dads office. "Big John's disappearance hurt my family and I will not do that to them again." Blue takes out her phone and starts recording. "God no, I don't care for the kid, but my family does!" "I don't care how much money or gold you've got. I'm not helping you again, Ward." "This is blackmail. You've got nothing on me." "Stop calling me or you'll end up like John." He says then slams the phone down mumbling angry words.

"Mom!" Blue yells as she runs across the yard. "We've go to go!" She pants. Shauna looks at her like she's got three heads.

"Im pretty sure dad helped kill Big john and-"

"Blue that's a serious allegation. You're father would never do that." Shauna is shocked by Blue's accusation.

"No mom, I overheard him. We've got to go now, I think Ward Cameron is going to hurt John B." Blue explains. Neither know what to say or do next. If Blue's right then her dad is dangerous and someone could get hurt. "Okay, but we need something to tell your dad." Shauna says slowly taking in what her daughter just accused her husband of. "JJ got into a bike accident and he's, uhh, in the hospital." Blue says nodding.

The two rush inside to grab their things, running into her dad on the way in. "What's the rush?" He questions. "JJ was in a bike accident. We've got to get to the hospital now." Blue says the line she rehearsed as she races to her room. She grabs her untouched bag and rushes back downstairs. "I'll come with you guys." He says as the girls are at the door. "No, no, honey. It seems like you still have work to finish up. We'll be back once JJ is okay." Shauna forces a warm smile and the two race out to the car. They wave as they pull out of the driveway.

"What's going on, Blue?" Shauna questions her daughter as they speed to the boat. Blue thinks of a way to explain that her dad might be a potential murderer or hit man or assassin or coverup guy. "I overheard dad on the phone with Ward Cameron-you know what it's easier if you just listen." Blue says pulling out her phone to okay the recording.

"John was our friend. He was my best friend. How could he-oh my your dad has been lying to us all this time." Shauna begins to cry as she continues driving. "Maybe he didnt do anything." Blue suggests, giving her dad the benefit of the doubt.

By the time they reach the ferry the sun has started setting. Blue slowly gets her phone out to call Pope, the only Pogue with a phone at the moment.

"Blue big things just happened!" Pope says immediately answering the call. "I'm pretty sure my dad helped with Big John's disappearance."

*****

Well that was a chaotic chapter. It's not the best, really jumped around. I hope it's still good enough for you guys to enjoy.