♡ chapter 4 - Rose ♡

            My heavy eyes peeled open to the same sightings I fell asleep too; trees and dirt. Aside from the little stream we were lucky to be by, nothing else appealing stuck out to me. Trees to the left, trees to the right, and dirt beneath your feet. I expected to see Harry next to me, still sleeping, but instead there was a vacant spot where his body once had been. Immediately, I panicked.

            “Harry?” I called, swallowing the lump that threatened to form. I hollered for him again, praying over and over that he hadn’t left me. Would he do that? Last night he wasn’t acting half bad, being kind and distracting me from my phobia.

            But then reality hit me and I realized this is Harry Styles I’m talking about; the irrational bastard that tried to choke me.

            My hands began to shake as I called him a third time, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest when he dropped down in front of my from a tree. I looked up at the tree he just jumped from, noticing it was pretty damn high. Trying to shake off the shock and focus on the fear, I glared at him.   

            “Calm the hell down, Rosalie.” Harry rubbed his forehead. “I was making sure we weren’t being followed.”

            “Why didn’t you wake me up instead of just leaving me there?” I scolded.

            Harry rolled his eyes, folding his arms across his chest. “You looked like you were sleeping good, so I left you alone.” I rose and eyebrow at him, surprised by his generosity. But then he gave me a look and said, “What? Did you want me to scream in your ear? There’s still time for that, Rosalie.” He smirked.

            “Thanks,” I muttered under my breath. “For not waking me up.”

            Harry rolled his eyes again. “This doesn’t have to turn into some sappy shit, Rose. I let you sleep and that’s that. Now we need to start going before they pick up on our trail.”

            “You know, it wouldn’t kill you to say you’re welcome once in a while,” I grumbled as I began walking behind him, snatching up my duffel bag and slipping my shoes on.

            “That’s actual an understatement, Rosalie. If I were to be polite and accept your gratitude, I would basically be going against the laws of a Black Witch. Rule number one, we don’t take compliment or pathetic little ‘thanks’ from people.”

            Groaning in annoyance, I heaved a hand through my hair and realized the Harry from last night had completely diminished. Maybe he was just tired and was talking out of his mind, but I liked that Harry from last night. The one that distracted me and calmed me down and gave me an entire lecture on seeing the future. I liked that Harry a lot.

            “You could always turn into a good witch,” I reminded him.

            Harry scoffed, pushing a branch out his way. “How cliché would that be. I’d probably shoot myself in the face if it ever came down to that.”

            I didn’t bother putting up an effort to make conversation after that. It was no use trying to talk to this Harry, the one that’s completely closed off from the world. If he tried being genuine for once in his life, he may realize it’s not that bad. I’m not going to say I’m the nicest person there is, but at least I can act polite towards others. Even if I don’t like them. It’s called manners, something Harry clearly doesn’t have.

            After about an hour or so of walking through these endless woods, my feet were killing me. I huffed, plopping down onto a bulky rock and slipping my shoes off to rub my sore feet. Harry noticed I wasn’t followed, groaning as he turned to face me and gave me a look. I just brushed him off, acting as if I didn’t see his death stare.

            “How much longer?” I pouted.

            “If you keep stopping like a whiny toddler, we won’t get there at all,” he snapped.

            “I’m being serious, Harry. My feet are killing me,” I retorted, not caring if he was getting frustrated with me. For some reason, I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. Not again, anyways.

            Harry puffed out air from his cheeks, raking a hand through his hair. “That sounds like a personal problem to me.”

            “No shit, Sherlock,” I muttered. “I could take my bracelet off and you could be nice by giving me a piggy back ride.” I smiled, batting my eyelashes like one of those snobby rich girls that always get what they want.

            Harry chewed his bottom lip, as if actually thinking about it. Then he shook his head saying, “No, that’s too risky. Keep your bracelet on.”

            I rose an eyebrow. “Does Harry Styles care about Rose Parker’s safety?” I asked in disbelief.

            Harry rolled his eyes, but looked as if he were fighting back a smile. “I’m just saying, Rosalie. There’s people all over these woods and if we were to encounter one, I’m not in the mood to deal with a dead or injured body.”

            “So basically… you’re saying you care about me?” I teased, a grin stretching on my lips as his cheeks flushed.

            “Stop being fucking stupid, Rose. You’re wasting time,” he muttered.

            “You didn’t deny it!” I laughed, jabbing a finger at him.

            Harry looked at me, biting his bottom lip to keep his lips from curling into a grin. His cheeks were still a flushed pink, but that only made me laugh harder.

            Harry Styles was blushing.

            Finally a groan left Harry’s lips as he waved me off. “Fine. Stay here and see if I care,” he grumbled.

            “Aw, come on, Harry. I was just messing with you.” I chuckled as I put my shoes back on, following him once more.

            “Well I didn’t find it amusing.”

            “I did.” I smirked as he looked back at me, but Harry just shook his head.

            “You’re something else, Rose,” Harry commented as we weaved through the trees.

            I shrugged. “I hope that’s a good thing.”

            Harry cracked a small smile as he glanced over at me. But he didn’t answer me directly. Instead he just told me in a somewhat amused tone, “Take it how you want, Rosalie.”

***

            “This is where we’ve been walking to?” I asked as I gazed up at the log cabin, the nails rusted and the entire place looking as if it could collapse. I couldn’t judge, though. It was no better than my home.

            “You gotta work with what you got,” Harry said as he shrugged. He turned to me, his eyes serious. “When we get in here, Rose, there’s going to be other people. If any of the guys try to make a move on you whatsoever, tell me and I’ll take care of it. Deal?”

            I couldn’t help the little smirk tugging at my lips. “Would you be jealous, Harry?”

            Harry threw his head back and groaned. “Fuck. Please don’t start this again,” he grumbled as he met my gaze. I giggled but then he held a finger up to silence me. “I’m being serious, Rose. Not all of these guys are as laid back as I am, all right?”

            “You’re laid back? In what dimension?” I asked, baffled.

            “Would you stop talking for five fucking seconds?” Harry hissed before meeting my gaze once more. “I know they won’t be able to touch you, but some of them won’t care about that little bracelet of yours. A lot of them are bigger than me. Maybe not stronger, but they could probably tolerate that burning more than I can. I’m just telling you right now that you need to be careful. Got it?”

            Frowning, I nodded once. Harry was kind of freaking me out with this whole cautious thing. How big and bad could these guys be and why would they want anything to do with me?

            Harry nodded back at me in acknowledgement, then we moved for the door.

            As soon as Harry knocked, he stepped in front of me as if trying to protect me like some bodyguard. I peeked over his shoulder when the door opened, but a large man looking as if he were over six feet cowered in the doorway. I shrunk back behind Harry, the aggression etched across the giant’s face making me shudder. It all made sense now what Harry was saying; these guys could snap me in half like a twig.

            “Harry! Damn, bud. I didn’t think we’d see you again,” the giant roared in a large voice, but grinned at Harry nonetheless.

            “Come on, John. Where’s that faith of yours?” Harry said.

            The guy—John—laughed. “Still right here, bud,” he said as he pat his chest. “A lot of us figured you’d break out sooner or later.”

            “Guess it was sooner,” Harry said with a smirk, cockiness behind his tone.

            John nodded with that large smile, but then his lips curled downwards as he looked over Harry’s shoulder at me. “Who do we have here?” he asked, his smile slowly returning but looking sinister more than amused.

            Harry straightened in front of me, as if he could see the change in John’s smile as well. “This is Rose. She’s with me,” Harry said, emphasizing the last three words in a deep voice, almost like a growl.

            John smiled, nodding in Harry’s direction before looking at me. He almost laughed as he said, “You’re awfully pretty to be hanging around someone like Harry.”

            Before I could even think of a reply, Harry said abruptly, “Where’s everyone else?”

            John chuckled, seeing the frustration rising in Harry. “Inside. You both can come on in. I’m sure the rest of the guys would love to meet Rose.”

            Harry’s jaw clenched as he motioned his hand for me to follow. I did so, but I noticed Harry’s fingers had twitched just the slightest when he went to reach for me. Did he want to hold my hand? Or is that some kind of anger thing he does when his frustration reaches its max point? I didn’t question it as I followed him in the house, my eyes glancing over at John as we walked.

            He was staring at me with that disgusting smirk on his lips.

            Harry leaned over to me. “Keep that bracelet on, Rose. Do not take it off.”

            The sternest in his tone was evident of how serious he was. I sheepishly nodded, my heart thudding in my chest as we entered the main room. Harry still stood in front of me, taking in the greetings each person seemed to grant him. When they were done fantasizing about his arrival, I was introduced to Niall, Liam, Louis, Zayn, Max, Ryan, and then John entered the room to join us. It was all guys in here, but that only increased the fear in the pit of my stomach.

            “It’s nice to meet you, Rose.” The one I recognized as Louis smiled at me.

            I nodded, mustering a shy smile as I fumbled with my hands.

            Harry cleared his throat. “Have any of you heard anything about Marcus?” he asked in his tone that meant business; the tone he used with me before the choking spree occurred.

            Each of them shook their heads before Liam said, “Ryan said he heard about a few killings in Virginia, but other than that, nothing exciting or relevant.”

            Harry let out a deep sigh, rubbing his face before heaving a hand through his hair. I realized he did that a lot when he was nervous or impatient. He finally spoke again by saying, “We need to find him. Are we all clear on that?”

            They each nodded.

            “We can start looking tomorrow to find a trail or something,” Max suggested.

            Niall nodded in agreement. “It’ll be easier if we split up.”

            Harry shook his head instantly. “Splitting up in a stupid idea. If someone gets hurt or something, none of us will know. We’ll go in partners.”

            “I wouldn’t mind having Rose as a partner,” John said with a sly smirk, sending a wink that made me want to vomit in my direction.

            Harry’s stern eyes darted over to John as he stepped closer to me. “Rose is with me,” he said firmly. “You all can decide whose partnering who, but Rose is with me.”

            As if repeating it gave some kind of authority, no one else argued against him. But of course John had to speak again by saying, “That leaves me with no one, Harry.”

            Harry rolled his eyes. “You’re six foot six. Do you really want a partner?”

            John huffed before shaking his head. “I’ll stay here then. To keep lookout.”

            Harry shrugged, rubbing his temples. “Sure, fine, whatever. We’ll start tomorrow morning to get a head start. Everyone clear?”

            They nodded before filing out of the room. Harry stood firmly beside me as John walked past, keeping his hard glare on John’s head as he did so. When it was just us in the room again, I looked at Harry, the fear twisting in my stomach.

            “Harry, who’s Marcus and why is it so important to catch him?”

            Harry licked his lips before pressing them together, meeting my gaze as he said in a bitter tone, “Marcus is my father. Otherwise known as the most violent Black Witch the world has. And the importance to catch him? Let’s just say it’ll save your life.”

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