shadows // zerrie au

5

Gemma wearily eyed the petite girl trying to work the broom, moving it forward and backward in an awkward motion. She understood Lou, she did. This act of kindness from her wasn't surprising in any way. It was as simple as Lou just being that type of person. But the circumstances were all too odd and so was Perrie. Trust just wasn't something she could afford to give to the wrong person, especially when the wrong choice could affect more than just her own life. There was Lou's life, her mother's life, her little brother's life. Nothing was the same as it was a few years ago. 

"So," Gemma approached her, clearing her throat to make her presence known. "Where did you say you were from?"

"Erm, I don't think I can answer that. But it was rather heavenly," Perrie giggled at her own joke, oblivious to the incredulous look on Gemma's face. 

"Are you someone who lives up to their title as a blonde or are you a genuine twit?"

"I'm not sure what you mean," Perrie laughed uneasily. Gemma said a lot of things Perrie didn't really understand, all in a tone she wasn't used to ever really hearing either. 

Gemma's lips curled into a smirk. She was more than prepared to give her a piece of her own mind. "It means-"

"It means you've done good today, Perrie! It's closing time so you can wrap up already and come upstairs with me and Gemma, 'lright?" Lou interrupted.

Perrie nodded and took her broom, gently placing it back to where it was. Admittedly, Perrie hadn't cleaned much up, but Lou could never tell her that. She seemed content trying. 

Lou waved at her to follow her up the stairs, Perrie happily running over to her. Tripping over one of the steps, she bumped into Lou, giggling at her own clumsiness.

"Sorry," She smiled sheepishly. "I don't usually use stairs."

"S'alright. Come on," Lou laughed, taking her hand as she guided her. They climbed up and Perrie gasped at the room before her. 

"It's no prize," Lou started. "But it's home."

"What? I love it!" Perrie gushed. The room reminded her a lot of her own home back in heaven, with the white walls and greenery in pots added as decoration. But it had splashes of red and yellow, plus pinks and purples in the form of dolls and toys scattered across the ground.  "It's so pretty, Lous. Look at all these colours! And the floor, it's so soft!"

"It's a carpet," Gemma quirked her eyebrow.

"A carpet," Perrie repeated. Not a marble floor, but fuzzy and soft against her feet. "I love it, Lou."

"Aren't you just the sweetest?" Lou chuckled. "Thank you.So, I'm a bit tight on space with Gemma crashing with me for these few days, so I'm afraid all I can offer is a couch."

"Oh, no don't worry! I will make the most of it, I am very thankful you let me have somewhere to sleep. You are very kind, Lou. Thank you."

Lou smiled and told her where the washroom and kitchen, giving her a more comfortable set of clothes. While a bit taken aback at how quickly she stripped her clothes off in front of them, she saw the way she sank into the jumper, pajama pants, and fuzzy socks. "Goodnight, Perrie," she cooed, slipping away to tuck Lux into bed as Gemma followed closely behind.

"You're not serious, are you Louise?" Gemma sighed, the silence before and after the sentence uncomfortably long.

"What?" Lou asked innocently. "Is it really such a bad idea?"

"You took her in. Lou, we don't know her or her intentions! For all we know, she could be here to dig information out of us. She could be a reporter, and you let her in!" Gemma jabbed her finger at her. "This isn't like finding a stray puppy on the streets, she's a person."

"She's a poor, confused girl, Gem. She was talking to one a manikin, she didn't know she was in bloody London. She can't be that malicious." She reasoned, kissing Lux's forehead before leaving her bedroom and going into hers. "She's a kid."

"So is my brother, Lou. You know how I feel about these things, I will not have a stranger try to harm any of my family. That includes you." 

Lou sighed. Despite Gemma's hard exterior and attitude, she knew that wasn't all she was. Harry meant everything to her, especially now that she never got to see him. Never knowing where he was or when he was coming back home, it was difficult on her. After all the people that approached her as a friend only to stab her in the back, Lou understood. Someone coming in to demolish what her brother worked so hard to be apart of was not in Gemma's list. 

"I know you're weary, Gem. I am too. I don't want anyone to hurt your brother or the other boys just as much as you don't. But I look at her and... I can't help but feel like she's here for a reason. I can't let her get hurt. What if that was Lux, Gem? Or you? That's someone's daughter too."

Gemma's shoulder rose and fell as she let out a deep sigh, running her fingers through her hair. "I'm just saying, Lou," She said softly, playing with the rings on her fingers. "All with caution, you know? She sounds a bit Geordie too. I've never met one before, maybe it's a sign that I never should."

"Oh, shut up," Lou laughed, hitting her with a pillow. "Go sleep in your room already."

Back in the living room, Perrie lied on the couch, feeling the way her chest rose with each breath. At this point in her journey, day turned to night and she had to admit she was afraid. Nothing but pure light has ever illuminated her skin and to be overwhelmingly surrounded by darkness was terrifying. She felt like she was suffocating.

Heart beating loudly against her chest, she screwed her eyes shut and attempted to focus; on herself, on the good, on the divinity she knew overlooked Earth. But even with her eyes closed, it was dark. Fear crept into her and the thought of evil lurking around her felt more and more possible. Her breathing sped up, sweaty palms clutching on to the blanket that covered her. Feeling a cold drift enter the room, Perrie had it. Her eyes burst open and she jumped off the couch, running over to the room she saw Lou slip into. Opening the door, she shut it behind her quickly. Turning the lamp beside her on, Lou rubbed her eyes and looked over at the frantic girl, covering the door with her body as though to keep something from coming in.

"Perrie?" Lou mumbled, furrowing her brows. "Are you alright?"

"I-I can't be there. I've never been somewhere so dark. Lou, I don't like how it feels." She panted between words, stepping away from the door and closer towards Lou. 

"Hey, look at me." Taking a hold of Perrie's hands, she sat her on the bed by her, hushing her as much as she could. "You're okay."

"I've never felt so scared, Lou."

"You're in my home, Perrie. Nothing's going to happen to you here, okay? I don't know what you've been through, but I won't let anything happen to you. I promise." Lou cooed, bringing Perrie into a tight hug. She held her until she felt her body relax, standing up to guide her back to the living room. "I'll leave the light on, alright?"

Though apprehensive, Perrie nodded and followed her back into the living room. Switching the light back on, Lou gasped. The once lively plants decorating the room were wilted and dry, not the same dark green shade it was when she came. Puzzled, Perrie glanced around the room. Could she have accidentally caused that?

"My plants," Lou whined, kneeling down to touch one of the stiff plant's leaves. "I wonder how this happened."

Choosing not to dwell on it, Lou said another goodnight and left back to her bedroom. Never in her existence had Perrie ever terminated something with her magic. A few sprouts here and there and minor manipulations, but never had an outcome been negative. She closed her eyes, thoughts still swirling around her head. Maybe she didn't understand Earth's energy like she thought she did. Still, she hoped everything she felt she was missing would be here. It had to be.