𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿.

forty three.

   "Rose! Rose what happened?!"

   The woman looks up at me as they put Sarah into the backseat. She walks over to me, wrapping me in a hug that I know is fake.

   "God where've you been? We have seen you in three days!"

   I nod, "I uh, the house reminded me of him"

   She nods, "we're just going on a little trip okay, you should come."

   I shake my head as she pulls me towards the car, "where are we going?"

   "Just a trip- Lia come on!"

   I yank my arm from her grip, "what'd you do to Sarah?!"

   Rose shakes her head, "I can't do this right now,"

   She climbs into the driver's seat, starting the car.

   I reach for the door handle to find it locked. I bang on the window, "Wheeze, wheeze unlock the door please!"

   Rose starts down the driveway and I run after her. JJ and John B join me, banging on the windows.

   "Rose, stop the car!"

   "Unlock the doors!"

   She speeds off leaving us in the dust.

   JJ grabs my hand, "we've gotta go come on!"

   I let him pull me to the Twinke. I slide into the passenger seat as JJ gets in the back. John B starting the car.

   "What happened Cat?"

   I shake my head, "they're going somewhere! On a trip. She told me that I should come too but she wouldn't tell me why or where they were going."

   God even though he was dead this had Ward written all over it.

* * *

   "That's her, that's her! Quarter mile on the left."

   John B turns the corner, slowing to a stop. We hurry out of the car and follow a truck as it rolls up to the gates of the marina. We duck and weave behind cars and loads as we try and find Sarah again.

   "The Coastal venture? Dude I know that ship, my dad did legs on her last summer. Total tramp steamer, worked on her in port."

   John B points across the way, "there's the cross, right there."

   I frown, "but where's Pope?'

   "There's Sarah!"

   I turn to find Sarah being guided by a man towards the ship.

   "We've gotta come up with a plan."

   "I'm working on it. If we get over to that barge, we go over, we'll have to get in the water though."

   "Then we're gonna be sitting ducks."

   "Howdy!"

   I jump, turning to find Kie and pope. I pull the girl into a hug, "I was worried about you."

   JJ groans, "jeez I was about to stab your eyes out."

   She chuckles, "you look scared as shit."

   "How'd you guys even find us?"

   "Geo-located your phone."

   I turn to Pope, "hey you okay?"

   "Rafe, round three."

   "Again?"

   "This time it was a tie."