Migraine | Larry Stylinson AU

FIVE. NIGHT CHANGES

Their fingers are intertwined and though they’re in the most murderous house, Harry feels as safe as ever. He’s with his boy.

“That’s a blood stain.” Liam breathes, covering his mouth.

His flashlight is shaky in his other hand. The browning bloodstain makes Harry want to vomit everything he ate at breakfast. This is where the newly introduced neighbor took his last breath. This is where he passed over to another stage of life before he was ready.

“Oh, God.”

Harry grips Louis’ hand for dear life. He doesn’t know if he can handle this. So much death all cooped up in one house, destined to ferment in endless evil.

“It’s okay.” Louis kisses the porcelain skinned boys’ cheek. “We’re okay.”

Niall reaches a hand up to his own cheek. “Did yeh lads feel that, too?”

“What are you talking about?” Liam shudders, pulling the hood of his jacket onto his head with the hand that once covered his face.

“That cold breeze.” Niall takes a sudden turn, pointing his flashlight behind him. “Is someone there?”

The rest of the lads huddle closer. Harry melts into Louis’ side and Liam pulls Zayn behind him. Niall remains in the front of the pack, his shaking hand lighting the way down the long corridor.

“I thought we agreed upon not asking idiotic questions?” Louis breathes, glaring at the back of the blond’s head.

Slowly, Niall shuffles forward.

“Niall.” Liam hisses.

“People come here to die.”

Tension rises in the room along with the hairs on the back of Harry’s neck. The temperature takes a sudden drop, leaving Harry to believe they are no longer alone. Although, he never believed they were truly alone in the first place.

“People come here to see their lives away. People come and are always bound to stay.” The high pitched voice sounds as if it belongs to a little boy.

Niall drops his flashlight. He backs up, bumping into Liam.

“You lads hear that, too, right?” Harry whispers, his voice trembling.

A loud slam makes them jump. Harry swears he’s gonna go into cardiac arrest. These ghosts seem a little too foreboding for his particular liking.

“Have we been in here long enough?”

Louis rolls his eyes, but of course only Harry sees that. “We’ve only just got in here.”

Zayn, still under the influence, starts to laugh. “People come ‘ere to die. Oooooh. I’m so fucking scared.”

“Z, shut up.” Liam elbows him in the stomach. “You’re being stupid.”

Niall’s estranged flashlight begins to flicker like the moon going in and out of light from the clouds passing by. The lads seem to be suspended in time, stuck in the house of living demons forever.

“This house is a joke, lads.”

Zayn howls moments later. Liam has stepped on his foot in a fit of annoyance. Harry would, too, if Harry were Liam. The House seems to share the same feeling towards the drunken fool.

“Ouch! For fuck’s sake!” Zayn starts rubbing at his back. “My back! My fucking back!”

Liam panics. “What? Show me!”

Zayn quickly strips off his shirt and turns his back to the group.

Singes. Dark pink singes are carved into Zayn’s back. Harry gasps, Louis holds tighter to his hand. Liam looks as if he’s about to cry, but Niall’s gaze doesn’t dare leave his flickering flashlight.