The Year 3000

Chapter 25: Loosing Blood

Scarlett's POV

Previously:

I had just about fallen asleep for the third time, when I felt Harry wrap his arms around my waist and pull me into his chest. I guess the couch was a one time offer. I noticeably tensed up, even in my sleepy stupor I didn't want to be this close to him. However, I didn't fight it in fear of his reaction. With minimal effort, I forced myself to relax. My breathing eventually evened out, and then I fell into blissful unconsciousness for the third time that night.

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I woke up to hushed shouting and felt the bed bounce as a large weight was lifted off of it. I tried to catch a part of the conversation as I pretended to be asleep.

". . . as a distraction and stole the containers of—" I recognized the voice to be Zayn's, but then Harry's unmistakable tenor rang through the air, cutting Zayn off.

"Scarlett, I know you're awake," he spoke knowingly, and I slowly blinked my eyes open as heat flushed to my cheeks at being caught.

"I'm sorry. I just—You woke me up, and so—" He cut off my rambling with a slight shake of his head. I immediately shut my mouth. Zayn just raised his eyebrows as he looked between the two of us.

"Well damn, what the hell happened to feisty young thing we first took here? You're all tame now." He smiled lightly at the end, a questioning look adorning his features. I looked down to the bedsheets, not wanting to answer. I knew I had changed a lot since I came here. I had lost all of my fire and spirit.

I had lost all of my hope.

Well, I hadn't lost it; Harry stole it.

Against my will, I had aged and matured so much these past few months. Now, I was much more careful with my words. I had learned how to hold my tongue since I didn't get to just blurt out how I felt all the time. It was as if I had come to the Palace with this thick layer around me, and ever since I met Harry, he kept chipping away at it until nothing was left but my rawest form. Thankfully though, before I could think about any of this too deeply, Harry's voice broke me out of my thoughts.

"Zayn, shall we discuss this somewhere more private?" he asked, arching his eyebrow in Zayn's direction. Zayn nodded immediately.

"Yes, of course." With one last glance at me, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, with Harry following behind, shrugging on a blazer. At the last minute though, once Zayn was already out the door, Harry spun around to face me.

"I want you to get dressed and get something to eat. I will send an escort up here to accompany you and to help you find your way. I wish to see you afterwards in my office." Harry paused and gave me a stern look. "I expect you to be on your very best behavior and to stay out of trouble. You know what will happen if you don't."

He waited until I nodded before joining Zayn out in the hallway, shutting the door behind him. I laid there for several seconds, until I was sure that Harry and Zayn had left, before getting up and walking to the bathroom. I needed a shower, badly. I didn't even glance at myself in the mirror before turning the water on all the way hot. It didn't take very long for it to heat up, and soon I was completely encased in scalding water.

I sighed out in pleasure, tilting my head up towards the ceiling. I didn't dare spend longer than ten minutes in the shower, in fear of what Harry would do if I was late. Even though he hadn't specified what time I was supposed to meet him in his office, I didn't want to keep him waiting. Reluctantly stepping out of the shower, steam surrounded me like a soft blanket. I felt clean and oddly refreshed.