Winter's Peril

Chapter 13

Louis hoped that around this time Dnias would be at work. He drove his car through to the centre of town, scouting the streets to find where Dnias worked. Eventually, he noticed a spot. He parked on the main road and jumped out of the car.

He ended up walking towards the shops and carefully walked through the snow. He probably looked a little murderous as he made his way down. He was so intent on finding Dnias, he didn't notice someone coming out of a shop.

Another body collided with his and he abruptly took a step back. He stared at the person with wide eyes before relaxing when he realised who it was.

"Niall?" he muttered.

Niall pulled his coat tighter around his body once he got a hold of his keys. He was just locking up the shop when he bumped into him. "Hello, Louis, what are you doing here?"

"I was just trying to find Dnias actually. Do you know where he is?"

Niall shrugged as he thought about where he could be. "No sorry, Lou, he's probably at work though. He works by the harbour but he may not be there because of the snow." Louis hummed as he glanced over to the waterfront. "How are you doing? I haven't seen you in ages," he frowned.

The wind rushed around them while Louis thought of an answer. He didn't want to bother him and he also wanted to finish what he came for.

"Fine. Just trying to get on my feet again."

Niall nodded, staring at Louis' sheltered figure. "You can always come to the shop if you want. Have a drink on me."

"Yeah maybe, I-I don't know," Louis huffed, avoiding his eyes again. "Look, I got to go," he said then stared into Niall's eyes. "I have somewhere to be. I'll see you around."

Niall nodded, looking a little hurt. "Okay Lou, hope you'll be okay. I'm um...here if you need me."

"Thanks," Louis replied before walking off.

He didn't notice Niall staring at him with a frown while he walked away.

The sea had frozen over by this point so the only thing that could be heard was the harsh wind. Close to nobody was outside.

He spotted Dnias by the harbour, making his way towards a car a few metres away. Immediately he clenched his teeth. It looked as though he had just finished working as he left the harbour. Louis quickly walked over a few metres behind him, making sure no one noticed them. When Dnias climbed in the car, Louis hurried over and stopped him from closing his door by holding his hand against it.

Dnias stared up at him with wide eyes, looking away from his phone in shock. "Wha-"

"What did you do Dnias?" Louis asked.

"I didn't kill him, Louis," he huffed, turning further into the car as he put his key in the ignition.

Louis glared at him. "I find that very hard to believe."

"Well believe me," Dnias said.

He folded his arms and frowned. "Where were you when he was murdered?"

Dnias became impatient as he folded his arms.

"Do you want to know why I didn't kill him, Louis?" Louis looked a bit taken aback by his question.

"Yes, I came to your house which probably made me the last person to see him before he died but when I saw him, he looked as though he was about to pass out." Dnias turned to face the road. "And as much as I didn't like the two of you, I wouldn't stoop so low as to murder Dill. So please just leave me alone."