章節 126: Chapter 99
The boat pulled into the dock, its engine rumbling to a stop as John B hopped out, tying it off with practiced ease. He turned, flashing a broad grin at his older brother standing by the porch.
Kage stood tall, his muscular frame relaxed but exuding authority. His sharp eyes scanned the group as they disembarked one by one.
John B strode forward, wrapping Kage in a tight hug. "Good to see you, man."
Kage returned the hug, a faint smile softening his usual stoic expression. "Likewise, kid."
JJ, with his messy blonde hair tucked under a backwards red-and-white cap, sauntered over next. "C'mere, tough guy," he said with his signature cocky grin, pulling Kage into a quick hug.
Kage chuckled and patted JJ on the back before turning to Pope, who approached with a reserved smile. "Good to see you, Pope," Kage said, pulling him into a brief but firm embrace.
Kiara and Sarah lingered by the boat, both smiling at Kage. Sarah, her sun-kissed blonde hair glowing in the afternoon light, blushed faintly, though she quickly turned her attention to Iris, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Kiara nudged JJ, her voice low. "Is he in the army or something?"
JJ nodded, crossing his arms. "Yeah, something like that. Special ops. It's all classified, though."
Kage's sharp gaze shifted to Sarah, and he tilted his head slightly. "You're Ward Cameron's daughter, right?"
Sarah straightened, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "Yes, I am," she said, her voice steady but polite. "I also wanted to thank you again for saving Wheezie. She told me everything."
Kage shrugged casually. "No need to thank me. Anyone would've done the same."
Sarah opened her mouth to respond, but John B cut in, eager to move things along. "Alright, let's head inside," he said, gesturing toward the house.
Kage talked with his brother, as time passed he drove Iris back. While Pogues except for JJ and John B returned to there respective homes. Kage decided to stay with his John B for a while.
John B's eyes blink open. The small, cluttered bedroom comes into focus. The windows drip with condensation, beaded from the humid air. He tries the light switch—nothing. No power. Reaching for his cell phone, he frowns. No service.
He swings his legs out of bed, pulling on a pair of tan Carhartt overalls, leaving his chest bare. A bandana dangles from his hand as he looks around the room—a teenager's haven packed with maritime books, a bass guitar, a weathered Clash poster, fishing rods, comic books, and a photo of his father, smiling in better times.
Stepping over a puddle of water, John B trundles down a dim hallway into the messy living room.
JJ sprawls across the couch, knocking over a pile of clutter as he reaches for a stray beer. Nearby, Kage reclines in a worn-out chair, one arm draped over the armrest, his eyes flickering open with a faint smile.
John B questioned."You been outside?"
JJ groaning answered."I have polio, dude. I can't walk."
Kage chuckles, stretching lazily."I'll come with you."
The front yard, already known as a maritime junkyard of rusting trailers and weathered boats, looks like a hurricane had torn it apart. Trees lay toppled, palm fronds scattered, and debris was tangled in the grass.
Kage stood on the porch with John B, surveying the wreckage. Kage whistled low. "That was one hell of a hurricane."
John B nodded solemnly.
JJ stumbled out onto the porch, his boxer shorts slung low and hair sticking out in every direction. Scratching his head, he muttered, "Benny's gonna need you at the marina."
"Yeah, I better hurry," John B replied, hopping down the porch steps.
"Chop chop," JJ added with a smirk, lounging against the doorway.
Kage followed John B to a flats boat sitting half-buried under a pile of palm leaves. Together, they worked to clear it off.
As John B's fingers ran along the engine prop, checking for damage, he muttered, "Surge blows the crabs into the marsh maze. Red drum follow the crabs. Circle of life."
JJ, now leaning against the porch railing, shouted down, "Aren't you supposed to meet DCS?"
Kage replied casually, "I called them."
JJ gave him an approving nod. "That's good."
The boat skimmed along the water, John B at the helm with a bandana tied around his head, sunglasses reflecting the sunlight. Kage sat near the bow, his eyes scanning the battered waterfront.
The usual lineup of fish shacks, seafood joints, and outfitters bore the marks of the storm. Broken windows, half-sunken boats, and spray-painted messages like "BRING IT ON" and "AGGIE YOU BITCH" stood out against the weathered wood.
"Dude, look at this place," John B muttered.
JJ let out a whistle, leaning against the side of the boat. "She was a crazy lady. Hardcore hurricane surge."
"But it looks like most people got lucky," Kage noted, his calm tone cutting through the noise of the engine.
"Yeah," John B agreed.
JJ sighed dramatically. "We're gonna be cleaning this all summer."
"That's my nightmare," John B replied, shaking his head.
The boat slowed near the dock, where Pope was hosing off debris. His movements were efficient and calm, but there was a weight in his posture.
JJ leaned over the side of the boat and whooped. "Well, look who we have here!"
John B cupped his hands around his mouth, mimicking static. "Safety meeting. Attendance mandatory."
Pope smirked, gesturing toward his father, Heyward, who was pulling plywood off the windows of his store. "I can't. My pop's got me on lockdown."
JJ doing the same added."Your dad's a pussy. Over."
From the store, Heyward appeared, his greying hair and weathered face framed by the morning light. A gregarious figure with a booming voice, he yelled, "I heard that, you bastards!"
John B grinned. "We need your son!"
JJ added, "Island rules. Day after a hurricane's a free day!"
Heyward, annoyed but amused, retorted, "Who made that up?"
John B locked eyes with Pope. "Get in."
Pope hesitated, then grinned. Dropping the hose, he leaped onto the boat. Heyward stormed onto the dock, shaking his head. "Damn fools! Don't wreck anything else!"
Kage stood, his calm voice cutting through the banter. "How about I cover all the damages in exchange for Pope's freedom today?"
Heyward's stern expression softened into a grin. "You promise?"
"I promise," Kage replied confidently.
As the boat pulled away, Pope whispered to Kage, "You didn't have to do that."
Kage smiled at him. "Don't worry. Your dad will probably leave you alone for a few days now."
Pope chuckled, gratitude clear in his expression.
The boat sped through the creek, heading toward the open water. Kiara stood on the jagged edge of the last dock, waving them down. She wore a loose white t-shirt and faded blue cutoff shorts, her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail.
As they approached, John B extended his hand to help her aboard. "What'd you bring?" he asked.
"Yogurt and carrot sticks," Kiara replied, stepping onto the boat with a grin. She set down a cooler, flipping it open to reveal it was packed with Coronas.
JJ grabbed one immediately, cracking it open. "Most important meal of the day," he said with a smirk.
The group sped off again, eventually stopping to pick up Sarah. She stood on the dock in a white floral bikini top and a denim skirt, her golden hair catching the sunlight.
"Hello, guys," Sarah greeted with a smile, her eyes lingering on Kage.
"Hey, Sarah," Kage said, helping her onto the boat.
His polite demeanor unshaken by her blushing smile.
Kiara reached into the cooler, pulling out a Corona. With practiced ease, she cracked it open, the crisp sound cutting through the rhythmic hum of the engine.
She turned to JJ, raising her bottle with a sly grin. "Salud," she said, her voice warm and playful.
JJ smirked, cracking his own bottle and holding it up to meet hers with a satisfying clink. "Skoal," he replied, his tone equally lighthearted.
They both took long sips, leaning back.
Kage leaned against the side of the boat, his sharp gaze softened by a faint smile as he watched the Pogues' carefree exchange. The wind teased his dark hair, and the sea spray glistened faintly on his skin.
Just then, Sarah approached, a Corona in hand. Her steps were light but deliberate as she handed it to him. "Here," she said, her voice gentle but warm.
Kage met her eyes, a hint of surprise breaking his composed demeanor. He took the bottle with a slight nod, his smile deepening. "Thanks," he replied, his tone carrying an effortless charm.
Sarah smiled back, the corners of her lips curling up in a way she couldn't quite control, and took the spot next to him.
With a practiced motion, Kage cracked open the Corona, the fizz escaping into the salty air. He took a slow sip, letting the cool liquid slide down his throat, then leaned back, his posture radiating ease.
Sarah mirrored him,as the boat roared to life once more, its engine a steady hum against the lapping waves.
The boat drifted lazily through the shimmering estuary, sunlight glinting off the water as a light breeze teased the salty air. Pope sat at the helm, focused but relaxed as he steered the vessel.
Kiara had shed her top, revealing a purple bikini as she lounged next to Sarah, both soaking in the golden sun. Their laughter was carefree, blending with the gentle hum of the boat.
John B sat nearby, tying a fishing fly with deliberate focus, stealing quick, awkward glances at Sarah, who seemed completely oblivious.
Kage leaned back against the side of the boat, his face tipped toward the sun. He exuded calm, enjoying the serenity of the moment while the others buzzed with their usual energy.
JJ suddenly stood up, beer in hand, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. "Alright, guys. I'm about to blow your minds with a party trick."
John B looked up from his fishing fly, already dreading what was coming. "Doesn't work, JJ. We've tried this, like, six thousand times."
Kage glanced at Sarah, his amusement evident. "You might want to cover up," he said, motioning to JJ at the prow. "I'm pretty sure that beer is going to end up all over us."
Sarah chuckled, grabbing a towel and draping it over herself. "Good call," she said, smirking at JJ's antics.
JJ ignored the warnings, confidently holding his beer in front of him. "I got this! It's gonna work this time!" He glanced at Pope. "Hey, Pope! Can you go a little faster?"
Pope shrugged, cranking up the throttle. The boat's speed increased, the estuary's salt grass and mangroves blurring past.
JJ leaned forward, theatrically positioning the beer, ready to let the wind guide it into his mouth. "Alright, watch this!"
John B groaned. "It's not going to work!"
JJ laughed, defiant. "Yes, it will!"
The boat surged forward, JJ teetering precariously at the prow.
Suddenly, his Corona tipped forward, spraying its golden contents in an arc over the deck.
Kage had warned Kiara too, but she couldn't get her towel. Kiara flinched as the beer splashed her. "JJ!" she yelled, her voice rising in disgust. "You're getting beer in my hair!"
Pope dodged as the spray hit him square on the arm. "Oh, my God, man!" he shouted, throwing his hands up in frustration.
Then, without warning, the boat lurched violently, the sudden stop throwing everyone off balance.
JJ cartwheeled over the railing with a yell, disappearing into the water. Onboard, Kage, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, and John B were slammed onto the deck, sliding into a heap.
The engine sputtered as silence momentarily fell, broken only by the sound of the cooler toppling over, spilling ice and beer across the deck.
Sarah groaned, sitting up with a hand on her head. "What the hell just happened?"
Kage reached out and helped her up, his tone calm and measured. "Not hurt, are you?"
Sarah shook her head, brushing off some stray ice from her lap. "I'm good. Just surprised."
John B glanced toward Kiara, concern evident in his voice. "Kiara, you okay?"
Kiara groaned, pushing her hair out of her face and muttering, "Fuck. That's a hard no."
John B stood slowly, rubbing his shoulder from the impact. Meanwhile, Kage crouched by Pope, giving him a quick once-over. "You good, Pope?"
"Yeah," Pope replied, sitting up and waving him off. "I'm fine."
With everyone accounted for, Kage, John B, and Pope made their way to the prow. There, they spotted JJ, floating on his back in the water, his arms stretched out dramatically.
JJ groaned. "I think my heels touched the back of my head. What the fuck did you do, Pope?"
Pope leaned over the stern, inspecting the upturned outboard motor. "Sandbar," he explained, pointing to the shallows. "The channel's changed."
John B looked around at the surrounding marshes. "The storm surge must've been huge back here."
Kage surveyed the area, his voice thoughtful. "This whole place is going to be messed up for weeks."
As he scanned the water, something caught his eye. A faint shadow shifted beneath the surface, glinting faintly in the sunlight.
"There's something in the water," Kage muttered, squinting to get a better look.
JJ dog-paddled back toward the boat, his earlier complaints forgotten. As he approached, he too caught sight of the shadow below. "What the hell is that?"
The group gathered at the edge of the boat, staring into the depths.
Kage leaned closer, his sharp eyes picking out the shape. "That's a boat down there," he said softly, his tone laced with curiosity.
The others followed his gaze as the large, sunken silhouette of a white boat became visible, resting eerily on the marsh floor.
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