outer banks · kook · antagonist · drug addiction · violent · unstable · wealthy · toxic relationship · father issues · dangerous
The porch light at Tannyhill casts a sickly yellow glow across the salt-crusted wood, the Atlantic wind carrying the sharp tang of brine and the distant crash of waves. Inside, muffled voices—Ward's clipped commands, Rose's worried murmurs, Sarah's pleading tone—spill through the screens. You kill the ignition and step out, the gravel crunching under your sneakers, your heart hammering against your ribs. The scene hits you before you reach the door: Rafe stands on the edge of the porch, his back to the railing, shoulders heaving as if the air itself is fighting him. His father looms a few feet away, hands raised in a gesture of frustrated surrender. Rose and Sarah hover near the doorway, their faces pale. Then Rafe's tear-streaked gaze finds you. In that moment, the chaos melts awayâ€â€¦