Code Black (N.S)

17.

Niall's POV

A few days had passed since the incident and I was finally allowed to leave the hospital. Obviously that was a good thing but I couldn't help but feel worried, as I would be leaving the safety of the hospital to go back into the real and dangerous world. 

"Are you sure you don't want me to take some time off work?" my mum asked, unlocking the car door and glanced at me worriedly. Her usually soft and sympathetic tone that she usually reserved for me was even more apparent after everything that had happened. 

"No. I'll b-be fine," I replied softly. I wished that she wouldn't talk to me in that way but I knew she couldn't help it. After all, she was my mother and I was her anxious and obviously fucked up son. I didn't think she had much faith in me.  

"Are you sure? I just don't think it's a good idea to leave you alone," she responded. I could feel the sympathetic look she was giving me as I got into the car. 

"No, mum. I'm f-fine. Seriously," I murmured. I knew that it barely did anything to make her feel better considering I couldn't even convince myself. 

Thankfully, she dropped the subject, not wanting to make me any more uncomfortable than I already was. I let out a grateful sigh at as she started the car and began to drive.

She eventually pulled up into the driveway of our house. Not in the mood to stand around, I got out before she did and headed inside the house. I kind of felt like I hadn't seen this house in years. I guessed it was because I thought I would never even see this place again, which made it seem so incredibly different.

"Maybe I should take a while off to make sure you're okay," mum said as she entered, pulling me away from my thoughts as she looked at me.

I understood why she didn't want to leave me alone but that didn't mean that I enjoyed having her treat me as if I were a second away from shattering. I could handle myself just fine. 

"Don't worry a-about it, mum. I'll be fine," I assured her, looking at her pleadingly. She seemed to understand how serious I was, as she let out a defeated sigh. 

"I'll be back around the usual time. Call me if you need anything, okay?" she told me, stepping forward to kiss my forehead softly.

"Okay," I replied softly, watching as she turned and left.

~

I scrolled through my phone for a little bit. It had been continuously buzzing with texts from the others but I ignored them, not feeling up to talking to them.

Every single one of their texts they had sent over the few weeks I had been home had said the same thing; asking me if I was okay. I appreciated the concern but I didn't want to talk, especially not about that. It was obvious that I wasn't okay, so I didn't see why they would bother to ask.

I locked my phone and stood up, walking down the hall towards my room. I put my phone on charge, deciding that thirty two percent battery was nowhere near enough, before lying back onto my bed. Before I could put my phone down, it buzzed, signifying that I was getting a call. I looked to see that it was Liam. 

Hesitantly, I answered, struggling to hold it to my ear now that it was plugged in. My greeting was soft and hesitant, knowing that Liam was most likely going to comment about my lack of communication. 

"I'm outside. Open the door," he said as soon as I had answered. I couldn't tell how he was feeling from the tone of his voice, although part of me felt as though he was annoyed with me. 

"Alright, I-I'll be there in a second," I replied hesitantly, before hanging up and making my way to the door. I slowly opened it, reassuring myself that everything was fine because I knew that Liam was right outside but there was something about the thought of seeing the outside world that scared me.