The Mentally Brave

Chapter 43

It has been a few days now, and our plan is known to all.
Ashton is staying out of the fight, taking Natalie and Troy someplace safe.
Louis is to keep far, and keep his mind open to anything that might change in his visions of that day. Luke will be staying with him, so he will be fast to get to us if something does change.
Eleanor, Perrie, Niall, Foster and I would fight, having enough fighting skills and relying on our own powers to keep ourselves safe.
Cowell is about to come with his army of idiots as well as Harry, Liam, Ed Calum and Tim.
Liam will not be fighting, since his skill is the computers and not hand to hand combat.
Harry said they will be coming the day after tomorrow and we should be ready.
I have been spending a lot of time by Foster's side, going over everything again and again, making sure we will be the ones with the upper hand, able to get to the Doctor before he gets to one of us.
We don't want him dead, but disarmed, so he won't be able to hurt us. After all, he is Harry's father.

"I want them to leave today," Foster says as I am looking at our bored, written on it, where everyone will be standing when the time will come.
"You might be right, make sure they are as far as they can," I agree with him, wanting to keep our younger siblings safe.
"Come, let's find them," I add turning to the door. Foster gets up from his seat, following me out. I know Natalie is in Troy's room helping him pack a few things since we don't know how long they will be gone for.
"Hi there," I push open the door, smiling at Troy's surprised face.
"Lizzie's here!" He shouts jumping up and down in excitement. It makes me giggle, never coming across someone who was so happy to see me.
"God, why aren't you ever so glad to see me?" Foster asks at my heel.
"Do you really want an answer?" Troy raises his brows, which makes Natalie laugh.
"So..." I start, thinking it is better to just come out and say it.
"You want us to leave today," Troy says.
"I thought I was the one to read minds," I smile at him.
"If you could see the look on your face," He rolls his eyes.
I walk over and sit on his bed, watching as Natalie folds his clothes. I think of that time a million years ago when we sat up on my bed, back home, talking about Harry, Nat pushing me to give him a chance.
"Listen mate, we want you guys safe, so it's better for you to be long gone when things go down," Foster explains, his hands ruffle Troy's hair. It is amazing how different he acts with his brother.
"When will I see you again?" Troy looks up at Foster.
"I told you in a few days, you'll be with Ash and Nat, and once we are ready we will come looking for you," Foster promises him.
"Why can't you come with us?" Troy pushes. He's been asking the same questions over these past few days, and by the look Foster gives me, he is out of answers.
"Hey Troy, come over here," I wave him over.
"What is your favorite thing in the world to do?" I inquire.
"Ummm.... I donno," He shrugs his eyes wide.
"How don't you know?!" Natalie turns to him.
"I was never asked such a question- what is your favorite thing in the world to do?" He asks her.
"Long rides into the sunset," Nat smiles.
"Eww you're such a girl!" He pulls a face.
"I'll tell you what," I say "You have until we come to get you to think of what you want the most in the world to do,"
"All right," He grins, this being enough for him, for now.
I can feel Foster staring at me, and I turn to Nat, before my face flushes.
"You be safe," I tell her getting up. She nods, going through a new pile of clothes.
Foster and I head out, when she hurries after us.
"Liz, wait!"
I turn, stopping to see what she wants.
Natalie throws her arms around my neck squeezing me into a hug.
"Promise you will come back," She says into my hair.
"I'll be back Nat, don't worry," I hug her back, my heart beating against hers.
"Promise me!" She pushes.
"I promise! I promise I'll come back for you," I whisper.
"Don't do anything stupid! Don't be a hero Liz! Do what you have to and that's it, leave Dr. Cowell to the big boys,"
"I love you Nat, you know that right?" I wipe a tear from her cheek as she pulls away from me.
"I love you too! More than anything so make sure you come back!"
I kiss her cheek, and she goes back into the room. Luke will be taking them as far as he can, and the rest they will do by themselves.
I sigh and continue walking, when I feel someone pull on my hand. It is Foster. I forgot he is with us.
He looks into my eyes, and then his finger brushes my cheek. That is when I feel the dampness, knowing I am crying too.
"You know you have to keep your promise, so you can't use any of those scenarios running through you head,"
I bite my lip knowing he is right. But if someone will be in danger I will not be able to stand on the side lines and watch.
I resume my pacing, leaving Foster behind.
"Lizzie, what is your favorite thing?" He calls after me.
I turn to look at him right before I take the turn, "Harry, anywhere and whatever.. as long as it's with Harry," I answer.

I am sitting with Niall, waiting for Luke to come back from taking Troy, Nat, and Ash to their safe haven.
"The odds are in our favour," Niall takes my hand in his.
"I know.. but... I don't know, maybe it's just nerves," I shrug.
"No, you're worrying," Niall replies, knowing exactly how I am feeling.
My phone rings, and I know it is Harry before even looking at the screen.
Niall get's up and leaves to give me some privacy.
"Harry," I answer
"I miss you," He says without introductions
"I miss you more," I whine.
"How are you holding up?" He asks
"I'm waiting for Luke to come back from taking Nat and Troy and Ashton,"
I have told Harry all about Troy, and what an amazing happy boy he is. I can hear the smile in Harry's voice when he comments, having a soft spot for kids.
"Lizzie, I want you to go with them," Harry breathes.
"No! I am staying Harry!" I snap. We have been through this before, every night when we speak he would ask me to sit out.
"Lizzie please! If something will happen to you, I wouldn't be able to live with myself," He begs me.
"Nothing will happen Harry, we will win, and grow old together, fighting and throwing things at each other, making love outside, below a full moon sky, drinking and swimming, going to late movies, we will do all the things we never got the chance to do together," I whisper.
"God, I love you," He groans.
"I love you too baby, I wish you were here,"
"I wish I was with you too,"
"How did things become so bad?" I choke, hating every minute of this.
"I don't know, we will fix it though, I promise you, I will see you very soon," He swears


That night I stare at the dark ceiling. I hear Niall's soft breath as he sleeps next to me. I find it hard to fall asleep without Harry by my side, without his scent surrounding me, his touch, as he holds me close to him.
I hope and pray we will survive, and we could all get the lives we deserve. A life without needing to look over our shoulders, without needing to question everything someone does for us, thinking they are trying to get close to use us, or harm us.
We didn't ask for this. Not the power, not the run, not the edge. We just wanted to be normal.
I think of Troy, who might still have a chance growing up and knowing there are good people around who will look out for him. I think of all the people who died for this cause. I think of Tom, who died just so Simon could show he could take a life if he wanted to. I think of Lou, who you could see the broken pieces of her heart in her eyes. I think of Lux who will grow up without knowing her father, without him making her first date picking her up from the house feel awkward, not being there to see her leave to her first prom, not being there on her wedding day, and I promise myself we will fight and win! Making this world better for our kind. Making sure Tom's death was avenged.
Making it better for us too, because I am tired. I am tired of running, I am tired of fighting.
I am ready to put down the fists and let my mind rest. I'm done surviving- I am ready to start living.