Eastside ₒ OBX

14- The Fugitive

Jade did not stop running. She was worried about what would happen next. She had not planned on witnessing a murder during summer vacation, yet that was exactly what she just did. 
   Her worn red Converse sneakers are picking up heat as she sprints. She did not hear sirens. That was both good and bad. She slows down once she reaches a shed looking area. Jade's breathes come in quick gasps. 
   "Jade?" Kiara, JJ and Pope come out just as the sound of a plane flying over reaches them. 
   "They-- Someone-- Holy shit," Jade points back the way she came. 
   "Calm down. Take a breather," Kie tells her. 
   "What happened?" JJ asks. 
   Jade puts her arms up, lifting her ribcage to get more air. "Why the hell did you guys ditch me?" she manages. 
   Pope shields his eyes, "there goes the gold." 
   Jade's hopes sink as the airplane soars over. She turns to see JJ kick a crate over. Then Pope looses his shit, taking a baseball bat to anything in the junk piles. 
   "Pope," Kie shouts. 
   He eventually calm down and slumps onto the ground, utterly defeated. 
   "I was wondering when they was going to happen," JJ says. "Here you go." 
   "Is that a stick of pot?" Jade asks. 
   "Its a blunt. You know, weed?" 
   "That's not a good idea." 
   "You know he doesn't smoke," Kie agrees. 
   "Maybe until today he does," JJ replies. 
   "What's that going to solve?" 
   "I lost my scholarship. I walked out in the middle of the interview," Pope says. "Its all gone." 
   "Welcome to my world, buddy," JJ claps him on the back. 
   "Maybe you can still get it back. Maybe there's a second chance?" Jade suggests. 
   "There is no second chance, Jade. This is college. You don't make stupid mistakes like that." 
   "You're like what? Sixteen, seventeen? They'll understand." 
   "Jade's right. Maybe there's a shot," Kie says. 
   "What do you care?" Pope lets a puff of smoke exit his mouth. Jade crosses her arms and look around, then her eyes fall on a figure. 

She runs towards John B and is about to give him a hug, but halts at the sight of his hands. Her anxiety spikes again and she freezes in place. 
   "John B," the Pogues run up to him. Then they see it too. 
   "Whose blood is that's?" Kie asks. "John B, are you okay?" 
   Sirens wail and a cop car drives by. They all dart into the shed and duck. Jade starts trembling, "I saw what happened." 
   John B looks at her with wide eyes. "Please tell me you didn't see all of it." 
   "I heard..." she couldn't bring herself to finish. "The gun went off." 
   "What's she talking about?" JJ asks. 
   "I can't. I can't do this. I've got to go back home soon. I've got school in about a month," Jade continues. Her mind is in a daze. 
   Kie places Jade's head on her shoulder, "everything is going to be okay. John B, what did she see?" 
   John B just stares at Jade. 
   "C'mon, we've got to get out of here," JJ says. "We can sort this out later." 

"What are we doing at the police station?" JJ questions. They had borrowed an entirely different vehicle since the van was now apart of a potential crime scene. John B had washed his hands for the blood and explained to them what happened. Jade had remained mostly silent since they left the landing pad. 
   "Someone's gotta tell them what happened," John B says. 
   "But what if someone else got there first?" Jade asks. 
   "That doesn't mean its worth trying." 
   Pope begins coughing harshly with the blunt in his hand. Jade inches away to avoid the burning smell. 
   "I'm gonna be real with you. You don't go into the lion's den. That's suicide. You don't trust the police ever, that's what my old man told me." 
   "Your father's an abusive liar," Kie says. 
   "I'm with JJ. F*** the police," Pope crams his cap on his head. 
   "Pope's becoming a Sith Lord and I don't approve," Jade says. "Also, I think you've had enough of that. That's like, what? Two sticks?" 
   "I'll know when I've had too many. Its only been three." 
   "In the past couple hours? Sorry, but I've got to slap parental control on that." 
   "No, hands off. Go get your own." 
   "They need to know," John B continues. Jade watches him enter the building and she exhales a shaky breath. 
   Kiara pivots around in the seat, "breathe. Its going to be fine." 
   "Not really, because John B went where he wasn't supposed to," JJ replies. 
   "She has high anxiety right now, JJ. Do you mind?" 
   "Kie!" John B shouts, "Kie, start the car! Drive!" 
   "I think I'm going to vomit," Jade grips the back of the seat as Kie peels out. 
   "Don't do it here," Pope responds. 
   "I can't wait until you sober up, Pope." 

It had been hours since the local police had declared John B a criminal and murderer. Jade was barely able to get any sleep. Her phone was likely dead and her family was probably ready to kill her. 
   "Who are they going to believe?" JJ questions. "Ward Cameron or us?" 
   "He's got more money. He can just bribe them to look the other way," Jade mumbles. She had been crammed in between John B and JJ the entire time. 
   "Ward Cameron is the accuser, a wealthy man who owns half the island just about. The accused is John B, a sixteen year old who is currently homeless." 
   "Shit," Pope rubs his temples. It was unclear if he realized how bad everything was, or the drugs were taking effect. 
   "I'm saying the only option is fleeing to Mexico." 
   "Do you think Sarah would snitch on her brother?" 
   "That's not happening, dude," JJ sits up and nearly hits Jade in the face. "Everything is on lockdown. And Sarah's not a Pogue, we're not going back for her." 
   "I'm not a Pogue either but you guys let me come along," Jade points out. 
   "You're different. We're in the same boat right now." 
Kie pulls the car out and drive out towards the docks for the ferry. 

Jade toys with the zipper on her backpack, trying to get it unstuck to close it. John B helps her and gives her a small smile. They had not spoken directly to each other in a while.
   Pope goes to check the schedule and returns, "the ferry's closed. I've got this."
  "Dammit," Kie mutters handing a sheet of paper back to JJ.
   JJ raises his eyebrows, "well, you're famous now, John B."
   "Great," John B looks at his mugshot. 
   "They've probably got The Château all staked out." 
   "Where are we going to go?" Kie asks. 
   Pope puts his hands on the wheel, "I'm thinking. Wait. JJ, does your dad still have that boat? The Phantom?" 
   "I don't know. He uses it to race."
   "We need a plan. The boat could be it. I just--" he hits the wheel and the horn goes off. Jade flinches and attempts to borough herself into the seat. 
   "Pope, calm down," Kie states. "JJ, how much weed did you give him?"
   "I think half the farm was burnt down," Jade says. 
   "We've been spotted. Pope go! Turn the car on!" 
   They take off, racing down the road. Jade grips onto anything she can, bracing herself. "We're gonna die." 

Author's Note: 
Pope being super high is both funny and chaotic. That's it. That's all I got. 
If you liked this part, be sure to give it a vote! Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee! 

   ~ SHIELD-Avenger