Leave Me Alone (h.s.)

Chapter 43

HARRY'S POV

This is so painful to watch. What am I supposed to do in a situation like this? What do I do?

Faithlyn is frozen in complete shock, sitting on my couch with her knees tucked against her chest. Her cold eyes have been staring at the wall for an hour now. Every once in a while, a single tear slips down her cheek. I know she is overthinking every single thing there is and I honestly can't blame her. Her house is in flames and she has no idea where her mom is.

Her face is drained of color and emotionless. I can barely hear her shallow breaths. I haven't heard her voice either since we made it to my house.

I clear my throat, "Baby?" She hums in reply without looking at me. "Tell me what to do. What are you thinking? Just let everything out." I inwardly panic and prepare myself for the thunderstorm building inside that tiny body.

"In all honesty, I don't know what to do," she pauses to collect her thoughts and run her hand through her hair. "When we were still in Vegas, my mom texted me and said help and I tried to ask her with what but she didn't reply. She still hasn't. And I keep wondering if I texted back or called sooner or something, if there would have been a different outcome. I want to know what the hell happened. What did she do to set the house on fire? Where is she? Is she even-" She gulps as more tears form in her eyes. "Is she even alive?" Her voice croaks.

I pick up the water bottle on the coffee table and hand it to her. She takes it and gulps down half the bottle.

She continues. "Where am I going to live? Everything that I own is gone. The only thing I own now is the clothes on my back and the stuff in my suitcase from the trip."

"You can stay with me. You don't have to go live with... other relatives. You're eighteen, now. You are allowed to choose where you want to live. And you can stay with me, if you want." I sit down next to her and place my hands gently on her face and wipe her tears off. "And I have money. I can buy you things that you need. Anything you need. And if you don't want to sleep in my bed with me, there's a spare bedroom or two upstairs. We can live together, baby." I give her a small smile, hoping my plan to resolve her problems will make her feel better about the situation and she will stop over thinking.

"I don't know, Harry. This is all just too much. I'm an orphan, now." More waterfalls stroll down her cheeks faster than I can catch them. Her eyes are shut tight and I can almost feel my chest clenching from the pain I share with her.

I pick her up bridal style and carry her up the stairs and into my bedroom. Her little arms wrap themselves around my neck and she buries her head into my chest. My heart hurts for her. She doesn't deserve this right now. She has never deserved any of this.

She whimpers and cries as I lie her on my bed and she curls herself into a ball. I slide in bed next to her and hold her together. Her hands clutch my shirt so tight. She swings one of her legs over my hip and I'm positive that if I tried to move away, her grip on me would get tighter, but I'm not complaining. My baby needs me right now and I'll be her knight in shining armor when she needs me to be.

She nuzzles her face into my neck, her hot breath brushing the skin there with every sob. I run my fingers through her hair and draw shapes into her back calmingly. "Shh, princess. It's okay. It's okay. We'll get through this together. Now go to sleep. I'll be right here. Good night, baby. I love you." I whisper to her soothingly and plant a kiss on her forehead.

Maybe about ten minutes later, Faithlyn has calmed down and fallen into a deep sleep. Her slow breathing giving me the assurance I needed to know that she is okay for right now. My eyes flutter closed as I rest my chin on top of her hair.