riptide- outer banks

125 | overboard

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Somehow, the deck was much quieter than the cabin had been. Even with the waves slapping into the side of the boat, it felt calmer. The air wasn't as thick outside, wind much gentler than it had been an hour ago when the storm was still raging. She didn't know whether to be comforted by that or not. That things felt easier to bear out on the deck.

Kori lifted her head at the sight of John B, but her eyes didn't stay on him. Not even when he began speaking, closing the short distance between them. "Hey, how's he doing?"

She didn't meet his gaze. "Fine."

A soft sigh spilled into the air. "Kori, look...I'm really sorry about how—"

"Just shut up, John B." She interjected, voice more exhausted than cruel. "I don't want to talk to you right now. I don't want to talk to any of you right now."

She halfheartedly raised her shoulders.

"Why don't you just go back inside and let everyone know I'm still pissed as hell?"

Then she turned around and headed toward the set of stairs leading to the second deck balcony. But her voice hadn't come out angry; it'd come out hurt and disappointed. That was probably the worst part. She couldn't even keep her tone harsh anymore. It was all she could do to remain standing, so she just sounded tired.

Too tired for a seventeen year old girl.

Kori leaned over the railing, eyes pinned on the endless stretch of sea. It wasn't roaring anymore, no tidal waves rising in the air. Almost as if there'd been no storm at all. Nothing that could've swallowed her brother whole. That could've taken Sarah out in the blink of an eye. It just kept churning, always in motion. Never stopping.

She didn't cry. Even if the tears came, she didn't know if she'd let them fall. Because if she did, that would make it seem more real. More pragmatic that her brother was gone. And he wasn't. She didn't know how to explain it, but she just knew. Her heart ached in her chest from the feeling of not knowing, but somehow, she could still feel him. Like there was some invisible string tying them together.

He was still out there because he had to be— because she couldn't believe the alternative.

The quiet that had settled was interrupted by a pair of footsteps from somewhere behind her. The boat creaked, but she didn't look back. She didn't turn. Because she already knew who had joined her at the railing in the aftermath of what had just happened.

There was only one person stupidly brave enough to approach her right now.

"Unless you're about to shove me off this railing, I'm not really in the mood." She said flatly.

"Tempting," Rafe admitted, head tilting as his elbows came down on the bar next to her. "But I'm not here to throw you overboard."

"Shame. I was kind of hoping you would."

He let out a sound between a laugh and a scoff. "Well, then I'd have to explain to my brother why his girlfriend randomly vanished. And I don't really feel like getting punched again tonight."

Kori finally glanced over at him. "Really? 'Cause it seems like you've been craving it your whole life."

Rafe's face contorted as he leaned back. "God, Kori. I saved your life earlier."

"Aw. Are you looking for a thank you?"

He just stared at her. "God, do you ever not come out swinging?"

Her head tilted, lips twitching up. "Do you ever tell the truth rather than a lie to save your own skin?"

Rafe scoffed, head shaking as his gaze flickered to the ground. The boat rocked beneath them for a moment, but only for that moment. "You know, when you and Logan first got together, I didn't get it."