"Catch me if you trust me"

The sun was beating down on the Outer Banks as usual, and JJ sat on the hood of the van, lighting a cigarette and glancing at Haillie, who was busily combing the bushes by the tracks. John B and Pope were digging something by the beach, and Kie was grumbling that they were "up to something again."

"What are you looking for, baby?" JJ asked, inhaling.

"I don't know, I heard something. A rustling. Like... a person. But a different person. So... small. Scared."

JJ jumped off the hood, crushing the cigarette with his boot. He approached the bushes. And that's when they saw him.

A child.

Maybe seven or eight years old. Thin as a stick, eyes like plates. Hair dirty, skin like it hadn't seen soap in months. It stood hunched over, eyes wide, hands clasped to its sides, as if about to flee. It didn't say a word. It just... watched. Like a wild animal.

"Hey, calm down... we won't hurt you..." Haillie said quietly, slowly kneeling down. "What's your name?"

The child only took a step back. When JJ took a step forward, it ran like hell itself was chasing it.

"Oh, don't bullshit..." JJ said, running after him.