fade away youth// rafe cameron

9-FADE AWAY YOUTH

We pull up to the club JJ works at in the Twinkie. There still isn't power in the cut. We need the internet if we're going to find the gold.

"All right, keep a look out. We're behind enemy lines," JJ says as he pulls out his gun.

"Yo, come on, man. Just put it back," John B tells him.

"JJ," I say.

"What? You can never be too careful," JJ tells us.

Pope gets out of the car and leans against the passenger's side door. "Hey, I predict that bringing a weapon to a four-star hotel will likely cause more problems than they solve."

"Thank you, Pope," John B says.

I lean forward between the two front seats. "I swear to God, I'm gonna throw that thing in the ocean, JJ. Put it back. Now!"

John B grabs the gun and puts it in the glove compartment.

"There you go," Pope says.

"You can't grab a gun like that," JJ warns. He picks up his work ID. "Can't forget my badge." He gets out and slams the van door shut. "Professional busboy."

"So, where are we going now?" Pope questions.

"We're getting on the internet because only rich people have electricity right now," JJ tells him. "This way!"

JJ leads us into the hotel through the kitchen.

"Andrew!" JJ shouts.

"All right?" Andrew shouts.

"What's up, bro?" JJ greets. JJ picks food up off a plate. "Mama L, good to see you!"

The woman smacks his hand. "Hey, no! JJ!"

We walk out into the lobby.

"Mm-hm. See, they got the backup generators going? Kooks don't miss a beat," JJ says.

JJ leads us into a conference room where a handful of computers are set up.

Pope rushes towards one. "Sweet Lord, the internet!" He sits down in a chair. "I've missed you."

"Let me get in there. Gotta check out my Insta models," JJ states.

I give him a look. "We don't have time for that."

"Hey. Hey! Hey! My Dad's map," John says as he puts it down next to Pope.

"Coordinates, please?" Pope asks.

"34° 57' 30" north. 75° 55' 42" west," John B says. Pope plugs the numbers into the computer. "Okay. Boom, continental shelf right there."

"Well, if it's off the deep end, it's not gonna be much of a treasure hunt, is it?" Pope questions.

John B sighs.

"Come on, baby. Come on," JJ says.

I can hear people talking and laughing in the hallway. The computer finally zooms in on the coordinates.

"Shit, it's on the high side. It's only 900 feet," John B states.

"That's not too deep," JJ states.

"Is that doable or something?" I ask.

"Yeah, totally doable, "JJ assures.

"Will we be taking your personal submarine?" Pope asks.

"How do you know this, Mr. Dive Master?" John B questions.

"The salvage yard. They got a drone that can drop 1,000. It has a 360 camera and everything. It's for, like, deep dives and stuff. It's exactly what we need," JJ tells us.