Let Your Good Heart Lead You Home (Zarry AU)

Part 6

It takes days before he's gathered enough information, or well, information he deems accurate enough to act on. A lot of the information stems from pro-equality blogs, spreading images and locations, telling people to 'be cautious' and 'not forget this'. They do all the work for him, and all Harry has to do is compare it with other sources before he can begin coming up with a plan.

In the meantime, he has to be careful not to slack on his actual work, because he has to eat and pay the bills somehow. He doesn't think Liam would be able to take care of them both. One of the things that bothers Harry is how much Liam actually gets paid; it should be more, because as a firefighter, he is risking his life more often than not. Also, as Liam's best friend, he might be a bit biased. He always thinks Liam deserves the world and all the good things in it, which is also completely Harry.

With him it's all or nothing; no in betweens, no greys, no maybe's. Or that's what he likes to think. That he doesn't let things get muddy and that everything to him is crisp and clear, and that he'll always stick to that belief. He's proud of his strength and his unwavering mind, his total control of himself. Everything he does is done with precision and care, not a step left uncalculated.

So when he sets foot outside, he's determined. There is no stopping him.

If he bumps into anyone familiar right now, he's not sure if they'll recognise him right away. He's dressed slightly out of character; an old pair of loose-fitted jeans with trainers and a black T-shirt. The bun is totally him, though.

Harry is looking for an old diner, knowing that's where his target likes to spend his Friday nights, looking for potential prey. Why he would still go there after everything that's happened is beyond Harry, but he knows humans are creatures of habit. Plus, the man got away with his crime, so who's to say he won't just continue?

When the diner finally comes into view, Harry does a quick scan of the street, finding a bench conveniently placed in its vicinity. It's empty, so he takes place on it while making sure he has a clear view of anyone entering and leaving the diner. He looks at faces, takes them in, and forgets them if they're not a match. A chuckle slips past his lips when he realises he never bothered to memorise the man's name; a face is all he needs. A face that's not worthy of a name, because monsters shouldn't have names. They should be forgotten.

Half an hour passes, and Harry feels more than sees when his target enters his sight. His lips quirk up in a smile, because the man clearly doesn't suspect a thing. Harry knows from the way the man carries himself, has seen it before. It screams victory, I'm invincible. A man that's gotten away with what he knows is an awful crime, and revels in it. It makes Harry's blood boil, his hands twitch and feet carry him closer.

But, he knows he should be careful. Can't draw attention to himself, so he sticks to the shadows, a pleased hum tickling his throat when the man doesn't go for a taxi or any other vehicle; he's on foot. Excellent.

They walk a short distance before the man turns abruptly and walks up a sets of steps belonging to a collection of apartments. Harry pauses briefly, waiting for the man to step inside before he comes closer, eyes trained on the building and ready to detect movement. It takes a few minutes before a light springs to life behind one of the previously dark windows. Third floor, to the right. How convenient.

Then it's dark again, and there's light from another room. This one flickers, the telltale sign of a TV with its ever-changing images. Harry feels his brows twitch in irritation, his patience wearing thin. He's eager to strike, not fond of merely standing here wasting his time. There's no movement for a while, so he decides to slip into the alley next to the building, feet light and quick as he makes his way to the fire escape.