Audacious//JJ Maybank (Outerbanks)

Chapter 89

{Utter Fear}

My heart was pounding as I and JJ raced alongside the train tracks, the wind whipping through my hair as we came to a screeching stop. JJ jumped off his dirt bike, quickly pulled out the jumper cables, and attached one to the metal track. I watched him closely, my mind spinning as I tried to piece everything together. When nothing happened, my stomach twisted in panic.

"The train touches both sides of the track," I muttered, stepping forward. I grabbed the other cable and attached it to the opposite rail, hoping it would work. For a moment, there was silence. Then, the train signal flashed red. I felt JJ's eyes on me before he grinned, his hands pulling me closer.

"Genius," he said, his lips crashing into mine in a quick kiss full of adrenaline and excitement. "Now we wait." We crouched down, listening to the faint rumble in the distance as the train approached. My mind raced—so much was riding on this. We needed that cross. I clenched my hands nervously, willing everything to go smoothly.

The train slowed, the brakes screeching as it came to a stop. We both peered through the trees, watching security pull up, and examining the tracks. I held her breath, praying they didn't notice anything suspicious. After a tense few moments, the security guards unhooked the cables and got back into their vehicles.

The train started again, and my pulse quickened. I glanced at JJ, my nerves on edge. "I hope they got it out," I whispered.

JJ didn't hesitate. "Come on," he said, already hopping back on the bike. He revved the engine, and we were off again, the dirt kicking up behind us. As we drove, they saw Topper's truck just ahead, loaded with the cross. JJ's eyes lit up in triumph.

"Jump!" he shouted over the roar of the engine, driving up alongside the truck.

"What?" I asked, hesitating. The truck looked like it was speeding up, and there was no way I could land safely.

"Jump! You can do it!" JJ called out, his voice full of encouragement.

My heart raced, but I trusted him. Without thinking too much, I leapt from the bike and landed hard on the back of Topper's truck. I stumbled slightly but felt Pope's arms steady me, pulling me into the cab.

"What is he doing?" Cleo asked, looking over at JJ, her voice full of concern.

"I don't know!" I admitted, peering out the back window. My eyes widened as I saw JJ slow down and stop the dirt bike. A knot formed in my stomach. "What's he doing?"

JJ bent down, picking up a rock from the ground. The realization hit me all at once—he was trying to create a distraction. He revved the bike, heading straight for the police who had been gaining on them. He hurled the rock at one of the police car windows, shattering it and forcing them to swerve off course.

"They're following him," I muttered, my stomach churning.

"Topper, stop the truck!" I shouted, my voice tinged with urgency. I couldn't leave JJ behind. I couldn't lose him.

"Please stop!" Sarah pleaded her hand on Topper's arm. "We can't-"

My voice cracked as I yelled, "Please, turn around!"

Topper hesitated, his hands tight on the steering wheel before he made a sharp turn, screeching the tyres as we doubled back. My heart was racing in my chest, fear clawing at me as we sped down the road. Pope was the first to spot JJ, weaving through the other side of the road, heading towards the bridge.

And then, out of nowhere, JJ lost control.

The bike crashed through the guardrail, plunging off the side of the bridge just as Topper's truck screeched to a halt. My scream echoed through the air as I scrambled out of the truck, my body moving on instinct.