Cicadas chirp in the background, the noise mixing with the sound of the crackling fire in between us. It feels peaceful right here, all of us around the fire waiting for news. A vast contrast from the rest of the night so far.

    I'm surprised Kie isn't shivering in her silk dress the way I am. I have shorts on underneath my dress and John B threw me a shirt of his he left in the van. It's baggy and smells like weed, but I hold the material tightly to my goosebumps-ridden skin. 

    "Hey, guys," Pope speaks up, sitting down beside JJ while I sit with Kie and John B. "So, like, my Dad's already going to kill me so what's this mandatory meeting about?"

    "Ditto. I'm practically homeless now," I agree, holding my knees to my chest as John B shoots me a confused look. He probably thinks all is well in Kook-land, maybe I should give him the PG-13 rundown of the truth. 

    "Might as well tell them, man, before we're gaffed," JJ comments, poking his stick into the ground. Kie leans forward, looking past me to where John B sits on my other side. I turn to him also, waiting for him to drop the suspense and tell us.

    "You ready for this?"

    "Have been for the last hour," I nod, ignoring his eye roll in response. 

    "So, the gold never went down with the Royal Merchant," John B informs, turning to watch all our individual reactions. 

    "Oh, my god. Here we go again with this," Pope sighs in annoyance.

    "Hang on-- JB? How do you know this?" I pause, holding my hand out to stop Pope's words from dismissing the information any further. 

    "Chapel Hill," He grins at me, the smugness on his face evident. 

    If I weren't facing him, I'm sure my jaw would drop from the realisation of who else was at Chapel Hill yesterday. A certain blonde I spent most of the night with. 

    "It's been here this whole time," He announces further, addressing the part of the conversation to the group. "It's on the island,"

    "Are you serious?" Kie asks, her eyes widened in shock as if she were waiting for someone to jump out and announce it as a prank. "Oh my god,"

    "I'd like to voice my scepticism," Pope pipes in, holding his hands together. 

    "I'm sure you would, Pope," John B begins, pushing himself to a stand much to all our confusion. He steps behind the logs, in a position for us all to see him comfortably, "But, can I please present you with my evidence, sir?"

    "Proceed,"

    I can't help but snicker at the nerdiness of their interaction, my eyes facing the dirt as I push the soil around with my stick. 

    "All right, so! In my backpack, I have a letter from Denmark Tanny," John B presents his first piece of evidence like a practised lawyer. He pulls a piece of old-looking paper from the confinements on his bag, holding it up to his chest. 

    "Who the hell is that?" Kie asks bluntly. 

    "Denmark Tanny was a slave that survived the Royal Merchant wreck. Check this out," He proceeds to open the paper up, revealing the writing sprawled across the paper. He hands the paper to me, my hands delicately holding it as I look over the cursive. "Okay, slaves weren't mentioned as crew members on the ship. But, our Dad, he found the complete manifest. That was his big discovery. So, Tanny used the gold from the Merchant to buy his freedom,"

    John B pauses as JJ whistles, my attention snapping to him as he holds his palms out. I smile at him before passing the paper over to Kie instead, his head shaking in disappointment. 

    "After that, he bought his farm. Drumroll please because that farm is..." He trails off, Kie passing the note to JJ as all of us begin to tap our hands on our knees, waiting for his big reveal, "Tannyhill Plantation,"

    "Tannyhill?" I repeat, my lips parting in shock at his revelation. 

    "Yeah so, after that, he used his money to free even more slaves and then he sold a shit-ton of rice, which, pisses off all the white planters and then? They decide to lynch him," My chest tightens in sympathy for a man I never met. Kie sighs beside me for the same reason. "So, on the day they were coming to get him, he writes a letter to his son as a farewell and in the last line of that letter, he leaves a coded message about where to find the gold,"

    He enunciates each word, the suspense adding weight to the air around us. Kie smiles up at him, asking the burning question, "Where?"

    "Harvest the wheat in parcel nine, near the water. Except... there's no wheat. You see, wheat is code for gold. Check this out," He pauses once more, moving over to Pope who now has the letter, pointing the flashlight to the paper as he says "The gold is in parcel nine near the water,"

   "Holy shit," I gape in amazement, finding it hard to believe that after so many years and so many heartaches that have followed this treasure, we may be the ones to find it. 

    "All we need is an original survey map of the property and we've found the gold," John B announces the gold feeling within reach from just that sentence. 

    Pope begins to voice his concerns as JJ steps up from his seat, marching over to my brother and pulling him off of his feet in a hug. John B begins to remind him of the fire in concern, JJ putting him down to express how proud he is. 

    "Okay, so, guys? What's the plan?" Pope asks, clearly still unsure about the whole thing. 

    If my suspicions are correct and John B was at Chapel Hill with Sarah Cameron, then the survey map of Tannyhill is basically guaranteed. While I've practically turned my bridge with a certain Cameron, a new one may be under construction. 

    "Good Question," John B answers for me. I turn to him, sending him a wink to let him know I figured out his dirty little secret. He sucks in a breath before continuing, "Okay, so. Sarah Cameron's coming tonight, she's gonna bring an original survey map-"

    "Wait, wait. Hold on," Kie shakes her head, sitting up straighter to try and digest the information. "Sarah? Wh-why Sarah?"

    "This is gonna be good," JJ comments, taking his hat off his head as he squeezes into the spot next to me. 

    "Sarah, um, she got me into the archives in Chapel Hill yesterday and that's where I got the letter," John B explains, stumbling over his words. 

    "You were in Chapel Hill with Sarah Cameron?" Kie basically shouts, her anger rising to a boiling point for no apparent reason. If they have beef, I'm not aware of it.

    "Yeah, um-"

    "He was mackin' on her," JJ jumps in, the amusement clear in his tone. I nudge him, hearing him grunt in response. 

    "I wasn't making," John B protests, his words falling short volume-wise.

    "You were totally macking Sarah Cameron," JJ nods, clearly not getting my hint from the nudge. I cringe, not wanting to hear any more about my brother and his love life. 

    "I wasn't makin' on her, okay? I was using her for access-"

    This time, I'm the one to cut John B off as I sit up straighter and cross my arms over my chest, "You were using her?"

    "What? No, I-" He cuts himself off with a sigh, holding his fingers over the bridge of his nose. "I don't know what to say here,"

    "Did you tell her about the treasure?" Kie asks, her glare never wavering from the stressed-out boy before us. 

    "I was just trying to get into the archives!" John B defends, clearly frustrated over the ensuing argument. 

    "Is that a yes?" Kie yells, leaning forward. While her anger towards Sarah confuses me, I know better than to try and question something I have no idea about. 

    "I left out key details!"

    "What?" Kie shouts, holding her hands to her head in frustration. "You let a Kook in on our secret?"

    "To be fair, Kie," I trail off, trying to be gentle as I wag my pointer finger between me and her. We can't conveniently forget what side of the island Kie and I come from. 

    "I was just using her for information!" John B repeats once more. I stand to my feet, crossing my arms over my chest as I study him. 

    "Why don't I believe you?" I comment, watching as he buries his face in his palms for a second and sighs. 

    "I'm trying to make us filthy rich here," He whines into his palms. "Okay? So that we can pay off a boat or, uh-" He turns to point to Pope "Or send you to autopsy school to study dead bodies. Look, you guys know me. Do I look like the type to fall for Sarah Cameron?"

    "Is that a serious question?" I ask as JJ stands up beside me, grinning at his friend. 

    "Do you want us to answer that, or?" Pope trails off.

    "Look, you don't know her yet. I do! You can't trust her!" Kie yells, holding her hands towards her chest. 

    "Um, I know her pretty well and she's not as bad as you're making her out to be." I retort, watching as she turns her glare towards me. 

    "You're practically a Cameron! That doesn't make her trustworthy!" She defends. I feel anger boil in me over her comment, my hands dropping to my side as I step closer to her.

    "Don't disregard me to make your point,"

    "Okay, that's enough of that," JJ jumps in, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me away from Kie, tucking me beside him like a puppet. 

    "Rafe and Sarah are two completely different people!" I inform, holding my hands to my temples as I address the group, "Don't judge her based on his actions, where's the fairness in that?"

    "I'm judging her based on her own actions!" Kie argues once more, her hatred towards Sarah abundantly clear. 

    "What did she do to you exactly?" JJ asks Kie, furrowing his brows as he looks down at her. 

    "She's like a... like a spitting cobra!" Kie announces, jamming two fingers in the air to imitate a snake's fangs, "First she blinds you and then--"

    "This is a bad analogy," Pope shakes his head, finally piping into the heated argument. 

    "Listen to me!" Kie whines. I roll my eyes, crossing one foot over the other as I wait for more, "Whatever we get, she's gonna try to take!"

    "I actually know Sarah, okay?" I join in once more, ignoring how Kie rolls her eyes at me, "She is not selfish by any means. Besides, she already knows about the gold and she's the one with the map so, Kie, I appreciate you but you're going to have to just suck it up," 

    "Ohh," JJ whispers lowly, all of the boys turning their heads and pretending not to hear the conversation. Kie only replies by huffing and crossing her arms over her chest. 

    This night just gets longer 

                    Rock music blares through the speakers of the Twinkie, JJ holding his hands in the air as he pretends to play instruments along with the music. Kiara sits in the corner, her face to the window as she sulks. I feel bad for arguing with her, but I'm sure she'll get over it. 

    John B swings the van into park, the music cutting off as we immediately slide the back door open. 

    "Hit it, boys! Recon mission!" JJ quips in excitement, reading to climb out of the van and bounce off the walls as usual. 

    "Yo, so uh, I think I'm gonna do this one by myself," John B stops us from climbing out, turning over his shoulder. Kie gives him an unamused glare before rolling her eyes and turning away from him, something that makes me snort slightly at the look left on John B's face. 

    "Really?" JJ responds unamused, adjusting his hat on his head.

    "I just don't want to spook Sarah with the peanut gallery," John B defends. 

    "I'm friends with Sarah, why can't I come?" I ask, studying him in curiosity for his excuse now. 

     Before he can reply, Kie opens her mouth again in annoyance, "I just don't understand why we're involving her at all,"

    "Kie, we're not involving her, okay? It's just like a--a business meeting thing," John B attempts to diffuse the furious brunette. I watch as JJ holds an unlit joint up, pulling it back and forth between his mouth to suggest something explicit. I laugh before cringing, realising he's talking about my brother. "Look, once we get what we need, we cut her loose, okay?"

    "Does Sarah know about your plans to cut her loose?" I question, leaning forward from my position cross-legged next to JJ. 

     "Pheebs, please just shut up," He sighs, looking at me with pleading eyes. I smile, knowing my plan to stress him out further is woking. I know he's lying to Kie about his intentions, it's obvious to anyone around. But, no reason I can't make him sweat a bit first. 

    "Promise nothing's happening between you," Kie steals back the attention, John B turning to her with conflict heavy on his expression. 

    "Nothing's happening, Kie," John B repeats.

    "I'm being serious!"

    "Okay,"

    "This isn't about you and this isn't about us. This is about her. Dude, she's gonna get inside your head," Kie continues. I roll my eyes once more, annoyed by her ominous bitching towards someone who isn't as evil as she's being made out to be. I lean back against the van, making eye contact with JJ and Pope who share the same amused expression. "Just promise me nothing's happening between you guys,"

    "I promise," John B mutters. 

    I know he's lying. My brother has always been easy to read, at least to me. The way Sarah spoke about him made it seem like something real, and the way he's tip-toeing around Kie's interrogation says enough. If he finds happiness in Sarah, I truly don't understand why Kie would have such a problem with it. 

    "That was really believable," JJ chimes in, voicing my thoughts. He smiles up at the arguing pair, a small laugh escaping my lips at his expression. 

    "A hundred per cent believable," Pope joins, turning over his shoulder with the same grin. 

    "Anyways, um. I'm gonna take care of business," John B deflects, seeming annoyed by everyone around him. 

    "You're gonna take care of the business so well," JJ shakes his head, only teasing John B further. 

    "We'll just sit here... in the hot-ass car," Pope comments. 

    "Yeah, can we crack this can open?" I agree, leaning over JJ to re-open the door to the van and letting a cool breeze into the muggy environment. When I sit back down, JJ looks at me and suggestively raises his eyebrows. 

    I roll my eyes, getting comfortable in my seat, "You have the libido of someone going through puberty," 

    "Well, that's very sweet of you. I try," He shrugs, pretending to brush dirt off of his shoulders with a smug grin. 

    "Kiara," Pope directs the conversation to a more serious topic. Kie sits behind the driver's seat, her chin in her palm as she turns to Pope, "Holding onto your grudge is like drinking poison and thinking Sarah will die,"

    "Exactly," JJ nods in agreement. 

    "It's best to get over it anyway, Kie. They are totally mackin'," I add, shivering at the mere thought of it. Truthfully, I wonder how Topper's going to take it. He's beyond obsessed with Sarah. 

    Kie doesn't reply, the thunder outside only booms louder in response. The cold breeze feels nice on my hot skin, and my eyes close as I relax in the van. God knows what I'm going to do now after what I did at Midsummers. Maybe I should get used to the weather outside, trees and clouds may have to be my new four walls and ceiling. 

    I hear a strange sound in the distance, something like brief voices followed by cracking wood. I open my eyes, leaning forward to peer out of the open door. "Did you guys hear something?"

    "No, why?" JJ responds quietly.

   I push to my knees, turning to the window to my left and seeing an all too familiar car. My heart drops to my stomach, my feet carrying me over JJ's legs as I spring out of the van.

   "Phoebe, what-"

    "That's Topper's car!" I cut Pope off, not bothering to look back as I sprint from the van and towards the Kildare Hawk nest. I hear the others pile out after me as I pass the locations sign, the tall tower appearing in my view from over the trees. 

    My gut only twists tighter when I see Sarah and Topper standing at the top, peering down through a broken railing. 

    "Topper!" I scream, taking off into a faster run through the path. My lungs burn, my air capacity limited through my racing heart as I barrel down the path, screaming my brother's name. 

    I clear the area, watching as a hysterical Sarah cradles my brother, talking to him through tears. She must have run down the stairs of the Hawks nest just to hold him. 

    "John B!" I scream, my voice cracking from the rawness in my throat. I fall to my knees, the ground scraping the skin as I look over him for any sign of life. 

    "Sarah! What happened?" I hear Pope yell, the other three joining us and inspecting the horrific scene before them. 

    "I don't know what to do! He needs help, Topper shoved him," She cries, holding his head in her shaking hands. 

    "Topper shoved him?" I repeat, my jaw clenched as I peer up at the tower to find any sign of the male in question. "Where the hell is he?"

    "Oh, please please please, get help. I don't care who just call someone," Sarah pleads through tears. I feel frozen as I stare at my brother's face of agony, my hands shaking in rage and fear. 

    The voices around me feel like they're fading out as the air leaves my lungs, my shaky feet pushing me to stand as Pope takes off presumably to get help. 

    "Where's Topper," I wince through sharp breaths. I feel JJ's hands grab my shoulders, turning me to look at him. Everything feels blurry, like he's moving in slow motion or I'm moving too fast to see him at the right speed. 

    "Pope's getting help, okay? Just stay calm," His words filter in, my eyes gazing off into nothing. 

    My lungs struggle to pull in air from around me, my chest wheezing loud enough for anyone to hear. "I... I can't breathe,"

    "Shit, okay. Sit down," He intrusts. I feel limp as he pulls me back to the dusty ground, my legs covered in grains of sand as I watch John B through a dirty lens.  

                    The machines hum softly in the distance, PA systems turning on and off and filtering announcements through the air. I sit with my knees to my chest, watching silently as Sarah sits on John B's hospital bed without making a sound.

    Ward Cameron knocks on the door quietly, looking at me with sadness as he smiles and gestures me over. Confused, I stand up and walk over to him, following him outside the room as he closes the door behind us. 

    "Hey, Phoebe. How are you doing?" He asks gently, watching over me as I cross my arms and tap on the skin of my biceps. 

    "I'm... I'm okay, just got a bit shaken up. Thanks, Ward," I smile gently, feeling a warmness spread over me from the sincerity in his tone. "Did you need something?"

    "Well, I just wanted to tell you that I've offered to be John B's legal guardian. It's the least I could do to make up for my wrongdoings," He announces, referring to how he unfairly fired John B. My eyes widen at the revelation, feeling a layer of confusion cover me. 

    "Oh," I stumble out, struggling to find the words to respond with, "That's very kind of you,"

    "If he agrees, I was wondering if you'd want to hang around for a bit? I think it would make him feel more comfortable there and, after midsummers, it might give you and Linus a cooling off period," He suggests, speaking in a soft yet authoritative tone. I always feel so safe with Ward, he's probably the only parental figure in my life. "I noticed things have been tense between you and Rafe lately. This could be a chance for you to get along again-"

    "Uh, no offence, Ward, but I don't think that's something I want. At least, not now," I respond, feeling embarrassed from my ungratefulness.

    "Ah, I see," He responds making my gut tighten in nerves, "Well, Rafe can be... a lot. I'd still love to have you. You're welcome to share a room with Sarah or I can find you your own space. What do you say?"

    I think for a moment about the possibilities. Living with the Camerons and my Brother under one roof feels like a recipe for disaster and awkwardness. But, I don't have much other choice. Linus definitely won't be welcoming me back anytime soon. At least he won't be nasty to me in front of Ward.

    "I'd love to. Only if you have the room, of course," I agree, watching as the grin spreads wider on his face. 

    "We'll make room for you," He reassures, leaning to kiss me on the forehead like I'm a child of his own before turning back to John B's room.