1919 - Thomas Shelby x Reader

Chapter 33 ~ Exhausted

Thomas's P.o.v 

Everyone except for Annabelle came home last night uninjured and safe. I tossed and turned all night worrying about wether or not Annabelle was even alive at this point. The Shelby family was seated in the kitchen, gloomy and dim faces on everyone's face. Michael pulled out the whisky and poured himself a glass whilst John sat in a chair staring into his now finished glass. The only sound in the room being the clock on the wall. At this point in time everyone assumed the worst had happened and drowning our sorrows seemed like the natural reaction.

I polished off my own glass as I slumped down into the chair and ran my finger around the rim of the cup in thought. I shouldn't have gotten her to do this, she wasn't ready. Finn burst into the room huffing trying to catch his breath as he held on to the kitchen counter for support. "Finn what happened?" everyone stood to their feet in an instant trying to get the information Finn had rushed here to tell us. "Annabelle" he chocked out barley able to catch his breath "Theres been a tip off" he pointed outside.

Everyone gave each other a look of acknowledgement and it wasn't long before everyone had gotten their coats and peaked cap on. "Who was it and where?" I demanded desperately holding on to Finns arms as everyone rushed out the door awaiting the location. "One of Solomons men saw her down on the south side" I smiled out of relief "Thank you, Finn" I hugged him tightly before running out to the others and telling them. It's good to see that Solomons kept up his side of the deal by keeping an eye out.

The Peaky Blinders walked out into the streets in search for Annabelle or any sign that she had been near by. Heads turned and people ushered out of the way of us as we made our way through the rained upon streets. "Now boys keep an eye out start asking questions" I called out as the men split up into different directions. I was determined to find her no matter the cost, I was just hoping that every devastating second that goes by we come closer to find her. I began walking down the main street in search of Annabelle.

Annabelle's P.o.v.

After collapsing on the south side of Birmingham I managed to push myself another hundred meters to one of the open pubs on the corner of main street. The barmaid working in the pub took me into one of the back rooms and allowed me to stay the night or at least until I was able to move again. I now sat with my Ipod in hand watching people pass by the glass window. I wore a blue jumper that the women gave me and said I could keep. I couldn't thank her enough. My vision was still quite hazy but i could have sworn I saw John, Michael and Thomas walking down the street. 

I watched as the three of them got closer and closer before I realised they really were here and probably looking for me. I tried to stand from my seat but I was still so exhausted from last night that my body wasn't allowing me to move more than a few short steps. "Thomas" I whispered hoarsely, even my voice was gone. I waited for them to get closer realising they were going into each shop along the strip.it wouldn't be long until they found me.

Thomas and John stood in the centre of the street shaking their heads as they hung low. They were going to turn around? They were about to give up!? Thomas began to turn around with the others following him. I built up all my remaining strength as a serge of adrenalin rushed through me. I needed them to see me. They were right there! I got my glass of water from the table emptying it on the floor and pegged the glass at the window sending the glass window shattering into thousands of pieces. I slumped back in my chair trying to catch me breath. 

The boys turned around with a snap of their necks and it was only seconds until they realised it was me laid out in the chair with a broken glass in my hand. "Annabelle!" Michael shrieked as everyone ran towards me. I breathed a shaky sigh of relief as John and Michael lifted me from my seat and sat me up right. Thomas came sprinting up towards the pair of the after someone went and fetched him from a neighbouring shop. "We found her!" the boys called as he practically bee lined right towards me.

He kneeled down in from of me so that he was eye level with me "Your okay!?" he spoke concerned. "Im fine, Just exhausted" I croaked, Tommy's eyebrows furrowed at the sound of my voice "What happened?" he asked worried. "I drove until I had to ditch the care in the back fields, I ran until I got here and collapsed" I tried to stabilise my breath. Tom leant in close and pressed his forehead against mine "Im not leaving you alone like that again" I smiled small at his comment "Im fine, Tom" I lied. I was clearly not fine and there was really no point in trying to hide what was in plain sight.

"You don't have to worry about anything to worry about" I looked into his eyes and I could see the fear he had endured. "So your saying I should let it go?" I cupped his face weakly and nodded "You should". "Away it goes" he whispered forgetting that there was other people around. This would be the first time in a long time that the Peaky boys would have seen Thomas so vulnerable and open. "I love you, Thomas Shelby" I smiled as he lifted me up from my seat and carried me in his arms. "I love you too, Annabelle" he held me tightly as everyone walked down the road heading back home.