Finding Him // h.s.

Chapter Seven // Surreal

~emma~
It's 8:50 PM and Ciara still hasn't come home. Work for her usually ends round 5-6 PM, never 8. She probably got a lot of business today which means: lots of money!

I unwrap the towel off from my head, letting the damp hair fall over my shoulders and down my back. I look at myself in the mirror, carefully brushing my hair. I love my hair. So if I ever accidentally pull out a strand of hair whilst I'm brushing it, I worry and freak out. I keep my hair so healthy—well at this point, I try to keep my hair healthy. Ciara and Jessie bleached it.

After cautiously brushing my hair, I then make my way to my room. I unwrap the large towel from my body and pull over a loose tank top, pull on panties and comfy grey shorts.

Just as I enter the kitchenette to prepare myself some honey tea, I hear a knock on the door.

This feels all too familiar...

I make my way to the door, making sure my footsteps are soft and out of earshot. I look through the peephole and see Zayn—Zayn!

I swiftly unlock the door and unhook the chain, swinging the door open. "It's a pleasure to see you again!", I smile.

He slightly smiles, making his way inside. I notice Louis, Harry and a blonde headed man enter as well. I also notice they're all wearing black suites or tuxedoes—whatever, they look formal.

"Just come back from a ball?", I joke. I shut the door behind me, quickly locking and hooking the chain. They all sit down in the lounge whilst a blonde headed man stands beside me.

They don't respond, so I decide to speak up: "Well introduce yourself please?". I hold out a hand to then new man and happily smile.

"I'm Niall Horan.", Niall nods towards me, firmly shaking my hand.

"The fast eater, so I've been told.", I giggle, smiling at him.

Niall doesn't seem happy with me, he doesn't seem happy at all. Actually, none of the lads seem happy or okay at all.

I look over to Louis who has his head in his hands, rubbing his eye with the balls of his palms. "Is everything okay?", I question all of them.

I look over to Harry— "What happened?!", I exclaim, rushing over towards him. There is a cut right above his right eyebrow and a bruise along his jawline. "C'mere.", I drag him into the kitchenette whilst the lads stay in the lounge.

I quickly grab a cloth and wet it in the faucet, "What happened—how'd you get this?".

Zayn suddenly speaks up, now behind me, "He got in a fight.".

I turn my attention back to Harry, standing up on my tip toes and place the wet cloth against his temple. "How.", I question, upset and a bit scared.

He takes the cloth from my hand, holding it up himself. "Thank you.", he quietly says.

I lean against the counter, looking at the lads, "A fight?".

"Harry was...defending.", Niall speaks up, leaving against the doorframe to the kitchenette. I look behind him and see Louis still sitting on the sofa, head in his hands. He's quiet, I think to myself—I mean yes, even though he's changed quite a bit, he's not very loud!

Just as I'm about to speak up, I hear a whaling I haven't heard in years... Louis.

"SHE'S DEAD.", Louis exclaims on the top of his lungs, he sounds like he's unsure. "She's dead, she's dead, she's dead.", he jumps up, flipping my coffee table.

I flinch back, stepping away from the men in front of me. Once again, I'm frightened.

"Who.", I speak up quietly.

"Ciara.", Niall responds hurt fully, his eyes watering but he doesn't dare let a tear fall.

I'm no longer frightened, I'm in shock.

"No.", I hear Louis repeat himself over and over again, trashing the lounge area.

I gulp, my eyes wide open. "W..what.".

Niall looks over to Zayn and Harry, they all nod at each other. "A gang, they killed her.", Niall begins, although he doesn't get far as I fall onto my knees. I rest my head in my hands, silently weeping and shaking my head.

That's not possible...that's noT POSSIBLE.

•••

Everyone has calmed down—well Louis and I have calmed down. I'm sitting round the kitchen table with the lads whilst Louis has cried himself, lying on the floor.

My stomach hurts and my heart aches. I'm trying to forget the news and think of better days. I can't.

I get up from my seat and walk to my room. Leaving the boys speechless and dead silent.

My only relief is to sleep...
When I'm sleeping,
I'm not sad
I'm not angry
I'm not lonely...
I'm nothing.