Sparks | Rafe Cameron

23.

———

Going back to the chateau was painfully quiet after the hearing. Nobody wanted to be the first to break the silent. Slowly one by one the group split until it was just Violet, JJ and Sarah.

Opening up the fridge, Violet tossed a can of beer at JJ. "This is some bullshit." JJ finally spoke up. "The death penalty for some shit he didn't even do?" He cranks open his beer as he begins to pace, Violet and Sarah sitting on the sofa defeated.

"We'll find a way to stop it jj.." Violet sighs, losing hope "we always do."

Jj downs the can of beer "I think it's time we start doing things the JJ way."

"The JJ way ends up with us in jail with John B." Violet shakes her head "then what use will we be."

He shrugs, pointing at the girls "two material witnesses right there. Do the cops care?" He rubs his forehead frustrated "we have tried your way. It's my way now." He storms off hopping on his bike.

"JJ." Violet rushes after him "where are you going?"

Kicking up the break on his bike, JJ shrugs "I'm going to break my boy outta prison" he states, taking off before Violet could protest.

———

Rafe didn't attend the hearing. He couldn't face Violet, not today. The guilt about lying and the hurt from losing Violet was eating him alive. Sitting in the office with his father, he couldn't help but crave the attention and love he was finally getting.. even if it was for all the wrong reasons "Um, I've been thinking, Dad." He spoke up, nervous to talk about this situation with him.

"Um, I need to know.. Uh, this is..." he began to stutter over his words as a sniffle escaped his nose "this is important to me, okay?" He states, wanting his dad's full attention.

"What?" Ward asks bluntly as he looks up from the desk

Rafe began to fiddle with his hands nervously "If it comes down to that moment, and, um... and it's between me and Sarah, um..." he gulps growing even more nervous to even ask "And I... I... I hate
to even be asking this, okay?" He states, making it clear he didn't want to be put against his sister "But you know as well as I do that she would just rat you out as soon as she got the chance, okay? Like..."

"I don't know that." Ward interrupted, annoyance lacing his tone. He was protective over Sarah and didn't like the way rafe was talking.

Rafe sighs "if they find out John B didn't do it.. One of us is gonna have to go down for it.. you do know that right..?" He asked nervously. He knew his dad would never ever admit to being the killer, someone else in the family would get the blame. It just so happens rafe had a bad feeling it would be him. "So, what I'm asking is... who would you pick if it came down to it?"

Ward clasps his hands on the table, giving his full attention to Rafe "I thought I told you, I don't pick between my children. I love you both. I love all of you and I don't appreciate your tone."

"Dad.. I'm... I'm here with you. I mean, I'm helping you. I saved your life." Rafe pleads his case "I just-- I wanna know who you'd choose."

"Stop it." Ward grows more frustrated as he rises from his seat "I need you to stop it." He huffs before continuing "You saved me? Rafe, you fucked us! All of us! By getting with that pogue!"

Rafe goes silent, he hadn't expected his father to lash out like that. Tears involuntarily glossed over his eyes, Ward taking a notice of this "man up. Rafe. Man up." He exits the room as Rafe begins to question if he's defending the wrong side..