Hope in Disguise

Last night was one of the first nights in years that I had been able to sleep for a few hours straight without waking up feeling like someone was watching me. However I didn’t get more hours of sleep because around seven in the morning I heard footsteps come down the stairs and they walked into living room. I had my face facing the back of the couch and I knew that they couldn’t tell that I was awake.

“So what do you think her story is mate?” I heard a voice ask.

“I have no clue,” I heard Harry voice, “but she’s running from something.”

“You think we should go through her things?” the other voice asked.

“I don’t know Lou she knew you guys tried to pickpocket her,” Harry said, “I know she’s not a rat.”

“Have you ran her name?” Louis asked.

At that question I held my breath. If Harry found out about my past I knew for sure I would’ve been done for. That would have signed my death certificate right then and there.

“Yeah,” he said, “And I couldn’t find anything worth digging around for.”

“Really?” Louis asked shocked, “Because you and I both know she’s hiding something from us. Something that is big.”

“I know,” Harry said I could feel him looking at me, “but she’s just not going to bring it up. She doesn’t trust easily.”

“She kind of reminds me of how Perrie was when we met her,” Louis said.

“I think its worse with her Louis,” he said, “She’s running from something way bigger than just an abusive boyfriend.”

“So what’s the plan then?” he asked.

“Earn her trust,” Harry said, “I think she’s tired of running.”

“Alright,” he said, “I’ll let the rest know.”

I then heard a set of footsteps leave but kept pretending to sleep. I heard Harry sigh and then he walked away out of the room. I then decided to turn around and I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Overhearing that conversation now just screwed up everything I had planned it my head. After breakfast I was going to thank everyone for letting me sleep and then I was out of here and on to the next part of town.

“Fuck it,” I mumbled to myself.

I was going to see where this was going to go. I needed a place to feel safe in and after coming here, I felt safe for the first time in three years. I had no idea why but I just did. I pulled myself up into a sitting position and looked down at my bag. I pulled it up onto the couch and I pulled out the one thing that brought me comfort. The picture of my mother and I when I graduated secondary school was something that I always cherished. After she died in that car accident the day after my graduation, all I had of her were my memories and the picture I now carried in my backpack. I touched the photo lightly and smiled at her.

“I sure do miss you,” I whispered, “Your advice would be greatly appreciated right about now.”

“Is that your mum?” I heard Harry’s voice and I jumped slightly pulling the photo close to my chest and saw Harry was standing behind me on my right side.

“Do you always sneak up on your guests?” I asked quickly putting my picture away.

“I knocked,” he said, “but you were talking to yourself.”

“Oh,” I said a bit deflated.

“You look like her,” Harry said, “The woman in the picture.”

“Thanks,” I said quietly.

“Do you want to change out of your clothes from yesterday?” Harry asked, “I’m sure Perrie can help you. . .”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly.

“Okay,” he said and then I sighed.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “I’m just not used to talking to people.”

“It’s fine,” he said, “I’m not much of a people person either.”

“I find that hard to believe,” I said and he just smiled lightly as he took the spot open next to me.

“It’s true,” Harry said, “I am not a huge people person, it’s why the gang isn’t too big.”

“I see,” I said.

“Come on,” Harry said, “Perrie made us pancakes and then I want to take you somewhere.”

“Okay,” I said warily.

I followed Harry to the kitchen to find that everyone was up and eating. Perrie looked up from the stove and smiled brightly at me.

“You stayed,” he grinned.

“I said I’d stay,” I mumbled awkwardly and sat down next to Maggie which I was a bit nervous because I knew I looked like a mess yesterday and I probably didn’t look much better this morning.

“I hope you’re hungry,” Perrie smiled, “I made plenty of food for seconds.”

I didn’t know what to say but I just nodded my head and I took the food. I was just about to take a bite of food when Maggie spoke up.

“I’m sorry I was so rude yesterday,” Maggie said, “I. . .”

“Speak before you think,” I finished for her and she nodded her head, “It’s fine I’m the same way.”

She nodded her head and went back to eating. As I was eating, I could feel everyone watching me and I felt completely awkward. I quickly finished my food and thanked Perrie and went back to the living room to stop the feeling of being a zoo animal. I was picking out clothes from bag when someone knocked on the frame and I turned to see that Eleanor was standing there with a small smile on her face.

“Hey Scarlett,” she said.

“Hi,” I said.

“Did you want to take a shower?” she asked, “I can have one of the lads clean up the sofa and you just go get ready for the day.”

“Are you sure?” I asked looking at the couch.

“Positive,” she smiled, “Come on.”

She then grabbed my hand and I grabbed my backpack and let her lead me to the bathroom on the second floor. We walked into the bathroom and I already saw towels on the counter and she smiled lightly at me.

“Maggie, Perrie, and I all use this bathroom so you should have everything you need,” she said, “If you do need something let one of us know okay?”

I just nodded my head and she smiled lightly at me. She head towards the door and then she turned around really quick.

“Scarlett, I know that no one has really told you this but you must be really brave and a really good person for doing what you did for Perrie. Not many people would throw themselves to the wolves for a complete stranger,” she said, “and I wish I could be like you.”

She then smiled lightly and then shut the door to the bathroom and I had to clutch onto the bathroom counter. I couldn’t believe these people. For being one of the toughest gangs in London, they were sure one of the kindest group of people I had met since being on the run and for once in my life I had no idea how to take it. Three years ago I would have known but now I had no clue how to respond to having people be nice to me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“You can do this,” I said quietly to myself, “You can do this. They haven’t squealed on you yet. They are good people.”

I then walked to the bathroom to lock the door and turned on the water to my shower. I quickly hopped into the shower and took a much needed shower. I knew that I was starting to stink because I hadn’t showered in the last couple of days so I was grateful for the shower. I had just pulled the towel around my body when there was a giant bang on the door and I jumped. I quickly rushed over to the door and heard the voices.

“Scar open the door!” Perrie exclaimed, “Now!”

I quickly opened the door and Maggie, Perrie, and Eleanor all rushed into the room and Eleanor shut and locked the door.

“What’s going on?” I asked confused.

“Someone’s looking for you,” Perrie said, “They said they watched you come home from us.”

That’s when my face drained from color and I had to clutch onto the counter. He found me. After running for three years, I had finally been caught and he was going to make his move soon. That then made everything change for me. I ignored the questions being hissed at me by Maggie and Perrie as I quickly threw on my clothes and shoved everything in my bag. I was turning around when the door opened and there stood Harry looking at me.

“Are you. . .” he started.

“I have to get out of here,” I said and pushed past everyone, “This was a stupid idea.”

“Wait!” I heard someone exclaim and I continued moving towards the stairs but someone grabbed my and threw me on against the wall and pinned me to it.

“Goddamn it Scarlett,” I heard Harry voice exclaim and I looked to see him glaring at me, “Will you tell us something!?”

“You’d be an idiot to try and think you can protect me,” I said and I heard him growl and he punched the wall above me.

“No!” he growled and his eyes narrowed at me and I felt myself gulp, “You are going to tell me what’s going on because for some goddamn reason after two years of hearing about you, you walked your arse into the pub last night and all I know is that I promised Dax to keep you safe the moment I met you!”

The minute Harry said my older brother’s name, I looked at him with wide eyes.

“You know my brother,” I whispered and my mind started flying a mile a minute.

Dax left me a month after mum died. He left me to deal with everything by myself and left me when I needed him the most.

“Scarlett,” Harry said and I looked up at him to see him looking worried at me.

When I didn’t respond, Harry led me to a room that looked to be his office and sat me down in a chair.

“Looks like we both have some explaining to do to each other,” Harry said and took a seat next to me.

Notes

Here's all I have written. Let me know what you all think!

Thanks!