XXIV. The Phantom Menace

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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

AIN'T NO REST FOR THE WICKED — CAGE THE ELEPHANT There ain't nothing in this world for freeI know I can't slow downI can't hold back Though you know I wish I could

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AIN'T NO REST FOR THE WICKED — CAGE THE ELEPHANT
There ain't nothing in this world for free
I know I can't slow down
I can't hold back
Though you know I wish I could



STELLA HAD A bad habit of thinking her life was like a movie.

In her mind, she and her friends were the rag-tag group of five (now six, considering Sarah Cameron was on their side) for which the universe always worked in favour of. She thought that no matter how bad of a situation they got themselves into, they'd never truly succumb to failure—that whoever controlled their lives, whether it be God or the Fates, would never let them taste defeat. And as she stared out of The Wreck's front window, watching as a police cruiser drove by with its sirens blaring through the air, she found herself clinging onto this idea like a desperate child clutches their toy during a darkened rainstorm.

JJ came up to her as the sirens faded away and leaned against the window frame. "He's pinched for sure, man." Anyone else would regard his words with an air of cool indifference, but his friends could hear the underlying worry masked by his defence mechanism of apathy.

Stella shook her head. "No," she said. "They wouldn't still be patrolling if they caught him."

The night had felt longer than the one before. While the group found refuge in Kie's family restaurant, they couldn't find comfort in the chance to rest when they knew their friend was the target of a island-wide manhunt.

"Let's hope," JJ huffed. His mind wandered to the wanted poster tucked away in his back pocket. "You know, we were in that car. They're probably looking for us, too."

Stella glanced up at him, only to find that he was already staring at her. Panic flashed across his eyes and she immediately understood his concern.

JJ was on probation. If there was a warrant out for their arrest (because apparently aiding and abetting the falsely accused called for that) and he was caught, he'd go to jail. There'd be no bail, no restitution, no second chance. Only a cold cell in juvenile detention.

From across the room, Kie looked up. Her hands shook as she steadied herself against the counter. "Well, if we're gonna be outlaws, we might as well help John B," she decided.

Stella nodded in agreement and moved to help her pack John B and Sarah's food. "So, find him before they do?"

They turned to Pope, all wondering why he hadn't said anything. Come to think of it, he had been awfully quiet since they returned from Tannyhill.

"Pope?"

He kept his eyes on the ground as he passed the two girls and only lifted his head when he was within a foot of the door. "I'm gonna get gas for the boat," he said, barely glancing at JJ before leaving in haste.

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