When Everything is Nothing. (Niall Horan Fanfic)

Inferno

One of the nights later that week was really rainy, so we stayed inside, eating and watching television.

"I'm nervous for tomorrow." He admitted.

"Why?"

"They're cutting so many people... It's the last day of bootcamp." He explained.

"Niall you'll do fine."

He sighed, "I hope so."

I took a bite of the popcorn I had just taken out of the microwave.

"So why do you call your father Stan?" Niall asked after swallowing a bite of a fried scallion ring.

I shook my head, "he's not my father."

"Oh." Niall stared down at his knees.

I walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed, offering him some of the bag.

We continued eating in silence for a while.

"He adopted me." I answered slowly, breaking the tension.

Niall's eyebrows raised, "Oh. Wow."

I nodded before taking another few pieces and shoving them into my mouth.

"Where was your adoption centre?"

"Around Connemara."

Niall paused for a moment, thinking.

"O'Reilly Orphanage?"

As soon as he said the name, all kinds of memories flashed before me:

Of Jared, Ben Boogie, Izzy, and I growing up.

Of Hellen taking away all of our belongings we had inherited.

Of all of those lonely nights when I got segregated into another room without meals.

Of all of those times she beat us if we tried to leave.

I gently traced my finger along my wrist, wincing when I felt the raw skin, still yet to be healed after all of this time.

Of my virtual siblings there, who had grown to love one in particular more than that.

And how we were the only ones to stay there for so long; everyone wanted a baby, nobody wanted us.

No matter how much we refused to admit it, it hurt. More than all of the beatings we ever recieved

I forced the memories out of my mind, forcing myself to forget what I never wanted to remember.

How did he know of the terrible place that kept me tortured for so long?

I put my food down and turned to face him, nodding.

"I am so sorry." He shook his head, avoiding eye contact.

"Why are you sorry?"

Niall looked at me in surprise, "Wait... No one ever told you?" His tone in his voice growing increasingly more serious.

"No..."

Niall gulped and paused for a moment,

"It was all over the news...There was a fire," he explained slowly,

"And?"

he stopped, attempting to find the words to say, before finally answering.

"No one survived."