Sunken Love (LiLo) (merman!Louis)

Chapter 2: Killer in Paradise

Chapter 2: Killer in Paradise

...::* Niall's POV *::...

That was possibly the longest car ride I've ever had to endure. It was only about two hours, but still. I'm about as good at staying still as that hyperactive squirrel, Hammy, from "Over the Hedge."

I was seriously thinking about opening the door and rolling out head-first-- that's how bored I was. Thank god Liam decided to stop at this tiny little petrol station. My stomach is growling like a ferocious lion and I'm scared it'll start eating itself if I don't feed it soon.

I'm now stood in the snack section, deliberating what to buy. Everything looks so good! It's like food porn! I'm actually not one hundred percent sure what that means since I'm the 'innocent' one and all, but you get my point. I just want it all over my face.

Sex joke! Liam would kill me if he heard me say something "vulgar" like that. The man really needs to get laid.

Sadly, Liam also wouldn't approve of me buying out the whole store. Finally, I decide on some Haribos and a few bags of crisps. I make my way to the refrigerated section and pop my hand into the chilly air, snatching up a Starbucks iced coffee-- extra espresso shots. Liam definitely won't approve of that purchase. He already thinks I'm too hyper and I'll explode or something if I drink coffee, but most of the time, I'm just fucking around with him. That's what he gets for being so goddamn protective all the time.

I take my purchases to the front check-out queue, passing Harry and Zayn stumbling sleepily from the toilets. "I hope you two didn't leave too much of a mess!" I shout at them, laughing at my own joke.

"Fuck off," Zayn mumbles, his tanned cheeks tinting a slight red. Harry just smirks and sends a cheeky wink my way. It's not like the two are together or anything, but I know my goading will press Zayn's buttons.

The boys exit the shop and soon it's my turn to purchase my items. I step forward and hand the man behind the counter a couple crumpled notes from my pocket. I thank him and am about to head back to the car when a headline from a newspaper rack catches my eye.

"Another Mysterious Disappearance in a String of Many Leaves Police Stumped."

The caption sparks my interest, so I seize the bundle of paper and throw another note on the counter, mumbling my thanks before making my way from the shop and out into the waiting car.

I collapse into the passenger seat with my handful of food and the newspaper and let out a satisfied sigh. Liam looks over at me from where he's sitting in the driver's seat. When his eyes land on the can of Starbucks held in my lap, his eyes widen almost in fear and he gasps.

"Niall, no! You know how you get when you drink those things! Keep in mind Josh hasn't seen you in two years; you don't want to scare the shit out of him the minute we get there, do you?"

"Stop pissing your pants, Payne! I'll be fine. If you want fun Nialler tonight, let me drink it. I swear I won't do anything too crazy. Pweeease, Lili?"

He rolls his eyes, trying quite unsuccessfully to stop the smile growing across his face at the babyish tone I'm using.

"Fine, but just because you're cute," he says, reaching across the console with the hand not on the wheel to pinch my rosy cheeks.

"Hey!" I say, batting his hand away. "I'm not cute; you're the one who looks like a fucking puppy," I growl, trying my best to sound menacing.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just drink your energy juice."

I smirk at his choice of words and pop the tab on my Starbucks and take a big gulp. Silence has descended on the car, Harry and Zayn huddled close together, one pair of headphones shared between the two as they stare at the small screen of Harry's iPhone. Must be watching a video or something. Liam is humming along quietly to the radio, so I take this as my chance to read the article that caught my eye earlier.