Rogue | outer banks

005 - The Big Kahuna

As the car pulled up to the Cameron residence, a wave of unease washed over me, knowing I was about to step into the lion's den. Before opening the door and facing whatever was to come, I took a deep breath, trying to steel myself.

Just like always, the door was unlocked, and as I stepped inside, my eyes immediately fell on Ward emerging from his office. We exchanged glances, the silence between us thick and palpable, weighing heavily on my shoulders.

"Hey, what are you doing here, kid?" Ward's voice was surprisingly soft, his concern evident in his tone, offering me a momentary sense of relief.

I looked down, fidgeting with my fingers, trying to put on the best show. Tears threatened to well up in my eyes as I struggled to find the right words. "I, erm..." I shook my head softly, feeling the weight of the lie I was about to tell.

"Amelia, what's wrong?" Ward pressed, taking a few steps towards me, his concern deepening.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, shaking my head and trying to brush away the tears with a trembling hand. "I just miss her..."

Ward's arms enveloped me in a comforting embrace, and for a moment, I allowed myself to lean into his warmth, the façade I had constructed crumbling in his embrace. "Hey, talk to me, what's up?" he urged gently.

I sniffled, wiping away the tears that managed to escape. "I just miss her," I repeated quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "And I'm sorry for acting that way with you and..." I swallowed, feeling the weight of the lie heavy on my conscience. "And acting like such a stupid kid, and- it's just that-"

"It's okay," Ward interrupted, his embrace providing me with a sense of solace. "I got you, kid."

I pulled away slightly, meeting Ward's gaze with a mixture of gratitude and guilt. "Me and Topper got into this big argument," I lied, hoping to further manipulate Ward's sympathies. "And the Pogues... they treat me like I was never on their side. Whereas you never stopped trying. You never stopped looking after me," I continued, my voice trembling with emotion as I fabricated my story. Ward's expression softened, and I knew I had succeeded in swaying him to my side. "Is it okay if I crash here for a while?" I asked, my voice almost hesitant, though my intentions were anything but.

"You don't ever have to ask for permission," Ward reassured me, his words sending a shiver down my spine.

"Thank you," I replied, forcing a gentle smile despite the turmoil churning inside me.

"I'm just glad you're choosing us, kiddo," Ward's words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I had to fight the urge to visibly swallow the knot that had formed in my throat.

It felt like he was insinuating something, like he knew I would come back here, like he saw through the façade I was putting on. But what he didn't know was that I was already several steps ahead of him.

I wasn't choosing them. I was choosing Rafe.

"I gotta go, but I'll see you later," Ward's smile and reassuring touch on my shoulder brought me back to the present moment.

"Bye," I managed a smile in return, trying to maintain the vulnerability I had constructed.

As Ward walked past me and out of the house, I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. The tension that had gripped me during our conversation slowly began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of determination.

"All I gotta do is stay alive," I muttered to myself, a mantra to remind me of the stakes at hand.

With every step I took, I knew I was treading on dangerous ground, but I also knew that I couldn't afford to falter. My allegiance was clear, and I was prepared to do whatever it took to see it through.