The Devil's Aces [h.s . au]

36

HARLEY

"We have to go home! Harry left something there for me! It's part of Endgame Protocol!" Cameron was screaming.

I'd never seen the kid act this way, he was adamant about getting something from the safe. I finally gave in and flipped around.

I held the gun -Zayn taught me how to use it earlier this morning- up as I walked through the house. Cam followed behind me. We went straight to the safe, which was in Harry's room. Thankfully Cam knew the combination because Harry never said a word of it to me.

I watched him open it and frowned when I saw the contents within the metal box. There was a small but thick envelope. All of Harry's rings, and his red bic lighter with the black nail polish heart on it, and a gun.

"What the hell? This is Endgame Protocol?"

Cam grabbed all the stuff and shoved it in his backpack. I let him grab a few things he wanted from his room. I grabbed a few things from my room, but it was mostly just irreplaceables. I knew that everything else would be repurchased. Granted we'd likely be starting over, completely from scratch. But I didn't care. Once we were out of this city we would be safe. We had a new life ahead of us, and it was all thanks to Harry.

We were back in the car within a few minutes. I was driving, and Cam was in the passenger seat. "Where do you wanna go?"

Cameron shrugged, "Harry didn't have a place in mind, did he?"

My heart shattered, I took his hand and squeezed it tightly. "I'm so sorry Cam." I'd said it over and over again when he cried in my arms right after I picked him up from the school and told him that Harry died saving me, so I could get him out of here.

"Where do you want to go? If you would go anywhere in the US to start a whole new life, where would you want to go?" I tried to change the subject, not to mention we were nearly to the freeway and I needed to know which direction to go.

"Florida!" He finally yelled.

I pushed my foot on the gas. "I've been dreaming about Miami for months. What does the letter say? Maybe it'll give you some more closure?"

Cameron pulled the letter out of his backpack, tore it open, and pulled out the thick packet of papers. I could see Harry's handwriting on the pages, and felt more guilt than I had the entire item I was creating my plan to escape.

He read aloud:

Dear Cameron,

If you're reading this, it means I'm dead. You know I'm not really great at expressing my emotions or using my words. But that's what I'm going to do. I don't have much time to write this or even come up with anything inspiring to leave you with. But what I do have is Endgame Protocol, so I'll start with that.

You know Endgame Protocol, we created it together. Regardless I'm going to walk you through it again.

First, go to the safe, which you've already done if you secured my letter. Take everything from the safe, and run. Get as far away from Albuquerque as you can. There is absolutely nothing left for you there.

Second, throw your phone out the window, and any other electronics. They can track you with that shit, and this is the endgame. No, loose ends, if you want to escape you have to leave it all behind. No electronics, sorry kid.

Third, I transferred all of my money, all of Vance's money, and all of your money into an untraceable account. The account information is 593475307593 and the password is 'Sweetheart'. There should be more than enough in the account to keep you going for the next few years. Use it wisely, because once it's gone, it's gone!

Fourth, live the life we planned for you. Stay clean (no weed doesn't count), graduate high school, get your mechanics license and open up the garage you've been talking about for years. Use the money from the account to start it. Follow your dreams, kid.

Fifth, be happy. Don't mourn me. I know that it's sad that I'm gone, but you are going to get out of that shit hole. You're going to start a new life, a better life. I'm sorry I won't be there to see it. I'm sorry I'm forcing you to grow up so fast. None of this is fair, but I need you to make me a promise. That you'll live as if each day is your last.

I died for you, Cameron. This means if you want to remember me, you have to work hard. Live a good life, so that I don't die for no reason.

As for my other possessions in the safe. You were always admiring my rings, so I wanted you to have them. Better someone I love has them, then let them rot on my corpse.

My bic lighter, you know this was my prized possession. Cameron, this lighter is the last thing I have of my mothers before I lost contact with her forever. One of the first things my dad gave my mom when they fell in love was a lighter. They used her nail polish to draw on a heart, signifying their firey passion for one another.

The day I left for college, she bought me a lighter of my own. She even painted the heart on it. Then she told me, 'Harry, when you find the girl of your dreams, the one you know you're going to marry. I want you to give her this lighter.' Obviously, I never had the chance to give Harley my lighter, but I knew deep down that if everything went okay with our plan to escape. I'd be giving her lighter.

So instead, I'm giving you the lighter. I'm going to tell you the same thing my mom told me:

Cameron, when you find the girl of your dreams, the one you know you're going to marry. I want you to give her this lighter.

That's everything for Endgame Protocol.

There's so much I want to tell you, kid. So much advice I want to give you. But I gotta go. I think Harley is about to be killed, and I need to save her. She's the love of my life, but more importantly, she loves you. If she manages to escape and finds you. Tell her I love her and tell her I'm sorry.

The two of you were my family. I loved you more than life itself. And I would have done anything for you guys. I'd walk through fire for you. I hope she's with you. If she is, take care of each other. She needs you more than you need her. You're a found family, which is even stronger than blood.

Everything I've done since I met you, was all for you. I love you, kid.

I love you,

Harry

(ps. I'm not worried about you. You'll be alright)

THE END!