White Mustang - Rafe Cameron

The Bonfire

My ears were ringing, I don't know if it was because of the roar of the explosion or because of the anxiety that was choking me.

"Easy, shh, easy" I felt some arms hugging me.

As I tried to inhale oxygen and calm my breaths, I could see through my tear-filled eyes to JJ beside me.

And on the other side was Sarah, still on the dock floor, made a mess, but with Topper holding and calming her down.

The rest of the Pogues and the police officers were standing around not saying or doing anything, just watching the scene of my uncle's death.

---

"Thank you" I turned in my place at the sound of Rafe's voice, a sigh of relief leaving my mouth.

"Rafe" I almost ran to hug him.

"Baby" He trotted over to me and lifted me up a bit on the tips of my toes as he hugged me tightly.

After things calmed down a bit on the dock, Shoupe approached me, asking me to accompany him to the police station as they were going to release Rafe.

"Are you okay? Did they do something to you?" I detached myself a bit from Rafe and started to examine his face.

"I'm fine, nothing happened. Calm down" He said, taking both my hands and bringing them to his lips.

"Rafe, I... I" I cleared my throat. I couldn't get the words out but I knew I had to break the news of his father's death to him as soon as possible. "Your dad...he" my eyes filled with tears.

He let go of my hands and took a step back "If he had confessed they would have already put him in the cell with me... but they released me, and he's not here."

"I'm sorry" my voice cracked "He-"

"It's okay" he nodded with tears in his eyes "Were you there?"

I nodded

"Okay" he wiped away the tears that started to fall down his cheeks "Let's go home" he held out his hand for me to hold it, and I did.

---

"A great man once said that if you're born poor, that's not your fault, but if you die poor, well, that's on you" Ward said through the screen we were looking at.

We were all there; Rose, Sarah, Wheezie, Rafe and I; watching the last will and testament that Ward left for the family.

"I think, in the end, it was my fear of going back, of losing everything I have, that made me lose sight of everything I am...everything I wanted to be. I killed Big John Routledge. I murdered Sheriff Peterkin." Rafe held me tighter as his father took the blame for him once more "I shot Gavin Barnstead. I know there's nothing I can do to ease the pain I've caused. Many will say I took the easy way out" 

Rafe went to pour himself some whiskey, but not before offering me a drink from his glass, which I declined 

"But I leave this world with the terrible pain of knowing that I leave behind my family, shattered by grief, broken by my sins. I don't expect you to forgive me for leaving you this way. I just pray you understand that...I can't go on ruining your lives anymore. This had to end. To all of you, I leave my estate, to be divided equally, and I leave a love deeper than I could ever express. Take care of each other."

Then the video stopped.

Wheezie got up and left the room while crying, Rose followed her.

Rafe went out to the terrace with his glass of whiskey and Sarah and I stayed in the living room.