Restless [Reckless Sequel] || Harry Styles AU (DISCONTINUED)

13: part one

I licked my lips and didn't dare move. I tried to focus my attention away from the gun at his side.

"Our parents were murdered. We're brother and sister. We need to be reconnected with our families," he continued.

I start to feel the situation switching gears a little bit.

"See this painting?" He pointed to one of the paintings on the wall to my right. It was of a medieval landscape with a castle in it.

"Do you see the dove?"

I didn't, but I nodded anyways.

"That's you. You changed my life," he said.

My mind was going a million miles an hour, trying to figure out what the hell he was talking about. None of it made sense to me.

My blood ran cold when he clicked the safety off the gun.

"I'm going to help you, Jessica, because I know you've suffered just as much as I have. I saw it at the cemetery in Seattle. The way you spoke to your parents' headstones just as I speak to mine."

Gradually, a few pieces of the puzzle came together. He'd supposedly met me—or had seen me at the cemetery.

Just as a grimly serene smile crossed his lips—just as his eyes turned sad as they looked at me—just as he said the words, "Don't worry, we'll see them again"—just as he began to slowly lift the gun from his side, a knock came at the door.

"Sir? Is everything alright in there? Can you answer the door?" A voice called out.

John's composure this whole time while talking had been calm and relaxed, but as soon as he was interrupted by the knock, it was like a switch was flipped.

Before I could open my mouth—before I could even blink—the gun was raised and three rounds were fired into the dark, wooden door.

I flinched at the sudden sound.

Fortunately, I don't think the bullets made it through the door, meaning the person on the other side was okay.

"Sir! Sir! The police are on their way! Drop your weapon and exit the room with your hands up!"

They don't know that I'm in here.

If I speak, he could fire more rounds into the door—or into me.

"Don't come in! I'll shoot her!"

My eyes widen, and I looked at John to see that he was already looking at me. The gun was pointed at me.

He looked desperate. His eyes moved to the window.

"Who's in there with you?" The man on the other side of the door shouted.

"We can leave. We can escape. We're only three stories high," John explained quietly and frantically to me. "This isn't the right time to do this. This isn't the right place."

"John, how about you let me explain to that man that you don't want to hurt anyone? Let me talk to him," I said.

He wasn't listening to me. He ran his free hand through his hair and muttered to himself. "I guess this could be okay, right? It doesn't really matter where."