♡ chapter 19 - Harry ♡

            Love has always been a foggy subject to me. It's never quite made since the way most people explain the works of it. I mean, how do you love? Aside from your heart, how can you listen to any of it? How do you know? How do you feel? The basic ordeal seems to be quite obvious, especially the way it's always portrayed in movies and television shows. But when it's an actual experience, you almost get the hang of the complete mess that is love.

            I had fallen in love before.

            Or at least I think I have.

            Her name was Annabelle. Her soft, golden locks had trailed down to her waist in loose, natural curls. Her bright, icy blue eyes had been the first thing to reel me in, aside from her obvious good looks. Not only was she beautiful, but she was kind. And generosity is something you didn't find too often in the world we live in today. She talked to me when no one else would even shoot me a second glance.

            I used to think people who spoke of love were delusional, incompetent bastards desiring attention. But at the age of thirteen is when Annabelle enters my life and twisted it in her soft, small hands. Her hands were always soft, which is something I very much envied considering nothing but callouses bathed my palms. But she never seemed to mind the roughness of my hand when I held hers.

            Like most cliché love stories, our relationship was forbidden. Darkness and purity were never meant to collide, but I was never meant to fall in love with such an angel. Annabelle was the halo I would never have, the white wings I would never gain. She was the light, and I was the evil. I didn't want to hurt her, and I never did—physically.  But her two older brothers always caused us much mental harm.

            They didn't like me—Henry and Zach. They knew my destiny, and I couldn't convince my love for their sister to them—they wouldn't let me. I tried to show how much I cared for her, but they would always hurt me in the end. Her father never accepted my presence either. He would shun me, just like her brothers. It was three against one, and neither Annabelle nor I had a say in their authority.

            I was evil, after all.

            One day after school, I asked Annabelle to meet me by our oak tree. It had officially become our sacred place, a peaceful area her brothers nor her father could disturb or find us in. It was close to a little river, one where Annabelle and I had swam before. She was so elegant, so beautiful, and it made me wonder why she would ever want to be with someone like me. Someone dark, cold, soulless. It didn't make the bit of sense why she was attracted to me in the least way. I've been told I'm handsome, but my personality completely demolishes that partial appeal. Shouldn't it?

            I had been leaning back in the grass, my face angled towards the sky. I loved the sun, the energy it let off. It was yellow, a happy color. Sometimes people need reminders of the happy things in the world, and to me, the sun was one. Most people hate the heat, but I like to feel alive. It's an odd thing, one Annabelle always made fun of me for. I didn't mind. She was adorable when she joked around.

            Footsteps were then becoming audible from the sidewalk over the hill. I lifted my head, my eyes peeling open to search for Annabelle to appear. But then I squinted, realizing there were more than one pair of feet heading this way. My breath hitched in my throat out of nervousness, my heart hammering in my chest as I leaped up. I climbed up the tree a few branches, just to see down the hill—but I wish I hadn't.

            Henry and Zach had Annabelle by either of her arms, letting her lead them right to me. Profanities fled my lips as I hopped down, fury coursing through me as I noticed how tight they had been gripping her. They were sure to leave marks on her beautiful skin, her clear skin. They were hurting her, and that hurt me.

            I wanted to scream at them, to hurt them the way they were hurting her. Did they find it okay to leave marks on their younger sister? Perhaps I was overreacting, but I saw tears on Annabelle's face. Tears. The happiest girl in the world was crying because of her brothers, because of me. I felt like ripping myself apart just from watching the awful sight. Not once had I ever seen Annabelle cry, aside from the time she was worried about her father harming me. But that had not happened, nor will it ever.

            Part of my conscious was urging me to fight, seeing as how close they were getting. Their expressions were clear of their motives, and it was obvious they had come to punish me. But I would not fight, because then I would only stoop down to their level. And unless a direct threat is headed for Annabelle, I shouldn't fight to save my own pathetic life. What's the point in killing people when you yourself aren't even guaranteed a full lifespan?

            "Styles!" Zach's sharp voice shouted as they were now visible from over the hill, practically right in front of me.

            I stood straighter, keeping my face blank of emotions as I glanced to Annabelle in the middle of them. She was mouthing her apologies, but those were pointless. Apologies can't change the past, future, or present. Apologies are useless.

            But it wasn't her fault, and I managed to get a long look at her before any damage came to me. I gazed down at her lips, remembering the first time they had molded with mine so easily. They were soft, delicate, and essentially a safe haven for me to melt away in. My eyes maneuvered to her bright blue eyes, the first of her features to fully captivate me in her trance. Staring into those ocean colored eyes reminded me of how I fell in love with her in the first place. Some people called me stupid for being so infatuated at just thirteen years old, but they didn't know Annabelle like I did. They didn't know the immense things she made me feel.

            The most I could give her was a small smile, trying to assure her it wasn't her fault and I accepted her unnecessary apology. Even if I wanted to do more, I couldn't. Not with her two older brothers ready to snap my neck at any moment. And then something else flickered behind Annabelle's eyes, something dark and almost devious. My eyebrows pulled together, but then her motive was clear when she began thrashing in the hold of her brothers—she wanted us to fight.

            But I've never fought anyone in my whole thirteen years. I didn't know how to use my powers that my mother so mysteriously said I had. All I knew was that I was evil, but I didn't know how or why. They never told me. I know my father is, and I know he doesn't particularly like me, but why do I have to be like him?

            Why can't I be myself instead of what I'm destined to be by bloodline?

            Why can't I be me?

            "Annabelle, quit!" Henry snapped as they finally let her go, and to my surprise, she ran straight for me.

            I couldn't help the small smirk of victory as Annabelle flung herself into my arms, her head burying in my shoulder. It was nice to get this kind of love when at home you received nothing. It was nice to have something there for you whenever you needed them, someone to love you no matter what. And surprisingly enough, I have that person.

            "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

            I didn't reply, there was no reason to. Not that I had the chance considering both her brothers were gawking at us like a couple of murderers who just swiped out an entire city. They didn't like the idea of their pure sister being in love with a scumbag like me, and honestly, I couldn't blame them. However, we may be young, but we are far stronger than they could ever be—at least I hope.

            Too soon, Annabelle was torn away from me and I was being shoved into the dirt. My breath caught from the sudden impact of hitting the ground, but I quickly recuperated and rolled over. Zach was straddling my waist, a dagger in his hands as he glowered down at me. My eyes bulged just the slightest at the sharp tip of the weapon, Annabelle's cries and pleas being the only sound on the vacant hill. Henry must've been holding her back while Zach pinned me.

            "How many times do we have to tell you?" he sneered down at me, his teeth gritted. "Evil doesn't interfere with purity."

            I grunted beneath him, trying to gain some strength to flip us over, but he wouldn't allow it. Before I knew it, I was yanked onto my stomach again, the back of my shirt getting sliced down the middle. The cool breeze of the fall hit my bare skin, sending goose bumps down my spine as I felt the blade of the dagger trailing across my skin ever so lightly, careful not to draw any blood—yet.

            "You really shouldn't have messed with our sister," Zach growled, the tip of the knife digging into my shoulder blade.

            Annabelle was still pleading for them to stop, while a sound finally fled my lips. Not one of pain, but of discomfort. I had a high pain tolerance, and I was thankful for that now. The knife dug a little deeper, sending a bolt of irritation through me. Where did they think they were getting with any of this? If anything, I'll go right back to Annabelle just to piss them off again.

            Zach continued to put me down, calling me harsh things and telling me negative phrases about my fucked up life. And I believed him. I believed all of it, but hearing it over and over again was pissing me off. I knew well enough I was no good to anyone in this world, so why must they continue to repeat something I'm already well aware of? Why must they rub it in my face that they'll always matter in a world like this?

            That seemed to add enough fury inside me to find a little strength. Before Zach could make any sort of imprint in my shoulder, I pressed my palms into the ground and slung myself up in a practical push up form. But enough strength was used to fling Zach backwards and off of me, giving me enough time to flip myself over and get to my feet. I could feel the warm liquid of blood trailing down my back from the little mark he did make, but that didn't seem to matter at the moment.

            A smirk crossed Zach's features. "Ah, so you want to fight, huh? All right, dipshit. Bring it on."

            And soon, Henry and Annabelle were watching helplessly as Zach and I—rather pathetically—threw our own blows of defense. I managed to land a punch right on his jaw, and was also able to dodge many of his. He backed up when my fist connected with his opposite cheek, his hands coming up to cup it. I glared at him with all the hatred building up inside of me, thinking of how much pain he's probably put Annabelle through. Can't we have our own pathetic fairytale?

            But to my surprise, Zach dropped to his knees under my glare. His hands fumbled around his throat, his eyes bulging as he gasped for air. My head tilted slightly to the side, but eyes softening a bit and he hunched over, sucking in a sharp breath. I realized the power had come from me, and with a somewhat devious smirk, I narrowed my eyes again; Zach was choking once more.

            "H-Harry, what are you doing?" Annabelle whispered, her eyes whelming with tears as she stared at me.

            I didn't have time to do much more before Henry's eyes snapped to mine, anger coursing through them. But before even he could do something, sirens were heard coming up the hill. My heart sunk to my feet, my mind whirling a thousand different directions as I tried to find a way to get Annabelle to safety. The Council was coming, and they wouldn't hesitate to throw all of us in cells. Zach and Henry would most likely be let go since they are White Witches, but Annabelle and I would remain locked up for our affair. We crossed the line with powers, something we did over a little thing like love, and now we were going to pay.

            Zach was curled on the ground, very weak as Henry jogged over to him and Annabelle ran to me. I was surprised she was still here, especially after what I did to her brother, but maybe she really does love me. And with this thought, I hooked my arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

            "You need to run," I told her as I glanced over my shoulder, spotting multiple men getting out of the emergency van and heading for us. "Annabelle, please run."

            Her eyes widened, tears filling them. "N-no, I wanna stay with you, Harry."

            My heart clenched, my jaw tightening with it. "You can't. They'll take you away and they'll hurt you, Annabelle. Please, just run," I said more firmly.

            And soon her lips were pressing against mine, the intoxicating taste I've come to adore welling inside me. The Hunters were shouting for us to freeze, and that's when our small moment got replaced with fear. I shoved her away, giving her a small nod. I hoped she knew I would find her. I would escape wherever they took me, and I would find her. We would be together again.

            Annabelle nodded, turning on her heel and beginning to scurry off. Henry and Zach were already being cuffed, and I surrendered without a fight, placing my hands over my head. But then someone shouted about an escapee, and my eyes darted worriedly to Annabelle. She was just reaching the other side of the hill when a crossbow was fired, and arrow striking her right in the back of the neck.

            "No!" I screamed, my eyes darkening and anger rising. I whirled around, spotting the man with the raised crossbow. Without hesitation, I flicked my wrist almost out of instinct, the crossbow flying out of his grasp. I moved closer to him, fear filling his eyes as I tried to battle every emotion deep inside me, but they had killed her.

            They killed the only good thing I had in my life.

            And they were all going to pay.

***

            "You don't have any single fucking idea where she is?" I hissed in Daniel's direction, my hands curling into fists.

            Daniel swallowed, his head slowly shaking. "No, I don't. All Marcus told me was to pretend to be her to buy him some time. I swear, man, I don't know anything."

            I rubbed my face in annoyance, my bottom lip pulling in between my teeth as I let out a huff. "Come on, bro. I just need one small detail to find her, and you can't even give me that?" I asked quietly, feeling utterly desperate at the moment and I hated myself for acting so vulnerable. But I needed to get Rose back.

            And this dumb fuck was my only hope.

            Daniel sighed, heaving a hand through his hair as he rolled his lips together in concentration. I waited impatiently, tapping my fingers on the table before glancing outside the kitchen window to see everyone else chatting and going on with their normal routine. But I was searching desperately for this girl, and dammit I was going to find her.

            "All right, wait." Daniel sat up straighter, making my heart pound as I waited for him to continue. He rubbed his eyes, looking to meet my gaze. "He did say something about using her to corrupt the Council or something. I really don't know, but I think he's planning on brainwashing her or some crazy shit like that."

            My body stiffened. "Do you know where they might be?"

            Daniel shrugged. "Near the Council building, I would guess. That's where Marcus' geeky little laboratory thing is."

            My eyes widened then fell as I rubbed my temples, giving him a baffled look. "Why... Why the hell didn't you tell me this to begin with?"

            Daniel pursed his lips, slumping some in his seat. "I forgot."

            Instead of choking him like I very much wanted to at this moment, I practically face-palmed my forehead as I shook my head in disappointment, my head still racing. Daniel may have "forgotten" he had a lab, but hopefully he won't be stupid enough to "forget" the directions, or I'm going to "forget" how to murder him.

            "All right," I said promptly and Daniel stood. "You're going to show me where this whole lab thing is, and you're going to be on our side. If you so much as help Marcus open the damn backdoor to escape, I'll slit your fucking throat. Understood?"

            Daniel gulped, nodding frantically.

            "Good. Now let's work out a plan."

            "We need a plan?" Daniel rose an eyebrow.

            I rolled my eyes. "Yes, we need a plan because it makes me feel better to know that people have something to go buy and they won't fuck up. Now get your ass over here and help me with the plan."

            Daniel nodded as he scurried over, but my mind wouldn't leave the fact that I could possibly have Rose back very soon.

            Please still be alive.

            She had to be, she just had to. Because I was done hiding my feelings from her, and I could only pray she would admit her feelings for me.

            I'll find you, Rosalie. That's a fucking promise.

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A/N: Guess who's back ^.^ Whale, there's more of Harry's past for you, whoop! <3 Thank you all for reading and keeping this book still in the ratings while I was gone! It means a lot <3 Love you all (: xx

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