「 ✦ THE ESCAPE ✦ 」

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WHEN MJ REGAINED consciousness, the world around her felt like it had been tipped on its axis. A thick fog clouded her mind, making her limbs feel leaden and unresponsive. Panic settled in her chest as she tried to sit up, but her body betrayed her. The heaviness was suffocating, the exhaustion paralyzing. She blinked slowly, her surroundings blurred into indistinct shapes.

The sound of voices reached her ears, faint at first, then gradually becoming clearer. Rafe's voice stood out among the murmur, sharp with concern. "She's waking up," Rose announced in her infuriatingly calm tone, and something about it sent a shiver down MJ's spine.

She forced her mouth to form a word, the only anchor she could cling to. "Rafe?" Her voice was a hoarse whisper, barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

Rafe was suddenly in her line of vision, his expression a mix of relief and worry. "I'm here, MJ," he said, his voice low and steady, though there was an unmistakable edge to it. His hand reached out, brushing her hair back from her damp forehead.

But then her gaze shifted, catching Rose lingering in the corner, her arms crossed and a faint smirk tugging at her lips. The sight sent a jolt of unease through MJ's muddled brain. Memories clawed their way back—Rose's tea, the way she'd insisted MJ drink it, the strange warmth that had spread through her body before the fog overtook her.

MJ's stomach turned violently, and she struggled to push herself upright. "What the hell did you do to me?" she demanded, her voice cracking under the strain. The betrayal in her tone sliced through the tension in the room.

Rose stepped closer, her expression carefully composed. "You were struggling, MJ. I gave you something to help. That's all."

But MJ wasn't buying it. Her hands trembled as she pushed herself away from Rafe, glaring at Rose with a fire that refused to be extinguished. "Help? Do you call this help? I feel like I've been drugged!"

Rafe's head snapped toward Rose at that, his face darkening with fury. "What did you put in the tea, Rose?" His voice was low and dangerous, a stark contrast to the tender way he had been with MJ moments ago.

Rose hesitated, her usual composure faltering under the weight of his glare. "It's nothing harmful," she said, her voice smooth but defensive. "Just a little something to calm her nerves."

"Calm her nerves?" Rafe repeated, his voice rising. "I didn't agree to this, Rose! Drugging her wasn't part of the deal!"

MJ's chest tightened as she watched the exchange. "You knew?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "You knew she was doing this?"

"No," Rafe said quickly, turning back to her, his expression stricken. "I didn't know she'd—" He stopped himself, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "MJ, I swear, I didn't agree to this. I would never—"

Rose sighed, cutting him off. "Enough, Rafe. You're overreacting. It's not like it's the first time she's needed a little... intervention."

The words hit MJ like a slap, and her breath caught in her throat. "You... you made me relapse," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I was clean, Rose. I was doing fine, and you—" She couldn't finish the sentence, the weight of her betrayal too heavy to bear.

Rafe turned back to Rose, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "What exactly did you give her?" he demanded, his voice shaking with rage.

Rose's eyes narrowed, her calm facade slipping. "It doesn't matter. She's safe now, and that's what's important."

"It matters to me," Rafe shot back. "Because this? This isn't safety. You crossed a line, Rose, and if you think I'm going to stand by and let you mess with her like this, you're dead wrong."

For the first time, Rose seemed genuinely taken aback, her confidence wavering under the force of his anger. But MJ wasn't looking at her anymore. Her eyes were on Rafe, searching for something—anything—to hold onto.

"Rafe," she whispered again, her voice barely audible. He turned to her immediately, his anger melting into something softer, something that broke her heart all over again.

"I've got you, MJ," he said, his voice trembling. "I promise, I've got you."

Rafe didn't say anything, his silence more deafening than any words he could have spoken. And in that moment, MJ realized the truth—whatever was happening, whatever Rose and Rafe were doing, she was no longer in control. They had made sure of that.

 Rafe's hands were shaking as he leaned over her, his voice strained with urgency. "MJ, please—listen to me. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm trying to keep you safe, okay? Just trust me. You have to trust me right now." 

His voice broke slightly, his eyes wild with panic as he grabbed her shoulders, his touch almost desperate.MJ's head was spinning, but the words he was saying didn't quite make sense. She could barely focus on anything, and her body felt like it was moving in slow motion. 

The room seemed to close in around her, but Rafe's grip was firm, pulling her up from the couch with a gentleness that felt out of place given the frenzy in his voice."I know it's hard, but I need you to come with me. I swear, it's the only way to keep you safe." 

Rafe's tone dropped to something softer, almost pleading, and MJ could see the raw fear in his eyes—fear not just for her, but for himself, too. 

Her legs felt like rubber beneath her, and the dizziness swam back, threatening to consume her again, but Rafe's grip kept her steady. He didn't let go as he guided her through the hallway, his pace quick, too quick for the fog in her mind to keep up.

She stumbled slightly as they turned a corner, and that's when she saw Sarah. Sarah was standing in the doorway of one of the rooms, her arms crossed over her chest, her face unreadable but her eyes flickering with something MJ couldn't place.

"Sarah," MJ whispered her voice a croak as she tried to make sense of everything. "What... what's going on?"

Sarah didn't answer at first, just glanced at Rafe. There was something in her expression, something MJ couldn't quite put her finger on, but it was enough to make her blood run cold.

Rafe stepped in front of her, blocking her view of Sarah for a moment before turning back to MJ. "It's not what you think, okay? I know things are... messed up right now, but I'm trying to fix it. I swear I am. You just have to trust me."

But MJ wasn't sure she could. The words didn't make sense, and the nagging feeling that something wasn't right only grew stronger. Her pulse quickened as Rafe led her and Sarah down the hall, his grip tightening on her arm.

He said nothing more as they moved past the rooms, through the hallway, and finally to the front door. There was no hesitation as he opened it, and the cool night air hit MJ's face, doing little to clear the fog in her brain.

She saw a car parked in the driveway, engine running, headlights bright in the dark.

Rafe didn't slow down as he headed for the car, his eyes darting around nervously. Sarah followed behind, but MJ's confusion only deepened. She didn't understand what was happening, why they were moving like this, why Rafe had dragged her here in the first place. What had they done to her?

"Rafe," MJ rasped, her voice barely above a whisper as she stumbled toward the car. "What the hell is going on?"

Rafe stopped just in front of the car and turned to face her, his expression torn between desperation and guilt. "We don't have time for this. I'll explain everything when we're safe, okay? You'll understand then." He pulled the car door open and pushed it wide for Sarah to get in.

Sarah gave MJ a sidelong glance but didn't speak, her lips pressed into a tight line.

"Get in, MJ. Please. I'm not doing this because I want to, but because I have to," Rafe said, his voice trembling.

MJ's stomach churned, and she wanted to yell, to demand answers, but her head felt heavy, and everything around her seemed like it was closing in. She didn't know what was real anymore—Rafe's pleading, Sarah's silence, Rose's cold smile. It was all blending into a haze that she couldn't escape.

Against her better judgment, her feet moved, slowly stepping toward the car.

When she finally climbed into the back seat, her body felt like it was betraying her, moving on its own accord, too slow to keep up with her racing thoughts. The door slammed shut behind her, and she sank into the seat, her head spinning once again as Rafe climbed in beside her.

He started the engine, the hum of the car filling the silence that had settled between them. Rafe's knuckles were white against the steering wheel as he glanced over at Sarah, who remained silent, her face unreadable.

"Where are we going?" MJ asked weakly, her voice barely audible above the sound of the engine.

Rafe didn't answer right away, his eyes locked on the road ahead as they pulled out of the driveway and into the night.

"Somewhere safe," he muttered, his voice a low growl, like he was talking to himself more than to her. "You just need to stay with me. I'm trying to protect you. That's all I'm trying to do."

Rafe's grip on the steering wheel tightened as he sped through the dark roads, his eyes flicking nervously between the rearview mirror and the road ahead. The silence in the car was thick, and suffocating, and every few seconds, his fingers would tap on the wheel in a nervous rhythm. The hum of the engine was the only sound between them, drowning out everything else.

Sarah didn't speak. Her silence was cold, but MJ could feel the weight of her gaze on the back of her neck. It only made the unease in her gut grow worse. She wanted to say something, ask something, but her mouth felt dry, and she was too scared of the answers that might come.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rafe spoke, his voice low and strained. "Ward's still alive."

The words hit MJ like a slap to the face. She whipped her head around to look at him, trying to process what he'd just said. "What? No. That's... that's impossible," she said, her voice shaking.

Rafe's eyes darted to her for a split second before turning back to the road. "He faked his death. The whole thing was a setup." His voice dropped even lower, more urgent now. "He's been hiding out, planning this for months. We were never going to be safe with everything falling apart like this. So... he's gone. To the Bahamas. We're going there to start over. We can start over."

MJ's heart was pounding now, her mind racing to catch up with his words. Ward—their father—alive? She couldn't wrap her head around it. The man who had disappeared, who they had all mourned, had somehow pulled off the greatest lie of all. It felt unreal.

"Wait—what do you mean, 'we're going to start over'? We—" MJ's voice cracked, the weight of the entire situation pressing down on her. "You and Sarah, or—?"

Rafe's hand shifted on the wheel, and he took a deep breath, a nervous laugh slipping from him. "No, MJ. You too. All of us. We're in this together." He glanced at her briefly, his eyes heavy with something MJ couldn't decipher—determination or desperation, maybe both. "It's time to leave all of this behind. Start fresh, away from all the mess. Ward's waiting for us. He said it's all planned out."

MJ's mind was reeling. Ward was alive? That meant everything, all of this—everything she thought was real—had been a lie. Her father had orchestrated all of it, and now Rafe was dragging her into this twisted new reality.

But something about the way Rafe said it felt... wrong. His voice wasn't steady, his words were too rushed. It felt like he was convincing himself more than her. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper going on here, something more sinister.

"Rafe," she said, her voice barely a whisper as the car sped along the dark road. "What's really going on? Why now? Why... why are we doing this? You think we can just run away from everything?"

Rafe didn't answer immediately. His jaw tightened, and he gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white. "Because it's the only way to survive. Everything's falling apart, MJ. You saw it. The house, the secrets, the lies. We don't have a future here. Not anymore. But in the Bahamas... we can make a new one. No one will know who we are. We'll be safe."

MJ's stomach churned. This wasn't right. Something wasn't adding up, but she couldn't get her thoughts straight. All she could focus on was the pounding in her head and the cold dread creeping up her spine.

"Just... think about it," Rafe continued, his voice softer now, as though trying to convince her. "Ward's waiting for us. We'll get there, and everything will be different. You'll see. This is our chance."

The rest of the drive was silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air. MJ couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but she didn't have the strength to protest. Rafe seemed so certain.

Minutes later, they pulled up to a dock, the boat waiting at the edge of the water. It was a sleek, expensive-looking yacht, its lights casting an eerie glow across the black sea.

Rafe cut the engine and got out of the car, walking toward the boat with Sarah trailing behind. MJ stayed seated for a moment, staring out at the water, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore doing little to calm her nerves. She could feel her heart racing, the question burning inside her: Is this the only way out?

When she finally forced herself to follow them, she found Rafe already at the boat's helm, checking things over, while Sarah leaned against the side, her arms crossed, looking as detached as ever.

Rafe turned to her as she approached, his face pale but determined. "Come on, MJ. We're leaving tonight. Ward's waiting. This is the only way forward."

MJ stood there for a moment, staring at the boat, the uncertainty threatening to overwhelm her. She couldn't tell if Rafe believed what he was saying or if he was just trying to convince himself. But one thing was clear: there was no going back now.

With a deep breath, MJ stepped onto the boat.

As the boat gently rocked against the dock, the tension in the air grew thick. The lights from the cabin flickered faintly in the distance, casting long shadows across the water. Rafe stepped off the deck and motioned toward Sarah, who had been standing at the edge of the boat, her arms crossed in a stiff, almost defiant manner.

"Come on," Rafe said, his voice firm but strained. "We need to get you settled." He didn't wait for her to respond, turning to walk toward a group of men who had been waiting nearby. The men were sharp, their eyes scanning the dock as if they were expecting someone to arrive at any moment.

Sarah followed reluctantly, casting a glance at MJ as she passed, but said nothing. The men led her away, their footsteps echoing down a narrow hallway that seemed to disappear into the darkness. MJ watched them go, a knot tightening in her chest. Something didn't feel right about this. She felt exposed and vulnerable, and the uncertainty gnawed at her.

Rafe came back quickly, his footsteps heavier this time and MJ looked up to see him walking toward her with urgency in his stride. He grabbed her arm, his grip tight but not painful.

"Come on, MJ," he said in a low voice, pulling her toward the stairs leading into the belly of the boat. "We're not staying in the same place. It's safer this way."

MJ didn't argue, too overwhelmed to do anything but follow him. Her mind was spinning—was this happening? Had she just gotten herself into something that she couldn't escape? The sinking feeling in her stomach had only grown since they'd left the shore, and now it was threatening to consume her completely.

They arrived in a small, dimly lit room, the air heavy with a musty scent. Rafe closed the door behind them, locking it with a click that made MJ's breath catch in her throat.

He turned to face her, his expression frantic, eyes wide with something that looked too close to panic for her to ignore. "MJ... listen to me." He moved closer, his hands shaking slightly as he reached for her. "I'm going to protect you. I know things seem... insane right now, but I promise you, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. We're in this together."

MJ's chest tightened. She wanted to believe him, to trust him, but the uncertainty swirling inside her made it hard. Her head was spinning, her thoughts racing. She felt trapped, caught in a web she couldn't see and couldn't escape.

"Rafe, I... I don't know if I can..." Her voice trailed off as the weight of her confusion and fear took hold of her. "I don't know what's going on anymore. I don't know what to believe."

Rafe's jaw clenched, and he took a step closer, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders. "I swear, I'll be back. You just need to trust me. I'll keep you safe, okay? I just need to... I need to handle something first. But I'll come back for you. Stay here. Don't leave this room."

His words were a lifeline, but they felt hollow, like something he was trying to convince himself of more than her. Rafe's eyes were wild, desperate, but there was a flicker of something darker in them, something she couldn't quite read.

"You're really going to protect me?" MJ asked quietly, her voice trembling despite herself. "You say that, but... I don't know if I can trust you, Rafe. I don't know if I can trust anyone right now."

Rafe's face fell, the hurt flashing in his eyes for just a moment before it was replaced with determination. "You have to trust me," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I swear, I'm doing this for you. For both of us." He kissed her forehead quickly, an almost frantic gesture. "I'll be back."

And then, without another word, he was gone. The door clicked shut behind him, and MJ was left in the silence of the room, her heart hammering in her chest.

The walls seemed to close in around her, and she sank onto the small bed, burying her face in her hands. The fear, the doubt, and the overwhelming sense of helplessness suffocated her. Had Rafe just led her into a trap, or was he genuinely trying to protect her? She didn't know. She couldn't tell anymore.

Her body felt heavy with exhaustion, but she couldn't close her eyes, couldn't rest. What was happening to her? To them? To this twisted reality, she found herself in? She was scared... scared of what Rafe had become, scared of what he was willing to do, and most of all, scared of what she had gotten herself tangled in.

Minutes passed—maybe hours, she couldn't tell—but nothing changed. She was alone, and the silence pressed against her chest, leaving her with nothing but her thoughts, racing and spiralling into uncertainty.

Was she even safe here? Would Rafe come back, or had she just made a terrible mistake by trusting him?

For the first time since all this madness had begun, MJ wasn't sure what her next step should be. She could only wait, and pray that when Rafe returned, he would have the answers she needed.

MJ's nerves were on edge, the silence in the room suffocating her. She paced back and forth, her mind spinning in circles. Rafe's words echoed in her head, but they offered little comfort. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was trapped. The door had clicked shut behind him, and it felt like the weight of it was pressing down on her chest.

Without thinking, she moved toward the door, her hand resting on the cool metal handle. Maybe if she just left—if she could get away from all of this—she could find her way out. She didn't care where she went, just somewhere far from the chaos and confusion that had consumed her life.

She twisted the handle, her heart leaping as she tried to open the door. But it wouldn't budge. Her pulse quickened. She yanked at it again, harder this time, but the door remained locked.

Her stomach dropped.

No. No, no, no.

Panic surged through her veins. She pressed her back to the door, sliding down to the floor, her breath coming in shallow gasps. This couldn't be happening. Rafe had said he would protect her, but this felt like anything but protection. It felt like she was being kept in a cage, with no way out.

She fumbled for her phone, praying it would give her some kind of connection to the outside world. She needed to call someone—anyone. She needed her brother, needed to know that she wasn't alone in this. Her hands shook as she unlocked her phone and tapped on his contact.

The call didn't even ring.

Frustration flared up in her chest. She tried again, but the screen only displayed a spinning icon, no signal, and no connection. She checked the network status, and her heart sank further. No service. Her phone might as well have been a brick.

I'm completely alone, she thought bitterly, panic creeping into her throat.

With trembling hands, she pressed the phone to her ear, as if waiting for some miracle to happen. But the silence was deafening, and the emptiness in the room mirrored the growing emptiness inside her.

Her thoughts turned back to Rafe, to the uncertainty of whether he was telling the truth. She wasn't sure she could trust him anymore. And yet... something in her wanted to believe him, wanted to believe that he wasn't the person he used to be. But as the minutes passed, and the walls of the boat seemed to close in even tighter, she wasn't so sure.

What now? The question loomed in her mind, unanswered.

She stood, pacing again, the feeling of being trapped, both physically and emotionally, gnawing at her. Her throat tightened with fear as she stared at the locked door. If she couldn't get out of this room if she couldn't get in touch with anyone, what was she supposed to do?

MJ stopped by the small window, the only source of light in the room. She peered through the narrow gap, but the view was obstructed by thick curtains and the boat's structure. All she saw was water stretching endlessly beneath the boat, surrounded by darkness. There was nowhere to run.

She exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair as she sank back onto the bed. Her mind was racing, and her heart was pounding in her chest. She wanted to escape—wanted to get away from everything that had happened, from everything she couldn't understand.

But for now, she was trapped. And all she could do was wait.

"Attention all passengers and crew. Report to the tween forward hull."

The voice came over the intercom again, sharper this time. "Attention all passengers, all crew, report to the tween forward hull. That's an order. Repeat. All hands and all passengers report to the tween forward hulls immediately."

MJ froze, her stomach sinking as the words echoed through the boat's walls. Her heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline surging through her veins. Panic clawed at her throat, but she refused to give in to it—not yet. She wasn't going to let this mess break her.

She shot a glance toward the door, the sound of the lock rattling in her head. If she couldn't get out of this room, if there was some kind of emergency happening, she'd be stuck in here—completely alone. And that terrified her more than anything.

The boat lurched slightly, and she could feel the tension in her muscles. There was no time to waste.

With a deep breath, she stood, her legs shaky but strong enough to carry her. Her hand gripped the cold metal of the door handle, twisting it, but it didn't budge. Damn it. The door was locked.

"Shit," MJ muttered under her breath, her mind already racing with what she could do next. No time to panic. She had to stay sharp, like always.

Her eyes darted around the small, dimly lit room, searching for a way out. The window was too small, and even if she could break it, that was a last resort. She was running out of options.

"Hello?" she shouted, banging on the door with the heel of her hand. "Hey! Is anyone out there? I'm not just going to sit here, you know!"

She pressed her ear against the door, straining to hear if anyone was close enough to help. The faint sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, followed by a distant voice. She leaned forward.

"Sarah! Sarah!" A familiar voice called.

"John B?" MJ's heart skipped a beat. She banged on the door again. "John B! It's me, MJ!"

Her voice cracked slightly, and she hated herself for the vulnerability that slipped through. But she couldn't help it. She'd spent enough time hiding her fear in the past, but tonight? Tonight was different.

John B's voice rang out louder, closer now. "MJ? What the hell are you doing in there?"

She almost didn't believe it when the door suddenly jerked open. The plank that had been keeping her trapped was yanked away, and the door swung free.

She stumbled forward, nearly collapsing into his arms. The moment she hit his chest, she exhaled in relief, her breathing ragged as she tried to steady herself.

"Holy shit, you're alive," she murmured, holding onto him for a moment longer than necessary. "What the hell is going on? I thought you were all gone, out of this mess."

"I could ask you the same thing," John B replied, his hand gently cupping the back of her head as if to steady her. She realized she was trembling against him, her body on the verge of a breakdown. She was scared, but she didn't want to admit it—not now, not with him. "Why are you here?"

"I'm fine," she said quickly, "I just need to get away out, now."

John B wasn't having it. His eyes scanned her face, his worry clear. "You sure about that?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," she lied, but it was enough to get him to focus elsewhere.

"I was looking for Sarah," he said, voice low. "But it's worse than I thought. Ward never died. He's here. And he's got her."

"I know," MJ's chest tightened. "Where is he? What's going on?"

John B's expression turned grim. "We need to get out of here, now. Ward's not the only problem. They're holding Sarah somewhere on this boat—"

"Not happening," MJ interrupted, her fear giving way to determination. "I'm not going anywhere until I know what the hell's going on. You don't get to run off like some hero and leave me behind again."

John B looked at her, his lips curling into a small, worried smile. "I'm not leaving you behind. But we need to move, fast."

"Then let's go," she said, her voice rough but resolute. She grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the door.

As they made their way toward the exit, she felt the weight of everything pressing down on her. This wasn't just about getting out anymore. This was about figuring out how to survive what was coming next. And no matter what, she wasn't going to let anyone get in her way. Not this time.

Not even Ward.

MJ sprinted through the red-lit room, her body screaming in protest, but she couldn't stop. She didn't know where she was going—she just had to get out. The air was thick with panic, and every step she took felt like it might be her last. Her legs burned, and her head was spinning, but she didn't slow down. When the wind finally hit her face, it was like a release, a momentary escape from the suffocating tension that had been building up in her chest. She was free.

But freedom was fleeting.

"Pope!" she called out, looking up to where she saw him standing by the crane. He froze, staring at her as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. His face shifted from confusion to realization that she wasn't supposed to be there. "Where's JJ?" she demanded, her voice sharp, every ounce of fear in her pushing her forward.

Pope pointed in the direction she needed to go, and without another word, MJ ran. Her body ached with every step, but she didn't stop. She couldn't. Not now.

She rounded a corner, her breath ragged, and finally spotted him. JJ. She could feel her heart racing, but it wasn't just from the run—it was from the relief of seeing him, the one person she knew she could trust.

When he saw her, his eyes widened in shock, his face drained of colour. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but all that came out was a low curse under his breath.

"MJ..." he whispered like he couldn't believe she was here. He took a step forward, his arms reaching out as if to confirm she wasn't just a ghost.

But she didn't wait for him to come to her. She was the one who ran into his arms, her body trembling as she collapsed against him. She didn't care how weak it made her look; she needed him.

JJ's arms wrapped around her immediately, pulling her close. His hands were shaking as he held her, his voice urgent with concern. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could barely catch her breath enough to answer. She wanted to say something to reassure him, but the words got stuck. What if she couldn't trust Rafe? What if she was already in too deep?

"I don't know," MJ muttered, trying to steady herself. She forced herself to look at JJ, pushing past the overwhelming fear and confusion. "I don't know who to trust anymore. I don't know if I can trust him—Rafe."

JJ's expression faltered, his brow furrowing in concern. "Rafe?" he repeated, his voice tight with worry. "What happened with him?"

"I don't..." She hesitated, a cold chill creeping over her. "I don't know if I trust him, JJ. I don't know if I can. He said he was trying to protect me, but then... I don't know what's real anymore." Her voice cracked, and for a moment, she looked away, her eyes distant. "I'm so fucking lost."

JJ squeezed her tighter as if trying to hold her together. "We'll figure it out, okay? You're not alone in this. I'm here. We'll get through it."

But as she felt his warmth, his safety, MJ couldn't stop the rising doubt in her chest. Could she really trust Rafe? Or was she just another pawn in his game? She didn't know what was real anymore. All she knew was that she was scared—more scared than she'd ever been.

"I don't know if I'm strong enough to keep pretending I'm okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible, as if the weight of the world was pressing on her chest.

"You don't have to pretend with me," JJ said softly, his tone filled with understanding. "You're safe now, MJ. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

But the words didn't ease the tightness in her chest. In the back of her mind, Rafe's frantic eyes haunted her. She wanted to believe he was trying to protect her—but was that just another lie? She couldn't decide.

For now, though, all she could do was hold on to JJ. The rest could wait.

MJ's stomach churned again, a wave of nausea hitting her so suddenly she barely had time to react. She pulled away from JJ's embrace, her hand flying to her mouth as she doubled over.

"I don't feel good," she muttered, her voice tight with panic as she stumbled back. Before she could stop herself, she leaned over and vomited on the ground. The sickening, sour taste filled her mouth, and her body heaved as if it couldn't expel enough.

JJ immediately crouched down beside her, his hands hovering as if he didn't know how to help. "MJ," he whispered urgently, his face full of concern. "Shit, are you okay? Do you need water?"

She shook her head, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "I don't know... I feel—" She paused, trying to find the right words through the nausea and the overwhelming dizziness. "I feel awful. It won't stop."

JJ didn't hesitate. He wrapped an arm around her waist, steadying her as best as he could. "Let's get you inside, okay? You're not alone in this, MJ. I'm right here."

But as he helped her to her feet, MJ couldn't shake the feeling that she was losing control. She was scared, terrified of what was happening to her—scared of everything, even the people she thought she could trust.

Rafe's words echoed in her mind, and the dizziness only made everything worse. She didn't know what was real anymore, and now this—her body betraying her, threatening to break down completely.

────

"Let's get you off this boat, MJ." JJ's voice was steady, but his eyes showed the worry he was trying to hide. He moved closer to her, his hand hovering near her waist, guiding her carefully. MJ usually hated being handled this way—she was independent and stubborn—but right now, she was too drained to push him away.

Her legs felt like they were made of lead, and even though her mind was spinning, she couldn't deny the relief in knowing that JJ and Kie were with her. They were her people, the ones she trusted, but the whole situation felt too surreal to comprehend.

"I don't see him," JJ muttered, looking around, clearly frustrated. He was searching for John B, who had been tasked with getting the lifeboat. Time was running out.

"Where's Sarah?" MJ asked, her voice weak, barely able to get the words out, but her thoughts still stuck on Rafe and everything that had happened. She wanted to scream, but she didn't know who she could trust anymore.

"I saw him," MJ croaked again, trying to focus as her thoughts swirled in a panic. "He was looking for Sarah in the hallway. He has to have found her by now."

JJ's face tightened with concern, but before he could respond, the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps made him freeze. They both turned to face the new threat—Eberhimi.

The tall man stalked toward them, his eyes narrowing as he sized them up. He unsheathed a blade, the metal gleaming ominously in the low light.

"Of course," JJ muttered, his body bristling with tension as he stepped in front of MJ, instinctively shielding her. "Can't catch a break today."

"Get down on your knees," Eberhimi sneered, his tone full of arrogance.

"Yeah, that's not happening," JJ snapped, stepping forward, and standing his ground.

MJ could feel the adrenaline spike in her system, but fear was clawing at her insides. She was too scared to move, her body frozen as she tried to make sense of what was happening. There was a fight, a blade, and she was standing here in the middle of it, helpless.

Eberhimi swung the blade at JJ, and in a blur of motion, JJ dodged, but not before shoving MJ to the side to protect her.

"Go, go, go!" JJ shouted, shoving her out of harm's way as he positioned himself to fight.

"Where's John B?" JJ yelled again, his voice rising in panic as the fight with Eberhimi escalated.

"I saw him—he was just around the corner. He's looking for Sarah!" MJ shouted back, trying to get her bearings in the chaos.

But before JJ could respond, everything seemed to happen at once. Eberhimi lunged, but this time, JJ wasn't fast enough. He fell backward, his head slamming into the back of the boat with a sickening thud. MJ screamed his name, but the sound was swallowed by the crash of waves against the boat.

"JJ!" she cried out, her voice hoarse.

She looked around frantically, but there was no time to think. Eberhimi was now aiming for her, the blade raised, and it all seemed like it was happening in slow motion.

"Rosemary!" JJ screamed.

But it was too late. The blade hit MJ's side, knocking her off balance. Her body went limp as she collided with the edge of the boat, and before anyone could react, she fell into the dark water below.

She hit the water with a splash that felt like it reverberated through her whole body, the cold seizing her breath. She tried to swim, but the world was spinning, her vision blurry, and her body was losing all sense of direction.

JJ's voice echoed in her ears, distant. "Come on, MJ! Stay with me!"

But everything went black, and the waves took her.

"Find John B," JJ ordered, his voice sharp with urgency as he dove into the water after MJ. Her body was face down, her blonde hair trailing behind her in the waves. He fought back panic, his hands shaking as he worked to flip her over.

"Come on, MJ," he murmured, his voice thick with desperation. "Please, breathe."

He checked for a pulse, relief rushing through him when he found one, weak but steady. Still, her body was limp and unresponsive. JJ's heart raced. He couldn't hold her up much longer, and he couldn't do this alone.

"JJ!" Rafe's voice cut through the chaos as he swam toward them. "Let me help!"

"No!" JJ snapped, his eyes flashing as he turned toward Rafe. "This is your fault, Rafe! You did this to her!"

Rafe's face hardened, but he didn't argue. He swam closer, his movements desperate. "I'm trying to help her, man. We don't have time for this."

"I don't want you near her!" JJ growled, his grip tightening on MJ as he pulled her closer to the boat. "You stay the hell away from her."

Rafe stopped short, hovering in the water, frustration and concern warring in his expression. "She needs help, JJ," he said, voice strained. "I'm not gonna leave her like this."

"Not from you," JJ spat, his heart pounding in his chest. "You're the reason she's like this. I'm not letting you touch her."

Rafe watched for a moment, clearly torn, but then, with a heavy sigh, he backed off, allowing JJ to pull MJ onto the boat himself. JJ grunted with effort, struggling to get her up. His hands were shaking with fear, but he couldn't afford to fall apart now.

"Is she breathing?" Rafe asked, still hovering nearby but staying out of JJ's way.

"No," JJ said, his voice tight as he checked again. He leaned over her, panic rising in his chest. "Come on, MJ. Stay with us, please."

He glanced at Rafe, then quickly turned away, not wanting to show how rattled he was. "Get the lifeboat ready. We're not letting her die here."

Rafe nodded, his expression filled with guilt, but he didn't argue. They were out of time. JJ moved quickly, pulling MJ carefully into his arms as they prepared to get her to safety. His voice was low, barely audible, but he muttered a desperate promise to her: "I'm gonna get you through this, MJ. I swear."

Despite everything, JJ's determination burned through, pushing away the fear that threatened to swallow him whole.

"MJ!" Sarah screamed, her voice cracking as she spotted the trio bobbing in the water. MJ was drenched, her blonde hair sticking to her face, and blood smeared across her skin. Everyone on the lifeboat froze, their mouths hanging open in shock as they scrambled to pull her aboard.

JJ was beside himself, his eyes swollen with tears as he clutched MJ's limp body. He rocked her gently in his arms, hoping against hope that she would wake up. "Come on, MJ," he whispered desperately, his voice shaking. "Please, come on."

"Please, MJ, don't do this." Pope's voice cracked as he cupped her face, his own eyes welling with tears. The boat jolted, speeding away from the ship, but Pope couldn't bring himself to look back. The thought of Silas still on that ship, in danger, was a constant weight on his chest.

"What's happening?" Kie asked frantically as the lifeboat sputtered, slowing down. "Why are we stalling?"

"We're stalling out," John B said, his voice tight with tension as he tried to restart the engine. "I can't get it going again."

"You've got to be kidding me," Pope muttered, his eyes scanning the ship they'd just fled from. He spotted Rafe, soaking wet from jumping in after MJ, standing on the deck, a gun aimed straight at them. Pope's stomach twisted with dread. He knew Rafe wouldn't hesitate to fire—he never did. "He won't hesitate," Pope muttered, dread creeping over him. But his mind wouldn't stop racing—what if Rafe had already used the gun on someone else? The thought made his chest tighten with fear.

Pope's eyes darted back to the ship, his heart sinking when he saw Rafe standing there, gun aimed at them. "We need to get out of here now," Pope muttered under his breath, the fear clear in his eyes.

"Wake up, MJ!" JJ urged, his voice thick with emotion as he stroked her face, trying desperately to wake her. When she coughed up a mix of blood and water, JJ's breath caught in his throat. "That's it, MJ, come on," he whispered, relief flooding through him.

MJ groaned, her eyelids fluttering open just enough for her to see the faces of her friends surrounding her. Her vision was blurry, but she could make out JJ's tear-streaked face. "What happened?" she rasped, voice rough with pain.

"Thank God," John B muttered, his hand resting on her arm as he knelt beside her. "We thought we lost you."

MJ blinked slowly, trying to focus as she groggily sat up, the world spinning around her. "Not yet," she mumbled, trying to sit up straight but feeling weak. She turned her head and met JJ's eyes, her twin, the one person she knew she could rely on no matter what. "Where's Rafe?" she whispered, her voice soft but full of concern.

JJ's face tightened, and he looked away. "Rafe..." he started, his voice bitter with anger and fear. "He's still on the ship, MJ. We need to get away from here."

MJ's heart sank. She swallowed hard, trying to push the overwhelming fear down. "No... he's not like them," she murmured her voice barely a whisper. She couldn't help but still care for Rafe, even now.

Pope caught her gaze and saw the conflict in her eyes. "Rafe's dangerous, MJ. You saw what he did," Pope said gently, trying to ease the tension in her voice.

MJ clenched her fists. "I don't care. He's not like them." The words felt hollow, even to her. She knew what Rafe was capable of, but a part of her couldn't just let go of the feelings she still had for him.

"Where's Rafe?" she whispered again, her voice breaking, the weight of the situation pushing down on her. She had to know. Even if she was scared, even if she knew she shouldn't, she needed to know where he was, and what was happening to him.

JJ's jaw clenched as he turned his back on the ship, unwilling to let his sister's heart be pulled into Rafe's mess any further. "We need to focus on getting you safe, MJ," he said, his voice rough. "The rest... we'll deal with later."

As they continued to move further away from the ship, the lifeboat began to pick up speed again, but MJ couldn't shake the feeling that Rafe's presence was still lingering, haunting her thoughts. She loved him, and that scared her more than anything else right now.

MJ buried her face in her hands as the tears came in waves, uncontrollable and raw. Her whole body shook as she gasped for breath, the adrenaline, pain, and fear overwhelming her. She tried to speak but the words caught in her throat, coming out as muffled sobs.

JJ wrapped an arm around her shoulders protectively, his jaw tight as he tried to keep it together for her sake. "You're okay, MJ," he said firmly, though his voice trembled. "You're safe now. You're with me. Nothing's going to happen to you."

But his words didn't calm her. MJ's head shook violently, her hands clutching at the soaked fabric of his shirt. "It's not—it's not okay!" she cried, the words spilling out in a rush. "He's still there, J! He's still there, and he—he's gonna get hurt!"

"MJ, stop," JJ said, trying to steady her, but his voice carried a sharp edge. "Rafe did this! He got you into this mess, and now you're worried about him? He doesn't deserve it."

MJ looked up at him, her tear-streaked face filled with both fury and heartbreak. "You don't understand!" she choked out. "You don't know him like I do. He's... he's not just what you think he is, JJ. He's not just a monster!"

"Yeah?" JJ shot back, his voice louder now. "Because from where I'm standing, he looks like the guy who nearly got you killed!"

"Stop it!" MJ shouted, her voice hoarse but full of desperation. She pushed herself out of his grip, nearly toppling over as the boat rocked beneath her. "He's not like the others. He—he tried to protect me!" Her voice cracked, and she collapsed back onto the floor of the boat, clutching her knees to her chest as she broke into fresh sobs.

The others exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to say. Pope opened his mouth but closed it again, his gaze flicking to the distant ship they were speeding away from.

Rafe.

Even as they left the chaos behind, his presence was impossible to escape.

"I'm not letting him near you again," JJ muttered after a long silence, his voice hard and final. "He doesn't get to hurt you anymore, MJ."

MJ didn't respond. Her shoulders heaved with every breath, the sobs quieter now but no less painful. She felt JJ's words like a punch to the chest, but she couldn't fight him. Not when she was this broken, this scared.

Her head turned slowly, her tear-filled eyes focusing on the shrinking ship in the distance. The thought of Rafe, standing there, left behind... it made her stomach churn.

"Please," she whispered, barely audible, her voice trembling with emotion. "Please don't leave him."

JJ turned away from her, his jaw clenched tightly. The fury and frustration were clear in his tense posture, but so was his helplessness.

Pope stepped in, his voice low and gentle. "MJ, we can't go back. We barely got you out alive. Rafe... he made his choices."

MJ bit her lip hard, her nails digging into her palms as fresh tears rolled down her face. "I just... I don't feel good," she whispered suddenly, and before anyone could respond, she leaned over the edge of the boat, retching violently into the churning water.

JJ was immediately at her side, holding her hair back as she shook uncontrollably. "It's okay," he muttered, his earlier anger melting into worry. "You're okay, MJ. Just breathe."

MJ wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her entire body trembling. She sank back onto the floor of the boat, her head falling against JJ's shoulder like when they were kids. "I hate this," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I hate all of it."

JJ's arm tightened around her, and for once, he didn't have anything to say. He just sat there, holding his twin as she broke down, wishing there was a way to fix everything—but knowing some things, like Rafe, were far beyond his control.

────

The lifeboat drifted until the Pogues stumbled upon a small island, the boat scraping against the sandy shore. They disembarked, exhausted and battered, their nerves frayed but alive.

"Deserted beach. Unknown island. This is rock bottom," Pope muttered, his voice heavy. "The cross? Gone. The gold? Gone."

"And we lost everything else, too," MJ cut herself off, her voice trembling as she placed a hand on her stomach. A piece of her felt shattered, the hollow ache inside threatening to consume her. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stand tall despite the weight of it all.

"Yeah, we've lost a lot," JJ said, casting a protective glance at MJ before throwing an arm over her shoulder. Despite her usual snark, she didn't resist this time, leaning into her twin's side as her breathing steadied.

"But we've also had some wins," John B interjected, trying to inject some optimism into the group.

Pope raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Name one."

"The boiler room," John B said quickly. "If that thing hadn't exploded, I wouldn't have gotten away from Rafe, or gotten us the zodiac to escape."

"That wasn't luck, JB. That boiler was ready to blow the second I stopped feeding it," Cleo chimed in, smirking.

John B rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. But Pope, think about it—you're related to Denmark Tanny. That's huge. And MJ? She's a walking history book for this treasure stuff. She's going to keep us entertained! Tell us something about Denmark Tanny."

MJ snorted through her nose, her voice tinged with dry sarcasm. "His descendent lost is entire inheritance."

"Exactly," Pope deadpanned, crossing his arms.

"Alright, alright," John B said, throwing up his hands. "Look, this is it. This is the Pogue life. We're in the freaking Caribbean. We've got our little slice of paradise, and we're here together. My best friends, my family—I wouldn't want it any other way."

As the others shook their heads or grumbled, John B's grin widened. "And while you guys were busy complaining, guess what I was doing?"

"Finding food? Shelter? A plan to get off this rock?" MJ deadpanned, raising an eyebrow.

"Nope." He smirked. "I was eyeing those burly lefts out in the waves."

Everyone groaned, shaking their heads in disbelief. But the familiar banter felt like a small spark of normalcy, a reminder of who they were.

"Unbelievable," JJ muttered, rolling his eyes before looking back at MJ. "You good?"

MJ nodded faintly, her lips quirking up in a weak attempt at a smile. "I mean, what's one more disaster? I'm practically collecting them at this point."

The group chuckled lightly, and for a moment, the tension eased. Even MJ allowed herself to exhale, finding a sliver of comfort in their shared chaos.

Because despite it all, they were still here. Together.

────

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. A fire crackled on the deserted beach, casting dancing shadows on the faces of the Pogues. They sat in a loose circle, their exhaustion palpable but softened by the warmth of the fire and the familiarity of each other.

Pope poked at the flames with a stick, staring into the embers as if trying to find answers there. Cleo leaned back on her elbows, her sharp eyes scanning the dark ocean. Kie hugged her knees to her chest, while John B gazed at Sarah, his hand lightly brushing hers.

JJ sat beside MJ, close enough to offer comfort without smothering her. She was quiet, her chin resting on her knees, her face illuminated by the flickering firelight.

"Remember when we used to steal beer from the marina and have bonfires like this?" John B asked, a wistful smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah, except we didn't have to worry about being stranded on a mystery island back then," Pope added dryly, though a small smirk betrayed his fondness for those memories.

"And JJ always burned the marshmallows," Kie teased, nudging him with her foot.

"That's because y'all never let me have the good sticks," JJ shot back, leaning forward to grab a stick and hold it above the flames. "You can't expect perfection with subpar tools."

MJ let out a weak laugh, the sound more like a puff of air. She bit her lip, her eyes glossy as she looked down at the sand.

"Good times," she murmured, her voice cracking.

JJ's teasing grin faded as he glanced at his twin. "MJ?"

Her shoulders began to shake, and she buried her face in her hands as the tears came, heavy and unstoppable. The laughter and warmth of the moment dissolved as the group turned their attention to her.

"I just—I can't stop thinking about him," MJ sobbed, her voice muffled through her hands. "Rafe... he's done so much, and I know he's—God, I know he's messed up, but I—I love him. And it feels like I'm the only one who sees him for more than that. And now... I don't even know if he's okay."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. JJ's jaw tightened, his protective instincts flaring, but he softened when he saw the pain etched on her face.

"Hey," JJ said, scooting closer and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I know this is hard. I know you care about him, but MJ, he's the one who put us in this mess. He's dangerous, and I can't—I can't let him hurt you anymore."

MJ shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "He's not all bad, J. I know you don't believe me, but I've seen it. He... he was good to me, in his way. I just—I don't know how to let that go."

JJ sighed, pulling her into his chest as she sobbed. "I get it, okay? I don't like it, but I get it. You've always had a soft spot for broken things."

MJ laughed bitterly, her tears soaking into JJ's shirt. "Guess I'm broken too, huh?"

"Don't even start with that," JJ said firmly. "You're not broken. You're just... stubborn as hell and way too forgiving. But you're my sister, and I'm not gonna let you carry this by yourself. If you wanna cry about him, you cry. But don't forget who's here for you."

MJ sniffled, pulling back to look at him, her eyes red and swollen. "Thanks, J."

"Anytime," he said, ruffling her hair lightly, earning a half-hearted swat.

The group fell silent again, the only sounds were the crackle of the fire and the distant waves crashing on the shore. They all carried their weight of loss, but in that moment, they were together, leaning on each other as they always had.

────

authors note:

Thank you so much for sticking with me through this journey!

Season 3 is finally here, and it's going to be the season of Rafe

and MJ—FINALLY together, with plenty of smut and twists as MJ's

past resurfaces to shake things up. Get ready for all the drama, passion,

and surprises! Happy reading!