Burning Skies » larry

Chapter 30

As it turned out, Reid's hideout place was in the middle of a forest behind the abandoned buildings they'd just come from. Louis and Zayn kept Johnny in between them, their eyes alert as they let the boy lead them.

The trail of destruction Johnny had left in his wake was quite hard to miss. Trees had been cut in half, the smell of smoke rising from small fires on the grass. It didn't take long until a red-bricked house came into view, boxed in by tall walls that snaked around the property. At the side, a portion of the wall had been crumbled to bits, the broken down cement still smoking from the impact of Johnny's laser.

It was quiet—Louis had expected the place to be swarming with mutants. As it was, it seemed like the place was entirely empty.

Johnny stepped forward again and led them through the mess of debris and sliced tree trunks. Louis surveyed their surroundings before taking the lead and stepping through the hole Johnny had created. There was a decent sized empty front yard. They walked down the path that led to the front door of the house.

Louis caught Zayn's eye before pushing the door open, grimacing at the creaking sound. Inside, it wasn't any better—wooden furniture was cut in pieces, the walls scorched with laser, picture frames completely destroyed. The house looked spacious, yet once again, empty. Louis ushered them in, looking around cautiously before stepping into the hallway.

"Harry?" Johnny said loudly. Zayn put a hand on the kid's mouth, eyes wide.

As though a switch was flipped, Louis could now hear movement from deeper inside the house. Louis hastily turned to Johnny and said, "Leave. Go back to Liam and Niall."

Johnny looked like he wanted to protest, but then Zayn was already pushing him out of the door. At the exact moment that Johnny disappeared from view, someone appeared from one of the archways.

"I don't remember having invited visitors." 

Louis looked at the man, noting his silver hair and eyes. His face was very much familiar, the face of a picture he'd stared at along with burning rage—angular, sharp features, body broad-backed and muscled. Louis had a fleeting questioning thought about the sudden change in hair and eye color, but that was the least of his worries right now. This man was the reason for all their troubles today. This man had ruined Harry in the past and had taken him back as though he hadn't done enough.

"Reid Ryder," Louis said through gritted teeth.

The man grinned at them, showing his teeth. "Hello to you too, Louis Tomlinson. I see you've brought a friend as well—do you mind introducing us to each other?"

Louis could feel his thrumming blood, the vibration beneath his skin, the heat of his rage. He took a step towards Reid, his movements terribly restricted—not because he was afraid of this man, but because he didn't want to pounce at him and finish him off too quickly.

"I think you know who we're here for." Louis said darkly. "And we're not leaving until he's with us."

Reid sighed. "Well, that's unfortunate. I still have some unfinished business with the boy. I'm afraid you'll have to wait for your turn with him."

Louis fisted his hands. "Where is he?" his voice was dangerously calm. He could feel Zayn hovering next to him, his stance indicating that he was ready to attack whenever Louis decided to.

Reid regarded the two of them with a curious look. Another man walked out of a room, a buff, bald guy with a permanent snarl on his face.

"This is my friend, Ted." Reid said casually. "He's not very friendly to uninvited guests, I'm afraid. So, I apologize in advance."