DEVIANT [H.S.]

31 - Nightfall

"Woah... what happened?!" Harry's voice echoes as Niall and I climb up out of the Underground entrance.

I say nothing back to Harry as we run into the Polar District, needing cover as soon as possible. I'm too caught up in my own mind to even speak right now.

Once we're a safe enough distance from the O2, Harry kneels down beside me, holding me up for support.

"Niall, what happened in there?" Caleb asks, running out of the house.

Heavy gasps emit from Niall's mouth, as mine as well, before he can catch his breath to respond.

"A Patrol spotted us in the arena. They have barrels upon barrels in there... Serena accidently knocked one over. She got grazed by a bullet before we escaped. Well, she doesn't know that... she's too hysterical to notice her bloody shoulder."

Harry then looks to my shoulder and his eyes widen, his movements becoming more slower and careful.

"Serena, you're hurt..." He trails off, holding my hand as his eyes look over my wound.

"W-we have to leave..." I gasp, feeling as if ten gallons of water landed in my lungs. "That Patrol is g-going to c-come outside and s-shoot us..."

I don't even bother looking to my bleeding shoulder. My petty injury will not be the main topic here. Not right now. Not in this situation.

"Shhhh, Serena, he won't. You're safe, I promise," Harry comforts me, helping me sit up. Malachi comes into view, walking out of the home. He kneels down next to me, looking me straight in the eyes.

"I'm glad you're alright. Did you find anything in there?" He questions.

I nod, looking down at my belt to see three vials secured tightly on my waist. I look over to Niall, and his vials are still in tact as well. Malachi sets his hand on my non-injured shoulder, his gaze holding some type of emotion that I can't exactly read.

"We have to get you back to the compound," He smiles, clutching my shoulder tightly.

Caleb, however, doesn't like that idea.

"The compound? Are you crazy? There are Patrols searching all around London for her... for us! What makes you think she'll be safe there?" Caleb shouts, rising from Niall's side.

Malachi stands up, releasing his steady grip. "The compound is the only place she can practice what she has learned. Whatever is in these vials, she can figure out. I have faith that she can, do you?"

Caleb gulps, mustering as much courage as he can. "Of course I have faith in her. I'm just not sure taking her back to the compound is the safest thing to do."

"Would you take her then? You are her Protector," His mother speaks up, standing beside Malachi.

Harry begins to help me stand as well as we watch this confrontation continue. They're talking as if I'm not even present. However, I don't want to add more fuel to this flame that will possibly rage into a fire.

Malachi shakes his head in protest. "Caleb isn't taking Serena back to the compound. Harry is."

"What?" Harry and I both exclaim at the same time. Harry's voice sounds more in wonderment than mine.

Mine exudes bewilderment rather than wonder.

"It's the smartest thing, Caleb," Niall adds. "Jeriah doesn't know Harry. It's better if you stay here for the time being."

Here leaning on Harry's shoulder, I notice how much tension is actually present between all of the bodies standing here on this bridge.

Malachi and Caleb are at each other's throats, Niall is agreeing with Malachi which basically makes Niall disagree with Caleb's mother, and Harry and I are just dismayed by the whole situation.