The Deviants | Harry Styles AU

III| The Man

Avery awoke from her sleep. The time is unknown but it seemed like the light had just come up. Avery snuggled into her torn blanket before sighing deeply. It was time for her to face Brinn, who would obviously be displeased by her disappearance yesterday.

She raised from her bed and walked out of her room. Brinn was packing a bag and did not acknowledge Avery walking into the room. Avery made her way to the pantry to find one meal there. Quite surprising that only one meal had been saved when Brinn had countless ration books.

Nonetheless Avery took the last meal and started to eat it distastefully on the couch by Nathaniel, who was still there. "Morning," he whispered to her and she looked at him to acknowledge him, then looked down at her food, not responding to him.

Brinn slammed the backpack down, grabbing everybody's attention. Avery and Nathaniel turned around to Brinn who had an angry visage and her arms folded. "What the fuck Avery? What did I tell you?" Brinn started to tap her foot impatiently.

"Chill Brinn, it was an accident. I fell asleep," Avery replied glaring at Brinn.

"Why do you make it so difficult to take care of you?" she shook her head.

"Maybe because I'm old enough to take care of myself!" Avery rose from the couch forgetting about her food.

"I think it's time for me to go..." Nathaniel announced himself in a small voice and pointed to the door.

"You're just chasing death, if you really want it go find a Reaper!" Brinn's voice raised.

Avery bit her tongue and huffed, "I'm never going to win with you Brinn, ever!"

"You know why I hate you leaving, Avery, "she lowered her voice a bit.

"Brinn I understand. You have issues, so do I. But suffocating me and treating me like I am five is not making me want to stay here at all. In fact it makes me want to leave every time you try controlling me."

"You're 21 Avery."

"You're 23. We have this conversation everyday. You're only two years older than me, not thirty. You know just as much as I do," Avery replied. Brinn looked down at the ground, tears making their way to her face.

"Yeah the time seems to be right I think. I should go, Z might need help with something," Nathaniel started walking out the door. "Bye guys," he said in a low voice and exited slowly.

"I'm just trying to keep you safe," Brinn said after a few moments of silence. "I never wanted to be controlling, I just am that way. It's not my intention to suffocate you," she tried to hold in her tears. Brinn was so emotional compared to Avery, but Brinn had gone through more than Avery. Avery was stronger as well.

"I know Brinn," Avery sighed, "I appreciate the help, but I also can't stay locked up. Life goes on even after the virus. Even after death."

"It really fucked me up didn't it?" Brinn asked.

"Fucked us all up," Avery sighed.

"You don't make it any easier," Brinn gave a forced smile to Avery and Avery responded with a smile and a shake of her head. Avery looked out the window to the town. There were tanks and soldiers passing by. "What the fuck?" Brinn stopped smiling and rushed to the window, placing both hands on it, "We don't own tanks..or soldiers," Brinn frowned. She pushed herself off the window and started grabbing her ripped converse. She placed them on one by one as Avery stood by the window examining the tanks and soldiers. "Stay here," Brinn commanded as she started to put on her black leather jacket.

"Brinn..." Avery said slowly as she turned around to look at Brinn and started walking towards her.

"That's not a suggestion. Stay here Avery, I mean it," Brinn glared at Avery. Avery folded her arms but nodded her head. "I'll be back," Brinn said as she went out the door, closing Avery in. Avery kicked the side of the couch softly. She huffed as she went to the window to see Brinn arguing with a soldier. Brinn leaned in on the soldier but he grabbed her arm and motioned inside.