Unpredictable (A Lashton Fanfic)

Chapter Sixty-One - Accusations.

That night was a long one, filled with quiet conversations and the exchange of concerned glances, and by the time sunlight began to filter in through the blinds we had unsuccessfully tried to close we were all tired of the uncomfortable chairs we were forced to occupy and just of the hospital in general. All of us were exhausted because of the lack of sleep we had gotten, and that caused us to be uncharacteristically ill and short-tempered—Michael in particular.

            “Has anyone seen Cody?” Colin was asking, turning down the volume on the television. “He’s been MIA ever since last night, and I’m beginning to grow a little concerned.”

            Michael rolled his eyes, something that he had been doing a lot of that morning. “He’s seventeen, not a preschooler—which means he’s perfectly able to go places on his own without having to check in with one of us. Furthermore, he’s not our problem, so why should we be worried about him?”

            “He is our problem because he’s our friend,” Colin said, struggling to keep his voice at a low volume. “and with all that’s been going on lately, I just feel like I need to keep an eye on not just him, but every single one of you in this room. We’re in danger, and whether we like it or not we need to stay together for our own personal safety.”

            “Whatever.” Michael muttered, pulling out his headphones and indicating he was done with conversation for a while at least.

            There was already tension in the room, but when the door opened and Harry, Zayn, and Liam stepped in that tension grew. We all hadn’t seen or talked to each other in days; the last words spoken between us and them was on the day of Gemma’s disappearance, an event that had taken an obvious toll on Harry. His hair was noticeably longer than the last time we had met, the loose ringlets covering most of his face and hiding his eyes that, from what I could see of them, appeared red-rimmed and absent of the sparkle that usually resided there. The brown boots on his feet and the black jeans and plain white shirt he was wearing also appeared unusually dingy and dirty, and it was almost as if Harry had completely stopped caring about his own health. I couldn’t help but be concerned for the other boy, and Luke must’ve felt the same way because he stood up and gave him an awkward one-armed hug.

            “I wish I could say I came just to check on Calum,” Harry finally said, his voice sounding deeper and raspier than usual. “but unfortunately I have some bad news.”

            Everyone in that room turned to him, expectantly yet hesitantly waiting for his reply. I absently reached over and took Luke’s hand, partly because I was afraid of what Harry would have to say and partly because I just wanted to touch him.

            After a few heartbeats Harry spoke up again, and when I noticed the tears in his eyes I had an odd feeling that I knew what he was going to say next. “I got a phone call about an hour ago from the authorities in Orlando, and apparently some hunters found Gemma’s body in a field outside of Winter Garden last night.”

            None of us knew what to say. It was like his words had sucked all of the air out of the room, or maybe it was just me who felt that way. I wasn’t sure, but judging by the expressions of the others they were feeling the same shock and disbelief that I was. “So she is dead,” I breathed, collapsing into the chair. “I knew it. I knew she couldn’t have survived losing that much blood.”