The Twinkie groans to a stop in the cracked, overgrown parking lot of a decaying, two-story concrete motel. Vines cling to the walls, choking whatever life remains. The neon sign flickers weakly, buzzing in the silence. Half the letters are gone. One corner of the building leans like it's given up. The power's been out for days.
Kiara scanning the place, frowning."Motel or meth lab?"
Pope shrugs."Your guess is as good as mine.
John B added."Doesn't exactly scream Grady White clientele, does it?"
Kiara turns to John B, her voice dropping, almost tender."Be careful."
John B glances at her, caught off guard. For a moment, something unspoken lingers between them. JJ notices. His unease slips out in a mocking laugh and mimicking."Be careful, John B. Be sooooo careful."
Behind them, Kage watches the group, silently assessing. He knows somethings brewing—JJ's quiet crush on Kiara, Kiara's affection for John B, and the tension building between everyone. With a faint smirk, he strides toward the motel.
John B shakes his head, ignoring JJ, and follows Kage. JJ trails behind, scowling.
The trio steps cautiously into the breezeway. The cracked concrete crunches under their feet. A broken ice machine leaks steadily, forming a murky puddle. Shingles scatter the walkway, and jagged, webbed windows glint in the dull light.
JJ breaking the silence."What was that about?"
John B answered."She wants us to be careful. Maybe we should."
JJ grinning slyly."Oh, she cares now, huh? Ever since you got threatened with exile, she's been all, "Be careful, John B." he nudges John B."You've noticed, right?"
JJ drapes an arm around John B's shoulders, his grin widening."You could totally swoop on that."
John B warning."Dude. No."
JJ mocking."Why not? She's hot, rich, and hanging with us for reasons no one understands. You're saying you've never thought about it?"
John B stops, giving him a flat look."You know the rule. No Pogue-on-Pogue macking."
Kage chuckles from ahead, shaking his head."You're the only one who cares about that rule. Even Pope's been eyeing her."
JJ scoffs, but John B looks faintly embarrassed.
JJ chuckled."Hear that, you're such a Boy Scout. (beat) Also, that door's locked. I tried it already."
JJ winks as they approach Room 212. John B spoke up"You've got issues."
Kage dryly."And yet, here we all are."
They stop in front of the door. Kage motions for them to quiet down. JJ smirks, knocking once, then harder and whispered to the empty room."No persona aquí."
John B slips the key in, pausing. JJ, impatient, gestures at him."C'mon. What are you waiting for?"
He glances at a nearby security camera, its lens cracked and lifeless. JJ flips it off."No power. No one's watching. Let's go."
John B sarcastically."If only I had your courage."
JJ leans in close, lowering his voice like a movie villain."Once you open this door, there's no turning back. Everything changes."
Kage seeing the theatrics said dryly, from behind."You already made up your mind. Just turn the fucking key."
John B exhales, nods, and pushes the door open. Inside dim light seeps through torn shades, dust motes dancing in the air. The room is eerily pristine—the bed made too perfectly, the furniture unmoved for weeks. Two duffel bags rest on the floor, zippers slightly undone.
JJ rifles through a desk, his movements quick but deliberate. He pulls out a nautical map, unfolding it to reveal coordinates marked in pencil and pointing at the map."That's where they were fishing."
John B leans over, tilting his head to examine it."That's off the continental shelf. Big swell. You wouldn't fish there."
His brow furrows, suspicion growing.
Kage by his side studies it and muttered."They're looking for something."
John B questioned."You think so?"
Kage nodded and answered."Yeah. And I get the feeling it's something big."
Meanwhile, JJ rifles through one of the duffels."This isn't sketchy at all."He moves into the bathroom.
John B shouted to JJ."Anything?"
JJ yelled back."Just a fancy dopp kit you won't let me steal."
Meanwhile, Kage searches the closet. Amidst some old, dusty hangers, he finds a folded scrap of paper. Unfolding it, he sees a string of numbers.
He studies it for a moment, his instincts kicking in and muttered to himself."Passcode."
He slips the paper into his pocket, glancing back at John B and JJ, who were searching and then scans the room, his gaze stopping on the closet. He opens it, freezing."Guys. We've got something here."
An in-room safe sits in the corner, its keypad scratched.
Kiara paces next to the Twinkie, her vape trailing a thin cloud of smoke."People who fake mental illness for Instagram likes."
Pope confused questioned."That's a thing?"
Kiara nodded and answered."Apparently. Half of them don't even know what bipolar means."
Sarah added."People do anything to get views these days."
Pope chuckles, sneaking a glance at Kiara. His energy shifts around her, more alive. Sarah, watching from the back seat, notices.
Kiara to Pope."What's your biggest pet peeve?"
She offers the vape, but he waves it off."Pineapple on pizza."
Kiara laughs.
Sarah smiled and answered."Loud chewing."
Kiara smiles, but the moment shatters as headlights sweep across the lot.A Sheriff's Deputy cruiser creeps into view, its engine a low growl. Two deputies step out, walking purposefully toward the motel office.
Pope tenses."Oh, hell no."
Kiara under her breath."They're gonna get caught."
Pope muttered."If I lose my merit scholarship, someone's dying."
Before they can stop him, Pope jumps out of the Twinkie. Kiara and Sarah scramble after him.