Dark Times

XXIX: Arthur

Dark Times

Song:  Lung - Vancouver Sleep Clinic

Chapter 29

(extremely juicy chapter ahead, tissues might be needed)

   "Katerina." Stella walked towards me, wrapping her arms around me. My eyes nearly bulged out of my sockets. "Thank you for helping Harry." She hugged me tighter, and I pushed to get out of her grasp.

  "It's fine." I said, still trying to get her arms off.
Eloise was the one to get her off of me, giving her a harsh look. She knew Stella was only doing this to further deepen my wound... But that's not what mattered now.

I looked back at the men who had just arrived, Zayn.. and that guy Harry had mentioned before.. who for some reason Harry thought was my father.

   "Kat... come I want to introduce you to someone." Harry motioned for me to get closer, but I knew Harry now. His tone wasn't normal. He sounded...scared.

  "Shouldn't you go inside and get some rest?" I argued, "Kai, Harry is injured, and needs immediate assistance." I turned back, but Harry gripped my hand.

   "Kat—"

"I'm sure your guest won't mind," and for the first time I acknowledged his presence. He, along with the others had been watching my little fight with Harry.

  "Won't you?" I said, giving the man a hard stare. He looked a bit taken aback, but somehow impressed before giving me a small nod. I nodded back in a 'thanks for not getting in my way' gesture.

  Harry sighed, relaxing his hand in mine. "You're coming with me?"

  Kai grabbed one of Harry's arms, and placed it on his shoulder for support. I looked back at Stella and Eloise, who seemed to be in a hushed argument.

  "Actually, I should go wash this off." I was covered in other people's blood. Not really ideal. "I think Stella can handle it; can't you Stell?" 

Stella briefly looked at me, I could tell that whatever Eloise had been telling her had hit a nerve because she huffed loudly and joined Harry and Kai.

  I didn't want to have a conversation with either of Harry's new guests. I hadn't seen Zayn in a while, and I wasn't really interested in an explanation from him. All I needed now was a bath and a bed.

"Mr. Vincelli, I'll show you to your room." Niall spoke, turning toward his chief, leader... or whatever.

  I couldn't hear what he told him back, I was already making my way inside with Eloise beside me.

  "Do you have any injuries Kat?" Eloise said, joining me in the elevator.

  "No but... if you could get someone to get me some food in about an hour. I'm starving and I'm tired and I smell." I complained, finally showing any signs of emotions to someone who had probably become my closest friend since I had been taken. "I also hope you'll tell me what happened with your parents and Stella... and Liam.. how is he?"

  "He's better now." She smiled, I could hear the relief in her voice. 

  We were outside my door now, and I was about to make my way inside when she asked, "Kat.. that man.. Arthur Vincelli.. is he—"

   I shut my eyes and leaned my forehead on the door frame. "My father died years ago in a fire. I may not remember what he looks like... or... what he was like but," I paused, reaffirming myself of the one thing I did know, and wasn't going to let go off easily, "I watched him walk into that fire and never walk out. Whoever that man is out there is not my father I am sure of it."