Cold. (A Harry Styles Fanfic)

Chapter Seventeen- Don't Go in the Woods Alone

  "Gracie!" I heard Harry call from outside our apartment. I was planning a picnic because me, Thalia, Kristan, Niall, and Louis planned on going. What was Harry doing here? I frowned and met him outside where I was immediately pulled into a tight bear hug.

        "W-Whoa, Harry," I blushed slightly embarrassed at the sudden contact.

        "Ah, the two lovebirds," Thalia laughs coming out with the basket I was packing.

        Harry didn't let go but said, "We aren't dating."

        Thalia shrugs. "Shame,"

        I turned even redder. "T-Thalia!"

        "Bro, we're just kidding with you," Kristan steps out.

        She was dressed in her white shorts she had just gotten and an old shirt that still fit her with a new hat.  I was wearing jeans and a sweater even though it wasn't very cold outside it was still warm. I wanted to be kinda colorful today.  Thalia just had some Marley stuff on since I'm guessing she's a pretty decent fan of his.

        "H-Harry," The hug was almost awkward now as his warmth enveloped me, but at the same time I never wanted to let him go. "Are you alright?"

        He backs away shaking his head slightly. "Are you?"

        I frown in confusion. "Um...yeah, why?"

        He forced a smile. "I just...needed to know."

        "Is there something going on?"

        He shrugs. "There was just some stuff on the news with killings and all that; I just wanted to see if you were okay,"

        I nod. "I saw those. They were pretty scary..." Then a new thought occurred to me. "Why did you come all the way over here to see if I was okay? Didn't know you cared so much."

        "Of course I-" He cut himself off and just cleared his throat. "Anyway...just be careful going out, okay?"

        "Sure," I nod slowly giving him a smirk.

        He flushed a bit. "Okay, I'm going now." And he turned on his heel and left. I would keep the memory of Harry's cheeks blushing scarlet in my head forever. I knew it wasn't like him to blush very often.

                                                                ****

        "It's so pretty here!" Thalia smiles and spreads her arms out running to the lake.

        I smile her way and I feel Niall put an arm around my shoulders. "You seemed strange today,"

        "S-Strange?" I widen my eyes at him.       

        He bursts out laughing. "You look like a wounded deer when you make that face!"

        It contorted into a frown. "Shut up..."

        Niall's face turned soft. "Thinking about Harry?"

        I decided to confined in him. "He just seemed really worried this morning. Like I might die. I haven't seen him that concerned since I was attacked."

        Niall shrugs with a knowing smile I couldn't help but be suspicious of. "Maybe he's grown attached to you or something."

        My cheeks bloomed pink and I shook my head. "I don't think it's anything like that..."

        Niall bursts out laughing and squeezes my shoulders. "You're an incredibly intelligent, creative girl. But sometimes you're terribly dull witted."

        My face grew hot with embarrassment. "Hey-! Niall!"

        He laughed gleefully. "Don't worry about it, Grace!"

        I guess maybe I should just let myself go for a little while since I'm here.

                                                                                                *****

        It was becoming twilight; which ironically became very quickly my most hated part of the day. That meant we had to go home. Louis and Niall laughed pushing each other in the lake with their clothes still on. The girls and I rolled our eyes and laughed. We did everything from boating, fishing, water skiing, hiking, and even the girls and I relaxed while the boys met other fans by tanning and working on some new designs for the boy's mini tour in November. Tomorrow would be the first day of September which depressed me because that meant it was going to get colder. The girls were planning a shopping spree for some new fall clothes when the boys ran up.

        "We're ready to go girls," Niall smiles.

        Thalia stands. "Finally! You guys act like you're five sometimes,"

        Louis shrugs. "But that's what makes life fun."

        The rest of us sigh and laugh at the same time. Suddenly my neck felt almost bare and I realized I dropped my necklace. I began to sorta panic because my mom gave it to me before I left. I didn't wear it until today and now I know why. I'm such a air head I'd lose it.

        "Hey guys can I go back to the trail for a sec? I dropped my necklace."

        Louis nods. "We'll be right here, just be careful it's getting dark."

        "Alright," That reassurance kinda terrified me though. I didn't even ask for accompaniment as I walked into the woods. Which was a bad mistake.        

        The sun was pretty much out of sight with all the tall trees and I felt anxiety practically strangle me. Maybe I should come back tomorrow in the morning....this place at night creeped the hell out of me. But then I noticed a black bow on a chain beside my foot. I frowned; how come I didn't see it before? Relieved I didn't have to stay in the woods any longer I picked it up and quickly turned around.

        Something was in front of me in a black cloak. What the hell....? They wrapped their arms around me and put a hand on my mouth. Shit, how many rapists were I going to run into in England? Tears fell down my cheeks realizing that Harry wasn't going to be here to stop it this time. But my friends were right down the path; they'd come look for me. But maybe by then it would be too late. I didn't even bother to fight; I could already tell he was stronger than me.

        "Waited...so...long," The voice didn't even sound human which terrified me. And even more nerve wracking I couldn't even see his face. I started hyperventilating.

        Then the guy stiffened as if listening to something I couldn't hear. Then he became angry.

        "Shit..."

        My eyes widen as I felt a huge burning sensation on my stomach. I screamed into his large mouth and more tears spilled down my cheeks. I felt the warm blood trickle from my large wounds onto the forest floor.       

        "Mmm...divine."

        Some masochist was practically knifing me. I was going to die for sure. I felt a tongue lick my cheek and I squeezed my eyes shut so I didn't see his face. I was too terrified to see what his face would look like. Probably marred with scars and gross pitiless eyes. The image made me shiver; it fit his voice perfectly.

        Then I felt him drop my to the ground. Hard. My head ached and I felt blood rushing out of my head too. My vision was blurry so I couldn't see him anymore. I didn't even remember anything beyond that point. I couldn't speak, or hear, or see anymore. I guess you don't need those things when you're dead.