Above the Crimson Sky (Sequel to Beneath the Midnight Sky)

XXVII. Aftermath Thoughts

Hello and good morning. I am Donna Showers reporting live from NYU Memorial Hospital. Last night we broke the story  21 year old Zayn Malik was shot in Technicolor Fantasy by 46 year old Clarence Haynes. Malik survived that attack to only be shot again while shielding 22 year old Louis Tomlinson from the gunfire. Dr. Milton Remour says when Malik was shot the second time, the bullet exited his body and struck Tomlinson in the abdomen due to their close range. He remains in critical condition.
Police are asking for your help in this case. If you have any information about the drug affiliation gang that Haynes belongs to, please contact the local police.
A memorial has been set up at the University in honor of Malik outside of the theatre building. Prayers are being asked for at this time for the Malik and Tomlinson family.

In other news...

Harry flipped off the television inside the dorm room.

"Hey, I brought you some tea." Niall said as he sat down next to Harry and hugged him tightly.

"Thanks," Harry replied as he stared off into space. "How's Liam?" He took a sip of tea.

"Not too good. He and Ed are being held for questioning. They're not going to charge them in the drug dealing. They said they don't have enough proof they were involved. I'm worried about him." Niall sighed heavily. He wanted to cry but he feared he was out of tears. "And you."

"Why are you worried about me?" Harry looked forward.

"Everything that's happened.....Louis....Zayn...." he gulped at the mention of his name. "Louis went around acting like he was in love with Zayn all of a sudden, forgetting that you existed. We all love Louis, we all loved Zayn. This has got to be hard on you."

"Acted like he was in love with him or acted like he was in love with me? Harry retorted. "Because I sure couldn't tell the difference."

"Mrs. Tomlinson said the bullet ripped through Zayn's exit wound and pierced through Louis' skin. Do you think we should visit him?" Niall cleared his throat.
Harry played with his bottom lip. "Maybe."

Niall sat down next to Harry and patted his leg gently. "He loves you, Harry. I think he noticed Zayn was going down a dark path and did what he thought would save him. Liam told me that the gunman was stalking them for awhile. He noticed him sometimes but Zayn said he was paranoid. I guess Zayn knew his days were numbered."

Harry acknowledged that Niall was talking but didn't reply. He let Niall continue. "Louis always had a sixth sense about what people need. I think he wanted to make Zayn happy, and along the way, maybe he did fall in love with him; but it wasn't the same way he's in love with you. Every love is different. I wouldn't give up on him...not when he needs you the most."

Niall stood up and grabbed his keys from the coffee table. "It's not an option, Harry. We're going to visit him."

The ride to the hospital was silent. Harry was unsure if he could walk into another hospital to visit Louis. Since their relationship began, it was filled with nothing but sickness and threats of death. Two completely psychotic souls trying to make a relationship work may not have been the best idea.

Yet, maybe it's the universe drawing them together. No matter what obstacle it tries to throw at them, they have always survived. Harry always saved him and lifted his spirits.

"They're calling you a hero, you know," Niall looked at him and put on his turn signal. "You had the courage to shoot the man though you didn't have to..."
"Yeah well he was choking Louis," he numbly replied. "Not exactly a hero."

Liam and Ed walked out of the police station sighing in relief to learn if they helped the police set up the gang that shot Zayn, they would not be charged with selling drugs.

"God. This is so fucked up. We did something really bad!" Ed sighed, rubbing his throbbing temples.

"Look. We all wanted out. That's what pissed them off. Zayn thought he could start his life over, take Louis to Bradford and live happy ever after. Yet, the gang was losing money because nobody was pushing the drug around campus." Liam explained, putting a cigarette between his trembling lips. "I miss him."

"Me too. I feel bad for Harry, too. I didn't know that Louis would take the bait. I didn't know he loved him." Ed tugged on his hair. 

Liam sighed heavily. "I don't think he does...did...not in that way, anyhow. I think he sensed something was wrong with Zayn and just wanted to make him happy. I think he loves Harry, I really do. When Zayn told Louis that he and Harry kissed, I think Louis just didn't want to deal with the pain. He wanted to escape from reality – like he always does. He hasn't been well for awhile. This just made him worse."

Ed mirrored Liam's actions and lit a cigarette. "Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is I shouldn't have help Zayn get Harry tricked into kissing him. I shouldn't have gave Harry drugs. I have a hand in this."

"Me too," Liam admitted shamefully. "Not about helping Zayn but giving Harry drugs. I just couldn't deny him. He's my friend. Wanted to take his pain away."

"This sucks." Ed huffed. "I don't know how the fuck we got talked into selling these drugs but I want to be clean. I don't want to live this life anymore. The play is shot all to hell now. Nothing feels right anymore..." Ed felt a tear escape his eye. "Zayn was my friend..."

"Believe me, I know. I loved him....I still do. The way he smiled, took care of me. Why did I complain so much? He bought me this." Liam twirled his watch around. "I, uh...things were fine until I couldn't take it anymore. I always felt like Louis was on his mind. Maybe I should have just stayed with him. Maybe eventually he would have loved me."

Ed put his hand on Liams' shoulder. "Dude, he did love you. He told me one night. We were so shit faced. He said he was falling for you and it scared the fuck out of him. Said his therapist told him he had codependency issues with Louis. He did love you....and he loved Louis too. Life doesn't always fit into a uniform box, you know?"

Feeling a lump in his throat, Liam nuzzled himself into Ed's chest letting the sobs out that he'd been holding in. "This isn't fair. I miss him so much!"