Breathing the Dead ~ H.S

Chapter Forty-Five

A/N: DON'T KILL ME PLEASE

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE: CHILLING CHANGES

"We're here," I whispered as Harry parked the van beside our old brambles, "we...we made it."

"We're finally back," I knew that Hailee was smiling, "Louis...and Eric. I miss them so much..."

"I'm sure they miss you too, Hails," I turned around to smile back at her.

"Thank God," Harry sighed in relief before his eyes shifted down towards Lilly – who was sleeping on my chest – and broke out a warm smile before reaching out and lifting her into his arms, "guess what, princess?" He whispered to her as her head settled down against his shoulder, "This is where you're gonna grow up. You're going to be safe here...with all of us watching over you."

"How do you think the others will react when they see her?" I asked him nervously.

"I'm expecting them to be quite welcoming, actually," Harry replied rather confidently, "after all..." he looked down at Lilly and smiled, "if this face doesn't make them melt, then what the hell would?"

I chuckled. "That's true."

"OK, guys..." Hailee took a deep breath, "are we ready?"

"More than ready," Liam said without hesitation, "I miss my old cabin."

"Alright..." me & Harry exchanged smiles, "...let's go."

We all piled out of the van – and Harry held Lilly in one arm so that he could use his free hand to take mine and give it a gentle squeeze. Penny quickly rushed over to the back of the van to get Lucas before following us to the gate.

"What about the leftover supplies in the van?" Hailee whispered.

"We'll collect it all later. The others can help," Harry replied, "I just want to get Lilly warm first. Norcrest's night air is cold as shit."

Hailee nodded and didn't say another word as we all continued to approach the gate – maneuvering around all the brambles and hardly able to contain our excitement at the fact that we were finally home.

However, when we were just 15 metres away from the gate, a loud gunshot made us all jump – and before anyone could react – Penny suddenly dropped to the ground, and Lucas started bleating in complete panic.

"Oh my God!" I clapped my hands over my mouth in shock, "Penny!"

The rest of us gathered around her lifeless body – my eyes widening as I saw that someone had shot her smack-bang in the middle of the head – resulting in an instant death.

"What the..?" Harry's voice trailed away, and he immediately turned back to the gate angrily, "Niall! What the fuck are you playing at?!"

Another gunshot sounded – and a shotgun shell suddenly hit the ground just in front of us – making me scream and causing Harry to turn away from the gate while holding his hand protectively around Lilly's head.

"Don't even think about coming any closer!" A voice yelled at us.

My eyes widened.

That voice definitely wasn't Niall.

"Who the hell are you?!" Harry demanded, "What the fuck are you doing in my camp?!"

"This ain't your camp," a second voice spat, "this is our camp, asshole!"

"We were here first!" Hailee hissed, "My boyfriend and child are in there! Even ask them, dipshits!"

"There ain't no-one else here!" The first voice spoke up again.