The Runner ➳ Narry (Book One)

Chapter Forty-Two

(Niall's POV)

Louis and I made our way back to his and Harry's flat by foot. My legs were throbbing, my bullet wound stinging with every step. I was tired as fuck, and the stitches in my arm felt like they were on fire.

I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten, my grumbling stomach reminding me of the emptiness. It was freezing cold outside, darkness setting on the outskirts of London where we were walking.

"Louis," I groaned, putting my hand on his shoulder to balance myself as we walked. "I can't go any further."

"We're almost there," Louis said. "I'm not carrying your fat ass around anymore."

I looked down at myself then back at Louis. "I'm like a twig."

"You don't feel like one when you're bloody and unconscious," Louis grunted.

"Yes Louis, I get that it's my fault I was shot," I muttered.

"I didn't say it was your fault, Niall."

We continued walking in silence, the atmosphere changing as we turned a corner. It seemed to become darker, more intimidating.

"Want to know what I just remembered?" Louis asked.

"What?" I questioned.

"There was 60,000 pounds in that Camaro," Louis reminded me.

I thought for a moment, then my face fell. "You're a fucking twat."

"What?" Louis looked at me with a dumbfounded look on his face.

"We could've used that as bail money, you idiot!" I ran a hand down my face with frustration.

"It's not enough for bail," Louis said. "Harry will still have to pay charges so he can use the Camaro money for that."

"Jesus," I muttered. "That's a lot of money."

"He would be in jail for twenty-five years if we didn't put this money towards getting him out," Louis explained. I only nodded.

My stomach growled loudly, I was in desperate need of some food. And a shower. "Can we stop at Nando's?" I asked Louis with a groan.

"We're almost at the flat, Niall. You'll live," Louis responded.

"Why couldn't we have just drove here instead of walking?"

"Suck it up, Lucky Charms."

I sighed and continued walking in silence. I could hear Louis' heavy breathing, but he didn't seem to be out of breath.

A few more minutes passed before Louis turned a corner, walking down a street I knew all too well. I could see the warehouse in the distance, garbage and cigarette buds littering the pavement.

Coming towards the warehouse, I felt the atmosphere change. I looked to Louis, who's face seemed dark. He was clenching his jaw, never unclenching it until we walked straight past the musty old warehouse that had caused Louis and Harry so many problems.

"I'm going to kill John," Louis muttered. I had a feeling he was talking to himself rather than me, so I stayed silent.

We approached a tall, run down looking apartment complex, shaded by trees and uncut grass. I looked up at it with distaste, but I understood this was all Louis and Harry could afford.

We entered the front doors, a bare lobby greeting us. Louis grabbed my arm and pulled me quickly to the lift, pressing the button and waiting for the doors to open.

Once open, he shoved me in, following after me. He bent near my ear, whispering as if someone could hear us inside the tiny lift. "Don't be too freaked out when we get upstairs."