Outerbanks Imagine

Just in time - Rafe Cameron

The sun was beginning to set over the Outer Banks, casting a golden glow over the island. You had been on your way to meet Rafe and your brother, Topper, at the beach house for a quiet evening. But you never made it.

It happened so fast. One minute, you were walking towards your car, texting Rafe to let him know you were on your way. The next, a van screeched up beside you, and a pair of rough hands grabbed you. You kicked and screamed, but a cloth pressed to your mouth made your vision blur and fade to black.

---

When you came to, everything hurt. The blinding light overhead made you squint as you tried to take in your surroundings. You were in a small, dingy room with no windows, tied to a chair. The sharp sting of pain radiated from the cuts and bruises that covered your arms and legs. Your head was pounding, and you felt blood trickling from a gash on your forehead.

A tall, intimidating man stood over you, a cruel smile on his face. You recognized him—a guy who worked with Barry. This wasn't random. This was about Rafe.

"Your boyfriend owes us a lot of money," the man sneered, leaning closer. "And we figured, what better way to get him to pay up than to send a little message through his pretty girlfriend?"

Your stomach churned with fear. You tried to keep your face calm, to not show how terrified you were. "Rafe will come for me," you said, your voice shaking despite your best efforts to sound strong.

The man laughed, a cold, heartless sound that made your skin crawl. "Oh, I'm counting on it," he said, lifting a knife and dragging the blunt side across your cheek. "But not before we have a little fun."

For the next few hours, you endured more pain than you thought possible. They hit you, cut you, taunted you with threats of what they'd do to Rafe when he came looking. You tried to focus on staying conscious, on fighting the darkness that threatened to take over. The thought of Rafe and Topper kept you going. They would find you. You just had to hold on.

Eventually, the man seemed to grow bored. He motioned for another guy to untie you from the chair. "Dump her somewhere. Let's see how long it takes for her precious boyfriend to find her," he ordered.

You were barely conscious as they dragged you out of the room, your body limp and weak. The cool night air hit your face as they tossed you out of the van onto the cold, damp ground. You heard the van speed away, leaving you alone in the dark.

---

Meanwhile, at the beach house, Rafe was pacing back and forth, his phone pressed to his ear as he tried to call you for the fifth time. Voicemail, again. He could feel the panic rising in his chest. You should have been here hours ago.

Topper sat on the couch, his face twisted with worry. "Something's wrong, man," he said, running a hand through his hair. "Y/N wouldn't just disappear like this."

Rafe nodded, his jaw clenched. "We need to find her," he said, grabbing his keys. "Now."

They drove around for hours, searching everywhere they could think of. Rafe's heart was racing, the fear of losing you consuming him. He knew who could be behind this. He knew Barry and his guys were capable of anything.

As they drove past the old docks, Topper's eyes caught a glimpse of something on the ground near the treeline. "Stop the car!" he shouted, jumping out before Rafe had even fully hit the brakes.

Rafe was out of the car in an instant, his heart dropping when he saw you lying there, barely moving. "Y/N!" he screamed, falling to his knees beside you. He gently cradled your head in his hands, his eyes scanning your bruised and bloodied face. "Baby, please, wake up," he whispered, his voice breaking.

Topper crouched beside him, his face pale with fear. "Y/N, it's me. It's Topper," he said, his voice shaking. "We're here now. You're safe."

You tried to open your eyes, but everything felt heavy. You could hear their voices, faint but familiar. You tried to speak, but all that came out was a weak, strangled sound.

"Shit, we need to get her to a hospital," Topper said urgently, tears streaming down his face. He'd never seen you like this before—so broken, so fragile. It was killing him.

Rafe scooped you up into his arms, holding you close to his chest. "Hang on, baby," he whispered, his voice filled with desperation. "I've got you. You're going to be okay."

---

The hospital lights were too bright, the smell of antiseptic burning your nose as you lay in a hospital bed, drifting in and out of consciousness. When you finally woke up, your whole body ached. You blinked against the harsh light, trying to get your bearings.

Rafe was sitting beside you, his head in his hands. He looked up when he felt your hand move slightly. His eyes were red, his face pale as he stared at you with so much pain it nearly took your breath away.

"Y/N," he breathed, grabbing your hand. He kissed your knuckles gently, tears streaming down his face. "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

You managed a weak smile, squeezing his hand. "You found me," you whispered, your voice hoarse.

Topper appeared on the other side of the bed, his eyes filled with relief. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from your face. "You scared the hell out of us," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

You let out a small, painful laugh. "I'm sorry," you said softly. "I tried to hold on. I knew you'd come."

Rafe's grip on your hand tightened, his eyes filled with guilt. "I should have been there sooner. I shouldn't have let this happen to you."

"Rafe," you said, looking up at him with as much strength as you could muster. "It's not your fault. You saved me."

He shook his head, fresh tears spilling over. "No, Y/N. I almost lost you. And it's because of me. I'll make this right. I promise you, I'll make sure they never touch you again."

You squeezed his hand, the painkillers making you feel drowsy. "I love you, Rafe," you whispered, your eyelids growing heavy.

Rafe leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "I love you too, Y/N," he said, his voice filled with raw emotion. "More than anything. And I'm never going to let anyone hurt you again. I swear it."

Topper stood by, his hand on your shoulder. He looked at Rafe, his own eyes filled with a mix of anger and determination. "We're going to get them for this," he said quietly. "No one messes with my sister and gets away with it."

Rafe nodded, a dark look in his eyes. "They'll pay for what they did," he promised. "I'll make sure of it."

You closed your eyes, letting the sound of their voices soothe you as you drifted off. You were safe now, surrounded by the two people who loved you most. And as long as they were by your side, you knew you could get through anything.