Safe

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Kat's POV

As Louis exits Niall's room I mentally debate what my next move should be. I see the group of people coming closer from the elevator and I'm not sure I want to be around them right now either. Louis offers a hand to help me stand, and this time I graciously take it. He pulls me to my feet and before I know what my mouth is going to do, the words come out.

"Take me with you." I look directly into his eyes, our hands still touching. 

"What? Are you sure?" His face twists in a way that makes it look like he's uncomfortable with my request. I look through the glass doors and peer at Niall, who is watching us intently. Our eyes meet and I hold the gaze for a minute, but my feelings start to overwhelm me just from looking at him, knowing he won't talk to me. I cut the eye contact short and give Louis a stiff nod. I hadn't left the hospital in God knows how long, and now Niall is awake he doesn't even want to see me. I need to get out of this place for a while. 

I feel a tear roll down my face as Louis leads me in the opposite direction of the group of people approaching, down the hallway, towards another elevator. I swiftly wipe the back of my hand against my cheek and continue walking with the brown-haired boy.

We step onto the elevator and nothing but the soft hum of the gears working fills the tiny space. I can feel Louis looking at me, expecting me to explain, but I just don't have it in me. I keep my eyes locked on the changing numbers above the steel doors in front of us. I watch as the green numbers go from 5, to 4, to 3, to 2, to 1, and finally land on L. I hear the ding of the elevator, and I know it's time for me to get out, my feet won't seem to move. 

Louis waits a second to let me out first, and when I don't move off the elevator, he gently places a hand on my shoulder and turns me to face him. 

His eyes contain an emotion that almost brings me to tears, although, to be honest, that's not hard to do these days. I can tell how pitiful I must look from his stance, but something in me lacks to care. 

"You need a break." He breathes. I stare idlely at him, unsure of what to respond. 

"Come on," he encourages, grabbing hold of my hand to help lead me off the elevator. "I know where we can go." 

The crisp autumn air feels nice against my warm skin as he leads me out of the hospital that I have spent much too much time in. I hadn't anticipated leaving when I did, and I feel goosebumps rise on my arms in reaction to the cool air. As Louis leads me to the parking garage where his car is, my teeth start to chatter. The wind blows against my face and I can feel my cheeks and nose starting to get colder as we continue to walk. Louis stops and takes off his grey zip up hoodie that I hadn't noticed he was wearing and hands it to me.

"What's this for?" I ask, stupidly.

"Put it on, you look like you're freezing." 

I willingly put my arms into the soft fabric of the hoodie, and my body instantly feels warmer. The sleeves are much too big and the hem of the jacket lies just below my butt, but the oversized nature of the hoodie makes it feel safe. I throw the hood up over my head, partially to hide my bandana, and also to shield myself from the cold wind. Louis looks at me and lets out a small laugh.

"What's so funny?" 

"You look like a hoodlum." His smile spreads across his face and I can't help but smile back. The feeling is strange, as I don't think I've genuinely smiled in weeks. 

He leads me to a big silver pickup truck and it's my turn to let out a giggle. "This is your car?" I ask, mildly amused.

"Yeah, what's wrong with it?" He playfully pushes my shoulder in response to my question.