Stuck » h.s. (UNDER EDITING)

twenty seven

EMMA'S POV:

The amount of times I've run my fingers through my hair in the past five minutes is ridiculous. I told myself I couldn't be nervous, this was far too important. So many lives were at stake. And if you put that type of pressure on a person, you can only expect their nerves to get the best of them. I would have rather Niall not make such a big deal out of it so I would be able to shut that part of my mind down, which is now seemingly impossible.

Louis' hand laced tightly together with mine is the only thing bringing me warmth in this terribly bitter November air. He is visibly nervous. His posture is stiff and his jaw is clenched together with what must be a painful tightness. I want to find some way to reassure him, but it will all just be bull shit. I'm not okay either.

All I want is for this to be over. Shawn and his crew of demons to be put behind bars, letting me move on with my life. Most of my relationships have been risked due to his evil actions. I have to lie and lie and lie. Always. There seems to never be an escape, but for once, I think I see a tiny speck of light at the end of dreadful tunnel.

We've stopped against a brick wall, dressed with layers and bindings of ivy and vines. It might have been beautiful if not for the circumstances we were under. Now was not the time to admire architecture and the complicated grandeur. What it was to us at this very moment, was a place to hide and calm ourselves before our plan was put into action.

I look at the stars shining brightly in the pitch black sky, the street we're on having no illumination except for very dim street lights. Most of them were flickering or completely out. There was an odd calm that came with a wave of fear being on this street. The buildings were crumbling and windows were busted. Trash strewn across the sidewalks and pot holes littering the road. Fences were falling and graffitti decorated the brick and outside of every single structure. This definitely looked like an appropriate place for street fighting and we were in The Bronx. I don't really know what I expected.

No wonder Shawn hung around here. He fit in perfectly with the disgusting, run down buildings and danger. I'm actually quite surprised he hasn't gotten himself killed yet and I'm also surprised he didn't stay in Brooklyn, getting high by Olivia's grave. Probably asking the stone if she wanted a smoke.

"Emma, we have to go. We don't have much time as it is," Lou says, grabbing my other hand and looking me dead in the eye. His hands are shaking as well as mine. I know we have to go.

"I know. I'm just nervous."

"I'm nervous too, Em. I mean, shit, do you see where we are right now? I feel like we're going to get jumped any minute."

"Well, thanks. That was reassuring."

"Sorry. We just have to go. We're wasting time standing around worrying about if we have enough time."

"Then let's go." I push myself off of the wall and start walking down the jutted sidewalk. Louis ran to catch up with me and slid his hand into mine once more, giving it a squeeze.

"We're gonna be okay," he whispers, kissing my forehead quickly before handing me the small device. It feels cold against my already numb palm and there's nothing I can see of it except for the little red dot.

There has been no word from Niall and we don't expect any. Paige probably has him tied up with duct tape over his mouth so he can't buzz in on us every five seconds which would totally screw us up.

My hand officially has no other one connected to it. Louis nods ahead and we take the last few steps, peering our heads around the corner. I immediately spot Shawn's car not too far away from where Louis and I stand. A group of gruff looking men are going at each other, blood splattering the ground as well as their skin, knuckles, and clothes. Sick people are standing off to the side, cheering them on. I crane my head to see if Shawn is in the group, but there is no sight of him.