Resist // l.s

Chapter 6.

A/N: I knowww it's been so long since a new update, but I had a few comments and they just boosted my confidence and use for this story, so I thought I should add in a new chapter :) I love you guys, every read and every comment warms my heart. Hope you enjoy xoxo
P.s please ignore any grammar errors.

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Harry's P.O.V

{ I } stood there frozen

in that room; hardly able to think. What had just happened? Blood was pumping in my ears, my throat was tight and my heart beated loudly against my chest. Even though Louis had left the room, I could still feel his hot breath on my cheek. "NO!" I groaned out and hit the wall. No. What was happening to me? I couldn't like a boy, it was against everything I'd ever been taught. Letting out a breath I paced across the room, rubbing a hand over my face in thought. We had gotten so close to being caught; if it had've been my father at the door...he simply would've barged in, and it wouldn't just be my head on a spike. Louis would be dead too. It's far too risky for us to be like this again...I'll have to try keeping my distance from those pretty blue eyes that always seem to draw me in...even though I don't want to.

At dinner, the patrons were sat opposite from their mentors; and of course they had to sit me just one seat away from my father. The almighty King. 
Pathetic King more like. The dinner was silent and fast, though throughout I could feel Louis stealing glances at me, which made me want to chuckle. Surely he didn't have a little crush on me. "Could I have everyone's attention please." The Head guard said and he motioned for all patrons to stand up. They followed his command and all eyes were on the bulky guy. "Tonight there will be a challenge for the patrons. It will commence shortly, so pay attention." My eyebrows furrowed and Louis and I exchanged glances. A challenge? I hadn't been informed of anything like this. "Tonight is a game changer...for every one of you. This could be the night you really shine out...or it could be your downfall," The Guards voice boomed as he held his hands behind his back, walking down the line of patrons as he spoke. I took a moment to look at Louis, and I could see his hand shaking ever so slightly. He must be nervous; I knew I was. "I'm sure you're all aware of the famous castle garden. It is a maze of sorts, with benches, fountains, the most rare flowers in all our kingdom bloom within there...however tonight, there are objects within the maze that are not normally there. You must find your item corresponding to your mentor, and then make your way back out of the maze. Each of you will be given one clue as to what the item may be. If you collect the wrong item, you will have failed the challenge. If you are last out of the maze, you will also have failed. Let's hope you've gotten to know your mentors, patrons. The challenge will commence in twenty minutes. Get dressed. Prepare yourselves." And with a nod of his head, the patrons turned and began to leave the room. My fist clenched as did my jaw as I kept staring forward. Once the patrons had left the room, I said "Whose idea was this?" In a low tone of voice. 
"It was mine." My father said and I felt my stomach churn. Of course. 
"And the penalty for failing this challenge?" I asked, though I could already feel the answer coming. 
"We only create these challenges to make our decisions easier, boy. To eradicate the weak. The penalty for this challenge is death."

*****

Louis' P.O.V

{ O } n our way back down

to our dorm, all of the patrons seemed on edge. They bustled about, quickly pulling on the black, tightly fitted clothing we'd been provided with for the night and I got dressed as well. No one was speaking, just kind of...staring at the ground. "They've never done a challenge before," Niall said, pulling on his shoes as he tied up his laces. I looked over at him with a frown on my face. 
"Haven't they? Not ever?" He let out a soft sigh and looked up at me, shaking his head.
"The whole reason they call them activities and such is because they're training us. If this is a challenge...I don't think I want to know what the result for failure is." A knot gets stuck in my throat and I swallow thickly to get it down. I'm terrified. What if I guess wrong? What if I can't even find my way back out of the maze? Once my own shoes are on, we all follow the Head Guard out to the castle garden. My heart has never beat so hard in my life.

*****

The Royals are all sitting in a line - of course, in fancy chairs that their maids must've brought out - with refreshments near them. They must have to wait here to confirm whether each patron has found the correct object. Harry is seated as far as he could be away from the King, and I feel an urge to go over and hold his hand...WHAT AM I THINKING?! That is the Prince I'm thinking of, not some normal guy that could possibly EVER be even remotely available to me...I steal a glance at him and his foot it tapping on the soft gross. He looks really nervous and it makes my stomach wrench. He doesn't think I can do it.
Hell, I don't think I can.
Niall is standing beside me, jumping lightly on his toes; as if he were a basketballer preparing for a game. I wish I could be as cool as he was. He always seems so calm and collected. "Patrons! Step in line!" The Head Guard says in his booming voice and we all get into place. "There has been another consequence added. If you exit the maze and have not found an object whatsoever, you have also immediately failed. You may have a minute with your mentor; they will tell you your clue." We all instantly run towards our mentors, and they royals spread out so we aren't all bunched up. My heart is now beginning to race and my stomach begins to twist around in nervousness. Harry lets out a shaky breath as I approach him. 
"How're you feeling?" He whispers and I gulp.
"Nervous."
"Well good, at least we've got something in common," he said and let out another breath, looking away for a moment. I frown.
"What is it? What's the matter?" His green eyes meet mine once more.
"Louis, don't leave that maze without an object. Do not pick up the wrong one either, you get in there, you find it, and you get out. Fast."
"Why? Harry, what's the punishment? What happens if you fail?" He rubs his hand over his face.
"Louis, if you fail you die. They're killing of one of the patrons. Tonight." My stomach drops. 
They're actually...killing someone. Now. Already? 
"But...but they aren't supposed to-"
"It's my father. I think he's done this on purpose, he's angry and he's bored, and he wants bloodshed." He hushed in an angry tone of voice. "You just focus on no one but yourself in there. Okay?" He glances around quickly before stepping a little closer; using the distance to gently brush his fingertips over my hand. It sends goose bumps over my skin and tingles up my arm. "It's gonna get crazy in there. Stay away from the guy with the dark hair." I frown and glance over at the male that has a blank face on.
"Who, Zayn? He's just-"
"He will kill to get what he wants, Louis. Trust me on that." Harry said firmly and I give a little not.
"What's my clue then?" Harry sighs and pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket, handing it over to me. I furrow my brow and almost smile when I see it's been handwritten by Harry.

"The object you seek is one your eyes have seen but not looked. Something to hold, and to hook."

I frown as the words and look up at him. "Harry, this is just gibberish-" He lifts his hands up and cups my cheeks. I freeze, afraid someone might see, but everyone is too busy focusing on themselves. Harry's eyes lock on mine as he hushes me.
"You'll figure it out. Just think. Think smart, Louis." He said just as the Head Guard blew on his whistle. Harry lets out a shaky breath, dropping his hands as he looks over at me. "Remember what I told you. Fast. Smart. Careful." I nod at him and run back over to the starting line. My heart is pounding in my chest. I'm situated right between Niall and Zayn, and my heart could honestly nod feel any more pressure. We all bend down, getting ready to sprint forward. My eyes are already trying to look beyond the Guard to try see if I can spot anything from here; though I know they would never make it that easy. I shoved Harry's clue in my pocket, knowing the words are embedded in my brain anyway.
"Hey. Good luck mate," Niall whispers to me and I'm about to say dido, but Zayn snorts. 
"Why bother with luck. Pansy is gonna fail anyway. Might as well give up now, Louis," Zayn says and looks at me out of his eye; smirking. "This is a big boys game." I frown and look forward, deciding to not even bother replying to him. Focus Louis. Just focus. I shut my eyes and block everything out for just a moment. All that's around me is the maze. Just me and the maze. The sound of my heart beating fills me ears, and then once I hear that starting whistle blow, my feet kick off and I'm flying forwards with the rest of the patrons, into the maze. 
The last thing I see before I turn around a corner is Harry covering his face with his hands and sitting back down on his seat.

*****