JUST AS JOHN B SAID, THEY WENT OUT AT DEAD CALM. The location of the wreck was farther off the coast than Karolina expected, causing her to glance nervously at the GPS every once in a while from where she leaned next to the controls, simultaneously watching JJ steer. 

Finally, John B gave the word. "All right, JJ. Pin it here."

"Roger that!" called the blonde boy in response. Karolina stood, shooting JB a mock salute. "Aye aye, Captain." JJ stopped the boat, letting his sunglasses slide down his nose to offer Karolina a fist bump. She, of course, obliged.

"All right, ladies and gentlemen," John B announced, holding the drone over the water by its cord, "To going full Kook." He lowered the machine into the water and it had already begun to make its descent. Kie continued to follow the tether as Pope guided the drone to the ocean floor, John B watching to make sure they didn't miss the coordinates.  "JJ, we're right over it. Ten seconds northwest."

"Got it! Ten seconds northwest." 

The boat began to turn, just as Kiara announced, "One hundred feet." 

Pope continued lowering the device. "And to quote The Hobbit, 'down, down, to Goblin Town. Down, down, you go, my lad.'" 

Anxiety made Karolina's fingers tingle. This would either change their lives forever, or be the greatest disappointment of all time. She prayed it wasn't the latter; she didn't think John B could take another blow like that. 

A while later, Kiara exclaimed, "Four hundred feet!" Karolina noticed the worried look on her face. "The tide's turning."

Karolina eyed the black storm clouds in the distance, thunder rumbling overhead. She glanced at JJ. "Dead calm, huh?"

He had taken off his sunglasses, perching them atop his red baseball cap. "Hey, JJ?" called John B, "Ten seconds easy. South-southeast."

"Copy that."

Karolina wandered over to Pope and John B, leaning over the screen; there was nothing but empty water. "20 seconds, mid-speed, south," John B ordered. The waves were picking up, and Kiara almost lost control of the tether. "Keep the tether out of the prop!" John B told her. "I'm trying!" she cried in response, tugging on the cord. Leaning over the edge to help Kie pull it back a little, Karolina felt the soft sea spray on her face. 

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, closer this time. "700 feet!" Kie noted, making another mark with her chalk on the railing. The anemometer was spinning like crazy, windspeed picking up considerably. Karolina spit Kie's hair from her mouth. A wave pushed the boat back about ten yard, nearly pitching the girls overboard. 

"John B, if we get too far away, we'll lose the drone," Karolina warned, stumbling back to glance at the screen. He didn't answer her, calling for JJ again, "JJ, hold it steady!"

"900 feet!"

Staggering over to JJ, Karolina nearly fell when the boat lurched again, gripping his shoulder to keep from tumbling into him. "We're gonna turtle in the storm! Crank it north by northwest, ten seconds!" she hollered, the wind getting louder. Without hesitating, he started to crank the wheel, Karolina's hand on his steady shoulder. 

"Almost there," she heard Pope declare.

"There's too much current! We're gonna lose it!" asserted Kie, struggling to keep hold of the tether. Thunder boomed over their heads again, making Karolina and JJ jump. 

"South-southwest JJ, hard!" John B hollered. Karolina grabbed hold of the steering wheel, helping JJ to hurl the boat sideways, fighting against the current. "Half speed! Steady at this bearing!" 

Moving her hands off of the wheel, Karolina made sure she was out of his way. The boat was settling a little, but the wind still raged on. The storm was passing, it seemed. "What do you got, Pope? Man, what do you see?"

"Nothing. A whole lot of nothing."

Karolina peered over their shoulders. "We should be right above it... Kie?!"

"960!" she replied. They had estimated the boat had sunk to about 900 feet; where was it?  

Suddenly, sand appeared in the camera. "I'm at the bottom! I'm at the bottom!" Pope cried. John B placed a hand on Karolina's shoulder, hollering to JJ, "Okay, steady here!"

He whirled back around, and the three of them leaned over the screen, anticipation killing them. "You should be seeing something, man!"

"I know, I know!" Pope retorted, directing the drone along the ocean floor. "Wait, wait." John B had stopped his frantic questioning, and Kiara had joined them at the screen. Karolina's heart jumped into her throat. "Oh, good God."

She couldn't believe it; it was there, wreckage of a wooden ship, and moving towards them was the figurehead of a woman playing a long trumpet. "It's the Royal Merchant," uttered John B, his voice soft in disbelief. 

They'd found the wreck, yes. But upon searching the expanse of the whole sunken ship, it was apparent that the gold was nowhere to be found. Disappointment burrowed a deep whole in her chest and she sat back with a heavy sigh. Of course, of course. When the summer couldn't get any worse, they manage to find the sunken ship but not the treasure that sunk with it. 

The sun had started to come out during their third sweep of the boat. Karolina frustratedly ran her hands through her hair. "Its not there," John B said finally, "Look, just... just pull the drone up." The battery was almost dead, and if they didn't pull it up soon, it would be extremely difficult to get it back up. 

"We... We can do another pass," Pope offered, "Recharge the battery and go back down-"

"We've been through it three times; there's nothing there!" JJ shouted angrily, temper returning, clenching his jaw. Kie glared at him, hollering back, "Shut up!"

"What? It's true!"

Kiara refused to believe it: "The gold could be buried, we don't know!" John B threw his hands from his hair, exclaiming, "If the gold was there, it would have been found on the metal detector, okay?" His voice cracked helplessly, and their arguing ceased. "Somebody beat us to it." Karolina barely heard JJ's grumble. "Or it was never there..."

Thunder rumbled again, now far, far in the distance, and JJ turned the boat back to the coast. The air was heavy with tension and disappointment as Pope brought the drone back to the surface. All of their hard work to get the ROV and to get to the coordinates was for nothing. 

It was a bust.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★ ｡･:*:･ﾟ 

As she had guessed, Amy was not happy that Karolina had gotten herself fired on the first day, which got her grounded and cleaning the entire house. She hadn't even bothered to try and explain what happened and simply accepted her fate, knowing she could leave as soon as she finished cleaning and Amy went to work. Which is exactly what she did when Kiara pulled up in the driveway, asking to go to the little outdoor movie theater set up in the courtyard downtown. 

That's where she ended up, carrying a blanket to the spot that she, Kiara, Pope, and JJ would be sitting. "I'm so glad that they're still doing this," the curly-haired girl smiled happily, helping Karolina spread out the blanket, "Keep calm, carry on. Back to OBX life."

The big white screen towered before them and Karolina smiled at her friend. "Aren't you glad I made you guys come?" Kie asked Pope and JJ. 

"Ecstatic," Pope muttered, looking significantly unenthused. Karolina glanced at JJ, silently asking what was up with their friend. He simply gave her a large grin, before setting up his folding chair and plopping down into it. "Do you guys want a soda? I'll buy," Kie offered, raising an eyebrow. JJ shrugged and Pope didn't answer. "I'll go with you," Karolina said, and the girls made their way to where the line had formed at the snack bar. 

"What's up with him?" Kie asked, curling a piece of hair behind her ear. Karolina shook her head after paying the man at the counter, saying, "No clue."

Just as the words left her mouth, there came the answer. Rafe came up behind them in line, greeting Kiara with a smile on his face. "Hey, Kie," he said, gaze sliding over the blonde, "Karolina." She clenched her jaw. 

"How are you?" he asked Kiara, voice softer than she'd ever heard it. They both knew his niceties weren't at all genuine. Kiara gave him a tightlipped smile. "I'm fine..." 

"Good, good..." Rafe mused, his gaze flicking to Karolina. His expression got serious almost immediately.

"Tell your boy that we know what he did."

Her heart sunk deep into her stomach. Karolina was positive her face had visibly pained, but she attempted to keep her face neutral. 

Luckily, Kiara helped to add to the act, considering she actually didn't know what he was talking about. She shook her curly head, frowning. "Sorry, what boy are you talking about?"

Rafe's insincere smile returned. "Uh, he'll know," he answered decidedly. The man at the snack bar returned with their sodas, and Kiara accepted them, ignoring Rafe. Karolina was frozen, trying to blink from her stupor when Rafe glanced at her again, finally breaking from it when Kie handed her two ice cold sodas. They started to walk away, and Rafe said forcefully, "Bye."

Neither of the girls replied; as they made their way back to JJ and Pope, Kiara looked at her with a question in her eyes. "What was that-"

"I don't know," Karolina replied, a little too quick. Kie raised her eyebrows, the question disappearing. "Okay..."

JJ and Pope watched them as they neared, Karolina staring back with wide, warning eyes. "Just saw Rafe, and he said, and I quote- tell your boy that we know what he did."

Pope's eyes widened dramatically. Karolina sat down next to him and handed him a soda, sharing his worried expression. "What is that?" Kie asked, tossing JJ a can. The blonde boy shared a glance with his friends.. "Um... Where is he?"

Kie nodded her head over her shoulder. "Right there." Pope and Karolina glanced back, not thinking, catching eyes with Rafe, Topper, and their friend, Kelce. Great. JJ smacked both of their heads, forcing them to look forward. "Don't stare, bros."

Rubbing the back of her head, Karolina glared at JJ as he spoke. "Just warning you guys, if they corner me, I'm coming out swinging, okay?"

"Yeah-"

"Slicin' and dicing, I'm on edge right now-"

"Yeah, yeah," Pope agreed, straightening his hat. Karolina knew Kie was still watching and listening, but she didn't look at her. "If that doesn't work," JJ said, holding up his backpack, "I got this right here, okay?"

Karolina's eyes widened. He brought the gun? "So we just, gotta stay in the group. They can't get us in the group," Pope explained, making sure they were both clear on the plan. "Like fish. Stay in the group, don't get eaten," Karolina nodded. 

"Stay in the school, stay in the school," Pope repeated frantically. His mantra got lost when Kiara leaned forward, glancing between the three of them with a disappointed look. "I'm sorry, please tell me you did not bring a gun here. JJ there are kids-"

"No, Kie! I didn't bring the gun. Everything's fine, okay?" the blonde said easily, leaning back in his folding chair. He took a sip from his soda nonchalantly. "Oh, wow, thank you. That's very convincing, I love that JJ," muttered Kie, sitting back with her arms crossed. She stared into Karolina's soul. "Lina, what's going on?" Karolina was silent, biting her lip. JJ shook his head. "Come on, you know the rules. No secrets amongst Pogues," Kie spat, "Spill."

Rules. Karolina's weakness, especially when it involved the Pogue's founding principals. But she'd also made a promise to Pope, and she couldn't break it, not when it was getting this serious. Thankfully, Karolina didn't have to manufacture some grand lie, because the announcer came on, and the movie was about to begin. JJ looked at her, saying from the corner of his mouth, "Deny, deny, deny." 

Holding out the bag of candy she brought from her house, Karolina offered it to Kie. "Candy?"

As soon as the sun set, the black and white movie started; part of Karolina was a little glad Rafe and Topper were watching their every move, because otherwise she'd be out of her mind with boredom. This movie sucks. 

About halfway through, Pope tapped her shoulder, beckoning her to lean into his huddle with JJ. "I gotta pee," he whispered. Karolina glared at him: "Hold it." 

"I can't hold it," he admitted, ashamed, "I drank too much soda." Karolina rolled her eyes, starting to lean away. "Mind over matter, dude. I once held it for the entirety of the SAT. Didn't even go during the breaks."

JJ scowled. "She's right. It's too exposed, they'll definitely see us," he agreed.

"I gotta go!" Pope cried, glancing back at the bathroom. Unfortunately, the Death Squad was camped out right beside them, which meant it was impossible for him to get in without being seen. "They're blocking the bathrooms!"

JJ huffed, looking around helplessly. "All right, come here. I know where," he said, starting to stand. Pointing a finger at Karolina, he emphasized, "Stay here, Lina. I don't want you to see anything-"

"I was planning on it. Staying here, I mean," she interjected, nose crinkled in disgust, "Now go, go." They stood, causing Kie to glance over. "Hey, where y'all going?" she asked, frowning. 

JJ replied simply, "We gotta wring it out."

They didn't wait for her response, starting off towards the treeline that disappeared behind the screen. "What, are you gonna hold it for each other?" Kie quipped, glancing at Karolina after they had gone. She huffed nonetheless, returning her gaze to the screen. 

A few minutes passed, and Karolina grew concerned. She glanced at Kie. "How long have they been gone?" she whispered. Kiara shrugged, frowning. "I don't know. Why?"

Glancing over her shoulder, Karolina's heartbeat quickened when she saw that Rafe, Topper, and Kelce's seats were empty. Her eyes flicked to JJ's backpack, which he left behind. "Crap..." she muttered, grabbing it and beckoning Kiara to follow. They crouched until they got out of the crowd, Karolina immediately running behind the screen. There, she and Kie stopped short when they saw the fight that ensued.

Topper had Pope in a headlock, squeezing so tight that Pope almost turned purple. Off to the side of him, JJ was being held into place by Kelce and Rafe went at him with both fists, all the while laughing as JJ struggled. 

Without hesitation, she shoved JJ's bag into Kie's hands and jumped in front of JJ as Rafe pulled his arm back, knocking him away. The greasy haired Kook's expression melted into belligerence, growling out, "I'm sick of you women-"

Before he could finish, Karolina's knuckles smashed against his cheekbone, snapping his head to the side. Disoriented, Rafe stopped his attack for a moment She didn't stop there though, slamming the toe of her sneaker into his knee. Rafe stumbled back, cursing loudly and Karolina turned to help JJ, but by the time she'd faced him, Kelce had his hands around JJ's throat, jerking him away. "Let him go!" Karolina cried, trying to pry Kelce off of him. The boy held her at bay with an open palm to the chin, just long enough for Rafe to grab her by the hair. Pain exploded across the back of her head as he yanked on the golden strands, sending her sprawling for a handhold as she stumbled backwards. Rafe's breath was hot against her face, and rancid at that. "Ready to watch your little boytoy get destroyed?" he growled, tugging on her hair one more time. Karolina cried out, elbowing him in the stomach. But Rafe had been expecting it, so at the same time she brought her elbow down, he twisted away, letting a punch land on her cheekbone. Karolina's head swum, vision dotting with black for a moment as fuzz filled her ears and she staggered slightly, falling back onto her butt. Though his voice was distorted, she could make out JJ's shout. "Lina!"

Groaning into a sitting position, Karolina watched as Rafe slung Kie off of Topper's back, barking, "Stay out of this, Kiara!" The blonde girl struggled to her feet and over to Kelce, feebly beating at his shoulders. "Let him go, Kelce!"

"Admit it, Pogue! Admit that you did it!" Topper hollered, squeezing Pope's throat harder, "Don't mess with me! You hear me?"

Rafe had resumed slamming his fists into JJ's face again, blood splattering from his mouth and across Karolina's face. "Rafe, stop!" she begged, "Please! You're killing him!"

Behind her, Pope struggled to breath. "Got anything you wanna say, bro? I'll give you one chance- one chance!" bellowed Topper. 

Suddenly, a wave of heat and light washed over them as the movie screen burst into flames. Topper threw Pope to his knees, the fire illuminating the shock in his eyes, and he clapped Rafe's shoulder. Karolina finally managed to smack Kelce off of JJ, catching the blonde boy when he lurched forward. He coughed blood onto her shirt, unintentionally, and she encouraged him to stand. "Hey, hey, you're okay, you're good..." Karolina assured him, holding his arm firmly over her shoulder, though he stood on his own now. Her icy gray glare slid over to Rafe, Topper, and Kelce, who retreated far from the fire. 

Kiara had helped Pope to his feet, and just like that, the fight was done. But deep down, Karolina knew that their problems with Rafe Cameron were far from over.