Karma

Chapter 9

Rory's POV

Sitting in Niall's car was completely different, for a number of reasons. For starters I was sober and was actually able to take in the smaller details. Like the leather interior and the subtle navy blue decals. Also the Eagles CD tucked into the center console, or the pair of Ray Bans' hanging from the visor. There was a light scene drifting throughout the car that smelled like a mix of citrus and sandalwood, like Niall obviously. Niall himself is different, his skin looks softer, a pale pink in color, his eyes an electric blue, bluer than the skies themselves, like a million different shades all in one.

I notice how, when we're driving in the city he's more attentive, two hands on the wheel, checking his mirrors constantly; but when we get to the freeway or the highway he's much more relaxed, only one hand on the steering wheel, reclined in his seat.  He hums softly with the radio, a song I don't know about wanting something great, his finger tapping to the beat on the steering wheel.

Being lost in observation, I hadn't noticed that we arrived. I look out the window as we pull into the driveway. The building before me was a grayish-white color, made of stone, with so many windows. As we pulled around to the back of the house I can see a balcony overlooking a yard.

"This is what we call 'the compound'," Niall said, taking off his seat belt, shifting in his chair to face me. "It functions like an office, but the upper level has bedrooms, in case we stay the night, also there's a tech lab and a med lab in the lower level."

I nod, thinking of the layout while staring at the so-called 'compound'.

"Who's we?" I ask and Niall tenses a little, like he's choosing his words wisely, he breathes deeply before answering my question.

"My organization, Karma, it's something I started with a group of friends a while ago. It's hard to explain but the basis of it is that we help people." He said finally, opening his door and then walking around to open mine.

Weird.

I unbuckle and take his hand, getting out of the car.

We walk in and the first thing that I notice is the warmth radiating throughout the room. It must have been 85 degrees. Second is the room before me, the walls a deep blue, almost black, the floor a black marble. There's a living room like set up in the middle of the room, a huge carpet and some couches facing a TV mounted on a wall.

"Christ," Niall mumbled before walking across the room to a pad mounted on the wall. I watch, removing my coat carefully, as he fixes the thermostat. "HARRY! STOP MESSING WITH THE HEAT. IT'S LIKE A GOD DAMN HEAT BOX IN HERE!" He yells out to the room, it not being long before he gets a response.

"YOU KNOW I GET COLD, BESIDES YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" A deep voice rang out, as it grew closer it grew softer, "It's not my fault that someone designed a building that couldn't keep heat in," The man said pointedly at Niall, my first impression of the man is tall, he had to be well over 6 ft., and he was sassy, I giggle at the encounter before me and hope it goes unnoticed.

At the sound the man turns and faces me. Getting a better look at him I can see that his long dark hair is pulled into a bun, what looks like a braid is tucked in it. He moves and stands directly in front of me , looking me up and down, and I quite literally have to look at him.

He continues to stare, his arms crossed with a hand resting on his chin, before he smiles.

"Harry Styles," He sticks his hand out. "Who might you be?"

"Rory," I say hesitantly, taking his hand in mine and shaking, with what I hope is a firm grip, to mask the nerves I acquired. He's intimidating in a way that at the same time he's not. Like he could easily destroy me, and knows it too, but chooses not to.