'✦ ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹ t h e  m a s k .ᐟ
episode four.  ▌ 𝙰 𝚂𝙲𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙼.

the ocean breeze had an eerie chill that night, the kind that crawled under your skin and refused to let go.

daisy shelby stood in the porch, gazing out into the distance. the low hum of conversation from inside barely registering in her ears.

her fingers toyed with the edge of her hoodie, nerves twisting tight in her stomach. rafe's words still ringing in her head.

stay inside after dark.

screw that.

she wasn't one to be scared into hiding, especially not by rafe cameron. if thought he could play mind games with her, he was dead wrong. he wanted to toy with her? fine. she'd play back.

"dais?"

finn's voice pulled her from her thoughts. he stood by the door, arms crossed, his brows furrowed in concern. "you good?"

she glanced over her shoulder, looking back to him, "always."

he didn't look convinced. "look if you're thinking about what rafe said—"

"he's just trying to mess with us." daisy cut him off, pushing past him entering back into the chateau.

the rest of the pogues were huddled around the couch, their faces tense.

john b looked up as they approached, his jaw set in frustration.

"we need a new plan." his voice was low but firm. "sheriff peterkin's no help, and if rafe knows something, we need to find a way to make him talk."

jj scoffed. "right, because rafe's just gonna spill his guts if we ask nicely?"

pope shook his head. "we need bait— something he cares about."

daisy sat on the arm rest, next to pope, her gaze flickering toward the window.

she could feel rafe watching, even when he wasn't there. his obsession was a leash she could pull. the idea was reckless, dangerous even. but if it got them closer to the truth?

"i can get him to talk."

the group turned to her, various expressions on their faces. finn was the first to protest. "daisy, no. you know how he is with you."

"exactly why it'll work." she met his eyes, daring him to challenge her. "he wants me, right? he follows me, watches me. if i give him an opening, he'll take it."

john b exhaled sharply. "and what? you'll just let him corner you?"

daisy shrugged. "i can handle rafe."

jj muttered under his breath, "what they all say before they end up in a ditch."

she shot him a glare before turning back to finn. "i'll be careful. but this might be our only shot."

silence stretched between them before finn finally gave a nod. "fine. but i'm not letting you do this alone."

a small smile tugged at her lips, "wouldn't dream of it."

the figure eight looked different at night. the freshly cut lawns and clean streets were empty, the shadows stretching unnaturally under the glow of streetlights.

daisy walked with confidence, finn a few steps behind, scanning their surroundings like a guard dog.

the cameron estate loomed in the distance, its grand structure drenched in darkness. daisy didn't have to wait long. as expected, the moment she stepped off the road, a figure emerged from the shadows.

"daisy."

rafe's voice was a slow drawl, the kind that sent a shiver down her spine for reasons she refused to acknowledge.

he stepped closer, the faint scent of cologne and cigarettes clinging to him. "didn't think you'd come back so soon."

she tilted her head, a coy smirk on her lips. "what can i say? i missed you."

his smirk widened, but there was something unreadable in his eyes. he reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "you shouldn't be here."

"you told me to stay inside after dark." she leaned in slightly, just enough to challenge him. "i don't like being told what to do, rafe."

rafe chuckled,"that's gonna get you hurt one day."

"maybe." she studied him, letting the silence stretch. "or maybe you're just scared i'll figure out what you're hiding."

his jaw tensed. "i don't know what you're talking about."

she stepped even closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. "whoever killed billy... they're not done, are they?"

for a brief moment, something flickered in rafe's gaze. fear? guilt? she couldn't tell.

but before she could press him further, a noise behind them made finn step forward, his posture rigid.

rafe's gaze flickered to finn, his eyebrows knitting together.

a rustling. a footstep that wasn't none of theirs. then—

a scream.

daisy's blood ran cold.

rafe was quick to grab daisy's wrist, his grip on her tightened, but it wasn't possessive—it was protective.

he pulled her closer, his voice a harsh whisper. "go. now."

daisy barely had time to process before finn grabbed her arm, yanking her backward as a masked figure emerged from the trees.

the killer.

a glint of silver flashed in the darkness, and then they were running.

the night was alive with the sound of their breaths, their pounding footsteps. rafe was right behind them, his usual arrogance stripped away by something raw.

fear and panic.

daisy risked a glance over her shoulder. the figure in the mask didn't chase wildly—it stalked, it's movements deliberate, calculated.

it wasn't in a hurry. it didn't need to be.

they made it to finn's truck, practically diving in as he fumbled with the keys. the engine roared to life, and they peeled out onto the road, tires screeching against the pavement.

nobody spoke.

not until they were miles away.

daisy turned to rafe, her chest still heaving. "you knew!"

rafe swallowed hard, looking out the window, his hands turning to a fist, "i told you, d. they're not done."

a hum of silence, passed.

finn tightened his grip on the wheel. "then it's time we find out who they are."

"and how do you plan on doing that?" rafe spoke from the backseat.

finn looked to him through the rear mirror, "you're lucky you're even in this damn car."

( AUTHORS NOTE )
👀👀👀👀 , is rafe the killer after all??