Through The Dark (Vol 2.)

Chapter 35

K a y d e n c e

My heart was hammering against my chest and my palms were so sweaty as I stared at the six faces in front of me. I don't know why I was asking them to come with me but when I had been walking up to the door, my anger and determination chipped away the closer I got to it. I couldn't walk up those three porch steps alone and I needed someone to cling to. I needed Harry, and I guess I needed the others for moral support. The more people to lean on (in case I fainted or some shit) the better.

Before I can say anything else Harry taps Zayn in the shoulder and Zayn opens the car door, making me step away. He climbs down and soon the others begin to climb out as well. Harry moves over the seat with ease and steps out of the car right in front of me. I'm standing on the sidewalk and he's standing in the street so we're at eye level. I hesitate for a moment before reaching for him and wrapping my arms around his shoulders. He seems taken off guard and his breath catches in his throat before he reluctantly holds me back, squeezing me momentarily before letting go.

"You can do this." He encourages and the others nod in agreement. I stare at them for a moment longer before sighing and turning on my heel to lead us up the walkway. My eyes scan the outside of the house as we're walking and I feel a little bit of my anger return when I notice how unbelievably nice it is. I was living in a shit-hole compared to this.

I shake the thought off and take the first few steps up the porch, stopping once we're in front of the white door. I stare at it for a long time, my body frozen until Harry slips his hand into mine. I look over my shoulder and see him standing behind me with a small smile on his lips. He nods his head towards the door and I slip my hand out of his, lifting it and pausing before biting my lip and pressing my finger to the doorbell.

I hear it chime from inside and my heart is pounding in my ears when I hear the echo of footsteps nearing the door. My throat is dry and even though my hands are sweating more then they were before I reach for Harry, slipping my hand into his and squeezing the life out of it. He winces but doesn't tell me to let go, and my grip only worsens when the lock on the door clicks and it opens slowly.

My eyes leave Harry to rest on the woman who steps into view from behind the door and I forget how to breathe for a moment. The woman has light brown hair that stops at her chest, her light brown eyes are an almond shape like mine, and she has a kind, confused smile on her lips.

"Hello, can I help you?" She says and my heart goes into overdrive. This was a bad idea. Why did I want to do this? Who the fuck let me do this?

She tilts her head and her eyes move over to meet mine, her gaze locking with mine and a hint of recognition crosses her features. "Have we met?"

I stare at her, unable to believe she's actually standing in front of me when Harry squeezes my hand and lightly nudges my shoulder with his. "Oh," I blink and stand straighter. "Er, hi. Sorry, I just..." I trail off when I notice the birthmark on her wrist as she moves to rest her hand on the door frame. The butterfly birthmark. The same one I have. "I..." I stare at her. I look like her.

"Hello, I'm Harry." Harry suddenly says, reaching around me to hold his hand out to her. She stares at me a moment longer before turning to Harry and shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Emma. What can I do for you kids today?"

No one answers her, and again confusion takes over her features as she turns to look at me. She glances over her shoulder into the house and I can tell she's in a hurry, or has something going on. "Okay...I'm sorry, I have something on the stove." She glances behind her again and the way she moves as if she's going to close the door on us is what snaps me out of it.