Smoke and Mirrors || Zianourry Niall-centric

↤ TWELVE ↦

He was cold.

When he breathed, you could see the white frost float in a beautiful mist. He rubbed his hands together in an attempt to warm them. Heat built up from friction and this was the little comfortableness he got.

His feet made a soft pitter-patter as he tapped them against the cold, hard cement. The paleness of his skin with the darkness really contrasted in a lovely way. Small, light hands caressed the small thin sheet. They bounced so softly there was any noise.

The quiet.

Niall hated the quiet.

Being alone with your thoughts was just scary.

I am not welcome in this household of FOUR, he thinks, staring at the wall.

He was not meant to be here in this house. Everything was just meant for them. All the sets of furniture, storage, food supply. It was just for them.

They let him back into his room... or the basement. The Irishman was just begging to go back. Usually, he'd avoid the top floor as much as possible, staying downstairs often. An environment where he's never been in a lot is somewhere he doesn't want to be in a lot.

This household of FIVE is too much for them.

One is lonely. Two is company. Three is a crowd. Four is a p--

He stopped thinking.

P - A - A - R - R - R - R - R - R - T - T - - - -

The word is too scary, now. He shook his head. The hands that crept around his body won't go away. \\\\\\'s scent won't go away. He can still feel it.

Suddenly, his phone rings. He jolts. Cocking his head, he looked in confusion.

The bright screen read a number he couldn't recognize. There wasn't any people he could've given his number to. He pressed the green button, nonetheless.

"Hello?" He croaked. The first time he's said a word without stutter and fear in a while.

"Niall?" The voice in the other line spoke.

He froze.

"Who's this?" His voice shook.

"Josh! Do you remember me?"

Niall relaxed and smiled a little. He vaguely remembers putting his new friend's number in his phone. "I do. How are you?"

"If anything, I should be asking you that. I'm good. You?"

"Wrist is still... y'know..." He trailed off.

The brunette gave a sympathetic sigh. "Feel better. Also, when I said good, I change my answer. I'm actually in the middle of Manchester near the Trafford Centre."

Niall quickly straightened his back and cringed at the sudden ache in his chest from the post-surgery. "You... What, mate?"

"Some of my friends and I decided to take a trip to the UK and I was like, 'Hey! I know a person 'round," the person on the line replied. Niall was stunned. What crazy person would do such a thing? Josh.

"Uhh..."

"Can you pick me up? Or... 'us.' There's only two people present."

The blond contemplated. He was far too scared to go outside ever again, but then again, he'd have to get over it one day. There's no way he'd risk being called more names for just not wanting to go outside.