Holding Onto Sanity (1D)

Fontana di Trevi

Niall's POV

I followed the map on my phone the best I could while trying to go unnoticed. Not too much longer. The fact that Victoria's note was so close killed me. I wanted to know what happened, but then I don't. Think about it. This girl's life has been fucked up for as long as she can remember. I wish I could see her. And be there for her. She needed someone. Someone to rip that sick man off of her and save her from being violated. Ugh. I would've killed him. I don't care if he was bigger than me. A grown man can not do that to a little girl.

My face grew hot and my fists tightened to the point where my nails dug into my palm. Just as I started getting pissed I must've distracted myself to the point of oblivion because I rammed right into a young woman.

"I'm so sorry." I dropped to my knees to pick up the belongings I had knocked out of her hands.

"Oh, don't worry about it." She helped pick up the items. "My name is Lillian." She smiled modestly as we both stood up. I hadn't really seen her face until we were looking at each other dead in the eye. Her hair was long and light brown in color with ginger under tones and her eyes were a soft green-grey pigment.

"Shit." I muttered under my breath.

"Sorry?" She questioned.

"Uh. Nothing. You're just, really attractive." I laughed slightly embarassed.

"Oh, why thank you." She smiled sweetly . "What's your name?"

"Me name?" I coughed. I can't tell her. What if she freaks out on me and causes a scene?

"Your name. The thing people call you. Something you've had since you were born?" She chuckled.

"I'll have to get back to you on that. But for now I really have to go." Sure, this girl was cute. But, I had to get to the fountain. I started walking away.

"Where are you from?" She grabbed my arm. "You sound Irish."

"Well you are spot on there me dear. I live in London now though." I spoke quickly.

"You do? I live in Leicaster. But I go to London all the time for shows and stuff." She squeeked.

"What a coincidence." I chuckled. "Maybe i'll see you there." I gave her a cheeky wink.

"Yeah, maybe." She giggled slightly. "Well, weren't you going?"

"Oh shit, yeah. Bye!" I kissed her cheek and proceeded on my way to the Fontana. I got there after five minutes of steady walking. I looked around and it was pretty packed with tourists. That could either make my job easier, or harder. I went and sat down on the side of fountain and pulled the key and note out.

Okay, Fontana di Trevi, down. Next she says to look into the heart of the fountain. What the fuck does that even mean? I got up and walked around the fountain a bit and noticed that underneath the middle statue was hollow. It was like a cave. I bet that's what she means. This isn't gunna be fun. If I want that note, I have to do it.

I slowly took my socks and shoes off and roll up my jeans. Fuck me life. I step into the fountain and make haste to the cave. Everyone is looking at me by now. "Don't make a scene Niall. Wouldn't want someone to notice you." I mumbled to myself. How the fuck did she even get the note over here in the first place?

I reached the structure finally and went inside. It really was like a cave. You wouldn't have thought it was the inside of one of the most famous fountains. I looked around for a bit and found a small chest tucked away in the corner. I picked it up and got my ass out of there. This shit was like fucking Grand Theft Auto. I felt like I was stealing from the damn fountain.

"Excuse me, sir." A deep voice boomed as I exited the cave. My head sunk into my shoulders. Fuck. A large man's bear paw-like hand dragged me out of the fountain as I tucked the box into my jacket pocket. "What's this?" He ripped it from my pocket.
"I need th-"
"Save it." He interrupted and threw me into the back of his stupid little Italian police car and tossed the box in the seat next to his. Eyes were glued onto me the entire time as people whispered to eachother. I covered my face with my hands and groaned.

"Niall are you fucking kidding me right now?!" He yelled in my face.
"I'm sor-"
"No fucking sorries! Sorry won't fix this!" He clocked the back of my head. I stumbled forward a little as we walked out of the shabby station. I stayed silent, looked at my shoes, and tucked hands into my pockets. "Just get into the car." He grumbled. I opened the car door and got in while he went around and sat in the driver's seat and threw his fists against the steering wheel. He sat there silently with his head against the wheel.
"Liam..." I said after a few minutes of silence.
"Don't." He shook his head and started the car.
The ride to the hotel was silent. I knew I was in deep shit. I also knew everyone would be waiting at the hotel for me to get back. I also knew why they sent Liam to get me. Out of everyone he was the least likely to get pissed. Once we finally pulled into the parking lot and got parked I reached for the door handle but got stopped.
"Niall." Liam looked at me.
"Yeah?"
"Here." He tossed Victoria's box into my lap. "The officer told me he confiscated it once he picked you up. You know you're lucky they let you off with a warning, right? You were disturbing government property." He spoke less harsh than before.
"I know." I sighed. I looked down at the box.
"What's in it?" He noticed the direction of my gaze.
"Oh. Uh."
"You can tell me, mate." He encouraged. I had to tell someone. It was eating me alive.
"Do you remember that night? Back on the bus? The one when I couldn't sleep and told you I had a nightmare?" I approached the topic cautiously.
"Yeah. You said something was affecting you." He nodded.
"It's this." I patted the box. "There's this girl. And... I find her notes and clues. And it explains her story." I looked down.
"Uhhh. Okay." He said utterly confused. "Come on. Let's get upstairs. You know everyone else isn't going to be so cool about you getting arrested as I was, right?" He asked.
"Yeah, I know."
"Let's go." He unlocked the doors and we got out.