Warzone // Harry Styles AU

Sneak

I got into my pajamas, and climbed into the bed. Though I tried, sleep couldn't reach me. I kept fearing we were going to be too late to save Nessa.

We would get there, but she would already be gone. Not the kind that can come back, either.

I pictured her locked up in a room, screaming my name and bawling as the Gremlins tortured her. I saw flashing knives, sharp daggers, and even matches. Silent tears slipped down my cheeks.

Having thought about it for too long, I sat up and quietly got dressed again. I put on some black jeans, a black sweatshirt, and threw my hair in a ponytail with the hood of the shirt covering my head. I crept down the stairs, lifting Harry's car keys off the hook by the door. I turned the lock on the door slowly, silently allowing myself a way out.

I had to try to get her myself. She was going to be gone forever if we waited as long as Harry said.

I twisted the knob of the door, getting ready to pull it open.

"Where do you think you're going?" a voice from behind me said curiously. I froze.

"Shit," I murmured, before turning around to face Harry. I didn't look at him.

"You going to answer or not?" he asked. I did look at him then, to see him leaning against the wall with only boxers on. He was dead serious.

"I had to try," I whispered, playing with the car keys in my hands. "We're going to be too late."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Give me the keys," he stated firmly. I passed them to him reluctantly. He put them back on the hook. "Come on," he said quietly. "Get ready for bed again. You're sleeping with me."

"What?" I said, startled. "But-"

He cut me off. "You should've thought about that before you decided to try to sneak out."

Harry grabbed my wrist, dragging me back up the steps. He pulled me into the guest bedroom I was inhibiting, sitting on the bed. "Get your sweats on," he commanded, staring at me. I didn't move. "Charlie, now," he warned. I narrowed my eyes, but I could tell I wasn't at all menacing.

Harry could see right through me to my core, and I didn't like it.

I slowly picked up my pajamas, making my way to the bathroom connected to the bedroom. I got ready in there, emerging with my sweatpants and an old tee shirt on. Harry stood when I walked in, and I crossed my arms, avoiding his eyes.

"You ready?" he asked, and I nodded shortly, still not looking at him. He sighed. "I know you want to get her, Charlie. I really do. You just can't do it alone. We have a much better chance if we go as a big group, and we can't do that without training. Now, come on. You need sleep."

"I can't fucking sleep," I spat, glaring at him. He turned around in surprise.

"Why ever not?" he asked with false cheer. I dug my nails into my palms.

"Because every time I close my eyes, I see her. I see them torturing her, killing her. She's screaming. And she's calling for me. But guess what? I CAN'T HEAR HER. And she's hoping I'm coming, but I don't. Once we get there, I see us finding her, ALREADY DEAD." My hands shook, and the pinching of my nails into my skin was the only thing stopping me from crying.

Harry moved in front of me faster than I could comprehend. He grabbed my hands, spreading my fingers and glancing at my nearly cut palms. He looked into my eyes.

Kissing me quickly, Harry picked me up bridal style and carried me to his room. He laid me on the bed, but I immediately sat up.

He put a hand flat on my chest, pushing me back down. "Lay down," he said, moving to the other side of the bed. He sprawled across it, facing me. He smiled softly. "Go to bed, Charlie."