Chasing Empty Spaces

Chapter 8

"Where would we go?" Harry cautiously asked.

Louis' head lolled back and he groaned. His shoulders drooped, "Can you just come out here and I'll be able to show ya?" Louis rolled his neck upright and lowered his voice, "Please?"

Harry pinched his bottom lip with his thumb and forefinger, taking one more look over his shoulder. He shifted his weight from foot to foot. Looking back towards the sycamore, Harry knew that he was helpless under the amount of hopefulness that laced Louis' expression.

"Okay," Harry jerkily nodded.

A brilliant smile spread over Louis' face, brighter than the moon and ever constellation in existence.

"Yeah?" Louis excitedly whispered, his fingers thrumming along the branch.

"Yeah," Harry breathlessly laughed. He pointed his index finger at the other man, "Now get down from that tree before you hurt yourself. I'd like to keep you in one piece."

Louis rolled his eyes, "Whateva you say, Stud."

Harry hovered by the window for a moment, anxiously watching as Louis carefully climbed down the truck of the tree. When Louis' feet were planted on the ground and he looked up at Harry with a thumb's up, he closed the window. He stepped towards the wardrobe and pulled out a maroon sweater and tan trousers, making quick work of dressing himself.

Gently, Harry slowly opened his bedroom door. The hinges slightly creaked underneath the movement. Harry held his breath and tip-toed towards the staircase. His heart hammered inside of his chest as he crept towards the bottom step, eyes locked on the sliver of light that poured from underneath the study's door. Just as he was about to descend onto the second to last step, there was a high-pitched mewl. Harry nearly fell backwards as the sound, eyes frantically darting across the floor. Tully sat in the center of the floor, head tilted as she watched him with brilliant eyes. The cat stood and pawed closer towards Harry as an even louder meow pushed from her small body.

"Tully, go!" Harry hissed and waved his hand to shoo her away.

The tabby walked closer to the staircase and continued to let out needy sounds. Panic was growing inside of Harry's chest.

"S' that the damn cat?"

Color drained from Harry's face at the low reverberation of his father's voice. His fingers bit into the wood railing from how tightly he was holding on.

"I think so, dear," Anne's voice dully exhaled.

"Can ya shut her up? M' trying to concentrate here."

Even midst a miniature heart attack, Harry wanted to scoff at his father. He was only playing a game of dice. It was hardly a game that needed intense concentration. Harry nearly swallowed his tongue at the sound of footsteps. The door to the study swung open, his mother standing in the doorway.

"Tully," Anne tutted and snapped her fingers. "C'mere, girl."

Harry wasn't positive if he was even breathing as he froze in place. His mouth was obscenely wide as he kept in the shadows, eyes flashing between Tully and his mother.

"C'mon," Anne cooed.

By some miracle, Tully gave Harry one last assessing look before trotting towards the study. Harry didn't dare to relax until the door of the study closed once more. Waiting just a moment more, he heard the rattling of dice. Harry darted towards the back of the house, adrenaline coursing through his bloodstream. Unlocking the back door, he drew it open and carefully shut it behind him. Louis was already looming in the back garden, pacing with his arms crossed. When he saw Harry, he visibly relaxed.