P4L | Outer Banks | JJ Maybank

The Sign

Cory felt frozen, staring up at the man entering John B's bedroom.

The gun lowered slightly as Barry realized who he was looking at.

"Well, look what we have here," he mumbled with a grin. "The Pogue Princess."

"Shut the hell up, Barry," Cory snapped.

His brows furrowed and he lifted the gun again.

He slowly crept forward until he was beside her on the bed. He placed the gun against her temple.

"Where are your friends?" he asked.

"I–I don't know," Cory fumbled, hoping that the others were in a better situation.

"You don't know?" Barry asked. "So you just by yourself here, drinking enough for six people?"

Cory shrugged. "You don't know my drinking habits."

Barry snarled, reaching forward to grab around the back of her neck.

He lifted her up, the gun still pressed into her temple.

"I hate you, Barry."

"Feelings reciprocated, blondie."

Cory was pushed through the Chateau and right out the back door, only to find that the backyard was empty except for Cory's leftover cup and Rafe Cameron, marching right over to her and Barry.

"Look what I found," Barry taunted, pushing Cory forward, the gun still trained on her back.

Cory glared forward at Rafe, only taking a brief moment to turn and check that Barry still had the gun on her.

Rafe approached her slowly.

Something was different.

Something had changed since their last interaction but a week or two earlier.

His eyes looked different.

Cory glared up at him as he approached, her gaze lifting.

Behind him, she noticed several figures in the trees above. It was the other Pogues.

John B and Sarah both looked terrified, but JJ's face was just full of pure hatred.

Cory set her gaze back on Rafe, careful to keep their hiding spot a secret.

"Hey there, Delia," Rafe said, his voice smooth, but unsettling.

"Hi, Rafe."

Rafe chuckled, but there was nothing humorous in his voice. "At least sound happy to see me."

"Oh, are we ignoring the fact that you kidnapped me?" Cory asked.

Rafe's nose turned up angrily, rage seething through his face.

"Where are your little friends?" he asked, trying to move on.

Cory moved her eyes up to the corner of her vision, as if thinking.

"Mmmm, don't know," she dismissed.

"You don't know?" he asked.

"Mhm," Cory smiled. "I was just having a little drink."

"A little party?" Rafe asked. "All by yourself?"

"What, think that's unusual?" Cory asked. "I mean, my friends just died, so I might as well drink myself to my own death."

Rafe cocked his head. "I know they're alive."

"Whaaaat?" Cory feigned stupidity, lifting a hand on her chest as if to cover her heart.