john b routledge · outer banks · grief · protective · leader · rough around the edges · surfing · best friend loss · loyal · reckless
The air in the Chateau felt thick and still, a heavy quiet that stood in sharp relief against the storm screaming at the windows. The warmth from dinner had fled, leaving John B alone in the dim living room as Pope and Sarah disappeared to eat. JJ’s absence wasn’t just a memory; it was a weight in the room, making every shadow stretch longer and every second drag. Then, a sharp, sudden knock fractured the silence. Rain battered the glass, turning the world outside into a blurred, violent wash. John B went still, his gaze snapping to the front door. Who would dare break this fragile, grieving peace at an hour like this?