⤜---⤛ 𝔽𝕀𝕊𝕊𝕌ℝ𝔼 ⤜---⤛ ▬▬ 𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕒𝕟𝕜𝕤 ∗ 𝕛𝕛 ▬▬

⤛ 𝕖𝕪𝕖𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕥 ⤜

WARNING: depictions of violence - this is the final in chapter warning as to avoid spoilers for further on. please do not continue reading this book if you are unable to handle injury/blood/violent behaviour, as there will be no more warnings in the future - ellie ❦

John B stood up first, releasing Sarah's hand as he took a few steps towards Rafe and Topper. The music from the bonfire had been turned off, and a crowd had slowly started to gather around them.

"Move," Rafe said, coming to a stop a few feet from John B. His gaze then went past him and onto JJ, who was now also standing, surveying them cautiously. "You enjoy getting your ass beat? Fucking Pogue." Rafe spat at him.

Sarah got to her feet, a worried expression on her face. "Rafe, please."

JJ didn't move a muscle, his eyes locked onto Rafe. "Easy for you to say when there were six of you, asshole."

Rafe scoffed, turning to Topper. "Can you believe these guys?" Then, he turned to the people around them. "Get the hell out. Now!" he screamed.

Talia could only stare as the crowd dispersed, people yelling as they frantically exited the beach. Finally, they were alone. A chill shot up her spine. No witnesses.

The two boys began to slowly close the distance around John B, who was the only thing standing in between them and JJ. At this point, the whole group was on their feet, watching anxiously. Everyone except Noa, who remained seated on the sand, a curious expression on his face.

"You stuck your nose where it didn't belong," Topper yelled at them, pointing an accusatory finger at JJ. "We figured it's only fair to give you the same treatment."

JJ gritted his teeth. "Yeah, well, if I remember correctly, that means you guys are the ones ending up on the ground."

A slow grin crept over Rafe's face, and his tone of voice darkened as he slipped a knife from his vest sleeve. "Not this time."

"Whoa, dude..." JJ held up his hands, his eyes widening at the sight of the weapon.

John B took a step back, and Sarah stared at Rafe in disbelief. "What the fuck, Rafe!?" she yelled.

Even Topper seemed a little shocked at the revelation. He turned and whispered something to Rafe, a concerned expression on his face. Rafe ignored him and began sauntering over to JJ.

"You don't have to do this, man." John B put himself between them once again as the group protested.

Rafe's eyes flicked over to him as he snarled, "Don't think I won't cut you too."

Before either of them could move, a voice interrupted them. It was calm and casual. "It's Rafe, right?" Noa had gotten up from the beach and was dusting off the sand from his shorts.

Talia grabbed his arm, whispering his name aggressively. He had no idea who he was dealing with, or what lengths this psychopath would go to get what he wanted. But Noa shook off her arm and ignored her.

Rafe stared at Noa incredulously as he walked over, his nose scrunched up and he sniffed. "Do I know you?"

Noa didn't answer and continued walking towards Rafe, his eyes fixed on him. He got within a few feet before Topper stepped in his way, squinting his eyes and warning, "You need to take a step back, buddy."

Although Topper wasn't short by any means, as they stood close in front of each other, Talia noticed just how much Noa towered over both of them. The group remained silent, afraid of making a wrong move but curious about what Noa would do next.

Noa sighed, looking down at Topper who had taken a step back himself and now appeared uneasy. He opened his mouth to speak, but Rafe interrupted him by holding out the knife with his voice raised as he warned, "I don't care who you are. If you come any closer, I'll kill you!"