I couldn't help the ear slitting scream that would make people in another country wince. I was just so terrified!
A hand snaked around my mouth and silenced me.
"Charlotte, it's just me" I heard Zayn say. I tried to catch my breath.
"Sorry. Was anyone hurt?" I whispered urgently.
"I've seen everyone and they are alright" He told me. The queasiness in my stomach let up a bit at the reassurance that everyone was alright.
"Where's Harry?" Zayn asked.
"Hidden downstairs. He insisted I come check on you guys" I said.
"What's with the lights?"
"Must be them messing with us. Psychological as well as physical torture I guess. Don't tell me this didn't scared you half to death" I explained.
The lights flashed on. We had power again.
"What about the gunshot?" He asked. Everyone trailed in.
"Let's go look?" Louis suggested.
We all squished into the room and I could see the two bullet holes in the wall. It was a miracle no one was hit by then. The gun was set on the dresser, made to shoot by some sort of machine.
Louis pulled at the gun and checked the barrel.
"No more bullets loaded" He said. So it was only meant to shoot twice.
"I'm going to see Harry" I said and got out.
"Harry!" I yelled, so he doesn't hit me with anything mistaking me for someone else as I came down the stairs.
"Yeah" He groaned from the bathroom.
"Everyone's alright" I announced. I entered the bathroom and helped him back to the bed.
"What about the shots?" He asked.
"It was set to go off twice. I don't know how it was set off"
"But you screamed?" He pressed.
"I scared myself" I said sheepishly.
"I tried to come for you but I couldn't make it past the sink" Harry told me.
I blushed "Thanks for trying but you're in no condition to go anywhere"
"Are you sure there is no one up there?" He persisted.
"Yes. It's only us" I assured him "Now you need to rest. This stress isn't good in addition to the blood loss you suffered. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. Please sleep" I ordered.
"But-"
"No buts! Doctors orders!" I said, using his joke against him.
I could see him internally debating it.
I put my hand on his and pleaded with him with my eyes.
He finally nodded, settling down.
"Have a good sleep Harry" I could already see his eyelids drooping.
I glanced at my watch; 6:30am. Ew. I heard footsteps so I looked up to see everyone clutching their blankets and pillows.
"We thought it be safer to sleep as a group tonight" Liam said.
"Yeah I agree" I murmured. They shuffled in and got comfortable.
I went upstairs and into my room to grab my own blankets and pillows when I got the feeling like I wasn't alone again.
I stopped what I was doing and listened. I didn't hear anything but I couldn't help but check the bathroom. There was no one in the bathroom so I came out. A shape was in the doorway, waiting for me.
The dark shadow started forward and snagged me.
I tried to scream but I was cut off by his large hands wrapping around my throat.
He squeezed tight and I found myself gasping for air. My lungs burred for oxygen and my throat hurt from him squeezing so hard. He slammed me down on the ground, making a big thud, only to return his hands to my throat. I despratly tried to breath in but I couldn't. I felt pain, panic, and confusion.
He sat on my arms and use all his body weight to choke me. I struggle uselessly against him and soon things got really fuzzy.
I knew his intent in that moment; he was going to choke the life from me. He was going to kill me. Harry's face flooded into my mind. The way his touch made me feel, the way his words always comforted me, and the way he wanted to protect me. It had seemed though that it made no difference in the end.
Black spots dotted my vision and I stopped fighting the inevitable. I closed my eyes and drifted into a pain free haven.
**
"Come on Charlie" I heard someone say. No, I didn't want to wake up. I was tired. Tired of fighting. Tired of trying.
I felt pressure on my chest. Ow, that hurt! Stop doing that! My lungs expanded; okay that felt a little better. They then went back to pushing on my chest. The paralyzed state I was in really made things difficult.
I broke through that wall separating me from my body and I was finally able to move. I sucked in as much as I could between coughs. The hands were lifted off my chest but my whole body still ached. I opened my eyes to see everyone surrounding me, looking relieved.
"What happened?" I asked, rubbing my raw throat. My voice was rough, like sandpaper, and it hurt to speak.
"You died. Someone strangled you" McKenna said through tears.
I sat up and was very dizzy but I felt a little better. Annoying black spots dotted my vision, probably from the lack of oxygen to my brain.
"Who gave me CPR?" I asked.
Liam raised his hand, "I did"
I gave him a weak smile "Thank you Liam. You saved my life"
He blushed and mumbled, "Your welcome"
"How did you know what happened?" I questioned.
"We heard that big thud. McKenna thought you fell so she went to check on you an found you" Niall explained.
There was only four people here.
"Where's Zayn?"
"He stayed with Harry who is very upset right now" As if on cue, Zayn assisted a ghostly white Harry to the doorway. His eyes lit up at the sight of me and he took a laboured deep breath.
"Harry why are you up here?" I demanded "What did I say?"
He looked confused "But...you-"
"That's no excuse" I replied with a small grin. I always made pathetic jokes at the worst of times.
I got up and stumbled to the left a little. Liam caught my arms and steadied me.
"Thanks" I murmured, shaking my head, "I'm fine"
"You just died" Niall pointed out.
"What?!" Harry shouted "What do you mean she died?!"
"Someone strangled her. Liam gave her CPR" Louis said quietly.
I took a shaky step forward and the room continued to spin. I couldn't help but fall forward. Liam caught me and picked me up bridal style.
"No...I'm fine" I protested as my head rolled.
"No body believes you" McKenna said.
"You've taken care of us now let us return the favour" Zayn said.
"Take Harry down first" I said. Zayn nodded and slowly helped him back down the stairs and to bed.
Liam carried me down next and laid me down on the other cott.
"Take your own advice and get some rest" Liam murmured in my ear. He was right.
I nodded and glanced over at Harry.
"Has the bleeding stopped?" I asked.
"Seems to have stopped" Zayn said, settling into the chair.
I nodded again and shifted around to get comfortable in the bed. I didn't drift off easily, though. I was paranoid that someone would come and do it again or worse to someone else. Eventually, I couldn't help but drift off into a deep and paranoid sleep.
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