The Keepers (Niall Horan FanFic)

Chapter 10-Room 124

"THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THE 2012 KID'S CHOICE AWARDS! THANK YOU EVERYBODY! HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! Oh, and, uh, don't try this at home!"

Will Smith's voice booms out over the arena as I cover my ears in an attempt to save my hearing. I wince, gathering up my coat and clutch. Standing, I nonchalantley glance around, trying to figure out who might be the one keeping tabs on me for my employer. Everyone seems to be laughing or chatting with their neighbor. I slip into my coat, oblivious that Niall was heading up the aisle.

"Hey!" I wince as I recognize the Irish accent and continue buttoning up my coat. He makes his way down the aisle, politely pushing his through the little groups of three as he approaches me.

"Hey, sorry it took so long, I had to wait it out backstage until they told me it was clear-uh, wait..wh- where are ya goin'?"

I look up at him, my eyes an icy mask in contrast to his watery-blue ones. "I have to go. We have people over at my place that are there to celebrate, and I promised my mother I'd be home by 11:00," I say, finishing the last of my buttons.

He laughs. "You're at the bloomin' Kids Choice Awards, and your parents have people over? To celebrate?" This emits another laugh as he looks at me. "Don't they know where you are?"

Well, no, not exactly, seeing as they've been dead for seven years. I'd kind of say they could care less.

"Yes, they're fully aware of where I am. However, I need to get home, because, yes again, we do have people over to celebrate. And since you're probably just going to ask anyways, my brother got accepted into the University of Cambridge today, and they think that's just a tad bit more important than Kids Choice Awards," I say, tapping my foot. It's only a matter of time before he wonders how I'm here in the first place. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go."

I try to slide past him, but he grabs my arm. "Was it something I said?" He asks, his eyes searching mine. "Was it Louis? With that comment about your bum? Look, he didn't mean it, I swear. Well, nah, he probably did, but Loui can't help himself in akward situations-"

"Look, it's not Louis, or you, or anyone. Here. That you know. I just have to go. My brother got accepted into the best University in the state, and I'm missing his congratulatory celebration," I say, looking into his eyes, praying that he'd just buy the lie, buy the lie, buy the lie-

His releases his grip, his hand now falling gently to his side. "Oh. Well..al-alright," He says, dropping his gaze. "Would it be too much..I mean, you don't have to..can I..can I at least get your number, or something, so I can find you again?" He says, his imploring eyes boring into mine, reminding me of a puppy that's stuck out in the rain. The trace of pity I almost feel dissapears immidietly as I think back to my employer's message.

I hesitate, then think of what I'm about to do.

"I'm sorry, I have to go," I say, leaving him motionless as I dissapear through the broad doorway.

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Red, green and yellow lights flash by as I zoom down the lane and through the red light. I hear honking, but I don't care. I turn on the windshield wipers as the rain starts to blur the windshield.

"Dammit," I mutter, clicking the button again. The car I jacked seemed to be in order, but the thing I was looking for were tinted windows, not a working windshield wiper. This met my needs; shiny, black, and so overt it's covert. Besides, everyone has these kinds of cars in California. I made sure of that when I had the three seconds to decide between the shiny red camero convertible or this.

I glance in my mirrors, making sure I don't have a tail. I smile; in this weather it'd make that job difficult, and by the way I'm flying down these streets, I'd notice if someone was trying to keep my pace. Still, I don't relax until I'm the parking lot of the hotel.

 A quick glance at the lot tells me I'm alone, so I release my grip on the steering wheel and lean back into my seat. Closing my eyes, I let out a sigh.

What I did was risky, if not very costly. I probably lost this job, no doubt about that. But if there's one thing I demand when I sign up for one, it's this:

I always play the game on my own terms. Not my employer's, not the target's. Mine. Not out of selfish reasoning, either; that's just the way it goes. I'll be apart of your game, I'll even accept the fact that I'm a pawn, if you pay me what I want. But I will not be threatened, and I will not act out of fear. This is my job; though you're my client, I'm your equal. It's the only way I've survived this long being a Keeper.

For some reason, my current employer doesn't know that.

My eyes snap open as I rip the keys from the ignition. Well, he's damn well about to know now, I think as I make my way across the parking lot.

Walking through the sliding doors, I encounter a women wearing bright pink lipstick with matching nails standing at the front desk.

"I'd like a room," I say, removing my heel behind the counter. Making it look like I'm simply scratching my foot, I pull out a wad of twenties, taking 6. Slipping my shoe back on, I straighten up, now fully aware of the glances I'm getting from numerous men in my red ensamble.

"One night?" She says, smiling an annoyingly perky smile revealing shiny white teeth. "Yes," I say, laying the money on the counter.

"That'll be $110.00," She says, looking at me, smiling. I glance down towards the money, hoping she'll take the hint.

"Ohp, out of $120.00?" She says, her fluorescent nails clacking away. Obviously, I think. Glad you can count.

"And $10.00 is your change," She says, handing me a crisp 10 dollar bill. "You're room 124, fourth floor," She says, her brilliant white teeth nearly blinding me. "Thank you," I say, taking my key card and heading towards the elevator.

*Ding* I step onto my floor as the doors open, leaving me alone in the deserted hall. I turn to the left, reading the numbers on the doors, then pause as I realize I'm going in the wrong direction.

"Stupid numbers," I mutter, turning around. When I finally reach my door, I slide my key in the slot, getting a green light. I push it open, ready to collapse onto the first soft surface I see.

Not bothering to turn the lights on since the lights of Los Angeles are shining bright through the windows, I find the mirror and start removing the bobby pins from my hair, not caring where I throw them. My blonde hair looks silver in the silvery glow as it cascades down my back, stopping just above my bum, making me look like a mystical mermaid. I want to take off my make-up, but the dress can come first. I don't have a change of clothes, but being naked would be infinitely better than wearing this tiny peice of red cloth to bed.

I slide the delicate strap off my shoulder, letting it fall to my waist. Even though I'm completely naked from the waist up, I sigh, finally ready to be out of it altogether.

I'm just about to slip out of the rest of it when I hear his voice.