Verbatim [h.s]

Thirty-Four

I walk down the stairs of Verbatim, I can hear laughing and chatting already. The closer I get, each step I take, the sounds grow louder. I hold the frame and the card to my chest. My whole body shakes and the tears silently stream down my face. Every time something weird has happened, I have kept calm and not freaked out to a new extreme. But this, this is something of a different ball game. This is a personal picture from home. This is a direct hit on me no questions asked. And it is as if everything else that has happened over the years suddenly felt real. I had managed to convince myself that these strange calls and gifts, presuming they're the same person that is, that they were harmless. However, sending me a photo of myself from when I was a teenager followed with a very threatening card, that has sent me skyrocketing.

When I reach the platform in front of the door, I halt for a moment. I listen to the boys laughing and joking, I can see them now in my head sat around the bar with drinks in their hands. Niall probably saying something hilarious and them all crying over it, Liam bragging about his latest conquest as he would say, Louis not saying anything, Zayn added his two pence was needed and then Harry would sit and observe, laughing and joking with them.

And for a moment, I contemplate turning around. This isn't to do with them. this is me. I carry this baggage. And I'm dragging them into my mess. For a moment, I think about going home and crying myself to sleep. To lie to Harry about why I can't see him tonight, 2 nights before Christmas. For a moment, I consider taking the matter into my own hands and serving myself on a silver platter to whoever this is, just to get answers once and for all.

But how foolish would I be? To put myself in danger purposely. To ignore and lie to the man I- to- to my boyfriend. He'd never forgive me. And neither would my mother or Audrey. It isn't just Harry I have to take into consideration, it's everyone. And that is why I have to tell him, he is the only person I know who has the ability to protect me from whatever or whoever this is.

So with a deep breath, I straighten my back and wipe away the latest tears to fall however there is no hiding the fact I have been crying. I can feel how puffy my eyes are already, they're probably bloodshot and my cheeks are damp. And I know as soon as Harry, and the boys, lay eyes on me, they'll know something is wrong.

And that, that will make all of this sink it.

Reality.

Someone, somewhere, is out to get me. And I am terrified.

I take the first step through the open doorway, knowing they're sat to my right at the bar. Then I turn their way, everyone but Niall is sat at the bar their backs to me. Niall's eyes are the first to land on me. And in that second, it is as if a thousand words pass between us. He eyes me, trailing my body and landing on what I'm clutching in my hands. He can probably see my hands shaking no matter how much I try to stop. His eyes move to my face once more, a deep frown takes over his own face as he takes in my dishevelled appearance. His mouth opens and closes then he shakes his head, only then do one of the other boys notice that Niall isn't paying attention to their conversation.

"What is it?" Zayn asks Niall looking at him, but his eyes are glued on me. Slowly, Zayn turns to look over his shoulder. His turn now to take in my appearance. I just stay stood here, glued to my spot. I thought id move forwards, go get Harry and plead with him to help me. to hold me. to tell me everything will be okay. But I don't. I can't move. I am stunned.

As are they.

Zayn's attention now on me alerts everyone else, and they all spin around fast this time. I don't have time to take in Liam and Louis reaction as my eyes immediately meet Harry. He smiles at first but that immediately drops and he shoots up off of his seat. The glass he had in his hand now smashes on the floor and I flinch at the loud smash,