Decrypted

Chapter 3

i love to swim

______________________________________________________________

When Niall awoke the next morning, he had aching pains in his legs from the overuse yesterday. This left him on best rest for a couple hours, until he got so hungry he had to get up. 

Once he was up, he noticed how quiet the cabin really was. He thought it was odd how they were all sleeping in so late, especially Harry. 

But, Niall shrugged it off, deciding today might just be a lazy day. 

He walked into the kitchen area and grabbed some purified water, tree bark and bear berries for breakfast. 

A couple of other ripe red berries were thrown out, making Niall wonder if it was an accident but decided he shouldn't question Harry. 

Popping a couple berries into his mouth, he savored the tart juice that squirted out of the small, jelly capsule. 

He hummed a tune in satisfaction, wondering around the base as he ate the meal. He went past Jenny's room, Milly's room and Harry's room. 

He paused at Harry's room, wondering if he should check in on the Doc to see if he was okay. 

But, he shrugged it off again and continued to sway a little to his tune as he made his way to Smile's room. 

The curtain that gave Smile privacy was ripped, exposing a scene that made Niall choke on the food he had in his mouth. 

Smile was bound to a chair,  gray duct tape covering her wrists and ankles. Fresh tears were racing down the tracks the older tears had made. 

"Oh my god, Smile!" Niall gasped, rushing into her room and placing his food on her dresser. 

"Are you okay? What happened?" Niall gushed, completely forgetting the fact she was deaf and mute. 

She sat there, quietly sobbing, weakly struggling against the tape that held her hostage. 

"It's gonna be okay, i'll get you," Niall soothed, grabbing out the knife from his pocket and slashing at the tape, "Harry! Jenny! Milly! Come here! Someone has attacked Smile!" 

He grunted a couple times, gritting his teeth as he tore through the tough material. Once he freed her hands, he called out again. 

"Guys, get up!" He yelled, growing frustrated, "Smile is hurt!"

Nobody responded, leaving Niall to free Smile all by himself. 

"I'll be right back." Niall told smile, holding his hands out as if to tell her to stay. 

He stormed over to Harry's room, aggressively ripping open the curtain only to be even more shocked. 

Harry was gone! 

Niall squinted in suspicion, moving onto Jenny and Milly's rooms. Once again, they were empty. 

"Where are they?" Niall shouted to himself, pulling at his hair. He went back to Smile, seeing if she had any info to give him. 

"Smile, who did this to you?" Niall spoke very slowly and exaggerated his mouth movements to try to make it easier for Smile to understand. 

With shaky hands, she began signing out the whole story. Unfortunately, Niall hadn't learned sign language, only Harry did.

The only words he got from her story were Harry, Jenny and Milly. 

"Yes, i know Harry, Jenny and Milly are gone. Do you know who took them? Where they are?" Niall kept talking slowly, trying to see if he could figure out any more signs from her. 

She began signing Jenny's name, but didn't get the chance to finish as Niall interrupted her. 

"Yes, i get it, you miss Jenny and Milly and Harry but where are they?"

She shook her head, placing it in the palms over her hands. Her back shook as she took in shaky breaths. 

Niall let out a frustrated groan and ran his hands over his face, "Look, you stay here and ill go and look for them." 

Once he pointed to himself, then outside the cabin, Smile started tearing up again. 

She leaned over and threw her feeble arms around Niall to give him a hug. Niall debating on whether or not to take her, but decided she should stay since she was the youngest and most feeble. 

The base would be good protection for her. 

Niall hugged her, rubbing her back soothingly. "Ill be back before you know it." 

He tried getting up, but she latched onto him since he was the only thing she had left. She didn't know which foods were safe to eat, she didn't know how to filter the ocean water, and she didn't know how to shoot a pistol.

Harry gave her the job of looking out for ghouls, which was easy since none would attack the bloody shores of Crimson cove. All she knew how to do was watch. 

He started walking to the kitchen, holding her hand as they went. 

"You'll be okay here. There's no danger," Niall told, dumping out his ration for the week onto the table for her, "You have all this food. You'll be okay." 

She rubbed her eyes, her chest jumping as she took in ragged breaths. Smile began to calm herself and wiped at her tears. 

She pointed to the water filter and shook her head no. She figured he didn't understand sign language since he didn't understand what she was saying, and who took the group. 

"You don't know how to work the filter?" Niall asked, trying his best to understand her signals. 

She nodded, and watched as Niall began to demonstrate for her. "You take some ocean water, don't touch it with your hands, and pour it into this funnel. The liquid that comes in this glass is safe to drink." 

He thought of other things he might explain to her, like how to repair the air filter if it ever breaks (which he didn't think was necessary since the outside air was just as fine) and how to ration the food for the day. 

"When you're picking berries, make sure to get the red ones, bear berries," Niall paused, his heart clenching as he said the nickname Harry gave for him, "There are some other red ones out there, but I've never tried them. Bear berries have the green stem." 

After Niall had explained all he could, he gathered some supplies and got ready to leave. 

Smile had followed him around, watching as he packed things in his bag and how he talked to himself. 

Once he was all packed, Niall turned around to Smile. 

"You be good, okay? Remember, drink the water from the glass and pick the berries with the green stem," He looked her in the eye, wanting to make sure she knew what to do, "And, dont forget to smile, Smile." 

Niall have her a small, warm hearted smile which she returned.

She hugged him one last time, squeezing him with all her might. 

"Ill be back soon." He said, bidding her goodbye and leaving the base. 

 He was determined to find out what happened to his group and get them back safely.

_________________________________________________________________________

hmm, kinda characterizing Niall to be some badass but lowkey he's gonna be soft and smol. 

also, did you like smile? Shes so cute :) 

hope you dudes enjoyed the chapter and have a great day! :)