Rogue | outer banks

002 - Weird

As I walked along the street, my mind swirling with a cacophony of thoughts and emotions, I barely registered the presence of the police car parked outside the Cameron residence. It wasn't until I glanced up and saw Ward engaged in a heated discussion with Sheriff Shoupe that I realized something was amiss.

Approaching them with a casual stride, I greeted Shoupe with a nod of acknowledgment before turning my attention to Ward, a coy smile playing at my lips. "Ward," I greeted him, feigning innocence as I gestured towards the wall behind him where the word MURDERER was scrawled in bold red paint. "Looks like you've got some admirers."

Ward's expression darkened, his frustration palpable as he turned back to face me.

"Do you know who did this, kid?" Shoupe's voice cut through the tension, his gaze fixed on me expectantly.

I chuckled lightly, shaking my head in mock innocence. "I wish I could take credit for it, but I can't," I replied, my tone laced with amusement. "And even if I did know, what makes you think I'd tell?"

Ward interjected, his voice dripping with indignation. "Can't you see my family is being terrorized? We're the victims here," he asserted, his words tinged with desperation.

I scoffed incredulously, rolling my eyes at his audacity. "If Sarah's dead, it's only because of you," I retorted bluntly, unable to suppress the bitterness that surged within me. "Because you couldn't do the right thing."

Ward's accusatory gaze bore into me, but I held his stare with a defiant smirk, reveling in the power play that unfolded between us. "They run around, saying whatever they want about me. I raised this kid!" Ward exclaimed, his frustration evident as he attempted to sway Shoupe to his side.

Turning to face Shoupe with a mischievous glint in my eye, I leaned in closer, my voice dripping with intrigue. "Shoupe, I'd like to come in and discuss some things with you," I announced, relishing the opportunity to rattle Ward with my unexpected request.

As Shoupe nodded in agreement, I shot Ward a smug glance, reveling in the uncertainty that flickered across his features.

"All I'm asking is for you to wrap this thing up, so that we can all move on," Ward pleaded softly, his tone betraying a hint of desperation. Ward then turned and walked away, leaving me alone with Shoupe and his lingering doubts.

"Please tell me you don't actually believe all that bullshit," I implored, turning to the Sheriff with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know, kid. I don't know," Shoupe replied with a heavy sigh, his uncertainty echoing my own as he retreated towards his car, leaving me to ponder the tangled web of lies and deceit that surrounded us all.

As I walked away from the Cameron Estate, my mind still buzzing with the tense encounter with Ward and Sheriff Shoupe, a familiar voice broke through my reverie, drawing my attention towards a nearby boat where Kiara and Pope were waiting.

"Hey guys," I greeted them, jogging towards the boat with a smile.

"How you doing?" Pope's voice carried concern as I climbed on board, his gaze probing for any signs of distress.

"Same old," I replied with a nonchalant shrug, attempting to brush off the heaviness that clung to my thoughts.

"We heard what happened at the Beach Club," Pope said, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow.

"He doesn't want to speak to me about how he feels," I sighed, the weight of JJ's turmoil pressing down on me like a leaden weight. "He lost John B and he's going rogue," I confessed, the worry evident in my voice.