After the Storm- JJ Maybank (Outer Banks)

2.

I hugged my pillow tightly to my chest. Rafe and I had never been in a fight ever. He had never raised his voice, let alone a hand at me. He tried to hit me. I never could've imagined he would hit me. He saw my entire body flinch and stopped dead in his tracks.

"I'm so sorry. Rachel. I didn't mean to."

"Save it. I'm leaving."

"Don't leave. Rachel." I felt his hand reach out for my arm.

"Let go of me!" My vision was blurred from the tears rolling down my face.

"Please, don't do this to me."

"I'm done. I can't do this anymore. I can't. I'm sorry I was such a burden to you."

"You weren't. I wasn't telling the truth. I- I was just frustrated. I would never-"

"You did. You did. It's too late."

"Rach-"

"Goodbye Rafe."

The occasional squawking from the seagulls made me sit up. I was unfamiliar with where I was. I looked around and saw I was in some outdoor patio that was turned into a bedroom. There were curtains, blowing in the wind. There was a tray of food and aspirin in front of me. A note was placed over it.

You're safe now. Everything is going to be okay. I'm so sorry. Enjoy some breakfast.

-Top

I felt my body tense up. Topper had taken me out. He had saved me. I didn't want Rafe to hurt him too. I couldn't let anyone else be hurt. I shoveled fresh fruit, milk, oatmeal and slices of bacon into my mouth. I hadn't had a real meal in months. I had basically been living off of bread and juice. I realized that Rafe drugged me, and he probably did it often. I didn't want to know what could've possibly happened when I was out. I tried to shake the thoughts from my mind but it was almost impossible.

"Hey. You're awake. I see you were really hungry, huh?" Topper appeared in the doorway, laughing lightly.

"Yeah. All I've eaten the past two months has been burnt toast. I assume he drugged me, yeah?"

His expression changed and he nodded.

"I'm so sorry this was happening. I would've came to help."

"It's okay. He wouldn't exactly go out of the bedroom. If I did something to try and escape, well you know." I pointed to my eye.

"I can't believe he did this to you."

"He's done it many times. He did it before. He hurt Pope and JJ. He shot him and my mom. He murdered my mom right in front of me and didn't even bat an eye. He also- assaulted me. Like-"

"You don't have to talk about it. I'm here for you, always but you don't have to. Take it easy, okay? I've got you."

"I thank you for getting me out and helping me. I appreciate you more than words can explain. You're truly too kind. I also want to take this moment to apologize about what I did on the beach, and what JJ did. That was unacceptable."

"It's okay. That's ancient history. I'm sorry about John B and Sarah."

"I'm sorry too. I know you loved her. I just wish I could've said goodbye."

"Me too. Do you want me to take you somewhere today? Your house?"

That's when I felt a pinch in my heart again.

"I'll be okay. I gotta go. Thank you again for everything. If I need anything, I'll call you." I walked up to him and rested my head on his chest, holding him.

I knew he was broken inside, just as I was. He was just better at hiding it.

"No problem. No problem at all." His hand ran over my back for a moment before leaning back out.

I nodded before walking out onto the island. I felt the cool breeze hit my face. Fresh air I hadn't felt in months. I almost felt like a witch, my skin burning from the hot sun. I began to walk. I knew exactly where I was going. I was going to John B's.

-

The walk felt like it had lasted forever. My heart was racing with anticipation. The house looked untouched from the outside. I opened the front door and knocked, the door opening with a loud creek.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

I walked through the house, seeing trash and empty beer cans covering the floor. I saw dirty clothing, swimsuits, towels. It looked like a dump. I smelled the faintest smell of weed and saw joints laying on the counter, ones that had been used, others not. I opened my bedroom door, seeing the bed looked slept in. The sheets were a mess and my blanket was rolled into a ball, like it had been used as a pillow. I room a deep breath- JJ had been here. Everything else looked untouched, smiling as I saw new photos on the nightstand.

I started feeling the tears rolling down my face. He thought I was dead. They've thought I've been dead for two months. I walk out of my bedroom and to the kitchen, seeing that three people were outside. They were surrounding the tree. I tried to keep my cool, noticing who one of them was. The blonde hair that was barely staying under the backwards cap, the muscle tank with the signature black boots, a beer in hand.

"To John B and Rachel. Gone but never forgotten." I heard his voice call out. He sounded so sad, not the JJ I knew.

"And Sarah." Kie called out next.

"We miss you like hell." Pope said.

They all took a drink. I opened the patio door, trying to slowly walk out to them. I felt like I had to rehearse what I was about to say.

Hey! Sorry! I'm not dead! I've just been held hostage for two months! Surprise!

I took a deep breath before speaking.

"JJ?"

They all turned quickly on their heels, facing me. The looks on their faces reminded me of the five stages of grief. They looked confused, sad, angry, happy, excited. All at the same time.

"Rachel? What? How? Wait- is this real?" Pope said.

"No freakin' way. You're supposed to be dead." Kie said, still frozen.

JJ just sat there, his beer can dropping to the ground. Tears began to roll down my face as I held out my arms.

"Y'all just gonna stand there or come and hug me?"

JJ's face finally lit up and he ran into my arms. It felt like a bull had ran at me at a hundred miles an hour. My breath was taken from my lungs and I gasped. I held him as tightly as possible. I wrapped my arms so tightly around him, feeling every part of his body to make sure he was real and I wasn't hallucinating. I felt for his long hair which he had still continued to grow out. I could hear him crying into me as the others joined in. We all fell to the ground and they continued to hold me tightly, no plans on letting go.

"How? How are you here? You're alive." Kie ran her hands down my face, tracing my cheekbones.

"I'm alive. I've been alive. I tried to get back. I tried so hard."

"What happened?" Pope asked.

JJ still hasn't said anything. I missed his stupid voice.

"Maybank? Are you okay? Say something, goddamnit." I was laughing while the tears rolled down my cheeks.

"I thought I fucking lost you. I'm so happy. Thank god. I love you." He was choking back his emotions, wiping his tears with his sleeve.

"I missed you more than words can explain. I'm so sorry. I'm never leaving you again, okay?"

His hands ran down my face. He nodded before pulling my face into his. His hands held me steady as his lips moved against mine slowly. I tasted his salty tears as we moved together in unison. God, I missed his touch. I missed his voice. I missed him. And in that moment, I had completely forgotten Kie and Pope were here. But, I didn't care.