A Night In the Dark | H. S.

Chapter 31

Liam and Louis had a hard time pulling Harry's lethargic body from the back seat. He was completely asleep.

Louis swung one of Harry's arms over his shoulder, as Liam duplicated the action on the other side. Slowly, they made their way up the steps to the glass doors, cursing all the way. Niall and Felicia were a little ways behind.

Felicia sighed deeply as she heard the moans of a drunk Harry. "I can't believe he did this. Why? He was doing so good. I don't understand him, Niall."

Niall looked straight ahead as he pursed his lips. He was toying with the idea of tearing Harry's image a part in front of Felicia. He knew it was an evil idea- especially considering he and Harry were such good friends- but, it was still tempting. He had never felt this kind of enmity towards a fellow band mate. But he was starting not to care.

He placed his hand on Felicia's lower back as the made there way up the stairs. Before they even reached half way, a short woman burst through the doors and bolted for Felicia.

Niall instinctively drew Felicia to his side as he positioned himself between the two.

"Felicia! Thank God." The woman called out, her voice full of worry.

Niall looked down to see if Felicia was okay. Almost as though she read his mind, she rubbed her thumb across his arm and sweetly smiled.

"It's okay, Niall. It's Mama Mary. The head nurse here."

His body relaxed as he loosened his grip.

"I'm okay, Mary." Felicia tried to calm the now tearfull woman. "I'm okay. Nothing bad happened."

Mary wiped her face as she embraced Felicia. She felt an overwhelming sense of grief in Mary's actions.

Felicia frowned as she placed her arms around Mary's shaking body.

"Mary," she tried to hide the growing uneasiness in her own voice, "What's the matter? What happened?"

Mary laid a stubby arm around Felicia's lower back and led her up the rest of the stairs. Niall keeping close behind them.

"Felicia," Mary started as her voice shook trying to control her tears. "There's a couple of investigators who need to speak with you, right now."

♡

Upon seeing the state of Mr Styles, Mac excused the boys to take him to his room. With a few brief directions, Liam and Louis were dragging him through the hallways.

"I'll give the lad one thing," Louis puffed as he struggled to keep walking, "he still is as solid as a rock. Oye, as he grown a couple of inches too?"

Liam's face was serious as exhaustion began to hit him. "Shutup, Lou. Not now. Let's just focus on making it to his-"

"269!" Louis almost cried with relief.

Liam fumbled with the handle as he pushed the door aside. Harry was quickly dumped on a couch, covered in clothes.

Liam stretched his back and Louis plopped on a chair.

"Ah," Louis let out a huff of air, "Let's not have to do that again, alright?" Liam shook his head as he looked around the place.

He wasn't surprised it wasn't very clean. Harry had always had a problem with being organized; especially after losing his mum and sister. Even more so after Ivanka.

Liam mosied around as Louis continued to catch his breath. He eventually found himself in Harry's bedroom.

A big, white, fluffy comforter lay crumpled on top of his king sized bed. At least 6 pillows accompanied it. The floor was covered in more clothes, joined by a few empty bottles of water and the occasional juice box.

Liam casually walked closer as his eyes focused on the dresser. A couple of empty prescription bottles sat full of coins. A few pieces of paper along with some odds and ends strewn the surface.

But, something in particular caught Liam's eye. A picture of Ivanka and Harry, neatly sat framed on the end closest to the bed. Liam drew the picture up to his face as he studied Harry's expression.

A small sigh escaped as he remembered when Harry's eyes were always that lively. His cheeks always carried a smile with two, large dimples out in front. His body was relaxed as he leaned his head against the gorgeous model. Her red hair and green eyes matching his electricity. They really were a beautiful couple.

But Liam knew that looks could be deceiving. He reflected on the night he and Harry had had a huge a fight, when he told him Ivanka was just using his fame as a stepping stool. Liam tried to warn him that he had seen her with another man when Harry was away. He tried to tell him that she didn't love him.

But, it was no use. Harry wouldn't believe it. Instead, he just about sent Liam to the hospital from slamming some room decor into his body. It wasn't good.

Liam shook his head as he thought about how it all fell apart shortly after their fight. And how he never once held a grudge against Harry. He knew it wasn't his fault. He was vulnerable and she took advantage of his good heart.

Liam cringed seeing that even after all she had done, Harry still kept her picture.

He could hear Louis quietly calling his name. He sat the frame back down as he exited the room and closed the door.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I can't find him a clean pair of clothes to change into." Louis rolled his nose as he took another wiff of a wrinkled Tshirt. He immediately threw it from his face as his tongue shot out in a gag reflex.

Liam lightly chuckled. "Don't worry about it. He's fine the way he is. Let's just take his shoes off, and we'll leave him here on the couch."

♡

Felicia sat numb as the investigator finished. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Murdered? Aunt Melanie was... murdered? And Jase was on the lose looking for...

Niall squeezed her hand as she could feel his warm breath graze her cheek.

"Felicia? Love, hold on. We can do this."

She slightly frowned as her mind began to race. We? She let the word settle in her head. She hadn't heard someone say that in a long time. What was he saying by placing himself in the category of we?

Her eyes felt like they could cry again, but the tears were all used up. She couldn't do it anymore. Her mouth felt dry as her throat began to stick together as she tried to breath. The room grew cold and more dark as her world fell to the ground.

She could feel someone's hand gently cup her face. It was Niall.

"Felicia, stay with me. It's going to be alright." His strong arms embraced her as he slid her onto his lap. Her head lazily fell onto his shoulder as he rose to his feet; holding tightly to her small body.

Niall continued to speak with the officers as she drifted in and out of reality. She couldn't even focus anymore.

The sounds of foot steps gradually filled her ears as Niall began to walk down a hallway with her.

His soft lips pressed into her hair line as he warmly kissed her. The faint sound of his voice crept out as he nestled deeper into her.

"Don't worry, baby. I won't let anything happen to you. You're mine now."

She weakly placed a hand on his cheek as she called his name softly.

"Shhh," he cooed, "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

♡