Rogue | outer banks

011 - Trap

After washing my face with cold water countless times in a futile attempt to erase the evidence of my tears, Ward returned to summon Rafe and me.

As we loaded the truck, I couldn't help but notice the heavy presence of armed guards surrounding us. Their imposing figures and stern expressions left me feeling uneasy.

"Is all this really necessary?" I questioned, my confusion evident as I glanced at the security.

"Protection, Lia," Ward responded simply, his tone indicating that further explanation was unnecessary.

I couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that settled over me like a heavy blanket.

What were we transporting that required such extensive security measures?

The uncertainty gnawed at me as we continued with our task, each guarded step adding to my sense of unease.

Unbeknownst to them, a young boy sat in his car at a distance, carefully observing the scene unfolding before him. With his phone pressed to his ear, he relayed every detail to the person on the other end of the line.

"It's just my dad with the truck and the gold, right?" Sarah's voice came through the phone.

The boy's expression soured as he noticed two additional figures joining Ward. "It's three on the truck," he reported, his brow furrowing in concern. "A boy and a girl," he added, providing further clarity.

"Who?" John B's voice sounded puzzled over the phone.

"Lia and Rafe," Sarah confirmed, a sense of dread creeping into her voice.

The realization that Amelia was with the very individuals she shouldn't be with sent a chill down her spine.

Their last contact with her had been when John B and Sarah disclosed their location to the Pogues. Now, seeing Amelia with Rafe and Ward raised alarm bells, sparking worry and apprehension among them all.

As Ward gave the order to move, I braced myself for the journey ahead. With two security guards leading the way and the rest following closely behind, our convoy moved forward. Ward took the driver's seat, Rafe sat in the passenger seat beside Ward, his expression tense with anticipation.

Meanwhile, I found myself in the back, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

As we drove, the atmosphere was tense, the sound of the engine drowned out by the pounding of my heart. Suddenly, Rafe's voice pierced through the air, drawing my attention. A group of rowdy kids approached our convoy, banging and laughing on the vehicles.

My mind raced with possibilities, my instincts warning me of danger.

"What is this?" Ward's confusion mirrored my own as Rafe attempted to downplay the situation. But as the kids neared our truck, Ward's tone turned stern. "Get away from the car!" he barked, his voice echoing against the chaos.

My heart sank as I realised.

"It's a trap," I muttered to myself, my eyes scanning the scene. "We gotta move, now," I urged, my voice firm and urgent.

"Let's go!" "Move!" Ward and Rafe shouted, the urgency of our situation palpable.

Chaos erupted around us as the security trucks were bombarded with powders, the threat looming larger with each passing second.

"We gotta get out of here," Ward's frustration was evident.

As if an invisible hand compelled me, I stole a glance through the rear windscreen and my blood turned to ice when I saw a menacing group of men wielding an array of weapons — machetes, bats, knifes.