the motorbike screeched to a halt outside the trailer, its engine sputtering into silence as rafe stumbled off, his movements sharp, restless. the heavy air of the cut wrapped around him like a vice, clinging to his skin, making it harder to breathe—or maybe that was the argument still rattling in his head. ward’s voice, sharp and unforgiving, echoing louder than the roar of the bike he’d bought with the generator money. he needed to shut it out.

the trailer door swung open with a sharp creak as rafe stepped inside, his presence abrupt, intrusive. the familiar stink of cigarettes and stale beer hit him like a wall, but it wasn’t enough to distract him. his eyes darted around the dim room, movements erratic, his frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.

“barry!” his voice cracked through the silence, raw and uneven, a rough edge of desperation cutting through the word.

no answer.

then he saw you.

you stood by the window, your stillness in stark contrast to the frantic energy radiating off him. barry’s sister. he’d heard about you—some passing mention, a meaningless detail—but now, here you were, staring back at him like he was the last person you expected to see.

his sharp blue eyes locked onto you, narrowing. his hand fidgeted with the keys still dangling from his fingers, the faint jingle the only sound breaking the heavy silence. his jaw tightened, and he sniffed sharply, a reflexive motion that gave away just how badly he needed to be here.

“where’s barry?” he muttered, low and strained, barely managing to keep his voice steady. the words hung in the air, raw and impatient, his gaze flickering between you and the door like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to wait or leave.