Head Over Heels - 𝖩𝖩 𝖬𝖺𝗒𝖻𝖺𝗇𝗄

11 | 𝔾𝕠 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔾𝕠𝕝𝕕, 𝕂𝕚𝕕

｡･ﾟﾟ･･ﾟﾟ･｡Chapter 11 ｡･ﾟﾟ･･ﾟﾟ･｡

Catching their breaths after the chaotic cemetery event, the group arrived at Château. To their surprise, the interior was relatively clean, despite the recent break-in that had left half the place in disarray. Frankie guessed that John B must have tidied up after they all separated from the lighthouse. Frankle and JJ found themselves in the kitchen, while John B and Kiara gathered around the table, their attention fixed on the mysterious package. Pope hastily changing into a new pair of pants, thanks to John B's thoughtfulness.

Frankie rested her back against the counter, her gaze fixed on JJ as he rummaged through the cupboards. Her appetite was lacking, and the less food options didn't pique her interest. JJ finally retrieved a bag of bread and took two slices, setting them on the counter. Frankie had already found a plastic knife and slid it over to him. JJ then unscrewed the cap from a jar of peanut butter, scooping out some thanks to the knife help, spreading the peanut butter across the bread.

"J..that bread had mold on it three days ago." Frankie pointed out, her nose scrunching.

"I'll just pull off the bad parts." JJ reasured, "Plus, mould is good for you princess, it's just a natural...Organism."

Frankie pushed herself away from the counter, shaking her head. She approached John B and Kiara, who were intently gathered in one spot, Pope was already by their side. JJ soon joined them, sandwich in hand, taking his place next to Frankie. JJ quickly prepares the bread sandwiches, following them closely biting his sandwich. He stopped gagging at the food. Frankie's eyebrows shot up as she watched JJ spit out the chewed-up bread into his hand and then bin, his sudden reaction catching her off guard.

"What did I tell you.." Frankie murmured.

John B carefully pried open the package. Slowly, he extracted a paper, unfolding it to reveal a detailed map of OBX. The brunette flattened the map down onto the table.

"Holy shit." John B whispered, staring down at the map infront of him.

"Oh. X marks the spot." Pope pressed his finger near the x mark that was located on the map.

"Longitude, latitude.." John B moved his finger againts the map, "Wait, there's somethin' else in there." He reached back inside the package pulling out a small black tape recorder, holding it in his hands.

"What's that?" JJ asked.

"It's a tape recorded." Frankie informed him.

"Dumbass." Kiara murmured.

John B pressed the button at the side, a red light lighting up. Just then a voice spoke out from the tape recorder, causing everyone to gather round more.

"Dear Bird."

"Who's bird?" JJ questioned.

"That's what my dad called me." John B replies in a whisper. JJ looked up staring over at Frankie who stood beside him, the two then both looking at their other friends who where surpised like them.

"I hate to say, 'I told you so,' but I told you so and you doubted your old man." The voice belonging to Big John stopped, before eventually carrying on, "I suspect at this moment, you're filled with guilt and self-loathing over our last fight, but don't kill yourself just yet, kid. I didn't expect to find the Merchant either. You were probably right to call me out. Wasn't exactly Father of the Decade. What can I say, kid? I could smell the barn." Big John sighed. "And hopefully, we're listenin' to this in our brand new sugar-shack down in Costa Rica, livin' off passive investments and pulling on permits. If not, and you find this for less optimal reasons, we'll, that's what the map is for. There she is, the wreck of the Merchant. If somethin' happens to me, finish what I started. Go for the gold, kid. I love you, Bird, even if I didn't always act like it. I'll see you on the other side."