Subterranean | H.S.

S06

Harry's pov

I turn around and smooth my hand over my cheeks, closing my eyes and puffing the hot air through my nostrils.

Silent, small steps come to my ears, but I don't stop her from leaving. I watch the door closing after her body disappears behind it.

In a matter of seconds, I throw the bills and I see them flying all over my room. Some of them land on the floor, and some of them stop on the table and the couch.

''Fucking hell.'' I whisper under my breath and feel the fury building in my body.

My eyes wander around the space in search of any clues. They stop at my phone and very quickly I find myself next to my desk, picking my phone up, unlocking it, and looking for the right number.

''Niall, Niall, Niall.'' I repeat under my nose and press the right button.

The phone starts calling and I'm tapping my shoe against the floor to release some stress from my tensed body.

''Fucking pick up.'' I raise my voice and pinch the bridge of my nose with my pointing and middle fingers.

I take the screen away from my face and as I'm about to hang up I see the time of the call in the right, top corner. ''Harry?'' A well-known, annoying voice comes from the other side and I put the phone to my ear again.

''No, fucking Santa Clouse. The fuck are you doing?'' I make my way around my desk and sit down in my chair.

''Well you didn't quite get the time of the year dumbass, it's spring. And what do you expect me to do? I'm at work. I have things to do and places to be. I don't have all my time reserved for you.'' I roll my eyes at his words and groan.

''You're not my mother, Niall. That was more of a rhetorical question if you know what that is.''

I turn around in my seat and stare at the city behind the glass. ''Tell me, if I'm not your mother then why are you calling me, asking for help?'' I hear a shuffle and a thud. ''What do you want again?'' The irritation in his voice is clear as ever.

''Can you just come over? We need to talk.'' I flat my lips and close my eyes.

''I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch the 'Please, Niall I fucked up again and I need you to save my ass. You're the bestest friend ever and I love you. Making you a co-owner was the best decision of my life.' part.'' I hear him snort from the other side and I want to punch that stupid smile off his face.

''Fuck off.''

''Well, fuck you then. See you around, buddy.'' He says ironically and stays quiet.

I grip my hand into a fist. ''Wait, Niall. I really need help, please.''

''See Harry. That wasn't so hard after all. Will be there in five.'' He hangs up and I put my phone away.

I stand up, walk past the money on the floor and open one of the bookshelves. My sweaty hands take a Whiskey bottle and a glass. I pour myself some of it and swallow it harshly. I don't even know how long I've been staring at the same spot, nor how many drinks I've had but at some point, the sound of opening the door breaks me from the trance. My body feels relaxed now and I put the empty bottle away.

''Saw a pretty brunette just walking out of here, she looked- Tell me you didn't just finish that whole bottle, and what the fuck is the money doing on the goddamn floor?'' My best friend's voice comes from behind me.

I turn around and now I see him standing next to me. ''I didn't finish the whole bottle.'' I shrug my shoulders, ignoring his first and last words, and lean over the furniture.

''Why are you lying to me?'' He brushes his hand through his hair and looks at my face.

''You wanted me to tell you that, so I did. Don't see where the problem is.''

''Jesus.'' My body walks by his and I sit down on one of the couches, where she sat before.

''It's not Jesus, but I'm gonna take the compliment. Thank you.'' I laugh to myself.

In the corner of my eye, I see him take a place next to me. ''Why'd you call me?''

The events of the past week playing in my head. I can't believe that I fucked up that badly.

''Listen to me and don't interrupt me.'' He nods his head and makes himself comfortable. ''I went to that hospital as we talked, I wanted to talk to the guy and he told me shit. We need another plan cause it's not gonna work.'' My tongue runs over my lips, wetting them. ''I thought no one was there at the time, it turned out I was wrong and this girl saw me. I threatened her with my fucking gun and left her there. I didn't really think about it. I met her this week at some club, turns out she works there and we met again, just minutes ago. She's scared like shit but I can't be sure that she'll keep her mouth shut.'' After I finish I look at his face. His brows are furrowed.

''And what do you want me to do about it?'' He looks as confused as never. ''Am I supposed to threaten her with something else? Kidnap her, or kill her?'' He moves his hands as he speaks. "And to the plan. Dude, we don't have anything more on him. You'll just have to keep on trying. I'll tell the boys to look for something else but I don't think there's more we can do.''

''God, no.'' I feel a heat wave wash over me. ''The problem is, I don't know. Thought about sending someone to follow her, watch her and make sure she's quiet.'' I don't pay much attention to the second part of his speech. 

A whistle leaves his mouth. ''And how are you imagining it? She's an outsider, there's not a single way to do it without being suspicious. Plus you know we don't have many people right now. And what are you going to do if she'll say something? Will you kill her? Since you said it's not an option right now I don't think it's an option for later.''

My tongue clicks with annoyance. ''Do you have any other ideas that are better then?''

''Dunno, maybe just try talking to her.''

A sincere laugh leaves my chest.

''What's so fucking funny?'' I throw my head backward and wrap my arms around my torso.

I take my time to calm down. ''You want me to talk to her?''

''That's exactly what I just said, yes.'' He crosses his ankles. ''Ask her to meet you somewhere, where many people are. Try talking to her, make a deal with her or something. I'd do that. There's nothing besides that. The longer you take the higher the risk is.''

''You want me, the guy who threatened her, who almost made her shit her pants when she saw me, to talk to her?'' My head shakes in disbelief. ''This is bloody ridiculous. She obviously would run away from me. What makes you think she'll believe any of my words if I don't trust hers?''

The green of her eyes flashes in my mind. Her little figure curled up every time she made eye contact with me.

''Is your name really Persephone?" My curiosity takes over and I decide to speak.

''Ye-''

I hear the answer in half.

There's no way. 

It can't be her. 

A weird feeling travels through my spine and the realization hits me. My nervous system goes crazy.

I slowly move my eyes to the left, where she stands. At the same time, she moves her head to the right. I see her pale face and my stomach drops. 

Her little notebook in the shape of a dinosaur slips from her hands and falls on the floor.

Her eyes reach mine as I'm breathing out a shaky breath. I furrow my brows and she's staring at me like she's seeing a ghost. 

She turns around saying a quiet 'thank you' and runs away to disappear into the ocean full of bodies. 

She remembers me.

Persephone.

''Make her believe you then.''

//

Call it a short one, but an important one.