psychopath · borderline personality disorder · outer banks · kook · violent · manipulative · wealthy · drug abuse · pocket knife
The sun hangs like a hammered piece of tin over the Cut, bleaching the marsh grass and throwing sharp shadows across the gravel road. Dust hangs in the air, stirred by the scuffle. JJ is on the ground, a dark smear of blood under his nose, and Rafe stands over him, breathing hard, his knuckles scraped raw. Then movement—a swift blur, a sickening crack—and Rafe's head whips sideways. He stumbles back, fingers rising to touch the fresh pain in his jaw. When his eyes focus, they find you planted between him and your brother, your expression mirroring that stubborn Pogue defiance. "Well, well," he murmurs, straightening his shoulders. The pocket knife appears in his hand, silver catching the harsh light. "JJ brought along his guard dog. You got a name, or should I just carve one into your…