PREY-Rafe Cameron

Chapter sixteen

My arm struggled but there was no point, his grip around my biceps was too strong. I tripped over my feet as Rafe aggressively dragged me through the back door of the club, away from the crowds. The darkness swallowed my cries for help, it was like I was stuck in a never ending circle of unfortunate events. I dragged my feet along the concrete ground but it was in vain, Rafe was on a focused and unwavering mission. His face was like stone, stuck in the same emotionless expression. I was above all confused— he told the pogues to meet him there, so where was he taking me?

We were walking through the parking lot filled to the brim with luxury cars and excessive limizines— the kooks used these big social gatherings to flex their money to the rest of the community. My heart beat rapidly in my chest as Rafe hauled me in the direction of his truck. My eyes widened as I dug my heels into the pavement, I leaned my weight back attempting to stop myself. I tried to wiggle myself free by hitting him with my free hand, "No no no" I begged

My desperate actions did not seem to affect him, Rafe only responded by yanking me harder. I slightly stumbled forward but his grip caught me and kept forcing me forward. He unswervingly snapped the back seat door open and shoved me into the car. I landed on my forearms with a wince and turned my head only to hear a loud slam. While he was stomping around to the driver's side, I violently whipped myself from my helpless position. My hair was swaying in front of my eyes as I pulled fiercely on the car door— nothing happened besides my panic growing.

Tears stung the back of my eyes, threatening to escape, as I frantically jiggled the car door handle, but that motherfucker locked the doors. This was bad, this was really bad— I usually found a way to avoid situations like this, well to be fair I have never been kidnapped before, but still. I frustratingly fell back onto the seat and let out a sigh of defeat. At the same time Rafe placed himself into the driver's seat and slammed the door behind him. Gravity shifted underneath me and the sound of pebbles being crushed by heavy tires hummed in my ears. I promptly sat up and rotated my seat so I was now looking towards the front of the car.

His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, they were icy cold and filled with no remorse, I just rolled mine and sat back— resting my head on the black leather seats while crossing my arms. The bumpiness of the long stretch of the road made every object in the car sway, Rafe was no exception. He looked so creepily peaceful, the atmosphere however was thick with building tension and anger.

I cleared my throat to break the uncomfortable silence, "So what's your plan exactly?" I asked but my tone was filled with mockery. His stare was still straight ahead, unwavered by my annoying voice, "Why does it even matter that you don't have the key, I mean it's your family's safe. Why can't you just make a new one?" It was like I was speaking in a foriegn tongue or something but I did get a little reaction— he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. I smiled at my small victory even though it did not ease my curiosity. But just to bug him a little I spoke my thoughts out loud, "Yeah why wouldn't you just get another key made?" And just like that a lightbulb went off in my head, I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees. My face was hovering over the middle consul as a wicked grin slowly melted across my face, "It's because you don't have time, you're moving the gold....right? That's why you need it so bad"

I chuckled to myself, rubbing salt in his wound. Clearly my amusement was getting under Rafe's skin because he took a deep breath, attempting to suppress his temper, and gripped the wheel even harder. His fury was obvious in his actions and this made my mood lift, I felt like I had gained some power back— not physical but emotional. In a low tone, he angrily whispered "Shut up". I couldn't see his face, but I imagine he was fighting off an angry frown.

I guess I was so amused because I knew that Rafe would never get the key. I wasn't close enough to the pogues for them to sacrifice the gold for me. They probably went through hell trying to get it, I wouldn't want them to give it up anyway. I wonder what corner of the world that the Cameron's were planning on taking their stolen treasure to though. I tilted my head and pursed my lips with a taunt "What tropical place were you gonna take it to?" Then I exchanged my playful mockery for a more serious jab, "Well I guess it doesn't matter because you will NEVER get the key."

I then felt a sharp pain spike in my head as Rafe recklessly whipped the car to the side of the road. My nose scrunched and I groaned as I peeled myself off the passenger side window. I reached my fingers to my forehead and felt the swelling of a fresh bruise forming, oh great. I turned my head only to see the kook king stomp out of the car and aggressively yank the door I was leaning on open. I barely caught myself from falling to the ground before I angrily groaned, "Rafe what the hell?"

He grabbed a fistfull of my hair and dragged me out of the car, I was stumbling and on my knees. I wrapped my hands around his clenched fist, attempting to relieve my scalp from the pain it was feeling. I tried to fight back weakly but he just threw me onto the concrete road— I scraped my arms catching myself as little pebbles tore into my skin. His psycho alter ego had been awoken by my poking and prodding, this was a monster of my own creation. Rafe looked down at me before speaking, "I'm in charge now. Next time you get the urge to be annoying, remember this moment" He lowered himself, all his weight on his knees, and crooked his neck to reiterate his power. With narrowed eyes Rafe threateningly asked "Do you understand?"

I looked down, gaze locked on the concrete, refusing to look him in the eye— they say that eyes are the windows to the soul and I didn't want him to see the pure terror in mine. Without saying a word I quickly nodded my head. Being belittled is the absolute worst feeling ever. It's like trying to reach for the surface but gallons of water push you deeper into the dark depths of worthlessness. This terrifying outburst did tell me one thing, I was right about the plan to move the gold.