The Exchange

Chapter 33

"Louis!" I scream into the house running out to Harry's side. Harry lies on the cement steps, a patch of ice directly under his head which worries me. His eyes are closed but his chest is moving. Could he be unconscious? A head injury? Worse?

I push all the dreaded possibilities directly out of my thoughts.

"Louis!" I scream again close to tears. What happened? Why is Harry lying here?

"Harry!" Louis yells, rushing to his other side and lifting his head. "What happened?"

"I don't know, I just found him."

"What's going on?" Zayn calls, a hint of worry in his voice. As soon as he sees us he slides down the steps and kneels next to me.

"I'll call an ambulance." I announce getting up from the step quickly. I almost lose my footing but I regain it and continue without missing a beat. What happened to my Harry?

***

"What happened?" Zayn asks panicked looking into Louis eyes. Mira runs through the front door and towards the kitchen with her boots still on.

"I don't know." Louis screams panicked. He looks down at Harry's figure and thinks he can feel the pain his friend is going through.

"Okay, it's okay." Zayn says trying to remain calm. He takes a deep breath and motions for Louis to do the same. Louis breathes in deeply but doesn't remove the sheer panic and fear from his face.

"He's still breathing, it's fine." Zayn says breathing again. Louis repeats and seems to soften slightly. "Everything is going to be okay, We just need to wait for the ambulance." Louis moves his hand to Harry's arm and strokes it.

"Don't!" Zayn warns and Louis pulls his hand away afraid, "It could make an injury worse." Louis nods understanding and looks towards the door. Oh gosh where's Mira? Where's the ambulance?

Mira hangs up the phone a minute later and prays the ambulance will arrive soon and the worst is not/will not happen.

"Mira? What's going on? Where is everyone?" Niall asks coming out of the bedroom in his robe. Tears prick the back of Mira's eyes. She tries her hardest to hold them back but a tear escapes and Niall is at her side in a flash.

"Hey, hey, Mira, What's wrong?" He asks sincerly. Liam stands back watching Niall comfort the girl they all want to wrap their arms around, and wait for her answer.

"It's Harry." Niall's expression changes from understanding to confusion as does Liams.

"What?" He asks trying for clarification. Mira looks towards the open front door and Niall follows her gaze. Not sure what to expect he runs out the door to his friends side. Mira chases after him and Liam follows both of their paths. Mira stops at the top step and looks down as all four boys crowd around Harry's still body.

"Dear Heavenly Father, please bring the ambulances here soon. Dear Jesus, please help Harry and give him the strength and healing he needs at this moment." She continues looking from the boys, to the street and waiting for the ambulance.

"No don't touch him!" Zayn yells at Liam who's kneeling at his feet.

"He's cold Zayn and we can't leave him on the steps." Everyone begins to yell at each other. From Mira's spot at the top of the step she can see every finger being pointed and every curse being repeated around Harry's small, fragile state.

"Hey!" Mira yells taking her time walking down to them. A few early morning risers are looking out their windows and trying to get to their cars but no one bothers to intervene on this delicate situation.