summary: The Outer Banks is a strange place where strange things happen to seemingly normal people—seeminglynormal. You’re the pastor’s daughter who attends church every Sunday, volunteers at the local children’s hospital, all while tucking into bed before 10 every night. Rafe Cameron is the opposite. He only attends church when forced to, and he spends most of his time snorting coke off of blondes with big tits. You two couldn’t be any more different. But when a series of disappearances in town lead to bodies popping up with strange neck wounds, it seems that you and Rafe Cameron fall right into each other’s circles. Everyone tells you to be wary of him, but are you really the one who’s in danger?
warnings: 18+ content—you are responsible for what you consume, smut, gore, alcohol/drugs, violence, vulgar language, misogyny, descriptions of death, religious trauma, mentions of demons, satan, etc.
author’s note: This took way longer to get out than I anticipated, so sorry!
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS DEPICTIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED IF THAT WILL TRIGGER YOU.
“Are you sure your dad won’t kill me for bringin’ you out here?” His hand slid higher up your thigh, tracing the hem of your pastel pink sundress—the same soft shade as the setting sun.
“Of course not. He doesn’t even know I’m out.” You lifted the beer bottle to your lips, took a slow sip, and kept your eyes locked on his.
He thought he’d hit the jackpot—a pastor’s pretty little princess all alone with him, letting him feel her up. Ronnie Coleman was a sleazeball, always pushing boundaries, never facing consequences. His hand crept even higher, his tongue darting out to lick his lips in a way that could only be described as greedy.
You giggled, set the bottle aside, and pushed him back onto the sand, straddling his waist. He growled hungrily and gripped your hips too tightly, the smell of alcohol on your breath only fueling him.
“I hope Jesus is closin’ his eyes,” he murmured. “I’d hate for him to see what I’m about to do to you.”
“I’m sure he’ll understand…”
He grinned and tangled his filthy fingers in your hair, pressing his mouth to yours with too much force. The kiss was all teeth and tongue, and when he bit your lower lip hard enough to draw blood, you pulled back, brows pinched in an innocent little frown.
“Ronnie… can I ask you somethin’?”
He groped your chest, fingers digging into your skin. “Sure you can, baby.”
You smiled sweetly, sliding your hand down to his belt, fingertips brushing the cool gold buckle.
You tilted your head, lashes fluttering. “Why did you rape all those girls?”
The grin vanished. Darkness clouded his eyes; his nostrils flared.
“The fuck are you talkin’ about? I didn’t do anythin’ to any girls.” His voice dropped into a growl as his fingers dug deeper into your waist.
“That’s not what Amber, Jane, Aniya, or Nora said…”
His face changed. The innocent charm melted into something raw and feral. He wasn’t scared, but his body was.
Some say your body warns you of danger before your brain catches up. Others call it superstition. Maybe if Ronnie had listened to that warning, he’d still be alive. But he didn’t—and karma has a way of finding people like him.
“You think that’s funny? Those whores were begging for it—soakin’ through their panties ‘fore I even touched ‘em.”
He yanked you forward, flipping you onto your back, his full weight slamming down as he shoved your skirt up.
You struggled, whimpering, trying to shove him off with your knees.
“Nah, you wanted to run your mouth—now sit still.”
“Ronnie, please, that hurts.” You pushed back, but he only pressed harder, pinning your wrists above your head.
His belt clinked, zipper sliding down. You shuddered, shaking your head, struggling harder.
“Ronnie, please don’t. I don’t want it.”
“You know you do. I can smell it on you. Just shut up and spread your legs.”
Something shifted in your eyes, but Ronnie didn’t notice.
“I wish you had listened better.”
You went still. He grinned, hooking his fingers under your panties.
“That’s a good girl. I knew you needed this di—”
He was on his back before he could finish, your knee crushing his crotch. He groaned, reaching to shove you off.
Then he froze. The thing staring back at him wasn’t you.
Your eyes were black—completely consumed by red-veined darkness. Blood-colored lines ran down your cheeks like roots, and your teeth… your teeth were sharp and glistening.
“I wish you had listened better.”
The pain in his neck was instant and blinding, a fire burning through his nerves. His body went limp. A wheezing gasp escaped his throat.
Ronnie Coleman was dead before he even knew it.
The sun hung high in the salty sky, seagulls screaming above crashing waves.
“That’s Ronnie Coleman, all right.”
Sheriff Peterkin sighed, hands on her hips as she stared at the body sprawled in the sand.
“Dammit. Someone get ahold of his dad.”
Cameras clicked, yellow tape unfurled, reporters already gathering. It was a bright day in the Outer Banks—families on the beach, tourists snapping photos—and now, a murder scene.
“This is the third one in a month, Sheriff. We gotta face the facts.”
“I’m aware, Shoupe.” She rubbed her temples, the start of a migraine already creeping in.
“What the hell are we supposed to do? A serial killer? Here?”
Summer had just started. No one was going to obey a curfew. Reporters shouted questions, cameras flashing.
“Keep them back! I don’t need a dead seventeen-year-old plastered on the front page.”
“It should be publicized, Sheriff. People need to know.”
Peterkin shot him a sharp look, muttered “fuck,” and ducked under the tape. Reporters pounced immediately.
“Sheriff Peterkin, what can you tell us? Who is it? What happened?”
She held up a hand. “We have reason to believe this is the third victim of a potential serial killer. Stay vigilant and be aware of your surroundings. More information will be released soon.”
The crowd exploded in gasps, questions, and murmurs.
“I can’t release any names at this time. The victim’s family deserves privacy.”
She turned and climbed into her car, slamming the door shut.
This couldn’t get any worse.
“Where were you last night?”
Your father’s voice cut through the silence as you reached the top of the stairs.
You sighed, turning to face him, annoyance etched on your face. But before you could answer, his voice dropped.
“They found another body.”
Your jaw tightened. Arms crossed.
“Don’t look at me like that. We talked about this. You can’t be so reckless.”
You laughed bitterly. “Why are you automatically blaming me?”
His glare hardened. “You think this is funny? You could get caught, Y/N.”
You looked away, jaw clenched. “Who was it this time?”
“Don’t say it like that.”
“How else should I say it? Who. Was. It.”
You hesitated. “…Ronnie Coleman.”
Your father dragged a hand down his face, exhaustion heavy in every motion.
“Ronnie Coleman? Are you insane?”
“He tried to rape me, Dad. He pinned me down.”
His expression softened instantly—shock, guilt, worry. “Are you okay?”
You turned away, storming upstairs before he could respond. You collapsed on your bed, shoes thudding to the floor. The door creaked open.
“You just have to be careful,” he said quietly. “Please. I can’t lose you.”
You glanced at him over your shoulder.
“I was starving. I needed to eat. At least I’m only targeting bad men.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, voice trembling. “I can’t lose you.”
author's note: Hi guys, I really hoped you liked the first chapter! I know that Rafe wasn't in this one, but I'm really trying to get the backstory stuff established first. He will definitely be in chapter two though, I pinky promise! Tag list is open so if you want to be added please let me know!
