"Katie, this is Harry, Elijah, Niall and Lucas," Louis introduces me to the four tattoo artists sitting in the back room. They're each working on different designs at their separate stations.
"Hi," I greet them, waving awkwardly.
Niall, Elijah and L...
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———
New Year's Eve 2011
———
"Caroline?" I shout, pushing my way through the thick crowd of people.
Where the hell is she?
We only got to the party an hour ago, she couldn't have gone too far. I look around the living room to see if I can spot her bright pink hair, but I don't see her anywhere.
I keep moving through all the bodies until I notice Zach standing in the kitchen with a few guys from school, they're all laughing and holding red Solo cups.
"Zach, have you seen Caroline anywhere?" I ask when I reach them.
"No, I haven't seen your girlfriend anywhere," he snickers, the rest of the guys laughing with him.
I feel my cheeks turn pink in embarrassment. "She's not my girlfriend," I mutter, rolling my eyes and pushing my hair off of my forehead nervously. "Seriously mate, I can't find her."
"It's not a big house, Harry," he shrugs me off. "Maybe she went upstairs."
I huff at his nonchalance and make my way to the stairs to continue my search. Zach thinks it's not a big deal, but I promised her that I wouldn't ditch her tonight. I know how bad her social anxiety gets in big groups like this, and I would hate for her to have a panic attack when we're supposed to be having fun.
I reach the second floor and peer down the long, empty hallway.
"Caroline?" I shout again, walking towards the door to the bathroom. I knock gently, but don't hear any response. "Caroline, are you in there?"
I jiggle the doorknob, only to realize that it's locked, but there's still no sound on the other side.
"Where did she go?" I whisper, turning to walk back downstairs.
I reach the top of stairs, and I'm about to take a step when I hear muffled screams coming from the bathroom, the noise causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. I turn back around quickly and feel sick when I recognize a familiar voice yelling my name.
"Harry!" Caroline screams from behind the white door, the last syllable sounding muted, like something's covering her mouth.
"Caroline!" I respond, running back down the hallway.
I bang on the door loudly, yelling to open it.
"Shut the fuck up, bitch!" I hear a deep voice say lowly.
![BLACKHOUSE [H.S.]](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/320854565-64-k623009.jpg)