The Dark Slytherin (Trilogy)

Ch 6- The Fall Of The Unseen

The gang's hideout was quieter than usual. After the successful heist and the relief of securing treatment for Pete's mother, the group had decided to lay low for a while. But as the days turned into weeks, a growing tension settled over them. The police were still on high alert, and rumours were swirling in the underworld that the authorities were closing in on a major bust. Hadrian had been restless. Despite the gang's instructions to stay put, he had ventured out a few times to check on Pete's mother at the hospital. The woman had always been kind to him, treating him like one of her own, and Hadrian felt a deep sense of gratitude towards her. But each time he left the safety of the hideout, he knew he was taking a risk.

One night, as Hadrian returned from one of these visits, he noticed something strange. A figure loitered near the entrance to their hideout, trying to blend in with the shadows. Hadrian's heart raced. He knew all the gang members, and this person wasn't one of them. Without hesitating, he slipped into an alleyway, circling around to get a better look.

As he crouched behind a stack of crates, he saw the figure more clearly. It was a man in plain clothes, but something about his posture and the way he surveyed the area screamed "cop." Hadrian's suspicions were confirmed when the man pulled out a radio and muttered something into it.

Hadrian's mind raced. He had to warn the others. He darted back to the hideout, moving swiftly through the familiar backstreets. Bursting through the door, he found the gang gathered around the table, discussing their next move. "We've got a problem," Hadrian panted, catching his breath. "There's a cop outside. Looks like they're watching us."

The room fell silent. Rex stood up, his face grim. "How long have they been there?" Hadrian shook his head. "I don't know. I just saw him now. "Lily looked worried." We need to get out of here. If they've been watching, they might have seen all of us coming and going." Max nodded. "We need to split up, go to our safe houses." As they hastily packed their belongings, the sound of sirens in the distance made everyone freeze. The police were coming. They had to move fast. Rex grabbed Hadrian by the shoulder. "You go with Pete. He knows the back route out of here."

Hadrian nodded, following Pete out the back door. They moved quickly through the maze of alleys, but as they turned a corner, they found themselves face-to-face with a group of police officers. There was no time to react. The officers drew their weapons, shouting for them to stop. Pete hesitated for a moment, then turned to Hadrian, his eyes filled with fear and regret. "Go, Hadrian! I'll hold them off!"

Before Hadrian could protest, Pete ran towards the officers, waving his arms. The officers turned their attention to him, and Hadrian took the chance to sprint down the alley. His heart pounded in his chest as he ran, the sound of Pete's voice fading behind him. He ran until his legs burned and his lungs felt like they were on fire. Finally, he ducked into a narrow passageway, pressing himself against the cold brick wall. He waited, holding his breath, listening for any signs of pursuit. But all he heard were distant shouts and the fading wail of sirens.

After what felt like an eternity, Hadrian finally allowed himself to relax. He sank to the ground, his body trembling with adrenaline and fear. He had escaped, but at what cost? Pete had been caught, and there was no telling what the police would do with him. And what about the others? Had they managed to get away, or were they captured too?

As Hadrian sat there, the reality of his situation began to sink in. The gang had been his family, the only real family he had known since the Dursleys. And now, that family was shattered. He didn't know where to go or what to do next. He was alone, hunted, and without a place to call home. The next few days were a blur. Hadrian kept moving, never staying in one place for long. He heard snippets of news about the gang's capture on the radio—Rex, Max, and Lily had all been caught. There was no mention of Pete, and Hadrian hoped that meant he had somehow managed to escape.

Hadrian knew he couldn't keep running forever. The city was full of eyes, and the police were on high alert. Every shadow seemed to hide a threat, every stranger could be an informant. Hadrian had to lay low, to blend in and disappear. He used the survival skills he had learned from the gang, finding food and shelter where he could, always staying one step ahead of the law. But as the days turned into weeks, Hadrian couldn't shake the feeling of guilt and loss. The gang had been his family, and now they were gone. He had no one left, and the future seemed bleak and uncertain. He missed the camaraderie, the sense of belonging, and even the thrill of their dangerous lifestyle.

One night, as Hadrian sat in a dingy basement room he had found, he heard a rustling outside the door. He tensed, ready to bolt, but then the door creaked open, and Pete stepped inside. He looked worn and tired, but there was a glimmer of relief in his eyes when he saw Hadrian. "You're okay," Pete whispered, a small smile breaking through his exhaustion. Hadrian stood up, feeling a lump form in his throat. "I thought you were caught. "Pete shook his head. "I got lucky. They were more focused on finding the rest of the gang. I managed to slip away."

They sat down together, sharing what little food they had. As they ate, Pete filled Hadrian in on what had happened. The gang members who had been caught were facing serious charges, and the police were still looking for Hadrian and Pete. They were on the run, with no clear plan or destination.

Despite the dire situation, Hadrian felt a flicker of hope. He wasn't alone. Pete was with him, and they had each other's backs. They talked late into the night, planning their next move. They would lay low, find a new place to hide, and figure out a way to help the gang members who had been caught.

It wasn't much of a plan, but it was something. And as Hadrian looked at Pete, he felt a renewed sense of determination. They had come this far together, and they would find a way to keep going. No matter what the future held, they would face it together.

As they prepared to move on, Hadrian felt a strange mix of emotions—sadness for the loss of the gang, fear for what lay ahead, but also a sense of hope. They had survived this long, and they would keep surviving. They were a family, even if it was just the two of them now. And in that moment, Hadrian knew that no matter what happened, he would never forget the lessons he had learned from the gang—the importance of loyalty, the strength of family, and the courage to keep going, no matter how dark the road ahead seemed.