Forgotten memories

Chapter 11

I wake up with a start and sit straight up in my bed, panting. The nightmare is still in the back of my head, it seemed so realistic. It was almost as if I was reliving the accident, but in stead of driving into a tree, like Harry said, I drove into the boys. I shiver thinking of the nightmare. I push my sheets aside and get out of bed. The clock next to my bed says 1:20, great.

The floor is cold against my bare toes and I groan. Doesn't this house have a heating? Harry must have forgotten to keep it on. I roll my eyes at that thought and sneak to my door. I slowly open it, not wanting to make any sound that'd wake Harry up. It already sucks I'm awake at this hour of the night, I don't want anyone having the same problem.

Fortunately Harry is a deep sleeper, I've had lots of fun because of that when we were younger. Many pranks followed when I found out he wouldn't wake up. I grin at that thought. The good old times. The hallway is pitch dark and I have no idea where the stairs are. With my hands I search for a wall and when I find one I slowly walk further into the darkness. Step for step.

After some steps the wall suddenly stops and I almost down the stairs. I quickly grab the banisters and hold myself onto it. Pfiew, that was close. I softly walk downstairs, waiting on every stair, listening for any sound coming from Harry's room. But it's silent, proving that Harry in fact still is a deep sleeper. I feel like a burglar sneaking around like this, while I only want to get a glass of water.  

When I reach the ground I sigh. Stairs are always the most tricky. I feel for the wall again and continue sneaking. I have no idea whether this leads to the kitchen or not, as I still can't see a thing. But if I keep on following the wall I will get into the kitchen in some point.

Suddenly my head bumps into something. Rather someone. Someone's chest to be specific. I shriek and want to hit the person. May be it's a burglar. Or a murderer. My heart is pounding in my chest as I start fighting him. But the person is clearly stronger and grabs both of my wrists in one of his hand while he holds his other hand in front of my mouth. I'm tightly pressed against him and I struggle, trying to break free again. But his grip is too strong.

'Sssh!'

I stop resisting and frown. Did he just shush me? I try to turn around so I can see his face, but I'm still in his grip. It's silent as we both keep still. What are we waiting for? A clock is ticking in the distant and I release the breath I was holding. I'm confused, am I in danger or not? Suddenly the person releases me and I quickly turn around, anxious to know who it is.

But it's still dark and I can't see anything. I quickly move my hands to his face and feel. It's a manly face with a little stubble on the sides of his head. He has very movable cheeks in which I pinch a few times.

'Hey stop that! It's me Niall' His voice exclaims in whisper.

I freeze there with my hands still on his face. I knew the lads would be coming back soon, but this soon? May be something happened. Worry comes all over me for this boy.

'Niall? What happened? Why're you back so early?' I whisper at him with slight panic. I remove my hands from his face and put them around me protectively.

'Relax, relax. Nothing happened,' He sighs, 'I came back early because I saw you were back. I wanted to see if you were all right.'

'What? That's crazy, you could've called and you would have known, you have my number so you can still call anytime,' I ramble, 'and what do you mean you saw I was back? Did you speak to Harry? I only arrived yester-'

'Ssh, listen, let's go to the kitchen first okay, there we can talk and I'll explain everything'

I nod slowly, still a bit confused. He has my number, why did he have to come all the way back from Ireland? Before I know it he takes my hand and guides me further in the darkness. The touch of his skin gives a burning sensation and I quickly pull my hand back, looking at it with wonder. It felt like my whole arm was on fire. May be the doctor made a mistake and it's not healed yet.