𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑺𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑾𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑺 /𝑗𝑗 𝑚𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑘

𝟎𝟎𝟑.

___________________
𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑫𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬
𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑤𝑜，𝑒𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒．
𝟑𝟐:𝟏𝟑 — 𝟑𝟗:𝟑𝟗
___________________

AS THE CAR cruised along the road, I gazed out the window, lost in thought. The rhythmic hum of the engine and the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore created a soothing melody that seemed to wash over me like a calming balm.

Pope's words drifted into my consciousness, "If this guy flew planes for Ward, he's gotta be pretty tight-lipped."

JJ's response was quick as he loaded the gun, "So then direct approach gets my vote." was met with a chorus of disapproval from Pope and Kiara, who were now trying to reason with him about the imprudence of bringing a gun. I rested my head in my palm, my elbow propped against the car door as I watched the waves roll beneath the bridge, their gentle movement hypnotic.

My mind wandered back to the bombshell revelation about Sarah and John B being alive.

The initial shock was still reeling me in, but as the truth began to sink in, a weight began to lift off my shoulders.

The denial stage of grief could finally come to an end, and I could begin to process the reality that they were indeed alive and free in the Bahamas. But, like an open wound, my grief for Peterkin would never fully heal.

"Hey, you okay back there, Bree?" Kiara asked, her voice piercing through my reverie.

I nodded enthusiastically, trying to convey a sense of normalcy despite the turmoil brewing inside me. "Perfect, Kiwi." I replied, forcing a smile onto my face.

JJ's gaze caught mine, his eyes narrowed in concern as he reached for my hand.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt his warmth seep into my skin, his hand on mine, but I knew I had to resist.

It was too much for him to handle – I was like a disease, infecting everything I touched with pain and heartache. I shook his hand away, opting instead to prop my head against the door once more.

The pain of letting him go was palpable, but I knew it was for his own good. He deserved better than to be tied to someone like me – someone who carried so much baggage and sorrow around with them everywhere they went.

As I gazed at JJ's profile, his face a mask of determination, I could sense the weight of sadness settling upon his shoulders. "We gotta keep this simple, guys, or we'll never get John B off-"

Pope's interruption came quick, his smirk clearly showing his confidence. "Or we just tickle the wire." he said, holding up his AirPods like a magician producing a rabbit from thin air.

Kiara's brows furrowed in confusion as she turned to Pope, her voice laced with skepticism. "What?" she asked, her tone curious.

Pope repeated his proposal, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Tickle the wire. I plant my phone in his car, and then we listen in on your AirPods." He held up his phone, as if waiting for Kiara's response. "Say something." he coaxed, his voice low.