shadows // zerrie au

17

"Gaea," a woman gently shook her awake.

Perrie blinked, jolting up in panic. Her breath hitched as she took in her features and gasped. "Aspyn?"

Aspyn's smile brightened, her brown eyes filled with life. "Hi, Gaea."

"Where am I?" Perrie asked, glancing around.

"I had to get you out of there," Aspyn sighed, her smile faltering. "I've been searching for you for so long and I caught you mid torture. I had to sprinkle you with holy water to get it to leave. Worship houses don't block out the way they used to."

"Why were you searching for me? What are you doing here?"

"I'm one of the Angels sent to protect you. This means heaven's locked up for me so there's no going back now. Your father granted us a few tricks, though."

"Aspyn," Perrie's eyes widened. "Why did you do that? Aspyn, if they kill you.."

"I know," Aspyn replied quickly, biting her lip. "But you come first. I love you and I won't let you get hurt."

"Thank you, Aspyn," She smiled warmly. "Where are we? Is this an alley?"

"Yeah, same as I remember 'em back in '56. Still smelly, though," She crinkled her nose.

"What happened in there, Aspyn?"

Aspin stopped walking, sighed, and turned to her slowly. "We can talk about this later, Ga--"

"Aspyn," Perrie pleaded.

"Okay," She knelt down, signaling Perrie to do so as well. They both sat cross legged on the rocky ground, not caring for how dirty it was. "I've been looking for you all over the place and since I still had a bit of magic left that you gave me, I used to it to find you. Had I come any later it might have killed you, Gaea."

"It poured salt on me," Perrie frowned.

Aspyn shook her head. It wasn't salt. I couldn't see what it was, but it wasn't salt. Whatever it was, Gaea, it was obviously specially made. if I know one thing though, is that right now, they're just going to bring on torture until you're weak enough."

Perrie ran her hand through her hair, frustrated. "Aspyn, I don't know how im supposed to do this."

Aspyn placed her hand over Perrie's, her doe eyes staring into hers. "You will, Gaea. I believe in you."

Perrie hesitated, but smiled eventually. "It's Perrie."

"Hmm?"

"Don't call me Gaea. Please call me Perrie."

Aspyn smiled. "Alright, Perrie." They both stood up off the ground, Aspyn wincing at the bumpy floor. Perrie glanced down, noticing her bare feet.

Perrie chuckled. "Do ya need some shoes, Aspyn?"

"Yeah," Aspyn pouted. "Where have ya been staying, by the way? If I remember at least the smallest thing from the human world, it's homes and i don't think you live in one, do ya?"

Aspyn had been in heaven for not too long (well, to Perrie), but she was one of the few who had asked to have her memory wiped. Perrie never found out why, but she was a tortured soul when she came. Very fragile and afraid. Perrie obliged and did so, but decided to leave small good bits that wouldn't taint her memory of earth.

Perrie shook her head. "Actually, I live with these wonderful people in a bus. It's so nice, Aspyn, I think you'll like it!"

"Please show me," Aspyn beamed. "Let's go!"

"We have to wait for Gemma and Niall first," Perrie explained, chuckling at the petite brunette's enthusiasm. "Would you like to use a mirror?"

"But there isn't one around."

"I've been tinkering a little lately," Perrie whispered lowly. "And I found out an alternative. Look!"

Perrie stared at the church's brick wall, concentrating on Niall and Gemma. Her eyes shut close and her hand popped up, pushing the walls lightly. Her eyes opened, a clear, water portal shimmering on the wall, a blurry picture of Gemma and Niall looking at clothes. Aspyn gasped, Her fingers touching the liquid and flinching back in surprise and amazement as ripples distorted the image before going back to normal.

"Oh, dear," She gasped, her mouth hung open. "Perrie, that's amazing!"

"Come on," Perrie laughed, taking her hand and running in. They stumbled out a wall, laughing when they realized how well it worked.

Niall and Gemma turned, noticing them. Gemma approached Perrie, pulling her behind her and eyeing Aspyn. "Who's your friend, Sunshine?"

Aspyn did a small bow, smiling widely at Gemma. "M'names Aspyn at your service!"

Gemma looked at Perrie. "Do you know her? As in, actually know her?"

"Yeah, I do," Perrie smiled. "She's one of my closest friends. She was my friend when I was lonely."

Niall stook his hand out and shook Aspyn's hand. "Nice t'meet ya, I'm Niall."

Aspyn happily shook his hand, glancing over at Gemma with a wide smile. "You must be Gemma!"

"Nice to meet you," Gemma said with a tight smile. "Well the run in was nice, but I think we should get back soon, Larson."

"It's Aspyn, Miss."

"Okay," Gemma snorted quietly.

Aspyn, as clueless as Perrie, took no notice and continued walking with them. Niall nudged Gemma.

"Actually, Aspyn," Niall started. "We were lookin' for clothes to wear to the club we're going to tonight."

Perrie gasped, clapping and jumping up and down. "Please come, Aspyn! It's so fun!"

"Okay," Aspyn said happily, not sure what a club is.

"Guess we're staying shopping longer then," Gemma grumbled.

"It's on me, ladies," Niall smiled at them. "Just choose away.

Perrie squealed and took both Gemma and Aspyn's hand, dragging them behind her as she ran over to the dresses section.

soooo idk how I feel about this or how yall will like it BUT this is a v important chapter that will lead to many things, one of them being an introduction of Aspyn! comment and vote

p.s. if u saw the typo pls pretend u didnt thx x