Reckless • Niall Horan

Reckless // 2

May 30th, 6:52pm.
19 minutes until...

"Saving Sapphire are here?"

The question lingered in the air, unanswered, as Byron's baby blue eyes flickered between Annalise and I; unsure of his own answer. Wetting his lips, he nodded slowly, "Yes."

"Why didn't you say something before?" I smiled as I edged closer to the end of the corridor, "I would have been here hours ago,"

"Wait, are they performing?" Annalise asked, eyes sparkling in the dull, flourescent lighting.

Byron shook his head, "No, only three members are here."

"Which members?" Annalise and I asked in unison.

"How am I supposed to know?" He shrugged, "I'm security, not the manager,"

"You're lying," I narrowed my eyes, "You know who's here,"

"And what makes you think that?" He smirked.

"I know you," I crossed my arms, "And you've always been a terrible liar,"

"Good point," He chuckled, "But this time I'm not lying. I really don't know which members are here. Lila's had me in the front with Bane since I arrived this morning,"

"Shit," I murmured.

"If you're set on meeting them then your best chance is to find Ivy when the doors open at seven. Lila'a had her backstage with the boys all day and if I know her, and I'm pretty sure I do, then she won't be far from them tonight either," He sighed.

"You're sure she'll be with them?" I raised an eyebrow.

"If she isn't then she'll know someone who is," He nodded, "Guarantee it,"

"Thanks," I shot him a small smile.

"Anytime," He nodded, "I'd hate to hit and run, but if I'm not downstairs when the gates open, Lila'll have my ass for sure,"

"Hey, Byron. Where should we go?" Annalise called out.

"You can wait here if you want or you can wait out front with Bane and Xander," He called back.

"Thanks again, Byron," I smiled, ignoring his suggestions.

"Like I said: anytime," He grinned, "You still owe me that date, Reckless!"

I rolled my eyes as I watched him disappear out of sight around the corner before turning and facing Annalise.

"So?" She smiled.

"Screw waiting," I said through a smirk of my own, "It's time we did some hit and run's of our own,"

The back of the building was.. different, to say the least. The hallway that Annalise and I had been standing in before branched off into three other hallways before circling back to the front. The first hallway was a dead end; deserted, with newspapers from the late 80's and early 90's taped to the walls with a collection of vinyl records and autographs. The second hallway was much like the first, only it branched off to the right and led to another exit; presumably the one that bands and artists alike used. The third hallway was painted a deeper shade of maroon than the two previous and I could've sworn that it was lighter; like someone had actually bothered with the overhead lighting. The walls were covered with framed pictures and vinyl and platinum records. There were only two doors within its perimeter, and rather than ending in a dead end, it ended abruptly in a black, spiral staircase that plunged downwards into darkness.

"It's deserted," Annalise whispered as her eyes flickered to the staircase, "What do we do now?"

"Give me a second," I said as I reached for the door knob of the door closest to us. I hadn't bothered with any of the doors in the first two hallways, but something compelled me forwards.