The Keepers (Niall Horan FanFic)

Chapter 9-Let The Games Begin

We push our way through the door into the box reserved especially for celebrities that's overlooking the crowd. My seat is three rows behind the target's, just as my employer had said it was. I tense as I feel Niall's hand on my bare back, but my mind immediately forgets my discomfort as I look at the view before me.

Thousands of children, some my age, are stretched out below before me in an arena that quite resembles where Katniss Everdeen was interviewed as a tribute for the first time. Kids are standing on their seats, screaming, laughing, talking with one another excidetly as they watch the giant clock on the screen count down.

Beside me, Niall seems to be having the same reaction. "Amazing, isn't it?" He says, his eyes trying to soak up every inch of the huge arena. "Yeah," I say, waiting patiently. "To think that..a year ago, we were trying to pick ourselves up after losing the X Factor..and now.." he laughs, throwing his head back a little. I smile, waiting for him to realize that bright red stain on his shirt isn't going away, even though the seconds are.

"Anyways," He says, seeming to remember I'm standing right next to him. "I, um, guess this is your seat."

"Row C, seat 3," I say, double-checking my ticket even though I already know what it will say. "Yeah, I guess it is," I say, smiling.

He swings his hands and then balls them into fists. I smile inwardly at his nervousness; I'm getting somewhere.

"Look, uh, Willow, I know we just met, but I-"

"Niall.." I say, sliding over to him, running my finger on the outline of the red splotch on his shirt. I slide my eyes up the upper half of his body until they reach his.

"..I don't think that stain is gonna come out on it's own,"  I whisper, leaning in so that our lips are almost touching.

Just as quickly, I pull away, yet leave my hand lingering on his chest.

"Better put something on it before Louis forbids you to go on stage," I say, nodding towards the door where Louis is pointing to his wrist, forgetting yet again that he isn't wearing a watch. Harry and Liam are still having a row, but Zayn is nowhere to be seen. Once again, small voices start seeping into my brain telling me that this job won't be as easy as the rest.

"Right, right," Niall says, looking down at me with a dazed expression. For a second I think I've played the game too quickly, but what's done is done, and besides, he looks to lost to question my motives.

He looks at Louis, who's now looking ready to break down the door and drag Niall away from me himself.

Anticipating his question, I smile, taking my hand away at last and letting it drop to my side.

"I'm not going anywhere," I say, patting my seat, giving him a reassuring smile. "I'll still be right here when you're done."

He smiles, retreating into the doorway.

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"You don't know you're beau-ti-ful, uh oh oh,

You don't know you're beauti-ful, uh o-"

I feel a vibrating sensation somewhere in my clutch and reach down to grab it. "God, if only this music wasn't so loud, I might be able to hear myself think," I grumble, scowling to myself.

I unzip the clutch, reaching for the only thing I know it holds. I grasp my phone and flip it open, knowing it'll say I have a new text, though I'm sure from who. I don't exactly have that many friends.

Well, understatement. I don't have any friends, not with what my job calls for.

I sigh and flip open my phone, curiosity getting the better of me.

Well done, Miss Aster. I must say, I believe you surprised us both with you-

I flip my phone shut, quickly glancing left and right. Confirming that no one saw anything, I politely excuse myself from my neighbor, sliding out of my seat and walking briskly towards the door, nodding at the ticket lady. Once out of sight, I run until I find the girl's loo, bursting in and whipping my phone out, throwing my clutch halfway across the room in the process.

I open the text message and start reading.

Well done, Miss Aster. I must say, I believe you surprised us both with your ability to trap the fish in a barrel so quickly-no wonder your name was at the top of the list. The wine was certainly a nice touch. By all means, do carry on; don't let me interrupt your evening when clearly it's going so well. Good evening, Miss Aster. Keep up the good work.

- 50,000 has been transferred to your account.-

I lean up against the bathroom wall, reminding myself to breathe. Of course he knows everything, I tell myself. He's an international rogue. What did you expect?

Not this. He knew every detail, described it to me. That text wasn't a greeting, it was a message. My employer telling me that just like Niall, I'm being watched. That, just like myself, people are being paid to find things out about me while I stand by, oblivious.

I straighten up and look at myself in the mirror. The red dress, the lipstick, they only mean one thing. That I may be acting of my own free will, but I'm always being watched, that though I'm in the game, I'm not in control. That I never should intend to be.

I look myself straight in the eyes and say my next words out loud, hoping my employer will hear them.

"You want to play games? Fine.

Let the games begin."

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Authors Note:

The real story is about to begin.

-D