𝔅𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔢 - Rafe Cameron

②②

...

That day had been a blur. Yet, Rafe could recall it with haunting clarity.

Everything had happened so fast. Too fast. He hadn't seen it all, but the sounds—the shouts, the screams—still rang sharp in his ears. No matter how much time passed, no matter how far he ran, he doubted he'd ever silence them.

He stared down at the golden signet ring in his hand. His thumb brushed over the blood still wedged in its intricate patterns.

By the campfire, the group stood in heavy silence, their faces lit by the flickering flames. The air was thick with grief and resolve. Their choice had been made—Groff would pay. He had to. Justice, revenge, whatever it was, they owed it to those who were no longer with them.

Rafe clenched the ring tightly, his knuckles whitening. The blood that had been spilled demanded an answer. Groff had taken too much from them already.

And Rafe swore—he wouldn't let him take anything more.

...

The storm was wild, fiercer than anything Jazmine had ever experienced. The wind howled, and the sand lashed against their skin like a thousand tiny cuts. Rafe hurried to shield her, slipping goggles over her eyes and securing the scarf around her hair, his hands trembling with urgency.

Amid the swirling chaos, Jazmine could barely keep up. In the span of minutes, John B and Sarah had vanished into the storm, leaving her to find JJ and Kiara by the statue where the crown was hidden.

Lost in the haze, the only anchor she had was Rafe's hand gripping hers tightly. No matter the storm, no matter the danger, he hadn't let go. He guided her to shelter behind the statue, shielding her from the worst of the sand.

Rafe tried to climb toward the crown but winced, his injured hand trembling as he gripped the rocks. The deep cut Groff had inflicted throbbed with pain, making it impossible to hold on.

"I can't," Rafe muttered, frustration and pain etched on his face.

Jazmine grabbed his hand, pulling him back. "Let me try."

"Are you crazy?" he snapped, shaking his head. "No way."

"Rafe, I can—"

"No! Someone else will do it. Anyone but you."

Kiara approached, JJ close behind. "You can't see anything out here," she muttered, shielding her face from the sand.

Rafe pointed toward the crown. "It's up there. We just need to climb."

As Rafe and Kiara argued about the best way to reach it, Jazmine turned to JJ, her voice soft amidst the storm. "You okay?"

JJ shrugged, brushing sand off his face. "I'm fine. Stop worrying about me."

Jazmine's gaze softened, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "Sorry to say it, but your dad's a real bitch."

JJ let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "I know."