Into The Night

Sixty-Five

Strange. . .

I woke up the next morning with the worst headache. It almost felt like I was hungover when clearly, I haven't got myself drunk in a while. Truly, it was strange as all I did last night was stay up late with Taylor, that was it.

I ran my palms over my face and sat up on my bed, groaning a bit. I shut my eyes tight and leaned my head against the wall.

"God!" I groaned again as I slowly stood up. I honestly felt like a turtle, as though something was on my back and everything feels heavy.

I fixed my bed first and then made my way out of the room under the stairs. I shut the door and made my way to the kitchen where it was a bit quieter than usual but still, Niall, mum and Aerielle were there eating breakfast. I made myself a cup of coffee and walked towards their table. I'm just glad I always arrive in the middle of breakfast.

I went on with my morning slightly differently but I tried for it to be the same as usual.

As I was eating my French toast, I looked around the room. "Hey, where's Taylor?"

"I thought she was with you," Niall said.

I blinked, "Last night she was but now I don't know." I said and I slightly regretted saying that but I reckon they haven't caught up on it as their faces were normal. "So no one had seen her?"

"Yep," Aerielle answered.

"Huh," I huffed. "Oh well," I said and continued eating.

When breakfast was finished, I started wondering where Taylor was because she'd gone AWOL. I looked around the house and there was barely a sign of her. In fact it was almost too clean of her, if I haven't spent my time with her during the past few days, I would have thought she wasn't even here. I got a bit tired so I took a shower and got dressed.

"Niall, would you please call Taylor for me?" I asked as I walked past him.

"Er sure."

I walked back inside my room –the one under the stairs– and looked for slight traces here. None.

Although my eyes caught one thing that is out of place. . . a minty green coloured scented paper on my dartboard, folded as though it was an invitation.

Suddenly, there was the feeling of deja vu all over me.

My eyebrows met as I pursed my lips.

"Alright, scented paper, you have piqued my interest," I muttered and walk towards my dartboard. The scented paper smelled so strongly of my perfume. Something about it was definitely off as I wouldn't put scented paper on my dartboard, certainly not strike it with two of my knives.

I pulled out both the knives and took the paper in my hand.

Niall knocked on my door at the very moment, muttering about he reached Taylor but honestly, I didn't hear the rest. If it wasn't my head, it was my heart that was pounding nonstop.

"Uh er, what?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the folded paper, also asking myself why I still didn't open it. "It's open, Neo."

"Hey mate, you're not going to like it but —"

I didn't hear what Niall said after as I unfolded the scented paper.

Right then, I felt like my whole world had just been shattered.

I couldn't breathe, I could barely think. I know what it meant, and I know why it's there for me. What I can't get is how it happened.

I should be dreaming. This doesn't just happen. Fuck! Maybe I was too late! No, can't be. All I could ask myself was how come?!