The London sky was covered in pitch black, the myriad stars hiding behind the veils of cloud cover. The surrounding darkness had blotted out all but the faintest light, leaving London's dim streetlights to guide pedestrians. The sky rumbles, thunder echoes from the sky as if to warn him to turn back and not interfere with their plans set in stone. Mothers tighten their embrace on their children, the elderly quicken their pace, people brush shoulders; trying to reach their destination and get to safety before the skies opened. He pulls the black hoodie tighter around his face, dodging strangers and hurriedly walking down the street before anyone notices him. His breathing quickens, chasing away the thoughts flickering in his head. He mutters apologies, as he bumps into an elderly couple, keeping his head down and taking faster steps before someone stops him and tries to tell him there's no coming back possible. He has no choice. he accepted his fate. A hollow laugh escapes his lips: this is what his life had become. The warning was a nice little touch – whether it was winter running its course or something actually taking care of him, he figured it was the latter. He was at war with himself inside. In the end, one side won. His hands shake as he clenches and unclenches his fists tightly in the deep pockets of his hoodie, desperately trying to hold on. He steps into a murky puddle and turns left into the driveway. He steps forward timidly, shards of glass crunching loudly under his heavy boots. Her heart sinks, the hairs on the back of her neck stand up as the unwelcome wind blows through her body, bringing with it a pungent, coppery smell. The smell is so putrid... middle of paper... his eyes as Zayn starts knocking on the door. "Fuck, please! Harry!" "Harry! Come on!" He croaks, slamming his palm furiously against the wood. His hands burned with pain, each knock on the door tightening the grip on his heart. A few minutes after hitting furiously, he stops. Silence has fallen, he is not there. The demon didn't keep his end of the bargain. Harry was gone for good and he would be left soulless, just a shell of his former self. Zayn would remain in a broken group, slowly watching the other boys waste away, unable to do anything because this constant feeling of hopelessness and betrayal would stay with him until his final days. He stood there for minutes, trying to collect all his thoughts. “No…” He staggers back. This wasn't how it was supposed to end. He was in such a chaotic and frayed state of mind that he didn't notice the door suddenly open. “Zayn?” came a hoarse voice.